diff --git a/01-GEN.usfm b/01-GEN.usfm index bc048bfe..5aa29143 100644 --- a/01-GEN.usfm +++ b/01-GEN.usfm @@ -121,138 +121,138 @@ \s5 \v 24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, he will be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. \v 25 They were both naked, the man and his wife, but were not ashamed. - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now the serpent was more shrewd than any other beast of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You must not eat from any tree of the garden'?" -\v 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden, -\v 3 but concerning the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God said, 'You may not eat it, nor may you touch it, or you will die.'" - -\s5 -\v 4 The serpent said to the woman, "You will surely not die. -\v 5 For God knows that the day you eat it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." -\v 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. Then she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. - -\s5 -\v 7 The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. -\v 8 They heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, so the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Yahweh God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" -\v 10 The man said, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked. So I hid myself." -\v 11 God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" - -\s5 -\v 12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it." -\v 13 Yahweh God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent lied to me, and I ate." -\m - -\s5 -\v 14 Yahweh God said to the serpent, -\q "Because you have done this, -\q cursed are you alone among all the livestock -\q and all the beasts of the field. -\q It is on your stomach that you will go, -\q and it is dust that you will eat all the days of your life. -\q -\v 15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, -\q and between your seed and her seed. -\q He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel." -\m - -\s5 -\v 16 To the woman he said, -\q "I will greatly multiply your pain in having children; -\q it is in pain that you will give birth to children. -\q Your desire will be for your husband, but he will rule over you." -\m - -\s5 -\v 17 To Adam he said, -\q "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, -\q and have eaten from the tree, concerning which I commanded you, -\q saying, 'You may not eat from it,' -\q cursed is the ground because of you; -\q through painful work you will eat from it all the days of your life. -\q -\v 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, -\q and you will eat the plants of the field. -\q -\v 19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, -\q -until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. -\q For dust you are, and to dust you will return." -\m - -\s5 -\v 20 The man called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother of all the living. -\v 21 Yahweh God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Yahweh God said, "Now the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. So now he must not be allowed to reach out with his hand, take from the tree of life, eat it, and live forever." -\v 23 Therefore Yahweh God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken. -\v 24 So God drove the man out of the garden, and he placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword that turned every way, in order to guard the way to the tree of life. - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 The man slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have produced a man with Yahweh's help." -\v 2 Then she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd, but Cain cultivated the soil. - -\s5 -\v 3 It came about that in the course of time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground as an offering to Yahweh. -\v 4 As for Abel, he brought some of the firstborn of his flock and some of the fat. Yahweh accepted Abel and his offering, -\v 5 but Cain and his offering he did not accept. So Cain was very angry, and he scowled. - -\s5 -\v 6 Yahweh said to Cain, "Why are you angry and why are you scowling? -\v 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin crouches at the door and desires to control you, but you must rule over it." - -\s5 -\v 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. It came about that while they were in the fields, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. \f + \ft The best ancient copies read in this way. However, some old translations and some modern translations read, \fqa Cain said to Abel his brother, "Let us go into the fields." It came about that while they were in the fields, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. \f* -\p -\v 9 Then Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" - -\s5 -\v 10 Yahweh said, "What have you done? Your brother's blood is calling out to me from the ground. -\v 11 Now cursed are you from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. -\v 12 When you cultivate the ground, from now on it will not yield to you its strength. A fugitive and a wanderer you will be in the earth." - -\s5 -\v 13 Cain said to Yahweh, "My punishment is greater than I can bear. -\v 14 Indeed, you have driven me out this day from this ground, and I will be hidden from your face. I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." -\v 15 Yahweh said to him, "If anyone kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." Then Yahweh put a mark on Cain, so that if anyone found him, that person would not attack him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So Cain went out from the presence of Yahweh and lived in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. -\v 17 Cain slept with his wife and she conceived. She gave birth to Enoch. He built a city and named it after his son Enoch. - -\s5 -\v 18 To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech. -\v 19 Lamech took for himself two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah. - -\s5 -\v 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal. He was the father of those who lived in tents who have livestock. -\v 21 His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of those who play the harp and pipe. -\v 22 As for Zillah, she bore Tubal-Cain, the forger of tools of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah. - -\s5 -\v 23 Lamech said to his wives, -\q "Adah and Zillah, listen to my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say. -\q For I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. -\q -\v 24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech will be avenged seventy-seven times." - -\s5 -\m -\v 25 Adam slept with his wife again, and she bore another son. She called his name Seth and said, "God has given me another son in the place of Abel, for Cain killed him." -\v 26 A son was born to Seth and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of Yahweh. + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now the serpent was more shrewd than any other beast of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, "Has God really said, 'You must not eat from any tree of the garden'?" +\v 2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden, +\v 3 but concerning the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God said, 'You may not eat it, nor may you touch it, or you will die.'" + +\s5 +\v 4 The serpent said to the woman, "You will surely not die. +\v 5 For God knows that the day you eat it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." +\v 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. Then she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. + +\s5 +\v 7 The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. +\v 8 They heard the sound of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, so the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Yahweh God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" +\v 10 The man said, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked. So I hid myself." +\v 11 God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" + +\s5 +\v 12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it." +\v 13 Yahweh God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent lied to me, and I ate." +\m + +\s5 +\v 14 Yahweh God said to the serpent, +\q "Because you have done this, +\q cursed are you alone among all the livestock +\q and all the beasts of the field. +\q It is on your stomach that you will go, +\q and it is dust that you will eat all the days of your life. +\q +\v 15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, +\q and between your seed and her seed. +\q He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel." +\m + +\s5 +\v 16 To the woman he said, +\q "I will greatly multiply your pain in having children; +\q it is in pain that you will give birth to children. +\q Your desire will be for your husband, but he will rule over you." +\m + +\s5 +\v 17 To Adam he said, +\q "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, +\q and have eaten from the tree, concerning which I commanded you, +\q saying, 'You may not eat from it,' +\q cursed is the ground because of you; +\q through painful work you will eat from it all the days of your life. +\q +\v 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, +\q and you will eat the plants of the field. +\q +\v 19 By the sweat of your face you will eat bread, +\q +until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. +\q For dust you are, and to dust you will return." +\m + +\s5 +\v 20 The man called his wife's name Eve because she was the mother of all the living. +\v 21 Yahweh God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Yahweh God said, "Now the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. So now he must not be allowed to reach out with his hand, take from the tree of life, eat it, and live forever." +\v 23 Therefore Yahweh God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken. +\v 24 So God drove the man out of the garden, and he placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword that turned every way, in order to guard the way to the tree of life. + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 The man slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have produced a man with Yahweh's help." +\v 2 Then she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd, but Cain cultivated the soil. + +\s5 +\v 3 It came about that in the course of time Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground as an offering to Yahweh. +\v 4 As for Abel, he brought some of the firstborn of his flock and some of the fat. Yahweh accepted Abel and his offering, +\v 5 but Cain and his offering he did not accept. So Cain was very angry, and he scowled. + +\s5 +\v 6 Yahweh said to Cain, "Why are you angry and why are you scowling? +\v 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin crouches at the door and desires to control you, but you must rule over it." + +\s5 +\v 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. It came about that while they were in the fields, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. \f + \ft The best ancient copies read in this way. However, some old translations and some modern translations read, \fqa Cain said to Abel his brother, "Let us go into the fields." It came about that while they were in the fields, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. \f* +\p +\v 9 Then Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" + +\s5 +\v 10 Yahweh said, "What have you done? Your brother's blood is calling out to me from the ground. +\v 11 Now cursed are you from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. +\v 12 When you cultivate the ground, from now on it will not yield to you its strength. A fugitive and a wanderer you will be in the earth." + +\s5 +\v 13 Cain said to Yahweh, "My punishment is greater than I can bear. +\v 14 Indeed, you have driven me out this day from this ground, and I will be hidden from your face. I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." +\v 15 Yahweh said to him, "If anyone kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold." Then Yahweh put a mark on Cain, so that if anyone found him, that person would not attack him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So Cain went out from the presence of Yahweh and lived in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. +\v 17 Cain slept with his wife and she conceived. She gave birth to Enoch. He built a city and named it after his son Enoch. + +\s5 +\v 18 To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech. +\v 19 Lamech took for himself two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other was Zillah. + +\s5 +\v 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal. He was the father of those who lived in tents who have livestock. +\v 21 His brother's name was Jubal. He was the father of those who play the harp and pipe. +\v 22 As for Zillah, she bore Tubal-Cain, the forger of tools of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah. + +\s5 +\v 23 Lamech said to his wives, +\q "Adah and Zillah, listen to my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say. +\q For I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. +\q +\v 24 If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech will be avenged seventy-seven times." + +\s5 +\m +\v 25 Adam slept with his wife again, and she bore another son. She called his name Seth and said, "God has given me another son in the place of Abel, for Cain killed him." +\v 26 A son was born to Seth and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of Yahweh. \s5 @@ -321,488 +321,488 @@ until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. \s5 \p \v 32 After Noah had lived five hundred years, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 It came about when mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them, -\v 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were attractive. They took for themselves wives, any of them that they chose. -\v 3 Yahweh said, "My spirit will not remain in mankind forever, for they are flesh. They will live 120 years." - -\s5 -\v 4 Giants were on the earth in those days, and also afterward. This happened when the sons of God married daughters of men, and they had children with them. These were the mighty men of old, men of renown. -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Yahweh saw that the wickedness of mankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. -\v 6 Yahweh regretted that he had made mankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. - -\s5 -\v 7 So Yahweh said, "I will wipe away mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth; both mankind and the larger animals, and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." -\v 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 These were the events concerning Noah. Noah was a righteous man, and blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God. -\v 10 Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. - -\s5 -\v 11 The earth was corrupt before God, and it was filled with violence. -\v 12 God saw the earth; behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 God said to Noah, "I can see that it is time to put an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Indeed, I will destroy them with the earth. -\v 14 Make for yourself an ark of cypress wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch within and without. -\v 15 This is how you will make it: The length of the ark is to be three hundred cubits; the breadth of it is to be fifty cubits, and the height of it is to be thirty cubits. - -\s5 -\v 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it at a cubit from the top of the side. Place a door in the side of the ark and make a lower, a second, and a third deck. -\v 17 Listen, I am about to bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh that has in it the breath of life from under heaven. Everything that is on the earth will die. - -\s5 -\v 18 But I will establish my covenant with you. You will come into the ark, you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons' wives with you. -\v 19 Of every living creature of all flesh, two of every kind you must bring into the ark, to keep them alive with you, both male and female. - -\s5 -\v 20 Of the birds after their kind, and of the larger animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort will come to you, to keep them alive. -\v 21 Gather for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and store it, so that it will be food for you and for them." -\v 22 So Noah did this. According to all that God commanded him, so he did. - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said to Noah, "Come, you and all your household, into the ark, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. -\v 2 Of every clean animal you will bring with you seven males and seven females. From the animals that are not clean, of them bring two, the male and his mate. -\v 3 Also of the birds of the sky, bring seven males and seven females, to preserve their offspring upon the surface of all the earth. - -\s5 -\v 4 For in seven days I will cause it to rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy from off the surface of the ground every living thing that I have made." -\v 5 Noah did all that Yahweh commanded him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood came upon the earth. -\v 7 Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives went into the ark together because of the waters of the flood. - -\s5 -\v 8 Clean animals and unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps upon the ground, -\v 9 two by two, male and female, came to Noah and went into the ark, just as God had commanded Noah. -\v 10 It came about that after the seven days, the waters of the flood came upon the earth. - -\s5 -\v 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day, all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the windows of heaven were opened. -\v 12 The rain began and fell on the earth for forty days and forty nights. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 On that very same day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the ark. -\v 14 They entered along with each wild animal according to its kind, and each sort of livestock according to its kind, and each creeping thing that creeps upon the earth according to its kind, and every sort of bird according to its kind, each kind of creature with wings. - -\s5 -\v 15 Two of all flesh in which was the breath of life came to Noah and entered into the ark. -\v 16 The animals that went in were male and female of all flesh; they entered in just as God had commanded him. Then Yahweh shut the door after them. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted the ark and raised it above the earth. -\v 18 The waters completely covered over the earth, and the ark floated upon the surface of the water. - -\s5 -\v 19 The waters rose greatly on the earth so that all the high mountains that were under the entire sky were covered. -\v 20 The waters rose fifteen cubits above the tops of the mountains. - -\s5 -\v 21 All living beings that moved upon the earth died—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the living creatures that lived in great numbers upon the earth, and all mankind. -\v 22 All living creatures who lived on the land, who breathed the breath of life through their noses, died. - -\s5 -\v 23 So every living thing that was on the surface of the earth was wiped out, from mankind to the larger animals, to creeping things, and to birds of the sky. They were all destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those with him in the ark were left. -\v 24 The waters stayed upon the earth for a hundred and fifty days. - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 God considered Noah, all the wild animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters started going down. -\v 2 The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were closed, and it stopped raining. -\v 3 The flood waters went down slowly from the earth, and after the end of a hundred and fifty days the waters had gone down. - -\s5 -\v 4 The ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. -\v 5 The waters continued to go down until the tenth month. On the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 It came about after forty days that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. -\v 7 He sent out a raven and it flew back and forth until the waters were dried up from the earth. - -\s5 -\v 8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the waters had gone down from the surface of the earth, -\v 9 but the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him in the ark, for the waters were still covering the whole earth. He reached out with his hand, and took and brought her into the ark with him. - -\s5 -\v 10 He waited another seven days and again he sent out the dove from the ark. -\v 11 The dove returned to him in the evening. Look! In her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had gone down from the earth. -\v 12 He waited another seven days, and sent out the dove again. She did not return again to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 It came about in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from off the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ark, looked out, and saw that, behold, the surface of the ground was dry. -\v 14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. - -\s5 -\v 15 God said to Noah, -\v 16 "Go out of the ark, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons' wives with you. -\v 17 Take out with you every living creature of all flesh that is with you—the birds, the animals, and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth—so that they may grow unto very large numbers of living creatures throughout the earth, be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth." - -\s5 -\v 18 So Noah went out with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives with him. -\v 19 Every living creature, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, according to their families, left the ark. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Noah built an altar to Yahweh. He took some of the clean animals and some of the clean birds, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. -\v 21 Yahweh smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart, "I will not again curse the ground because of mankind, even though the intentions of their hearts is evil from childhood. Nor will I again destroy everything living, as I have done. -\q -\v 22 While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, -\q summer and winter, and day and night will not cease." - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. -\v 2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be upon every living animal on the earth, upon every bird of the sky, upon everything that goes low on the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. - -\s5 -\v 3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. -\v 4 But you must not eat meat with its life—that is its blood—in it. - -\s5 -\v 5 But for your blood, the life that is in your blood, I will require payment. From the hand of every animal I will require it. From the hand of any man, that is, from the hand of one who has murdered his brother, I will require an accounting for the life of that man. -\q -\v 6 Whoever sheds man's blood, by man will his blood be shed, -\q for it was in the image of God that he made man. -\v 7 As for you, be fruitful and multiply, spread throughout the earth and multiply on it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, -\v 9 "As for me, listen! I am going to confirm my covenant with you and with your descendants after you, -\v 10 and with every living creature that is with you, with the birds, the livestock, and every creature of the earth with you, from all that came out of the ark, to every living creature on the earth. - -\s5 -\v 11 I hereby confirm my covenant with you, that never again will all flesh be destroyed by the waters of a flood. Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." -\p -\v 12 God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: -\v 13 I have set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. - -\s5 -\v 14 It will come about when I bring a cloud over the earth and the rainbow is seen in the cloud, -\v 15 then I will call to mind my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. The waters will never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. - -\s5 -\v 16 The rainbow will be in the clouds and I will see it, in order to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." -\p -\v 17 Then God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have confirmed between me and all flesh that is on the earth." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 The sons of Noah that came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. -\v 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. -\v 21 He drank some of the wine and became drunk. He was lying uncovered in his tent. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. -\v 23 So Shem and Japheth took a robe and laid it upon both their shoulders, and walked backwards and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned the other way, so they did not see their father's nakedness. - -\s5 -\v 24 When Noah awoke from his drunkenness, he learned what his youngest son had done to him. -\v 25 So he said, -\q "Cursed be Canaan. May he be a servant to his brothers' servants." - -\s5 -\v 26 He also said, -\q "May Yahweh, the God of Shem, be blessed, and may Canaan be his servant. -\q -\v 27 May God extend the territory of Japheth, and let him make his home in the tents of Shem. May Canaan be his servant." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 After the flood, Noah lived three hundred fifty years. -\v 29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years, and then he died. - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 These were the descendants of the sons of Noah, that is, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. -\v 3 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. -\v 4 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. -\v 5 From these the coastland peoples separated and went into their lands, every one with its own language, according to their clans, by their nations. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. -\v 7 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. - -\s5 -\v 8 Cush became the father of Nimrod, who was the first conqueror on the earth. -\v 9 He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. That is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh." -\v 10 The first centers of his kingdom were Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Kalneh, in the land of Shinar. - -\s5 -\v 11 Out of that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, -\v 12 and Resen, which was between Nineveh and Calah. It was a large city. -\p -\v 13 Mizraim became the father of the Ludites, the Anamites, the Lehabites, the Naphtuhites, -\v 14 the Pathrusites, the Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and of Heth, -\v 16 also of the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, -\v 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, -\v 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the clans of the Canaanites spread out. - -\s5 -\v 19 The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, in the direction of Gerar, as far as Gaza, and as one goes toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboyim, as far as Lasha. -\v 20 These were the sons of Ham, by their clans, by their languages, in their lands, and in their nations. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Sons also were born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was also the ancestor of all the people of Eber. -\v 22 The sons of Shem were Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. -\v 23 The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. - -\s5 -\v 24 Arphaxad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber. -\v 25 Eber had two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother's name was Joktan. - -\s5 -\v 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, -\v 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, -\v 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, -\v 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. - -\s5 -\v 30 Their territory was from Mesha, all the way to Sephar, the mountain of the east. -\v 31 These were the sons of Shem, according to their clans and their languages, in their lands, according to their nations. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 These were the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations. From these the nations separated and went over the earth after the flood. - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Now the whole earth used one language and had the same words. -\v 2 As they journeyed in the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and they settled there. - -\s5 -\v 3 They said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick instead of stone and tar as mortar. -\v 4 They said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top will reach to the sky, and let us make a name for ourselves. If we do not, we will be scattered across the surface of the whole earth." - -\s5 -\v 5 So Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower which the descendants of Adam had built. -\v 6 Yahweh said, "Look, they are one people with the same language, and they are beginning to do this! Soon nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them. -\v 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they may not understand each other." - -\s5 -\v 8 So Yahweh scattered them from there across the surface of all the earth and they stopped building the city. -\v 9 Therefore, its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of the whole earth and from there Yahweh scattered them abroad over the surface of all the earth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 These were the descendants of Shem. Shem was a hundred years old, and he became the father of Arphaxad two years after the flood. -\v 11 Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arphaxad. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 When Arphaxad had lived thirty-five years, he became the father of Shelah. -\v 13 Arphaxad lived 403 years after he became the father of Shelah. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 When Shelah had lived thirty years, he became the father of Eber. -\v 15 Shelah lived 403 years after he became the father of Eber. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When Eber had lived thirty-four years, he became the father of Peleg. -\v 17 Eber lived 430 years after he became the father of Peleg. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 When Peleg had lived thirty years, he became the father of Reu. -\v 19 Peleg lived 209 years after he became the father of Reu. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 When Reu had lived thirty-two years, he became the father of Serug. -\v 21 Reu lived 207 years after he became the father of Serug. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 When Serug had lived thirty years, he became the father of Nahor. -\v 23 Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 When Nahor had live twenty-nine years, he became the father of Terah. -\v 25 Nahor lived 119 years after he became the father of Terah. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. -\p -\v 26 After Terah had lived seventy years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Now these were the descendants of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran became the father of Lot. -\v 28 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans. - -\s5 -\v 29 Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai and the name of Nahor's wife was Milkah, a daughter of Haran, who was the father of Milkah and Iskah. -\v 30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no child. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of his son Haran, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and together they left Ur of the Chaldeans, to go into the land of Canaan. But they came to Haran and stayed there. -\v 32 Terah lived 205 years and then died in Haran. - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 Now Yahweh said to Abram, "Go from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father's household, to the land that I will show you. -\v 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, and you will be a blessing. -\v 3 I will bless those who bless you, but whoever dishonors you I will curse. Through you will all the families of the earth be blessed." - -\s5 -\v 4 So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him to do, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. -\v 5 Abram took Sarai, his wife, Lot, his brother's son, all their possessions that they had accumulated, and the people that they had acquired in Haran. They left to go into the land of Canaan, and came to the land of Canaan. -\s5 -\v 6 Abram passed through the land as far as Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites lived in the land. -\v 7 Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So there Abram built an altar to Yahweh, who had appeared to him. - -\s5 -\v 8 From there he moved to the hill country to the east of Bethel, where he pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to Yahweh and called on the name of Yahweh. -\v 9 Then Abram continued journeying, going toward the Negev. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down into Egypt to stay, for the famine was severe in the land. -\v 11 When he was about to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, "See here, I know that you are a beautiful woman. -\v 12 When the Egyptians see you they will say, 'This is his wife,' and they will kill me, but they will keep you alive. -\v 13 Say that you are my sister, so that it may be well with me because of you, and so that my life will be spared because of you." - -\s5 -\v 14 It came about that when Abram entered into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful. -\v 15 The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh, and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's household. -\v 16 Pharaoh treated Abram well for her sake, and gave him sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. -\v 18 Pharaoh summoned Abram, and said, "What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? -\v 19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, here is your wife. Take her, and go your way." -\v 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders to his men concerning him, and they sent him away, along with his wife and all that he had. - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 So Abram went up from Egypt and went into the Negev, he, his wife, and all that he had. Lot also went with them. -\v 2 Now Abram was very rich in animals, in silver, and in gold. - -\s5 -\v 3 He continued on his journey from the Negev to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been before, between Bethel and Ai. -\v 4 He went to the place where the altar was that he had built previously. Here he called on the name of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 5 Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. -\v 6 The land was not able to support them both living close together, because their possessions were very many, so that they could not stay together. -\v 7 Also, there was a dispute between the herdsmen of Abram's animals and the herdsmen of Lot's animals. The Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time. - -\s5 -\v 8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; after all, we are family. -\v 9 Is not the whole land before you? Go ahead and separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right, then I will go to the left." - -\s5 -\v 10 So Lot looked around, and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere all the way to Zoar, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt. This was before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. -\v 11 So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan and traveled east, and the relatives separated from each other. - -\s5 -\v 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived among the cities of the plain. He set up his tents as far away as Sodom. -\v 13 Now the men of Sodom were very wicked sinners against Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Yahweh said to Abram after Lot had departed from him, "Look from the place where you are standing to the north, south, east, and west. -\v 15 All this land which you see, I will give to you and to your descendants forever. - -\s5 -\v 16 I will make your descendants as abundant as the dust of the earth, so that if a man could count the dust of the earth, then your descendants could also be counted. -\v 17 Arise, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I will give it to you." -\v 18 So Abram picked up his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there built an altar to Yahweh. - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 It came about in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of Goiim, -\v 2 that they made war against Bera, king of Sodom, Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, Shemeber, king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar). - -\s5 -\v 3 These latter five kings joined together in the Valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea). -\v 4 Twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. -\v 5 Then in the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim, -\v 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then they turned and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who lived in Hazezon Tamar. -\p -\v 8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out and prepared for battle in the Valley of Siddim -\v 9 against Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, Tidal, king of Goiim, Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar; four kings against the five. - -\s5 -\v 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell in there. Those who were left fled to the mountains. -\v 11 So the kings took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their provisions, and went their way. -\v 12 When they went, they also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who was living in Sodom, along with all his possessions. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 One who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. He was living by the oaks that belonged to Mamre, the Amorite, who was the brother of Eshkol and Aner, who were all allies of Abram. -\v 14 Now when Abram heard that enemies had captured his relative, he led out his 318 trained men who had been born in his house, and he pursued them as far as Dan. - -\s5 -\v 15 He divided his men against them at night and attacked them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. -\v 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the other people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (also called the King's Valley). -\v 18 Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. - -\s5 -\v 19 He blessed him saying, -\q "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. -\q -\v 20 Blessed be God Most High, who has given your enemies into your hand." -\m -Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. - -\s5 -\v 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself." -\v 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, -\v 23 that I will not take a thread, a sandal strap, or anything that is yours, so that you can never say, 'I have made Abram rich.' -\v 24 I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten and the share of the men that went with me. Let Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre take their portion." + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 It came about when mankind began to multiply on the earth and daughters were born to them, +\v 2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were attractive. They took for themselves wives, any of them that they chose. +\v 3 Yahweh said, "My spirit will not remain in mankind forever, for they are flesh. They will live 120 years." + +\s5 +\v 4 Giants were on the earth in those days, and also afterward. This happened when the sons of God married daughters of men, and they had children with them. These were the mighty men of old, men of renown. +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Yahweh saw that the wickedness of mankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. +\v 6 Yahweh regretted that he had made mankind on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. + +\s5 +\v 7 So Yahweh said, "I will wipe away mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth; both mankind and the larger animals, and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." +\v 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 These were the events concerning Noah. Noah was a righteous man, and blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God. +\v 10 Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. + +\s5 +\v 11 The earth was corrupt before God, and it was filled with violence. +\v 12 God saw the earth; behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 God said to Noah, "I can see that it is time to put an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Indeed, I will destroy them with the earth. +\v 14 Make for yourself an ark of cypress wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it with pitch within and without. +\v 15 This is how you will make it: The length of the ark is to be three hundred cubits; the breadth of it is to be fifty cubits, and the height of it is to be thirty cubits. + +\s5 +\v 16 Make a roof for the ark, and finish it at a cubit from the top of the side. Place a door in the side of the ark and make a lower, a second, and a third deck. +\v 17 Listen, I am about to bring the flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh that has in it the breath of life from under heaven. Everything that is on the earth will die. + +\s5 +\v 18 But I will establish my covenant with you. You will come into the ark, you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons' wives with you. +\v 19 Of every living creature of all flesh, two of every kind you must bring into the ark, to keep them alive with you, both male and female. + +\s5 +\v 20 Of the birds after their kind, and of the larger animals after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort will come to you, to keep them alive. +\v 21 Gather for yourself every kind of food that is eaten and store it, so that it will be food for you and for them." +\v 22 So Noah did this. According to all that God commanded him, so he did. + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said to Noah, "Come, you and all your household, into the ark, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. +\v 2 Of every clean animal you will bring with you seven males and seven females. From the animals that are not clean, of them bring two, the male and his mate. +\v 3 Also of the birds of the sky, bring seven males and seven females, to preserve their offspring upon the surface of all the earth. + +\s5 +\v 4 For in seven days I will cause it to rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy from off the surface of the ground every living thing that I have made." +\v 5 Noah did all that Yahweh commanded him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood came upon the earth. +\v 7 Noah, his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives went into the ark together because of the waters of the flood. + +\s5 +\v 8 Clean animals and unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps upon the ground, +\v 9 two by two, male and female, came to Noah and went into the ark, just as God had commanded Noah. +\v 10 It came about that after the seven days, the waters of the flood came upon the earth. + +\s5 +\v 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day, all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the windows of heaven were opened. +\v 12 The rain began and fell on the earth for forty days and forty nights. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 On that very same day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the ark. +\v 14 They entered along with each wild animal according to its kind, and each sort of livestock according to its kind, and each creeping thing that creeps upon the earth according to its kind, and every sort of bird according to its kind, each kind of creature with wings. + +\s5 +\v 15 Two of all flesh in which was the breath of life came to Noah and entered into the ark. +\v 16 The animals that went in were male and female of all flesh; they entered in just as God had commanded him. Then Yahweh shut the door after them. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then the flood came upon the earth for forty days, and the water increased and lifted the ark and raised it above the earth. +\v 18 The waters completely covered over the earth, and the ark floated upon the surface of the water. + +\s5 +\v 19 The waters rose greatly on the earth so that all the high mountains that were under the entire sky were covered. +\v 20 The waters rose fifteen cubits above the tops of the mountains. + +\s5 +\v 21 All living beings that moved upon the earth died—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the living creatures that lived in great numbers upon the earth, and all mankind. +\v 22 All living creatures who lived on the land, who breathed the breath of life through their noses, died. + +\s5 +\v 23 So every living thing that was on the surface of the earth was wiped out, from mankind to the larger animals, to creeping things, and to birds of the sky. They were all destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those with him in the ark were left. +\v 24 The waters stayed upon the earth for a hundred and fifty days. + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 God considered Noah, all the wild animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters started going down. +\v 2 The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were closed, and it stopped raining. +\v 3 The flood waters went down slowly from the earth, and after the end of a hundred and fifty days the waters had gone down. + +\s5 +\v 4 The ark came to rest in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. +\v 5 The waters continued to go down until the tenth month. On the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains appeared. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 It came about after forty days that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. +\v 7 He sent out a raven and it flew back and forth until the waters were dried up from the earth. + +\s5 +\v 8 Then he sent out a dove to see if the waters had gone down from the surface of the earth, +\v 9 but the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned to him in the ark, for the waters were still covering the whole earth. He reached out with his hand, and took and brought her into the ark with him. + +\s5 +\v 10 He waited another seven days and again he sent out the dove from the ark. +\v 11 The dove returned to him in the evening. Look! In her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had gone down from the earth. +\v 12 He waited another seven days, and sent out the dove again. She did not return again to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 It came about in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from off the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ark, looked out, and saw that, behold, the surface of the ground was dry. +\v 14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry. + +\s5 +\v 15 God said to Noah, +\v 16 "Go out of the ark, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons' wives with you. +\v 17 Take out with you every living creature of all flesh that is with you—the birds, the animals, and every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth—so that they may grow unto very large numbers of living creatures throughout the earth, be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth." + +\s5 +\v 18 So Noah went out with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives with him. +\v 19 Every living creature, every creeping thing, and every bird, everything that moves on the earth, according to their families, left the ark. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Noah built an altar to Yahweh. He took some of the clean animals and some of the clean birds, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. +\v 21 Yahweh smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart, "I will not again curse the ground because of mankind, even though the intentions of their hearts is evil from childhood. Nor will I again destroy everything living, as I have done. +\q +\v 22 While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, +\q summer and winter, and day and night will not cease." + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. +\v 2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be upon every living animal on the earth, upon every bird of the sky, upon everything that goes low on the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. + +\s5 +\v 3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. +\v 4 But you must not eat meat with its life—that is its blood—in it. + +\s5 +\v 5 But for your blood, the life that is in your blood, I will require payment. From the hand of every animal I will require it. From the hand of any man, that is, from the hand of one who has murdered his brother, I will require an accounting for the life of that man. +\q +\v 6 Whoever sheds man's blood, by man will his blood be shed, +\q for it was in the image of God that he made man. +\v 7 As for you, be fruitful and multiply, spread throughout the earth and multiply on it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, +\v 9 "As for me, listen! I am going to confirm my covenant with you and with your descendants after you, +\v 10 and with every living creature that is with you, with the birds, the livestock, and every creature of the earth with you, from all that came out of the ark, to every living creature on the earth. + +\s5 +\v 11 I hereby confirm my covenant with you, that never again will all flesh be destroyed by the waters of a flood. Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." +\p +\v 12 God said, "This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: +\v 13 I have set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. + +\s5 +\v 14 It will come about when I bring a cloud over the earth and the rainbow is seen in the cloud, +\v 15 then I will call to mind my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. The waters will never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. + +\s5 +\v 16 The rainbow will be in the clouds and I will see it, in order to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." +\p +\v 17 Then God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have confirmed between me and all flesh that is on the earth." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 The sons of Noah that came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. +\v 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. +\v 21 He drank some of the wine and became drunk. He was lying uncovered in his tent. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. +\v 23 So Shem and Japheth took a robe and laid it upon both their shoulders, and walked backwards and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned the other way, so they did not see their father's nakedness. + +\s5 +\v 24 When Noah awoke from his drunkenness, he learned what his youngest son had done to him. +\v 25 So he said, +\q "Cursed be Canaan. May he be a servant to his brothers' servants." + +\s5 +\v 26 He also said, +\q "May Yahweh, the God of Shem, be blessed, and may Canaan be his servant. +\q +\v 27 May God extend the territory of Japheth, and let him make his home in the tents of Shem. May Canaan be his servant." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 After the flood, Noah lived three hundred fifty years. +\v 29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years, and then he died. + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 These were the descendants of the sons of Noah, that is, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. +\v 3 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. +\v 4 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. +\v 5 From these the coastland peoples separated and went into their lands, every one with its own language, according to their clans, by their nations. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. +\v 7 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. + +\s5 +\v 8 Cush became the father of Nimrod, who was the first conqueror on the earth. +\v 9 He was a mighty hunter before Yahweh. That is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Yahweh." +\v 10 The first centers of his kingdom were Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Kalneh, in the land of Shinar. + +\s5 +\v 11 Out of that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, +\v 12 and Resen, which was between Nineveh and Calah. It was a large city. +\p +\v 13 Mizraim became the father of the Ludites, the Anamites, the Lehabites, the Naphtuhites, +\v 14 the Pathrusites, the Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and of Heth, +\v 16 also of the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, +\v 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, +\v 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the clans of the Canaanites spread out. + +\s5 +\v 19 The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, in the direction of Gerar, as far as Gaza, and as one goes toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboyim, as far as Lasha. +\v 20 These were the sons of Ham, by their clans, by their languages, in their lands, and in their nations. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Sons also were born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was also the ancestor of all the people of Eber. +\v 22 The sons of Shem were Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. +\v 23 The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech. + +\s5 +\v 24 Arphaxad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber. +\v 25 Eber had two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother's name was Joktan. + +\s5 +\v 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, +\v 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, +\v 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, +\v 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. + +\s5 +\v 30 Their territory was from Mesha, all the way to Sephar, the mountain of the east. +\v 31 These were the sons of Shem, according to their clans and their languages, in their lands, according to their nations. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 These were the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations. From these the nations separated and went over the earth after the flood. + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Now the whole earth used one language and had the same words. +\v 2 As they journeyed in the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and they settled there. + +\s5 +\v 3 They said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They had brick instead of stone and tar as mortar. +\v 4 They said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top will reach to the sky, and let us make a name for ourselves. If we do not, we will be scattered across the surface of the whole earth." + +\s5 +\v 5 So Yahweh came down to see the city and the tower which the descendants of Adam had built. +\v 6 Yahweh said, "Look, they are one people with the same language, and they are beginning to do this! Soon nothing that they intend to do will be impossible for them. +\v 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language there, so that they may not understand each other." + +\s5 +\v 8 So Yahweh scattered them from there across the surface of all the earth and they stopped building the city. +\v 9 Therefore, its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of the whole earth and from there Yahweh scattered them abroad over the surface of all the earth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 These were the descendants of Shem. Shem was a hundred years old, and he became the father of Arphaxad two years after the flood. +\v 11 Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arphaxad. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 When Arphaxad had lived thirty-five years, he became the father of Shelah. +\v 13 Arphaxad lived 403 years after he became the father of Shelah. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 When Shelah had lived thirty years, he became the father of Eber. +\v 15 Shelah lived 403 years after he became the father of Eber. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When Eber had lived thirty-four years, he became the father of Peleg. +\v 17 Eber lived 430 years after he became the father of Peleg. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 When Peleg had lived thirty years, he became the father of Reu. +\v 19 Peleg lived 209 years after he became the father of Reu. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 When Reu had lived thirty-two years, he became the father of Serug. +\v 21 Reu lived 207 years after he became the father of Serug. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 When Serug had lived thirty years, he became the father of Nahor. +\v 23 Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 When Nahor had live twenty-nine years, he became the father of Terah. +\v 25 Nahor lived 119 years after he became the father of Terah. He also became the father of other sons and daughters. +\p +\v 26 After Terah had lived seventy years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Now these were the descendants of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran, and Haran became the father of Lot. +\v 28 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans. + +\s5 +\v 29 Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai and the name of Nahor's wife was Milkah, a daughter of Haran, who was the father of Milkah and Iskah. +\v 30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no child. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of his son Haran, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and together they left Ur of the Chaldeans, to go into the land of Canaan. But they came to Haran and stayed there. +\v 32 Terah lived 205 years and then died in Haran. + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 Now Yahweh said to Abram, "Go from your country, and from your relatives, and from your father's household, to the land that I will show you. +\v 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, and you will be a blessing. +\v 3 I will bless those who bless you, but whoever dishonors you I will curse. Through you will all the families of the earth be blessed." + +\s5 +\v 4 So Abram went, as Yahweh had told him to do, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. +\v 5 Abram took Sarai, his wife, Lot, his brother's son, all their possessions that they had accumulated, and the people that they had acquired in Haran. They left to go into the land of Canaan, and came to the land of Canaan. +\s5 +\v 6 Abram passed through the land as far as Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites lived in the land. +\v 7 Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So there Abram built an altar to Yahweh, who had appeared to him. + +\s5 +\v 8 From there he moved to the hill country to the east of Bethel, where he pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to Yahweh and called on the name of Yahweh. +\v 9 Then Abram continued journeying, going toward the Negev. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down into Egypt to stay, for the famine was severe in the land. +\v 11 When he was about to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, "See here, I know that you are a beautiful woman. +\v 12 When the Egyptians see you they will say, 'This is his wife,' and they will kill me, but they will keep you alive. +\v 13 Say that you are my sister, so that it may be well with me because of you, and so that my life will be spared because of you." + +\s5 +\v 14 It came about that when Abram entered into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was very beautiful. +\v 15 The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh, and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's household. +\v 16 Pharaoh treated Abram well for her sake, and gave him sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then Yahweh afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. +\v 18 Pharaoh summoned Abram, and said, "What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? +\v 19 Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, here is your wife. Take her, and go your way." +\v 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders to his men concerning him, and they sent him away, along with his wife and all that he had. + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 So Abram went up from Egypt and went into the Negev, he, his wife, and all that he had. Lot also went with them. +\v 2 Now Abram was very rich in animals, in silver, and in gold. + +\s5 +\v 3 He continued on his journey from the Negev to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been before, between Bethel and Ai. +\v 4 He went to the place where the altar was that he had built previously. Here he called on the name of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 5 Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. +\v 6 The land was not able to support them both living close together, because their possessions were very many, so that they could not stay together. +\v 7 Also, there was a dispute between the herdsmen of Abram's animals and the herdsmen of Lot's animals. The Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time. + +\s5 +\v 8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; after all, we are family. +\v 9 Is not the whole land before you? Go ahead and separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right, then I will go to the left." + +\s5 +\v 10 So Lot looked around, and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere all the way to Zoar, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt. This was before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. +\v 11 So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan and traveled east, and the relatives separated from each other. + +\s5 +\v 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived among the cities of the plain. He set up his tents as far away as Sodom. +\v 13 Now the men of Sodom were very wicked sinners against Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Yahweh said to Abram after Lot had departed from him, "Look from the place where you are standing to the north, south, east, and west. +\v 15 All this land which you see, I will give to you and to your descendants forever. + +\s5 +\v 16 I will make your descendants as abundant as the dust of the earth, so that if a man could count the dust of the earth, then your descendants could also be counted. +\v 17 Arise, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I will give it to you." +\v 18 So Abram picked up his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there built an altar to Yahweh. + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 It came about in the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of Goiim, +\v 2 that they made war against Bera, king of Sodom, Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, Shemeber, king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar). + +\s5 +\v 3 These latter five kings joined together in the Valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea). +\v 4 Twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. +\v 5 Then in the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim, +\v 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then they turned and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who lived in Hazezon Tamar. +\p +\v 8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out and prepared for battle in the Valley of Siddim +\v 9 against Kedorlaomer, king of Elam, Tidal, king of Goiim, Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar; four kings against the five. + +\s5 +\v 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell in there. Those who were left fled to the mountains. +\v 11 So the kings took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their provisions, and went their way. +\v 12 When they went, they also took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who was living in Sodom, along with all his possessions. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 One who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. He was living by the oaks that belonged to Mamre, the Amorite, who was the brother of Eshkol and Aner, who were all allies of Abram. +\v 14 Now when Abram heard that enemies had captured his relative, he led out his 318 trained men who had been born in his house, and he pursued them as far as Dan. + +\s5 +\v 15 He divided his men against them at night and attacked them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. +\v 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the other people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (also called the King's Valley). +\v 18 Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. + +\s5 +\v 19 He blessed him saying, +\q "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. +\q +\v 20 Blessed be God Most High, who has given your enemies into your hand." +\m +Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. + +\s5 +\v 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself." +\v 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, +\v 23 that I will not take a thread, a sandal strap, or anything that is yours, so that you can never say, 'I have made Abram rich.' +\v 24 I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten and the share of the men that went with me. Let Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre take their portion." \s5 @@ -842,395 +842,395 @@ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. \v 19 the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, \v 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaites, \v 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites." - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had not borne any children for him, but she had a female servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. -\v 2 So Sarai said to Abram, "See, Yahweh has kept me from having children. Go sleep with my servant. It may be that I will have children by her." Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. -\v 3 It was after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan that Sarai, Abram's wife, gave Hagar, her Egyptian servant, to her husband as a wife. -\v 4 So he had relations with Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. - -\s5 -\v 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, "This wrong on me is because of you. I gave my servant woman into your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes. Let Yahweh judge between me and you." -\v 6 But Abram said to Sarai, "See here, your servant woman is in your power, do to her what you think best." So Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 The angel of Yahweh found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring that is on the way to Shur. -\v 8 He said, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where did you come from and where are you going?" Then she said, "I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai." - -\s5 -\v 9 The angel of Yahweh said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority." -\v 10 Then the angel of Yahweh said to her, "I will greatly multiply your descendants, so that they will be too numerous to count." - -\s5 -\v 11 The angel of Yahweh also said to her, -\q "Behold, you are pregnant, and will bear a son, and you will call his name Ishmael, -\q because Yahweh has heard your affliction. -\q -\v 12 He will be a wild donkey of a man. He will be hostile against every man, and every man will be hostile to him, -\q and he will live apart from all his brothers." - -\s5 -\v 13 Then she gave this name to Yahweh who spoke to her, "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "Do I really continue to see, even after he has seen me?" -\v 14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Hagar gave birth to Abram's son, and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. -\v 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram. - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless. -\v 2 Then I will confirm my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." - -\s5 -\v 3 Abram bowed low with his face to the ground and God talked with him, saying, -\v 4 "As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations. -\v 5 No longer will your name be Abram, but your name will be Abraham—for I appoint you to be the father of a multitude of nations. -\v 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you. - -\s5 -\v 7 I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you, throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. -\v 8 I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land where you have been living, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. -\v 10 This is my covenant, which you must keep, between me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you must be circumcised. -\v 11 You must be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. - -\s5 -\v 12 Every male among you that is eight days old must be circumcised, throughout your people's generations. This includes him who is born into your household and him who is bought with money from any foreigner who is not one of your descendants. -\v 13 He who is born into your household and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised. Thus my covenant will be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. -\v 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin will be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai any more. Instead, her name will be Sarah. -\v 16 I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will become the mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her." - -\s5 -\v 17 Then Abraham bowed low with his face to the ground, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? How can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a son?" -\v 18 Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!" - -\s5 -\v 19 God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you must name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant with his descendants after him. -\v 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I hereby bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him abundantly. He will be the father of twelve leaders of tribes, and I will make him become a great nation. -\v 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time in the next year." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. -\v 23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all those who were born into his household, and all those who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in that same day, as God had said to him. - -\s5 -\v 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. -\v 25 Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. -\v 26 On the very same day Abraham and Ishmael his son were both circumcised. -\v 27 All the men of his household were circumcised with him, including those born into the household and those bought with money from a foreigner. - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent doorway in the heat of the day. -\v 2 He looked up and, behold, he saw three men standing across from him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed low to the ground. - -\s5 -\v 3 He said, "Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes, do not pass by and leave your servant. -\v 4 Let a little water be brought, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. -\v 5 Let me bring a little food, so that you may refresh yourselves. Afterwards you can go your way, since you have come to your servant." They replied, "Do as you have said." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then Abraham quickly went into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Hurry, get three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and make bread." -\v 7 Then Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf that was tender and good, and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it. -\v 8 He took curds and milk, and the calf that had been prepared, and placed the food before them, and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" He replied, "There, in the tent." -\v 10 He said, "I will certainly return to you in the springtime, and see, Sarah your wife will have a son." Sarah was listening in the tent doorway, which was behind him. - -\s5 -\v 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, very advanced in age, and Sarah had passed the age when women could bear children. -\v 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying to herself, "After I am worn-out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" - -\s5 -\v 13 Yahweh said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really bear a child, when I am old'? -\v 14 Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the time appointed by me, in the spring, I will return to you. About this time next year Sarah will have a son." -\v 15 Then Sarah denied it and said, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He replied, "No, you did laugh." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then the men arose to leave and looked down toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way. -\v 17 But Yahweh said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, -\v 18 since Abraham will indeed become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? -\v 19 For I have chosen him so that he may instruct his children and his household after him to keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham what he has said to him." - -\s5 -\v 20 Then Yahweh said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and because their sin is so serious, -\v 21 I will now go down there and see the outcry against her that has come to me, whether they have really done it. If not, I will know." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before Yahweh. -\v 23 Then Abraham approached and said, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? - -\s5 -\v 24 Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are there? -\v 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, killing the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be treated the same as the wicked. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" -\v 26 Yahweh said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake." - -\s5 -\v 27 Abraham answered and said, "Look, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord, even though I am only dust and ashes! -\v 28 What if there are five less than fifty righteous? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" Then he said, "I will not destroy it, if I find there forty-five." - -\s5 -\v 29 He spoke to him yet again, and said, "What if there are forty found there?" He replied, "I will not do it for the forty's sake." -\v 30 He said, "Please do not be angry, Lord, so I may speak. Perhaps thirty will be found there." He replied, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." -\v 31 He said, "Look, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord! Perhaps twenty will be found there." He replied, "I will not destroy it for the twenty's sake." - -\s5 -\v 32 He said, "Please do not be angry, Lord, and I will speak this one last time. Perhaps ten will be found there." Then he said, "I will not destroy it for the ten's sake." -\v 33 Yahweh went on his way as soon as he had finished talking with Abraham, and Abraham returned home. - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, while Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, arose to meet them, and bowed down with his face to the ground. -\v 2 He said, "Please my masters, I urge you to turn aside into your servant's house, stay for the night, and wash your feet. Then you can rise up early and go on your way." They replied, "No, we will spend the night in the town square." -\v 3 But he urged them strongly, so they went with him, and entered into his house. He prepared a meal and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. - -\s5 -\v 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the men from every part of the city. -\v 5 They called to Lot, and said to him, "Where are the men that came in to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may sleep with them." - -\s5 -\v 6 So Lot went out the door to them and shut the door after himself. -\v 7 He said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. -\v 8 Look, I have two daughters who have not slept with any man. Let me, I beg you, bring them out to you, and you do to them whatever is good in your eyes. Only do nothing to these men, because they have come under the shadow of my roof." - -\s5 -\v 9 They said, "Stand back!" They also said, "This one came here to live as a foreigner, and now he has become our judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them." They pressed hard against the man, against Lot, and came near to break down the door. - -\s5 -\v 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. -\v 11 Then Lot's visitors struck with blindness the men who were outside the door of the house, both young and old, so that they became exhausted when they were trying to find the door. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then the men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here? Any sons-in-law, your sons and your daughters, and whoever you have in the city, get them out of here. -\v 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the accusations against it before Yahweh have become so loud that he has sent us to destroy it." - -\s5 -\v 14 Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, the men who had promised to marry his daughters, and said, "Quick, get out of this place, for Yahweh is about to destroy the city." But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. -\v 15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Get going, take your wife and your two daughters that are here, so you are not swept away in the punishment of the city." - -\s5 -\v 16 But he lingered. So the men grabbed his hand, and the hand of his wife, and the hands of his two daughters, because Yahweh was merciful to him. They brought them out, and set them outside the city. -\v 17 When they had brought them out, one of the men said, "Run for your lives! Do not look back, or stay anywhere on the plain. Escape to the mountains so you are not swept away." - -\s5 -\v 18 Lot said to them, "No, please, my masters! -\v 19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life, but I cannot escape to the mountains, because the disaster will overtake me, and I will die. -\v 20 Look, that city over there is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Please, let me escape there (is it not a little one?), and my life will be saved." - -\s5 -\v 21 He said to him, "Alright, I am granting this request also, that I will not destroy the city which you have mentioned. -\v 22 Hurry! Escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the city was called Zoar. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot reached Zoar. -\v 24 Then Yahweh rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Yahweh out of the sky. -\v 25 He destroyed those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and the plants that grew on the ground. - -\s5 -\v 26 But Lot's wife, who was behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. -\p -\v 27 Abraham got up early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before Yahweh. -\v 28 He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the plain. He looked and behold, smoke was rising from the land like the smoke of a furnace. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, God called Abraham to mind. He sent Lot out of the midst of the destruction when he destroyed the cities in which Lot had lived. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 But Lot went up from Zoar to live in the mountains with his two daughters, because he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters. - -\s5 -\v 31 The firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere to sleep with us according to the way of all the world. -\v 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will sleep with him, so that we may extend our father's line." -\v 33 So they made their father drink wine that night. Then the firstborn went in and slept with her father; he did not know when she lay down, nor when she arose. - -\s5 -\v 34 The next day the firstborn said to the younger, "Listen, last night I slept with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you should go in and sleep with him, so that we may extend our father's line." -\v 35 So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger went and slept with him. He did not know when she lay down, nor when she arose. - -\s5 -\v 36 So both the daughters of Lot were pregnant by their father. -\v 37 The firstborn gave birth to a son, and named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the Moabites of today. -\v 38 As for the younger daughter, she also gave birth to a son, and named him Ben-Ammi. He became the ancestor of the people of Ammon of today. - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He was a foreigner living in Gerar. -\v 2 Abraham said concerning Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent his men and they took Sarah. -\v 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream in the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife." - -\s5 -\v 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her and he said, "Lord, would you kill even a righteous nation? -\v 5 Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister?' Even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I also know that in the integrity of your heart you did this, and I also kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not allow you to touch her. -\v 7 Therefore, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you and all who are yours will surely die." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all of his servants to himself. He told all these things to them, and the men were very afraid. -\v 9 Then Abimelech called for Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me that which ought not to be done." - -\s5 -\v 10 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What prompted you to do this thing?" -\v 11 Abraham said, "Because I thought, 'Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.' -\v 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. - -\s5 -\v 13 When God caused me to leave my father's house and travel from place to place, I said to her, 'You must show me this faithfulness as my wife: At every place where we go, say about me, "He is my brother."'" -\v 14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves, and gave them to Abraham. Then he returned Sarah, Abraham's wife, to him. - -\s5 -\v 15 Abimelech said, "Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever it pleases you." -\v 16 To Sarah he said, "Look, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is to cover any offense against you in the eyes of all that are with you, and before everyone, you are completely made right." - -\s5 -\v 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they were able to have children. -\v 18 For Yahweh had caused all the women of the household of Abimelech to be completely infertile, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh paid attention to Sarah as he had said he would, and Yahweh did for Sarah just as he had promised. -\v 2 Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. -\v 3 Abraham named his son, the one who had been born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. -\v 4 Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, just as God had commanded him. - -\s5 -\v 5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. -\v 6 Sarah said, "God has made me laugh; every one who hears will laugh with me." -\v 7 She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children, and yet I have borne him a son in his old age!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. -\v 9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. - -\s5 -\v 10 So she said to Abraham, "Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will not be heir with my son, with Isaac." -\v 11 This thing was very grievous to Abraham because of his son. - -\s5 -\v 12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be grieved because of the lad, and because of your servant woman. Listen to her words in all she says to you about this matter, because it is through Isaac that your descendants will be named. -\v 13 I will also make the son of the servant woman into a nation, because he is your descendant." - -\s5 -\v 14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder. He gave her the boy and sent her away. She departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. -\v 15 When the water in the waterskin was gone, she abandoned the child under one of the bushes. -\v 16 Then she went, and sat down a short distance from him, about the distance of a bowshot away, for she said, "Let me not look upon the death of the child." As she sat there across from him, she lifted up her voice and wept. - -\s5 -\v 17 God heard the voice of the lad, and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. -\v 18 Get up, raise up the lad, and encourage him; for I will make him into a great nation." - -\s5 -\v 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. -\v 20 God was with the lad, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness and became an archer. -\v 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 It came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do. -\v 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my offspring, nor with my descendants. Show to me and to the land in which you have been staying the same covenant faithfulness that I have shown to you." -\v 24 Abraham said, "I swear." - -\s5 -\v 25 Abraham also complained to Abimelech concerning a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized from him. -\v 26 Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing. You did not tell me before now; I have not heard of it until today." -\v 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. - -\s5 -\v 28 Then Abraham set seven female lambs of the flock by themselves. -\v 29 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven female lambs that you have set by themselves?" -\v 30 He replied, "These seven female lambs you will receive from my hand, so that it may be a witness for me, that I dug this well." - -\s5 -\v 31 So he called that place Beersheba, because there they both swore an oath. -\v 32 They made a covenant at Beersheba, and then Abimelech and Phicol, the captain of his army, returned to the land of the Philistines. - -\s5 -\v 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba. There he worshiped Yahweh, the eternal God. -\v 34 Abraham remained as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days. - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 It came about after these things that God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" Abraham said, "Here I am." -\v 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains there, which I will tell you about." -\v 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, along with Isaac his son. He cut the wood for the burnt offering, then set out on his journey to the place that God had told him about. - -\s5 -\v 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place afar off. -\v 5 Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there. We will worship and come again to you." -\v 6 Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on Isaac his son. He took in his own hand the fire and the knife; and they went both of them together. - -\s5 -\v 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father," and he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "See, here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" -\v 8 Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So they went on, both of them together. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When they came to the place that God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood on it. Then he bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. -\v 10 Abraham reached out with his hand and took up the knife to kill his son. - -\s5 -\v 11 Then the angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" and he said, "Here I am." -\v 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand upon the lad, nor do anything to harm him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing that you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." - -\s5 -\v 13 Abraham looked up and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the bushes by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up as a burnt offering instead of his son. -\v 14 So Abraham called that place, "Yahweh will provide," and it is said to this day, "On the mountain of Yahweh it will be provided." - -\s5 -\v 15 The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham a second time from heaven -\v 16 and said—this is Yahweh's declaration—by myself I have sworn that because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, -\v 17 I will surely bless you and I will greatly multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and your descendants will possess the gate of their enemies. - -\s5 -\v 18 Through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." -\v 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they departed and went together to Beersheba, and he lived at Beersheba. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 It came about after these things that Abraham was told, "Milkah has borne children, as well, to your brother Nahor." -\v 21 They were Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, -\v 22 Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. - -\s5 -\v 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These were the eight children that Milkah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. -\v 24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah. + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had not borne any children for him, but she had a female servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. +\v 2 So Sarai said to Abram, "See, Yahweh has kept me from having children. Go sleep with my servant. It may be that I will have children by her." Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. +\v 3 It was after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan that Sarai, Abram's wife, gave Hagar, her Egyptian servant, to her husband as a wife. +\v 4 So he had relations with Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. + +\s5 +\v 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, "This wrong on me is because of you. I gave my servant woman into your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes. Let Yahweh judge between me and you." +\v 6 But Abram said to Sarai, "See here, your servant woman is in your power, do to her what you think best." So Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 The angel of Yahweh found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring that is on the way to Shur. +\v 8 He said, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where did you come from and where are you going?" Then she said, "I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai." + +\s5 +\v 9 The angel of Yahweh said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority." +\v 10 Then the angel of Yahweh said to her, "I will greatly multiply your descendants, so that they will be too numerous to count." + +\s5 +\v 11 The angel of Yahweh also said to her, +\q "Behold, you are pregnant, and will bear a son, and you will call his name Ishmael, +\q because Yahweh has heard your affliction. +\q +\v 12 He will be a wild donkey of a man. He will be hostile against every man, and every man will be hostile to him, +\q and he will live apart from all his brothers." + +\s5 +\v 13 Then she gave this name to Yahweh who spoke to her, "You are the God who sees me," for she said, "Do I really continue to see, even after he has seen me?" +\v 14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Hagar gave birth to Abram's son, and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. +\v 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram. + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless. +\v 2 Then I will confirm my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." + +\s5 +\v 3 Abram bowed low with his face to the ground and God talked with him, saying, +\v 4 "As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations. +\v 5 No longer will your name be Abram, but your name will be Abraham—for I appoint you to be the father of a multitude of nations. +\v 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you. + +\s5 +\v 7 I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you, throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. +\v 8 I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land where you have been living, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. +\v 10 This is my covenant, which you must keep, between me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you must be circumcised. +\v 11 You must be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. + +\s5 +\v 12 Every male among you that is eight days old must be circumcised, throughout your people's generations. This includes him who is born into your household and him who is bought with money from any foreigner who is not one of your descendants. +\v 13 He who is born into your household and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised. Thus my covenant will be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. +\v 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin will be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai any more. Instead, her name will be Sarah. +\v 16 I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will become the mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her." + +\s5 +\v 17 Then Abraham bowed low with his face to the ground, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? How can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a son?" +\v 18 Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!" + +\s5 +\v 19 God said, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you must name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant with his descendants after him. +\v 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I hereby bless him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him abundantly. He will be the father of twelve leaders of tribes, and I will make him become a great nation. +\v 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time in the next year." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. +\v 23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all those who were born into his household, and all those who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in that same day, as God had said to him. + +\s5 +\v 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. +\v 25 Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. +\v 26 On the very same day Abraham and Ishmael his son were both circumcised. +\v 27 All the men of his household were circumcised with him, including those born into the household and those bought with money from a foreigner. + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent doorway in the heat of the day. +\v 2 He looked up and, behold, he saw three men standing across from him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door and bowed low to the ground. + +\s5 +\v 3 He said, "Lord, if I have found favor in your eyes, do not pass by and leave your servant. +\v 4 Let a little water be brought, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. +\v 5 Let me bring a little food, so that you may refresh yourselves. Afterwards you can go your way, since you have come to your servant." They replied, "Do as you have said." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then Abraham quickly went into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Hurry, get three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and make bread." +\v 7 Then Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf that was tender and good, and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it. +\v 8 He took curds and milk, and the calf that had been prepared, and placed the food before them, and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" He replied, "There, in the tent." +\v 10 He said, "I will certainly return to you in the springtime, and see, Sarah your wife will have a son." Sarah was listening in the tent doorway, which was behind him. + +\s5 +\v 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, very advanced in age, and Sarah had passed the age when women could bear children. +\v 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying to herself, "After I am worn-out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" + +\s5 +\v 13 Yahweh said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really bear a child, when I am old'? +\v 14 Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the time appointed by me, in the spring, I will return to you. About this time next year Sarah will have a son." +\v 15 Then Sarah denied it and said, "I did not laugh," for she was afraid. He replied, "No, you did laugh." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then the men arose to leave and looked down toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way. +\v 17 But Yahweh said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, +\v 18 since Abraham will indeed become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? +\v 19 For I have chosen him so that he may instruct his children and his household after him to keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice, so that Yahweh may bring upon Abraham what he has said to him." + +\s5 +\v 20 Then Yahweh said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and because their sin is so serious, +\v 21 I will now go down there and see the outcry against her that has come to me, whether they have really done it. If not, I will know." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before Yahweh. +\v 23 Then Abraham approached and said, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? + +\s5 +\v 24 Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous that are there? +\v 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, killing the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be treated the same as the wicked. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" +\v 26 Yahweh said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place for their sake." + +\s5 +\v 27 Abraham answered and said, "Look, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord, even though I am only dust and ashes! +\v 28 What if there are five less than fifty righteous? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?" Then he said, "I will not destroy it, if I find there forty-five." + +\s5 +\v 29 He spoke to him yet again, and said, "What if there are forty found there?" He replied, "I will not do it for the forty's sake." +\v 30 He said, "Please do not be angry, Lord, so I may speak. Perhaps thirty will be found there." He replied, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there." +\v 31 He said, "Look, I have undertaken to speak to my Lord! Perhaps twenty will be found there." He replied, "I will not destroy it for the twenty's sake." + +\s5 +\v 32 He said, "Please do not be angry, Lord, and I will speak this one last time. Perhaps ten will be found there." Then he said, "I will not destroy it for the ten's sake." +\v 33 Yahweh went on his way as soon as he had finished talking with Abraham, and Abraham returned home. + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, while Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, arose to meet them, and bowed down with his face to the ground. +\v 2 He said, "Please my masters, I urge you to turn aside into your servant's house, stay for the night, and wash your feet. Then you can rise up early and go on your way." They replied, "No, we will spend the night in the town square." +\v 3 But he urged them strongly, so they went with him, and entered into his house. He prepared a meal and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. + +\s5 +\v 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the men from every part of the city. +\v 5 They called to Lot, and said to him, "Where are the men that came in to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may sleep with them." + +\s5 +\v 6 So Lot went out the door to them and shut the door after himself. +\v 7 He said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. +\v 8 Look, I have two daughters who have not slept with any man. Let me, I beg you, bring them out to you, and you do to them whatever is good in your eyes. Only do nothing to these men, because they have come under the shadow of my roof." + +\s5 +\v 9 They said, "Stand back!" They also said, "This one came here to live as a foreigner, and now he has become our judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them." They pressed hard against the man, against Lot, and came near to break down the door. + +\s5 +\v 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. +\v 11 Then Lot's visitors struck with blindness the men who were outside the door of the house, both young and old, so that they became exhausted when they were trying to find the door. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then the men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here? Any sons-in-law, your sons and your daughters, and whoever you have in the city, get them out of here. +\v 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the accusations against it before Yahweh have become so loud that he has sent us to destroy it." + +\s5 +\v 14 Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, the men who had promised to marry his daughters, and said, "Quick, get out of this place, for Yahweh is about to destroy the city." But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. +\v 15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Get going, take your wife and your two daughters that are here, so you are not swept away in the punishment of the city." + +\s5 +\v 16 But he lingered. So the men grabbed his hand, and the hand of his wife, and the hands of his two daughters, because Yahweh was merciful to him. They brought them out, and set them outside the city. +\v 17 When they had brought them out, one of the men said, "Run for your lives! Do not look back, or stay anywhere on the plain. Escape to the mountains so you are not swept away." + +\s5 +\v 18 Lot said to them, "No, please, my masters! +\v 19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life, but I cannot escape to the mountains, because the disaster will overtake me, and I will die. +\v 20 Look, that city over there is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Please, let me escape there (is it not a little one?), and my life will be saved." + +\s5 +\v 21 He said to him, "Alright, I am granting this request also, that I will not destroy the city which you have mentioned. +\v 22 Hurry! Escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the city was called Zoar. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot reached Zoar. +\v 24 Then Yahweh rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Yahweh out of the sky. +\v 25 He destroyed those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and the plants that grew on the ground. + +\s5 +\v 26 But Lot's wife, who was behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. +\p +\v 27 Abraham got up early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before Yahweh. +\v 28 He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the plain. He looked and behold, smoke was rising from the land like the smoke of a furnace. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, God called Abraham to mind. He sent Lot out of the midst of the destruction when he destroyed the cities in which Lot had lived. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 But Lot went up from Zoar to live in the mountains with his two daughters, because he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters. + +\s5 +\v 31 The firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere to sleep with us according to the way of all the world. +\v 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will sleep with him, so that we may extend our father's line." +\v 33 So they made their father drink wine that night. Then the firstborn went in and slept with her father; he did not know when she lay down, nor when she arose. + +\s5 +\v 34 The next day the firstborn said to the younger, "Listen, last night I slept with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you should go in and sleep with him, so that we may extend our father's line." +\v 35 So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger went and slept with him. He did not know when she lay down, nor when she arose. + +\s5 +\v 36 So both the daughters of Lot were pregnant by their father. +\v 37 The firstborn gave birth to a son, and named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the Moabites of today. +\v 38 As for the younger daughter, she also gave birth to a son, and named him Ben-Ammi. He became the ancestor of the people of Ammon of today. + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the Negev, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He was a foreigner living in Gerar. +\v 2 Abraham said concerning Sarah his wife, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent his men and they took Sarah. +\v 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream in the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife." + +\s5 +\v 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her and he said, "Lord, would you kill even a righteous nation? +\v 5 Did he not himself say to me, 'She is my sister?' Even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' I have done this in the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I also know that in the integrity of your heart you did this, and I also kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not allow you to touch her. +\v 7 Therefore, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not restore her, know that you and all who are yours will surely die." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all of his servants to himself. He told all these things to them, and the men were very afraid. +\v 9 Then Abimelech called for Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me that which ought not to be done." + +\s5 +\v 10 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What prompted you to do this thing?" +\v 11 Abraham said, "Because I thought, 'Surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.' +\v 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. + +\s5 +\v 13 When God caused me to leave my father's house and travel from place to place, I said to her, 'You must show me this faithfulness as my wife: At every place where we go, say about me, "He is my brother."'" +\v 14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves, and gave them to Abraham. Then he returned Sarah, Abraham's wife, to him. + +\s5 +\v 15 Abimelech said, "Look, my land is before you. Settle wherever it pleases you." +\v 16 To Sarah he said, "Look, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is to cover any offense against you in the eyes of all that are with you, and before everyone, you are completely made right." + +\s5 +\v 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves so that they were able to have children. +\v 18 For Yahweh had caused all the women of the household of Abimelech to be completely infertile, because of Sarah, Abraham's wife. + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh paid attention to Sarah as he had said he would, and Yahweh did for Sarah just as he had promised. +\v 2 Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. +\v 3 Abraham named his son, the one who had been born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. +\v 4 Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, just as God had commanded him. + +\s5 +\v 5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. +\v 6 Sarah said, "God has made me laugh; every one who hears will laugh with me." +\v 7 She also said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children, and yet I have borne him a son in his old age!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. +\v 9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. + +\s5 +\v 10 So she said to Abraham, "Drive out this slave woman and her son, for the son of this slave woman will not be heir with my son, with Isaac." +\v 11 This thing was very grievous to Abraham because of his son. + +\s5 +\v 12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be grieved because of the lad, and because of your servant woman. Listen to her words in all she says to you about this matter, because it is through Isaac that your descendants will be named. +\v 13 I will also make the son of the servant woman into a nation, because he is your descendant." + +\s5 +\v 14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, took bread and a skin of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder. He gave her the boy and sent her away. She departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. +\v 15 When the water in the waterskin was gone, she abandoned the child under one of the bushes. +\v 16 Then she went, and sat down a short distance from him, about the distance of a bowshot away, for she said, "Let me not look upon the death of the child." As she sat there across from him, she lifted up her voice and wept. + +\s5 +\v 17 God heard the voice of the lad, and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. +\v 18 Get up, raise up the lad, and encourage him; for I will make him into a great nation." + +\s5 +\v 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. +\v 20 God was with the lad, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness and became an archer. +\v 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 It came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do. +\v 23 Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my offspring, nor with my descendants. Show to me and to the land in which you have been staying the same covenant faithfulness that I have shown to you." +\v 24 Abraham said, "I swear." + +\s5 +\v 25 Abraham also complained to Abimelech concerning a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized from him. +\v 26 Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing. You did not tell me before now; I have not heard of it until today." +\v 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. + +\s5 +\v 28 Then Abraham set seven female lambs of the flock by themselves. +\v 29 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven female lambs that you have set by themselves?" +\v 30 He replied, "These seven female lambs you will receive from my hand, so that it may be a witness for me, that I dug this well." + +\s5 +\v 31 So he called that place Beersheba, because there they both swore an oath. +\v 32 They made a covenant at Beersheba, and then Abimelech and Phicol, the captain of his army, returned to the land of the Philistines. + +\s5 +\v 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba. There he worshiped Yahweh, the eternal God. +\v 34 Abraham remained as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days. + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 It came about after these things that God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" Abraham said, "Here I am." +\v 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains there, which I will tell you about." +\v 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, along with Isaac his son. He cut the wood for the burnt offering, then set out on his journey to the place that God had told him about. + +\s5 +\v 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place afar off. +\v 5 Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there. We will worship and come again to you." +\v 6 Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on Isaac his son. He took in his own hand the fire and the knife; and they went both of them together. + +\s5 +\v 7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father," and he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "See, here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" +\v 8 Abraham said, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So they went on, both of them together. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When they came to the place that God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood on it. Then he bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. +\v 10 Abraham reached out with his hand and took up the knife to kill his son. + +\s5 +\v 11 Then the angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" and he said, "Here I am." +\v 12 He said, "Do not lay your hand upon the lad, nor do anything to harm him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing that you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." + +\s5 +\v 13 Abraham looked up and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the bushes by his horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up as a burnt offering instead of his son. +\v 14 So Abraham called that place, "Yahweh will provide," and it is said to this day, "On the mountain of Yahweh it will be provided." + +\s5 +\v 15 The angel of Yahweh called to Abraham a second time from heaven +\v 16 and said—this is Yahweh's declaration—by myself I have sworn that because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, +\v 17 I will surely bless you and I will greatly multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and your descendants will possess the gate of their enemies. + +\s5 +\v 18 Through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." +\v 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they departed and went together to Beersheba, and he lived at Beersheba. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 It came about after these things that Abraham was told, "Milkah has borne children, as well, to your brother Nahor." +\v 21 They were Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, +\v 22 Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel. + +\s5 +\v 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These were the eight children that Milkah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. +\v 24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah. \s5 \c 23 @@ -1272,2033 +1272,2033 @@ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. \s5 \v 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which is next to Mamre, that is, Hebron, in the land of Canaan. \v 20 So the field and the cave in it passed to Abraham as a property for a burial place from the sons of Heth. - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 Now Abraham was very old and Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things. -\v 2 Abraham said to his servant, the one who was the oldest of his household and who was in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh -\v 3 and I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I make my home. -\v 4 But you will go to my country, and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son Isaac." - -\s5 -\v 5 The servant said to him, "What if the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land? Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?" -\v 6 Abraham said to him, "Make sure that you do not take my son back there! -\v 7 Yahweh, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my relatives, and who promised me with a solemn oath saying, 'To your offspring I will give this land,' he will send his angel before you, and you will get a wife for my son from there. - -\s5 -\v 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine. Only you are not to take my son back there." -\v 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The servant took ten of his master's camels and departed. He also took with him all kinds of gifts from his master. He departed and went to the region of Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nahor. -\v 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water. It was evening, the time that women go out to draw water. - -\s5 -\v 12 Then he said, "Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, grant me success today and show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham. -\v 13 Look, here I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. -\v 14 Let it happen like this. When I say to a young woman, 'Please lower your pitcher so that I may drink,' and she says to me, 'Drink, and I will water your camels too,' then let her be the one that you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown covenant faithfulness to my master." - -\s5 -\v 15 It came about that even before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out with her water pitcher on her shoulder. Rebekah was born to Bethuel son of Milkah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother. -\v 16 The young woman was very beautiful and a virgin. No man had slept with her. She went down to the spring and filled her pitcher, and came up. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, "Please give me a little drink of water from your pitcher." -\v 18 She said, "Drink, my master," and she quickly let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink. - -\s5 -\v 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking." -\v 20 So she hurried and emptied her pitcher into the trough, then ran again to the well to draw water, and drew water for all his camels. - -\s5 -\v 21 The man watched her in silence to see whether Yahweh had prospered his journey or not. -\v 22 As the camels finished drinking, the man brought out a gold nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two gold bracelets for her arms weighing ten shekels, -\v 23 and asked, "Whose daughter are you? Tell me please, is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?" - -\s5 -\v 24 She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, whom she bore to Nahor." -\v 25 She also said to him, "We have plenty of both straw and feed, and also room for you to spend the night." - -\s5 -\v 26 Then the man bowed down and worshiped Yahweh. -\v 27 He said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his covenant faithfulness and his trustworthiness toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me directly to the house of my master's relatives." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about all of these things. -\v 29 Now Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran to the man who was out at the road by the spring. -\v 30 When he had seen the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and when he had heard the words of Rebekah his sister, "This is what the man said to me," he went to the man, and, behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. - -\s5 -\v 31 Then Laban said, "Come, you blessed of Yahweh. Why are you standing outside? I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels." -\v 32 So the man came to the house and he unloaded the camels. The camels were given straw and feed, and water was provided to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. - -\s5 -\v 33 They set food before him to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have said what I have to say." So Laban said, "Speak on." -\v 34 He said, "I am Abraham's servant. -\v 35 Yahweh has blessed my master very much and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. - -\s5 -\v 36 Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master when she was old, and he has given everything that he owns to him. -\v 37 My master made me swear, saying, 'You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I make my home. -\v 38 Instead, you must go to my father's family, and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son.' - -\s5 -\v 39 I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not follow me.' -\v 40 But he said to me, 'Yahweh, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and he will prosper your way, so that you will get a wife for my son from among my relatives and from my father's family line. -\v 41 But you will be free from my oath if you come to my relatives and they will not give her to you. Then you will be free from my oath.' - -\s5 -\v 42 So I arrived today at the spring, and said, 'O Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, please, if you do indeed intend to make my journey successful— -\v 43 here I am, standing by the spring of water—let the young woman who comes out to draw water, the woman to whom I say, "Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink," -\v 44 the woman who says to me, "Drink, and I will also draw water for your camels"—let her be the woman whom you, Yahweh, have chosen for my master's son.' - -\s5 -\v 45 Even before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.' -\v 46 She quickly lowered her pitcher from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I will give your camels water also.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also. - -\s5 -\v 47 I asked her and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milkah bore to him.' Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. -\v 48 Then I bowed down and worshiped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to find the daughter of my master's relative for his son. - -\s5 -\v 49 Now therefore, if you are prepared to treat my master with family faithfulness and trustworthiness, tell me. But if not, tell me, so that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left." - -\s5 -\p -\v 50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing has come from Yahweh; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. -\v 51 Look, Rebekah is before you. Take her and go, so she may be the wife of your master's son, as Yahweh has spoken." - -\s5 -\v 52 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the ground to Yahweh. -\v 53 The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and to her mother. - -\s5 -\v 54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank. They stayed there overnight, and when they arose in the morning, he said, "Send me away to my master." -\v 55 Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us for a few more days, at least ten. After that she may go." - -\s5 -\v 56 But he said to them, "Do not hinder me, since Yahweh has prospered my way. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master." -\v 57 They said, "We will call the young woman and ask her." -\v 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?" She replied, "I will go." - -\s5 -\v 59 So they sent their sister Rebekah, along with her female servant, on her journey with Abraham's servant and his men. -\v 60 They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, -\q "Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, -\q and may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 61 Then Rebekah arose, and she and her servant girls mounted the camels, and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. -\p -\v 62 Now Isaac was living in the Negev, and had just returned from Beer Lahai Roi. - -\s5 -\v 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening. When he looked up and saw, behold, there were camels coming! -\v 64 Rebekah looked, and when she saw Isaac, she jumped down from the camel. -\v 65 She said to the servant, "Who is that man who is walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took her veil, and covered herself. - -\s5 -\v 66 The servant recounted to Isaac all the things that he had done. -\v 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 Abraham took another wife; her name was Keturah. -\v 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. -\v 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Assyrian people, the Letush people, and the Leum people. -\v 4 Midian's sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were Keturah's descendants. - -\s5 -\v 5 Abraham gave all that he owned to Isaac. -\v 6 However, while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them to the land of the east, away from Isaac, his son. - -\s5 -\v 7 These were the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, 175 years. -\v 8 Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man with a full life, and he was gathered to his people. - -\s5 -\v 9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre. -\v 10 This field Abraham had bought from the sons of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah his wife. -\v 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son, and Isaac lived near Beer Lahai Roi. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Now these were the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's servant, bore to Abraham. - -\s5 -\v 13 These were the names of Ishmael's sons, according to their birth order: Nebaioth—the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, -\v 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, -\v 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. -\v 16 These were Ishmael's sons, and these were their names, by their villages, and by their encampments; twelve princes according to their tribes. - -\s5 -\v 17 These were the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. -\v 18 They lived from Havilah to Ashhur, which is near Egypt, as one goes toward Assyria. They lived in hostility with each other. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 These were the events concerning Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. -\v 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took as his wife Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean. - -\s5 -\v 21 Isaac prayed to Yahweh for his wife because she was childless, and Yahweh answered his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. -\v 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" She went to ask Yahweh about this. - -\s5 -\v 23 Yahweh said to her, -\q "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. -\q One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 When it was time for her to give birth, behold, there were twins in her womb. -\v 25 The first child came out red all over like a hairy garment. They called his name Esau. -\v 26 After that, his brother came out. His hand was grasping Esau's heel. He was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when his wife bore them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a quiet man, who spent his time in the tents. -\v 28 Now Isaac loved Esau because he ate the animals that he had hunted, but Rebekah loved Jacob. - -\s5 -\v 29 Jacob cooked some stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was weak from hunger. -\v 30 Esau said to Jacob, "Feed me with that red stew. Please, I am exhausted!" That is why his name was called Edom. - -\s5 -\v 31 Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright." -\v 32 Esau said, "Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?" -\v 33 Jacob said, "First swear to me," so Esau swore an oath and in that way he sold his birthright to Jacob. -\v 34 Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, then got up and went on his way. In this manner Esau despised his birthright. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 Now a famine happened in the land, besides the first famine that had been in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines at Gerar. - -\s5 -\v 2 Now Yahweh appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land that I tell you to live in. -\v 3 Stay in this very land, and I will be with you and will bless you; for to you and to your descendants, I will give all -these lands, and I will fulfill the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. - -\s5 -\v 4 I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and will give to your descendants all these lands. Through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. -\v 5 I will do this because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my instructions, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." - -\s5 -\v 6 So Isaac settled in Gerar. -\v 7 When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, "She is my sister." He feared to say, "She is my wife," because he thought, "The men of this place will kill me to get Rebekah, because she is so beautiful." -\v 8 After Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines happened to look out of a window. He saw, behold, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife. - -\s5 -\v 9 Abimelech called Isaac to him and said, "Look, certainly she is your wife. Why did you say, 'She is my sister'?" Isaac said to him, "Because I thought someone might kill me to get her." -\v 10 Abimelech said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us." -\v 11 So Abimelech warned all the people and said, "Whoever touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Isaac planted crops in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold, because Yahweh blessed him. -\v 13 The man became rich, and grew more and more until he became very great. -\v 14 He had many sheep and cattle, and a large household. The Philistines envied him. - -\s5 -\v 15 Now all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped them up by filling them with earth. -\v 16 Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we." -\v 17 So Isaac departed from there and settled in the Valley of Gerar, and lived there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Once again Isaac dug out the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father. The Philistines had stopped them up after Abraham's death. Isaac called the wells by the same names that his father had called them. - -\s5 -\v 19 When Isaac's servants dug in the valley, they found there a well of flowing water. -\v 20 The herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, and said, "This water is ours." So Isaac called that well "Esek," because they had quarreled with him. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that, too, so he gave it the name of "Sitnah." -\v 22 He left there and dug yet another well, but they did not quarrel over that one. So he called it Rehoboth, and he said, "Now Yahweh has made room for us, and we will prosper in the land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Then Isaac went up from there to Beersheba. -\v 24 Yahweh appeared to him that same night and said, "I am the God of Abraham your father. Do not fear, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your descendants, for my servant Abraham's sake." -\v 25 Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of Yahweh. There he pitched his tent, and his servants dug a well. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath, his friend, and Phicol, the captain of his army. -\v 27 Isaac said to them, "Why are you coming to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?" - -\s5 -\v 28 Then they said, "We have clearly seen that Yahweh has been with you. So we decided that there should be an oath between us, yes, between us and you. So let us make a covenant with you, -\v 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not harmed you, and as we have treated you well and have sent you away in peace. Indeed, you are blessed by Yahweh." - -\s5 -\v 30 So Isaac made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. -\v 31 They rose early in the morning and swore an oath with each other. Then Isaac sent them away, and they left him in peace. - -\s5 -\v 32 That same day Isaac's servants came and told him about the well that they had dug. They said, "We have found water." -\v 33 He called the well Shibah, so the name of that city is Beersheba to this day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 When Esau was forty years old, he took a wife, Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. -\v 35 They brought sorrow to Isaac and Rebekah. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau, his older son, and said to him, "My son." He said to him, "Here I am." -\v 2 He said, "See here, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. - -\s5 -\v 3 Therefore take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. -\v 4 Make delicious food for me, the sort that I love, and bring it to me so I can eat it and bless you before I die." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Now Rebekah heard it when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it back. -\v 6 Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son and said, "See here, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother. He said, -\v 7 'Bring me game and make me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of Yahweh before my death.' - -\s5 -\v 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. -\v 9 Go to the flock, and bring me two good young goats; and I will make delicious food from them for your father, just like he loves. -\v 10 You will take it to your father, so that he may eat it, so that he may bless you before his death." - -\s5 -\v 11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "See, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. -\v 12 Perhaps my father will touch me, and I will seem to him as a deceiver. I will bring a curse upon me and not a blessing." - -\s5 -\v 13 His mother said to him, "My son, let any curse fall on me. Just obey my voice, and go, bring them to me." -\v 14 So Jacob went and got the young goats and brought them to his mother, and his mother made delicious food, just like his father loved. - -\s5 -\v 15 Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau, her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son. -\v 16 She put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. -\v 17 She put the delicious food and the bread that she had prepared into the hand of her son Jacob. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Jacob went to his father and said, "My father." He said, "Here I am; who are you, my son?" -\v 19 Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you said to me. Now sit up and eat some of my game, that you may bless me." - -\s5 -\v 20 Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?" He said, "Because Yahweh your God brought it to me." -\v 21 Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near me, so I may touch you, my son, and learn whether you are my true son Esau or not." - -\s5 -\v 22 Jacob went over to Isaac his father; and Isaac touched him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." -\v 23 Isaac did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau's hands, so Isaac blessed him. - -\s5 -\v 24 He said, "Are you really my son Esau?" He replied, "I am." -\v 25 Isaac said, "Bring the food to me, and I will eat of your game, so that I may bless you." Jacob brought the food to him. Isaac ate, and Jacob brought him wine, and he drank. - -\s5 -\v 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son." -\v 27 Jacob came near and kissed him, and he smelled the smell of his clothes and blessed him. He said, -\q "See, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that Yahweh has blessed. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 May God give you a portion of the dew of heaven, a portion of the fatness of the earth, -\q and plenty of grain and new wine. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. -\q Be master over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you. -\q May every one who curses you be cursed; may every one who blesses you be blessed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. -\v 31 He also made delicious food and brought it to his father. He said to his father, "Father, get up and eat some of your son's game, so that you may bless me." - -\s5 -\v 32 Isaac his father said to him, "Who are you?" He said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau." -\v 33 Isaac trembled very much and said, "Who was it that hunted this game and brought it to me? I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him. Indeed, he will be blessed." - -\s5 -\v 34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a very great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, me also, my father." -\v 35 Isaac said, "Your brother came here deceitfully and has taken away your blessing." - -\s5 -\v 36 Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and, see, now he has taken away my blessing." Then he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?" -\v 37 Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Look, I have made him your master, and I have given to him all his brothers as servants, and I have given him grain and new wine. What more can I do for you, my son?" - -\s5 -\v 38 Esau said to his father, "Have you not even one blessing for me, my father? Bless me, even me too, my father." Esau wept loudly. - -\s5 -\v 39 Isaac his father answered and said to him, -\q "Look, the place where you live will be far from the richness of the earth, -\q away from the dew of the sky above. -\q -\v 40 By your sword you will live, and you will serve your brother. -\q But when you rebel, you will shake his yoke from off your neck." - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing that his father had given him. Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are near; after that I will kill my brother Jacob." -\v 42 The words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, "See, your brother Esau is consoling himself about you by planning to kill you. - -\s5 -\v 43 Now therefore, my son, obey me and flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran. -\v 44 Stay with him for a while, until your brother's fury subsides, -\v 45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you back from there. Why should I lose you both in one day? - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 Rebekah said to Isaac, "I am weary of life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes one of the daughters of Heth as a wife, like these women, some of the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 28 -\p -\v 1 Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, "You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. -\v 2 Arise, go to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take a wife from there, one of the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother. - -\s5 -\v 3 May God Almighty bless you, make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a multitude of peoples. -\v 4 May he give you the blessing of Abraham, to you, and to your descendants after you, that you may inherit the land where you have been living, which God gave to Abraham." - -\s5 -\v 5 So Isaac sent Jacob away. Jacob went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take a wife from there. He also saw that Isaac had blessed him and given him a command, saying, "You must not take a wife from the women of Canaan." -\v 7 Esau also saw that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother, and had gone to Paddan Aram. - -\s5 -\v 8 Esau saw that the women of Canaan did not please Isaac his father. -\v 9 So he went to Ishmael, and took, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. -\v 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones in that place, put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. - -\s5 -\v 12 He dreamed and saw a stairway set up on the earth. Its top reached to heaven and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. -\v 13 Behold, Yahweh stood above it and said, "I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land on which you are lying, I will give to you and to your descendants. - -\s5 -\v 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread far out to the west, to the east, to the north, and to the south. Through you and through your descendants will all the families of the earth be blessed. -\v 15 Behold, I am with you, and I will keep you wherever you go. I will bring you into this land again; for I will not leave you. I will do all that I have promised to you." - -\s5 -\v 16 Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and he said, "Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it." -\v 17 He was afraid and said, "How terrifying is this place! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Jacob arose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put under his head. He set it up as a pillar and poured oil upon the top of it. -\v 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city originally was Luz. - -\s5 -\v 20 Jacob vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will protect me on this road on which I am walking, and will give me bread to eat, and clothes to wear, -\v 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then Yahweh will be my God. -\v 22 Then this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be a sacred stone. From everything that you give me, I will surely give a tenth back to you." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. -\v 2 As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and, behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there by it. For out of that well they would water the flocks, and the stone over the well's mouth was large. -\v 3 When all the flocks had gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the well's mouth and water the sheep, and then put the stone again over the well's mouth, back in its place. - -\s5 -\v 4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They replied, "We are from Haran." -\v 5 He said to them, "Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him." -\v 6 He said to them, "Is he well?" They said, "He is well, and, look there, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep." - -\s5 -\v 7 Jacob said, "See, it is the middle of the day. It is not the time for the flocks to be gathered together. You should water the sheep and then go and let them graze." -\v 8 They said, "We cannot water them until all the flocks are gathered together. The men will then roll the stone from the well's mouth, and we will water the sheep." - -\s5 -\v 9 While Jacob was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was tending them. -\v 10 When Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother, Jacob came over, rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban, his mother's brother. - -\s5 -\v 11 Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly. -\v 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's relative, and that he was Rebekah's son. Then she ran and told her father. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 When Laban heard the news about Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, embraced him, -kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things. -\v 14 Laban said to him, "You are indeed my bone and my flesh." Then Jacob stayed with him for about one month. - -\s5 -\v 15 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Should you serve me for nothing because you are my relative? Tell me, what will your wages be?" -\v 16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. -\v 17 Leah's eyes were tender, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. -\v 18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter." - -\s5 -\v 19 Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me." -\v 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him only a few days, for the love he had for her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days have been completed—so that I may marry her!" -\v 22 So Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. - -\s5 -\v 23 In the evening, Laban took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob, who slept with her. -\v 24 Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah, to be her servant. -\v 25 In the morning, behold, it was Leah! Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? -Did I not serve you for Rachel? Why then have you tricked me?" - -\s5 -\v 26 Laban said, "It is not our custom to give the younger daughter before the firstborn. -\v 27 Complete the bridal week of this daughter, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another -seven years." - -\s5 -\v 28 Jacob did so, and completed Leah's week. Then Laban gave him Rachel his daughter as his wife also. -\v 29 Laban also gave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel, to be her servant. -\v 30 So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, but he loved Rachel more than Leah. So Jacob served Laban for seven more years. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Yahweh saw that Leah was not loved, so he opened her womb, but Rachel was childless. -\v 32 Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben. For she said, "Because Yahweh has looked upon my affliction; surely now my husband will love me." - -\s5 -\v 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son. She said, "Because Yahweh has heard that I am unloved, he has therefore given me this son also," and she called his name Simeon. -\v 34 Then she conceived again and bore a son. She said, "Now this time will my husband be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. - -\s5 -\v 35 She conceived again and bore a son. She said, "This time I will praise Yahweh." Therefore she called his name Judah; then she stopped having children. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 30 -\p -\v 1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die." -\v 2 Jacob's anger burned against Rachel. He said, "Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?" - -\s5 -\v 3 She said, "See, there is my servant Bilhah. Sleep with her, so she might give birth to children on my knees, and I will have children by her." -\v 4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob slept with her. - -\s5 -\v 5 Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. -\v 6 Then Rachel said, "God has vindicated me, and he has heard my voice and given me a son." For this reason she called his name Dan. - -\s5 -\v 7 Bilhah, Rachel's servant, conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. -\v 8 Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister and have prevailed." She called his name Naphtali. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife. -\v 10 Zilpah, Leah's servant, bore Jacob a son. -\v 11 Leah said, "This is fortunate!" so she called his name Gad. - -\s5 -\v 12 Then Zilpah, Leah's servant, bore Jacob a second son. -\v 13 Leah said, "I am happy! For the daughters will call me happy." So she called his name Asher. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field. He brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Give me some of your son's mandrakes." -\v 15 Leah said to her, "Is it a small matter to you, that you have taken away my husband? Do you now want to take away my son's mandrakes, too?" Rachel said, "Then he will sleep with you tonight, in exchange for your son's mandrakes." - -\s5 -\v 16 Jacob came from the field in the evening. Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must sleep with me tonight, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Jacob slept with Leah that night. -\v 17 God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. -\v 18 Leah said, "God has given me my wages, because I gave my servant woman to my husband." She called his name Issachar. - -\s5 -\v 19 Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob. -\v 20 Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons." She called his name Zebulun. -\v 21 Afterwards she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah. - -\s5 -\v 22 God called Rachel to mind and listened to her. He caused her to become pregnant. -\v 23 She conceived and bore a son. She said, "God has taken away my shame." -\v 24 She called his name Joseph, saying, "Yahweh has added to me another son." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 After Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, so that I may go to my own home and to my country. -\v 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go, for you know the service I have given you." - -\s5 -\v 27 Laban said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, wait, because I have learned by using divination that Yahweh has blessed me for your sake." -\v 28 Then he said, "Name your wages, and I will pay them." - -\s5 -\v 29 Jacob said to him, "You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me. -\v 30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I worked. Now when will I provide for my own household also?" - -\s5 -\v 31 So Laban said, "What will I pay you?" Jacob said, "You will not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it. -\v 32 Let me walk through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. These will be my wages. - -\s5 -\v 33 My integrity will testify for me later on, when you come to check on my wages. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, if any are found with me, will be considered to be stolen." -\v 34 Laban said, "Agreed. Let it be according to your word." - -\s5 -\v 35 That day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. -\v 36 Laban also put three days' journey between himself and Jacob. So Jacob kept tending the rest of Laban's flocks. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 Jacob took fresh cut branches of fresh poplar, and of the almond and of the plane tree, and peeled white streaks in them, and made the white inner wood appear that was in the sticks. -\v 38 Then he set the sticks that he had peeled in front of the flocks, in front of the watering troughs where they came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink. - -\s5 -\v 39 The flocks bred in front of the sticks; and the flocks produced striped, speckled, and spotted young. -\v 40 Jacob separated out these lambs, but made the rest of them face toward the striped animals and all the black sheep in the flock of Laban. Then he separated out his flocks for himself alone and did not put them together with Laban's flocks. - -\s5 -\v 41 Whenever the stronger sheep in the flock were breeding, then Jacob would lay the sticks in the watering troughs before the eyes of the flock, so that they might conceive among the sticks. -\v 42 But when the feebler animals in the flock came, he did not put the sticks in front of them. So the feebler animals were Laban's, and the stronger were Jacob's. - -\s5 -\v 43 The man became very prosperous. He had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 31 -\p -\v 1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, that they said, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and it is from our father's possessions that he has gotten all this wealth." -\v 2 Jacob saw the look on Laban's face. He saw that his attitude toward him had changed. -\v 3 Then Yahweh said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you." - -\s5 -\v 4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock -\v 5 and said to them, "I see your father's attitude toward me has changed, but the God of my father has been with me. -\v 6 You know that it is with all my strength that I have served your father. - -\s5 -\v 7 Your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God has not permitted him to hurt me. -\v 8 If he said, 'The speckled animals will be your wages,' then all the flock bore speckled young. If he said, 'The striped will be your wages,' then the whole flock bore striped young. -\v 9 In this way God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. - -\s5 -\v 10 Once at the time of breeding season, I saw in a dream the male goats that were mating with the flock. The male goats were striped, speckled, and spotted. -\v 11 The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I said, 'Here I am.' - -\s5 -\v 12 He said, 'Lift up your eyes and see all the male goats that are breeding with the flock. They are striped, speckled, and spotted, for I have seen everything that Laban is doing to you. -\v 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to me. Now rise up and leave this land and return to the land of your birth.'" - -\s5 -\v 14 Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, "Is there any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? -\v 15 Are we not treated by him as foreigners? For he has sold us and has also completely devoured our money. -\v 16 For all the riches that God has taken away from our father are now ours and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Jacob arose and placed his sons and his wives upon the camels. -\v 18 He drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all his property, including the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram. Then he set out to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. - -\s5 -\v 19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household gods. -\v 20 Jacob also deceived Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he was leaving. -\v 21 So he fled with all that he had and quickly passed over the River, and headed toward the hill country of Gilead. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. -\v 23 So he took his relatives with him and pursued him for a seven days' journey. He overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. - -\s5 -\v 24 Now God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad." -\v 25 Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country. Laban also camped with his relatives in the hill country of Gilead. \f + \ft Some modern versions have: \fqa Laban also camped in the hill country of Gilead. \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\v 26 Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you deceived me and carried away my daughters like prisoners of war? -\v 27 Why did you flee secretly and trick me and did not tell me? I would have sent you away with celebration and with songs, with tambourine and with harps. -\v 28 You did not allow me to kiss my grandsons and my daughters good bye. Now you have done foolishly. - -\s5 -\v 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night and said, 'Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.' -\v 30 Now you have gone away because you longed to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?" - -\s5 -\v 31 Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid and thought that you would take your daughters from me by force I left secretly. -\v 32 Whoever has stolen your gods will not continue to live. In the presence of our relatives, identify whatever with me is yours and take it." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find them. He went out of Leah's tent and entered into Rachel's tent. - -\s5 -\v 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods, put them in a camel's saddle, and sat upon them. Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them. -\v 35 She said to her father, "Do not be angry, my master, that I cannot stand up before you, for I am having my period." So he searched but did not find his household gods. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Jacob was angry and argued with Laban. He said to him, "What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued after me? -\v 37 For you have searched all my possessions. What have you found of all your household goods? Set them here before our relatives, so that they may judge between us two. - -\s5 -\v 38 For twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten any rams from your flocks. -\v 39 What was torn by beasts I did not bring to you. Instead, I bore the loss of it. You always made me pay for every missing animal, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. -\v 40 There I was; in the day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night; and I went without sleep. - -\s5 -\v 41 These twenty years I have been in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock. You have changed my wages ten times. -\v 42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the one Isaac fears, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my oppression and how hard I worked, and he rebuked you last night." - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 Laban answered and said to Jacob, "The daughters are my daughters, the grandchildren are my grandchildren, and the flocks are my flocks. All that you see is mine. But what can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne? -\v 44 So now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be for a witness between you and me." - -\s5 -\v 45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. -\v 46 Jacob said to his relatives, "Gather stones." So they took stones and made a pile. Then they ate there by the pile. -\v 47 Laban called it Jegar Saha Dutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. - -\s5 -\v 48 Laban said, "This pile is a witness between me and you today." Therefore its name was called Galeed. -\v 49 It is also called Mizpah, because Laban said, "May Yahweh watch between you and me, when we are out of sight one from another. -\v 50 If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take any wives besides my daughters, although no one else is with us, see, God is witness between you and me." - -\s5 -\v 51 Laban said to Jacob, "Look at this pile, and look at the pillar, which I have set between you and me. -\v 52 This pile is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this pile to you, and that you will not pass beyond this pile and this pillar to me, to do harm. -\v 53 May the God of Abraham, and the god of Nahor, the gods of their father, judge between us." Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. - -\s5 -\v 54 Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his relatives to eat a meal. They ate and spent the entire night on the mountain. -\v 55 Early in the morning Laban got up, kissed his grandsons and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban left and returned home. - - - - -\s5 -\c 32 -\p -\v 1 Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. -\v 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp," so he called the name of that place Mahanaim. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Jacob sent messengers on ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, in the region of Edom. -\v 4 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you will say to my master Esau: This is what your servant Jacob says: 'I have been staying with Laban, and have delayed my return until now. -\v 5 I have oxen, donkeys, and flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent this message to my master, so that I may find favor in your eyes.'" - -\s5 -\v 6 The messengers returned to Jacob and said, "We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." -\v 7 Then Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, and also the flocks, the herds, and the camels. -\v 8 He said, "If Esau comes to one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape." - -\s5 -\v 9 Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh, who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will prosper you,' -\v 10 I am not worthy of all your acts of covenant faithfulness and of all the trustworthiness that you have done for your servant. For with only my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. - -\s5 -\v 11 Please rescue me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. -\v 12 But you said, 'I will certainly make you prosper. I will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for their number.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Jacob stayed there that night. He took some of what he had with him as a gift for Esau, his brother: -\v 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, -\v 15 thirty milking camels and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. -\v 16 These he gave these into the hand of his servants, every herd by itself. He said to his servants, "Go on ahead of me and put a space between each of the herds." - -\s5 -\v 17 He instructed the first servant, saying, "When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong? Where are you going? Whose animals are these that are in front of you?' -\v 18 Then you will say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. They are a gift sent to my master Esau. See, he is also coming after us.'" - -\s5 -\v 19 Jacob also gave instructions to the second group, the third, and all the men who followed the herds. He said, "You will say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. -\v 20 You must also say, 'Your servant Jacob is coming after us.'" For he thought, "I will appease him with the gifts that I am sending ahead of me. Then later, when I will see him, perhaps he will receive me." -\v 21 So the gifts went on ahead of him. He himself stayed that night in the camp. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Jacob got up during the night, and took his two wives, his two women servants, and his eleven sons. He sent them across the ford of the Jabbok. -\v 23 In this way he sent them across the stream along with all his possessions. - -\s5 -\v 24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. -\v 25 When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob's hip. Jacob's hip was dislocated as he wrestled with him. -\v 26 The man said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." - -\s5 -\v 27 The man said to him, "What is your name?" Jacob said, "Jacob." -\v 28 The man said, "Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel. For you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed." - -\s5 -\v 29 Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." He said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there. -\v 30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel for he said, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is delivered." - -\s5 -\v 31 The sun rose on Jacob as he passed Peniel. He was limping because of his hip. -\v 32 That is why to this day the people of Israel do not eat the ligaments of the hip which are at the hip joint, because the man injured those ligaments while dislocating Jacob's hip. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 33 -\p -\v 1 Jacob looked up and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants. -\v 2 Then he put the female servants and their children in front, followed by Leah and her children, and followed by Rachel and Joseph last of all. -\v 3 He himself went on ahead of them. He bowed toward the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. - -\s5 -\v 4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, hugged his neck, and kissed him. Then they wept. -\v 5 When Esau looked up, he saw the women and the children. He said, "Who are these people with you?" Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then the female servants came forward with their children, and they bowed down. -\v 7 Next Leah also and her children came forward and bowed down. Finally Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed down. -\v 8 Esau said, "What do you mean by all these groups that I met?" Jacob said, "To find favor in the sight of my master." - -\s5 -\v 9 Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself." -\v 10 Jacob said, "No, please, if I have found favor in your eyes, then accept my gift from my hand, for indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. -\v 11 Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." Thus Jacob urged him, and Esau accepted it. - -\s5 -\v 12 Then Esau said, "Let us be on our way. I will go before you." -\v 13 Jacob said to him, "My master knows that the children are young, and that the sheep and the cattle are nursing their young. If they are driven hard even one day, all the animals will die. -\v 14 Please let my master go on ahead of his servant. I will travel more slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are before me, and at the pace of the children, until I come to my master in Seir." - -\s5 -\v 15 Esau said, "Let me leave with you some of my men who are with me." But Jacob said, "Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord." -\v 16 So Esau that day started on his way back to Seir. -\v 17 Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 When Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan. He camped near the city. -\v 19 Then he bought the piece of ground where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver. -\v 20 There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. - - - - -\s5 -\c 34 -\p -\v 1 Now Dinah, Leah's daughter whom she bore to Jacob, went out to meet the young women of the land. -\v 2 Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her and he grabbed her, assaulted her, and slept with her. -\v 3 He was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. - -\s5 -\v 4 Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, "Get this young woman for me as a wife." -\v 5 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. His sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came. - -\s5 -\v 6 Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. -\v 7 The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard of the matter. The men were offended. They were very angry because he had disgraced Israel by forcing himself on Jacob's daughter, for such a thing should not have been done. - -\s5 -\v 8 Hamor spoke with them, saying, "My son Shechem loves your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. -\v 9 Intermarry with us, give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves. -\v 10 You will live with us, and the land will be open to you to live and trade in, and to acquire property." - -\s5 -\v 11 Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you tell me I will give. -\v 12 Ask me for as great a bride price and gift as you will, and I will give whatever you say to me, but give me the young woman as a wife." -\v 13 The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit, because Shechem had defiled Dinah their sister. - -\s5 -\v 14 They said to them, "We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to anyone who is uncircumcised; for that would be a disgrace to us. -\v 15 Only on this condition will we agree with you: If you will become circumcised as we are, if every male among you is circumcised. -\v 16 Then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to ourselves, and we will live with you and become one people. -\v 17 But if you do not listen to us and become circumcised, then we will take our sister and we will leave." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Their words pleased Hamor and his son Shechem. -\v 19 The young man did not delay to do what they said, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter, and because he was the most honored person in all his father's household. - -\s5 -\v 20 Hamor and Shechem his son went to the gate of their city and spoke with the men of their city, saying, -\v 21 "These men are at peace with us, so let them live in the land and trade in it for, really, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives, and let us give them our daughters. - -\s5 -\v 22 Only on this condition will the men agree to live with us and become one people: If every male among us is circumcised, as they are circumcised. -\v 23 Will not their livestock and their property—all their animals be ours? So let us agree with them, and they will live among us." - -\s5 -\v 24 All the men of the city listened to Hamor and Shechem, his son. Every male was circumcised. -\v 25 On the third day, when they were still in pain, two of the sons of Jacob (Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers), each took his sword and they attacked the city that was certain of its security, and they killed all the males. -\v 26 They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword. They took Dinah from Shechem's house and went away. - -\s5 -\v 27 The other sons of Jacob came to the dead bodies and looted the city, because the people had defiled their sister. -\v 28 They took their flocks, their herds, their donkeys, and everything in the city and in the surrounding fields with -\v 29 all their wealth. All their children and their wives, they captured. They even took everything that was in the houses. - -\s5 -\v 30 Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me, to make me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I am few in number. If they gather themselves together against me and attack me, then I will be destroyed, I and my household." -\v 31 But Simeon and Levi said, "Should Shechem have dealt with our sister as with a prostitute?" - - - - -\s5 -\c 35 -\p -\v 1 God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel, and stay there. Build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from Esau your brother." -\v 2 Then Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your clothes. -\v 3 Then let us depart and go up to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and has been with me wherever I have gone." - -\s5 -\v 4 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that were in their hand, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob buried them under the oak that was near Shechem. -\v 5 As they traveled, God made panic to fall on the cities that were around them, so those people did not pursue the sons of Jacob. - -\s5 -\v 6 So Jacob arrived at Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. -\v 7 He built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him, when he was fleeing from his brother. -\v 8 Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died. She was buried down from Bethel under the oak tree, so it was called Allon Bakuth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When Jacob came from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. -\v 10 God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but your name will no longer be called Jacob. Your name will be Israel." So God called his name Israel. - -\s5 -\v 11 God said to him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. -\v 12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you. To your descendants after you I also give the land." -\v 13 God went up from him in the place where he spoke with him. - -\s5 -\v 14 Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken to him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering over it and poured oil on it. -\v 15 Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 They journeyed on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor. She had hard labor. -\v 17 While she was in hardest labor, the midwife said to her, "Do not be afraid, for now you will have another son." -\v 18 As she was dying, with her dying breath she named him Ben-Oni, but his father called him Benjamin. -\v 19 Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). -\v 20 Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave. It is the marker of Rachel's grave to this day. - -\s5 -\v 21 Israel traveled on and pitched his tent beyond the watchtower of the flock. -\v 22 While Israel was living in that land, Reuben slept with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it. -\p Now Jacob had twelve sons. - -\s5 -\v 23 His sons by Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. -\v 24 His sons by Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. -\v 25 His sons by Bilhah, Rachel's female servant, were Dan and Naphtali. - -\s5 -\v 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah's female servant, were Gad and Asher. All these were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan Aram. -\v 27 Jacob came to Isaac, his father, in Mamre in Kiriath Arba (the same as Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had lived. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Isaac lived for one hundred eighty years. -\v 29 Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his ancestors, an old man full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him. - - - - -\s5 -\c 36 -\p -\v 1 These were the descendants of Esau (also called Edom). -\v 2 Esau took his wives from the Canaanites. These were his wives: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite; -\v 3 and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth. - -\s5 -\v 4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel. -\v 5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan. - -\s5 -\v 6 Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock—all his animals, and all his possessions, which he had gathered in the land of Canaan, and went into a land away from his brother Jacob. -\v 7 He did this because their possessions were too many for them to stay together. The land where they had settled could not support them because of their livestock. -\v 8 So Esau, also known as Edom, settled in the hill country of Seir. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 These were the descendants of Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir. -\v 10 These were the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz son of Adah, the wife of Esau; Reuel son of Basemath, the wife of Esau. -\v 11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. -\v 12 Timna, a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, bore Amalek. These were the grandsons of Adah, Esau's wife. - -\s5 -\v 13 These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the grandsons of Basemath, Esau's wife. -\v 14 These were the sons of Oholibamah, Esau's wife, who was the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon. She bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 These were the clans among Esau's descendants: -the descendants of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, -\v 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These were the clans descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the grandsons of Adah. - -\s5 -\v 17 These were the clans from Reuel, Esau's son: -Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah. These were the clans descended from Reuel in the land of Edom. They were the grandsons of Basemath, Esau's wife. -\v 18 These were the clans of Oholibamah, Esau's wife: Jeush, Jalam, Korah. These are the clans that descended from Esau's wife Oholibamah, daughter of Anah. -\v 19 These were the sons of Esau (who was known as Edom), and these were their chiefs. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 These were the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, -\v 21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the clans of the Horites, the inhabitants of Seir in the land of Edom. -\v 22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Heman, and Timna was Lotan's sister. - -\s5 -\v 23 These were the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. -\v 24 These were the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he was pasturing donkeys of Zibeon his father. - -\s5 -\v 25 These were the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. -\v 26 These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. -\v 27 These were the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. -\v 28 These were the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. - -\s5 -\v 29 These were the clans of the Horites: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, and Anah, -\v 30 Dishon, Ezer, Dishan: These were clans of the Horites, according to their clan lists in the land of Seir. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: -\v 32 Bela son of Beor, reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. -\v 33 When Bela died, then Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place. - -\s5 -\v 34 When Jobab died, Husham who was of the land of the Temanites, reigned in his place. -\v 35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad who defeated the Midianites in the land of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith. -\v 36 When Hadad died, then Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. - -\s5 -\v 37 When Samlah died, then Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his place. -\v 38 When Shaul died, then Baal-Hanan son of Akbor reigned in his place. -\v 39 When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor, died, then Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the granddaughter of Me Zahab. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 These were the names of the heads of clans from Esau's descendants, according to their clans and their regions, by their names: -Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, -\v 41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, -\v 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, -\v 43 Magdiel, and Iram. These were the clan heads of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. This was Esau, the father of the Edomites. - - - - -\s5 -\c 37 -\p -\v 1 Jacob lived in the land where his father was staying, in the land of Canaan. -\v 2 These were the events concerning Jacob. Joseph, who was a young man seventeen years old, was guarding the flock with his brothers. He was with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph brought an unfavorable report about them to their father. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons because he was the son of his old age. He made him a beautiful garment. -\v 4 His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers. They hated him and would not speak kindly to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told his brothers about it. They hated him even more. -\v 6 He said to them, "Please listen to this dream which I dreamed. - -\s5 -\v 7 Behold, we were tying bundles of grain in the field and behold, my bundle rose and stood upright, and behold, your bundles came around and bowed down to my bundle." -\v 8 His brothers said to him, "Will you really reign over us? Will you actually rule over us?" They hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. - -\s5 -\v 9 He dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers. He said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream: The sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me." -\v 10 He told it to his father just as to his brothers, and his father rebuked him. He said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come to bow down to the ground to you?" -\v 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 His brothers went to tend their father's flock in Shechem. -\v 13 Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers tending the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them." Joseph said to him, "I am ready." -\v 14 He said to him, "Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers and well with the flock, and bring me word." So Jacob sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and Joseph went to Shechem. - -\s5 -\v 15 A certain man found Joseph. Behold, Joseph was wandering in a field. The man asked him, "What do you seek?" -\v 16 Joseph said, "I am seeking my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are tending the flock." -\v 17 The man said, "They left this place, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they plotted against him to kill him. -\v 19 His brothers said to one another, "Look, this dreamer is approaching. -\v 20 Come now, therefore, let us kill him and cast him into one of the pits. We will say, 'A wild animal has devoured him.' We will see what will become of his dreams." - -\s5 -\v 21 Reuben heard it and rescued him from their hand. He said, "Let us not take his life." -\v 22 Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him"—that he might rescue him out of their hand to bring him back to his father. - -\s5 -\v 23 It came about that when Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him of his beautiful garment. -\v 24 They took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty with no water in it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 They sat down to eat bread. They lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spices and balm and myrrh. They were traveling to carry them down to Egypt. - -\v 26 Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? - -\s5 -\v 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands upon him. For he is our brother, our flesh." His brothers listened to him. -\v 28 The Midianite merchants passed by. His brothers drew Joseph up and lifted him up out of the pit. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites carried Joseph into Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Reuben returned to the pit, and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit. He tore his clothes. -\v 30 He returned to his brothers and said, "The boy is not there! And I, where can I go?" - -\s5 -\v 31 They slaughtered a goat and then took Joseph's garment and dipped it into the blood. -\v 32 Then they brought it to their father and said, "We found this. Please see whether it is your son's clothing or not." -\v 33 Jacob recognized it and said, "It is my son's clothing. A wild animal has devoured him. Joseph has certainly been torn to pieces." - -\s5 -\v 34 Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth upon his loins. He mourned for his son many days. -\v 35 All his sons and daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, "Indeed I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son." His father wept for him. -\v 36 The Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard. - - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 38 -\p -\v 1 It came about at that time that Judah left his brothers and stayed with a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. -\v 2 He met there a daughter of a Canaanite man whose name was Shua. He married her and slept with her. - -\s5 -\v 3 She became pregnant and had a son. He was named Er. -\v 4 She became pregnant again and had a son. She called his name Onan. -\v 5 She again had a son and called his name Shelah. It was at Kezib where she gave birth to him. - -\s5 -\v 6 Judah found a wife for Er, his firstborn. Her name was Tamar. -\v 7 Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him. - -\s5 -\v 8 Judah said to Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife. Do the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up a child for your brother." -\v 9 Onan knew that the child would not be his. Whenever he slept with his brother's wife, he spilled the semen on the ground so he would not have a child for his brother. -\v 10 What he did was evil in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him also. - -\s5 -\v 11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, "Remain a widow in your father's house until Shelah, my son, grows up." For he feared, "He might also die, just like his brothers." Tamar left and lived in her father's house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 After a long time, Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. -\v 13 Tamar was told, "Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep." -\v 14 She took off the clothing of her widowhood and covered herself with her veil and wrapped herself. She sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah had grown up but she had not been given to him as a wife. - -\s5 -\v 15 When Judah saw her he thought that she was a prostitute because she had covered her face. -\v 16 He went to her by the road and said, "Come, please let me sleep with you"—for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law—and she said, "What will you give me so you can sleep with me?" - -\s5 -\v 17 He said, "I will send you a young goat from the flock." She said, "Will you give me a pledge until you send it?" -\v 18 He said, "What pledge can I give you?" She replied, "Your seal and cord, and the staff that is in your hand." He gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. - -\s5 -\v 19 She got up and went away. She took off her veil and put on the clothing of her widowhood. -\v 20 Judah sent the young goat from the flock with his friend the Adullamite to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, but he did not find her. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then the Adullamite asked the men of the place, "Where is the cultic prostitute who was at Enaim by the road?" They said, "There has not been a cultic prostitute here." -\v 22 He returned to Judah and said, "I did not find her. Also, the men of the place said, 'There has not been a cultic prostitute here.'" -\v 23 Judah said, "Let her keep the things, that we not be put to shame. Indeed, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 It came about after about three months that it was told to Judah, "Tamar your daughter-in-law has committed prostitution, and indeed, she is pregnant by it." Judah said, "Bring her here and let her be burned." -\v 25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law a message, "By the man who owns these I am pregnant." She said, "Determine please whose these are, the seal and cords and staff." -\v 26 Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I am, since I did not give her as a wife to Shelah, my son." He did not sleep with her again. - -\s5 -\v 27 It came about at the time for her to give birth that, behold, twins were in her womb. -\v 28 It came about as she was giving birth one put out a hand, and the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his hand and said, "This one came out first." - -\s5 -\v 29 But then he drew back his hand, and, behold, his brother came out first. The midwife said, "How you have broken out!" So he was named Perez. -\v 30 Then his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread upon his hand, and he was named Zerah. - - - - -\s5 -\c 39 -\p -\v 1 Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh who was captain of the guard and an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down there. -\v 2 Yahweh was with Joseph and he became a prosperous man. He lived in the house of his Egyptian master. - -\s5 -\v 3 His master saw that Yahweh was with him and that Yahweh prospered everything that he did. -\v 4 Joseph found favor in his sight. He served Potiphar. Potiphar made Joseph manager over his house, and everything that he possessed, he put under his care. - -\s5 -\v 5 It came about from the time that he made him manager over his house and over everything he possessed, that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph. The blessing of Yahweh was on everything that Potiphar had in the house and in the field. -\v 6 Potiphar put everything that he had under Joseph's care. He did not have to think about anything except the food that he ate. Now Joseph was handsome and attractive. - -\s5 -\v 7 It came about after this that his master's wife lusted for Joseph. She said, "Sleep with me." -\v 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not pay attention to what I do in the house, and he has put everything that he owns under my care. -\v 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. He has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" - -\s5 -\v 10 She spoke to Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her or to be with her. -\v 11 It came about one day that he went into the house to do his work. None of the men of the house were there in the house. -\v 12 She caught him by his clothes and said, "Sleep with me." He left his clothing in her hand, fled, and went outside. - -\s5 -\v 13 It came about, when she saw that he had left his clothing in her hand and had fled outside, -\v 14 that she called to the men of her house and told them, "See, Potiphar has brought in a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to sleep with me, and I screamed. -\v 15 It came about when he heard me scream, that he left his clothing with me, fled, and went outside." - -\s5 -\v 16 She set his clothing next to her until his master came home. -\v 17 She told him this explanation, "The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us, came in to mock me. -\v 18 It came about that when I screamed, he left his clothing with me and fled outside." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 It came about that, when his master heard the explanation his wife told him, "This is what your servant did to me," he became very angry. -\v 20 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. He was there in the prison. - -\s5 -\v 21 But Yahweh was with Joseph and showed covenant faithfulness to him. He gave him favor in the sight of the prison warden. -\v 22 The prison warden gave into Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, Joseph was in charge of it. -\v 23 The prison warden did not worry about anything that was in his hand, because Yahweh was with him. Whatever he did, Yahweh prospered. - - - - -\s5 -\c 40 -\p -\v 1 It came about that after these things, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and king's baker offended their master, the king of Egypt. -\v 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief of the cupbearers and the chief of the bakers. -\v 3 He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. - -\s5 -\v 4 The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to them, and he served them. They remained in custody for some time. -\v 5 Both of them dreamed a dream—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt who were confined in the prison—each man had his own dream in the same night, and each dream had its own interpretation. - -\s5 -\v 6 Joseph came to them in the morning and saw them. Behold, they were sad. -\v 7 He asked Pharaoh's officials who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?" -\v 8 They said to him, "We have both dreamed a dream and no one can interpret it." Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me, please." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 The chief of the cupbearers told his dream to Joseph. He said to him, "In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me. -\v 10 In the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms came out and the clusters of grapes ripened. -\v 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand. I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I placed the cup into Pharaoh's hand." - -\s5 -\v 12 Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it. The three branches are three days. -\v 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office. You will put Pharaoh's cup into his hand, just as when you were his cupbearer. - -\s5 -\v 14 But think of me when it goes well with you, and please show kindness to me. Mention me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison. -\v 15 For indeed I was abducted out of the land of the Hebrews. Here also have I done nothing that they should put me in this dungeon." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When the chief of the bakers saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream, and, behold, three baskets of bread were on my head. -\v 17 In the top basket there were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds ate them out of the basket on my head." - -\s5 -\v 18 Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation. The three baskets are three days. -\v 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree. The birds will eat your flesh off you." - -\s5 -\v 20 It came about on the third day that it was Pharaoh's birthday. He made a feast for all his servants. He "lifted up" the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers, among his servants. -\v 21 He restored the chief of the cupbearers to his responsibility, and he put the cup into Pharaoh's hand again. -\v 22 But he hanged the chief of the bakers, just as Joseph had interpreted to them. -\v 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot about him. - - - -\s5 -\c 41 -\p -\v 1 It came about at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream. Behold, he stood by the Nile. -\v 2 Behold, seven cows came up out of the Nile, desirable and fat, and they grazed in the reeds. -\v 3 Behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the Nile, undesirable and thin. They stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then the undesirable and thin cows ate the seven desirable and fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. -\v 5 Then he slept and dreamed a second time. Behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, wholesome and good. -\v 6 Behold, seven heads, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. - -\s5 -\v 7 The thin heads swallowed up the seven wholesome and full heads. Pharaoh woke up, and, behold, it was a dream. -\v 8 It came about in the morning that his spirit was troubled. He sent and called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am thinking about my offenses. -\v 10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, the chief baker and me. -\v 11 We dreamed a dream the same night, he and I. We dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. - -\s5 -\v 12 There was with us there a young Hebrew man, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him and he interpreted for us our dreams. He interpreted for each of us according to his dream. -\v 13 It came about as he interpreted for us, so it happened. Pharaoh restored me to my post, but the other one he hanged." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph. They quickly took him out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came in to Pharaoh. -\v 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, but there is no interpreter for it. But I have heard about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." -\v 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me. God will answer Pharaoh with favor." - -\s5 -\v 17 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, "In my dream, behold, I stood on the bank of the Nile. -\v 18 Behold, seven cows came up out of the Nile, fat and desirable, and they grazed among the reeds. - -\s5 -\v 19 Behold, seven other cows came up after them, weak, very undesirable, and thin. I never saw in all the land of Egypt such undesirableness like them. -\v 20 The thin and undesirable cows ate up the first seven fat cows. -\v 21 When they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them, for they were still as undesirable as before. Then I awoke. - -\s5 -\v 22 I looked in my dream, and, behold, seven heads came up upon one stalk, full and good. -\v 23 Behold, seven more heads, withered, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprang up after them. -\v 24 The thin heads swallowed up the seven good heads. I told these dreams to the magicians, but there was none that could explain it to me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are the same. What God is about to do, he has declared to Pharaoh. -\v 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years. The dreams are the same. - -\s5 -\v 27 The seven thin and undesirable cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven thin heads scorched by the east wind will be seven years of famine. -\v 28 That is the thing which I spoke to Pharaoh. What God is about to do he has revealed to Pharaoh. -\v 29 Look, seven years of great abundance will come throughout all the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 30 Seven years of famine will come after them, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will devastate the land. -\v 31 The abundance will not be remembered in the land because of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. -\v 32 That the dream was repeated to Pharaoh is because the matter has been established by God, and God will soon do it. - -\s5 -\v 33 Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and put him over the land of Egypt. -\v 34 Let Pharaoh appoint officials over the land, and let them take a fifth of the crops of Egypt in the seven abundant years. - -\s5 -\v 35 Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, for food to be used in the cities. They should preserve it. -\v 36 The food will be a supply for the land for the seven years of famine which will be in the land of Egypt. In this way the land will not be devastated by the famine." - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 This advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. -\v 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" - -\s5 -\v 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you. -\v 40 You will be over my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only in the throne will I be greater than you." -\v 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have put you over all the land of Egypt." - -\s5 -\v 42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand. He clothed him with clothes of fine linen, and put a gold chain on his neck. -\v 43 He had him ride in the second chariot which he possessed. Men shouted before him, "Bend the knee." Pharaoh put him over all the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and apart from you, no man will lift his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt." -\v 45 Pharaoh called Joseph's name "Zaphenath-Paneah." He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. -\v 47 In the seven bountiful years the land produced abundantly. - -\s5 -\v 48 He gathered up all the food of the seven years that was in the land of Egypt and put the food in the cities. He put into each city the food from the fields that surrounded it. -\v 49 Joseph stored up grain like the sand of the sea, so much that he stopped counting, because it was beyond counting. - -\s5 -\v 50 Joseph had two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. -\v 51 Joseph called the name of his firstborn Manasseh, for he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." -\v 52 He called the name of the second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." - -\s5 -\v 53 The seven years of abundance that was in the land of Egypt came to an end. -\v 54 The seven years of famine began, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was food. - -\s5 -\v 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people loudly called on Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he says." -\v 56 The famine was over all the face of the whole land. Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. -\v 57 All the earth was coming to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth. - - - - -\s5 -\c 42 -\p -\v 1 Now Jacob became aware that there was grain in Egypt. He said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?" -\v 2 He said, "See here, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy for us from there so we may live and not die." -\v 3 Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. -\v 4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob did not send with his brothers, for he feared that harm might come to him. - -\s5 -\v 5 The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. -\v 6 Now Joseph was the governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. - -\s5 -\v 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke harshly with them. He said to them, "Where have you come from?" They said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food." -\v 8 Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see the undefended parts of the land." -\v 10 They said to him, "No, my master. Your servants have come to buy food. -\v 11 We are all one man's sons. We are honest men. Your servants are not spies." - -\s5 -\v 12 He said to them, "No, you have come to see the undefended parts of the land." -\v 13 They said, "We your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. See, the youngest is this day with our father, and one brother is no longer alive." - -\s5 -\v 14 Joseph said to them, "It is what I said to you; you are spies. -\v 15 By this you will be tested. By the life of Pharaoh, you will not leave here, unless your youngest brother comes here. -\v 16 Send one of yourselves and let him get your brother. You will remain in prison, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you." -\v 17 He put them all in custody for three days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Joseph said to them on the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God. -\v 19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in this prison, but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses. -\v 20 Bring your youngest brother to me so your words will be verified and you will not die." So they did so. - -\s5 -\v 21 They said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother in that we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us and we would not listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us." -\v 22 Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy,' but you would not listen? Now, see, his blood is required of us." - -\s5 -\v 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. -\v 24 He turned from them and wept. He returned to them and spoke to them. He took Simeon from among them and bound him before their eyes. -\v 25 Then Joseph commanded his servants to fill his brothers' bags with grain, and to put every man's money back into his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. It was done for them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 The brothers loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there. -\v 27 As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the opening of his sack. -\v 28 He said to his brothers, "My money has been put back. Look at it; it is in my sack." Their hearts sank and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?" - -\s5 -\v 29 They went to Jacob, their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them. They said, -\v 30 "The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us and thought that we were spies in the land. -\v 31 We said to him, 'We are honest men. We are not spies. -\v 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no longer alive, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.' - -\s5 -\v 33 The man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'By this I will know that you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers with me, take grain for the famine in your houses, and go your way. -\v 34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. Then I will release your brother to you, and you will trade in the land.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 It came about as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bag of silver was in his sack. When they and their father saw their bags of silver, they were afraid. -\v 36 Jacob their father said to them, "You have bereaved me of my children. Joseph is no longer alive, Simeon is gone, and you will take Benjamin away. All these things are against me." - -\s5 -\v 37 Reuben spoke to his father, saying, "You may kill my two sons if I do not bring Benjamin back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him to you again." -\v 38 Jacob said, "My son will not go down with you. For his brother is dead and he alone is left. If harm comes to him on the road in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol." - - - - -\s5 -\c 43 -\p -\v 1 The famine was severe in the land. -\v 2 It came about when they had eaten the grain that they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again; buy us some food." - -\s5 -\v 3 Judah told him, "The man solemnly warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.' -\v 4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. -\v 5 But if you do not send him, we will not go down. For the man said to us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'" - -\s5 -\v 6 Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man that you had another brother?" -\v 7 They said, "The man asked details about us and our family. He said, 'Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?' We answered him according to these questions. How could we have known that he would say, 'Bring your brother down?'" - -\s5 -\v 8 Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy with me. We will rise and go that we may live and not die, both we, you, and also our children. -\v 9 I will be a guarantee for him. You will hold me responsible. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. -\v 10 For if we had not delayed, surely by now we would have come back here a second time." - -\s5 -\v 11 Their father Israel said to them, "If it be so, now do this. Take some of the best products of the land in your bags. Carry down to the man a gift—some balm and honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. -\v 12 Take double money in your hand. The money that was returned in the opening of your sacks, carry again in your hand. Perhaps it was a mistake. - -\s5 -\v 13 Take also your brother. Rise and go again to the man. -\v 14 May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, so that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." -\v 15 The men took this gift, and in their hand they took double the amount of money, along with Benjamin. They got up and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Bring the men into the house, slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon." -\v 17 The steward did as Joseph said. He brought the men to Joseph's house. - -\s5 -\v 18 The men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house. They said, "It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time we were brought in, that he may seek an opportunity against us. He might arrest us and take us as slaves, and take our donkeys." -\v 19 They approached the steward of Joseph's house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house, -\v 20 saying, "My master, we came down the first time to buy food. - -\s5 -\v 21 It came about, when we reached the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the opening of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hands. -\v 22 Other money we have also brought down in our hand to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks." -\v 23 The steward said, "Peace be to you, do not fear. Your God and the God of your father must have put your money in your sacks. I received your money." The steward then brought Simeon out to them. - -\s5 -\v 24 The steward took the men into Joseph's house. He gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave feed to their donkeys. -\v 25 They prepared the gifts for Joseph's coming at noon, for they had heard that they would eat there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 When Joseph came home, they brought the gifts which were in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the ground. -\v 27 He asked them about their welfare and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?" - -\s5 -\v 28 They said, "Your servant our father is well. He is still alive." They prostrated and bowed down. -\v 29 When he lifted up his eyes he saw Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and he said, "Is this your youngest brother of whom you spoke to me?" Then he said, "May God be gracious to you, my son." - -\s5 -\v 30 Joseph hurried to go out of the room, for he was deeply moved about his brother. He sought somewhere to weep. He went to his room and wept there. -\v 31 He washed his face and came out. He controlled himself, saying, "Serve the food." - -\s5 -\v 32 The servants served Joseph by himself and the brothers by themselves. The Egyptians there ate with him by themselves because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is detestable to the Egyptians. -\v 33 The brothers sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth. The men were astonished together. -\v 34 Joseph sent portions to them from the food in front of him. But Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of his brothers. They drank and were merry with him. - - - - -\s5 -\c 44 -\p -\v 1 Joseph commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's opening. -\v 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's opening of the youngest, and also his money for the grain." The steward did as Joseph had said. - -\s5 -\v 3 The morning dawned, and the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. -\v 4 When they were out of the city but were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Get up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you returned evil for good? -\v 5 Is this not the cup from which my master drinks, and the cup that he uses for divination? You have done evil, this thing that you have done.'" - -\s5 -\v 6 The steward overtook them and spoke these words to them. -\v 7 They said to him, "Why does my master speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they would do such a thing. - -\s5 -\v 8 Look, the money that we found in our sacks' openings, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then could we steal out of your master's house silver or gold? -\v 9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my master's slaves." -\v 10 The steward said, "Now also let it be according to your words. He with whom the cup is found will be my slave, and you others will be innocent." - -\s5 -\v 11 Then each man hurried and brought his sack down to the ground, and each man opened his sack. -\v 12 The steward searched. He began with the oldest and finished with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. -\v 13 Then they tore their clothes. Each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house. He was still there, and they bowed before him to the ground. -\v 15 Joseph said to them, "What is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me practices divination?" - -\s5 -\v 16 Judah said, "What can we say to my master? What can we speak? Or how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Look, we are my master's slaves, both we and he also in whose hand the cup was found." -\v 17 Joseph said, "Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup was found, that person will be my slave, but as for you others, go up in peace to your father." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then Judah came near to him and said, "My master, please let your servant speak a word in my master's ears, and do let your anger burn against your servant, for you are just like Pharaoh. -\v 19 My master asked his servants, saying, 'Do you have a father or a brother?' - -\s5 -\v 20 We said to my master, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one. But his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.' -\v 21 Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me that I may see him.' -\v 22 After that, we said to my master, 'The boy cannot leave his father. For if he should leave his father his father would die.' - -\s5 -\v 23 Then you said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.' -\v 24 Then it came about when we went up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my master. -\v 25 Our father said, 'Go again, buy us some food.' -\v 26 Then we said, 'We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then will we go down, for we will not be able to see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.' - -\s5 -\v 27 Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons. -\v 28 One of them went out from me and I said, "Surely he is torn in pieces, and I have not seen him since." -\v 29 Now if you also take this one from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol.' - -\s5 -\v 30 Now, therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the boy's life, -\v 31 it will come about, when he sees the boy is not with us, he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. -\v 32 For your servant became a guarantee for the boy to my father and said, 'If I do not bring him to you, then I will bear the guilt to my father forever.' - -\s5 -\v 33 Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy as slave to my master, and let the boy go up with his brothers. -\v 34 For how can I go up to my father if the boy is not with me? I am afraid to see the evil that would come on my father." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 45 -\p -\v 1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all the servants who stood by him. He said loudly, "Everyone must leave me." So no servant stood by him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. -\v 2 He wept loudly, the Egyptians heard it, and the house of Pharaoh heard of it. -\v 3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" His brothers could not answer him, for they were shocked in his presence. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." They came near. He said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. -\v 5 Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves that you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. -\v 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. - -\s5 -\v 7 God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. -\v 8 So now it was not you who sent me here but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, master of all his house, and ruler of all the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says, "God has made me master of all Egypt. Come down to me, do not delay. -\v 10 You will live in the land of Goshen, and you will be near me, you and your children and your children's children, and your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. -\v 11 I will provide for you there, for there are still five years of famine, so that you do not come to poverty, you, your household, and all that you have."' - -\s5 -\v 12 Look, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. -\v 13 You will tell my father about all my honor in Egypt and of all that you have seen. You will hurry and bring my father down here." -\s5 -\v 14 He hugged his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. -\v 15 He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After that his brothers talked with him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 The news of the matter was told in Pharaoh's house: "Joseph's brothers have come." It pleased Pharaoh and his servants very much. -\v 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and go to the land of Canaan. -\v 18 Get your father and your households and come to me. I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.' - -\s5 -\v 19 Now you are commanded, 'Do this, take carts out of the land of Egypt for your children and for your wives. Get your father and come. -\v 20 Do not be concerned about your possessions, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. -\v 22 To all of them he gave each man changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. -\v 23 For his father he sent this: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt; and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and other supplies for his father for the journey. - -\s5 -\v 24 So he sent his brothers away and they left. He said to them, "See that you do not quarrel on the journey." -\v 25 They went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. -\v 26 They told him saying "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." His heart was astonished, for he could not believe what they told him. - -\s5 -\v 27 They told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them. When Jacob saw the carts that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. -\v 28 Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 46 -\p -\v 1 Israel made his journey with all that he had and went to Beersheba. There he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. -\v 2 God spoke to Israel in a vision at night, saying, "Jacob, Jacob." He said, "Here I am." -\v 3 He said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not fear to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation. -\v 4 I will go down with you into Egypt, and I will surely bring you up again and Joseph will close your eyes with his own hand." - -\s5 -\v 5 Jacob rose up from Beersheba. The sons of Israel transported Jacob their father, their children, and their wives, in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. -\v 6 They took their livestock and their possessions that they had accumulated in the land of Canaan. They came into Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. -\v 7 He brought with him to Egypt his sons and his sons' sons, his daughters and his sons' daughters, and all his descendants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 These were the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt: Jacob and his sons, Reuben, Jacob's firstborn; -\v 9 the sons of Reuben, Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi; -\v 10 the sons of Simeon, Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; -\v 11 and the sons of Levi, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. - -\s5 -\v 12 The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah, (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. -\v 13 The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Lob, and Shimron; -\v 14 The sons of Zebulun were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel -\v 15 These were the sons of Leah whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, along with his daughter Dinah. His sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three. - -\s5 -\v 16 The sons of Gad were Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. -\v 17 The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah; and Serah was their sister. The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malkiel -\v 18 These were the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban had given to Leah his daughter. These sons she bore to Jacob—sixteen in all. - -\s5 -\v 19 The sons of Jacob's wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. -\v 20 In Egypt Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. -\v 21 The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. -\v 22 These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob—fourteen in all. - -\s5 -\v 23 The son of Dan was Hushim. -\v 24 The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. -\v 25 These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter—seven in all. - -\s5 -\v 26 All those who went to Egypt with Jacob, who were his descendants, not counting Jacob's sons' wives, were sixty-six in all. -\v 27 With the two sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt, the members of his family who went to Egypt were seventy in all. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him to Goshen, and they came to the land of Goshen. -\v 29 Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He saw him, hugged his neck, and wept on his neck a long time. -\v 30 Israel said to Joseph, "Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive." - -\s5 -\v 31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's house, "I will go up and tell Pharaoh, saying, 'My brothers and my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. -\v 32 The men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock. They have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.' - -\s5 -\v 33 It will come about, when Pharaoh calls you and asks, 'What is your occupation?' -\v 34 that you should say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth until now, both we, and our forefathers.' Do this so that you may live in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 47 -\p -\v 1 Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, "My father and my brothers, their flocks, their herds, and all that they own, have arrived from the land of Canaan. See, they are in the land of Goshen." -\v 2 He took five of his brothers and introduced them to Pharaoh. - -\s5 -\v 3 Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your occupation?" They said to Pharaoh, "Your servants are shepherds, as our ancestors." -\v 4 Then they said to Pharaoh, "We come as temporary residents in the land. There is no pasture for your servants' flocks, because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen." - -\s5 -\v 5 Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, "Your father and your brothers have come to you. -\v 6 The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best region, the land of Goshen. If you know any capable men among them, put them in charge of my livestock." - -\s5 -\v 7 Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and presented him to Pharaoh. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. -\v 8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How long have you lived?" -\v 9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my travels are a hundred and thirty. The years of my life have been few and painful. They have not been as long as those of my ancestors." -\v 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence. - -\s5 -\v 11 Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers. He gave them a territory in the land of Egypt, the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. -\v 12 Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all his father's household, according the number of their dependents. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Now there was no food in all the land; for the famine was severe. The land of Egypt and the land of Canaan wasted away because of the famine. -\v 14 Joseph gathered all the money that was in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, by selling grain to the inhabitants. Then Joseph brought the money to Pharaoh's palace. - -\s5 -\v 15 When all the money of the lands of Egypt and Canaan was spent, all the Egyptians came to Joseph saying, "Give us food! Why should we die in your presence because our money is gone?" -\v 16 Joseph said, "If your money is gone, bring your livestock and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock." -\v 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph. Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, for the flocks, for the herds, and for the donkeys. He fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year. - -\s5 -\v 18 When that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, "We will not hide from my master that our money is all gone, and the herds of cattle are my master's. There is nothing left in the sight of my master, except our bodies and our land. -\v 19 Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. For every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was very severe. In this way, the land became Pharaoh's. -\v 21 As for the people, he made them slaves from one end of Egypt's border to the other end. -\v 22 It was only the land of the priests that Joseph did not buy, because the priests were given an allowance. They ate from the allotment which Pharaoh gave them. Therefore they did not sell their land. - -\s5 -\v 23 Then Joseph said to the people, "See, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Now here is seed for you, and you will plant the land. -\v 24 At the harvest, you must give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of the field and for food for your households and your children." - -\s5 -\v 25 They said, "You have saved our lives. May we find favor in your eyes. We will be Pharaoh's servants." -\v 26 So Joseph made it a statute which is in effect in the land of Egypt to this day, that one-fifth belongs to Pharaoh. Only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh's. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 So Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. His people gained possessions there. They were fruitful and multiplied greatly. -\v 28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, so the years of Jacob's life were one hundred forty-seven years. - -\s5 -\v 29 When the time approached for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh, and show me faithfulness and trustworthiness. Please do not bury me in Egypt. -\v 30 When I sleep with my fathers, you will carry me out of Egypt and bury me in my forefathers' burial place." Joseph said, "I will do as you have said." -\v 31 Israel said, "Swear to me," and Joseph swore to him. Then Israel bowed down at the head of his bed. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 48 -\p -\v 1 It came about after these things, that one said to Joseph, "Look, your father is sick." So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. -\v 2 When Jacob was told, "Look, your son Joseph has arrived to see you," Israel gathered strength and sat up in bed. - -\s5 -\v 3 Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan. He blessed me -\v 4 and said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you. I will make of you an assembly of nations. I will give this land to your descendants as an everlasting possession.' - -\s5 -\v 5 Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, they are mine. Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. -\v 6 The children you have after them will be yours; they will be listed under the names of their brothers in their inheritance. -\v 7 But as for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, while there was still some distance to go to Ephrath. I buried her there on the way to Ephrath" (that is, Bethlehem). - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Whose are these?" -\v 9 Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here." Israel said, "Bring them to me, that I may bless them." -\v 10 Now Israel's eyes were failing because of his age, so he could not see. So Joseph brought them near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. - -\s5 -\v 11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, but God has even allowed me to see your children." -\v 12 Joseph brought them out from between Israel's knees, and then he bowed with his face to the earth. -\v 13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them close to him. - -\s5 -\v 14 Israel reached out with his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head. He crossed his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn. -\v 15 Israel blessed Joseph, saying, -\q "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, -\q the God who has cared for me to this day, -\q -\v 16 the angel who has protected me from all harm, may he bless these boys. -\q May my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. -\q May they grow into a multitude on the earth." -\m - -\s5 -\v 17 When Joseph saw his father place his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. -\v 18 Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father; for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand upon his head." - -\s5 -\v 19 His father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. Yet his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations." -\v 20 Israel blessed them that day with these words, -\q "The people of Israel will pronounce blessings by your names saying, -\q 'May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh'." -\m -In this way, Israel put Ephraim before Manasseh. - -\s5 -\v 21 Israel said to Joseph, "See, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. -\v 22 To you, as one who is above your brothers, I give to you the mountain slope that I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 49 -\p -\v 1 Then Jacob called for his sons, and said: -\q "Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what will happen to you in -the future. -\q -\v 2 Assemble yourselves and listen, you sons of Jacob. Listen to Israel, your father. - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, -\q outstanding in dignity, and outstanding in power. -\q -\v 4 Uncontrollable as rushing water, you will not have the preeminence, -\q because you went up to your father's bed. -\q Then you defiled it; you went up to my couch. - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 5 Simeon and Levi are brothers. Weapons of violence are their swords. -\q -\v 6 O my soul, do not come into their council; do not join in their meetings, for my heart has too much honor for that. -\q For in their anger they killed men. It was for pleasure that they hamstrung oxen. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 May their anger be cursed, for it was fierce—and their fury, for it was cruel. -\q I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 8 Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. -\q Your father's sons will bow down before you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Judah is a lion's cub. My son, you have gone up from your victims. -\q He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, like a lioness. Who would dare to awaken him? - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, -\q until Shiloh comes. The nations will obey him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Binding his donkey to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, -\q he has washed his garments in wine, and his robe in the blood of grapes. -\q -\v 12 His eyes will be as dark as wine, and his teeth as white as milk. - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 13 Zebulun will live by the shore of the sea. He will be a harbor for ships, -\q and his border will extend to Sidon. - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 14 Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. -\q -\v 15 He sees a good resting place and the pleasant land. -\q He will bend his shoulder to the burden and become a servant for the task. - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 16 Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. -\q -\v 17 Dan will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous snake in the path -\q that bites the horse's heels, so that his rider falls backward. -\q -\v 18 I wait for your salvation, Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 19 Gad—raiders will attack him, but he will attack them at their heels. -\q2 -\v 20 Asher's food will be rich, and he will provide royal delicacies. -\q2 -\v 21 Naphtali is a doe let loose; he will have beautiful fawns. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough near a spring, -\q whose branches climb over the wall. -\q -\v 23 The archers will attack him and shoot at him and harass him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 But his bow will remain steady, and his hands will be skillful -\q because of the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 The God of your father will help you and the Almighty God will bless you -\q with blessings of the sky above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, -\q and blessings of the breasts and womb. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains -\q or the desirable things of the ancient hills. -\q May they be on the head of Joseph, even upon the crown of the head of the prince of his brothers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 Benjamin is a hungry wolf. In the morning he will devour the prey, -\q and in the evening he will divide the plunder." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 These are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them when he blessed them. Each one he blessed with an appropriate blessing. -\v 29 Then he instructed them and said to them, "I am about to go to my people. Bury me with my forefathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, -\v 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is near Mamre in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought for a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. - -\s5 -\v 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. -\v 32 The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the people of Heth." -\v 33 When Jacob finished these instructions to his sons, he pulled his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and went to his people. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 50 -\p -\v 1 Then Joseph was so distressed that he collapsed on the face of his father, and he wept over him, and he kissed him. -\v 2 Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. -\v 3 They took forty days, for that was the full time for embalming. The Egyptians wept for him seventy days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 When the days of weeping were over, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh's royal court saying, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak to Pharaoh, saying, -\v 5 'My father made me swear, saying, "See, I am about to die. Bury me in my tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan. There you will bury me." Now let me go up and bury my father, and then I will return.'" -\v 6 Pharaoh answered, "Go and bury your father, as he made you swear." - -\s5 -\v 7 Joseph went up to bury his father. All the officials of Pharaoh went with him—the courtiers of his household, all the senior officials of the land of Egypt, -\v 8 with all Joseph's household and his brothers, and his father's household. But their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. -\v 9 Chariots and horsemen also went with him. It was a very large group of people. - -\s5 -\v 10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad on the other side of the Jordan, they mourned with very great and grievous sorrow. There Joseph made a seven-day mourning for his father. -\v 11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, "This is a very sad occasion for the Egyptians." That is why the place was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan. -\s5 -\v 12 So his sons did for Jacob just as he had instructed them. -\v 13 His sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre. Abraham had bought the cave with the field for a burial place. He had bought it from Ephron the Hittite. -\v 14 After he had buried his father, Joseph returned into Egypt, he, along with his brothers, and all who had accompanied him to bury his father. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds on to anger against us and wants to repay us in full for all the evil we did to him?" -\v 16 So they commanded the presence of Joseph, saying, "Your father gave instructions before he died, saying, -\v 17 'Tell Joseph this, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin when they did evil to you."' Now please forgive the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. - -\s5 -\v 18 His brothers also went and lay facedown before him. They said, "See, we are your servants." -\v 19 But Joseph answered them, "Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? -\v 20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God meant it for good, to preserve the lives of many people, as you see today. -\v 21 So now do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children." He comforted them in this way and spoke kindly to their hearts. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Joseph lived in Egypt, together with his father's family. He lived one hundred ten years. -\v 23 Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation. He also saw the children of Machir son of Manasseh, who were placed on the knees of Joseph. -\s5 -\v 24 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die; but God will surely come to you and lead you up out of this land to the land which he swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." -\v 25 Then Joseph made the people of Israel swear an oath. He said, "God will surely come to you. At that time you must carry up my bones from here." -\v 26 So Joseph died, 110 years old. They embalmed him and he was placed in a coffin in Egypt. - - + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 Now Abraham was very old and Yahweh had blessed Abraham in all things. +\v 2 Abraham said to his servant, the one who was the oldest of his household and who was in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh +\v 3 and I will make you swear by Yahweh, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I make my home. +\v 4 But you will go to my country, and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son Isaac." + +\s5 +\v 5 The servant said to him, "What if the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land? Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?" +\v 6 Abraham said to him, "Make sure that you do not take my son back there! +\v 7 Yahweh, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my relatives, and who promised me with a solemn oath saying, 'To your offspring I will give this land,' he will send his angel before you, and you will get a wife for my son from there. + +\s5 +\v 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine. Only you are not to take my son back there." +\v 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The servant took ten of his master's camels and departed. He also took with him all kinds of gifts from his master. He departed and went to the region of Aram Naharaim, to the city of Nahor. +\v 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water. It was evening, the time that women go out to draw water. + +\s5 +\v 12 Then he said, "Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, grant me success today and show covenant faithfulness to my master Abraham. +\v 13 Look, here I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. +\v 14 Let it happen like this. When I say to a young woman, 'Please lower your pitcher so that I may drink,' and she says to me, 'Drink, and I will water your camels too,' then let her be the one that you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown covenant faithfulness to my master." + +\s5 +\v 15 It came about that even before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out with her water pitcher on her shoulder. Rebekah was born to Bethuel son of Milkah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother. +\v 16 The young woman was very beautiful and a virgin. No man had slept with her. She went down to the spring and filled her pitcher, and came up. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, "Please give me a little drink of water from your pitcher." +\v 18 She said, "Drink, my master," and she quickly let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink. + +\s5 +\v 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking." +\v 20 So she hurried and emptied her pitcher into the trough, then ran again to the well to draw water, and drew water for all his camels. + +\s5 +\v 21 The man watched her in silence to see whether Yahweh had prospered his journey or not. +\v 22 As the camels finished drinking, the man brought out a gold nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two gold bracelets for her arms weighing ten shekels, +\v 23 and asked, "Whose daughter are you? Tell me please, is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?" + +\s5 +\v 24 She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, whom she bore to Nahor." +\v 25 She also said to him, "We have plenty of both straw and feed, and also room for you to spend the night." + +\s5 +\v 26 Then the man bowed down and worshiped Yahweh. +\v 27 He said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his covenant faithfulness and his trustworthiness toward my master. As for me, Yahweh has led me directly to the house of my master's relatives." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about all of these things. +\v 29 Now Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran to the man who was out at the road by the spring. +\v 30 When he had seen the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and when he had heard the words of Rebekah his sister, "This is what the man said to me," he went to the man, and, behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. + +\s5 +\v 31 Then Laban said, "Come, you blessed of Yahweh. Why are you standing outside? I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels." +\v 32 So the man came to the house and he unloaded the camels. The camels were given straw and feed, and water was provided to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. + +\s5 +\v 33 They set food before him to eat, but he said, "I will not eat until I have said what I have to say." So Laban said, "Speak on." +\v 34 He said, "I am Abraham's servant. +\v 35 Yahweh has blessed my master very much and he has become great. He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. + +\s5 +\v 36 Sarah, my master's wife, bore a son to my master when she was old, and he has given everything that he owns to him. +\v 37 My master made me swear, saying, 'You must not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I make my home. +\v 38 Instead, you must go to my father's family, and to my relatives, and get a wife for my son.' + +\s5 +\v 39 I said to my master, 'Perhaps the woman will not follow me.' +\v 40 But he said to me, 'Yahweh, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and he will prosper your way, so that you will get a wife for my son from among my relatives and from my father's family line. +\v 41 But you will be free from my oath if you come to my relatives and they will not give her to you. Then you will be free from my oath.' + +\s5 +\v 42 So I arrived today at the spring, and said, 'O Yahweh, God of my master Abraham, please, if you do indeed intend to make my journey successful— +\v 43 here I am, standing by the spring of water—let the young woman who comes out to draw water, the woman to whom I say, "Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink," +\v 44 the woman who says to me, "Drink, and I will also draw water for your camels"—let her be the woman whom you, Yahweh, have chosen for my master's son.' + +\s5 +\v 45 Even before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, 'Please give me a drink.' +\v 46 She quickly lowered her pitcher from her shoulder and said, 'Drink, and I will give your camels water also.' So I drank, and she watered the camels also. + +\s5 +\v 47 I asked her and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' She said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milkah bore to him.' Then I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her arms. +\v 48 Then I bowed down and worshiped Yahweh, and blessed Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to find the daughter of my master's relative for his son. + +\s5 +\v 49 Now therefore, if you are prepared to treat my master with family faithfulness and trustworthiness, tell me. But if not, tell me, so that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left." + +\s5 +\p +\v 50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing has come from Yahweh; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. +\v 51 Look, Rebekah is before you. Take her and go, so she may be the wife of your master's son, as Yahweh has spoken." + +\s5 +\v 52 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the ground to Yahweh. +\v 53 The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and to her mother. + +\s5 +\v 54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank. They stayed there overnight, and when they arose in the morning, he said, "Send me away to my master." +\v 55 Her brother and her mother said, "Let the young woman stay with us for a few more days, at least ten. After that she may go." + +\s5 +\v 56 But he said to them, "Do not hinder me, since Yahweh has prospered my way. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master." +\v 57 They said, "We will call the young woman and ask her." +\v 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?" She replied, "I will go." + +\s5 +\v 59 So they sent their sister Rebekah, along with her female servant, on her journey with Abraham's servant and his men. +\v 60 They blessed Rebekah, and said to her, +\q "Our sister, may you be the mother of thousands of ten thousands, +\q and may your descendants possess the gate of those who hate them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 61 Then Rebekah arose, and she and her servant girls mounted the camels, and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. +\p +\v 62 Now Isaac was living in the Negev, and had just returned from Beer Lahai Roi. + +\s5 +\v 63 Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening. When he looked up and saw, behold, there were camels coming! +\v 64 Rebekah looked, and when she saw Isaac, she jumped down from the camel. +\v 65 She said to the servant, "Who is that man who is walking in the field to meet us?" The servant said, "It is my master." So she took her veil, and covered herself. + +\s5 +\v 66 The servant recounted to Isaac all the things that he had done. +\v 67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 Abraham took another wife; her name was Keturah. +\v 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. +\v 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. The descendants of Dedan were the Assyrian people, the Letush people, and the Leum people. +\v 4 Midian's sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were Keturah's descendants. + +\s5 +\v 5 Abraham gave all that he owned to Isaac. +\v 6 However, while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them to the land of the east, away from Isaac, his son. + +\s5 +\v 7 These were the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, 175 years. +\v 8 Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man with a full life, and he was gathered to his people. + +\s5 +\v 9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre. +\v 10 This field Abraham had bought from the sons of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah his wife. +\v 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son, and Isaac lived near Beer Lahai Roi. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Now these were the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's servant, bore to Abraham. + +\s5 +\v 13 These were the names of Ishmael's sons, according to their birth order: Nebaioth—the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, +\v 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, +\v 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. +\v 16 These were Ishmael's sons, and these were their names, by their villages, and by their encampments; twelve princes according to their tribes. + +\s5 +\v 17 These were the years of the life of Ishmael, 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. +\v 18 They lived from Havilah to Ashhur, which is near Egypt, as one goes toward Assyria. They lived in hostility with each other. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 These were the events concerning Isaac, Abraham's son. Abraham became the father of Isaac. +\v 20 Isaac was forty years old when he took as his wife Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean. + +\s5 +\v 21 Isaac prayed to Yahweh for his wife because she was childless, and Yahweh answered his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. +\v 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" She went to ask Yahweh about this. + +\s5 +\v 23 Yahweh said to her, +\q "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. +\q One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 When it was time for her to give birth, behold, there were twins in her womb. +\v 25 The first child came out red all over like a hairy garment. They called his name Esau. +\v 26 After that, his brother came out. His hand was grasping Esau's heel. He was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when his wife bore them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a quiet man, who spent his time in the tents. +\v 28 Now Isaac loved Esau because he ate the animals that he had hunted, but Rebekah loved Jacob. + +\s5 +\v 29 Jacob cooked some stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was weak from hunger. +\v 30 Esau said to Jacob, "Feed me with that red stew. Please, I am exhausted!" That is why his name was called Edom. + +\s5 +\v 31 Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright." +\v 32 Esau said, "Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?" +\v 33 Jacob said, "First swear to me," so Esau swore an oath and in that way he sold his birthright to Jacob. +\v 34 Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, then got up and went on his way. In this manner Esau despised his birthright. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 Now a famine happened in the land, besides the first famine that had been in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech, king of the Philistines at Gerar. + +\s5 +\v 2 Now Yahweh appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land that I tell you to live in. +\v 3 Stay in this very land, and I will be with you and will bless you; for to you and to your descendants, I will give all +these lands, and I will fulfill the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. + +\s5 +\v 4 I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and will give to your descendants all these lands. Through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. +\v 5 I will do this because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my instructions, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." + +\s5 +\v 6 So Isaac settled in Gerar. +\v 7 When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, "She is my sister." He feared to say, "She is my wife," because he thought, "The men of this place will kill me to get Rebekah, because she is so beautiful." +\v 8 After Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines happened to look out of a window. He saw, behold, Isaac was caressing Rebekah, his wife. + +\s5 +\v 9 Abimelech called Isaac to him and said, "Look, certainly she is your wife. Why did you say, 'She is my sister'?" Isaac said to him, "Because I thought someone might kill me to get her." +\v 10 Abimelech said, "What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us." +\v 11 So Abimelech warned all the people and said, "Whoever touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Isaac planted crops in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold, because Yahweh blessed him. +\v 13 The man became rich, and grew more and more until he became very great. +\v 14 He had many sheep and cattle, and a large household. The Philistines envied him. + +\s5 +\v 15 Now all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped them up by filling them with earth. +\v 16 Abimelech said to Isaac, "Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we." +\v 17 So Isaac departed from there and settled in the Valley of Gerar, and lived there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Once again Isaac dug out the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father. The Philistines had stopped them up after Abraham's death. Isaac called the wells by the same names that his father had called them. + +\s5 +\v 19 When Isaac's servants dug in the valley, they found there a well of flowing water. +\v 20 The herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, and said, "This water is ours." So Isaac called that well "Esek," because they had quarreled with him. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that, too, so he gave it the name of "Sitnah." +\v 22 He left there and dug yet another well, but they did not quarrel over that one. So he called it Rehoboth, and he said, "Now Yahweh has made room for us, and we will prosper in the land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Then Isaac went up from there to Beersheba. +\v 24 Yahweh appeared to him that same night and said, "I am the God of Abraham your father. Do not fear, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your descendants, for my servant Abraham's sake." +\v 25 Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of Yahweh. There he pitched his tent, and his servants dug a well. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath, his friend, and Phicol, the captain of his army. +\v 27 Isaac said to them, "Why are you coming to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?" + +\s5 +\v 28 Then they said, "We have clearly seen that Yahweh has been with you. So we decided that there should be an oath between us, yes, between us and you. So let us make a covenant with you, +\v 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not harmed you, and as we have treated you well and have sent you away in peace. Indeed, you are blessed by Yahweh." + +\s5 +\v 30 So Isaac made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. +\v 31 They rose early in the morning and swore an oath with each other. Then Isaac sent them away, and they left him in peace. + +\s5 +\v 32 That same day Isaac's servants came and told him about the well that they had dug. They said, "We have found water." +\v 33 He called the well Shibah, so the name of that city is Beersheba to this day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 When Esau was forty years old, he took a wife, Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. +\v 35 They brought sorrow to Isaac and Rebekah. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau, his older son, and said to him, "My son." He said to him, "Here I am." +\v 2 He said, "See here, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. + +\s5 +\v 3 Therefore take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. +\v 4 Make delicious food for me, the sort that I love, and bring it to me so I can eat it and bless you before I die." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Now Rebekah heard it when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it back. +\v 6 Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son and said, "See here, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother. He said, +\v 7 'Bring me game and make me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of Yahweh before my death.' + +\s5 +\v 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. +\v 9 Go to the flock, and bring me two good young goats; and I will make delicious food from them for your father, just like he loves. +\v 10 You will take it to your father, so that he may eat it, so that he may bless you before his death." + +\s5 +\v 11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "See, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. +\v 12 Perhaps my father will touch me, and I will seem to him as a deceiver. I will bring a curse upon me and not a blessing." + +\s5 +\v 13 His mother said to him, "My son, let any curse fall on me. Just obey my voice, and go, bring them to me." +\v 14 So Jacob went and got the young goats and brought them to his mother, and his mother made delicious food, just like his father loved. + +\s5 +\v 15 Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau, her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son. +\v 16 She put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. +\v 17 She put the delicious food and the bread that she had prepared into the hand of her son Jacob. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Jacob went to his father and said, "My father." He said, "Here I am; who are you, my son?" +\v 19 Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you said to me. Now sit up and eat some of my game, that you may bless me." + +\s5 +\v 20 Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?" He said, "Because Yahweh your God brought it to me." +\v 21 Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near me, so I may touch you, my son, and learn whether you are my true son Esau or not." + +\s5 +\v 22 Jacob went over to Isaac his father; and Isaac touched him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." +\v 23 Isaac did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau's hands, so Isaac blessed him. + +\s5 +\v 24 He said, "Are you really my son Esau?" He replied, "I am." +\v 25 Isaac said, "Bring the food to me, and I will eat of your game, so that I may bless you." Jacob brought the food to him. Isaac ate, and Jacob brought him wine, and he drank. + +\s5 +\v 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son." +\v 27 Jacob came near and kissed him, and he smelled the smell of his clothes and blessed him. He said, +\q "See, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that Yahweh has blessed. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 May God give you a portion of the dew of heaven, a portion of the fatness of the earth, +\q and plenty of grain and new wine. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. +\q Be master over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you. +\q May every one who curses you be cursed; may every one who blesses you be blessed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. +\v 31 He also made delicious food and brought it to his father. He said to his father, "Father, get up and eat some of your son's game, so that you may bless me." + +\s5 +\v 32 Isaac his father said to him, "Who are you?" He said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau." +\v 33 Isaac trembled very much and said, "Who was it that hunted this game and brought it to me? I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him. Indeed, he will be blessed." + +\s5 +\v 34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a very great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, me also, my father." +\v 35 Isaac said, "Your brother came here deceitfully and has taken away your blessing." + +\s5 +\v 36 Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and, see, now he has taken away my blessing." Then he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?" +\v 37 Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Look, I have made him your master, and I have given to him all his brothers as servants, and I have given him grain and new wine. What more can I do for you, my son?" + +\s5 +\v 38 Esau said to his father, "Have you not even one blessing for me, my father? Bless me, even me too, my father." Esau wept loudly. + +\s5 +\v 39 Isaac his father answered and said to him, +\q "Look, the place where you live will be far from the richness of the earth, +\q away from the dew of the sky above. +\q +\v 40 By your sword you will live, and you will serve your brother. +\q But when you rebel, you will shake his yoke from off your neck." + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing that his father had given him. Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are near; after that I will kill my brother Jacob." +\v 42 The words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, "See, your brother Esau is consoling himself about you by planning to kill you. + +\s5 +\v 43 Now therefore, my son, obey me and flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran. +\v 44 Stay with him for a while, until your brother's fury subsides, +\v 45 until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you back from there. Why should I lose you both in one day? + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 Rebekah said to Isaac, "I am weary of life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes one of the daughters of Heth as a wife, like these women, some of the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 28 +\p +\v 1 Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, and commanded him, "You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. +\v 2 Arise, go to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother's father, and take a wife from there, one of the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother. + +\s5 +\v 3 May God Almighty bless you, make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a multitude of peoples. +\v 4 May he give you the blessing of Abraham, to you, and to your descendants after you, that you may inherit the land where you have been living, which God gave to Abraham." + +\s5 +\v 5 So Isaac sent Jacob away. Jacob went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram, to take a wife from there. He also saw that Isaac had blessed him and given him a command, saying, "You must not take a wife from the women of Canaan." +\v 7 Esau also saw that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother, and had gone to Paddan Aram. + +\s5 +\v 8 Esau saw that the women of Canaan did not please Isaac his father. +\v 9 So he went to Ishmael, and took, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. +\v 11 He came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones in that place, put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. + +\s5 +\v 12 He dreamed and saw a stairway set up on the earth. Its top reached to heaven and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. +\v 13 Behold, Yahweh stood above it and said, "I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land on which you are lying, I will give to you and to your descendants. + +\s5 +\v 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread far out to the west, to the east, to the north, and to the south. Through you and through your descendants will all the families of the earth be blessed. +\v 15 Behold, I am with you, and I will keep you wherever you go. I will bring you into this land again; for I will not leave you. I will do all that I have promised to you." + +\s5 +\v 16 Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and he said, "Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it." +\v 17 He was afraid and said, "How terrifying is this place! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Jacob arose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put under his head. He set it up as a pillar and poured oil upon the top of it. +\v 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city originally was Luz. + +\s5 +\v 20 Jacob vowed a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will protect me on this road on which I am walking, and will give me bread to eat, and clothes to wear, +\v 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then Yahweh will be my God. +\v 22 Then this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be a sacred stone. From everything that you give me, I will surely give a tenth back to you." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. +\v 2 As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and, behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there by it. For out of that well they would water the flocks, and the stone over the well's mouth was large. +\v 3 When all the flocks had gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the well's mouth and water the sheep, and then put the stone again over the well's mouth, back in its place. + +\s5 +\v 4 Jacob said to them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They replied, "We are from Haran." +\v 5 He said to them, "Do you know Laban son of Nahor?" They said, "We know him." +\v 6 He said to them, "Is he well?" They said, "He is well, and, look there, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep." + +\s5 +\v 7 Jacob said, "See, it is the middle of the day. It is not the time for the flocks to be gathered together. You should water the sheep and then go and let them graze." +\v 8 They said, "We cannot water them until all the flocks are gathered together. The men will then roll the stone from the well's mouth, and we will water the sheep." + +\s5 +\v 9 While Jacob was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was tending them. +\v 10 When Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother, Jacob came over, rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban, his mother's brother. + +\s5 +\v 11 Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly. +\v 12 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's relative, and that he was Rebekah's son. Then she ran and told her father. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 When Laban heard the news about Jacob his sister's son, he ran to meet him, embraced him, +kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things. +\v 14 Laban said to him, "You are indeed my bone and my flesh." Then Jacob stayed with him for about one month. + +\s5 +\v 15 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Should you serve me for nothing because you are my relative? Tell me, what will your wages be?" +\v 16 Now Laban had two daughters. The name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. +\v 17 Leah's eyes were tender, but Rachel was beautiful in form and appearance. +\v 18 Jacob loved Rachel, so he said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter." + +\s5 +\v 19 Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me." +\v 20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed to him only a few days, for the love he had for her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days have been completed—so that I may marry her!" +\v 22 So Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast. + +\s5 +\v 23 In the evening, Laban took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob, who slept with her. +\v 24 Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah, to be her servant. +\v 25 In the morning, behold, it was Leah! Jacob said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? +Did I not serve you for Rachel? Why then have you tricked me?" + +\s5 +\v 26 Laban said, "It is not our custom to give the younger daughter before the firstborn. +\v 27 Complete the bridal week of this daughter, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another +seven years." + +\s5 +\v 28 Jacob did so, and completed Leah's week. Then Laban gave him Rachel his daughter as his wife also. +\v 29 Laban also gave Bilhah to his daughter Rachel, to be her servant. +\v 30 So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, but he loved Rachel more than Leah. So Jacob served Laban for seven more years. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Yahweh saw that Leah was not loved, so he opened her womb, but Rachel was childless. +\v 32 Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben. For she said, "Because Yahweh has looked upon my affliction; surely now my husband will love me." + +\s5 +\v 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son. She said, "Because Yahweh has heard that I am unloved, he has therefore given me this son also," and she called his name Simeon. +\v 34 Then she conceived again and bore a son. She said, "Now this time will my husband be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. + +\s5 +\v 35 She conceived again and bore a son. She said, "This time I will praise Yahweh." Therefore she called his name Judah; then she stopped having children. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 30 +\p +\v 1 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children, or I will die." +\v 2 Jacob's anger burned against Rachel. He said, "Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?" + +\s5 +\v 3 She said, "See, there is my servant Bilhah. Sleep with her, so she might give birth to children on my knees, and I will have children by her." +\v 4 So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob slept with her. + +\s5 +\v 5 Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. +\v 6 Then Rachel said, "God has vindicated me, and he has heard my voice and given me a son." For this reason she called his name Dan. + +\s5 +\v 7 Bilhah, Rachel's servant, conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. +\v 8 Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister and have prevailed." She called his name Naphtali. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife. +\v 10 Zilpah, Leah's servant, bore Jacob a son. +\v 11 Leah said, "This is fortunate!" so she called his name Gad. + +\s5 +\v 12 Then Zilpah, Leah's servant, bore Jacob a second son. +\v 13 Leah said, "I am happy! For the daughters will call me happy." So she called his name Asher. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field. He brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Give me some of your son's mandrakes." +\v 15 Leah said to her, "Is it a small matter to you, that you have taken away my husband? Do you now want to take away my son's mandrakes, too?" Rachel said, "Then he will sleep with you tonight, in exchange for your son's mandrakes." + +\s5 +\v 16 Jacob came from the field in the evening. Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must sleep with me tonight, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Jacob slept with Leah that night. +\v 17 God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. +\v 18 Leah said, "God has given me my wages, because I gave my servant woman to my husband." She called his name Issachar. + +\s5 +\v 19 Leah conceived again and bore a sixth son to Jacob. +\v 20 Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons." She called his name Zebulun. +\v 21 Afterwards she bore a daughter and called her name Dinah. + +\s5 +\v 22 God called Rachel to mind and listened to her. He caused her to become pregnant. +\v 23 She conceived and bore a son. She said, "God has taken away my shame." +\v 24 She called his name Joseph, saying, "Yahweh has added to me another son." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 After Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Send me away, so that I may go to my own home and to my country. +\v 26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go, for you know the service I have given you." + +\s5 +\v 27 Laban said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, wait, because I have learned by using divination that Yahweh has blessed me for your sake." +\v 28 Then he said, "Name your wages, and I will pay them." + +\s5 +\v 29 Jacob said to him, "You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me. +\v 30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased abundantly. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I worked. Now when will I provide for my own household also?" + +\s5 +\v 31 So Laban said, "What will I pay you?" Jacob said, "You will not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it. +\v 32 Let me walk through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted sheep, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. These will be my wages. + +\s5 +\v 33 My integrity will testify for me later on, when you come to check on my wages. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, if any are found with me, will be considered to be stolen." +\v 34 Laban said, "Agreed. Let it be according to your word." + +\s5 +\v 35 That day Laban removed the male goats that were striped and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. +\v 36 Laban also put three days' journey between himself and Jacob. So Jacob kept tending the rest of Laban's flocks. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 Jacob took fresh cut branches of fresh poplar, and of the almond and of the plane tree, and peeled white streaks in them, and made the white inner wood appear that was in the sticks. +\v 38 Then he set the sticks that he had peeled in front of the flocks, in front of the watering troughs where they came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink. + +\s5 +\v 39 The flocks bred in front of the sticks; and the flocks produced striped, speckled, and spotted young. +\v 40 Jacob separated out these lambs, but made the rest of them face toward the striped animals and all the black sheep in the flock of Laban. Then he separated out his flocks for himself alone and did not put them together with Laban's flocks. + +\s5 +\v 41 Whenever the stronger sheep in the flock were breeding, then Jacob would lay the sticks in the watering troughs before the eyes of the flock, so that they might conceive among the sticks. +\v 42 But when the feebler animals in the flock came, he did not put the sticks in front of them. So the feebler animals were Laban's, and the stronger were Jacob's. + +\s5 +\v 43 The man became very prosperous. He had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 31 +\p +\v 1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, that they said, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and it is from our father's possessions that he has gotten all this wealth." +\v 2 Jacob saw the look on Laban's face. He saw that his attitude toward him had changed. +\v 3 Then Yahweh said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you." + +\s5 +\v 4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock +\v 5 and said to them, "I see your father's attitude toward me has changed, but the God of my father has been with me. +\v 6 You know that it is with all my strength that I have served your father. + +\s5 +\v 7 Your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God has not permitted him to hurt me. +\v 8 If he said, 'The speckled animals will be your wages,' then all the flock bore speckled young. If he said, 'The striped will be your wages,' then the whole flock bore striped young. +\v 9 In this way God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. + +\s5 +\v 10 Once at the time of breeding season, I saw in a dream the male goats that were mating with the flock. The male goats were striped, speckled, and spotted. +\v 11 The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I said, 'Here I am.' + +\s5 +\v 12 He said, 'Lift up your eyes and see all the male goats that are breeding with the flock. They are striped, speckled, and spotted, for I have seen everything that Laban is doing to you. +\v 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to me. Now rise up and leave this land and return to the land of your birth.'" + +\s5 +\v 14 Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, "Is there any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house? +\v 15 Are we not treated by him as foreigners? For he has sold us and has also completely devoured our money. +\v 16 For all the riches that God has taken away from our father are now ours and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Jacob arose and placed his sons and his wives upon the camels. +\v 18 He drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all his property, including the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram. Then he set out to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. + +\s5 +\v 19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household gods. +\v 20 Jacob also deceived Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he was leaving. +\v 21 So he fled with all that he had and quickly passed over the River, and headed toward the hill country of Gilead. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. +\v 23 So he took his relatives with him and pursued him for a seven days' journey. He overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. + +\s5 +\v 24 Now God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad." +\v 25 Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country. Laban also camped with his relatives in the hill country of Gilead. \f + \ft Some modern versions have: \fqa Laban also camped in the hill country of Gilead. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\v 26 Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you deceived me and carried away my daughters like prisoners of war? +\v 27 Why did you flee secretly and trick me and did not tell me? I would have sent you away with celebration and with songs, with tambourine and with harps. +\v 28 You did not allow me to kiss my grandsons and my daughters good bye. Now you have done foolishly. + +\s5 +\v 29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night and said, 'Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.' +\v 30 Now you have gone away because you longed to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?" + +\s5 +\v 31 Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid and thought that you would take your daughters from me by force I left secretly. +\v 32 Whoever has stolen your gods will not continue to live. In the presence of our relatives, identify whatever with me is yours and take it." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find them. He went out of Leah's tent and entered into Rachel's tent. + +\s5 +\v 34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods, put them in a camel's saddle, and sat upon them. Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them. +\v 35 She said to her father, "Do not be angry, my master, that I cannot stand up before you, for I am having my period." So he searched but did not find his household gods. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Jacob was angry and argued with Laban. He said to him, "What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued after me? +\v 37 For you have searched all my possessions. What have you found of all your household goods? Set them here before our relatives, so that they may judge between us two. + +\s5 +\v 38 For twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten any rams from your flocks. +\v 39 What was torn by beasts I did not bring to you. Instead, I bore the loss of it. You always made me pay for every missing animal, whether stolen by day or stolen by night. +\v 40 There I was; in the day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night; and I went without sleep. + +\s5 +\v 41 These twenty years I have been in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock. You have changed my wages ten times. +\v 42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the one Isaac fears, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my oppression and how hard I worked, and he rebuked you last night." + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 Laban answered and said to Jacob, "The daughters are my daughters, the grandchildren are my grandchildren, and the flocks are my flocks. All that you see is mine. But what can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne? +\v 44 So now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be for a witness between you and me." + +\s5 +\v 45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. +\v 46 Jacob said to his relatives, "Gather stones." So they took stones and made a pile. Then they ate there by the pile. +\v 47 Laban called it Jegar Saha Dutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. + +\s5 +\v 48 Laban said, "This pile is a witness between me and you today." Therefore its name was called Galeed. +\v 49 It is also called Mizpah, because Laban said, "May Yahweh watch between you and me, when we are out of sight one from another. +\v 50 If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take any wives besides my daughters, although no one else is with us, see, God is witness between you and me." + +\s5 +\v 51 Laban said to Jacob, "Look at this pile, and look at the pillar, which I have set between you and me. +\v 52 This pile is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this pile to you, and that you will not pass beyond this pile and this pillar to me, to do harm. +\v 53 May the God of Abraham, and the god of Nahor, the gods of their father, judge between us." Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. + +\s5 +\v 54 Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and called his relatives to eat a meal. They ate and spent the entire night on the mountain. +\v 55 Early in the morning Laban got up, kissed his grandsons and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban left and returned home. + + + + +\s5 +\c 32 +\p +\v 1 Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. +\v 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp," so he called the name of that place Mahanaim. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Jacob sent messengers on ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, in the region of Edom. +\v 4 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you will say to my master Esau: This is what your servant Jacob says: 'I have been staying with Laban, and have delayed my return until now. +\v 5 I have oxen, donkeys, and flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent this message to my master, so that I may find favor in your eyes.'" + +\s5 +\v 6 The messengers returned to Jacob and said, "We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." +\v 7 Then Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, and also the flocks, the herds, and the camels. +\v 8 He said, "If Esau comes to one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape." + +\s5 +\v 9 Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, Yahweh, who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your kindred, and I will prosper you,' +\v 10 I am not worthy of all your acts of covenant faithfulness and of all the trustworthiness that you have done for your servant. For with only my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. + +\s5 +\v 11 Please rescue me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I am afraid of him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. +\v 12 But you said, 'I will certainly make you prosper. I will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for their number.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Jacob stayed there that night. He took some of what he had with him as a gift for Esau, his brother: +\v 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, +\v 15 thirty milking camels and their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. +\v 16 These he gave these into the hand of his servants, every herd by itself. He said to his servants, "Go on ahead of me and put a space between each of the herds." + +\s5 +\v 17 He instructed the first servant, saying, "When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, 'To whom do you belong? Where are you going? Whose animals are these that are in front of you?' +\v 18 Then you will say, 'They are your servant Jacob's. They are a gift sent to my master Esau. See, he is also coming after us.'" + +\s5 +\v 19 Jacob also gave instructions to the second group, the third, and all the men who followed the herds. He said, "You will say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. +\v 20 You must also say, 'Your servant Jacob is coming after us.'" For he thought, "I will appease him with the gifts that I am sending ahead of me. Then later, when I will see him, perhaps he will receive me." +\v 21 So the gifts went on ahead of him. He himself stayed that night in the camp. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Jacob got up during the night, and took his two wives, his two women servants, and his eleven sons. He sent them across the ford of the Jabbok. +\v 23 In this way he sent them across the stream along with all his possessions. + +\s5 +\v 24 Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. +\v 25 When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob's hip. Jacob's hip was dislocated as he wrestled with him. +\v 26 The man said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." + +\s5 +\v 27 The man said to him, "What is your name?" Jacob said, "Jacob." +\v 28 The man said, "Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel. For you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed." + +\s5 +\v 29 Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." He said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there. +\v 30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel for he said, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is delivered." + +\s5 +\v 31 The sun rose on Jacob as he passed Peniel. He was limping because of his hip. +\v 32 That is why to this day the people of Israel do not eat the ligaments of the hip which are at the hip joint, because the man injured those ligaments while dislocating Jacob's hip. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 33 +\p +\v 1 Jacob looked up and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants. +\v 2 Then he put the female servants and their children in front, followed by Leah and her children, and followed by Rachel and Joseph last of all. +\v 3 He himself went on ahead of them. He bowed toward the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. + +\s5 +\v 4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, hugged his neck, and kissed him. Then they wept. +\v 5 When Esau looked up, he saw the women and the children. He said, "Who are these people with you?" Jacob said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then the female servants came forward with their children, and they bowed down. +\v 7 Next Leah also and her children came forward and bowed down. Finally Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed down. +\v 8 Esau said, "What do you mean by all these groups that I met?" Jacob said, "To find favor in the sight of my master." + +\s5 +\v 9 Esau said, "I have enough, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself." +\v 10 Jacob said, "No, please, if I have found favor in your eyes, then accept my gift from my hand, for indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me. +\v 11 Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." Thus Jacob urged him, and Esau accepted it. + +\s5 +\v 12 Then Esau said, "Let us be on our way. I will go before you." +\v 13 Jacob said to him, "My master knows that the children are young, and that the sheep and the cattle are nursing their young. If they are driven hard even one day, all the animals will die. +\v 14 Please let my master go on ahead of his servant. I will travel more slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are before me, and at the pace of the children, until I come to my master in Seir." + +\s5 +\v 15 Esau said, "Let me leave with you some of my men who are with me." But Jacob said, "Why do that? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord." +\v 16 So Esau that day started on his way back to Seir. +\v 17 Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 When Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan. He camped near the city. +\v 19 Then he bought the piece of ground where he had pitched his tent from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of silver. +\v 20 There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel. + + + + +\s5 +\c 34 +\p +\v 1 Now Dinah, Leah's daughter whom she bore to Jacob, went out to meet the young women of the land. +\v 2 Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her and he grabbed her, assaulted her, and slept with her. +\v 3 He was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. + +\s5 +\v 4 Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, "Get this young woman for me as a wife." +\v 5 Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. His sons were with his livestock in the field, so Jacob held his peace until they came. + +\s5 +\v 6 Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him. +\v 7 The sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard of the matter. The men were offended. They were very angry because he had disgraced Israel by forcing himself on Jacob's daughter, for such a thing should not have been done. + +\s5 +\v 8 Hamor spoke with them, saying, "My son Shechem loves your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife. +\v 9 Intermarry with us, give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves. +\v 10 You will live with us, and the land will be open to you to live and trade in, and to acquire property." + +\s5 +\v 11 Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, "Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you tell me I will give. +\v 12 Ask me for as great a bride price and gift as you will, and I will give whatever you say to me, but give me the young woman as a wife." +\v 13 The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father with deceit, because Shechem had defiled Dinah their sister. + +\s5 +\v 14 They said to them, "We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to anyone who is uncircumcised; for that would be a disgrace to us. +\v 15 Only on this condition will we agree with you: If you will become circumcised as we are, if every male among you is circumcised. +\v 16 Then will we give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to ourselves, and we will live with you and become one people. +\v 17 But if you do not listen to us and become circumcised, then we will take our sister and we will leave." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Their words pleased Hamor and his son Shechem. +\v 19 The young man did not delay to do what they said, because he delighted in Jacob's daughter, and because he was the most honored person in all his father's household. + +\s5 +\v 20 Hamor and Shechem his son went to the gate of their city and spoke with the men of their city, saying, +\v 21 "These men are at peace with us, so let them live in the land and trade in it for, really, the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters as wives, and let us give them our daughters. + +\s5 +\v 22 Only on this condition will the men agree to live with us and become one people: If every male among us is circumcised, as they are circumcised. +\v 23 Will not their livestock and their property—all their animals be ours? So let us agree with them, and they will live among us." + +\s5 +\v 24 All the men of the city listened to Hamor and Shechem, his son. Every male was circumcised. +\v 25 On the third day, when they were still in pain, two of the sons of Jacob (Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers), each took his sword and they attacked the city that was certain of its security, and they killed all the males. +\v 26 They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword. They took Dinah from Shechem's house and went away. + +\s5 +\v 27 The other sons of Jacob came to the dead bodies and looted the city, because the people had defiled their sister. +\v 28 They took their flocks, their herds, their donkeys, and everything in the city and in the surrounding fields with +\v 29 all their wealth. All their children and their wives, they captured. They even took everything that was in the houses. + +\s5 +\v 30 Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me, to make me stink to the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I am few in number. If they gather themselves together against me and attack me, then I will be destroyed, I and my household." +\v 31 But Simeon and Levi said, "Should Shechem have dealt with our sister as with a prostitute?" + + + + +\s5 +\c 35 +\p +\v 1 God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel, and stay there. Build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from Esau your brother." +\v 2 Then Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your clothes. +\v 3 Then let us depart and go up to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and has been with me wherever I have gone." + +\s5 +\v 4 So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that were in their hand, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob buried them under the oak that was near Shechem. +\v 5 As they traveled, God made panic to fall on the cities that were around them, so those people did not pursue the sons of Jacob. + +\s5 +\v 6 So Jacob arrived at Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. +\v 7 He built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him, when he was fleeing from his brother. +\v 8 Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died. She was buried down from Bethel under the oak tree, so it was called Allon Bakuth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When Jacob came from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. +\v 10 God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but your name will no longer be called Jacob. Your name will be Israel." So God called his name Israel. + +\s5 +\v 11 God said to him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants. +\v 12 The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you. To your descendants after you I also give the land." +\v 13 God went up from him in the place where he spoke with him. + +\s5 +\v 14 Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken to him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering over it and poured oil on it. +\v 15 Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 They journeyed on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor. She had hard labor. +\v 17 While she was in hardest labor, the midwife said to her, "Do not be afraid, for now you will have another son." +\v 18 As she was dying, with her dying breath she named him Ben-Oni, but his father called him Benjamin. +\v 19 Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). +\v 20 Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave. It is the marker of Rachel's grave to this day. + +\s5 +\v 21 Israel traveled on and pitched his tent beyond the watchtower of the flock. +\v 22 While Israel was living in that land, Reuben slept with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it. +\p Now Jacob had twelve sons. + +\s5 +\v 23 His sons by Leah were Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. +\v 24 His sons by Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. +\v 25 His sons by Bilhah, Rachel's female servant, were Dan and Naphtali. + +\s5 +\v 26 The sons of Zilpah, Leah's female servant, were Gad and Asher. All these were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan Aram. +\v 27 Jacob came to Isaac, his father, in Mamre in Kiriath Arba (the same as Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had lived. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Isaac lived for one hundred eighty years. +\v 29 Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his ancestors, an old man full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him. + + + + +\s5 +\c 36 +\p +\v 1 These were the descendants of Esau (also called Edom). +\v 2 Esau took his wives from the Canaanites. These were his wives: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite; +\v 3 and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth. + +\s5 +\v 4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel. +\v 5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan. + +\s5 +\v 6 Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock—all his animals, and all his possessions, which he had gathered in the land of Canaan, and went into a land away from his brother Jacob. +\v 7 He did this because their possessions were too many for them to stay together. The land where they had settled could not support them because of their livestock. +\v 8 So Esau, also known as Edom, settled in the hill country of Seir. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 These were the descendants of Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir. +\v 10 These were the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz son of Adah, the wife of Esau; Reuel son of Basemath, the wife of Esau. +\v 11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. +\v 12 Timna, a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau's son, bore Amalek. These were the grandsons of Adah, Esau's wife. + +\s5 +\v 13 These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the grandsons of Basemath, Esau's wife. +\v 14 These were the sons of Oholibamah, Esau's wife, who was the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon. She bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 These were the clans among Esau's descendants: +the descendants of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, +\v 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These were the clans descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the grandsons of Adah. + +\s5 +\v 17 These were the clans from Reuel, Esau's son: +Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah. These were the clans descended from Reuel in the land of Edom. They were the grandsons of Basemath, Esau's wife. +\v 18 These were the clans of Oholibamah, Esau's wife: Jeush, Jalam, Korah. These are the clans that descended from Esau's wife Oholibamah, daughter of Anah. +\v 19 These were the sons of Esau (who was known as Edom), and these were their chiefs. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 These were the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, +\v 21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the clans of the Horites, the inhabitants of Seir in the land of Edom. +\v 22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Heman, and Timna was Lotan's sister. + +\s5 +\v 23 These were the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. +\v 24 These were the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he was pasturing donkeys of Zibeon his father. + +\s5 +\v 25 These were the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. +\v 26 These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. +\v 27 These were the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. +\v 28 These were the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. + +\s5 +\v 29 These were the clans of the Horites: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, and Anah, +\v 30 Dishon, Ezer, Dishan: These were clans of the Horites, according to their clan lists in the land of Seir. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: +\v 32 Bela son of Beor, reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. +\v 33 When Bela died, then Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place. + +\s5 +\v 34 When Jobab died, Husham who was of the land of the Temanites, reigned in his place. +\v 35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad who defeated the Midianites in the land of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith. +\v 36 When Hadad died, then Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. + +\s5 +\v 37 When Samlah died, then Shaul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his place. +\v 38 When Shaul died, then Baal-Hanan son of Akbor reigned in his place. +\v 39 When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor, died, then Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the granddaughter of Me Zahab. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 These were the names of the heads of clans from Esau's descendants, according to their clans and their regions, by their names: +Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, +\v 41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, +\v 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, +\v 43 Magdiel, and Iram. These were the clan heads of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. This was Esau, the father of the Edomites. + + + + +\s5 +\c 37 +\p +\v 1 Jacob lived in the land where his father was staying, in the land of Canaan. +\v 2 These were the events concerning Jacob. Joseph, who was a young man seventeen years old, was guarding the flock with his brothers. He was with the sons of Bilhah and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. Joseph brought an unfavorable report about them to their father. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons because he was the son of his old age. He made him a beautiful garment. +\v 4 His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers. They hated him and would not speak kindly to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told his brothers about it. They hated him even more. +\v 6 He said to them, "Please listen to this dream which I dreamed. + +\s5 +\v 7 Behold, we were tying bundles of grain in the field and behold, my bundle rose and stood upright, and behold, your bundles came around and bowed down to my bundle." +\v 8 His brothers said to him, "Will you really reign over us? Will you actually rule over us?" They hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. + +\s5 +\v 9 He dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers. He said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream: The sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me." +\v 10 He told it to his father just as to his brothers, and his father rebuked him. He said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come to bow down to the ground to you?" +\v 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 His brothers went to tend their father's flock in Shechem. +\v 13 Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers tending the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them." Joseph said to him, "I am ready." +\v 14 He said to him, "Go now, see whether it is well with your brothers and well with the flock, and bring me word." So Jacob sent him out of the Valley of Hebron, and Joseph went to Shechem. + +\s5 +\v 15 A certain man found Joseph. Behold, Joseph was wandering in a field. The man asked him, "What do you seek?" +\v 16 Joseph said, "I am seeking my brothers. Tell me, please, where they are tending the flock." +\v 17 The man said, "They left this place, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they plotted against him to kill him. +\v 19 His brothers said to one another, "Look, this dreamer is approaching. +\v 20 Come now, therefore, let us kill him and cast him into one of the pits. We will say, 'A wild animal has devoured him.' We will see what will become of his dreams." + +\s5 +\v 21 Reuben heard it and rescued him from their hand. He said, "Let us not take his life." +\v 22 Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him"—that he might rescue him out of their hand to bring him back to his father. + +\s5 +\v 23 It came about that when Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him of his beautiful garment. +\v 24 They took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty with no water in it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 They sat down to eat bread. They lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spices and balm and myrrh. They were traveling to carry them down to Egypt. + +\v 26 Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? + +\s5 +\v 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands upon him. For he is our brother, our flesh." His brothers listened to him. +\v 28 The Midianite merchants passed by. His brothers drew Joseph up and lifted him up out of the pit. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites carried Joseph into Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Reuben returned to the pit, and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit. He tore his clothes. +\v 30 He returned to his brothers and said, "The boy is not there! And I, where can I go?" + +\s5 +\v 31 They slaughtered a goat and then took Joseph's garment and dipped it into the blood. +\v 32 Then they brought it to their father and said, "We found this. Please see whether it is your son's clothing or not." +\v 33 Jacob recognized it and said, "It is my son's clothing. A wild animal has devoured him. Joseph has certainly been torn to pieces." + +\s5 +\v 34 Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth upon his loins. He mourned for his son many days. +\v 35 All his sons and daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. He said, "Indeed I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son." His father wept for him. +\v 36 The Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard. + + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 38 +\p +\v 1 It came about at that time that Judah left his brothers and stayed with a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. +\v 2 He met there a daughter of a Canaanite man whose name was Shua. He married her and slept with her. + +\s5 +\v 3 She became pregnant and had a son. He was named Er. +\v 4 She became pregnant again and had a son. She called his name Onan. +\v 5 She again had a son and called his name Shelah. It was at Kezib where she gave birth to him. + +\s5 +\v 6 Judah found a wife for Er, his firstborn. Her name was Tamar. +\v 7 Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him. + +\s5 +\v 8 Judah said to Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife. Do the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up a child for your brother." +\v 9 Onan knew that the child would not be his. Whenever he slept with his brother's wife, he spilled the semen on the ground so he would not have a child for his brother. +\v 10 What he did was evil in the sight of Yahweh. Yahweh killed him also. + +\s5 +\v 11 Then Judah said to Tamar, his daughter-in-law, "Remain a widow in your father's house until Shelah, my son, grows up." For he feared, "He might also die, just like his brothers." Tamar left and lived in her father's house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 After a long time, Shua's daughter, the wife of Judah, died. Judah was comforted and went up to his sheepshearers at Timnah, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. +\v 13 Tamar was told, "Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep." +\v 14 She took off the clothing of her widowhood and covered herself with her veil and wrapped herself. She sat in the gate of Enaim, which is by the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah had grown up but she had not been given to him as a wife. + +\s5 +\v 15 When Judah saw her he thought that she was a prostitute because she had covered her face. +\v 16 He went to her by the road and said, "Come, please let me sleep with you"—for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law—and she said, "What will you give me so you can sleep with me?" + +\s5 +\v 17 He said, "I will send you a young goat from the flock." She said, "Will you give me a pledge until you send it?" +\v 18 He said, "What pledge can I give you?" She replied, "Your seal and cord, and the staff that is in your hand." He gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him. + +\s5 +\v 19 She got up and went away. She took off her veil and put on the clothing of her widowhood. +\v 20 Judah sent the young goat from the flock with his friend the Adullamite to receive the pledge from the woman's hand, but he did not find her. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then the Adullamite asked the men of the place, "Where is the cultic prostitute who was at Enaim by the road?" They said, "There has not been a cultic prostitute here." +\v 22 He returned to Judah and said, "I did not find her. Also, the men of the place said, 'There has not been a cultic prostitute here.'" +\v 23 Judah said, "Let her keep the things, that we not be put to shame. Indeed, I sent this young goat, but you did not find her." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 It came about after about three months that it was told to Judah, "Tamar your daughter-in-law has committed prostitution, and indeed, she is pregnant by it." Judah said, "Bring her here and let her be burned." +\v 25 When she was brought out, she sent to her father-in-law a message, "By the man who owns these I am pregnant." She said, "Determine please whose these are, the seal and cords and staff." +\v 26 Judah recognized them and said, "She is more righteous than I am, since I did not give her as a wife to Shelah, my son." He did not sleep with her again. + +\s5 +\v 27 It came about at the time for her to give birth that, behold, twins were in her womb. +\v 28 It came about as she was giving birth one put out a hand, and the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his hand and said, "This one came out first." + +\s5 +\v 29 But then he drew back his hand, and, behold, his brother came out first. The midwife said, "How you have broken out!" So he was named Perez. +\v 30 Then his brother came out, who had the scarlet thread upon his hand, and he was named Zerah. + + + + +\s5 +\c 39 +\p +\v 1 Joseph was brought down to Egypt. Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh who was captain of the guard and an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down there. +\v 2 Yahweh was with Joseph and he became a prosperous man. He lived in the house of his Egyptian master. + +\s5 +\v 3 His master saw that Yahweh was with him and that Yahweh prospered everything that he did. +\v 4 Joseph found favor in his sight. He served Potiphar. Potiphar made Joseph manager over his house, and everything that he possessed, he put under his care. + +\s5 +\v 5 It came about from the time that he made him manager over his house and over everything he possessed, that Yahweh blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph. The blessing of Yahweh was on everything that Potiphar had in the house and in the field. +\v 6 Potiphar put everything that he had under Joseph's care. He did not have to think about anything except the food that he ate. Now Joseph was handsome and attractive. + +\s5 +\v 7 It came about after this that his master's wife lusted for Joseph. She said, "Sleep with me." +\v 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not pay attention to what I do in the house, and he has put everything that he owns under my care. +\v 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. He has not kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" + +\s5 +\v 10 She spoke to Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her or to be with her. +\v 11 It came about one day that he went into the house to do his work. None of the men of the house were there in the house. +\v 12 She caught him by his clothes and said, "Sleep with me." He left his clothing in her hand, fled, and went outside. + +\s5 +\v 13 It came about, when she saw that he had left his clothing in her hand and had fled outside, +\v 14 that she called to the men of her house and told them, "See, Potiphar has brought in a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to sleep with me, and I screamed. +\v 15 It came about when he heard me scream, that he left his clothing with me, fled, and went outside." + +\s5 +\v 16 She set his clothing next to her until his master came home. +\v 17 She told him this explanation, "The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us, came in to mock me. +\v 18 It came about that when I screamed, he left his clothing with me and fled outside." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 It came about that, when his master heard the explanation his wife told him, "This is what your servant did to me," he became very angry. +\v 20 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. He was there in the prison. + +\s5 +\v 21 But Yahweh was with Joseph and showed covenant faithfulness to him. He gave him favor in the sight of the prison warden. +\v 22 The prison warden gave into Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever they did there, Joseph was in charge of it. +\v 23 The prison warden did not worry about anything that was in his hand, because Yahweh was with him. Whatever he did, Yahweh prospered. + + + + +\s5 +\c 40 +\p +\v 1 It came about that after these things, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and king's baker offended their master, the king of Egypt. +\v 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief of the cupbearers and the chief of the bakers. +\v 3 He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. + +\s5 +\v 4 The captain of the guard assigned Joseph to them, and he served them. They remained in custody for some time. +\v 5 Both of them dreamed a dream—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt who were confined in the prison—each man had his own dream in the same night, and each dream had its own interpretation. + +\s5 +\v 6 Joseph came to them in the morning and saw them. Behold, they were sad. +\v 7 He asked Pharaoh's officials who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?" +\v 8 They said to him, "We have both dreamed a dream and no one can interpret it." Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me, please." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 The chief of the cupbearers told his dream to Joseph. He said to him, "In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me. +\v 10 In the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms came out and the clusters of grapes ripened. +\v 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand. I took the grapes and squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I placed the cup into Pharaoh's hand." + +\s5 +\v 12 Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it. The three branches are three days. +\v 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office. You will put Pharaoh's cup into his hand, just as when you were his cupbearer. + +\s5 +\v 14 But think of me when it goes well with you, and please show kindness to me. Mention me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison. +\v 15 For indeed I was abducted out of the land of the Hebrews. Here also have I done nothing that they should put me in this dungeon." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When the chief of the bakers saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream, and, behold, three baskets of bread were on my head. +\v 17 In the top basket there were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds ate them out of the basket on my head." + +\s5 +\v 18 Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation. The three baskets are three days. +\v 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree. The birds will eat your flesh off you." + +\s5 +\v 20 It came about on the third day that it was Pharaoh's birthday. He made a feast for all his servants. He "lifted up" the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers, among his servants. +\v 21 He restored the chief of the cupbearers to his responsibility, and he put the cup into Pharaoh's hand again. +\v 22 But he hanged the chief of the bakers, just as Joseph had interpreted to them. +\v 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot about him. + + + +\s5 +\c 41 +\p +\v 1 It came about at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream. Behold, he stood by the Nile. +\v 2 Behold, seven cows came up out of the Nile, desirable and fat, and they grazed in the reeds. +\v 3 Behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the Nile, undesirable and thin. They stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then the undesirable and thin cows ate the seven desirable and fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. +\v 5 Then he slept and dreamed a second time. Behold, seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, wholesome and good. +\v 6 Behold, seven heads, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. + +\s5 +\v 7 The thin heads swallowed up the seven wholesome and full heads. Pharaoh woke up, and, behold, it was a dream. +\v 8 It came about in the morning that his spirit was troubled. He sent and called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am thinking about my offenses. +\v 10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, the chief baker and me. +\v 11 We dreamed a dream the same night, he and I. We dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. + +\s5 +\v 12 There was with us there a young Hebrew man, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him and he interpreted for us our dreams. He interpreted for each of us according to his dream. +\v 13 It came about as he interpreted for us, so it happened. Pharaoh restored me to my post, but the other one he hanged." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph. They quickly took him out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came in to Pharaoh. +\v 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, but there is no interpreter for it. But I have heard about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." +\v 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me. God will answer Pharaoh with favor." + +\s5 +\v 17 Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, "In my dream, behold, I stood on the bank of the Nile. +\v 18 Behold, seven cows came up out of the Nile, fat and desirable, and they grazed among the reeds. + +\s5 +\v 19 Behold, seven other cows came up after them, weak, very undesirable, and thin. I never saw in all the land of Egypt such undesirableness like them. +\v 20 The thin and undesirable cows ate up the first seven fat cows. +\v 21 When they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them, for they were still as undesirable as before. Then I awoke. + +\s5 +\v 22 I looked in my dream, and, behold, seven heads came up upon one stalk, full and good. +\v 23 Behold, seven more heads, withered, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprang up after them. +\v 24 The thin heads swallowed up the seven good heads. I told these dreams to the magicians, but there was none that could explain it to me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are the same. What God is about to do, he has declared to Pharaoh. +\v 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years. The dreams are the same. + +\s5 +\v 27 The seven thin and undesirable cows that came up after them are seven years, and also the seven thin heads scorched by the east wind will be seven years of famine. +\v 28 That is the thing which I spoke to Pharaoh. What God is about to do he has revealed to Pharaoh. +\v 29 Look, seven years of great abundance will come throughout all the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 30 Seven years of famine will come after them, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will devastate the land. +\v 31 The abundance will not be remembered in the land because of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. +\v 32 That the dream was repeated to Pharaoh is because the matter has been established by God, and God will soon do it. + +\s5 +\v 33 Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and put him over the land of Egypt. +\v 34 Let Pharaoh appoint officials over the land, and let them take a fifth of the crops of Egypt in the seven abundant years. + +\s5 +\v 35 Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, for food to be used in the cities. They should preserve it. +\v 36 The food will be a supply for the land for the seven years of famine which will be in the land of Egypt. In this way the land will not be devastated by the famine." + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 This advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. +\v 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a man as this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" + +\s5 +\v 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you. +\v 40 You will be over my house, and according to your word will all my people be ruled. Only in the throne will I be greater than you." +\v 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have put you over all the land of Egypt." + +\s5 +\v 42 Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it upon Joseph's hand. He clothed him with clothes of fine linen, and put a gold chain on his neck. +\v 43 He had him ride in the second chariot which he possessed. Men shouted before him, "Bend the knee." Pharaoh put him over all the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and apart from you, no man will lift his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt." +\v 45 Pharaoh called Joseph's name "Zaphenath-Paneah." He gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as a wife. Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. +\v 47 In the seven bountiful years the land produced abundantly. + +\s5 +\v 48 He gathered up all the food of the seven years that was in the land of Egypt and put the food in the cities. He put into each city the food from the fields that surrounded it. +\v 49 Joseph stored up grain like the sand of the sea, so much that he stopped counting, because it was beyond counting. + +\s5 +\v 50 Joseph had two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. +\v 51 Joseph called the name of his firstborn Manasseh, for he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." +\v 52 He called the name of the second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." + +\s5 +\v 53 The seven years of abundance that was in the land of Egypt came to an end. +\v 54 The seven years of famine began, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was food. + +\s5 +\v 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people loudly called on Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he says." +\v 56 The famine was over all the face of the whole land. Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. The famine was severe in the land of Egypt. +\v 57 All the earth was coming to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the earth. + + + + +\s5 +\c 42 +\p +\v 1 Now Jacob became aware that there was grain in Egypt. He said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?" +\v 2 He said, "See here, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy for us from there so we may live and not die." +\v 3 Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. +\v 4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob did not send with his brothers, for he feared that harm might come to him. + +\s5 +\v 5 The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan. +\v 6 Now Joseph was the governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. + +\s5 +\v 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke harshly with them. He said to them, "Where have you come from?" They said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food." +\v 8 Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see the undefended parts of the land." +\v 10 They said to him, "No, my master. Your servants have come to buy food. +\v 11 We are all one man's sons. We are honest men. Your servants are not spies." + +\s5 +\v 12 He said to them, "No, you have come to see the undefended parts of the land." +\v 13 They said, "We your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. See, the youngest is this day with our father, and one brother is no longer alive." + +\s5 +\v 14 Joseph said to them, "It is what I said to you; you are spies. +\v 15 By this you will be tested. By the life of Pharaoh, you will not leave here, unless your youngest brother comes here. +\v 16 Send one of yourselves and let him get your brother. You will remain in prison, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you." +\v 17 He put them all in custody for three days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Joseph said to them on the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God. +\v 19 If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in this prison, but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses. +\v 20 Bring your youngest brother to me so your words will be verified and you will not die." So they did so. + +\s5 +\v 21 They said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother in that we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us and we would not listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us." +\v 22 Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy,' but you would not listen? Now, see, his blood is required of us." + +\s5 +\v 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them. +\v 24 He turned from them and wept. He returned to them and spoke to them. He took Simeon from among them and bound him before their eyes. +\v 25 Then Joseph commanded his servants to fill his brothers' bags with grain, and to put every man's money back into his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. It was done for them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 The brothers loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there. +\v 27 As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the opening of his sack. +\v 28 He said to his brothers, "My money has been put back. Look at it; it is in my sack." Their hearts sank and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?" + +\s5 +\v 29 They went to Jacob, their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them. They said, +\v 30 "The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us and thought that we were spies in the land. +\v 31 We said to him, 'We are honest men. We are not spies. +\v 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no longer alive, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.' + +\s5 +\v 33 The man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'By this I will know that you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers with me, take grain for the famine in your houses, and go your way. +\v 34 Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. Then I will release your brother to you, and you will trade in the land.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 It came about as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bag of silver was in his sack. When they and their father saw their bags of silver, they were afraid. +\v 36 Jacob their father said to them, "You have bereaved me of my children. Joseph is no longer alive, Simeon is gone, and you will take Benjamin away. All these things are against me." + +\s5 +\v 37 Reuben spoke to his father, saying, "You may kill my two sons if I do not bring Benjamin back to you. Put him in my hands, and I will bring him to you again." +\v 38 Jacob said, "My son will not go down with you. For his brother is dead and he alone is left. If harm comes to him on the road in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol." + + + + +\s5 +\c 43 +\p +\v 1 The famine was severe in the land. +\v 2 It came about when they had eaten the grain that they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again; buy us some food." + +\s5 +\v 3 Judah told him, "The man solemnly warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.' +\v 4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. +\v 5 But if you do not send him, we will not go down. For the man said to us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'" + +\s5 +\v 6 Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man that you had another brother?" +\v 7 They said, "The man asked details about us and our family. He said, 'Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?' We answered him according to these questions. How could we have known that he would say, 'Bring your brother down?'" + +\s5 +\v 8 Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy with me. We will rise and go that we may live and not die, both we, you, and also our children. +\v 9 I will be a guarantee for him. You will hold me responsible. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. +\v 10 For if we had not delayed, surely by now we would have come back here a second time." + +\s5 +\v 11 Their father Israel said to them, "If it be so, now do this. Take some of the best products of the land in your bags. Carry down to the man a gift—some balm and honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. +\v 12 Take double money in your hand. The money that was returned in the opening of your sacks, carry again in your hand. Perhaps it was a mistake. + +\s5 +\v 13 Take also your brother. Rise and go again to the man. +\v 14 May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, so that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." +\v 15 The men took this gift, and in their hand they took double the amount of money, along with Benjamin. They got up and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Bring the men into the house, slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon." +\v 17 The steward did as Joseph said. He brought the men to Joseph's house. + +\s5 +\v 18 The men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house. They said, "It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time we were brought in, that he may seek an opportunity against us. He might arrest us and take us as slaves, and take our donkeys." +\v 19 They approached the steward of Joseph's house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house, +\v 20 saying, "My master, we came down the first time to buy food. + +\s5 +\v 21 It came about, when we reached the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the opening of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hands. +\v 22 Other money we have also brought down in our hand to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks." +\v 23 The steward said, "Peace be to you, do not fear. Your God and the God of your father must have put your money in your sacks. I received your money." The steward then brought Simeon out to them. + +\s5 +\v 24 The steward took the men into Joseph's house. He gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave feed to their donkeys. +\v 25 They prepared the gifts for Joseph's coming at noon, for they had heard that they would eat there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 When Joseph came home, they brought the gifts which were in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the ground. +\v 27 He asked them about their welfare and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?" + +\s5 +\v 28 They said, "Your servant our father is well. He is still alive." They prostrated and bowed down. +\v 29 When he lifted up his eyes he saw Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and he said, "Is this your youngest brother of whom you spoke to me?" Then he said, "May God be gracious to you, my son." + +\s5 +\v 30 Joseph hurried to go out of the room, for he was deeply moved about his brother. He sought somewhere to weep. He went to his room and wept there. +\v 31 He washed his face and came out. He controlled himself, saying, "Serve the food." + +\s5 +\v 32 The servants served Joseph by himself and the brothers by themselves. The Egyptians there ate with him by themselves because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is detestable to the Egyptians. +\v 33 The brothers sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth. The men were astonished together. +\v 34 Joseph sent portions to them from the food in front of him. But Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of his brothers. They drank and were merry with him. + + + + +\s5 +\c 44 +\p +\v 1 Joseph commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's opening. +\v 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's opening of the youngest, and also his money for the grain." The steward did as Joseph had said. + +\s5 +\v 3 The morning dawned, and the men were sent away, they and their donkeys. +\v 4 When they were out of the city but were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Get up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you returned evil for good? +\v 5 Is this not the cup from which my master drinks, and the cup that he uses for divination? You have done evil, this thing that you have done.'" + +\s5 +\v 6 The steward overtook them and spoke these words to them. +\v 7 They said to him, "Why does my master speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they would do such a thing. + +\s5 +\v 8 Look, the money that we found in our sacks' openings, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then could we steal out of your master's house silver or gold? +\v 9 With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my master's slaves." +\v 10 The steward said, "Now also let it be according to your words. He with whom the cup is found will be my slave, and you others will be innocent." + +\s5 +\v 11 Then each man hurried and brought his sack down to the ground, and each man opened his sack. +\v 12 The steward searched. He began with the oldest and finished with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. +\v 13 Then they tore their clothes. Each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house. He was still there, and they bowed before him to the ground. +\v 15 Joseph said to them, "What is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me practices divination?" + +\s5 +\v 16 Judah said, "What can we say to my master? What can we speak? Or how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Look, we are my master's slaves, both we and he also in whose hand the cup was found." +\v 17 Joseph said, "Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup was found, that person will be my slave, but as for you others, go up in peace to your father." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then Judah came near to him and said, "My master, please let your servant speak a word in my master's ears, and do let your anger burn against your servant, for you are just like Pharaoh. +\v 19 My master asked his servants, saying, 'Do you have a father or a brother?' + +\s5 +\v 20 We said to my master, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one. But his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.' +\v 21 Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me that I may see him.' +\v 22 After that, we said to my master, 'The boy cannot leave his father. For if he should leave his father his father would die.' + +\s5 +\v 23 Then you said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.' +\v 24 Then it came about when we went up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my master. +\v 25 Our father said, 'Go again, buy us some food.' +\v 26 Then we said, 'We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then will we go down, for we will not be able to see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.' + +\s5 +\v 27 Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons. +\v 28 One of them went out from me and I said, "Surely he is torn in pieces, and I have not seen him since." +\v 29 Now if you also take this one from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol.' + +\s5 +\v 30 Now, therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the boy's life, +\v 31 it will come about, when he sees the boy is not with us, he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. +\v 32 For your servant became a guarantee for the boy to my father and said, 'If I do not bring him to you, then I will bear the guilt to my father forever.' + +\s5 +\v 33 Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy as slave to my master, and let the boy go up with his brothers. +\v 34 For how can I go up to my father if the boy is not with me? I am afraid to see the evil that would come on my father." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 45 +\p +\v 1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all the servants who stood by him. He said loudly, "Everyone must leave me." So no servant stood by him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. +\v 2 He wept loudly, the Egyptians heard it, and the house of Pharaoh heard of it. +\v 3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" His brothers could not answer him, for they were shocked in his presence. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." They came near. He said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. +\v 5 Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves that you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. +\v 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. + +\s5 +\v 7 God sent me ahead of you to preserve you as a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. +\v 8 So now it was not you who sent me here but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, master of all his house, and ruler of all the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, 'This is what your son Joseph says, "God has made me master of all Egypt. Come down to me, do not delay. +\v 10 You will live in the land of Goshen, and you will be near me, you and your children and your children's children, and your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. +\v 11 I will provide for you there, for there are still five years of famine, so that you do not come to poverty, you, your household, and all that you have."' + +\s5 +\v 12 Look, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. +\v 13 You will tell my father about all my honor in Egypt and of all that you have seen. You will hurry and bring my father down here." +\s5 +\v 14 He hugged his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. +\v 15 He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After that his brothers talked with him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 The news of the matter was told in Pharaoh's house: "Joseph's brothers have come." It pleased Pharaoh and his servants very much. +\v 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and go to the land of Canaan. +\v 18 Get your father and your households and come to me. I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.' + +\s5 +\v 19 Now you are commanded, 'Do this, take carts out of the land of Egypt for your children and for your wives. Get your father and come. +\v 20 Do not be concerned about your possessions, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey. +\v 22 To all of them he gave each man changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. +\v 23 For his father he sent this: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt; and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and other supplies for his father for the journey. + +\s5 +\v 24 So he sent his brothers away and they left. He said to them, "See that you do not quarrel on the journey." +\v 25 They went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. +\v 26 They told him saying "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." His heart was astonished, for he could not believe what they told him. + +\s5 +\v 27 They told him all the words of Joseph that he had said to them. When Jacob saw the carts that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. +\v 28 Israel said, "It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 46 +\p +\v 1 Israel made his journey with all that he had and went to Beersheba. There he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. +\v 2 God spoke to Israel in a vision at night, saying, "Jacob, Jacob." He said, "Here I am." +\v 3 He said, "I am God, the God of your father. Do not fear to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation. +\v 4 I will go down with you into Egypt, and I will surely bring you up again and Joseph will close your eyes with his own hand." + +\s5 +\v 5 Jacob rose up from Beersheba. The sons of Israel transported Jacob their father, their children, and their wives, in the carts that Pharaoh had sent to carry him. +\v 6 They took their livestock and their possessions that they had accumulated in the land of Canaan. They came into Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him. +\v 7 He brought with him to Egypt his sons and his sons' sons, his daughters and his sons' daughters, and all his descendants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 These were the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt: Jacob and his sons, Reuben, Jacob's firstborn; +\v 9 the sons of Reuben, Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi; +\v 10 the sons of Simeon, Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; +\v 11 and the sons of Levi, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. + +\s5 +\v 12 The sons of Judah were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah, (but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan). The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul. +\v 13 The sons of Issachar were Tola, Puah, Lob, and Shimron; +\v 14 The sons of Zebulun were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel +\v 15 These were the sons of Leah whom she bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, along with his daughter Dinah. His sons and his daughters numbered thirty-three. + +\s5 +\v 16 The sons of Gad were Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. +\v 17 The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah; and Serah was their sister. The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malkiel +\v 18 These were the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban had given to Leah his daughter. These sons she bore to Jacob—sixteen in all. + +\s5 +\v 19 The sons of Jacob's wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. +\v 20 In Egypt Manasseh and Ephraim were born to Joseph by Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. +\v 21 The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard. +\v 22 These were the sons of Rachel who were born to Jacob—fourteen in all. + +\s5 +\v 23 The son of Dan was Hushim. +\v 24 The sons of Naphtali were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. +\v 25 These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter—seven in all. + +\s5 +\v 26 All those who went to Egypt with Jacob, who were his descendants, not counting Jacob's sons' wives, were sixty-six in all. +\v 27 With the two sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt, the members of his family who went to Egypt were seventy in all. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to show the way before him to Goshen, and they came to the land of Goshen. +\v 29 Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to meet Israel his father in Goshen. He saw him, hugged his neck, and wept on his neck a long time. +\v 30 Israel said to Joseph, "Now let me die, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive." + +\s5 +\v 31 Joseph said to his brothers and to his father's house, "I will go up and tell Pharaoh, saying, 'My brothers and my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me. +\v 32 The men are shepherds, for they have been keepers of livestock. They have brought their flocks, their herds, and all that they have.' + +\s5 +\v 33 It will come about, when Pharaoh calls you and asks, 'What is your occupation?' +\v 34 that you should say, 'Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth until now, both we, and our forefathers.' Do this so that you may live in the land of Goshen, for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 47 +\p +\v 1 Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, "My father and my brothers, their flocks, their herds, and all that they own, have arrived from the land of Canaan. See, they are in the land of Goshen." +\v 2 He took five of his brothers and introduced them to Pharaoh. + +\s5 +\v 3 Pharaoh said to his brothers, "What is your occupation?" They said to Pharaoh, "Your servants are shepherds, as our ancestors." +\v 4 Then they said to Pharaoh, "We come as temporary residents in the land. There is no pasture for your servants' flocks, because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen." + +\s5 +\v 5 Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, "Your father and your brothers have come to you. +\v 6 The land of Egypt is before you. Settle your father and your brothers in the best region, the land of Goshen. If you know any capable men among them, put them in charge of my livestock." + +\s5 +\v 7 Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and presented him to Pharaoh. Jacob blessed Pharaoh. +\v 8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How long have you lived?" +\v 9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, "The years of my travels are a hundred and thirty. The years of my life have been few and painful. They have not been as long as those of my ancestors." +\v 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence. + +\s5 +\v 11 Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers. He gave them a territory in the land of Egypt, the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. +\v 12 Joseph provided food for his father, his brothers, and all his father's household, according the number of their dependents. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Now there was no food in all the land; for the famine was severe. The land of Egypt and the land of Canaan wasted away because of the famine. +\v 14 Joseph gathered all the money that was in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, by selling grain to the inhabitants. Then Joseph brought the money to Pharaoh's palace. + +\s5 +\v 15 When all the money of the lands of Egypt and Canaan was spent, all the Egyptians came to Joseph saying, "Give us food! Why should we die in your presence because our money is gone?" +\v 16 Joseph said, "If your money is gone, bring your livestock and I will give you food in exchange for your livestock." +\v 17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph. Joseph gave them food in exchange for the horses, for the flocks, for the herds, and for the donkeys. He fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year. + +\s5 +\v 18 When that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, "We will not hide from my master that our money is all gone, and the herds of cattle are my master's. There is nothing left in the sight of my master, except our bodies and our land. +\v 19 Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh. Give us seed that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. For every Egyptian sold his field, because the famine was very severe. In this way, the land became Pharaoh's. +\v 21 As for the people, he made them slaves from one end of Egypt's border to the other end. +\v 22 It was only the land of the priests that Joseph did not buy, because the priests were given an allowance. They ate from the allotment which Pharaoh gave them. Therefore they did not sell their land. + +\s5 +\v 23 Then Joseph said to the people, "See, I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh. Now here is seed for you, and you will plant the land. +\v 24 At the harvest, you must give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four parts will be your own, for seed of the field and for food for your households and your children." + +\s5 +\v 25 They said, "You have saved our lives. May we find favor in your eyes. We will be Pharaoh's servants." +\v 26 So Joseph made it a statute which is in effect in the land of Egypt to this day, that one-fifth belongs to Pharaoh. Only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh's. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 So Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. His people gained possessions there. They were fruitful and multiplied greatly. +\v 28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years, so the years of Jacob's life were one hundred forty-seven years. + +\s5 +\v 29 When the time approached for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh, and show me faithfulness and trustworthiness. Please do not bury me in Egypt. +\v 30 When I sleep with my fathers, you will carry me out of Egypt and bury me in my forefathers' burial place." Joseph said, "I will do as you have said." +\v 31 Israel said, "Swear to me," and Joseph swore to him. Then Israel bowed down at the head of his bed. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 48 +\p +\v 1 It came about after these things, that one said to Joseph, "Look, your father is sick." So he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. +\v 2 When Jacob was told, "Look, your son Joseph has arrived to see you," Israel gathered strength and sat up in bed. + +\s5 +\v 3 Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan. He blessed me +\v 4 and said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you. I will make of you an assembly of nations. I will give this land to your descendants as an everlasting possession.' + +\s5 +\v 5 Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, they are mine. Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine, just as Reuben and Simeon are mine. +\v 6 The children you have after them will be yours; they will be listed under the names of their brothers in their inheritance. +\v 7 But as for me, when I came from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died in the land of Canaan on the way, while there was still some distance to go to Ephrath. I buried her there on the way to Ephrath" (that is, Bethlehem). + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he said, "Whose are these?" +\v 9 Joseph said to his father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me here." Israel said, "Bring them to me, that I may bless them." +\v 10 Now Israel's eyes were failing because of his age, so he could not see. So Joseph brought them near to him, and he kissed them and embraced them. + +\s5 +\v 11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, but God has even allowed me to see your children." +\v 12 Joseph brought them out from between Israel's knees, and then he bowed with his face to the earth. +\v 13 Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them close to him. + +\s5 +\v 14 Israel reached out with his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head. He crossed his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn. +\v 15 Israel blessed Joseph, saying, +\q "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, +\q the God who has cared for me to this day, +\q +\v 16 the angel who has protected me from all harm, may he bless these boys. +\q May my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. +\q May they grow into a multitude on the earth." +\m + +\s5 +\v 17 When Joseph saw his father place his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. +\v 18 Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father; for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand upon his head." + +\s5 +\v 19 His father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He also will become a people, and he also will be great. Yet his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations." +\v 20 Israel blessed them that day with these words, +\q "The people of Israel will pronounce blessings by your names saying, +\q 'May God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh'." +\m +In this way, Israel put Ephraim before Manasseh. + +\s5 +\v 21 Israel said to Joseph, "See, I am about to die, but God will be with you, and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. +\v 22 To you, as one who is above your brothers, I give to you the mountain slope that I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 49 +\p +\v 1 Then Jacob called for his sons, and said: +\q "Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what will happen to you in +the future. +\q +\v 2 Assemble yourselves and listen, you sons of Jacob. Listen to Israel, your father. + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, +\q outstanding in dignity, and outstanding in power. +\q +\v 4 Uncontrollable as rushing water, you will not have the preeminence, +\q because you went up to your father's bed. +\q Then you defiled it; you went up to my couch. + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 5 Simeon and Levi are brothers. Weapons of violence are their swords. +\q +\v 6 O my soul, do not come into their council; do not join in their meetings, for my heart has too much honor for that. +\q For in their anger they killed men. It was for pleasure that they hamstrung oxen. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 May their anger be cursed, for it was fierce—and their fury, for it was cruel. +\q I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 8 Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. +\q Your father's sons will bow down before you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Judah is a lion's cub. My son, you have gone up from your victims. +\q He stooped down, he crouched like a lion, like a lioness. Who would dare to awaken him? + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, +\q until Shiloh comes. The nations will obey him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Binding his donkey to the vine, and his donkey's colt to the choice vine, +\q he has washed his garments in wine, and his robe in the blood of grapes. +\q +\v 12 His eyes will be as dark as wine, and his teeth as white as milk. + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 13 Zebulun will live by the shore of the sea. He will be a harbor for ships, +\q and his border will extend to Sidon. + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 14 Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. +\q +\v 15 He sees a good resting place and the pleasant land. +\q He will bend his shoulder to the burden and become a servant for the task. + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 16 Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. +\q +\v 17 Dan will be a snake beside the road, a poisonous snake in the path +\q that bites the horse's heels, so that his rider falls backward. +\q +\v 18 I wait for your salvation, Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 19 Gad—raiders will attack him, but he will attack them at their heels. +\q2 +\v 20 Asher's food will be rich, and he will provide royal delicacies. +\q2 +\v 21 Naphtali is a doe let loose; he will have beautiful fawns. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough near a spring, +\q whose branches climb over the wall. +\q +\v 23 The archers will attack him and shoot at him and harass him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 But his bow will remain steady, and his hands will be skillful +\q because of the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 The God of your father will help you and the Almighty God will bless you +\q with blessings of the sky above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, +\q and blessings of the breasts and womb. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of the ancient mountains +\q or the desirable things of the ancient hills. +\q May they be on the head of Joseph, even upon the crown of the head of the prince of his brothers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 Benjamin is a hungry wolf. In the morning he will devour the prey, +\q and in the evening he will divide the plunder." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 These are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them when he blessed them. Each one he blessed with an appropriate blessing. +\v 29 Then he instructed them and said to them, "I am about to go to my people. Bury me with my forefathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, +\v 30 in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is near Mamre in the land of Canaan, the field that Abraham bought for a burial place from Ephron the Hittite. + +\s5 +\v 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. +\v 32 The field and the cave that is in it were purchased from the people of Heth." +\v 33 When Jacob finished these instructions to his sons, he pulled his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and went to his people. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 50 +\p +\v 1 Then Joseph was so distressed that he collapsed on the face of his father, and he wept over him, and he kissed him. +\v 2 Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel. +\v 3 They took forty days, for that was the full time for embalming. The Egyptians wept for him seventy days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 When the days of weeping were over, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh's royal court saying, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, please speak to Pharaoh, saying, +\v 5 'My father made me swear, saying, "See, I am about to die. Bury me in my tomb that I dug for myself in the land of Canaan. There you will bury me." Now let me go up and bury my father, and then I will return.'" +\v 6 Pharaoh answered, "Go and bury your father, as he made you swear." + +\s5 +\v 7 Joseph went up to bury his father. All the officials of Pharaoh went with him—the courtiers of his household, all the senior officials of the land of Egypt, +\v 8 with all Joseph's household and his brothers, and his father's household. But their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. +\v 9 Chariots and horsemen also went with him. It was a very large group of people. + +\s5 +\v 10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad on the other side of the Jordan, they mourned with very great and grievous sorrow. There Joseph made a seven-day mourning for his father. +\v 11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, "This is a very sad occasion for the Egyptians." That is why the place was called Abel Mizraim, which is beyond the Jordan. +\s5 +\v 12 So his sons did for Jacob just as he had instructed them. +\v 13 His sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre. Abraham had bought the cave with the field for a burial place. He had bought it from Ephron the Hittite. +\v 14 After he had buried his father, Joseph returned into Egypt, he, along with his brothers, and all who had accompanied him to bury his father. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds on to anger against us and wants to repay us in full for all the evil we did to him?" +\v 16 So they commanded the presence of Joseph, saying, "Your father gave instructions before he died, saying, +\v 17 'Tell Joseph this, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin when they did evil to you."' Now please forgive the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. + +\s5 +\v 18 His brothers also went and lay facedown before him. They said, "See, we are your servants." +\v 19 But Joseph answered them, "Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? +\v 20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God meant it for good, to preserve the lives of many people, as you see today. +\v 21 So now do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children." He comforted them in this way and spoke kindly to their hearts. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Joseph lived in Egypt, together with his father's family. He lived one hundred ten years. +\v 23 Joseph saw Ephraim's children to the third generation. He also saw the children of Machir son of Manasseh, who were placed on the knees of Joseph. +\s5 +\v 24 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die; but God will surely come to you and lead you up out of this land to the land which he swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." +\v 25 Then Joseph made the people of Israel swear an oath. He said, "God will surely come to you. At that time you must carry up my bones from here." +\v 26 So Joseph died, 110 years old. They embalmed him and he was placed in a coffin in Egypt. + + diff --git a/02-EXO.usfm b/02-EXO.usfm index 48f2eb69..c4fab75d 100644 --- a/02-EXO.usfm +++ b/02-EXO.usfm @@ -49,391 +49,391 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a woman of Levi. -\v 2 The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a healthy boy, she hid him for three months. - -\s5 -\v 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket and sealed it with bitumen and pitch. Then she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds in the water along the side of the river. -\v 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. - -\s5 -\v 5 Pharaoh's daughter came down to bathe at the river while her attendants walked along by the riverside. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her attendant to get it. -\v 6 When she opened it, she saw the child. Behold, the baby was crying. She had compassion on him and said, "This is certainly one of the Hebrews' children." - -\s5 -\v 7 Then the baby's sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Should I go and find you a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for you?" -\v 8 Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the young girl went and got the child's mother. - -\s5 -\v 9 Pharaoh's daughter said to the baby's mother, "Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay you wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him. -\v 10 When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and said, "Because I drew him from the water." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 When Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and observed their hard work. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his own people. -\v 12 He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one there, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. - -\s5 -\v 13 He went out the next day, and, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting. He said to the one who was in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your companion?" -\v 14 But the man said, "Who made you a leader and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed that Egyptian?" Then Moses became afraid and said, "What I did has certainly become known to others." - -\s5 -\v 15 Now when Pharaoh heard about it, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. There he sat down by a well. -\p -\v 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came, drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. -\v 17 The shepherds came and tried to drive them away, but Moses went and helped them. Then he watered their flock. - -\s5 -\v 18 When the girls went to Reuel their father, he said, "Why are you home so early today?" -\v 19 They said, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock." -\v 20 He said to his daughters, "So where is he? Why did you leave the man? Call him so he can eat a meal with us." - -\s5 -\v 21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, who also gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. -\v 22 She bore a son, and Moses called his name Gershom; he said, "I have been a resident in a foreign land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 A long time later, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned because of the slave labor. They cried out for help, and their pleas went up to God because of their bondage. -\v 24 When God heard their groaning, God called to mind his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. -\v 25 God saw the Israelites, and he understood their situation. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now Moses was still shepherding the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. Moses led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and arrived at Horeb, the mountain of God. -\v 2 There the angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush. Moses looked, and behold, the bush was burning, but the bush was not burned up. -\v 3 Moses said, "I will turn aside and see this amazing thing, why the bush is not burned up." - -\s5 -\v 4 When Yahweh saw that he had turned aside to look, God called to him out of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses." Moses said, "Here I am." -\v 5 God said, "Do not come any closer! Take off your shoes from your feet, for the place where you are standing is ground that is set apart to me." -\v 6 He added, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Then Moses covered his face, for he was afraid to look at God. - -\s5 -\v 7 Yahweh said, "I have certainly seen the suffering of my people who are in Egypt. I have heard their shouts because of their taskmasters, for I know about their suffering. -\v 8 I have come down to free them from the Egyptians' power and to bring them up from that land to a good, large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the region of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. - -\s5 -\v 9 Now the shouts of the people of Israel have come to me. Moreover, I have seen the oppression caused by the Egyptians. -\v 10 Now then, I will send you to Pharaoh so that you may bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." - -\s5 -\v 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites from Egypt?" -\v 12 God replied, "I will certainly be with you. This will be a sign to you that I have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Moses said to God, "When I go to the Israelites and tell them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and when they say to me, 'What is his name?' what should I say to them?" -\v 14 God said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM." God said, "You must say to the Israelites, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" -\v 15 God also said to Moses, "You must say to the Israelites, 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is how I will be kept in mind for all generations.' - -\s5 -\v 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together. Say to them, 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me and said, "I have indeed observed you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. -\v 17 I have promised to bring you up from the oppression in Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey."' -\v 18 They will listen to you. You and the elders of Israel must go to the king of Egypt, and you must tell him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, in order that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.' - -\s5 -\v 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, unless his hand is forced. -\v 20 I will reach out with my hand and attack the Egyptians with all the miracles that I will do among them. After that, he will let you go. -\v 21 I will grant this people favor from the Egyptians, so when you leave, you will not go empty-handed. -\v 22 Every woman will ask for silver and gold jewels and for clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and any women staying in her neighbors' houses. You will put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you will plunder the Egyptians." - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Moses answered, "But what if they do not believe me or listen to me but say instead, 'Yahweh has not appeared to you'?" -\v 2 Yahweh said to him, "What is that in your hand?" Moses said, "A staff." -\v 3 Yahweh said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran back from it. - -\s5 -\v 4 Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out and take it by the tail." So he reached out and took hold of the snake. It became a staff in his hand again. -\v 5 "This is so they may believe that Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." - -\s5 -\v 6 Yahweh also said to him, "Now put your hand inside your robe." So Moses put his hand inside his robe. When he brought it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow. -\v 7 Yahweh said, "Put your hand inside your robe again." So Moses put his hand inside his robe, and when he brought it out, he saw that it was made healthy again, like the rest of his flesh. - -\s5 -\v 8 Yahweh said, "If they do not believe you—if they do not pay attention to the first sign of my power or believe in it, then they will believe the second sign. -\v 9 If they do not believe even these two signs of my power, or listen to you, then take some water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water that you take will become blood on the dry land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then Moses said to Yahweh, "Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you spoke to your servant. I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." -\v 11 Yahweh said to him, "Who is it who made man's mouth? Who makes a man mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, Yahweh? -\v 12 So now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what to say." -\v 13 But Moses said, "Lord, please send anyone else, anyone whom you wish to send." - -\s5 -\v 14 Then Yahweh became angry with Moses. He said, "What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Moreover, he is coming to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. -\v 15 You will speak to him and put the words to say into his mouth. I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will show you both what to do. -\v 16 He will speak to the people for you. He will be your mouth, and you will be to him like me, God. -\v 17 You will take in your hand this staff. With it you will do the signs." - -\s5 -\v 18 So Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go so I may return to my relatives who are in Egypt and see if they are still alive." Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace." -\v 19 Yahweh said to Moses in Midian, "Go, return to Egypt, for all the men who were trying to take your life are dead." -\v 20 Moses took his wife and his sons and put them on a donkey. He returned to the land of Egypt, and he took the staff of God in his hand. - -\s5 -\v 21 Yahweh said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go. -\v 22 You must say to Pharaoh, 'This is what Yahweh says: Israel is my son, my firstborn, -\v 23 and I say to you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But since you have refused to let him go, I will certainly kill your son, your firstborn.'" - -\s5 -\v 24 Now on the way, when they stopped for the night, Yahweh met Moses and tried to kill him. -\v 25 Then Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off the foreskin of her son, and touched it to his feet. Then she said, "Surely you are a bridegroom to me by blood." -\v 26 So Yahweh let him alone. She said, "You are a bridegroom of blood" because of the circumcision. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Yahweh said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." Aaron went, met him at the mountain of God, and kissed him. -\v 28 Moses told Aaron all the words of Yahweh that he had sent him to say and about all the signs of Yahweh's power that he had commanded him to do. - -\s5 -\v 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the Israelites. -\v 30 Aaron spoke all the words that Yahweh had spoken to Moses. He also displayed the signs of Yahweh's power in the sight of the people. -\v 31 The people believed. When they heard that Yahweh had observed the Israelites and that he had seen their oppression, then they bowed their heads and worshiped him. - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 After these things happened, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so they can have a festival for me in the wilderness.'" -\v 2 Pharaoh said, "Who is Yahweh? Why should I listen to his voice and let Israel go? I do not know Yahweh; moreover, I will not let Israel go." - -\s5 -\v 3 They said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to Yahweh our God so that he does not attack us with plague or with the sword." -\v 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people from their work? Go back to your work." -\v 5 He also said, "There are now many Hebrew people in our land, and you are making them stop their work." - -\s5 -\v 6 On that same day, Pharaoh gave a command to the people's taskmasters and foremen. He said, -\v 7 "Unlike before, you must no longer give the people straw to make bricks. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. -\v 8 However, you must still demand from them the same number of bricks as they made before. Do not accept any fewer, because they are lazy. That is why they are calling out and saying, 'Allow us to go and sacrifice to our God.' -\v 9 Increase the workload for the men so that they keep at it and pay no more attention to deceptive words." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 So the people's taskmasters and foremen went out and informed the people. They said, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will no longer give you any straw. -\v 11 You yourselves must go and get straw wherever you can find it, but your workload will not be reduced.'" - -\s5 -\v 12 So the people scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. -\v 13 The taskmasters kept urging them and saying, "Finish your work, just as when straw was given to you." -\v 14 Pharaoh's taskmasters beat the Israelite foremen, those same men whom they had put in charge of the workers. The taskmasters kept asking them, "Why have you not produced all the bricks required of you, either yesterday and today, as you used to do in the past?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 So the Israelite foremen came to Pharaoh and cried out to him. They said, "Why are you treating your servants this way? -\v 16 No straw is being given to your servants anymore, but they are still telling us, 'Make bricks!' We, your servants, are even beaten now, but it is the fault of your own people." -\v 17 But Pharaoh said, "You are lazy! You are lazy! You say, 'Allow us to go sacrifice to Yahweh.' -\v 18 So now go back to work. No more straw will be given to you, but you must still make the same number of bricks." - -\s5 -\v 19 The Israelite foremen saw that they were in trouble when they were told, "You must not reduce the daily number of bricks." -\v 20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were standing outside the palace, as they went away from Pharaoh. -\v 21 They said to Moses and Aaron, "May Yahweh look at you and punish you, because you have made us offensive in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants. You have put a sword in their hand to kill us." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Moses went back to Yahweh and said, "Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? Why did you send me in the first place? -\v 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak to him in your name, he has caused trouble for this people, and you have not set your people free at all." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. You will see this, for he will let them go because of my strong hand. Because of my strong hand, he will drive them out of his land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am Yahweh. -\v 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty; but by my name, Yahweh, I was not known to them. -\v 4 I also established my covenant with them, in order to give them the land of Canaan, the land where they lived as non-citizens, the land in which they wandered about. -\v 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians have enslaved, and I have called to mind my covenant. - -\s5 -\v 6 Therefore, say to the Israelites, 'I am Yahweh. I will bring you out from slavery under the Egyptians, and I will free you from their power. I will rescue you with a display of my power, and with mighty acts of judgment. -\v 7 I will take you to myself as my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out from slavery under the Egyptians. - -\s5 -\v 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am Yahweh.'" -\v 9 When Moses told this to the Israelites, they would not listen to him because of their discouragement about their harsh slavery. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 So Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 11 "Go tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to let the people of Israel go from his land." -\v 12 Moses said to Yahweh, "If the Israelites have not listened to me, why will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am not good at speaking?" -\v 13 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He gave them a command for the Israelites and for Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 These were the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi. These were the clan ancestors of Reuben. -\v 15 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul—the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clan ancestors of Simeon. - -\s5 -\v 16 Here are listed the names of the sons of Levi, together with their descendants. They were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived until he was 137 years old. -\v 17 The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei. -\v 18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived until he was 133 years old. -\v 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These became the clan ancestors of the Levites, together with their descendants. - -\s5 -\v 20 Amram married Jochebed, his father's sister. She bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years and then died. -\v 21 The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. -\v 22 The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. - -\s5 -\v 23 Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon. She bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. -\v 24 The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the clan ancestors of the Korahites. -\v 25 Eleazar, Aaron's son, married one of the daughters of Putiel. She bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the fathers' houses among the Levites, together with their descendants. - -\s5 -\v 26 These two men were the Aaron and Moses to whom Yahweh said, "Bring out the Israelites from the land of Egypt, by their groups of fighting men." -\v 27 Aaron and Moses spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to allow them bring out the Israelites from Egypt. These were the same Moses and Aaron. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 When Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, -\v 29 he said to him, "I am Yahweh. Say to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, everything that I will tell you." -\v 30 But Moses said to Yahweh, "I am not good at speaking, so why will Pharaoh listen to me?" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said to Moses, "See, I have made you like a god to Pharaoh. Aaron your brother will be your prophet. -\v 2 You will say everything that I command you to say. Aaron your brother will speak to Pharaoh so that he will let the people of Israel go from his land. - -\s5 -\v 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and I will display many signs of my power, many wonders, in the land of Egypt. -\v 4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you, so I will put my hand on Egypt and bring out my groups of fighting men, my people, the descendants of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of punishment. -\v 5 The Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I reach out with my hand on Egypt and bring out the Israelites from among them." - -\s5 -\v 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as Yahweh commanded them. -\v 7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron, -\v 9 "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Do a miracle,' then you will say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may become a snake.'" -\v 10 Then Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, and they did just as Yahweh had commanded. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a snake. - -\s5 -\v 11 Then Pharaoh also called for his wise men and sorcerers. They did the same thing by their magic. -\v 12 Each man threw down his staff, and the staffs became snakes. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their snakes. -\v 13 Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen, just as Yahweh had foretold. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is hard, and he refuses to let the people go. -\v 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning when he goes out to the water. Stand on the riverbank to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that had turned into a snake. - -\s5 -\v 16 Say to him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you to say, "Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. Until now you have not listened." -\v 17 Yahweh says this: "By this you will know that I am Yahweh. I am going to strike the water of the Nile River with the staff that is in my hand, and the river will be turned to blood. -\v 18 The fish that are in the river will die, and the river will stink. The Egyptians will not be able to drink water from the river."'" - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and reach out with your hand over the waters of Egypt, and over their rivers, streams, pools, and all their ponds, so that their water may become blood. Do this so that there will be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, even in containers of wood and stone.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Moses and Aaron did as Yahweh commanded. Aaron raised the staff and struck the water in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants. All the water in the river turned to blood. -\v 21 The fish in the river died, and the river began to stink. The Egyptians could not drink water from the river, and the blood was everywhere in the land of Egypt. -\v 22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same thing with their magic. So Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Yahweh had said would happen. - -\s5 -\v 23 Then Pharaoh turned and went into his house. He did not even pay attention to this. -\v 24 All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink, but they could not drink the water of the river itself. -\v 25 Seven days passed after Yahweh had attacked the river. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him, 'Yahweh says this: "Let my people go so that they may worship me. -\v 2 If you refuse to let them go, I will afflict all your country with frogs. -\v 3 The river will swarm with frogs. They will come up and go into your house, your bedroom, and your bed. They will go into your servants' houses. They will go onto your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. -\v 4 The frogs will attack you, your people, and all your servants."'" - -\s5 -\v 5 Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Reach out with your hand and your staff over the rivers, the streams, and the pools, and bring the frogs up over the land of Egypt.'" -\v 6 Aaron reached out with his hand over Egypt's waters, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. -\v 7 But the magicians did the same with their magic; they brought up frogs over the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to Yahweh for him to take away the frogs from me and my people. Then I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to him." -\v 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, "You can have the privilege of telling me when I should pray for you, your servants, and your people, so that the frogs may be removed from you and your houses and stay only in the river." - -\s5 -\v 10 Pharaoh said, "Tomorrow." Moses said, "Let it be as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh, our God. -\v 11 The frogs will go from you, your houses, your servants, and your people. They will stay only in the river." -\v 12 Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. Then Moses cried out to Yahweh concerning the frogs that he had brought on Pharaoh. - -\s5 -\v 13 Yahweh did as Moses asked: The frogs died in the houses, courts, and fields. -\v 14 The people gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. -\v 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Yahweh had said that he would do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Reach out with your staff and strike the dust on the ground, that it may become gnats throughout all the land of Egypt.'" -\v 17 They did so: Aaron reached out with his hand and his staff. He struck the dust on the ground. Gnats came onto man and beast. All the dust on the ground became gnats throughout the whole land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 18 The magicians tried with their magic to produce gnats, but they could not. There were gnats on man and beast. -\v 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, so he refused to listen to them. It was just as Yahweh had said Pharaoh would do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Yahweh said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning and stand in front of Pharaoh as he goes out to the river. Say to him, 'Yahweh says this: "Let my people go so that they may worship me. -\v 21 But if you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you, your servants, and your people, and into your houses. The Egyptians' houses will be full of swarms of flies, and even the ground on which they stand will be full of flies. - -\s5 -\v 22 But on that day I will treat the land of Goshen differently, the land in which my people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there. This will happen so that you may know that I am Yahweh in the midst of this land. -\v 23 I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign of my power will take place tomorrow."'" -\v 24 Yahweh did so, and thick swarms of flies came into Pharaoh's house and into his servants' houses. Throughout the whole land of Egypt, the land was ruined because of the swarms of flies. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in our own land." -\v 26 Moses said, "It is not right for us to do so, for the sacrifices we make to Yahweh our God are something disgusting to the Egyptians. If we make sacrifices right before their eyes that are disgusting to the Egyptians, will they not stone us? -\v 27 No, it is a three days' journey into the wilderness that we must make, in order to sacrifice to Yahweh our God, as he commands us." - -\s5 -\v 28 Pharaoh said, "I will allow you to go and sacrifice to Yahweh your God in the wilderness. Only you must not go very far away. Pray for me." -\v 29 Moses said, "As soon as I go out from you, I will pray to Yahweh that the swarms of flies may leave you, Pharaoh, and your servants and people tomorrow. But you must not deal deceitfully any more by not letting our people go to sacrifice to Yahweh." - -\s5 -\v 30 Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to Yahweh. -\v 31 Yahweh did as Moses asked; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, his servants, and his people. Not one remained. -\v 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a woman of Levi. +\v 2 The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a healthy boy, she hid him for three months. + +\s5 +\v 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket and sealed it with bitumen and pitch. Then she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds in the water along the side of the river. +\v 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. + +\s5 +\v 5 Pharaoh's daughter came down to bathe at the river while her attendants walked along by the riverside. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her attendant to get it. +\v 6 When she opened it, she saw the child. Behold, the baby was crying. She had compassion on him and said, "This is certainly one of the Hebrews' children." + +\s5 +\v 7 Then the baby's sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, "Should I go and find you a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for you?" +\v 8 Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Go." So the young girl went and got the child's mother. + +\s5 +\v 9 Pharaoh's daughter said to the baby's mother, "Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay you wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him. +\v 10 When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses and said, "Because I drew him from the water." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 When Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and observed their hard work. He saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his own people. +\v 12 He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one there, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. + +\s5 +\v 13 He went out the next day, and, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting. He said to the one who was in the wrong, "Why are you hitting your companion?" +\v 14 But the man said, "Who made you a leader and judge over us? Are you planning to kill me as you killed that Egyptian?" Then Moses became afraid and said, "What I did has certainly become known to others." + +\s5 +\v 15 Now when Pharaoh heard about it, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. There he sat down by a well. +\p +\v 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came, drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. +\v 17 The shepherds came and tried to drive them away, but Moses went and helped them. Then he watered their flock. + +\s5 +\v 18 When the girls went to Reuel their father, he said, "Why are you home so early today?" +\v 19 They said, "An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock." +\v 20 He said to his daughters, "So where is he? Why did you leave the man? Call him so he can eat a meal with us." + +\s5 +\v 21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, who also gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. +\v 22 She bore a son, and Moses called his name Gershom; he said, "I have been a resident in a foreign land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 A long time later, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned because of the slave labor. They cried out for help, and their pleas went up to God because of their bondage. +\v 24 When God heard their groaning, God called to mind his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. +\v 25 God saw the Israelites, and he understood their situation. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now Moses was still shepherding the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. Moses led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and arrived at Horeb, the mountain of God. +\v 2 There the angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush. Moses looked, and behold, the bush was burning, but the bush was not burned up. +\v 3 Moses said, "I will turn aside and see this amazing thing, why the bush is not burned up." + +\s5 +\v 4 When Yahweh saw that he had turned aside to look, God called to him out of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses." Moses said, "Here I am." +\v 5 God said, "Do not come any closer! Take off your shoes from your feet, for the place where you are standing is ground that is set apart to me." +\v 6 He added, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Then Moses covered his face, for he was afraid to look at God. + +\s5 +\v 7 Yahweh said, "I have certainly seen the suffering of my people who are in Egypt. I have heard their shouts because of their taskmasters, for I know about their suffering. +\v 8 I have come down to free them from the Egyptians' power and to bring them up from that land to a good, large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the region of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. + +\s5 +\v 9 Now the shouts of the people of Israel have come to me. Moreover, I have seen the oppression caused by the Egyptians. +\v 10 Now then, I will send you to Pharaoh so that you may bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." + +\s5 +\v 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites from Egypt?" +\v 12 God replied, "I will certainly be with you. This will be a sign to you that I have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship me on this mountain." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Moses said to God, "When I go to the Israelites and tell them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and when they say to me, 'What is his name?' what should I say to them?" +\v 14 God said to Moses, "I AM THAT I AM." God said, "You must say to the Israelites, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" +\v 15 God also said to Moses, "You must say to the Israelites, 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is how I will be kept in mind for all generations.' + +\s5 +\v 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together. Say to them, 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me and said, "I have indeed observed you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. +\v 17 I have promised to bring you up from the oppression in Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey."' +\v 18 They will listen to you. You and the elders of Israel must go to the king of Egypt, and you must tell him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now let us go three days' journey into the wilderness, in order that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.' + +\s5 +\v 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, unless his hand is forced. +\v 20 I will reach out with my hand and attack the Egyptians with all the miracles that I will do among them. After that, he will let you go. +\v 21 I will grant this people favor from the Egyptians, so when you leave, you will not go empty-handed. +\v 22 Every woman will ask for silver and gold jewels and for clothing from her Egyptian neighbors and any women staying in her neighbors' houses. You will put them on your sons and daughters. In this way you will plunder the Egyptians." + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Moses answered, "But what if they do not believe me or listen to me but say instead, 'Yahweh has not appeared to you'?" +\v 2 Yahweh said to him, "What is that in your hand?" Moses said, "A staff." +\v 3 Yahweh said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake. Moses ran back from it. + +\s5 +\v 4 Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out and take it by the tail." So he reached out and took hold of the snake. It became a staff in his hand again. +\v 5 "This is so they may believe that Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." + +\s5 +\v 6 Yahweh also said to him, "Now put your hand inside your robe." So Moses put his hand inside his robe. When he brought it out, behold, his hand was leprous, as white as snow. +\v 7 Yahweh said, "Put your hand inside your robe again." So Moses put his hand inside his robe, and when he brought it out, he saw that it was made healthy again, like the rest of his flesh. + +\s5 +\v 8 Yahweh said, "If they do not believe you—if they do not pay attention to the first sign of my power or believe in it, then they will believe the second sign. +\v 9 If they do not believe even these two signs of my power, or listen to you, then take some water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water that you take will become blood on the dry land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then Moses said to Yahweh, "Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you spoke to your servant. I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." +\v 11 Yahweh said to him, "Who is it who made man's mouth? Who makes a man mute or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, Yahweh? +\v 12 So now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what to say." +\v 13 But Moses said, "Lord, please send anyone else, anyone whom you wish to send." + +\s5 +\v 14 Then Yahweh became angry with Moses. He said, "What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Moreover, he is coming to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. +\v 15 You will speak to him and put the words to say into his mouth. I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will show you both what to do. +\v 16 He will speak to the people for you. He will be your mouth, and you will be to him like me, God. +\v 17 You will take in your hand this staff. With it you will do the signs." + +\s5 +\v 18 So Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Let me go so I may return to my relatives who are in Egypt and see if they are still alive." Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace." +\v 19 Yahweh said to Moses in Midian, "Go, return to Egypt, for all the men who were trying to take your life are dead." +\v 20 Moses took his wife and his sons and put them on a donkey. He returned to the land of Egypt, and he took the staff of God in his hand. + +\s5 +\v 21 Yahweh said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go. +\v 22 You must say to Pharaoh, 'This is what Yahweh says: Israel is my son, my firstborn, +\v 23 and I say to you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But since you have refused to let him go, I will certainly kill your son, your firstborn.'" + +\s5 +\v 24 Now on the way, when they stopped for the night, Yahweh met Moses and tried to kill him. +\v 25 Then Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off the foreskin of her son, and touched it to his feet. Then she said, "Surely you are a bridegroom to me by blood." +\v 26 So Yahweh let him alone. She said, "You are a bridegroom of blood" because of the circumcision. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Yahweh said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." Aaron went, met him at the mountain of God, and kissed him. +\v 28 Moses told Aaron all the words of Yahweh that he had sent him to say and about all the signs of Yahweh's power that he had commanded him to do. + +\s5 +\v 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the Israelites. +\v 30 Aaron spoke all the words that Yahweh had spoken to Moses. He also displayed the signs of Yahweh's power in the sight of the people. +\v 31 The people believed. When they heard that Yahweh had observed the Israelites and that he had seen their oppression, then they bowed their heads and worshiped him. + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 After these things happened, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so they can have a festival for me in the wilderness.'" +\v 2 Pharaoh said, "Who is Yahweh? Why should I listen to his voice and let Israel go? I do not know Yahweh; moreover, I will not let Israel go." + +\s5 +\v 3 They said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Let us go on a three-day journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to Yahweh our God so that he does not attack us with plague or with the sword." +\v 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people from their work? Go back to your work." +\v 5 He also said, "There are now many Hebrew people in our land, and you are making them stop their work." + +\s5 +\v 6 On that same day, Pharaoh gave a command to the people's taskmasters and foremen. He said, +\v 7 "Unlike before, you must no longer give the people straw to make bricks. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. +\v 8 However, you must still demand from them the same number of bricks as they made before. Do not accept any fewer, because they are lazy. That is why they are calling out and saying, 'Allow us to go and sacrifice to our God.' +\v 9 Increase the workload for the men so that they keep at it and pay no more attention to deceptive words." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 So the people's taskmasters and foremen went out and informed the people. They said, "This is what Pharaoh says: 'I will no longer give you any straw. +\v 11 You yourselves must go and get straw wherever you can find it, but your workload will not be reduced.'" + +\s5 +\v 12 So the people scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. +\v 13 The taskmasters kept urging them and saying, "Finish your work, just as when straw was given to you." +\v 14 Pharaoh's taskmasters beat the Israelite foremen, those same men whom they had put in charge of the workers. The taskmasters kept asking them, "Why have you not produced all the bricks required of you, either yesterday and today, as you used to do in the past?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 So the Israelite foremen came to Pharaoh and cried out to him. They said, "Why are you treating your servants this way? +\v 16 No straw is being given to your servants anymore, but they are still telling us, 'Make bricks!' We, your servants, are even beaten now, but it is the fault of your own people." +\v 17 But Pharaoh said, "You are lazy! You are lazy! You say, 'Allow us to go sacrifice to Yahweh.' +\v 18 So now go back to work. No more straw will be given to you, but you must still make the same number of bricks." + +\s5 +\v 19 The Israelite foremen saw that they were in trouble when they were told, "You must not reduce the daily number of bricks." +\v 20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were standing outside the palace, as they went away from Pharaoh. +\v 21 They said to Moses and Aaron, "May Yahweh look at you and punish you, because you have made us offensive in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants. You have put a sword in their hand to kill us." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Moses went back to Yahweh and said, "Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? Why did you send me in the first place? +\v 23 Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak to him in your name, he has caused trouble for this people, and you have not set your people free at all." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. You will see this, for he will let them go because of my strong hand. Because of my strong hand, he will drive them out of his land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am Yahweh. +\v 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty; but by my name, Yahweh, I was not known to them. +\v 4 I also established my covenant with them, in order to give them the land of Canaan, the land where they lived as non-citizens, the land in which they wandered about. +\v 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians have enslaved, and I have called to mind my covenant. + +\s5 +\v 6 Therefore, say to the Israelites, 'I am Yahweh. I will bring you out from slavery under the Egyptians, and I will free you from their power. I will rescue you with a display of my power, and with mighty acts of judgment. +\v 7 I will take you to myself as my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out from slavery under the Egyptians. + +\s5 +\v 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am Yahweh.'" +\v 9 When Moses told this to the Israelites, they would not listen to him because of their discouragement about their harsh slavery. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 So Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 11 "Go tell Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to let the people of Israel go from his land." +\v 12 Moses said to Yahweh, "If the Israelites have not listened to me, why will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am not good at speaking?" +\v 13 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He gave them a command for the Israelites and for Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 These were the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi. These were the clan ancestors of Reuben. +\v 15 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jakin, Zohar, and Shaul—the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clan ancestors of Simeon. + +\s5 +\v 16 Here are listed the names of the sons of Levi, together with their descendants. They were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived until he was 137 years old. +\v 17 The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei. +\v 18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. Kohath lived until he was 133 years old. +\v 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These became the clan ancestors of the Levites, together with their descendants. + +\s5 +\v 20 Amram married Jochebed, his father's sister. She bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years and then died. +\v 21 The sons of Izhar were Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. +\v 22 The sons of Uzziel were Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. + +\s5 +\v 23 Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon. She bore him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. +\v 24 The sons of Korah were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph. These were the clan ancestors of the Korahites. +\v 25 Eleazar, Aaron's son, married one of the daughters of Putiel. She bore him Phinehas. These were the heads of the fathers' houses among the Levites, together with their descendants. + +\s5 +\v 26 These two men were the Aaron and Moses to whom Yahweh said, "Bring out the Israelites from the land of Egypt, by their groups of fighting men." +\v 27 Aaron and Moses spoke to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, to allow them bring out the Israelites from Egypt. These were the same Moses and Aaron. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 When Yahweh spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, +\v 29 he said to him, "I am Yahweh. Say to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, everything that I will tell you." +\v 30 But Moses said to Yahweh, "I am not good at speaking, so why will Pharaoh listen to me?" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said to Moses, "See, I have made you like a god to Pharaoh. Aaron your brother will be your prophet. +\v 2 You will say everything that I command you to say. Aaron your brother will speak to Pharaoh so that he will let the people of Israel go from his land. + +\s5 +\v 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and I will display many signs of my power, many wonders, in the land of Egypt. +\v 4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you, so I will put my hand on Egypt and bring out my groups of fighting men, my people, the descendants of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of punishment. +\v 5 The Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I reach out with my hand on Egypt and bring out the Israelites from among them." + +\s5 +\v 6 Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as Yahweh commanded them. +\v 7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron, +\v 9 "When Pharaoh says to you, 'Do a miracle,' then you will say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, so that it may become a snake.'" +\v 10 Then Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh, and they did just as Yahweh had commanded. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a snake. + +\s5 +\v 11 Then Pharaoh also called for his wise men and sorcerers. They did the same thing by their magic. +\v 12 Each man threw down his staff, and the staffs became snakes. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their snakes. +\v 13 Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen, just as Yahweh had foretold. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is hard, and he refuses to let the people go. +\v 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning when he goes out to the water. Stand on the riverbank to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that had turned into a snake. + +\s5 +\v 16 Say to him, 'Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you to say, "Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. Until now you have not listened." +\v 17 Yahweh says this: "By this you will know that I am Yahweh. I am going to strike the water of the Nile River with the staff that is in my hand, and the river will be turned to blood. +\v 18 The fish that are in the river will die, and the river will stink. The Egyptians will not be able to drink water from the river."'" + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and reach out with your hand over the waters of Egypt, and over their rivers, streams, pools, and all their ponds, so that their water may become blood. Do this so that there will be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, even in containers of wood and stone.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Moses and Aaron did as Yahweh commanded. Aaron raised the staff and struck the water in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants. All the water in the river turned to blood. +\v 21 The fish in the river died, and the river began to stink. The Egyptians could not drink water from the river, and the blood was everywhere in the land of Egypt. +\v 22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same thing with their magic. So Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Yahweh had said would happen. + +\s5 +\v 23 Then Pharaoh turned and went into his house. He did not even pay attention to this. +\v 24 All the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink, but they could not drink the water of the river itself. +\v 25 Seven days passed after Yahweh had attacked the river. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and tell him, 'Yahweh says this: "Let my people go so that they may worship me. +\v 2 If you refuse to let them go, I will afflict all your country with frogs. +\v 3 The river will swarm with frogs. They will come up and go into your house, your bedroom, and your bed. They will go into your servants' houses. They will go onto your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. +\v 4 The frogs will attack you, your people, and all your servants."'" + +\s5 +\v 5 Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Reach out with your hand and your staff over the rivers, the streams, and the pools, and bring the frogs up over the land of Egypt.'" +\v 6 Aaron reached out with his hand over Egypt's waters, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. +\v 7 But the magicians did the same with their magic; they brought up frogs over the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, "Pray to Yahweh for him to take away the frogs from me and my people. Then I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to him." +\v 9 Moses said to Pharaoh, "You can have the privilege of telling me when I should pray for you, your servants, and your people, so that the frogs may be removed from you and your houses and stay only in the river." + +\s5 +\v 10 Pharaoh said, "Tomorrow." Moses said, "Let it be as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like Yahweh, our God. +\v 11 The frogs will go from you, your houses, your servants, and your people. They will stay only in the river." +\v 12 Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. Then Moses cried out to Yahweh concerning the frogs that he had brought on Pharaoh. + +\s5 +\v 13 Yahweh did as Moses asked: The frogs died in the houses, courts, and fields. +\v 14 The people gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. +\v 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Yahweh had said that he would do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Reach out with your staff and strike the dust on the ground, that it may become gnats throughout all the land of Egypt.'" +\v 17 They did so: Aaron reached out with his hand and his staff. He struck the dust on the ground. Gnats came onto man and beast. All the dust on the ground became gnats throughout the whole land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 18 The magicians tried with their magic to produce gnats, but they could not. There were gnats on man and beast. +\v 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, so he refused to listen to them. It was just as Yahweh had said Pharaoh would do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Yahweh said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning and stand in front of Pharaoh as he goes out to the river. Say to him, 'Yahweh says this: "Let my people go so that they may worship me. +\v 21 But if you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you, your servants, and your people, and into your houses. The Egyptians' houses will be full of swarms of flies, and even the ground on which they stand will be full of flies. + +\s5 +\v 22 But on that day I will treat the land of Goshen differently, the land in which my people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there. This will happen so that you may know that I am Yahweh in the midst of this land. +\v 23 I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign of my power will take place tomorrow."'" +\v 24 Yahweh did so, and thick swarms of flies came into Pharaoh's house and into his servants' houses. Throughout the whole land of Egypt, the land was ruined because of the swarms of flies. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in our own land." +\v 26 Moses said, "It is not right for us to do so, for the sacrifices we make to Yahweh our God are something disgusting to the Egyptians. If we make sacrifices right before their eyes that are disgusting to the Egyptians, will they not stone us? +\v 27 No, it is a three days' journey into the wilderness that we must make, in order to sacrifice to Yahweh our God, as he commands us." + +\s5 +\v 28 Pharaoh said, "I will allow you to go and sacrifice to Yahweh your God in the wilderness. Only you must not go very far away. Pray for me." +\v 29 Moses said, "As soon as I go out from you, I will pray to Yahweh that the swarms of flies may leave you, Pharaoh, and your servants and people tomorrow. But you must not deal deceitfully any more by not letting our people go to sacrifice to Yahweh." + +\s5 +\v 30 Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to Yahweh. +\v 31 Yahweh did as Moses asked; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, his servants, and his people. Not one remained. +\v 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go. + + + \s5 @@ -506,90 +506,90 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants. I have done this to show these signs of my power among them. -\v 2 I have also done this so that you may tell your children and grandchildren the things I have done, how I have harshly treated Egypt, and how I have given various signs of my power among them. In this way you will know that I am Yahweh." - -\s5 -\v 3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says this: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go so that they may worship me. -\v 4 But if you refuse to let my people go, listen, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your land. - -\s5 -\v 5 They will cover the surface of the ground so that no one will be able to see the earth. They will eat the remains of whatever escaped from the hail. They will also eat every tree that grows for you in the fields. -\v 6 They will fill your houses, those of all your servants, and those of all the Egyptians—something neither your father nor your grandfather ever saw, nothing ever seen since the day that they were on the earth to this present day.'" Then Moses left and went out from Pharaoh. - -\s5 -\v 7 Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long will this man be a menace to us? Let the Israelites go so that they may worship Yahweh their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is destroyed?" -\v 8 Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, who said to them, "Go worship Yahweh your God. But what people will go?" - -\s5 -\v 9 Moses said, "We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and our daughters. We will go with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a festival for Yahweh." -\v 10 Pharaoh said to them, "May Yahweh indeed be with you, if I ever let you go and your little ones go. Look, you have some evil in mind. -\v 11 No! Go, just the men among you, and worship Yahweh, for that is what you want." Then Moses and Aaron were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. - -\s5 -\v 12 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand over the land of Egypt to the locusts, that they may attack the land of Egypt and eat every plant in it, everything that the hail has left." -\v 13 Moses reached out with his staff over the land of Egypt, and Yahweh brought an east wind over the land all that day and night. When it was morning, the east wind had brought the locusts. - -\s5 -\v 14 The locusts went through all the land of Egypt and infested all parts of it. Never before had there been such a swarm of locusts in the land, and nothing like this will come after it. -\v 15 They covered the surface of the whole land so that it was darkened. They ate every plant in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Throughout all the land of Egypt, no living green plant remained, nor any tree or plant in the fields. - -\s5 -\v 16 Then Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against Yahweh your God and against you. -\v 17 Now then, forgive my sin this time, and pray to Yahweh your God that he will take this death away from me." -\v 18 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 19 Yahweh brought a very strong west wind that picked up the locusts and drove them into the Sea of Reeds; not a single locust remained in all the territory of Egypt. -\v 20 But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and Pharaoh did not let the Israelites go. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand toward the sky, so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness that may be felt." -\v 22 Moses reached out with his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. -\v 23 No one could see anyone else; no one left his home for three days. However, all the Israelites had light in the place where they lived. - -\s5 -\v 24 Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, "Go worship Yahweh. Even your families may go with you, but your flocks and herds must remain behind." -\v 25 But Moses said, "You must also give us animals for sacrifices and burnt offerings so that we may sacrifice them to Yahweh our God. -\v 26 Our cattle must also go with us; not a hoof of them may be left behind, for we must take them to worship Yahweh our God. For we do not know with what we must worship Yahweh until we arrive there." - -\s5 -\v 27 But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. -\v 28 Pharaoh said to Moses, "Go from me! Be careful about one thing, that you do not see me again, for on the day you see my face, you will die." -\v 29 Moses said, "You yourself have spoken. I will not see your face again." - - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "There is still one more plague that I will bring on Pharaoh and Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here. When he finally lets you go, he will drive you away completely. -\v 2 Instruct the people that every man and woman is to ask of his or her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold." -\v 3 Now Yahweh had made the Egyptians eager to please the Israelites. Moreover, the man Moses was very impressive in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and the people of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Moses said, "Yahweh says this: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. -\v 5 All the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill grinding it, and to all the firstborn of the cattle. - -\s5 -\v 6 Then there will be a great wailing throughout all the land of Egypt, such as has never been nor ever will be again. -\v 7 But not even a dog will bark against any of the people of Israel, against either man or beast. In this way you will know that I am treating the Egyptians and the Israelites differently.' -\v 8 All these servants of yours, Pharaoh, will come down to me and bow down to me. They will say, 'Go, you and all the people who follow you!' After that I will go out." Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you. This is so that I will do many amazing things in the land of Egypt." -\v 10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh. But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and Pharaoh did not let the people of Israel go out of his land. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants. I have done this to show these signs of my power among them. +\v 2 I have also done this so that you may tell your children and grandchildren the things I have done, how I have harshly treated Egypt, and how I have given various signs of my power among them. In this way you will know that I am Yahweh." + +\s5 +\v 3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says this: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go so that they may worship me. +\v 4 But if you refuse to let my people go, listen, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your land. + +\s5 +\v 5 They will cover the surface of the ground so that no one will be able to see the earth. They will eat the remains of whatever escaped from the hail. They will also eat every tree that grows for you in the fields. +\v 6 They will fill your houses, those of all your servants, and those of all the Egyptians—something neither your father nor your grandfather ever saw, nothing ever seen since the day that they were on the earth to this present day.'" Then Moses left and went out from Pharaoh. + +\s5 +\v 7 Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long will this man be a menace to us? Let the Israelites go so that they may worship Yahweh their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is destroyed?" +\v 8 Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, who said to them, "Go worship Yahweh your God. But what people will go?" + +\s5 +\v 9 Moses said, "We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and our daughters. We will go with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a festival for Yahweh." +\v 10 Pharaoh said to them, "May Yahweh indeed be with you, if I ever let you go and your little ones go. Look, you have some evil in mind. +\v 11 No! Go, just the men among you, and worship Yahweh, for that is what you want." Then Moses and Aaron were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. + +\s5 +\v 12 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand over the land of Egypt to the locusts, that they may attack the land of Egypt and eat every plant in it, everything that the hail has left." +\v 13 Moses reached out with his staff over the land of Egypt, and Yahweh brought an east wind over the land all that day and night. When it was morning, the east wind had brought the locusts. + +\s5 +\v 14 The locusts went through all the land of Egypt and infested all parts of it. Never before had there been such a swarm of locusts in the land, and nothing like this will come after it. +\v 15 They covered the surface of the whole land so that it was darkened. They ate every plant in the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Throughout all the land of Egypt, no living green plant remained, nor any tree or plant in the fields. + +\s5 +\v 16 Then Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against Yahweh your God and against you. +\v 17 Now then, forgive my sin this time, and pray to Yahweh your God that he will take this death away from me." +\v 18 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 19 Yahweh brought a very strong west wind that picked up the locusts and drove them into the Sea of Reeds; not a single locust remained in all the territory of Egypt. +\v 20 But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and Pharaoh did not let the Israelites go. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand toward the sky, so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness that may be felt." +\v 22 Moses reached out with his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. +\v 23 No one could see anyone else; no one left his home for three days. However, all the Israelites had light in the place where they lived. + +\s5 +\v 24 Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, "Go worship Yahweh. Even your families may go with you, but your flocks and herds must remain behind." +\v 25 But Moses said, "You must also give us animals for sacrifices and burnt offerings so that we may sacrifice them to Yahweh our God. +\v 26 Our cattle must also go with us; not a hoof of them may be left behind, for we must take them to worship Yahweh our God. For we do not know with what we must worship Yahweh until we arrive there." + +\s5 +\v 27 But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. +\v 28 Pharaoh said to Moses, "Go from me! Be careful about one thing, that you do not see me again, for on the day you see my face, you will die." +\v 29 Moses said, "You yourself have spoken. I will not see your face again." + + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "There is still one more plague that I will bring on Pharaoh and Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here. When he finally lets you go, he will drive you away completely. +\v 2 Instruct the people that every man and woman is to ask of his or her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold." +\v 3 Now Yahweh had made the Egyptians eager to please the Israelites. Moreover, the man Moses was very impressive in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and the people of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Moses said, "Yahweh says this: 'About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. +\v 5 All the firstborn in the land of Egypt will die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sits on his throne, to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill grinding it, and to all the firstborn of the cattle. + +\s5 +\v 6 Then there will be a great wailing throughout all the land of Egypt, such as has never been nor ever will be again. +\v 7 But not even a dog will bark against any of the people of Israel, against either man or beast. In this way you will know that I am treating the Egyptians and the Israelites differently.' +\v 8 All these servants of yours, Pharaoh, will come down to me and bow down to me. They will say, 'Go, you and all the people who follow you!' After that I will go out." Then he went out from Pharaoh in great anger. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh will not listen to you. This is so that I will do many amazing things in the land of Egypt." +\v 10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh. But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and Pharaoh did not let the people of Israel go out of his land. + + + \s5 @@ -741,672 +741,672 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 2 "Say to the Israelites that they should turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You are to camp by the sea opposite Pi Hahiroth. -\v 3 Pharaoh will say about the Israelites, 'They are wandering in the land. The wilderness has closed in on them.' - -\s5 -\v 4 I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. I will get honor because of Pharaoh and all his army. The Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh." So the Israelites camped as they were instructed. -\v 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the Israelites had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his servants turned against the people. They said, "What have we done in letting Israel go free from working for us?" - -\s5 -\v 6 Then Pharaoh got his chariots ready and took his army with him. -\v 7 He took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers on all of them. -\v 8 Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and the king pursued the Israelites. Now the Israelites had gone away in triumph. -\v 9 But the Egyptians pursued them, together with all his horses and chariots, his horsemen, and his army. They overtook the Israelites camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 When Pharaoh came close, the Israelites looked up and were surprised. The Egyptians were marching after them, and they were terrified. The Israelites cried out to Yahweh. -\v 11 They said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt, that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us like this, bringing us out of Egypt? -\v 12 Is this not what we told you in Egypt? We said to you, 'Leave us alone, so we can work for the Egyptians.' It would have been better for us to work for them than to die in the wilderness." - -\s5 -\v 13 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the rescue that Yahweh will provide for you today. For you will never see again the Egyptians whom you see today. -\v 14 Yahweh will fight for you, and you will only have to stand still." - -\s5 -\v 15 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Why are you, Moses, continuing to call out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. -\v 16 Lift up your staff, reach out with your hand over the sea and divide it in two, so that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. -\v 17 Be aware that I will harden the Egyptians' hearts so they will go after them. I will get honor because of Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. -\v 18 Then the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I have gotten honor because of Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." - -\s5 -\v 19 The angel of God, who went before the Israelites, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from before them and went to stand behind them. -\v 20 The cloud came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. It was a dark cloud to the Egyptians, but it lit the night for the Israelites, so one side did not come near the other all night. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Moses reached out with his hand over the sea. Yahweh drove the sea back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea into dry land. In this way the waters were divided. -\v 22 The Israelites went into the middle of the sea on dry ground. The waters formed a wall for them on their right hand and on their left. - -\s5 -\v 23 The Egyptians pursued them. They went after them into the middle of the sea—all Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen. -\v 24 But in the early morning hours, Yahweh looked down on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and cloud. He caused panic among the Egyptians. -\v 25 Their chariot wheels were clogged, and the horsemen drove with difficulty. So the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from Israel, for Yahweh is fighting for them against us." - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back onto the Egyptians, their chariots, and their horsemen." -\v 27 So Moses reached out with his hand over the sea, and it returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. The Egyptians fled into the sea, and Yahweh drove the Egyptians into the middle of it. -\v 28 The waters came back and covered Pharaoh's chariots, horsemen, and his entire army that had followed the chariots into the sea. No one survived. - -\s5 -\v 29 However, the Israelites walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. The waters were a wall for them on their right hand and on their left. -\v 30 So Yahweh saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw dead Egyptians on the seashore. -\v 31 When Israel saw the great power that Yahweh used against the Egyptians, the people honored Yahweh, and they trusted in Yahweh and in his servant Moses. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to Yahweh. They sang, -\q "I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously; -\q the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea. - -\s5 -\q -\v 2 Yahweh is my strength and song, -\q and he has become my salvation. -\q This is my God, and I will praise him, -\q my father's God, and I will exalt him. -\q -\v 3 Yahweh is a warrior; -\q Yahweh is his name. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 He has thrown Pharaoh's chariots and army into the sea. -\q Pharaoh's chosen officers were drowned in the Sea of Reeds. -\q -\v 5 The depths covered them; -\q they went down into the depths like a stone. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power; -\q your right hand, Yahweh, has shattered the enemy. -\q -\v 7 In great majesty you overthrew those who rose up against you. -\q You sent out your wrath; it consumed them like stubble. -\q -\v 8 By the blast of your nostrils the waters were piled up; -\q the flowing waters stood upright in a heap; -\q the deep water was congealed in the heart of the sea. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will share out the plunder; -\q my desire will be satisfied on them; -\q I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.' -\q -\v 10 But you blew with your wind, and the sea covered them; -\q they sank like lead in the mighty waters. -\q -\v 11 Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? -\q Who is like you, majestic in holiness, -\q honored in praises, doing miracles? - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 You reached out with your right hand, -\q and the earth swallowed them. -\q -\v 13 In your covenant loyalty you have led the people you have rescued. -\q In your strength you have led them to the holy place where you live. -\s5 -\q -\v 14 The peoples will hear, and they will tremble; -\q terror will seize the inhabitants of Philistia. -\q -\v 15 Then the chiefs of Edom will fear; -\q the soldiers of Moab will shake; -\q all the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Terror and dread will fall on them. -\q Because of your arm's power, they will become as still as a stone -\q until your people pass by, Yahweh— -\q until the people you have rescued pass by. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 You will bring them and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance, -\q the place, Yahweh, that you have made to live in, -\q the sanctuary, our Lord, that your hands have built. -\q -\v 18 Yahweh will reign forever and ever." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 For Pharaoh's horses went with his chariots and horsemen into the sea. Yahweh brought back the -waters of the sea on them. But the Israelites walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. -\v 20 Miriam the prophetess, sister of Aaron, picked up a tambourine, and all the women went out with tambourines, dancing along with her. -\v 21 Miriam sang to them: -\q "Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. -\q The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Then Moses led Israel onward from the Sea of Reeds. They went out into the wilderness of Shur. They traveled for three days into -the wilderness and found no water. -\v 23 Then they came to Marah, but they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. So they called that place Marah. - -\s5 -\v 24 So the people complained to Moses and said, "What can we drink?" -\v 25 Moses cried out to Yahweh, and Yahweh showed him a tree. Moses threw it into the water, and the water became sweet to drink. It was there that Yahweh gave them a strict law, and it was there that he tested them. -\v 26 He said, "If you carefully listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and do what is right in his eyes, and if you give ear to his commands and obey all his laws—I will put on you none of the diseases that I put on the Egyptians, for I am Yahweh who heals you." - -\s5 -\v 27 Then the people came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They camped there by the water. - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 The people journeyed on from Elim, and all the community of Israelites came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. -\v 2 The whole community of Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. -\v 3 The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by Yahweh's hand in the land of Egypt when we were sitting by the pots of meat and were eating bread to the full. For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill our whole community with hunger." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people will go out and gather a day's portion every day so that I may test them to see whether or not they will walk in my law. -\v 5 It will come about on the sixth day, that they will gather twice as much as what they gathered every day before, and they will cook what they bring in." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, "In the evening you will know that it is Yahweh who has brought you out from the land of Egypt. -\v 7 In the morning you will see Yahweh's glory, for he hears your complaining against him. Who are we for you to complain against us?" -\v 8 Moses also said, "You will know this when Yahweh gives you meat in the evening and bread in the morning to the full—for he has heard the complaints that you speak against him. Who are Aaron and I? Your complaints are not against us; they are against Yahweh." - -\s5 -\v 9 Moses said to Aaron, "Say to all the community of the people of Israel, 'Come near before Yahweh, for he has heard your complaints.'" -\v 10 It came about, as Aaron spoke to the whole community of the people of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, Yahweh's glory appeared in the cloud. -\v 11 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 12 "I have heard the complaints of the people of Israel. Speak to them and say, 'In the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am Yahweh your God.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 It came about in the evening that quails came up and covered the camp. In the morning the dew lay round about the camp. -\v 14 When the dew was gone, there on the surface of the wilderness were thin flakes like frost on the ground. -\v 15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said one to another, "What is it?" They did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that Yahweh has given you to eat. - -\s5 -\v 16 This is the command that Yahweh has given: 'You must gather, each one of you, the amount you need to eat, an omer for each person of the number of your people. This is how you will gather it: Gather enough to eat for every person who lives in your tent.'" -\v 17 The people of Israel did so. Some gathered more, some gathered less. -\v 18 When they measured it with an omer measure, those who had gathered much had nothing left over, and those who had gathered little had no lack. Each person gathered enough to meet their need. - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Moses said to them, "No one must leave any of it until morning." -\v 20 However, they did not listen to Moses. Some of them left some of it until morning, but it bred worms and became foul. Then Moses became angry with them. -\v 21 They gathered it morning by morning. Each person gathered enough to eat for that day. When the sun became hot, it melted. - -\s5 -\v 22 It came about that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each person. All the leaders of the community came and told this to Moses. -\v 23 He said to them, "This is what Yahweh has said: 'Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath in Yahweh's honor. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. All that remains over, set it aside for yourselves until morning.'" - -\s5 -\v 24 So they set it aside until morning, as Moses had instructed. It did not become foul, nor was there any worm in it. -\v 25 Moses said, "Eat that food today, for today is a day reserved as a Sabbath to honor Yahweh. Today you will not find it in the fields. - -\s5 -\v 26 You will gather it during six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. On the Sabbath there will be no manna." -\v 27 It came about on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather manna, but they found none. - -\s5 -\v 28 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? -\v 29 See, Yahweh has given you the Sabbath. So on the sixth day he is giving you bread for two days. Each of you must stay in his own place; no one must go out from his place on the seventh day." -\v 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 The people of Israel called that food "manna." It was white like coriander seed, and its taste was like wafers made with honey. -\v 32 Moses said, "This is what Yahweh has commanded: 'Let an omer of manna be kept throughout your people's generations so that your descendants might see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, after I brought you out from the land of Egypt.'" - -\s5 -\v 33 Moses said to Aaron, "Take a pot and put an omer of manna into it. Preserve it before Yahweh to be kept throughout the people's generations." -\v 34 As Yahweh commanded Moses, Aaron stored it beside the covenant decrees in the ark. -\v 35 The people of Israel ate manna forty years until they came to inhabited land. They ate it until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan. -\v 36 Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 The whole community of the Israelites journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, following Yahweh's instructions. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. -\v 2 So the people blamed Moses for their situation and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?" -\v 3 The people were very thirsty, and they complained against Moses. They said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt? To kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?" - -\s5 -\v 4 Then Moses cried out to Yahweh, "What should I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." -\v 5 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take with you some elders of Israel. Take with you the staff with which you struck the river, and go. -\v 6 I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you will strike the rock. Water will come out of it for the people to drink." Then Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. -\v 7 He called that place Massah and Meribah because of the Israelites' complaining, and because they had tested the Lord by saying, "Is Yahweh among us or not?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then an army of the Amalek people came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. -\v 9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some men and go out. Fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." -\v 10 So Joshua fought Amalek as Moses had instructed, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. - -\s5 -\v 11 While Moses was holding his hands up, Israel was winning; when he let his hands rest, Amalek would begin to win. -\v 12 When Moses' hands became heavy, Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him for him to sit on. At the same time, Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one person on one side of him, and the other person on the other side. So Moses' hands were held steady until the sun went down. -\v 13 So Joshua defeated the people of Amalek with the sword. - -\s5 -\v 14 Yahweh said to Moses, "Write this in a book and read it in Joshua's hearing, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under the skies." -\v 15 Then Moses built an altar and he called it "Yahweh is my banner." -\v 16 He said, "For a hand was lifted up to the throne of Yahweh—that Yahweh will wage war with Amalek from generation to generation." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people. He heard that Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt. -\v 2 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, -\v 3 and her two sons; the name of the one son was Gershom, for Moses had said, "I have been a foreigner in a foreign land." -\v 4 The name of the other was Eliezer, for Moses had said, "My ancestor's God was my help. He rescued me from Pharaoh's sword." - -\s5 -\v 5 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with Moses' sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped at the mountain of God. -\v 6 He said to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons." - -\s5 -\v 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. They asked about each other's welfare and then went into the tent. -\v 8 Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake, about all the hardships that had come to them along the way, and how Yahweh had rescued them. - -\s5 -\v 9 Jethro rejoiced over all the good that Yahweh had done for Israel, in that he had rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians. -\v 10 Jethro said, "May Yahweh be praised, for he has rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians. -\v 11 Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all the gods, because when the Egyptians treated the Israelites arrogantly, God rescued his people." - -\s5 -\v 12 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat a meal before God with Moses' father-in-law. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 On the next day Moses sat down to judge the people. The people stood around him from morning until evening. -\v 14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, "What is this that you are doing with the people? Why is it that you sit alone and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?" - -\s5 -\v 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, "The people come to me to ask for God's direction. -\v 16 When they have a dispute, they come to me. I decide between one person and another, and I teach them God's statutes and laws." - -\s5 -\v 17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not very good. -\v 18 You will surely wear yourselves out, you and the people who are with you. This burden is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it by yourself. -\v 19 Listen to me. I will give you advice, and God will be with you, because you are the people's representative to God, and you bring their disputes to him. -\v 20 You must teach them his statutes and laws. You must show them the way to walk and the work to do. - -\s5 -\v 21 Furthermore, you must choose capable men from all the people, men who honor God, men of truth who hate unjust gain. You must put them over people, to be leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and of tens. -\v 22 They will judge the people in all routine cases, but the difficult cases they will bring to you. As for all the small cases, they can judge those themselves. In that way it will be easier for you, and they will carry the burden with you. -\v 23 If you do this, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure, and the entire people will be able to go home satisfied." - -\s5 -\v 24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law's words and did everything that he had said. -\v 25 Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. -\v 26 They judged the people in normal circumstances. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but they themselves judged all the small cases. -\v 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law leave, and Jethro went back into his own land. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 In the third month after the people of Israel had gone out from the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the wilderness of Sinai. -\v 2 After they left Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, they camped in the wilderness in front of the mountain. - -\s5 -\v 3 Moses went up to God. Yahweh called to him from the mountain and said, "You must tell the house of Jacob, the people of Israel: -\v 4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. -\v 5 Now then, if you obediently listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession from among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. -\v 6 You will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation for me. These are the words that you must speak to the people of Israel." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 So Moses came and summoned the elders of the people. He set before them all these words that Yahweh had commanded him. -\v 8 All the people answered together and said, "We will do everything that Yahweh has said." Then Moses came to report the people's words to Yahweh. -\v 9 Yahweh said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick cloud so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you forever." Then Moses told the people's words to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 10 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go to the people. Today and tomorrow you must set them apart to me, and make them wash their garments. -\v 11 Be ready for the third day, for on the third day Yahweh will come down to Mount Sinai. - -\s5 -\v 12 You must set boundaries all around the mountain for the people. Say to them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death.' -\v 13 No one's hand must touch such a person. Instead, he must certainly be stoned or shot. Whether it is a person or an animal, he must be put to death. When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may come up to the foot of the mountain." - -\s5 -\v 14 Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He set apart the people to Yahweh and they washed their garments. -\v 15 He said to the people, "Be ready on the third day; do not go near your wives." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunder and lightning bolts and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of a very loud trumpet. All the people in the camp trembled. -\v 17 Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. -\v 18 Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because Yahweh descended on it in fire and smoke. The smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. - -\s5 -\v 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in a voice. -\v 20 Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and he summoned Moses to the top. So Moses went up. -\v 21 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people not to break through to me to look, or many of them will perish. -\v 22 Let the priests also who come near to me set themselves apart—prepare themselves for my coming—so that I do not attack them." - -\s5 -\v 23 Moses said to Yahweh, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you commanded us: 'Set boundaries around the mountain and set it apart to Yahweh.'" -\v 24 Yahweh said to him, "Go, get down the mountain, and bring up Aaron with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through the barrier to come up to me, or I will attack them." -\v 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them. - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 God spoke all these words: -\v 2 "I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. -\v 3 You must have no other gods before me. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 You must not make for yourself a carved figure nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water below. -\v 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God. I punish the ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the descendants, to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me. -\v 6 But I show covenant faithfulness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 You must not take the name of Yahweh your God, in vain, for I will not hold guiltless anyone who takes my name in vain. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart to me. -\v 9 You must labor and do all your work for six days. -\v 10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh your God. On it you must not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or the foreigner who is within your gates. -\v 11 For in six days Yahweh made the heavens and earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you. -\p -\v 13 You must not murder anyone. -\p -\v 14 You must not commit adultery. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 You must not steal from anyone. -\p -\v 16 You must not give false testimony against your neighbor. -\p -\v 17 You must not covet your neighbor's house; you must not covet your neighbor's wife, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 All the people saw the thundering and the lightning, and heard the voice of the trumpet, and saw the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled and stood far off. -\v 19 They said to Moses, "Speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die." -\v 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, for God has come to test you so that the honor of him may be in you, and so that you do not sin." -\v 21 So the people stood far off, and Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Yahweh said to Moses, "This is what you must tell the Israelites: 'You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. -\v 23 You will not make for yourselves other gods alongside me, gods of silver or gods of gold. - -\s5 -\v 24 You must make an earthen altar for me, and you must sacrifice on it your burnt offerings, fellowship offerings, sheep, and oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. -\v 25 If you make me an altar of stone, you must not build it of cut stones, for if you use your tools on it, you will have defiled it. -\v 26 You must not go up by steps to my altar, so that you nakedness not be uncovered.'" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 "Now these are the decrees that you must set before them: - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 'If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh year he will go free without paying anything. -\v 3 If he came by himself, he must go free by himself; if he is married, then his wife must go free with him. -\v 4 If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he must go free by himself. - -\s5 -\v 5 But if the servant plainly says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free," -\v 6 then his master must bring him to God. The master must bring him to a door or doorpost, and his master must bore his ear through with an awl. Then the servant will serve him for life. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 If a man sells his daughter as a female servant, she must not go free as the male servants do. -\v 8 If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he must let her be bought back. He has no right to sell her to a foreign people. He has no such right, since he has treated her deceitfully. - -\s5 -\v 9 If her master designates her as a wife for his son, he must treat her the same as if she were his daughter. -\v 10 If he takes another wife for himself, he must not diminish her food, clothing, or her marital rights. -\v 11 But if he does not provide these three things for her, then she can go free without paying any money. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Whoever strikes a man so that he dies, that person must surely be put to death. -\v 13 If the man did not do it with premeditation, but instead by accident, then I will fix a place to where he can flee. -\v 14 If a man willfully attacks his neighbor and kills him according to a cunning plan, then you must take him, even if he is at God's altar, so that he may die. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Whoever hits his father or mother must surely be put to death. -\p -\v 16 Whoever kidnaps a person and sells him, or the person is found in his possession, that kidnapper must surely be put to death. -\p -\v 17 Whoever curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 If men fight and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist, and that person does not die, but is confined to his bed; -\v 19 then if he recovers and is able to walk about using his staff, the man who struck him must pay for the loss of his time; he must also pay for his complete recovery. But that man is not guilty of murder. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 If a man hits his male servant or his female servant with a staff, and if the servant dies as a result of the blow, then that man must surely be punished. -\v 21 However, if the servant lives for a day or two, the master must not be punished, for he will have suffered the loss of the servant. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 If men fight together and hurt a pregnant woman so that she miscarries, but there is no other injury to her, then the guilty man must surely be fined as the woman's husband demands it from him, and he must pay as the judges determine. -\v 23 But if there is serious injury, then you must give a life for a life, -\v 24 an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, -\v 25 a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, or a bruise for a bruise. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 If a man hits the eye of his male servant or of his female servant and destroys it, then he must let the servant go free in compensation for his eye. -\v 27 If he knocks out a tooth of his male servant or female servant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the tooth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must surely be stoned, and its flesh must not be eaten; but the ox's owner must be acquitted of guilt. -\v 29 But if the ox had a habit of goring in the past, and its owner was warned but did not keep it in, and the ox has killed a man or a woman, that ox must be stoned, and its owner also must be put to death. -\v 30 If a payment is required for his life, he must pay whatever he is required to pay. - -\s5 -\v 31 If the ox has gored a man's son or daughter, the ox's owner must do what this decree requires him to do. -\v 32 If the ox gores a male servant or a female servant, the ox's owner must pay thirty shekels of silver, and the ox must be stoned. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 If a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, -\v 34 the owner of the pit must repay the loss. He must give money to the dead animal's owner, and the dead animal will become his. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 If one man's ox hurts another man's ox so that it dies, then they must sell the live ox and divide its price, and they must also divide the dead ox. -\v 36 But if it was known that the ox had a habit of goring in time past, and its owner has not kept it in, he must surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal will become his own. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it, then he must pay five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep. -\v 2 If a thief is found breaking in, and if he is struck so that he dies, in that case no guilt for murder will attach to anyone on his account. -\v 3 But if the sun has risen before he breaks in, guilt for murder will attach to the person who kills him. -\p -A thief must make restitution. If he has nothing, then he must be sold for his theft. -\v 4 If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox, a donkey, or a sheep, he must pay back double. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets his animal loose, and it grazes in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field and from the best of his own vineyard. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 If a fire breaks out and spreads in thorns so that stacked grain, or standing grain, or a field is consumed, the one who started the fire must surely make restitution. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 If a man gives money or goods to his neighbor for safe keeping, and if it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, that thief must pay double. -\v 8 But if the thief is not found, then the owner of the house must come before the judges to see whether he has put his own hand on his neighbor's property. -\v 9 For every dispute about something, whether it is an ox, a donkey, a sheep, clothing, or any other missing thing about which one says, "This belongs to me," the claim of both parties must come before the judges. The man whom the judges find guilty must pay double to his neighbor. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and if it dies or is hurt or is carried away without anyone seeing it, -\v 11 an oath to Yahweh must be taken by them both, as to whether or not one person has put his hand on his neighbor's property. The owner must accept this, and the other will make no restitution. -\v 12 But if it was stolen from him, the other must make restitution to the owner for it. -\v 13 If an animal was torn in pieces, let the other man bring the animal as evidence. He will not have to pay for what was torn. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 If a man borrows any animal from his neighbor and the animal is injured or dies without the owner being with it, the other man must surely make restitution. -\v 15 But if the owner was with it, the other man will not have to pay; if the animal was hired, it will be paid for by its hiring fee. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and if he sleeps with her, he must surely make her his wife by paying the bride wealth required for this. -\v 17 If her father completely refuses to give her to him, he must pay money equal to the bride wealth of virgins. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 You must not allow a sorceress to live. -\p -\v 19 Whoever sleeps with a beast must surely be put to death. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Whoever sacrifices to any god except to Yahweh must be completely destroyed. -\v 21 You must not wrong a foreigner or oppress him, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 22 You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. -\v 23 If you afflict them at all, and if they call out to me, I will surely hear their call. -\v 24 My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows, and your children will become fatherless. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 If you lend money to any of my people among you who are poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him or charge him interest. -\v 26 If you take your neighbor's garment in pledge, you must return it to him before the sun goes down, -\v 27 for that is his only covering; it is his garment for his body. What else can he sleep in? When he calls out to me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 You must not blaspheme me, God, nor curse a ruler of your people. - -\s5 -\v 29 You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your winepresses. You must give to me the firstborn of your sons. -\v 30 You must also do the same with your oxen and your sheep. For seven days they may remain with their mothers, but on the eighth day you must give them to me. -\v 31 You will be people that are set apart for me. So you must not eat any meat that was torn by animals in the field. Instead, you must throw it to the dogs. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 You must not give a false report about anyone. Do not join with a wicked man to be a dishonest witness. -\v 2 You must not follow a crowd to do evil, nor may you bear witness while siding with the crowd in order to pervert justice. -\v 3 You must not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you must bring it back to him. -\v 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen to the ground under its load, you must not leave that person. You must surely help him with his donkey. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 You must not pervert justice when it should go to your poor people in a poor man's lawsuit. -\v 7 Do not join others in making false accusations, and do not kill the innocent or righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. -\v 8 Never take a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see, and perverts honest people's words. -\v 9 You must not oppress a foreigner, since you know the life of a foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 For six years you will sow seed on your land and gather in its produce. -\v 11 But in the seventh year you will leave it unplowed and fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat. What they leave, the wild animals will eat. You will do the same with your vineyards and olive orchards. - -\s5 -\v 12 During six days you will do your work, but on the seventh day you must rest. Do this so that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and so that your female slave's son and any foreigner may rest and be refreshed. -\v 13 Pay attention to everything that I have said to you. Do not mention the names of other gods, nor let their names be heard from your mouth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 You must travel to hold a festival for me three times every year. -\v 15 You are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you will eat unleavened bread for seven days. At that time, you will appear before me in the month of Aviv, which is fixed for this purpose. It was in this month that you came out from Egypt. But you must not appear before me empty-handed. - -\s5 -\v 16 You must observe the Festival of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors when you sowed seed in the fields. Also you must observe the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your produce from the fields. -\v 17 All your males must appear before the Lord Yahweh three times every year. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 You must not offer the blood from sacrifices made to me with bread containing yeast. The fat from the sacrifices at my festivals must not remain all night until the morning. -\v 19 You must bring the choicest firstfruits from your land into my house, the house of Yahweh your God. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 I am going to send an angel before you to guard you on the way, and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. -\v 21 Be attentive to him and obey him. Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions. My name is on him. -\v 22 If you indeed obey his voice and do everything that I tell you, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. - -\s5 -\v 23 My angel will go before you and bring you to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and the Jebusites. I will destroy them. -\v 24 You must not bow down to their gods, worship them, or do as they do. Instead, you must completely overthrow them and smash their stone pillars in pieces. -\v 25 You must worship Yahweh your God, and he will bless your bread and water. I will remove sickness from among you. - -\s5 -\v 26 No woman will be barren or will miscarry her young in your land. I will give you long lives. -\v 27 I will send fear of myself on those into whose land you advance. I will kill all the people whom you meet. I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you in fright. -\v 28 I will send hornets before you that will drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you. -\v 29 I will not drive them out from before you in one year, or the land would become abandoned, and the wild animals would become too many for you. - -\s5 -\v 30 Instead, I will drive them out little by little from before you until you become fruitful and inherit the land. -\v 31 I will fix your borders from the Sea of Reeds to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates River. I will give you victory over the land's inhabitants. You will drive them out before yourselves. -\v 32 You must not make a covenant with them or with their gods. -\v 33 They must not live in your land, or they would make you sin against me. If you worship their gods, this will surely become a trap for you.'" - - - + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 2 "Say to the Israelites that they should turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You are to camp by the sea opposite Pi Hahiroth. +\v 3 Pharaoh will say about the Israelites, 'They are wandering in the land. The wilderness has closed in on them.' + +\s5 +\v 4 I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. I will get honor because of Pharaoh and all his army. The Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh." So the Israelites camped as they were instructed. +\v 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the Israelites had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his servants turned against the people. They said, "What have we done in letting Israel go free from working for us?" + +\s5 +\v 6 Then Pharaoh got his chariots ready and took his army with him. +\v 7 He took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers on all of them. +\v 8 Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and the king pursued the Israelites. Now the Israelites had gone away in triumph. +\v 9 But the Egyptians pursued them, together with all his horses and chariots, his horsemen, and his army. They overtook the Israelites camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 When Pharaoh came close, the Israelites looked up and were surprised. The Egyptians were marching after them, and they were terrified. The Israelites cried out to Yahweh. +\v 11 They said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt, that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us like this, bringing us out of Egypt? +\v 12 Is this not what we told you in Egypt? We said to you, 'Leave us alone, so we can work for the Egyptians.' It would have been better for us to work for them than to die in the wilderness." + +\s5 +\v 13 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the rescue that Yahweh will provide for you today. For you will never see again the Egyptians whom you see today. +\v 14 Yahweh will fight for you, and you will only have to stand still." + +\s5 +\v 15 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Why are you, Moses, continuing to call out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. +\v 16 Lift up your staff, reach out with your hand over the sea and divide it in two, so that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. +\v 17 Be aware that I will harden the Egyptians' hearts so they will go after them. I will get honor because of Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. +\v 18 Then the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh when I have gotten honor because of Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." + +\s5 +\v 19 The angel of God, who went before the Israelites, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from before them and went to stand behind them. +\v 20 The cloud came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. It was a dark cloud to the Egyptians, but it lit the night for the Israelites, so one side did not come near the other all night. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Moses reached out with his hand over the sea. Yahweh drove the sea back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea into dry land. In this way the waters were divided. +\v 22 The Israelites went into the middle of the sea on dry ground. The waters formed a wall for them on their right hand and on their left. + +\s5 +\v 23 The Egyptians pursued them. They went after them into the middle of the sea—all Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen. +\v 24 But in the early morning hours, Yahweh looked down on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and cloud. He caused panic among the Egyptians. +\v 25 Their chariot wheels were clogged, and the horsemen drove with difficulty. So the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from Israel, for Yahweh is fighting for them against us." + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Yahweh said to Moses, "Reach out with your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back onto the Egyptians, their chariots, and their horsemen." +\v 27 So Moses reached out with his hand over the sea, and it returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. The Egyptians fled into the sea, and Yahweh drove the Egyptians into the middle of it. +\v 28 The waters came back and covered Pharaoh's chariots, horsemen, and his entire army that had followed the chariots into the sea. No one survived. + +\s5 +\v 29 However, the Israelites walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. The waters were a wall for them on their right hand and on their left. +\v 30 So Yahweh saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw dead Egyptians on the seashore. +\v 31 When Israel saw the great power that Yahweh used against the Egyptians, the people honored Yahweh, and they trusted in Yahweh and in his servant Moses. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to Yahweh. They sang, +\q "I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously; +\q the horse and its rider he has thrown into the sea. + +\s5 +\q +\v 2 Yahweh is my strength and song, +\q and he has become my salvation. +\q This is my God, and I will praise him, +\q my father's God, and I will exalt him. +\q +\v 3 Yahweh is a warrior; +\q Yahweh is his name. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 He has thrown Pharaoh's chariots and army into the sea. +\q Pharaoh's chosen officers were drowned in the Sea of Reeds. +\q +\v 5 The depths covered them; +\q they went down into the depths like a stone. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power; +\q your right hand, Yahweh, has shattered the enemy. +\q +\v 7 In great majesty you overthrew those who rose up against you. +\q You sent out your wrath; it consumed them like stubble. +\q +\v 8 By the blast of your nostrils the waters were piled up; +\q the flowing waters stood upright in a heap; +\q the deep water was congealed in the heart of the sea. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 The enemy said, 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will share out the plunder; +\q my desire will be satisfied on them; +\q I will draw my sword; my hand will destroy them.' +\q +\v 10 But you blew with your wind, and the sea covered them; +\q they sank like lead in the mighty waters. +\q +\v 11 Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? +\q Who is like you, majestic in holiness, +\q honored in praises, doing miracles? + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 You reached out with your right hand, +\q and the earth swallowed them. +\q +\v 13 In your covenant loyalty you have led the people you have rescued. +\q In your strength you have led them to the holy place where you live. +\s5 +\q +\v 14 The peoples will hear, and they will tremble; +\q terror will seize the inhabitants of Philistia. +\q +\v 15 Then the chiefs of Edom will fear; +\q the soldiers of Moab will shake; +\q all the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Terror and dread will fall on them. +\q Because of your arm's power, they will become as still as a stone +\q until your people pass by, Yahweh— +\q until the people you have rescued pass by. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 You will bring them and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance, +\q the place, Yahweh, that you have made to live in, +\q the sanctuary, our Lord, that your hands have built. +\q +\v 18 Yahweh will reign forever and ever." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 For Pharaoh's horses went with his chariots and horsemen into the sea. Yahweh brought back the +waters of the sea on them. But the Israelites walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. +\v 20 Miriam the prophetess, sister of Aaron, picked up a tambourine, and all the women went out with tambourines, dancing along with her. +\v 21 Miriam sang to them: +\q "Sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed gloriously. +\q The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Then Moses led Israel onward from the Sea of Reeds. They went out into the wilderness of Shur. They traveled for three days into +the wilderness and found no water. +\v 23 Then they came to Marah, but they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. So they called that place Marah. + +\s5 +\v 24 So the people complained to Moses and said, "What can we drink?" +\v 25 Moses cried out to Yahweh, and Yahweh showed him a tree. Moses threw it into the water, and the water became sweet to drink. It was there that Yahweh gave them a strict law, and it was there that he tested them. +\v 26 He said, "If you carefully listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and do what is right in his eyes, and if you give ear to his commands and obey all his laws—I will put on you none of the diseases that I put on the Egyptians, for I am Yahweh who heals you." + +\s5 +\v 27 Then the people came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They camped there by the water. + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 The people journeyed on from Elim, and all the community of Israelites came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt. +\v 2 The whole community of Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. +\v 3 The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by Yahweh's hand in the land of Egypt when we were sitting by the pots of meat and were eating bread to the full. For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill our whole community with hunger." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people will go out and gather a day's portion every day so that I may test them to see whether or not they will walk in my law. +\v 5 It will come about on the sixth day, that they will gather twice as much as what they gathered every day before, and they will cook what they bring in." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, "In the evening you will know that it is Yahweh who has brought you out from the land of Egypt. +\v 7 In the morning you will see Yahweh's glory, for he hears your complaining against him. Who are we for you to complain against us?" +\v 8 Moses also said, "You will know this when Yahweh gives you meat in the evening and bread in the morning to the full—for he has heard the complaints that you speak against him. Who are Aaron and I? Your complaints are not against us; they are against Yahweh." + +\s5 +\v 9 Moses said to Aaron, "Say to all the community of the people of Israel, 'Come near before Yahweh, for he has heard your complaints.'" +\v 10 It came about, as Aaron spoke to the whole community of the people of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, Yahweh's glory appeared in the cloud. +\v 11 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 12 "I have heard the complaints of the people of Israel. Speak to them and say, 'In the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am Yahweh your God.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 It came about in the evening that quails came up and covered the camp. In the morning the dew lay round about the camp. +\v 14 When the dew was gone, there on the surface of the wilderness were thin flakes like frost on the ground. +\v 15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said one to another, "What is it?" They did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread that Yahweh has given you to eat. + +\s5 +\v 16 This is the command that Yahweh has given: 'You must gather, each one of you, the amount you need to eat, an omer for each person of the number of your people. This is how you will gather it: Gather enough to eat for every person who lives in your tent.'" +\v 17 The people of Israel did so. Some gathered more, some gathered less. +\v 18 When they measured it with an omer measure, those who had gathered much had nothing left over, and those who had gathered little had no lack. Each person gathered enough to meet their need. + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Moses said to them, "No one must leave any of it until morning." +\v 20 However, they did not listen to Moses. Some of them left some of it until morning, but it bred worms and became foul. Then Moses became angry with them. +\v 21 They gathered it morning by morning. Each person gathered enough to eat for that day. When the sun became hot, it melted. + +\s5 +\v 22 It came about that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each person. All the leaders of the community came and told this to Moses. +\v 23 He said to them, "This is what Yahweh has said: 'Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath in Yahweh's honor. Bake what you want to bake, and boil what you want to boil. All that remains over, set it aside for yourselves until morning.'" + +\s5 +\v 24 So they set it aside until morning, as Moses had instructed. It did not become foul, nor was there any worm in it. +\v 25 Moses said, "Eat that food today, for today is a day reserved as a Sabbath to honor Yahweh. Today you will not find it in the fields. + +\s5 +\v 26 You will gather it during six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. On the Sabbath there will be no manna." +\v 27 It came about on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather manna, but they found none. + +\s5 +\v 28 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? +\v 29 See, Yahweh has given you the Sabbath. So on the sixth day he is giving you bread for two days. Each of you must stay in his own place; no one must go out from his place on the seventh day." +\v 30 So the people rested on the seventh day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 The people of Israel called that food "manna." It was white like coriander seed, and its taste was like wafers made with honey. +\v 32 Moses said, "This is what Yahweh has commanded: 'Let an omer of manna be kept throughout your people's generations so that your descendants might see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, after I brought you out from the land of Egypt.'" + +\s5 +\v 33 Moses said to Aaron, "Take a pot and put an omer of manna into it. Preserve it before Yahweh to be kept throughout the people's generations." +\v 34 As Yahweh commanded Moses, Aaron stored it beside the covenant decrees in the ark. +\v 35 The people of Israel ate manna forty years until they came to inhabited land. They ate it until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan. +\v 36 Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 The whole community of the Israelites journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, following Yahweh's instructions. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. +\v 2 So the people blamed Moses for their situation and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses said, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?" +\v 3 The people were very thirsty, and they complained against Moses. They said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt? To kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?" + +\s5 +\v 4 Then Moses cried out to Yahweh, "What should I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me." +\v 5 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go on ahead of the people, and take with you some elders of Israel. Take with you the staff with which you struck the river, and go. +\v 6 I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you will strike the rock. Water will come out of it for the people to drink." Then Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. +\v 7 He called that place Massah and Meribah because of the Israelites' complaining, and because they had tested the Lord by saying, "Is Yahweh among us or not?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then an army of the Amalek people came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. +\v 9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some men and go out. Fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." +\v 10 So Joshua fought Amalek as Moses had instructed, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. + +\s5 +\v 11 While Moses was holding his hands up, Israel was winning; when he let his hands rest, Amalek would begin to win. +\v 12 When Moses' hands became heavy, Aaron and Hur took a stone and put it under him for him to sit on. At the same time, Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one person on one side of him, and the other person on the other side. So Moses' hands were held steady until the sun went down. +\v 13 So Joshua defeated the people of Amalek with the sword. + +\s5 +\v 14 Yahweh said to Moses, "Write this in a book and read it in Joshua's hearing, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under the skies." +\v 15 Then Moses built an altar and he called it "Yahweh is my banner." +\v 16 He said, "For a hand was lifted up to the throne of Yahweh—that Yahweh will wage war with Amalek from generation to generation." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people. He heard that Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt. +\v 2 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, +\v 3 and her two sons; the name of the one son was Gershom, for Moses had said, "I have been a foreigner in a foreign land." +\v 4 The name of the other was Eliezer, for Moses had said, "My ancestor's God was my help. He rescued me from Pharaoh's sword." + +\s5 +\v 5 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with Moses' sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped at the mountain of God. +\v 6 He said to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons." + +\s5 +\v 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. They asked about each other's welfare and then went into the tent. +\v 8 Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake, about all the hardships that had come to them along the way, and how Yahweh had rescued them. + +\s5 +\v 9 Jethro rejoiced over all the good that Yahweh had done for Israel, in that he had rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians. +\v 10 Jethro said, "May Yahweh be praised, for he has rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians. +\v 11 Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all the gods, because when the Egyptians treated the Israelites arrogantly, God rescued his people." + +\s5 +\v 12 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat a meal before God with Moses' father-in-law. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 On the next day Moses sat down to judge the people. The people stood around him from morning until evening. +\v 14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, "What is this that you are doing with the people? Why is it that you sit alone and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?" + +\s5 +\v 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, "The people come to me to ask for God's direction. +\v 16 When they have a dispute, they come to me. I decide between one person and another, and I teach them God's statutes and laws." + +\s5 +\v 17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not very good. +\v 18 You will surely wear yourselves out, you and the people who are with you. This burden is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it by yourself. +\v 19 Listen to me. I will give you advice, and God will be with you, because you are the people's representative to God, and you bring their disputes to him. +\v 20 You must teach them his statutes and laws. You must show them the way to walk and the work to do. + +\s5 +\v 21 Furthermore, you must choose capable men from all the people, men who honor God, men of truth who hate unjust gain. You must put them over people, to be leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and of tens. +\v 22 They will judge the people in all routine cases, but the difficult cases they will bring to you. As for all the small cases, they can judge those themselves. In that way it will be easier for you, and they will carry the burden with you. +\v 23 If you do this, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure, and the entire people will be able to go home satisfied." + +\s5 +\v 24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law's words and did everything that he had said. +\v 25 Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. +\v 26 They judged the people in normal circumstances. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but they themselves judged all the small cases. +\v 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law leave, and Jethro went back into his own land. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 In the third month after the people of Israel had gone out from the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the wilderness of Sinai. +\v 2 After they left Rephidim and came to the wilderness of Sinai, they camped in the wilderness in front of the mountain. + +\s5 +\v 3 Moses went up to God. Yahweh called to him from the mountain and said, "You must tell the house of Jacob, the people of Israel: +\v 4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. +\v 5 Now then, if you obediently listen to my voice and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession from among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. +\v 6 You will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation for me. These are the words that you must speak to the people of Israel." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 So Moses came and summoned the elders of the people. He set before them all these words that Yahweh had commanded him. +\v 8 All the people answered together and said, "We will do everything that Yahweh has said." Then Moses came to report the people's words to Yahweh. +\v 9 Yahweh said to Moses, "I will come to you in a thick cloud so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe you forever." Then Moses told the people's words to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 10 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go to the people. Today and tomorrow you must set them apart to me, and make them wash their garments. +\v 11 Be ready for the third day, for on the third day Yahweh will come down to Mount Sinai. + +\s5 +\v 12 You must set boundaries all around the mountain for the people. Say to them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death.' +\v 13 No one's hand must touch such a person. Instead, he must certainly be stoned or shot. Whether it is a person or an animal, he must be put to death. When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they may come up to the foot of the mountain." + +\s5 +\v 14 Then Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He set apart the people to Yahweh and they washed their garments. +\v 15 He said to the people, "Be ready on the third day; do not go near your wives." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunder and lightning bolts and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of a very loud trumpet. All the people in the camp trembled. +\v 17 Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. +\v 18 Mount Sinai was completely covered with smoke because Yahweh descended on it in fire and smoke. The smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. + +\s5 +\v 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in a voice. +\v 20 Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, and he summoned Moses to the top. So Moses went up. +\v 21 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people not to break through to me to look, or many of them will perish. +\v 22 Let the priests also who come near to me set themselves apart—prepare themselves for my coming—so that I do not attack them." + +\s5 +\v 23 Moses said to Yahweh, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you commanded us: 'Set boundaries around the mountain and set it apart to Yahweh.'" +\v 24 Yahweh said to him, "Go, get down the mountain, and bring up Aaron with you, but do not let the priests and the people break through the barrier to come up to me, or I will attack them." +\v 25 So Moses went down to the people and spoke to them. + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 God spoke all these words: +\v 2 "I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. +\v 3 You must have no other gods before me. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 You must not make for yourself a carved figure nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water below. +\v 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God. I punish the ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the descendants, to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me. +\v 6 But I show covenant faithfulness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 You must not take the name of Yahweh your God, in vain, for I will not hold guiltless anyone who takes my name in vain. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart to me. +\v 9 You must labor and do all your work for six days. +\v 10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath for Yahweh your God. On it you must not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or the foreigner who is within your gates. +\v 11 For in six days Yahweh made the heavens and earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you. +\p +\v 13 You must not murder anyone. +\p +\v 14 You must not commit adultery. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 You must not steal from anyone. +\p +\v 16 You must not give false testimony against your neighbor. +\p +\v 17 You must not covet your neighbor's house; you must not covet your neighbor's wife, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 All the people saw the thundering and the lightning, and heard the voice of the trumpet, and saw the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled and stood far off. +\v 19 They said to Moses, "Speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die." +\v 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, for God has come to test you so that the honor of him may be in you, and so that you do not sin." +\v 21 So the people stood far off, and Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Yahweh said to Moses, "This is what you must tell the Israelites: 'You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. +\v 23 You will not make for yourselves other gods alongside me, gods of silver or gods of gold. + +\s5 +\v 24 You must make an earthen altar for me, and you must sacrifice on it your burnt offerings, fellowship offerings, sheep, and oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. +\v 25 If you make me an altar of stone, you must not build it of cut stones, for if you use your tools on it, you will have defiled it. +\v 26 You must not go up by steps to my altar, so that you nakedness not be uncovered.'" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 "Now these are the decrees that you must set before them: + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 'If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh year he will go free without paying anything. +\v 3 If he came by himself, he must go free by himself; if he is married, then his wife must go free with him. +\v 4 If his master gave him a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the wife and her children will belong to her master, and he must go free by himself. + +\s5 +\v 5 But if the servant plainly says, "I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free," +\v 6 then his master must bring him to God. The master must bring him to a door or doorpost, and his master must bore his ear through with an awl. Then the servant will serve him for life. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 If a man sells his daughter as a female servant, she must not go free as the male servants do. +\v 8 If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he must let her be bought back. He has no right to sell her to a foreign people. He has no such right, since he has treated her deceitfully. + +\s5 +\v 9 If her master designates her as a wife for his son, he must treat her the same as if she were his daughter. +\v 10 If he takes another wife for himself, he must not diminish her food, clothing, or her marital rights. +\v 11 But if he does not provide these three things for her, then she can go free without paying any money. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Whoever strikes a man so that he dies, that person must surely be put to death. +\v 13 If the man did not do it with premeditation, but instead by accident, then I will fix a place to where he can flee. +\v 14 If a man willfully attacks his neighbor and kills him according to a cunning plan, then you must take him, even if he is at God's altar, so that he may die. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Whoever hits his father or mother must surely be put to death. +\p +\v 16 Whoever kidnaps a person and sells him, or the person is found in his possession, that kidnapper must surely be put to death. +\p +\v 17 Whoever curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 If men fight and one hits the other with a stone or with his fist, and that person does not die, but is confined to his bed; +\v 19 then if he recovers and is able to walk about using his staff, the man who struck him must pay for the loss of his time; he must also pay for his complete recovery. But that man is not guilty of murder. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 If a man hits his male servant or his female servant with a staff, and if the servant dies as a result of the blow, then that man must surely be punished. +\v 21 However, if the servant lives for a day or two, the master must not be punished, for he will have suffered the loss of the servant. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 If men fight together and hurt a pregnant woman so that she miscarries, but there is no other injury to her, then the guilty man must surely be fined as the woman's husband demands it from him, and he must pay as the judges determine. +\v 23 But if there is serious injury, then you must give a life for a life, +\v 24 an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, +\v 25 a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, or a bruise for a bruise. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 If a man hits the eye of his male servant or of his female servant and destroys it, then he must let the servant go free in compensation for his eye. +\v 27 If he knocks out a tooth of his male servant or female servant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the tooth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox must surely be stoned, and its flesh must not be eaten; but the ox's owner must be acquitted of guilt. +\v 29 But if the ox had a habit of goring in the past, and its owner was warned but did not keep it in, and the ox has killed a man or a woman, that ox must be stoned, and its owner also must be put to death. +\v 30 If a payment is required for his life, he must pay whatever he is required to pay. + +\s5 +\v 31 If the ox has gored a man's son or daughter, the ox's owner must do what this decree requires him to do. +\v 32 If the ox gores a male servant or a female servant, the ox's owner must pay thirty shekels of silver, and the ox must be stoned. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 If a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, +\v 34 the owner of the pit must repay the loss. He must give money to the dead animal's owner, and the dead animal will become his. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 If one man's ox hurts another man's ox so that it dies, then they must sell the live ox and divide its price, and they must also divide the dead ox. +\v 36 But if it was known that the ox had a habit of goring in time past, and its owner has not kept it in, he must surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal will become his own. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it, then he must pay five oxen for one ox, and four sheep for one sheep. +\v 2 If a thief is found breaking in, and if he is struck so that he dies, in that case no guilt for murder will attach to anyone on his account. +\v 3 But if the sun has risen before he breaks in, guilt for murder will attach to the person who kills him. +\p +A thief must make restitution. If he has nothing, then he must be sold for his theft. +\v 4 If the stolen animal is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox, a donkey, or a sheep, he must pay back double. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets his animal loose, and it grazes in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field and from the best of his own vineyard. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 If a fire breaks out and spreads in thorns so that stacked grain, or standing grain, or a field is consumed, the one who started the fire must surely make restitution. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 If a man gives money or goods to his neighbor for safe keeping, and if it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, that thief must pay double. +\v 8 But if the thief is not found, then the owner of the house must come before the judges to see whether he has put his own hand on his neighbor's property. +\v 9 For every dispute about something, whether it is an ox, a donkey, a sheep, clothing, or any other missing thing about which one says, "This belongs to me," the claim of both parties must come before the judges. The man whom the judges find guilty must pay double to his neighbor. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and if it dies or is hurt or is carried away without anyone seeing it, +\v 11 an oath to Yahweh must be taken by them both, as to whether or not one person has put his hand on his neighbor's property. The owner must accept this, and the other will make no restitution. +\v 12 But if it was stolen from him, the other must make restitution to the owner for it. +\v 13 If an animal was torn in pieces, let the other man bring the animal as evidence. He will not have to pay for what was torn. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 If a man borrows any animal from his neighbor and the animal is injured or dies without the owner being with it, the other man must surely make restitution. +\v 15 But if the owner was with it, the other man will not have to pay; if the animal was hired, it will be paid for by its hiring fee. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and if he sleeps with her, he must surely make her his wife by paying the bride wealth required for this. +\v 17 If her father completely refuses to give her to him, he must pay money equal to the bride wealth of virgins. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 You must not allow a sorceress to live. +\p +\v 19 Whoever sleeps with a beast must surely be put to death. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Whoever sacrifices to any god except to Yahweh must be completely destroyed. +\v 21 You must not wrong a foreigner or oppress him, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 22 You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. +\v 23 If you afflict them at all, and if they call out to me, I will surely hear their call. +\v 24 My anger will burn, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows, and your children will become fatherless. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 If you lend money to any of my people among you who are poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him or charge him interest. +\v 26 If you take your neighbor's garment in pledge, you must return it to him before the sun goes down, +\v 27 for that is his only covering; it is his garment for his body. What else can he sleep in? When he calls out to me, I will hear him, for I am compassionate. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 You must not blaspheme me, God, nor curse a ruler of your people. + +\s5 +\v 29 You must not hold back offerings from your harvest or your winepresses. You must give to me the firstborn of your sons. +\v 30 You must also do the same with your oxen and your sheep. For seven days they may remain with their mothers, but on the eighth day you must give them to me. +\v 31 You will be people that are set apart for me. So you must not eat any meat that was torn by animals in the field. Instead, you must throw it to the dogs. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 You must not give a false report about anyone. Do not join with a wicked man to be a dishonest witness. +\v 2 You must not follow a crowd to do evil, nor may you bear witness while siding with the crowd in order to pervert justice. +\v 3 You must not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you must bring it back to him. +\v 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen to the ground under its load, you must not leave that person. You must surely help him with his donkey. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 You must not pervert justice when it should go to your poor people in a poor man's lawsuit. +\v 7 Do not join others in making false accusations, and do not kill the innocent or righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. +\v 8 Never take a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see, and perverts honest people's words. +\v 9 You must not oppress a foreigner, since you know the life of a foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 For six years you will sow seed on your land and gather in its produce. +\v 11 But in the seventh year you will leave it unplowed and fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat. What they leave, the wild animals will eat. You will do the same with your vineyards and olive orchards. + +\s5 +\v 12 During six days you will do your work, but on the seventh day you must rest. Do this so that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and so that your female slave's son and any foreigner may rest and be refreshed. +\v 13 Pay attention to everything that I have said to you. Do not mention the names of other gods, nor let their names be heard from your mouth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 You must travel to hold a festival for me three times every year. +\v 15 You are to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you will eat unleavened bread for seven days. At that time, you will appear before me in the month of Aviv, which is fixed for this purpose. It was in this month that you came out from Egypt. But you must not appear before me empty-handed. + +\s5 +\v 16 You must observe the Festival of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors when you sowed seed in the fields. Also you must observe the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your produce from the fields. +\v 17 All your males must appear before the Lord Yahweh three times every year. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 You must not offer the blood from sacrifices made to me with bread containing yeast. The fat from the sacrifices at my festivals must not remain all night until the morning. +\v 19 You must bring the choicest firstfruits from your land into my house, the house of Yahweh your God. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 I am going to send an angel before you to guard you on the way, and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. +\v 21 Be attentive to him and obey him. Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions. My name is on him. +\v 22 If you indeed obey his voice and do everything that I tell you, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. + +\s5 +\v 23 My angel will go before you and bring you to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and the Jebusites. I will destroy them. +\v 24 You must not bow down to their gods, worship them, or do as they do. Instead, you must completely overthrow them and smash their stone pillars in pieces. +\v 25 You must worship Yahweh your God, and he will bless your bread and water. I will remove sickness from among you. + +\s5 +\v 26 No woman will be barren or will miscarry her young in your land. I will give you long lives. +\v 27 I will send fear of myself on those into whose land you advance. I will kill all the people whom you meet. I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you in fright. +\v 28 I will send hornets before you that will drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you. +\v 29 I will not drive them out from before you in one year, or the land would become abandoned, and the wild animals would become too many for you. + +\s5 +\v 30 Instead, I will drive them out little by little from before you until you become fruitful and inherit the land. +\v 31 I will fix your borders from the Sea of Reeds to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates River. I will give you victory over the land's inhabitants. You will drive them out before yourselves. +\v 32 You must not make a covenant with them or with their gods. +\v 33 They must not live in your land, or they would make you sin against me. If you worship their gods, this will surely become a trap for you.'" + + + \s5 @@ -1449,156 +1449,156 @@ A thief must make restitution. If he has nothing, then he must be sold for his t - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said to Moses, -\v 2 "Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me from every person who is motivated by a willing heart. You must receive these offerings for me. -\s5 -\v 3 These are the offerings that you must receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze; -\v 4 blue, purple, and scarlet material; fine linen; goats' hair; -\v 5 ram skins dyed red and sea cow hides; acacia wood; -\v 6 oil for the sanctuary lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; -\v 7 onyx stones and other precious stones to be set for the ephod and breastpiece. - -\s5 -\v 8 Let them make me a sanctuary so that I may live among them. -\v 9 You must make it exactly as I will show you in the plans for the tabernacle and for all its equipment. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 They are to make an ark of acacia wood. Its length must be two and a half cubits; its width will be one cubit and a half; and its height will be one cubit and a half. -\v 11 You must cover it inside and out with pure gold, and you must make on it a border of gold around its top. - -\s5 -\v 12 You must cast four rings of gold for it, and put them on the ark's four feet, with two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side. -\v 13 You must make poles of acacia wood and cover them with gold. -\v 14 You must put the poles into the rings on the ark's sides, in order to carry the ark. - -\s5 -\v 15 The poles must remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be taken from it. -\v 16 You must put into the ark the covenant decrees that I will give you. -\v 17 You must make an atonement lid of pure gold. Its length must be two and a half cubits, and its width must be a cubit and a half. -\v 18 You must make two cherubim of hammered gold for the two ends of the atonement lid. - -\s5 -\v 19 Make one cherub for one end of the atonement lid, and the other cherub for the other end. They must be made as one piece with the atonement lid. -\v 20 The cherubim must spread out their wings upward and overshadow the atonement lid with them. The cherubim must face one another and look toward the center of the atonement lid. -\v 21 You must put the atonement lid on top of the ark, and you must put into the ark the covenant decrees that I am giving you. - -\s5 -\v 22 It is at the ark that I will meet with you. I will speak with you from my position above the atonement lid. It will be from between the two cherubim over the ark of the testimony that I will speak to you about all the commands I will give you for the Israelites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 You must make a table of acacia wood. Its length must be two cubits; its width must be one cubit, and its height must be a cubit and a half. -\v 24 You must cover it with pure gold and put a border of gold around the top. - -\s5 -\v 25 You must make a surrounding frame for it one handbreadth wide, with a surrounding border of gold for the frame. -\v 26 You must make for it four rings of gold and attach the rings to the four corners, where the four feet were. -\v 27 The rings must be attached to the frame to provide places for the poles, in order to carry the table. - -\s5 -\v 28 You must make the poles out of acacia wood and cover them with gold so that the table may be carried with them. -\v 29 You must make the dishes, spoons, pitchers, and bowls to be used to pour out drink offerings. -You must make them of pure gold. -\v 30 You must regularly set the bread of the presence on the table before me. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 You must make a lampstand of pure hammered gold. The lampstand is to be made with its base and shaft. Its cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers are to be all made of one piece with it. -\v 32 Six branches must extend out from its sides—three branches must extend from one side, and three branches of the lampstand must extend from the other side. - -\s5 -\v 33 The first branch must have three cups made like almond blossoms, with a leafy base and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, with a leafy base and a flower. It must be the same for all six branches extending out from the lampstand. -\v 34 On the lampstand itself, the central shaft, there must be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their leafy bases and the flowers. - -\s5 -\v 35 There must be a leafy base under the first pair of branches—made as one piece with it, and a leafy base under the second pair of branches—also made as one piece with it. In the same way there must be a leafy base under the third pair of branches, made as one piece with it. It must be the same for all six branches extending out from the lampstand. -\v 36 Their leafy bases and branches must all be one piece with it, one beaten piece of work of pure gold. - -\s5 -\v 37 You must make the lampstand and its seven lamps, and set up its lamps for them to give light from it. -\v 38 The tongs and their trays must be made of pure gold. -\v 39 Use one talent of pure gold to make the lampstand and its accessories. -\v 40 Be sure to make them after the pattern that you are being shown on the mountain. - - - - -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 You must make the tabernacle with ten curtains made from fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet wool with the designs of cherubim. This will be the work of a very skilled craftsman. -\v 2 The length of each curtain must be twenty-eight cubits, the width four cubits. All the curtains must be of the same size. -\v 3 Five curtains must be joined to each other, and the other five curtains must also be joined to each other. - -\s5 -\v 4 You must make loops of blue along the outer edge of the end curtain of one set. In the same way, you must do the same along the outer edge of the end curtain in the second set. -\v 5 You must make fifty loops on the first curtain, and you must make fifty loops on the end curtain in the second set. Do this so that the loops will be opposite to each other. -\v 6 You must make fifty clasps of gold and join the curtains together with them so that the tabernacle becomes united. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 You must make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle. You must make eleven of these curtains. -\v 8 The length of each curtain must be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain must be four cubits. Each of the eleven curtains must be of the same size. -\v 9 You must join five curtains to each other and the other six curtains to each other. You must double over the sixth curtain in the front of the tent. - -\s5 -\v 10 You must make fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain of the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain that joins the second set. -\v 11 You must make fifty bronze clasps and put them into the loops. Then you join the tent together so that it may be one piece. - -\s5 -\v 12 The leftover half curtain, that is, the overhanging part remaining from the tent's curtains, must hang at the back of the tabernacle. -\v 13 There must be one cubit of curtain on one side, and one cubit of curtain on the other side—that which is left over of the length of the tent's curtains must hang over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other side, to cover it. -\v 14 You must make for the tabernacle a covering of ram skins dyed red, and another covering of fine leather to go above that. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 You must make upright frames out of acacia wood for the tabernacle. -\v 16 The length of each frame must be ten cubits, and its width must be one and a half cubits. -\v 17 There must be two wooden pegs in each frame for joining the frames to each other. You are to make all the tabernacle's frames in this way. -\v 18 When you make the frames for the tabernacle, you must make twenty frames for the south side. - -\s5 -\v 19 You must make forty silver bases to go under the twenty frames. There must be two bases under the first frame to be its two pedestals, and also two bases under each of the other frames for their two pedestals. -\v 20 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, you must make twenty frames -\v 21 and their forty silver bases. There must be two bases under the first frame, two bases under the next frame, and so on. - -\s5 -\v 22 For the back side of the tabernacle on the west side, you must make six frames. -\v 23 You must make two frames for the back corners of the tabernacle. -\v 24 These frames must be separate at the bottom, but joined at the top to the same ring. It must be this way for both of the back corners. -\v 25 There must be eight frames, together with their silver bases. There must be sixteen bases in all, two bases under the first frame, two bases under the next frame, and so on. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 You must make crossbars of acacia wood—five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, -\v 27 five crossbars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five crossbars for the frames for the back side of the tabernacle to the west. -\v 28 The crossbar in the center of the frames, that is, halfway up, must reach from end to end. - -\s5 -\v 29 You must cover the frames with gold. You must make their rings of gold, for them to serve as holders for the crossbars, and you must cover the bars with gold. -\v 30 You must set up the tabernacle by following the plan you were shown on the mountain. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 You must make a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine linen, with designs of cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. -\v 32 You must hang it on four pillars of acacia wood covered with gold. These pillars must have hooks of gold set on four silver bases. -\v 33 You must hang up the curtain under the clasps, and you must bring in the ark of the testimony. The curtain is to separate the holy place from the most holy place. -\s5 -\v 34 You must put the atonement lid on the ark of the testimony, which is in the most holy place. -\v 35 You must place the table outside the curtain. You must place the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle. The table must be on the north side. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 You must make a hanging for the tent entrance. You must make it out of blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer. -\v 37 For the hanging, you must make five pillars of acacia and cover them with gold. Their hooks must be of gold, and you must cast five bronze bases for them. - - - + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said to Moses, +\v 2 "Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me from every person who is motivated by a willing heart. You must receive these offerings for me. +\s5 +\v 3 These are the offerings that you must receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze; +\v 4 blue, purple, and scarlet material; fine linen; goats' hair; +\v 5 ram skins dyed red and sea cow hides; acacia wood; +\v 6 oil for the sanctuary lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; +\v 7 onyx stones and other precious stones to be set for the ephod and breastpiece. + +\s5 +\v 8 Let them make me a sanctuary so that I may live among them. +\v 9 You must make it exactly as I will show you in the plans for the tabernacle and for all its equipment. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 They are to make an ark of acacia wood. Its length must be two and a half cubits; its width will be one cubit and a half; and its height will be one cubit and a half. +\v 11 You must cover it inside and out with pure gold, and you must make on it a border of gold around its top. + +\s5 +\v 12 You must cast four rings of gold for it, and put them on the ark's four feet, with two rings on one side of it, and two rings on the other side. +\v 13 You must make poles of acacia wood and cover them with gold. +\v 14 You must put the poles into the rings on the ark's sides, in order to carry the ark. + +\s5 +\v 15 The poles must remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be taken from it. +\v 16 You must put into the ark the covenant decrees that I will give you. +\v 17 You must make an atonement lid of pure gold. Its length must be two and a half cubits, and its width must be a cubit and a half. +\v 18 You must make two cherubim of hammered gold for the two ends of the atonement lid. + +\s5 +\v 19 Make one cherub for one end of the atonement lid, and the other cherub for the other end. They must be made as one piece with the atonement lid. +\v 20 The cherubim must spread out their wings upward and overshadow the atonement lid with them. The cherubim must face one another and look toward the center of the atonement lid. +\v 21 You must put the atonement lid on top of the ark, and you must put into the ark the covenant decrees that I am giving you. + +\s5 +\v 22 It is at the ark that I will meet with you. I will speak with you from my position above the atonement lid. It will be from between the two cherubim over the ark of the testimony that I will speak to you about all the commands I will give you for the Israelites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 You must make a table of acacia wood. Its length must be two cubits; its width must be one cubit, and its height must be a cubit and a half. +\v 24 You must cover it with pure gold and put a border of gold around the top. + +\s5 +\v 25 You must make a surrounding frame for it one handbreadth wide, with a surrounding border of gold for the frame. +\v 26 You must make for it four rings of gold and attach the rings to the four corners, where the four feet were. +\v 27 The rings must be attached to the frame to provide places for the poles, in order to carry the table. + +\s5 +\v 28 You must make the poles out of acacia wood and cover them with gold so that the table may be carried with them. +\v 29 You must make the dishes, spoons, pitchers, and bowls to be used to pour out drink offerings. +You must make them of pure gold. +\v 30 You must regularly set the bread of the presence on the table before me. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 You must make a lampstand of pure hammered gold. The lampstand is to be made with its base and shaft. Its cups, its leafy bases, and its flowers are to be all made of one piece with it. +\v 32 Six branches must extend out from its sides—three branches must extend from one side, and three branches of the lampstand must extend from the other side. + +\s5 +\v 33 The first branch must have three cups made like almond blossoms, with a leafy base and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, with a leafy base and a flower. It must be the same for all six branches extending out from the lampstand. +\v 34 On the lampstand itself, the central shaft, there must be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their leafy bases and the flowers. + +\s5 +\v 35 There must be a leafy base under the first pair of branches—made as one piece with it, and a leafy base under the second pair of branches—also made as one piece with it. In the same way there must be a leafy base under the third pair of branches, made as one piece with it. It must be the same for all six branches extending out from the lampstand. +\v 36 Their leafy bases and branches must all be one piece with it, one beaten piece of work of pure gold. + +\s5 +\v 37 You must make the lampstand and its seven lamps, and set up its lamps for them to give light from it. +\v 38 The tongs and their trays must be made of pure gold. +\v 39 Use one talent of pure gold to make the lampstand and its accessories. +\v 40 Be sure to make them after the pattern that you are being shown on the mountain. + + + + +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 You must make the tabernacle with ten curtains made from fine linen and blue, purple, and scarlet wool with the designs of cherubim. This will be the work of a very skilled craftsman. +\v 2 The length of each curtain must be twenty-eight cubits, the width four cubits. All the curtains must be of the same size. +\v 3 Five curtains must be joined to each other, and the other five curtains must also be joined to each other. + +\s5 +\v 4 You must make loops of blue along the outer edge of the end curtain of one set. In the same way, you must do the same along the outer edge of the end curtain in the second set. +\v 5 You must make fifty loops on the first curtain, and you must make fifty loops on the end curtain in the second set. Do this so that the loops will be opposite to each other. +\v 6 You must make fifty clasps of gold and join the curtains together with them so that the tabernacle becomes united. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 You must make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle. You must make eleven of these curtains. +\v 8 The length of each curtain must be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain must be four cubits. Each of the eleven curtains must be of the same size. +\v 9 You must join five curtains to each other and the other six curtains to each other. You must double over the sixth curtain in the front of the tent. + +\s5 +\v 10 You must make fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain of the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the end curtain that joins the second set. +\v 11 You must make fifty bronze clasps and put them into the loops. Then you join the tent together so that it may be one piece. + +\s5 +\v 12 The leftover half curtain, that is, the overhanging part remaining from the tent's curtains, must hang at the back of the tabernacle. +\v 13 There must be one cubit of curtain on one side, and one cubit of curtain on the other side—that which is left over of the length of the tent's curtains must hang over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other side, to cover it. +\v 14 You must make for the tabernacle a covering of ram skins dyed red, and another covering of fine leather to go above that. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 You must make upright frames out of acacia wood for the tabernacle. +\v 16 The length of each frame must be ten cubits, and its width must be one and a half cubits. +\v 17 There must be two wooden pegs in each frame for joining the frames to each other. You are to make all the tabernacle's frames in this way. +\v 18 When you make the frames for the tabernacle, you must make twenty frames for the south side. + +\s5 +\v 19 You must make forty silver bases to go under the twenty frames. There must be two bases under the first frame to be its two pedestals, and also two bases under each of the other frames for their two pedestals. +\v 20 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, you must make twenty frames +\v 21 and their forty silver bases. There must be two bases under the first frame, two bases under the next frame, and so on. + +\s5 +\v 22 For the back side of the tabernacle on the west side, you must make six frames. +\v 23 You must make two frames for the back corners of the tabernacle. +\v 24 These frames must be separate at the bottom, but joined at the top to the same ring. It must be this way for both of the back corners. +\v 25 There must be eight frames, together with their silver bases. There must be sixteen bases in all, two bases under the first frame, two bases under the next frame, and so on. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 You must make crossbars of acacia wood—five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, +\v 27 five crossbars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five crossbars for the frames for the back side of the tabernacle to the west. +\v 28 The crossbar in the center of the frames, that is, halfway up, must reach from end to end. + +\s5 +\v 29 You must cover the frames with gold. You must make their rings of gold, for them to serve as holders for the crossbars, and you must cover the bars with gold. +\v 30 You must set up the tabernacle by following the plan you were shown on the mountain. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 You must make a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine linen, with designs of cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. +\v 32 You must hang it on four pillars of acacia wood covered with gold. These pillars must have hooks of gold set on four silver bases. +\v 33 You must hang up the curtain under the clasps, and you must bring in the ark of the testimony. The curtain is to separate the holy place from the most holy place. +\s5 +\v 34 You must put the atonement lid on the ark of the testimony, which is in the most holy place. +\v 35 You must place the table outside the curtain. You must place the lampstand opposite the table on the south side of the tabernacle. The table must be on the north side. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 You must make a hanging for the tent entrance. You must make it out of blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer. +\v 37 For the hanging, you must make five pillars of acacia and cover them with gold. Their hooks must be of gold, and you must cast five bronze bases for them. + + + \s5 \c 27 @@ -1642,192 +1642,192 @@ You must make them of pure gold. \p \v 20 You must command the people of Israel to bring olive oil, pure and pressed, for the lamps so they may burn continually. \v 21 In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that is in front of the tabernacle that contains the ark of testimony, Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning before Yahweh, from evening to morning. This requirement will be a lasting ordinance throughout the generations of the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\c 28 -\p -\v 1 Call to yourself Aaron your brother and his sons—Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar—from among the Israelites so that they may serve me as priests. -\v 2 You must make for Aaron, your brother, garments that are set apart to me. These garments will be for his honor and splendor. -\v 3 You must speak to all people who are wise in heart, those whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, so that they may make Aaron's garments to set him apart to serve me as my priest. - -\s5 -\v 4 The garments that they must make are a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of woven work, a turban, and a sash. They must make these garments that are set them apart to me. They will be for your brother Aaron and his sons so that they may serve me as priests. -\v 5 Craftsmen must use fine linen that is gold, blue, purple, and scarlet. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 They must make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine-twined linen. It must be the work of a skillful craftsman. -\v 7 It must have two shoulder pieces attached to its two upper corners. -\v 8 Its finely-woven waistband must be like the ephod; it must be made of one piece with the ephod, made of fine twined linen that is gold, blue, purple, and scarlet. -\v 9 You must take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of Israel's twelve sons. - -\s5 -\v 10 Six of their names must be on one stone, and six names must be on the other stone, in order of the sons' birth. -\v 11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engraving on a signet, you must engrave the two stones with the names of Israel's twelve sons. You must mount the stones in settings of gold. -\v 12 You must put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, to be stones to remind Yahweh of Israel's sons. Aaron will carry their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders as a reminder to him. - -\s5 -\v 13 You must make settings of gold -\v 14 and two braided chains of pure gold like cords, and you must attach the chains to the settings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 You must make a breastpiece for decision making, the work of a skillful workman, fashioned like the ephod. Make it of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine linen. -\v 16 It is to be square. You must fold the breastpiece double. It must be one span long and one span wide. - -\s5 -\v 17 You must place in it four rows of precious stones. The first row must have a ruby, a topaz, and a garnet. -\v 18 The second row must have an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. -\v 19 The third row must have a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst. -\v 20 The fourth row must have a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper. They must be mounted in gold settings. - -\s5 -\v 21 The stones must be arranged by the names of Israel's twelve sons, each in order by name. They must be like the engraving on a signet ring, each name standing for one of the twelve tribes. -\v 22 You must make on the breastpiece chains like cords, braided work of pure gold. -\v 23 You must make two rings of gold for the breastpiece and must attach them to the two ends of the breastpiece. -\v 24 You must attach the two golden chains to the two corners of the breastpiece. - -\s5 -\v 25 You must attach the other ends of the two braided chains to the two settings. Then you must attach those to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at its front. -\v 26 You must make two rings of gold, and you must put them on the other two corners of the breastpiece, on the edge next to the inner border. - -\s5 -\v 27 You must make two more gold rings, and you must attach them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the front of the ephod, close to its seam above the finely-woven waistband of the ephod. -\v 28 They must tie the breastpiece by its rings to the ephod's rings with a blue cord, so that it might be attached just above the ephod's woven waistband. This is so that the breastpiece might not become unattached from the ephod. - -\s5 -\v 29 When Aaron goes into the holy place, he must carry the names of the people of Israel over his heart in the breastpiece for decision making, as a continuing memorial before Yahweh. -\v 30 You are to put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece for decision making, so they may be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before Yahweh. Thus Aaron will always carry the means for making decisions for the people of Israel over his heart before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 You must make the robe of the ephod completely of purple fabric. -\v 32 It must have an opening for the head in the middle. The opening must have a woven edge round about so that it does not tear. This must be the work of a weaver. - -\s5 -\v 33 On the bottom hem, you must make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all around. Gold bells must be between them all around. -\v 34 There must be a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate—and so on—all around the hem of the robe. -\v 35 The robe is to be on Aaron when he serves, so that its sound can be heard when he goes into the holy place before Yahweh and when he leaves. This is so that he does not die. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 You must make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving on a signet, "Holy to Yahweh." -\v 37 You must attach this plate by a blue cord to the front of the turban. -\v 38 It must be on Aaron's forehead; he must always bear any guilt that might attach to the offering of the holy gifts that the Israelites set apart to Yahweh. The turban must be always on his forehead so that Yahweh may accept their gifts. - -\s5 -\v 39 You must make the coat with fine linen, and you must make a turban of fine linen. You must also make a sash, the work of an embroiderer. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 For Aaron's sons you must make coats, sashes, and headbands for their honor and splendor. -\v 41 You must clothe Aaron your brother, and his sons with him. You must anoint them, ordain them, and set them apart to me, so that they may serve me as priests. - -\s5 -\v 42 You must make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh, that will cover them from the waist to the thighs. -\v 43 Aaron and his sons must wear these garments when they enter the tent of meeting or when they approach the altar to serve in the holy place. They must do this so they would not be guilty or else they would die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants after him. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 Now this is what you must do to set them apart to me so that they may serve me as priests. Take one young bull and two rams without blemish, -\v 2 bread without yeast, and cakes without yeast mixed with oil. Also take wafers without yeast rubbed with oil. Make the wafers using fine wheat flour. - -\s5 -\v 3 You must put them into a single basket, bring them in the basket, and present them with the bull and the two rams. -\v 4 You must present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the tent of meeting. You must wash Aaron and his sons in water. - -\s5 -\v 5 You must take the garments and clothe Aaron with the coat, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastpiece, fastening the finely-woven waistband of the ephod around him. -\v 6 You must set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. -\v 7 Then take the anointing oil and pour it on his head, and in this way anoint him. - -\s5 -\v 8 You must bring his sons and put coats on them. -\v 9 You must clothe Aaron and his sons with sashes and put headbands on them. The work of the priesthood will belong to them by permanent law. In this way you must consecrate Aaron and his sons for them to serve me. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 You must all bring the bull before the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head. -\v 11 You must kill the bull before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting. - -\s5 -\v 12 You must take some of the bull's blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and you must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. -\v 13 You must take all the fat that covers the inner parts, and also take the covering of the liver and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them; burn it all on the altar. -\v 14 But as for the bull's flesh, as well as its skin and dung, you must burn it up outside the camp. It will be a sin offering. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 You must also take the one ram, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head. -\v 16 You must kill the ram, then take its blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar. -\v 17 You must cut the ram into pieces and wash its inner parts and its legs, and you must put the inner parts, together with its pieces and with its head, -\v 18 on the altar. Then burn the whole ram. It will be a burnt offering to Yahweh, a sweet aroma, an offering made to Yahweh by fire. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 You must then take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head. -\v 20 Then you must kill the ram and take some of its blood. Put it on the tip of Aaron's right ear, and on the tip of his sons' right ears, on the thumb of their right hands, and on the great toe of their right feet. Then you must sprinkle the blood against the altar on every side. - -\s5 -\v 21 You must take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it all on Aaron and on his garments, and also on his sons and on their garments. Aaron will then be set apart for me, as well as his garments, his sons and his sons' garments with him. - -\s5 -\v 22 You must take the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner parts, the covering of the liver, the two kidneys and the fat on them, and the right thigh—for this ram is for the priests' consecration to me. -\v 23 Take one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer out of the basket of bread without yeast that is before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 24 You must put these in Aaron's hands and in the hands of his sons and wave them before me for a wave offering before Yahweh. -\v 25 You must then take the food from their hands and burn it on the altar with the burnt offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 You must take the breast of Aaron's ram of dedication and wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh, and it will be your share. -\v 27 You must set apart to me the breast of the wave offering that is waved, and the thigh that is the contribution for the priests—both the breast that was waved and the thigh that was contributed for Aaron and his sons. -\v 28 This will be a perpetual ordinance for Aaron and his sons. It will be a contribution from the people of Israel to give to Yahweh from their peace offerings. - -\s5 -\v 29 The holy garments of Aaron must also be reserved for his sons after him. They are to be anointed in them and ordained to me in them. -\v 30 The priest who succeeds him from among his sons, who comes into the tent of meeting to serve me in the holy place, is to wear those garments for seven days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 You must take the ram for the installation of the priests to me and boil its meat in a holy place. -\v 32 Aaron and his sons must eat the ram's meat and the bread that is in the basket at the entrance to the tent of meeting. -\v 33 They must eat the meat and bread that were given to atone for them and to ordain them, to be set apart to me. No one else may eat that food, because they must treat it as consecrated to me, reserved for me. -\v 34 If any of the meat of the ordination offering, or any of the bread, remains to the next morning, then you must burn it. It must not be eaten because it has been set apart to me. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 In this way, by following all that I have commanded you to do, you must treat Aaron and his sons. For seven days you must prepare them. -\v 36 Every day you must offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. You must purify the altar by making atonement for it, and you must anoint it in order to set it apart to me. -\v 37 For seven days you must make atonement for the altar and set it apart it to Yahweh. Then the altar will be completely set apart to me. Whatever touches the altar will be set apart to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 You must regularly offer on the altar every day two lambs a year old. -\v 39 One lamb you must offer in the morning, and the other lamb you must offer about sundown. - -\s5 -\v 40 With the first lamb, offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and the fourth part of a hin of wine as a drink offering. - -\s5 -\v 41 You must offer the second lamb about sunset. You must offer the same grain offering as in the morning, and the same drink offering. These will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire. -\v 42 These must be regular burnt offerings throughout your generations, at the entrance to the tent of meeting before Yahweh, where I will meet with you to speak to you there. - -\s5 -\v 43 That is where I will meet with the Israelites; the tent will be set apart for me by my glory. -\v 44 I will set apart the tent of meeting and the altar for these to belong to me alone. I will also set apart Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. - -\s5 -\v 45 I will live among the Israelites and will be their God. -\v 46 They will know that I am Yahweh, their God, who brought them out from the land of Egypt so that I might live among them. I am Yahweh, their God. - - - + +\s5 +\c 28 +\p +\v 1 Call to yourself Aaron your brother and his sons—Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar—from among the Israelites so that they may serve me as priests. +\v 2 You must make for Aaron, your brother, garments that are set apart to me. These garments will be for his honor and splendor. +\v 3 You must speak to all people who are wise in heart, those whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, so that they may make Aaron's garments to set him apart to serve me as my priest. + +\s5 +\v 4 The garments that they must make are a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a coat of woven work, a turban, and a sash. They must make these garments that are set them apart to me. They will be for your brother Aaron and his sons so that they may serve me as priests. +\v 5 Craftsmen must use fine linen that is gold, blue, purple, and scarlet. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 They must make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine-twined linen. It must be the work of a skillful craftsman. +\v 7 It must have two shoulder pieces attached to its two upper corners. +\v 8 Its finely-woven waistband must be like the ephod; it must be made of one piece with the ephod, made of fine twined linen that is gold, blue, purple, and scarlet. +\v 9 You must take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of Israel's twelve sons. + +\s5 +\v 10 Six of their names must be on one stone, and six names must be on the other stone, in order of the sons' birth. +\v 11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engraving on a signet, you must engrave the two stones with the names of Israel's twelve sons. You must mount the stones in settings of gold. +\v 12 You must put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, to be stones to remind Yahweh of Israel's sons. Aaron will carry their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders as a reminder to him. + +\s5 +\v 13 You must make settings of gold +\v 14 and two braided chains of pure gold like cords, and you must attach the chains to the settings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 You must make a breastpiece for decision making, the work of a skillful workman, fashioned like the ephod. Make it of gold, of blue, purple, and scarlet wool, and of fine linen. +\v 16 It is to be square. You must fold the breastpiece double. It must be one span long and one span wide. + +\s5 +\v 17 You must place in it four rows of precious stones. The first row must have a ruby, a topaz, and a garnet. +\v 18 The second row must have an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. +\v 19 The third row must have a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst. +\v 20 The fourth row must have a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper. They must be mounted in gold settings. + +\s5 +\v 21 The stones must be arranged by the names of Israel's twelve sons, each in order by name. They must be like the engraving on a signet ring, each name standing for one of the twelve tribes. +\v 22 You must make on the breastpiece chains like cords, braided work of pure gold. +\v 23 You must make two rings of gold for the breastpiece and must attach them to the two ends of the breastpiece. +\v 24 You must attach the two golden chains to the two corners of the breastpiece. + +\s5 +\v 25 You must attach the other ends of the two braided chains to the two settings. Then you must attach those to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at its front. +\v 26 You must make two rings of gold, and you must put them on the other two corners of the breastpiece, on the edge next to the inner border. + +\s5 +\v 27 You must make two more gold rings, and you must attach them to the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the front of the ephod, close to its seam above the finely-woven waistband of the ephod. +\v 28 They must tie the breastpiece by its rings to the ephod's rings with a blue cord, so that it might be attached just above the ephod's woven waistband. This is so that the breastpiece might not become unattached from the ephod. + +\s5 +\v 29 When Aaron goes into the holy place, he must carry the names of the people of Israel over his heart in the breastpiece for decision making, as a continuing memorial before Yahweh. +\v 30 You are to put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece for decision making, so they may be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before Yahweh. Thus Aaron will always carry the means for making decisions for the people of Israel over his heart before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 You must make the robe of the ephod completely of purple fabric. +\v 32 It must have an opening for the head in the middle. The opening must have a woven edge round about so that it does not tear. This must be the work of a weaver. + +\s5 +\v 33 On the bottom hem, you must make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn all around. Gold bells must be between them all around. +\v 34 There must be a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate—and so on—all around the hem of the robe. +\v 35 The robe is to be on Aaron when he serves, so that its sound can be heard when he goes into the holy place before Yahweh and when he leaves. This is so that he does not die. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 You must make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving on a signet, "Holy to Yahweh." +\v 37 You must attach this plate by a blue cord to the front of the turban. +\v 38 It must be on Aaron's forehead; he must always bear any guilt that might attach to the offering of the holy gifts that the Israelites set apart to Yahweh. The turban must be always on his forehead so that Yahweh may accept their gifts. + +\s5 +\v 39 You must make the coat with fine linen, and you must make a turban of fine linen. You must also make a sash, the work of an embroiderer. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 For Aaron's sons you must make coats, sashes, and headbands for their honor and splendor. +\v 41 You must clothe Aaron your brother, and his sons with him. You must anoint them, ordain them, and set them apart to me, so that they may serve me as priests. + +\s5 +\v 42 You must make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh, that will cover them from the waist to the thighs. +\v 43 Aaron and his sons must wear these garments when they enter the tent of meeting or when they approach the altar to serve in the holy place. They must do this so they would not be guilty or else they would die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants after him. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 Now this is what you must do to set them apart to me so that they may serve me as priests. Take one young bull and two rams without blemish, +\v 2 bread without yeast, and cakes without yeast mixed with oil. Also take wafers without yeast rubbed with oil. Make the wafers using fine wheat flour. + +\s5 +\v 3 You must put them into a single basket, bring them in the basket, and present them with the bull and the two rams. +\v 4 You must present Aaron and his sons at the entrance to the tent of meeting. You must wash Aaron and his sons in water. + +\s5 +\v 5 You must take the garments and clothe Aaron with the coat, the robe of the ephod, the ephod, and the breastpiece, fastening the finely-woven waistband of the ephod around him. +\v 6 You must set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. +\v 7 Then take the anointing oil and pour it on his head, and in this way anoint him. + +\s5 +\v 8 You must bring his sons and put coats on them. +\v 9 You must clothe Aaron and his sons with sashes and put headbands on them. The work of the priesthood will belong to them by permanent law. In this way you must consecrate Aaron and his sons for them to serve me. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 You must all bring the bull before the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head. +\v 11 You must kill the bull before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting. + +\s5 +\v 12 You must take some of the bull's blood and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger, and you must pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. +\v 13 You must take all the fat that covers the inner parts, and also take the covering of the liver and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them; burn it all on the altar. +\v 14 But as for the bull's flesh, as well as its skin and dung, you must burn it up outside the camp. It will be a sin offering. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 You must also take the one ram, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head. +\v 16 You must kill the ram, then take its blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar. +\v 17 You must cut the ram into pieces and wash its inner parts and its legs, and you must put the inner parts, together with its pieces and with its head, +\v 18 on the altar. Then burn the whole ram. It will be a burnt offering to Yahweh, a sweet aroma, an offering made to Yahweh by fire. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 You must then take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons must lay their hands on its head. +\v 20 Then you must kill the ram and take some of its blood. Put it on the tip of Aaron's right ear, and on the tip of his sons' right ears, on the thumb of their right hands, and on the great toe of their right feet. Then you must sprinkle the blood against the altar on every side. + +\s5 +\v 21 You must take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it all on Aaron and on his garments, and also on his sons and on their garments. Aaron will then be set apart for me, as well as his garments, his sons and his sons' garments with him. + +\s5 +\v 22 You must take the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner parts, the covering of the liver, the two kidneys and the fat on them, and the right thigh—for this ram is for the priests' consecration to me. +\v 23 Take one loaf of bread, one cake of bread made with oil, and one wafer out of the basket of bread without yeast that is before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 24 You must put these in Aaron's hands and in the hands of his sons and wave them before me for a wave offering before Yahweh. +\v 25 You must then take the food from their hands and burn it on the altar with the burnt offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 You must take the breast of Aaron's ram of dedication and wave it for a wave offering before Yahweh, and it will be your share. +\v 27 You must set apart to me the breast of the wave offering that is waved, and the thigh that is the contribution for the priests—both the breast that was waved and the thigh that was contributed for Aaron and his sons. +\v 28 This will be a perpetual ordinance for Aaron and his sons. It will be a contribution from the people of Israel to give to Yahweh from their peace offerings. + +\s5 +\v 29 The holy garments of Aaron must also be reserved for his sons after him. They are to be anointed in them and ordained to me in them. +\v 30 The priest who succeeds him from among his sons, who comes into the tent of meeting to serve me in the holy place, is to wear those garments for seven days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 You must take the ram for the installation of the priests to me and boil its meat in a holy place. +\v 32 Aaron and his sons must eat the ram's meat and the bread that is in the basket at the entrance to the tent of meeting. +\v 33 They must eat the meat and bread that were given to atone for them and to ordain them, to be set apart to me. No one else may eat that food, because they must treat it as consecrated to me, reserved for me. +\v 34 If any of the meat of the ordination offering, or any of the bread, remains to the next morning, then you must burn it. It must not be eaten because it has been set apart to me. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 In this way, by following all that I have commanded you to do, you must treat Aaron and his sons. For seven days you must prepare them. +\v 36 Every day you must offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement. You must purify the altar by making atonement for it, and you must anoint it in order to set it apart to me. +\v 37 For seven days you must make atonement for the altar and set it apart it to Yahweh. Then the altar will be completely set apart to me. Whatever touches the altar will be set apart to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 You must regularly offer on the altar every day two lambs a year old. +\v 39 One lamb you must offer in the morning, and the other lamb you must offer about sundown. + +\s5 +\v 40 With the first lamb, offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and the fourth part of a hin of wine as a drink offering. + +\s5 +\v 41 You must offer the second lamb about sunset. You must offer the same grain offering as in the morning, and the same drink offering. These will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire. +\v 42 These must be regular burnt offerings throughout your generations, at the entrance to the tent of meeting before Yahweh, where I will meet with you to speak to you there. + +\s5 +\v 43 That is where I will meet with the Israelites; the tent will be set apart for me by my glory. +\v 44 I will set apart the tent of meeting and the altar for these to belong to me alone. I will also set apart Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. + +\s5 +\v 45 I will live among the Israelites and will be their God. +\v 46 They will know that I am Yahweh, their God, who brought them out from the land of Egypt so that I might live among them. I am Yahweh, their God. + + + \s5 @@ -2072,151 +2072,151 @@ neighbor.'" - - -\s5 -\c 34 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Cut two tablets of stone like the first tablets. I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets, the tablets that you broke. -\v 2 Be ready by morning and come up Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the mountain top. - -\s5 -\v 3 No one is to come up with you. Do not let anyone else be seen anywhere on the mountain. No flocks or herds are even to graze in front of the mountain." -\v 4 So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and he got up early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had instructed him. Moses carried the tablets of stone in his hand. - -\s5 -\v 5 Yahweh came down in the cloud and stood with Moses there, and he pronounced the name "Yahweh." -\v 6 Yahweh passed by before him and proclaimed, "Yahweh, Yahweh, God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness, -\v 7 keeping covenant faithfulness for thousands of generations, forgiving iniquities, transgressions, and sins. But he will by no means clear the guilty. He will bring the punishment for the fathers' sin on their children and on their children's children, as far as the third and fourth generations." - -\s5 -\v 8 Moses quickly bowed his head to the ground and worshiped. -\v 9 Then he said, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, please go among us, for this people is stubborn. Pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Yahweh said, "See, I am about to make a covenant. Before all your people, I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth nor in any nation. All the people among you will see my deeds, for it is a fearful thing that I am doing with you. -\v 11 Obey what I command you today. I am about to drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. - -\s5 -\v 12 Be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, or they will become a trap among you. -\v 13 Instead, you must break down their altars, smash their stone pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles. -\v 14 For you must worship no other god, for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. - -\s5 -\v 15 So be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for they prostitute themselves to their gods, and they sacrifice to their gods. Then one of them will invite you and you will eat some of his sacrifice, -\v 16 and then you will even take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods, and they will make your sons prostitute themselves to their gods. -\v 17 Do not make for yourselves gods of molten metal. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 You must keep the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you must eat bread without yeast for seven days at the fixed time in the month of Aviv, for it was in the month of Aviv you came out from Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 19 All the firstborn are mine, even every male firstborn of your cattle, both of oxen and sheep. -\v 20 You must buy back the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb, but if you do not buy it back, then you must break its neck. You must buy back all the firstborn of your sons. No one may appear before me empty-handed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 You may work for six days, but on the seventh day you must rest. Even at plowing time and in harvest, you must rest. -\v 22 You must observe the Festival of Weeks with the first yield of the wheat harvest, and you must observe the Festival of Ingathering at the year's end. - -\s5 -\v 23 Three times a year all your men must appear before Lord Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 24 For I will drive out nations before you and expand your borders. No one will desire to have your land as their own when you go up to appear before Yahweh your God three times in a year. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 You must not offer the blood of my sacrifice with any yeast, nor may any meat from the sacrifice at the Festival of the Passover be left over to the morning. -\v 26 You must bring the best of the firstfruits from your fields to my house. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk." - -\s5 -\v 27 Yahweh said to Moses, "Write down these words, for I pledge myself to these words I have spoken, and have made a covenant with you and Israel." -\v 28 Moses was there with Yahweh for forty days and nights; he did not eat any food nor drink any water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten Commandments. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant decrees in his hand, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while speaking with God. -\v 30 When Aaron and the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. -\v 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the community came up to him. Then Moses spoke with them. - -\s5 -\v 32 After this, all the people of Israel came up to Moses, and he told them all the commands that Yahweh had given him on Mount Sinai. -\v 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. - -\s5 -\v 34 Whenever Moses went before Yahweh to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. When he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he was commanded to say. -\v 35 When the Israelites saw Moses' face shining, he would put the veil over his face again until he went back in to speak with Yahweh. - - - - -\s5 -\c 35 -\p -\v 1 Moses assembled all the community of the Israelites and said to them, "These are the things that Yahweh has commanded you to do. -\v 2 On six days work may be done, but for you, the seventh day must be a holy day, a Sabbath day of complete rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death. -\v 3 You must not light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath day." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Moses spoke to all the community of the Israelites, saying, "This is the thing that Yahweh commanded. -\v 5 Take an offering for Yahweh, all of you who have a willing heart. Bring an offering to Yahweh—gold, silver, bronze, -\v 6 blue, purple, and scarlet wool and fine linen; goats' hair; -\v 7 ram skins dyed red and sea cow hides; acacia wood; -\v 8 oil for the sanctuary lamps, spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, -\v 9 onyx stones and other precious stones to be set for the ephod and breastpiece. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Every skilled man among you is to come and make everything that Yahweh has commanded— -\v 11 the tabernacle with its tent, its covering, its clasps, frames, bars, posts, and bases; -\v 12 also the ark with its poles, the atonement lid, and the curtain to conceal it. - -\s5 -\v 13 They brought the table with its poles, all its utensils, and the bread of the presence; -\v 14 the lampstand for the lights, with its accessories, its lamps, and the oil for the lamps; -\v 15 the incense altar with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the hanging for the tabernacle entrance; -\v 16 the altar for burnt offerings with its bronze grate and its poles and utensils; and the large basin with its base. - -\s5 -\v 17 They brought the hangings for the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the courtyard entrance; -\v 18 and the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard, together with their ropes. -\v 19 They brought the finely-woven garments for serving in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and his sons, for them to serve as priests." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then all the tribes of Israel left and went away from Moses's presence. -\v 21 Everyone whose heart stirred him up and whom his spirit made willing came and brought an offering to Yahweh for the construction of the tabernacle, for all the items of service in it, and for the holy garments. -\v 22 They came, both men and women, all who had a willing heart. They brought brooches, earrings, rings, and ornaments, all kinds of gold jewelry. They all presented offerings of gold as a wave offering to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 23 Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet wool, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, or sea cow skins brought them. -\v 24 Everyone making an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to Yahweh, and everyone who had acacia wood for any use in the work brought it. - -\s5 -\v 25 Every skilled woman spun wool with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple, or scarlet wool, or fine linen. -\v 26 All the women whose hearts stirred them up and who had skill spun goats' hair. - -\s5 -\v 27 The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be set into the ephod and the breastpiece; -\v 28 they brought spices and oil for the lamps, for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. -\v 29 The Israelites brought a freewill offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart was willing brought materials for all the work that Yahweh had commanded through Moses to be made. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Moses said to the Israelites, "See, Yahweh has called by name on Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah. -\v 31 He has filled Bezalel with his Spirit, to give him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, for all kinds of craftsmanship, - -\v 32 to make artistic designs and to work in gold, silver, and bronze; -\v 33 also to cut and set stones and to carve wood—to do all kinds of design and craftsmanship. - -\s5 -\v 34 He has put it in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, from the tribe of Dan. -\v 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work, to work as craftsmen, as engravers, as embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet wool and fine linen, and as weavers. They are craftsmen in all sorts of work, and they are artistic designers. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 34 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Cut two tablets of stone like the first tablets. I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets, the tablets that you broke. +\v 2 Be ready by morning and come up Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the mountain top. + +\s5 +\v 3 No one is to come up with you. Do not let anyone else be seen anywhere on the mountain. No flocks or herds are even to graze in front of the mountain." +\v 4 So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and he got up early in the morning and went up Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had instructed him. Moses carried the tablets of stone in his hand. + +\s5 +\v 5 Yahweh came down in the cloud and stood with Moses there, and he pronounced the name "Yahweh." +\v 6 Yahweh passed by before him and proclaimed, "Yahweh, Yahweh, God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness, +\v 7 keeping covenant faithfulness for thousands of generations, forgiving iniquities, transgressions, and sins. But he will by no means clear the guilty. He will bring the punishment for the fathers' sin on their children and on their children's children, as far as the third and fourth generations." + +\s5 +\v 8 Moses quickly bowed his head to the ground and worshiped. +\v 9 Then he said, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, please go among us, for this people is stubborn. Pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Yahweh said, "See, I am about to make a covenant. Before all your people, I will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth nor in any nation. All the people among you will see my deeds, for it is a fearful thing that I am doing with you. +\v 11 Obey what I command you today. I am about to drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. + +\s5 +\v 12 Be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, or they will become a trap among you. +\v 13 Instead, you must break down their altars, smash their stone pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles. +\v 14 For you must worship no other god, for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. + +\s5 +\v 15 So be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for they prostitute themselves to their gods, and they sacrifice to their gods. Then one of them will invite you and you will eat some of his sacrifice, +\v 16 and then you will even take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods, and they will make your sons prostitute themselves to their gods. +\v 17 Do not make for yourselves gods of molten metal. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 You must keep the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you must eat bread without yeast for seven days at the fixed time in the month of Aviv, for it was in the month of Aviv you came out from Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 19 All the firstborn are mine, even every male firstborn of your cattle, both of oxen and sheep. +\v 20 You must buy back the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb, but if you do not buy it back, then you must break its neck. You must buy back all the firstborn of your sons. No one may appear before me empty-handed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 You may work for six days, but on the seventh day you must rest. Even at plowing time and in harvest, you must rest. +\v 22 You must observe the Festival of Weeks with the first yield of the wheat harvest, and you must observe the Festival of Ingathering at the year's end. + +\s5 +\v 23 Three times a year all your men must appear before Lord Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 24 For I will drive out nations before you and expand your borders. No one will desire to have your land as their own when you go up to appear before Yahweh your God three times in a year. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 You must not offer the blood of my sacrifice with any yeast, nor may any meat from the sacrifice at the Festival of the Passover be left over to the morning. +\v 26 You must bring the best of the firstfruits from your fields to my house. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk." + +\s5 +\v 27 Yahweh said to Moses, "Write down these words, for I pledge myself to these words I have spoken, and have made a covenant with you and Israel." +\v 28 Moses was there with Yahweh for forty days and nights; he did not eat any food nor drink any water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten Commandments. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant decrees in his hand, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while speaking with God. +\v 30 When Aaron and the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. +\v 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the community came up to him. Then Moses spoke with them. + +\s5 +\v 32 After this, all the people of Israel came up to Moses, and he told them all the commands that Yahweh had given him on Mount Sinai. +\v 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. + +\s5 +\v 34 Whenever Moses went before Yahweh to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. When he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he was commanded to say. +\v 35 When the Israelites saw Moses' face shining, he would put the veil over his face again until he went back in to speak with Yahweh. + + + + +\s5 +\c 35 +\p +\v 1 Moses assembled all the community of the Israelites and said to them, "These are the things that Yahweh has commanded you to do. +\v 2 On six days work may be done, but for you, the seventh day must be a holy day, a Sabbath day of complete rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on that day must be put to death. +\v 3 You must not light a fire in any of your homes on the Sabbath day." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Moses spoke to all the community of the Israelites, saying, "This is the thing that Yahweh commanded. +\v 5 Take an offering for Yahweh, all of you who have a willing heart. Bring an offering to Yahweh—gold, silver, bronze, +\v 6 blue, purple, and scarlet wool and fine linen; goats' hair; +\v 7 ram skins dyed red and sea cow hides; acacia wood; +\v 8 oil for the sanctuary lamps, spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, +\v 9 onyx stones and other precious stones to be set for the ephod and breastpiece. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Every skilled man among you is to come and make everything that Yahweh has commanded— +\v 11 the tabernacle with its tent, its covering, its clasps, frames, bars, posts, and bases; +\v 12 also the ark with its poles, the atonement lid, and the curtain to conceal it. + +\s5 +\v 13 They brought the table with its poles, all its utensils, and the bread of the presence; +\v 14 the lampstand for the lights, with its accessories, its lamps, and the oil for the lamps; +\v 15 the incense altar with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the hanging for the tabernacle entrance; +\v 16 the altar for burnt offerings with its bronze grate and its poles and utensils; and the large basin with its base. + +\s5 +\v 17 They brought the hangings for the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the courtyard entrance; +\v 18 and the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard, together with their ropes. +\v 19 They brought the finely-woven garments for serving in the holy place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and his sons, for them to serve as priests." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then all the tribes of Israel left and went away from Moses's presence. +\v 21 Everyone whose heart stirred him up and whom his spirit made willing came and brought an offering to Yahweh for the construction of the tabernacle, for all the items of service in it, and for the holy garments. +\v 22 They came, both men and women, all who had a willing heart. They brought brooches, earrings, rings, and ornaments, all kinds of gold jewelry. They all presented offerings of gold as a wave offering to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 23 Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet wool, fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, or sea cow skins brought them. +\v 24 Everyone making an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to Yahweh, and everyone who had acacia wood for any use in the work brought it. + +\s5 +\v 25 Every skilled woman spun wool with her hands and brought what she had spun—blue, purple, or scarlet wool, or fine linen. +\v 26 All the women whose hearts stirred them up and who had skill spun goats' hair. + +\s5 +\v 27 The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be set into the ephod and the breastpiece; +\v 28 they brought spices and oil for the lamps, for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. +\v 29 The Israelites brought a freewill offering to Yahweh; every man and woman whose heart was willing brought materials for all the work that Yahweh had commanded through Moses to be made. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Moses said to the Israelites, "See, Yahweh has called by name on Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, from the tribe of Judah. +\v 31 He has filled Bezalel with his Spirit, to give him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, for all kinds of craftsmanship, + +\v 32 to make artistic designs and to work in gold, silver, and bronze; +\v 33 also to cut and set stones and to carve wood—to do all kinds of design and craftsmanship. + +\s5 +\v 34 He has put it in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, from the tribe of Dan. +\v 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work, to work as craftsmen, as engravers, as embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet wool and fine linen, and as weavers. They are craftsmen in all sorts of work, and they are artistic designers. + + + \s5 diff --git a/03-LEV.usfm b/03-LEV.usfm index 3dc0c900..42ca99da 100644 --- a/03-LEV.usfm +++ b/03-LEV.usfm @@ -4,120 +4,120 @@ \toc1 The Book of Leviticus \toc2 Leviticus \toc3 Lev -\mt Leviticus -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, -\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and tell them, 'When any man from among you brings an offering to Yahweh, bring as your offering one of your animals, either from the herd or from the flock. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he must offer a male without blemish. He is to offer it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, so that it may be accepted before Yahweh. -\v 4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and then it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for himself. - -\s5 -\v 5 Then he must kill the bull before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, will present the blood and sprinkle it on the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. -\v 6 Then he must skin the burnt offering and cut it to pieces. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then the sons of Aaron the priest will put fire on the altar and place wood to feed the fire. -\v 8 Aaron's sons, the priests, are to place the pieces, the head and the fat, in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar. -\v 9 But its inner parts and its legs he must wash with water. Then the priest will burn everything on the altar as a burnt offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 If his offering for the burnt offering is from the flock, one of the sheep or one of the goats, he must offer a male without blemish. -\v 11 He must kill it on the north side of the altar before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, will sprinkle its blood on every side of the altar. - -\s5 -\v 12 Then he must cut it into pieces, with its head and its fat, and the priest will lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire, which is on the altar, -\v 13 but the inner parts and the legs he must wash with water. Then the priest will offer the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 If his offering to Yahweh is to be a burnt offering of birds, then he must bring as his offering either a dove or a young pigeon. -\v 15 The priest must bring it to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar. Then its blood must be drained out on the side of the altar. - -\s5 -\v 16 He must remove its crop with its contents, and throw it beside the altar on the east side, in the place for the ashes. -\v 17 He must tear it open by its wings, but he must not divide it into two parts. Then the priest will burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It will be a burnt offering, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 When anyone brings a grain offering to Yahweh, his offering must be fine flour, and he will pour oil on it and put incense on it. -\v 2 He is to take the offering to Aaron's sons the priests, and there the priest will take out a handful of the fine flour with the oil and the incense on it. Then the priest will burn the offering on the altar as a representative offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire. -\v 3 Whatever is left of the grain offering will belong to Aaron and his sons. It is very holy to Yahweh from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 When you offer a grain offering without yeast that is baked in an oven, it must be soft bread of fine flour mixed with oil, or hard bread without yeast, which is spread with oil. -\v 5 If your grain offering is baked with a flat iron pan, it must be of fine flour without yeast that is mixed with oil. - -\s5 -\v 6 You are to divide it into pieces and pour oil on it. This is a grain offering. -\v 7 If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it must be made with fine flour and oil. - -\s5 -\v 8 You must bring the grain offering made from these things to Yahweh, and it will be presented to the priest, who will bring it to the altar. -\v 9 Then the priest will take some from the grain offering as a representative offering, and he will burn it on the altar. It will be an offering made by fire, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. -\v 10 What is left of the grain offering will belong to Aaron and his sons. It is very holy to Yahweh from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 No grain offering that you offer to Yahweh is to be made with yeast, for you must burn no leaven, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to Yahweh. -\v 12 You will offer them to Yahweh as an offering of firstfruits, but they will not be used to produce a sweet aroma on the altar. -\v 13 You must season each of your grain offerings with salt. You must never allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be missing from your grain offering. With all your offerings you must offer salt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 If you offer a grain offering of firstfruits to Yahweh, offer fresh grain that is roasted with fire and then crushed into meal. -\v 15 Then you must put oil and incense on it. This is a grain offering. -\v 16 Then the priest will burn part of the crushed grain and oil and incense as a representative offering. This is an offering made by fire to Yahweh. - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 If someone offers a sacrifice which is a fellowship offering of an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must offer an animal without blemish before Yahweh. -\v 2 He will lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the door of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar. - -\s5 -\v 3 The man will offer the sacrifice of a fellowship offering by fire to Yahweh. The fat that covers or is connected to the inner parts, -\v 4 and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the loins, and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys—he will remove all of this. -\v 5 Aaron's sons will burn that on the altar with the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire. This will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 If the man's sacrifice of a fellowship offering to Yahweh is from the flock; male or female, he must offer a sacrifice without blemish. -\v 7 If he offers a lamb for his sacrifice, then he must offer it before Yahweh. -\v 8 He will lay his hand on the head of his sacrifice and kill it before the tent of meeting. Then Aaron's sons will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar. - -\s5 -\v 9 The man will offer the sacrifice of fellowship offerings as an offering made by fire to Yahweh. The fat, the entire fat tail cut away close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the inner parts and all the fat that is near the inner parts, -\v 10 and the two kidneys and the fat that is with them, which is by the loins, and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys—he will remove all of this. -\v 11 Then the priest will burn it all on the altar as a burnt offering of food to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 If the man's offering is a goat, then he will offer it before Yahweh. -\v 13 He must lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it before the tent of meeting. Then the sons of Aaron will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar. -\v 14 The man will offer his sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh. He will remove the fat that covers the inner parts, and all the fat near the inner parts. - -\s5 -\v 15 He will also remove the two kidneys and the fat that is with them, which is by the loins, and the lobe of the liver with the kidneys. -\v 16 The priest will burn all that on the altar as a burnt offering of food, to produce a sweet aroma. All the fat belongs to Yahweh. -\v 17 It will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in every place you make your home, that you must not eat fat or blood.'" - - - +\mt Leviticus +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, +\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and tell them, 'When any man from among you brings an offering to Yahweh, bring as your offering one of your animals, either from the herd or from the flock. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he must offer a male without blemish. He is to offer it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, so that it may be accepted before Yahweh. +\v 4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and then it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for himself. + +\s5 +\v 5 Then he must kill the bull before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, will present the blood and sprinkle it on the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. +\v 6 Then he must skin the burnt offering and cut it to pieces. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then the sons of Aaron the priest will put fire on the altar and place wood to feed the fire. +\v 8 Aaron's sons, the priests, are to place the pieces, the head and the fat, in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar. +\v 9 But its inner parts and its legs he must wash with water. Then the priest will burn everything on the altar as a burnt offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for me; it will be an offering made to me by fire. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 If his offering for the burnt offering is from the flock, one of the sheep or one of the goats, he must offer a male without blemish. +\v 11 He must kill it on the north side of the altar before Yahweh. Aaron's sons, the priests, will sprinkle its blood on every side of the altar. + +\s5 +\v 12 Then he must cut it into pieces, with its head and its fat, and the priest will lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire, which is on the altar, +\v 13 but the inner parts and the legs he must wash with water. Then the priest will offer the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 If his offering to Yahweh is to be a burnt offering of birds, then he must bring as his offering either a dove or a young pigeon. +\v 15 The priest must bring it to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar. Then its blood must be drained out on the side of the altar. + +\s5 +\v 16 He must remove its crop with its contents, and throw it beside the altar on the east side, in the place for the ashes. +\v 17 He must tear it open by its wings, but he must not divide it into two parts. Then the priest will burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It will be a burnt offering, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 When anyone brings a grain offering to Yahweh, his offering must be fine flour, and he will pour oil on it and put incense on it. +\v 2 He is to take the offering to Aaron's sons the priests, and there the priest will take out a handful of the fine flour with the oil and the incense on it. Then the priest will burn the offering on the altar as a representative offering. It will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire. +\v 3 Whatever is left of the grain offering will belong to Aaron and his sons. It is very holy to Yahweh from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 When you offer a grain offering without yeast that is baked in an oven, it must be soft bread of fine flour mixed with oil, or hard bread without yeast, which is spread with oil. +\v 5 If your grain offering is baked with a flat iron pan, it must be of fine flour without yeast that is mixed with oil. + +\s5 +\v 6 You are to divide it into pieces and pour oil on it. This is a grain offering. +\v 7 If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it must be made with fine flour and oil. + +\s5 +\v 8 You must bring the grain offering made from these things to Yahweh, and it will be presented to the priest, who will bring it to the altar. +\v 9 Then the priest will take some from the grain offering as a representative offering, and he will burn it on the altar. It will be an offering made by fire, and it will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. +\v 10 What is left of the grain offering will belong to Aaron and his sons. It is very holy to Yahweh from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 No grain offering that you offer to Yahweh is to be made with yeast, for you must burn no leaven, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to Yahweh. +\v 12 You will offer them to Yahweh as an offering of firstfruits, but they will not be used to produce a sweet aroma on the altar. +\v 13 You must season each of your grain offerings with salt. You must never allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be missing from your grain offering. With all your offerings you must offer salt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 If you offer a grain offering of firstfruits to Yahweh, offer fresh grain that is roasted with fire and then crushed into meal. +\v 15 Then you must put oil and incense on it. This is a grain offering. +\v 16 Then the priest will burn part of the crushed grain and oil and incense as a representative offering. This is an offering made by fire to Yahweh. + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 If someone offers a sacrifice which is a fellowship offering of an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must offer an animal without blemish before Yahweh. +\v 2 He will lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the door of the tent of meeting. Then Aaron's sons the priests will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar. + +\s5 +\v 3 The man will offer the sacrifice of a fellowship offering by fire to Yahweh. The fat that covers or is connected to the inner parts, +\v 4 and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the loins, and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys—he will remove all of this. +\v 5 Aaron's sons will burn that on the altar with the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire. This will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh; it will be an offering made to him by fire. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 If the man's sacrifice of a fellowship offering to Yahweh is from the flock; male or female, he must offer a sacrifice without blemish. +\v 7 If he offers a lamb for his sacrifice, then he must offer it before Yahweh. +\v 8 He will lay his hand on the head of his sacrifice and kill it before the tent of meeting. Then Aaron's sons will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar. + +\s5 +\v 9 The man will offer the sacrifice of fellowship offerings as an offering made by fire to Yahweh. The fat, the entire fat tail cut away close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the inner parts and all the fat that is near the inner parts, +\v 10 and the two kidneys and the fat that is with them, which is by the loins, and the lobe of the liver, with the kidneys—he will remove all of this. +\v 11 Then the priest will burn it all on the altar as a burnt offering of food to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 If the man's offering is a goat, then he will offer it before Yahweh. +\v 13 He must lay his hand on the head of the goat and kill it before the tent of meeting. Then the sons of Aaron will sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar. +\v 14 The man will offer his sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh. He will remove the fat that covers the inner parts, and all the fat near the inner parts. + +\s5 +\v 15 He will also remove the two kidneys and the fat that is with them, which is by the loins, and the lobe of the liver with the kidneys. +\v 16 The priest will burn all that on the altar as a burnt offering of food, to produce a sweet aroma. All the fat belongs to Yahweh. +\v 17 It will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in every place you make your home, that you must not eat fat or blood.'" + + + \s5 @@ -394,189 +394,189 @@ s5 - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 2 "Take Aaron and his sons with him, the garments and the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread. -\v 3 Assemble all the assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting." - -\s5 -\v 4 So Moses did as Yahweh commanded him, and the assembly came together at the entrance to the tent of meeting. -\v 5 Then Moses said to the assembly, "This is what Yahweh has commanded to be done." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. -\v 7 He put on Aaron the tunic and tied the sash around his waist, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him, and then he tied the ephod around him with the finely-woven waistband and bound it to him. - -\s5 -\v 8 He placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. -\v 9 He set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as Yahweh had commanded him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Moses took the anointing oil, anointed the tabernacle and everything in it and set them apart to Yahweh. -\v 11 He sprinkled the oil on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the washbasin and its base, to set them apart to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to set him apart. -\v 13 Moses brought Aaron's sons and clothed them with tunics. He tied sashes around their waists and wrapped linen cloth around their heads, as Yahweh had commanded him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Moses brought the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull that they had brought for the sin offering. -\v 15 He killed it, and he took the blood and put it on the horns of the altar with his finger, purified the altar, poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and set it apart for God in order to make atonement for it. - -\s5 -\v 16 He took all the fat that was on the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat, and Moses burned it all on the altar. -\v 17 But the bull, its hide, its meat, and its dung he burned outside the camp, as Yahweh had commanded him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. -\v 19 He killed it and sprinkled its blood against every side of the altar. - -\s5 -\v 20 He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head and the pieces and the fat. -\v 21 He washed the inner parts and the legs with water, and he burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering and produced a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh as Yahweh had commanded Moses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Then Moses presented the other ram, the ram of consecration, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. -\v 23 Aaron killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. -\v 24 He brought Aaron's sons, and he put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot. Then Moses sprinkled its blood against every side of the altar. - -\s5 -\v 25 He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat that was on the inner parts, the covering of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh. -\v 26 Out of the basket of bread without yeast that was before Yahweh, he took one loaf without yeast, and one loaf of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh. -\v 27 He put it all in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and waved them before Yahweh as a wave offering. -\s5 -\v 28 Then Moses took them from off their hands and burned them on the altar for the burnt offering. They were a consecration offering and produced a sweet aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Yahweh. -\v 29 Moses took the breast and waved it as a wave offering to Yahweh. It was Moses' share of the ram for the priests' ordination, as Yahweh had commanded him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Moses took some of the anointing oil and the blood that was on the altar; he sprinkled these on Aaron, on his clothes, on his sons, and on his sons' clothes with him. In this way he set apart Aaron and his clothes, and his sons and their clothes to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 So Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, "Boil the meat at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, 'Aaron and his sons will eat it.' -\v 32 Whatever remains of the meat and of the bread you must burn. -\v 33 You must not go out from the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are fulfilled. For Yahweh will consecrate you for seven days. - -\s5 -\v 34 What has been done this day— Yahweh has commanded to be done to make atonement for you. -\v 35 You will stay day and night for seven days at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and keep the command of Yahweh, so you will not die, because this is what I have been commanded." -\v 36 So Aaron and his sons did all the things which Yahweh had commanded them through Moses. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. -\v 2 He said to Aaron, "Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram without blemish for a burnt offering, and offer them before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 3 You must speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Take a male goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old and without blemish, for a burnt offering; -\v 4 also take an ox and a ram for peace offerings to sacrifice before Yahweh, and a grain offering mixed with oil, because today Yahweh will appear to you.'" -\v 5 So they brought all that Moses commanded to the tent of meeting, and all the assembly of Israel approached and stood before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 6 Then Moses said, "This is what Yahweh commanded you to do, so that his glory may appear to you." -\v 7 Moses said to Aaron, "Come near the altar and offer your sin offering and burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and offer the sacrifice for the people to make atonement for them, as Yahweh has commanded." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 So Aaron went near the altar and killed the calf for the sin offering, which was for himself. -\v 9 The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger into it and put it on the horns of the altar; then he poured out the blood at the base of the altar. -\s5 -\v 10 However, he burned the fat, the kidneys, and the covering of the liver on the altar as a sin offering, as Yahweh had commanded Moses. -\v 11 The meat and the hide he burned outside the camp. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Aaron killed the burnt offering, and his sons gave him the blood, which he splashed against every side of the altar. -\v 13 Then they gave him the burnt offering, piece by piece, together with the head, and he burned them on the altar. -\v 14 He washed the inner parts and the legs and burned them on top of the burnt offering on the altar. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Aaron presented the people's sacrifice—a goat, then took it as the sacrifice for their sin and killed it; he sacrificed it for sin, as he had done with the first goat. -\v 16 He presented the burnt offering and offered it as Yahweh had commanded. -\v 17 He presented the grain offering; he filled his hand with it and burned it on the altar, along with the morning's burnt offering. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 He killed also the ox and the ram, the sacrifice for the peace offering, which was for the people. Aaron's sons gave him the blood, which he sprinkled against every side of the altar. -\v 19 However, they cut out the fat of the bull and the ram, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner parts, the kidneys, and the covering of the liver. - -\s5 -\v 20 They took the parts that were cut out and put these on the breasts, and then Aaron burned the fat on the altar. -\v 21 Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh as a wave offering before Yahweh, as Moses had commanded. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them; then he came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering. -\v 23 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, then came out again and blessed the people, and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people. -\v 24 Fire came out from Yahweh and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw this, they shouted and lay facedown. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, each took his censer, put fire in it, and then incense. Then they offered unapproved fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them to offer. -\v 2 So fire came out from before Yahweh and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what Yahweh was talking about when he said, -\q 'I will reveal my holiness to those who come near me. -\q I will be glorified before all the people.'" -\m -Aaron did not say anything. -\v 4 Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Come here and carry your brothers out of the camp from before the tabernacle." - -\s5 -\v 5 So they came near and carried them, still wearing their priestly tunics, out of the camp, as Moses had instructed. -\v 6 Then Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, "Do not let your hair on your heads hang loosely, and do not tear your clothes, so that you may not die, and so that Yahweh may not be angry with all the assembly. But allow your relatives, the entire house of Israel, to mourn for those whom the fire of Yahweh has set ablaze. -\v 7 You must not go out from the entrance of the tent of meeting, or you will die, for the anointing oil of Yahweh is on you." So they acted according to Moses' instructions. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Yahweh spoke to Aaron, saying, -\v 9 "Do not drink wine or strong drink, you, or your sons who remain with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, so you will not die. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations, -\v 10 to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, -\v 11 so that you may teach the people of Israel all the statutes that Yahweh has commanded through Moses." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his remaining sons, "Take the grain offering that remains from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire, and eat it without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy. -\v 13 You must eat it in a holy place, because it is your share and your sons' share of the offerings to Yahweh made by fire, for this is what I have been commanded to tell you. - -\s5 -\v 14 The breast that is waved and the thigh that is presented to Yahweh, you must eat in a clean place acceptable to God. You and your sons and daughters with you should eat those portions, for they are given as your share and your sons' share out of the sacrifices of the fellowship offerings of the people of Israel. -\v 15 The thigh that is presented and the breast that is waved, they must bring with the offerings of fat made by fire, to wave before Yahweh. They will be yours and your sons' with you as a share forever, as Yahweh has commanded." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then Moses asked about the goat for the sin offering, and found that it was burned up. So he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the remaining sons of Aaron; he said, -\v 17 "Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the area of the tabernacle, since it is most holy, and since Yahweh has given it to you to take away the iniquity of the assembly, to make atonement for them before him? -\v 18 Look, its blood was not brought inside the tabernacle, so you should certainly have eaten it in the tabernacle area, as I commanded." - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Aaron answered Moses, "See, today they made their sin offering and burnt offering before Yahweh, and this thing has happened to me today. If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been pleasing in the sight of Yahweh?" -\v 20 When Moses heard that, he was satisfied. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 2 "Take Aaron and his sons with him, the garments and the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread. +\v 3 Assemble all the assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting." + +\s5 +\v 4 So Moses did as Yahweh commanded him, and the assembly came together at the entrance to the tent of meeting. +\v 5 Then Moses said to the assembly, "This is what Yahweh has commanded to be done." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. +\v 7 He put on Aaron the tunic and tied the sash around his waist, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him, and then he tied the ephod around him with the finely-woven waistband and bound it to him. + +\s5 +\v 8 He placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. +\v 9 He set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden plate, the holy crown, as Yahweh had commanded him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Moses took the anointing oil, anointed the tabernacle and everything in it and set them apart to Yahweh. +\v 11 He sprinkled the oil on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the washbasin and its base, to set them apart to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron's head and anointed him to set him apart. +\v 13 Moses brought Aaron's sons and clothed them with tunics. He tied sashes around their waists and wrapped linen cloth around their heads, as Yahweh had commanded him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Moses brought the bull for the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull that they had brought for the sin offering. +\v 15 He killed it, and he took the blood and put it on the horns of the altar with his finger, purified the altar, poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and set it apart for God in order to make atonement for it. + +\s5 +\v 16 He took all the fat that was on the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat, and Moses burned it all on the altar. +\v 17 But the bull, its hide, its meat, and its dung he burned outside the camp, as Yahweh had commanded him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Moses presented the ram for the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. +\v 19 He killed it and sprinkled its blood against every side of the altar. + +\s5 +\v 20 He cut the ram into pieces and burned the head and the pieces and the fat. +\v 21 He washed the inner parts and the legs with water, and he burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering and produced a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh as Yahweh had commanded Moses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Then Moses presented the other ram, the ram of consecration, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. +\v 23 Aaron killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. +\v 24 He brought Aaron's sons, and he put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot. Then Moses sprinkled its blood against every side of the altar. + +\s5 +\v 25 He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat that was on the inner parts, the covering of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh. +\v 26 Out of the basket of bread without yeast that was before Yahweh, he took one loaf without yeast, and one loaf of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh. +\v 27 He put it all in the hands of Aaron and in the hands of his sons and waved them before Yahweh as a wave offering. +\s5 +\v 28 Then Moses took them from off their hands and burned them on the altar for the burnt offering. They were a consecration offering and produced a sweet aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Yahweh. +\v 29 Moses took the breast and waved it as a wave offering to Yahweh. It was Moses' share of the ram for the priests' ordination, as Yahweh had commanded him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Moses took some of the anointing oil and the blood that was on the altar; he sprinkled these on Aaron, on his clothes, on his sons, and on his sons' clothes with him. In this way he set apart Aaron and his clothes, and his sons and their clothes to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 So Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, "Boil the meat at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, 'Aaron and his sons will eat it.' +\v 32 Whatever remains of the meat and of the bread you must burn. +\v 33 You must not go out from the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are fulfilled. For Yahweh will consecrate you for seven days. + +\s5 +\v 34 What has been done this day— Yahweh has commanded to be done to make atonement for you. +\v 35 You will stay day and night for seven days at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and keep the command of Yahweh, so you will not die, because this is what I have been commanded." +\v 36 So Aaron and his sons did all the things which Yahweh had commanded them through Moses. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. +\v 2 He said to Aaron, "Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram without blemish for a burnt offering, and offer them before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 3 You must speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Take a male goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old and without blemish, for a burnt offering; +\v 4 also take an ox and a ram for peace offerings to sacrifice before Yahweh, and a grain offering mixed with oil, because today Yahweh will appear to you.'" +\v 5 So they brought all that Moses commanded to the tent of meeting, and all the assembly of Israel approached and stood before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 6 Then Moses said, "This is what Yahweh commanded you to do, so that his glory may appear to you." +\v 7 Moses said to Aaron, "Come near the altar and offer your sin offering and burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and offer the sacrifice for the people to make atonement for them, as Yahweh has commanded." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 So Aaron went near the altar and killed the calf for the sin offering, which was for himself. +\v 9 The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger into it and put it on the horns of the altar; then he poured out the blood at the base of the altar. +\s5 +\v 10 However, he burned the fat, the kidneys, and the covering of the liver on the altar as a sin offering, as Yahweh had commanded Moses. +\v 11 The meat and the hide he burned outside the camp. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Aaron killed the burnt offering, and his sons gave him the blood, which he splashed against every side of the altar. +\v 13 Then they gave him the burnt offering, piece by piece, together with the head, and he burned them on the altar. +\v 14 He washed the inner parts and the legs and burned them on top of the burnt offering on the altar. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Aaron presented the people's sacrifice—a goat, then took it as the sacrifice for their sin and killed it; he sacrificed it for sin, as he had done with the first goat. +\v 16 He presented the burnt offering and offered it as Yahweh had commanded. +\v 17 He presented the grain offering; he filled his hand with it and burned it on the altar, along with the morning's burnt offering. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 He killed also the ox and the ram, the sacrifice for the peace offering, which was for the people. Aaron's sons gave him the blood, which he sprinkled against every side of the altar. +\v 19 However, they cut out the fat of the bull and the ram, the fat tail, the fat that covers the inner parts, the kidneys, and the covering of the liver. + +\s5 +\v 20 They took the parts that were cut out and put these on the breasts, and then Aaron burned the fat on the altar. +\v 21 Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh as a wave offering before Yahweh, as Moses had commanded. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them; then he came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering. +\v 23 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, then came out again and blessed the people, and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people. +\v 24 Fire came out from Yahweh and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw this, they shouted and lay facedown. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, each took his censer, put fire in it, and then incense. Then they offered unapproved fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them to offer. +\v 2 So fire came out from before Yahweh and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what Yahweh was talking about when he said, +\q 'I will reveal my holiness to those who come near me. +\q I will be glorified before all the people.'" +\m +Aaron did not say anything. +\v 4 Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Come here and carry your brothers out of the camp from before the tabernacle." + +\s5 +\v 5 So they came near and carried them, still wearing their priestly tunics, out of the camp, as Moses had instructed. +\v 6 Then Moses said to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, "Do not let your hair on your heads hang loosely, and do not tear your clothes, so that you may not die, and so that Yahweh may not be angry with all the assembly. But allow your relatives, the entire house of Israel, to mourn for those whom the fire of Yahweh has set ablaze. +\v 7 You must not go out from the entrance of the tent of meeting, or you will die, for the anointing oil of Yahweh is on you." So they acted according to Moses' instructions. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Yahweh spoke to Aaron, saying, +\v 9 "Do not drink wine or strong drink, you, or your sons who remain with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, so you will not die. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations, +\v 10 to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, +\v 11 so that you may teach the people of Israel all the statutes that Yahweh has commanded through Moses." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Moses spoke to Aaron and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his remaining sons, "Take the grain offering that remains from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire, and eat it without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy. +\v 13 You must eat it in a holy place, because it is your share and your sons' share of the offerings to Yahweh made by fire, for this is what I have been commanded to tell you. + +\s5 +\v 14 The breast that is waved and the thigh that is presented to Yahweh, you must eat in a clean place acceptable to God. You and your sons and daughters with you should eat those portions, for they are given as your share and your sons' share out of the sacrifices of the fellowship offerings of the people of Israel. +\v 15 The thigh that is presented and the breast that is waved, they must bring with the offerings of fat made by fire, to wave before Yahweh. They will be yours and your sons' with you as a share forever, as Yahweh has commanded." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then Moses asked about the goat for the sin offering, and found that it was burned up. So he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the remaining sons of Aaron; he said, +\v 17 "Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the area of the tabernacle, since it is most holy, and since Yahweh has given it to you to take away the iniquity of the assembly, to make atonement for them before him? +\v 18 Look, its blood was not brought inside the tabernacle, so you should certainly have eaten it in the tabernacle area, as I commanded." + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Aaron answered Moses, "See, today they made their sin offering and burnt offering before Yahweh, and this thing has happened to me today. If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been pleasing in the sight of Yahweh?" +\v 20 When Moses heard that, he was satisfied. + + + \s5 @@ -696,399 +696,399 @@ Aaron did not say anything. - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, -\v 2 "When anyone has on the skin of his body a swelling or scab or a bright spot, and it becomes infected and there is a skin disease in his body, then he must be brought to Aaron the high priest, or to one of his sons the priests. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then the priest will examine the disease in the skin of his body. If the hair in the diseased area has turned white, and if the disease appears to be deeper than just on the skin, then it is an infectious disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean. -\v 4 If the bright spot in his skin is white, and the appearance of it is no deeper than the skin, and if the hair in the diseased area has not turned white, then the priest must isolate the one with the disease for seven days. - -\s5 -\v 5 On the seventh day, the priest must examine him to see if in his opinion the disease is not any worse, and if it has not spread in the skin. If it has not, then the priest must isolate him seven days more. -\v 6 The priest will examine him again on the seventh day to see if the disease is better and has not spread farther in the skin. If it has not, then the priest will pronounce him clean. It is a rash. He must wash his clothes, and then he is clean. - -\s5 -\v 7 But if the rash has spread in the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he must then show himself to the priest again. -\v 8 The priest will examine him to see if the rash has spread farther in the skin. If it has spread, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When an infectious skin disease is in someone, then he must be brought to the priest. -\v 10 The priest will examine him to see if there is a white swelling in the skin, if the hair has turned white, or if there is raw flesh in the swelling. -\v 11 If there is, then it is a chronic skin disease, and the priest must pronounce him unclean. He will not isolate him, because he is already unclean. - -\s5 -\v 12 If the disease breaks out widely in the skin and covers all the skin of the person with the disease from his head to his feet, as far as it appears to the priest, -\v 13 then the priest must examine him to see if the disease has covered all his body. If it has, then the priest must pronounce the person who has the disease as clean. If it has all turned white, then he is clean. -\v 14 But if raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. - -\s5 -\v 15 The priest must look at the raw flesh and pronounce him unclean because the raw flesh is unclean. It is an infectious disease. -\v 16 But if the raw flesh turns white again, then the person must go to the priest. -\v 17 The priest will examine him to see if the flesh has turned white. If it has then the priest will pronounce that person to be clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 When a person has a boil on the skin and it has healed, -\v 19 and in place of the boil there is white swelling or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it must be shown to the priest. -\v 20 The priest will examine it to see if it appears deeper under the skin, and if the hair there has turned white. If so, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease, if it has developed in the place where the boil was. - -\s5 -\v 21 But if the priest examines it and sees that there is no white hair in it, and that it is not under the skin but has faded, then the priest must isolate him for seven days. -\v 22 If it spreads widely in the skin, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease. -\v 23 But if the bright spot stays in its place and has not spread, then it is the scar of the boil, and the priest must pronounce him clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 When the skin has a burn and the raw flesh of the burn has become a reddish-white or white spot, -\v 25 then the priest will examine it to see if the hair in that spot has turned white, and if it appears to be deeper than the skin. If it has, then it is an infectious disease. It has broken out in the burn, and the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease. - -\s5 -\v 26 But if the priest examines it and finds that there is no white hair in the spot, and it is not under the skin but has faded, then the priest must isolate him for seven days. -\v 27 Then the priest must examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread widely in the skin, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease. -\v 28 If the spot stays in its place and has not spread in the skin but has faded, then it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest must pronounce him clean, for it is nothing more than the scar of the burn. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 If a man or woman has an infectious disease on the head or chin, -\v 30 then the priest must examine the person for an infectious disease to see if it appears to be deeper than the skin, and if there is yellow, thin hair in it. If there is, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an itch, an infectious disease on the head or the chin. - -\s5 -\v 31 If the priest examines the itching disease and sees that it is not under the skin, and if there is no black hair in it, then the priest will isolate the person with the itching disease for seven days. - -\s5 -\v 32 On the seventh day the priest will examine the disease to see if it has spread. If there is no yellow hair, and if the disease appears to be only skin deep, -\v 33 then he must be shaved, but the diseased area must not be shaved, and the priest must isolate the person with the itching disease for seven more days. - -\s5 -\v 34 On the seventh day the priest will examine the disease to see if it has stopped spreading in the skin. If it appears to be no deeper than the skin, then the priest must pronounce him clean. The person must wash his clothes, and then he will be clean. - -\s5 -\v 35 But if the itching disease has spread widely in the skin after the priest said he was clean, -\v 36 then the priest must examine him again. If the disease has spread in the skin, the priest does not need to seek for yellow hair. The person is unclean. -\v 37 But if in the priest's view the itching disease has stopped spreading and black hair has grown in the area, then the disease has healed. He is clean, and the priest must pronounce him clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 If a man or a woman has white spots on the skin, -\v 39 then the priest must examine the person to see if the spots are a dull white, which is only a rash that has broken out in the skin. He is clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 If a man's hair has fallen out of his head, he is bald, but he is clean. -\v 41 If his hair has fallen out of the front part of his head, and if his forehead is bald, he is clean. - -\s5 -\v 42 But if there is a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease that has broken out. -\v 43 Then the priest must examine him to see if the swelling of the diseased area on his bald head or forehead is reddish-white, like the appearance of an infectious disease in the skin. -\v 44 If it is, then he has an infectious disease and he is unclean. The priest must surely pronounce him unclean because of his disease on his head. - -\s5 -\p -\v 45 The person who has an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, his hair must hang loosely, and he must cover his face up to his nose and call out, 'Unclean, unclean.' -\v 46 All the days that he has the infectious disease he will be unclean. Because he is unclean with a disease that can spread, he must live alone. He must live outside the camp. - -\s5 -\p -\v 47 A garment that is contaminated with mildew, whether it is a wool or linen garment, -\v 48 or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen, or leather or anything made with leather— -\v 49 if there is a greenish or reddish contamination in the garment, the leather, the woven or knitted material, or anything made of leather, then it is a mildew that spreads; it must be shown to the priest. - -\s5 -\v 50 The priest must examine the item for mildew; he must isolate anything that has mildew for seven days. -\v 51 He must examine the mildew again on the seventh day. If it has spread in the garment or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything in which leather is used, then it is harmful mildew, and the item is unclean. -\v 52 He must burn the garment, or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather, anything in which the harmful mildew is found, for it can lead to disease. The item must be completely burned up. - -\s5 -\p -\v 53 If the priest examines the item and sees that the mildew has not spread in the garment or material woven or knitted from wool or linen, or leather goods, -\v 54 then he will command them to wash the item in which the mildew was found, and he must isolate it for seven more days. -\v 55 Then the priest will examine the item after the mildewed item was washed. If the mildew has not changed its color, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. You must burn the item, no matter where the mildew has contaminated it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 56 If the priest examines the item, and if the mildew has faded after it was washed, then he must tear out the contaminated part from the garment or from the leather, or from the woven or knitted material. -\v 57 If the mildew still appears in the garment, either in the woven or knitted material, or in anything made of leather, it is spreading. You must burn any item that has the mildew. -\v 58 The garment or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather—if you wash the item and the mildew is gone, then the item must be washed a second time, and it will be clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 59 This is the law about mildew in a garment of wool or linen, or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather, so that you may pronounce it clean or unclean." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 2 "This will be the law for the diseased person on the day of his cleansing. He must be brought to the priest. - -\s5 -\v 3 The priest will go out of the camp to examine the person to see if the infectious skin disease is healed. -\v 4 Then the priest will command that the one to be cleansed must take two live, clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. -\v 5 The priest will command him to kill one of the birds over fresh water that is in a clay pot. - -\s5 -\v 6 The priest will then take the live bird and the cedar wood, and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and he will dip all these things, including the live bird, in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. -\v 7 Then the priest will sprinkle this water seven times onto the person who is to be cleansed from the disease, and then the priest will pronounce him to be clean. Then the priest will release the living bird into the open fields. - -\s5 -\v 8 The person who is being cleansed will wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe himself in water, and then he will be clean. After that he must come into the camp, but he will live outside his tent for seven days. -\v 9 On the seventh day he must shave all his hair off his head, and he must also shave off his beard and eyebrows. He must shave off all his hair, and he must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; then he will be clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 On the eighth day he must take two male lambs without blemish, one female lamb a year old without blemish, and three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and one log of oil. -\v 11 The priest who cleanses him will stand the person who is to be cleansed, along with those things, before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting. - -\s5 -\v 12 The priest will take one of the male lambs and offer it as a guilt offering, together with the log of oil; he will wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh. -\v 13 He must kill the male lamb in the place where they kill the sin offerings and the burnt offerings, in the area of the tabernacle, for the sin offering belongs to the priest, as does the guilt offering, because it is most holy. - -\s5 -\v 14 The priest will take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of the person who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. -\v 15 Then the priest will take oil from the log and pour it into the palm of his own left hand, -\v 16 and dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 17 The priest will put the rest of the oil in his hand on the tip of the right ear of the person to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. He must put this oil on top of the blood from the guilt offering. -\v 18 As for the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand, he will put it on the head of the person who is to be cleansed, and the priest will make atonement for him before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 19 Then the priest will offer the sin offering and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed because of his uncleanness, and afterward he will kill the burnt offering. -\v 20 Then the priest will offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. The priest will make atonement for the person, and then he will be clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 However, if the person is poor and cannot afford these sacrifices, then he may take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved, to make atonement for himself, and one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and a log of oil, -\v 22 together with two doves or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; one bird will be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. -\v 23 On the eighth day he must bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the entrance to the tent of meeting, before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 24 The priest will take the lamb for an offering, and he will take with it the log of olive oil, and he will lift them high as he presents them to Yahweh. -\v 25 He will kill the lamb for the guilt offering, and he will take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of the one who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. - -\s5 -\v 26 Then the priest will pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand, -\v 27 and he will sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 28 The priest will then put some of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of the one who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, the same places where he put the blood of the guilt offering. -\v 29 He will put the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the head of the one who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 30 He must offer one of the doves or young pigeons, such as the person has been able to get— -\v 31 one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, along with the grain offering. Then the priest will make atonement for the one who is to be cleansed before Yahweh. -\v 32 This is the law for a person in whom there is an infectious skin disease, who is not able to afford the standard offerings for his cleansing." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, -\v 34 "When you have come into the land of Canaan which I gave to you as a possession, and if I put mildew that spreads in a house in the land of your possession, -\v 35 then he who owns the house must come and tell the priest. He must say, 'There seems to me to be something like mildew in my house.' - -\s5 -\v 36 Then the priest will command that they empty the house before he goes in to see the evidence of mildew, so that nothing in the house will be made unclean. Afterward the priest must go in to see the house. -\v 37 He must examine the mildew to see if it is in the house walls, and to see whether it appears greenish or reddish in the depressions in the wall's surface. -\v 38 If the house does have mildew, then the priest will go out of the house and shut the door to the house for seven days. - -\s5 -\v 39 Then the priest will return again on the seventh day and examine it to see if the mildew has spread in the walls of the house. -\v 40 If it has, then the priest will command that they take out the stones in which the mildew has been found and throw them into an unclean place outside the city. - -\s5 -\v 41 He will require all the inside walls of the house to be scraped, and they must take the contaminated material that is scraped off outside the city and dump it into the unclean place. -\v 42 They must take other stones and put them in the place of the stones that were removed, and they must use new clay to plaster the house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 If mildew comes again and breaks out in the house in which the stones have been taken away and the walls have been scraped and then replastered, -\v 44 then the priest must come in and examine the house to see if mildew has spread in the house. If it has, then it is harmful mildew, and the house is unclean. - -\s5 -\v 45 The house must be torn down. The stones, timber, and all the plaster in the house must be carried away out of the city to the unclean place. -\v 46 In addition, whoever goes into the house during the time it is closed up will be unclean until evening. -\v 47 Anyone who slept in the house must wash his clothes, and anyone who ate in the house must wash his clothes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 If the priest enters the house to examine it to see whether the mildew has spread in the house after the house was plastered, then, if the mildew is gone, he will pronounce the house clean. - -\s5 -\v 49 Then the priest must take two birds to cleanse the house, and cedar wood, and scarlet yarn, and hyssop. -\v 50 He will kill one of the birds over fresh water in a clay jar. -\v 51 He will take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the killed bird, into the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times. - -\s5 -\v 52 He will cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the fresh water, with the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet yarn. -\v 53 But he will let the live bird go out of the city into the open fields. In this way he must make atonement for the house, and it will be clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 54 This is the law for all types of infectious skin disease and things that cause such disease, and for an itch, -\v 55 and for mildew in clothing and in a house, -\v 56 for swelling, for a rash, and for a bright spot, -\v 57 to determine when any of these cases is unclean or when it is clean. This is the law for infectious skin diseases and mildew." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, -\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel, and say to them, 'When any man has an infected fluid that comes out of his body, he becomes unclean. -\v 3 His uncleanness is due to this infected fluid. Whether his body flows with fluid or is stopped up, it is unclean. - -\s5 -\v 4 Every bed on which he lies will be unclean, and everything on which he sits will be unclean. -\v 5 Whoever touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening. - -\s5 -\v 6 Anyone who sits on anything on which the man with the flow of infected fluid sat, that person must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening. -\v 7 Anyone who touches the body of the one who has a flow of infected fluid must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening. - -\s5 -\v 8 If the person who has such a flow of fluid spits on someone who is clean, then that person must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening. -\v 9 Any saddle which he who has a flow rides upon will be unclean. - -\s5 -\v 10 Whoever touches anything that was under that person will be unclean until evening, and anyone who carries those things must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening. -\v 11 Whomever he who has such a flow touches without first having rinsed his hands in water, the person who was touched must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening. -\v 12 Any clay pot that the one with such a flow of fluid touches must be broken, and every container of wood must be rinsed in water. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 When he who has a flow is cleansed from his flow, then he must count for himself seven days for his cleansing; then he must wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water. Then he will be clean. -\v 14 On the eighth day he must take two doves or two young pigeons and come before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting; there he must give the birds to the priest. -\v 15 The priest must offer them, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and the priest must make atonement for him before Yahweh for his flow. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 If any man has an emission of semen, then he must bathe his whole body in water; he will be unclean until evening. -\v 17 Every garment or leather on which there is semen must be washed with water; it will be unclean until evening. -\v 18 If a woman and a man sleep together and there is a transfer of semen to her, they must both bathe themselves in water; they will be unclean until evening. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 When a woman menstruates, her impurity will continue for seven days, and whoever touches her will be unclean until evening. -\v 20 Everything she lies on during her period will be unclean; everything that she sits on will also be unclean. - -\s5 -\v 21 Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; that person will be unclean until evening. -\v 22 Whoever touches anything that she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; that person will be unclean until evening. -\v 23 Whether it is on the bed or on anything on which she sits, if he touches it, that person will be unclean until evening. -\s5 -\v 24 If any man sleeps with her, and if her impure flow touches him, he will be unclean for seven days. Every bed on which he lies will be unclean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 If a woman has a flow of blood for many days that is not in the time of her menstruation, or if she has a flow beyond the time of her menstruation, during all the days of the flow of her uncleanness, she will be as if she were in the days of her period. She is unclean. -\v 26 Every bed on which she lies all during her flow of blood will be to her just like the bed on which she lies during her menstruation, and everything on which she sits will be unclean, just like the uncleanness of her menstruation. -\v 27 Whoever touches any of those things will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening. - -\s5 -\v 28 But if she is cleansed from her flow of blood, then she will count for herself seven days, and after that she will be clean. -\v 29 On the eighth day she will take to her two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. -\v 30 The priest will offer one bird as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and he will make atonement for her before Yahweh for her unclean flow of blood. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 This is how you must separate the people of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die due to their uncleanness, by defiling my tabernacle, where I live among them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 These are the regulations for anyone who has a flow of fluid, for any man whose semen goes out of him and makes him unclean, -\v 33 for any woman who has a menstrual period, for anyone with a flow of fluid, whether male or female, and for any man who sleeps with an unclean woman.'" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses—this was after the death of Aaron's two sons, when they had gone near to Yahweh and then died. -\v 2 Yahweh said to Moses, "Speak to Aaron your brother and tell him not to come at just any time into the most holy place inside the curtain, before the atonement lid that is on the ark. If he does, he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement lid. - -\s5 -\v 3 So here is how Aaron must come into the most holy place. He must enter with a young bull as a sin offering, and a ram as a burnt offering. -\v 4 He must put on the holy linen tunic, and he must put the linen undergarments on himself, and he must wear the linen sash and linen turban. These are the holy garments. He must bathe his body in water and then dress himself with these clothes. -\v 5 He must take from the assembly of the people of Israel two male goats as a sin offering and one ram as a burnt offering. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then Aaron must present the bull as the sin offering, which will be for himself, to make atonement for himself and his family. -\v 7 Then he must take the two goats and set them before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting. - -\s5 -\v 8 Then Aaron must cast lots for the two goats, one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat. -\v 9 Aaron must then present the goat on which the lot fell for Yahweh, and offer that goat as a sin offering. -\v 10 But the goat on which the lot fell for the scapegoat must be brought alive before Yahweh, to make atonement by sending him away as a scapegoat into the wilderness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Aaron must present the bull for the sin offering, which will be for himself. He must make atonement for himself and for his family, so he must kill the bull as a sin offering for himself. - -\s5 -\v 12 Aaron must take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh, with his hands full of finely ground sweet incense, and bring these things inside the curtain. -\v 13 There he must put the incense on the fire before Yahweh so that the cloud from the incense may cover the atonement lid over the covenant decrees. He must do this so he will not die. - -\s5 -\v 14 Then he must take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the atonement lid. He must sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times before the atonement lid. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then he must kill the goat for the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the curtain. There he must do with the blood as he did with the blood of the bull: He must sprinkle it on the atonement lid and then before the atonement lid. -\v 16 He must make atonement for the holy place because of the unclean actions of the people of Israel, and because of their rebellion and all their sins. He must also do this for the tent of meeting, where Yahweh lives among them, in the presence of their unclean actions. - -\s5 -\v 17 No one must be in the tent of meeting when Aaron enters it to make atonement in the most holy place, and until he comes out and has finished making atonement for himself and for his family, and for all the assembly of Israel. -\v 18 He must go out to the altar that is before Yahweh and make atonement for it, and he must take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on the horns of the altar all around. -\v 19 He must sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and set it apart to Yahweh, away from the unclean actions of the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 When he has finished atoning for the most holy place, the tent of meeting, and the altar, he must present the live goat. -\v 21 Aaron must lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over him all the wickedness of the people of Israel, all their rebellion, and all their sins. Then he must put that sinfulness on the head of the goat and send the goat away in the care of a man who is ready to lead the goat into the wilderness. -\v 22 The goat must carry on himself all the people's wickedness to a solitary place. There in the wilderness, the man must let the goat go free. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Then Aaron must go back into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments that he had put on before going into the most holy place, and he must leave those garments there. -\v 24 He must bathe his body in water in a holy place, and put on his normal garments; then he must go out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering for the people, and in this way make atonement for himself and for the people. - -\s5 -\v 25 He must burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar. -\v 26 The man who let the scapegoat go free must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that, he may come back into the camp. - -\s5 -\v 27 The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, must be carried outside the camp. There they must burn their hides, flesh, and dung. -\v 28 The man who burns those parts must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that, he may come back into the camp. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 It will always be a statute for you that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you must humble yourselves and do no work, whether the native born or a foreigner who is living among you. -\v 30 This is because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you from all your sins so you will be clean before Yahweh. -\v 31 It is a solemn Sabbath of rest for you, and you must humble yourselves and do no work. This will always be a statute among you. - -\s5 -\v 32 The high priest, the one who will be anointed and ordained to be high priest in his father's place, he must make this atonement and put on the linen garments, that is, the holy garments. -\v 33 He must make atonement for the most holy place; he must make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he must make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. - -\s5 -\v 34 This will always be a statute for you, to make atonement for the people of Israel because of all their sins, once in every year." This was done as Yahweh commanded Moses. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, +\v 2 "When anyone has on the skin of his body a swelling or scab or a bright spot, and it becomes infected and there is a skin disease in his body, then he must be brought to Aaron the high priest, or to one of his sons the priests. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then the priest will examine the disease in the skin of his body. If the hair in the diseased area has turned white, and if the disease appears to be deeper than just on the skin, then it is an infectious disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean. +\v 4 If the bright spot in his skin is white, and the appearance of it is no deeper than the skin, and if the hair in the diseased area has not turned white, then the priest must isolate the one with the disease for seven days. + +\s5 +\v 5 On the seventh day, the priest must examine him to see if in his opinion the disease is not any worse, and if it has not spread in the skin. If it has not, then the priest must isolate him seven days more. +\v 6 The priest will examine him again on the seventh day to see if the disease is better and has not spread farther in the skin. If it has not, then the priest will pronounce him clean. It is a rash. He must wash his clothes, and then he is clean. + +\s5 +\v 7 But if the rash has spread in the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he must then show himself to the priest again. +\v 8 The priest will examine him to see if the rash has spread farther in the skin. If it has spread, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When an infectious skin disease is in someone, then he must be brought to the priest. +\v 10 The priest will examine him to see if there is a white swelling in the skin, if the hair has turned white, or if there is raw flesh in the swelling. +\v 11 If there is, then it is a chronic skin disease, and the priest must pronounce him unclean. He will not isolate him, because he is already unclean. + +\s5 +\v 12 If the disease breaks out widely in the skin and covers all the skin of the person with the disease from his head to his feet, as far as it appears to the priest, +\v 13 then the priest must examine him to see if the disease has covered all his body. If it has, then the priest must pronounce the person who has the disease as clean. If it has all turned white, then he is clean. +\v 14 But if raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. + +\s5 +\v 15 The priest must look at the raw flesh and pronounce him unclean because the raw flesh is unclean. It is an infectious disease. +\v 16 But if the raw flesh turns white again, then the person must go to the priest. +\v 17 The priest will examine him to see if the flesh has turned white. If it has then the priest will pronounce that person to be clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 When a person has a boil on the skin and it has healed, +\v 19 and in place of the boil there is white swelling or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it must be shown to the priest. +\v 20 The priest will examine it to see if it appears deeper under the skin, and if the hair there has turned white. If so, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease, if it has developed in the place where the boil was. + +\s5 +\v 21 But if the priest examines it and sees that there is no white hair in it, and that it is not under the skin but has faded, then the priest must isolate him for seven days. +\v 22 If it spreads widely in the skin, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease. +\v 23 But if the bright spot stays in its place and has not spread, then it is the scar of the boil, and the priest must pronounce him clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 When the skin has a burn and the raw flesh of the burn has become a reddish-white or white spot, +\v 25 then the priest will examine it to see if the hair in that spot has turned white, and if it appears to be deeper than the skin. If it has, then it is an infectious disease. It has broken out in the burn, and the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease. + +\s5 +\v 26 But if the priest examines it and finds that there is no white hair in the spot, and it is not under the skin but has faded, then the priest must isolate him for seven days. +\v 27 Then the priest must examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread widely in the skin, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious disease. +\v 28 If the spot stays in its place and has not spread in the skin but has faded, then it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest must pronounce him clean, for it is nothing more than the scar of the burn. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 If a man or woman has an infectious disease on the head or chin, +\v 30 then the priest must examine the person for an infectious disease to see if it appears to be deeper than the skin, and if there is yellow, thin hair in it. If there is, then the priest must pronounce him unclean. It is an itch, an infectious disease on the head or the chin. + +\s5 +\v 31 If the priest examines the itching disease and sees that it is not under the skin, and if there is no black hair in it, then the priest will isolate the person with the itching disease for seven days. + +\s5 +\v 32 On the seventh day the priest will examine the disease to see if it has spread. If there is no yellow hair, and if the disease appears to be only skin deep, +\v 33 then he must be shaved, but the diseased area must not be shaved, and the priest must isolate the person with the itching disease for seven more days. + +\s5 +\v 34 On the seventh day the priest will examine the disease to see if it has stopped spreading in the skin. If it appears to be no deeper than the skin, then the priest must pronounce him clean. The person must wash his clothes, and then he will be clean. + +\s5 +\v 35 But if the itching disease has spread widely in the skin after the priest said he was clean, +\v 36 then the priest must examine him again. If the disease has spread in the skin, the priest does not need to seek for yellow hair. The person is unclean. +\v 37 But if in the priest's view the itching disease has stopped spreading and black hair has grown in the area, then the disease has healed. He is clean, and the priest must pronounce him clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 If a man or a woman has white spots on the skin, +\v 39 then the priest must examine the person to see if the spots are a dull white, which is only a rash that has broken out in the skin. He is clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 If a man's hair has fallen out of his head, he is bald, but he is clean. +\v 41 If his hair has fallen out of the front part of his head, and if his forehead is bald, he is clean. + +\s5 +\v 42 But if there is a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease that has broken out. +\v 43 Then the priest must examine him to see if the swelling of the diseased area on his bald head or forehead is reddish-white, like the appearance of an infectious disease in the skin. +\v 44 If it is, then he has an infectious disease and he is unclean. The priest must surely pronounce him unclean because of his disease on his head. + +\s5 +\p +\v 45 The person who has an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, his hair must hang loosely, and he must cover his face up to his nose and call out, 'Unclean, unclean.' +\v 46 All the days that he has the infectious disease he will be unclean. Because he is unclean with a disease that can spread, he must live alone. He must live outside the camp. + +\s5 +\p +\v 47 A garment that is contaminated with mildew, whether it is a wool or linen garment, +\v 48 or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen, or leather or anything made with leather— +\v 49 if there is a greenish or reddish contamination in the garment, the leather, the woven or knitted material, or anything made of leather, then it is a mildew that spreads; it must be shown to the priest. + +\s5 +\v 50 The priest must examine the item for mildew; he must isolate anything that has mildew for seven days. +\v 51 He must examine the mildew again on the seventh day. If it has spread in the garment or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything in which leather is used, then it is harmful mildew, and the item is unclean. +\v 52 He must burn the garment, or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather, anything in which the harmful mildew is found, for it can lead to disease. The item must be completely burned up. + +\s5 +\p +\v 53 If the priest examines the item and sees that the mildew has not spread in the garment or material woven or knitted from wool or linen, or leather goods, +\v 54 then he will command them to wash the item in which the mildew was found, and he must isolate it for seven more days. +\v 55 Then the priest will examine the item after the mildewed item was washed. If the mildew has not changed its color, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. You must burn the item, no matter where the mildew has contaminated it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 56 If the priest examines the item, and if the mildew has faded after it was washed, then he must tear out the contaminated part from the garment or from the leather, or from the woven or knitted material. +\v 57 If the mildew still appears in the garment, either in the woven or knitted material, or in anything made of leather, it is spreading. You must burn any item that has the mildew. +\v 58 The garment or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather—if you wash the item and the mildew is gone, then the item must be washed a second time, and it will be clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 59 This is the law about mildew in a garment of wool or linen, or anything woven or knitted from wool or linen material, or leather or anything made with leather, so that you may pronounce it clean or unclean." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 2 "This will be the law for the diseased person on the day of his cleansing. He must be brought to the priest. + +\s5 +\v 3 The priest will go out of the camp to examine the person to see if the infectious skin disease is healed. +\v 4 Then the priest will command that the one to be cleansed must take two live, clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. +\v 5 The priest will command him to kill one of the birds over fresh water that is in a clay pot. + +\s5 +\v 6 The priest will then take the live bird and the cedar wood, and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and he will dip all these things, including the live bird, in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. +\v 7 Then the priest will sprinkle this water seven times onto the person who is to be cleansed from the disease, and then the priest will pronounce him to be clean. Then the priest will release the living bird into the open fields. + +\s5 +\v 8 The person who is being cleansed will wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe himself in water, and then he will be clean. After that he must come into the camp, but he will live outside his tent for seven days. +\v 9 On the seventh day he must shave all his hair off his head, and he must also shave off his beard and eyebrows. He must shave off all his hair, and he must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; then he will be clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 On the eighth day he must take two male lambs without blemish, one female lamb a year old without blemish, and three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and one log of oil. +\v 11 The priest who cleanses him will stand the person who is to be cleansed, along with those things, before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting. + +\s5 +\v 12 The priest will take one of the male lambs and offer it as a guilt offering, together with the log of oil; he will wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh. +\v 13 He must kill the male lamb in the place where they kill the sin offerings and the burnt offerings, in the area of the tabernacle, for the sin offering belongs to the priest, as does the guilt offering, because it is most holy. + +\s5 +\v 14 The priest will take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of the person who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. +\v 15 Then the priest will take oil from the log and pour it into the palm of his own left hand, +\v 16 and dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 17 The priest will put the rest of the oil in his hand on the tip of the right ear of the person to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. He must put this oil on top of the blood from the guilt offering. +\v 18 As for the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand, he will put it on the head of the person who is to be cleansed, and the priest will make atonement for him before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 19 Then the priest will offer the sin offering and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed because of his uncleanness, and afterward he will kill the burnt offering. +\v 20 Then the priest will offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. The priest will make atonement for the person, and then he will be clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 However, if the person is poor and cannot afford these sacrifices, then he may take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved, to make atonement for himself, and one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and a log of oil, +\v 22 together with two doves or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; one bird will be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. +\v 23 On the eighth day he must bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the entrance to the tent of meeting, before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 24 The priest will take the lamb for an offering, and he will take with it the log of olive oil, and he will lift them high as he presents them to Yahweh. +\v 25 He will kill the lamb for the guilt offering, and he will take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of the one who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. + +\s5 +\v 26 Then the priest will pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand, +\v 27 and he will sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 28 The priest will then put some of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of the one who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, the same places where he put the blood of the guilt offering. +\v 29 He will put the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the head of the one who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 30 He must offer one of the doves or young pigeons, such as the person has been able to get— +\v 31 one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, along with the grain offering. Then the priest will make atonement for the one who is to be cleansed before Yahweh. +\v 32 This is the law for a person in whom there is an infectious skin disease, who is not able to afford the standard offerings for his cleansing." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, +\v 34 "When you have come into the land of Canaan which I gave to you as a possession, and if I put mildew that spreads in a house in the land of your possession, +\v 35 then he who owns the house must come and tell the priest. He must say, 'There seems to me to be something like mildew in my house.' + +\s5 +\v 36 Then the priest will command that they empty the house before he goes in to see the evidence of mildew, so that nothing in the house will be made unclean. Afterward the priest must go in to see the house. +\v 37 He must examine the mildew to see if it is in the house walls, and to see whether it appears greenish or reddish in the depressions in the wall's surface. +\v 38 If the house does have mildew, then the priest will go out of the house and shut the door to the house for seven days. + +\s5 +\v 39 Then the priest will return again on the seventh day and examine it to see if the mildew has spread in the walls of the house. +\v 40 If it has, then the priest will command that they take out the stones in which the mildew has been found and throw them into an unclean place outside the city. + +\s5 +\v 41 He will require all the inside walls of the house to be scraped, and they must take the contaminated material that is scraped off outside the city and dump it into the unclean place. +\v 42 They must take other stones and put them in the place of the stones that were removed, and they must use new clay to plaster the house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 If mildew comes again and breaks out in the house in which the stones have been taken away and the walls have been scraped and then replastered, +\v 44 then the priest must come in and examine the house to see if mildew has spread in the house. If it has, then it is harmful mildew, and the house is unclean. + +\s5 +\v 45 The house must be torn down. The stones, timber, and all the plaster in the house must be carried away out of the city to the unclean place. +\v 46 In addition, whoever goes into the house during the time it is closed up will be unclean until evening. +\v 47 Anyone who slept in the house must wash his clothes, and anyone who ate in the house must wash his clothes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 If the priest enters the house to examine it to see whether the mildew has spread in the house after the house was plastered, then, if the mildew is gone, he will pronounce the house clean. + +\s5 +\v 49 Then the priest must take two birds to cleanse the house, and cedar wood, and scarlet yarn, and hyssop. +\v 50 He will kill one of the birds over fresh water in a clay jar. +\v 51 He will take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the killed bird, into the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times. + +\s5 +\v 52 He will cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the fresh water, with the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet yarn. +\v 53 But he will let the live bird go out of the city into the open fields. In this way he must make atonement for the house, and it will be clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 54 This is the law for all types of infectious skin disease and things that cause such disease, and for an itch, +\v 55 and for mildew in clothing and in a house, +\v 56 for swelling, for a rash, and for a bright spot, +\v 57 to determine when any of these cases is unclean or when it is clean. This is the law for infectious skin diseases and mildew." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, +\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel, and say to them, 'When any man has an infected fluid that comes out of his body, he becomes unclean. +\v 3 His uncleanness is due to this infected fluid. Whether his body flows with fluid or is stopped up, it is unclean. + +\s5 +\v 4 Every bed on which he lies will be unclean, and everything on which he sits will be unclean. +\v 5 Whoever touches his bed must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening. + +\s5 +\v 6 Anyone who sits on anything on which the man with the flow of infected fluid sat, that person must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening. +\v 7 Anyone who touches the body of the one who has a flow of infected fluid must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until evening. + +\s5 +\v 8 If the person who has such a flow of fluid spits on someone who is clean, then that person must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening. +\v 9 Any saddle which he who has a flow rides upon will be unclean. + +\s5 +\v 10 Whoever touches anything that was under that person will be unclean until evening, and anyone who carries those things must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; he will be unclean until evening. +\v 11 Whomever he who has such a flow touches without first having rinsed his hands in water, the person who was touched must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening. +\v 12 Any clay pot that the one with such a flow of fluid touches must be broken, and every container of wood must be rinsed in water. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 When he who has a flow is cleansed from his flow, then he must count for himself seven days for his cleansing; then he must wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water. Then he will be clean. +\v 14 On the eighth day he must take two doves or two young pigeons and come before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting; there he must give the birds to the priest. +\v 15 The priest must offer them, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and the priest must make atonement for him before Yahweh for his flow. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 If any man has an emission of semen, then he must bathe his whole body in water; he will be unclean until evening. +\v 17 Every garment or leather on which there is semen must be washed with water; it will be unclean until evening. +\v 18 If a woman and a man sleep together and there is a transfer of semen to her, they must both bathe themselves in water; they will be unclean until evening. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 When a woman menstruates, her impurity will continue for seven days, and whoever touches her will be unclean until evening. +\v 20 Everything she lies on during her period will be unclean; everything that she sits on will also be unclean. + +\s5 +\v 21 Whoever touches her bed must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; that person will be unclean until evening. +\v 22 Whoever touches anything that she sits on must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water; that person will be unclean until evening. +\v 23 Whether it is on the bed or on anything on which she sits, if he touches it, that person will be unclean until evening. +\s5 +\v 24 If any man sleeps with her, and if her impure flow touches him, he will be unclean for seven days. Every bed on which he lies will be unclean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 If a woman has a flow of blood for many days that is not in the time of her menstruation, or if she has a flow beyond the time of her menstruation, during all the days of the flow of her uncleanness, she will be as if she were in the days of her period. She is unclean. +\v 26 Every bed on which she lies all during her flow of blood will be to her just like the bed on which she lies during her menstruation, and everything on which she sits will be unclean, just like the uncleanness of her menstruation. +\v 27 Whoever touches any of those things will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and he will be unclean until evening. + +\s5 +\v 28 But if she is cleansed from her flow of blood, then she will count for herself seven days, and after that she will be clean. +\v 29 On the eighth day she will take to her two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. +\v 30 The priest will offer one bird as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and he will make atonement for her before Yahweh for her unclean flow of blood. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 This is how you must separate the people of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die due to their uncleanness, by defiling my tabernacle, where I live among them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 These are the regulations for anyone who has a flow of fluid, for any man whose semen goes out of him and makes him unclean, +\v 33 for any woman who has a menstrual period, for anyone with a flow of fluid, whether male or female, and for any man who sleeps with an unclean woman.'" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses—this was after the death of Aaron's two sons, when they had gone near to Yahweh and then died. +\v 2 Yahweh said to Moses, "Speak to Aaron your brother and tell him not to come at just any time into the most holy place inside the curtain, before the atonement lid that is on the ark. If he does, he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement lid. + +\s5 +\v 3 So here is how Aaron must come into the most holy place. He must enter with a young bull as a sin offering, and a ram as a burnt offering. +\v 4 He must put on the holy linen tunic, and he must put the linen undergarments on himself, and he must wear the linen sash and linen turban. These are the holy garments. He must bathe his body in water and then dress himself with these clothes. +\v 5 He must take from the assembly of the people of Israel two male goats as a sin offering and one ram as a burnt offering. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then Aaron must present the bull as the sin offering, which will be for himself, to make atonement for himself and his family. +\v 7 Then he must take the two goats and set them before Yahweh at the entrance to the tent of meeting. + +\s5 +\v 8 Then Aaron must cast lots for the two goats, one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for the scapegoat. +\v 9 Aaron must then present the goat on which the lot fell for Yahweh, and offer that goat as a sin offering. +\v 10 But the goat on which the lot fell for the scapegoat must be brought alive before Yahweh, to make atonement by sending him away as a scapegoat into the wilderness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Aaron must present the bull for the sin offering, which will be for himself. He must make atonement for himself and for his family, so he must kill the bull as a sin offering for himself. + +\s5 +\v 12 Aaron must take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh, with his hands full of finely ground sweet incense, and bring these things inside the curtain. +\v 13 There he must put the incense on the fire before Yahweh so that the cloud from the incense may cover the atonement lid over the covenant decrees. He must do this so he will not die. + +\s5 +\v 14 Then he must take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the front of the atonement lid. He must sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times before the atonement lid. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then he must kill the goat for the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the curtain. There he must do with the blood as he did with the blood of the bull: He must sprinkle it on the atonement lid and then before the atonement lid. +\v 16 He must make atonement for the holy place because of the unclean actions of the people of Israel, and because of their rebellion and all their sins. He must also do this for the tent of meeting, where Yahweh lives among them, in the presence of their unclean actions. + +\s5 +\v 17 No one must be in the tent of meeting when Aaron enters it to make atonement in the most holy place, and until he comes out and has finished making atonement for himself and for his family, and for all the assembly of Israel. +\v 18 He must go out to the altar that is before Yahweh and make atonement for it, and he must take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it on the horns of the altar all around. +\v 19 He must sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and set it apart to Yahweh, away from the unclean actions of the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 When he has finished atoning for the most holy place, the tent of meeting, and the altar, he must present the live goat. +\v 21 Aaron must lay both his hands on the head of the live goat and confess over him all the wickedness of the people of Israel, all their rebellion, and all their sins. Then he must put that sinfulness on the head of the goat and send the goat away in the care of a man who is ready to lead the goat into the wilderness. +\v 22 The goat must carry on himself all the people's wickedness to a solitary place. There in the wilderness, the man must let the goat go free. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Then Aaron must go back into the tent of meeting and take off the linen garments that he had put on before going into the most holy place, and he must leave those garments there. +\v 24 He must bathe his body in water in a holy place, and put on his normal garments; then he must go out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering for the people, and in this way make atonement for himself and for the people. + +\s5 +\v 25 He must burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar. +\v 26 The man who let the scapegoat go free must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that, he may come back into the camp. + +\s5 +\v 27 The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, must be carried outside the camp. There they must burn their hides, flesh, and dung. +\v 28 The man who burns those parts must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that, he may come back into the camp. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 It will always be a statute for you that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you must humble yourselves and do no work, whether the native born or a foreigner who is living among you. +\v 30 This is because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you from all your sins so you will be clean before Yahweh. +\v 31 It is a solemn Sabbath of rest for you, and you must humble yourselves and do no work. This will always be a statute among you. + +\s5 +\v 32 The high priest, the one who will be anointed and ordained to be high priest in his father's place, he must make this atonement and put on the linen garments, that is, the holy garments. +\v 33 He must make atonement for the most holy place; he must make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he must make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. + +\s5 +\v 34 This will always be a statute for you, to make atonement for the people of Israel because of all their sins, once in every year." This was done as Yahweh commanded Moses. + + + \s5 @@ -1303,86 +1303,86 @@ Do not consult spirits about the future, and do not seek to control others by su - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 2 "Say to the people of Israel, 'Anyone among the people of Israel, or any foreigner who lives in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech, must certainly be put to death. The people in the land must stone him with stones. - -\s5 -\v 3 I also will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people because he has given his child to Molech, so as to defile my holy place and profane my holy name. -\v 4 If the people of the land close their eyes to that man when he gives any of his children to Molech, if they do not put him to death, -\v 5 then I myself will set my face against that man and his clan, and I will cut him off and everyone else who prostitutes himself in order to play the harlot with Molech. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 The person who turns to those who talk with the dead, or to those who talk with spirits so as to prostitute themselves with them, I will set my face against that person; I will cut him off from among his people. -\v 7 Therefore consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am Yahweh your God. -\f + \ft Several modern versions have: \fqa ... because I, Yahweh your God, am holy \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 You must keep my commands and carry them out. I am Yahweh who sets you apart as holy. -\p -\v 9 Everyone who curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, so he is guilty and deserves to die. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The man who commits adultery with another man's wife, that is, anyone who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife—the adulterer and the adulteress must both certainly be put to death. -\p -\v 11 If a man lies with his father's wife, he uncovers his father's nakedness. Both the son and his father's wife must certainly be put to death. Their blood is upon them. -\p -\v 12 If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must certainly be put to death. They have committed perversion. They are guilty and deserve to die. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 If a man sleeps with another man, as with a woman, both of them have done something detestable. They must surely be put to death. They are guilty and deserve to die. -\p -\v 14 If a man marries a woman and also marries her mother, this is wickedness. They must be burned, both he and the women, so that there will be no wickedness among you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 If a man sleeps with an animal, he must surely be put to death, and you must kill the animal. -\p -\v 16 If a woman approaches any animal to sleep with it, you must kill the woman and the animal. They must certainly be put to death. They are guilty and deserve to die. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 If a man sleeps with his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and he uncovers her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. They must be cut off from the presence of their people, because he has slept with his sister. He must carry his guilt. -\p -\v 18 If a man sleeps with a woman during her menstrual period and has slept with her, he has uncovered the flow of her blood, the source of her blood. Both the man and woman must be cut off from among their people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 You must not sleep with your mother's sister, or with your father's sister, because you would disgrace your close relative. You must carry your own guilt. -\p -\v 20 If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has dishonored his uncle. When they die, I will punish both of them, and when they die, I will take away any inheritance their children might receive from their parents. -\p -\v 21 If a man marries his brother's wife while his brother is still living, that is disgraceful. He has dishonored his brother, and I will take away from their children any property they may have inherited from their parents. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 You must therefore keep all my statutes and all my decrees; you must obey them so that the land into which I am bringing you to live will not vomit you up. -\p -\v 23 You must not walk in the customs of the nations that I will drive out before you, for they have done all these things, and I detest them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 I said to you, "You will inherit their land; I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am Yahweh your God, who has separated you from the other peoples. -\v 25 You must therefore distinguish between the clean animals and the unclean, and between the unclean birds and the clean. You must not defile yourselves with unclean animals or birds or with any creature that crawls along the ground, which I have separated as unclean from you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 You must be holy, for I, Yahweh, am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples, for you belong to me. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 A man or a woman who talks with the dead or who talks with spirits must certainly be put to death. The people must stone them with stones. They are guilty and deserve to die.'" - - - + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 2 "Say to the people of Israel, 'Anyone among the people of Israel, or any foreigner who lives in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech, must certainly be put to death. The people in the land must stone him with stones. + +\s5 +\v 3 I also will set my face against that man and will cut him off from among his people because he has given his child to Molech, so as to defile my holy place and profane my holy name. +\v 4 If the people of the land close their eyes to that man when he gives any of his children to Molech, if they do not put him to death, +\v 5 then I myself will set my face against that man and his clan, and I will cut him off and everyone else who prostitutes himself in order to play the harlot with Molech. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 The person who turns to those who talk with the dead, or to those who talk with spirits so as to prostitute themselves with them, I will set my face against that person; I will cut him off from among his people. +\v 7 Therefore consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am Yahweh your God. +\f + \ft Several modern versions have: \fqa ... because I, Yahweh your God, am holy \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 You must keep my commands and carry them out. I am Yahweh who sets you apart as holy. +\p +\v 9 Everyone who curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother, so he is guilty and deserves to die. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The man who commits adultery with another man's wife, that is, anyone who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife—the adulterer and the adulteress must both certainly be put to death. +\p +\v 11 If a man lies with his father's wife, he uncovers his father's nakedness. Both the son and his father's wife must certainly be put to death. Their blood is upon them. +\p +\v 12 If a man sleeps with his daughter-in-law, both of them must certainly be put to death. They have committed perversion. They are guilty and deserve to die. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 If a man sleeps with another man, as with a woman, both of them have done something detestable. They must surely be put to death. They are guilty and deserve to die. +\p +\v 14 If a man marries a woman and also marries her mother, this is wickedness. They must be burned, both he and the women, so that there will be no wickedness among you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 If a man sleeps with an animal, he must surely be put to death, and you must kill the animal. +\p +\v 16 If a woman approaches any animal to sleep with it, you must kill the woman and the animal. They must certainly be put to death. They are guilty and deserve to die. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 If a man sleeps with his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and he uncovers her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. They must be cut off from the presence of their people, because he has slept with his sister. He must carry his guilt. +\p +\v 18 If a man sleeps with a woman during her menstrual period and has slept with her, he has uncovered the flow of her blood, the source of her blood. Both the man and woman must be cut off from among their people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 You must not sleep with your mother's sister, or with your father's sister, because you would disgrace your close relative. You must carry your own guilt. +\p +\v 20 If a man sleeps with his aunt, he has dishonored his uncle. When they die, I will punish both of them, and when they die, I will take away any inheritance their children might receive from their parents. +\p +\v 21 If a man marries his brother's wife while his brother is still living, that is disgraceful. He has dishonored his brother, and I will take away from their children any property they may have inherited from their parents. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 You must therefore keep all my statutes and all my decrees; you must obey them so that the land into which I am bringing you to live will not vomit you up. +\p +\v 23 You must not walk in the customs of the nations that I will drive out before you, for they have done all these things, and I detest them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 I said to you, "You will inherit their land; I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am Yahweh your God, who has separated you from the other peoples. +\v 25 You must therefore distinguish between the clean animals and the unclean, and between the unclean birds and the clean. You must not defile yourselves with unclean animals or birds or with any creature that crawls along the ground, which I have separated as unclean from you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 You must be holy, for I, Yahweh, am holy, and I have separated you from the other peoples, for you belong to me. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 A man or a woman who talks with the dead or who talks with spirits must certainly be put to death. The people must stone them with stones. They are guilty and deserve to die.'" + + + \s5 @@ -1434,525 +1434,525 @@ Do not consult spirits about the future, and do not seek to control others by su - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 2 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, tell them to keep away from the holy things of the people of Israel, which they set apart to me. They must not profane my holy name. I am Yahweh. -\v 3 Say to them, 'If any of your descendants throughout your generations approaches the holy things that the people of Israel have set apart to Yahweh, while he is unclean, that person must be cut off from before me: I am Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 None of the descendants of Aaron who has an infectious skin disease, or an infection flowing from his body, may eat any of the sacrifices made to Yahweh until he is clean. Whoever touches anything unclean through contact with the dead, or by contact with a man who has a flow of semen, -\v 5 or whoever touches any creeping animal that makes him unclean, or any person who makes him unclean, whatever kind of uncleanness it may be— -\v 6 then the priest who touches anything unclean will be unclean until evening. He must not eat any of the holy things, unless he has bathed his body in water. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 When the sun has set, he will then be clean. After sunset he may eat from the holy things, because they are his food. -\v 8 He must not eat anything found dead or killed by wild animals, by which he would defile himself. I am Yahweh. -\p -\v 9 The priests must follow my instructions, or they will be guilty of sin and could die for profaning me. I am Yahweh who makes them holy. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 No one outside the priest's family, including guests of a priest or his hired servants, may eat anything that is holy. -\v 11 But if a priest buys any slave with his own money, that slave may eat from the things set apart to Yahweh. The priest's family members and slaves born in his house, they also may eat with him from those things. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 If a priest's daughter married someone who is not a priest, she may not eat any of the holy contribution offerings. -\v 13 But if a priest's daughter is a widow, or divorced, and if she has no child, and if she returns to live in her father's house as in her youth, she may eat from her father's food. But no one who is not in the priestly family may eat from the priest's food. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 If a man eats a holy food without knowing it, then he must repay the priest for it; he must add one-fifth to it and give it back to the priest. -\p -\v 15 The people of Israel must not dishonor the holy things that they have raised high and presented to Yahweh, -\v 16 and cause themselves to carry the sin that would make them guilty of eating the holy food, for I am Yahweh who makes them holy.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 18 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, and to all the people of Israel. Say to them, 'Any Israelite, or an alien living in Israel, when they present a sacrifice—whether it is to fulfill a vow, or whether it is a freewill offering, or they present to Yahweh a burnt offering, -\v 19 if it is to be accepted, they must offer a male animal without blemish from the cattle, sheep, or goats. - -\s5 -\v 20 But you must not offer whatever has a blemish. I will not accept it on your behalf. -\p -\v 21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of fellowship offerings from the herd or the flock to Yahweh to fulfill a vow, or as a freewill offering, it must be unblemished to be accepted. There must be no defect in the animal. - -\s5 -\v 22 You must not offer animals that are blind, disabled, or maimed, or that have warts, sores, or scabs. You must not offer these to Yahweh as a sacrifice by fire on the altar. -\v 23 You may present as a freewill offering an ox or a lamb that is deformed or small, but an offering like that will not be accepted for a vow. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Do not offer any animal to Yahweh that has bruised, crushed, torn, or cut testicles. Do not do this within your land. -\v 25 You must not present the bread of your God from the hand of a foreigner. Those animals are deformed and have defects in them, they will not be accepted for you.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 27 "When a calf or a sheep or a goat is born, it must remain seven days with its mother. Then from the eighth day on, it may be accepted as a sacrifice for an offering made by fire to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Do not kill a cow or ewe along with its young, both on the same day. -\v 29 When you sacrifice a thank offering to Yahweh, you must sacrifice it in an acceptable way. -\v 30 It must be eaten on the same day that it is sacrificed. You must leave none of it until the next morning. I am Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 So you must keep my commandments and carry them out. I am Yahweh. -\p -\v 32 You must not dishonor my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the people of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy, -\v 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am Yahweh." - - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses: -\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel, and say to them, 'These are the appointed festivals for Yahweh, which you must proclaim as holy assemblies; they are my regular festivals. - -\s5 -\v 3 You may work for six days, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy assembly. You must do no work because it is a Sabbath for Yahweh in all the places where you live. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 These are the appointed festivals of Yahweh, the holy assemblies that you must announce at their appointed times: -\v 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is Yahweh's Passover. -\v 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread for Yahweh. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. - -\s5 -\v 7 The first day you must set apart to gather together; you will not do any of your regular work. -\v 8 You will present a food offering to Yahweh for seven days. The seventh day is an assembly set apart to Yahweh, and on that day you must not do any regular work.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 10 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you have come into the land that I will give you, and when you reap its harvest, then you must bring a sheaf of its firstfruits to the priest. -\v 11 He will raise the sheaf before Yahweh and present it to him, for it to be accepted on your behalf. It is on the day after the Sabbath that the priest will raise it and present it to me. - -\s5 -\v 12 On the day when you raise the sheaf and present it to me, you must offer a male lamb one year old and without blemish as a burnt offering to Yahweh. -\v 13 The grain offering must be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to Yahweh, to produce a sweet aroma, and with it a drink offering of wine, a fourth of a hin. -\v 14 You must eat no bread, nor roasted or fresh grain, until the same day you have brought this offering to your God. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations, in every place that you live. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Beginning from the day after the Sabbath—that was the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering—count seven full weeks. -\v 16 You must count fifty days, which would be the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you must present an offering of new grain to Yahweh. -\s5 -\v 17 You must bring out of your houses two loaves made from two-tenths of an ephah. They must be made from fine flour and baked with yeast; they will be a wave offering of the firstfruits to Yahweh. -\v 18 You must present with the bread seven lambs one year old and without blemish, one young bull, and two rams. They must be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire and producing a sweet aroma for Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 19 You must offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice, as fellowship offerings. -\v 20 The priest must wave them together with the bread of the firstfruits before Yahweh, and present them to him as an offering with the two lambs. They will be holy offerings to Yahweh for the priest. -\v 21 You must make a proclamation on that same day. There will be a holy assembly, and you must do no ordinary work. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not completely reap the corners of your fields, and you must not gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 24 "Speak to the people of Israel and say, 'In the seventh month, the first day of that month will be a solemn rest for you, a memorial with the blowing of trumpets, and a holy assembly. -\v 25 You must do no ordinary work, and you must offer a sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh.'" -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 27 "Now the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It is to be a holy assembly, and you must humble yourselves and present to Yahweh an offering by fire. - -\s5 -\v 28 You must do no work on that day because it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for yourselves before Yahweh your God. -\v 29 Whoever does not humble himself on that day must be cut off from his people. - -\s5 -\v 30 Whoever does any work on that day, I, Yahweh, will destroy him from among his people. -\v 31 You must do no work of any kind on that day. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live. -\v 32 This day must be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you must humble yourselves the ninth day of the month at the evening. From evening to evening you are to observe your Sabbath." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 34 "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month will be the Festival of Shelters for Yahweh. It will last seven days. - -\s5 -\v 35 On the first day there must be a holy assembly. You must do no ordinary work. -\v 36 For seven days you must offer a sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day there must be a holy assembly, and you must make a sacrifice offered with fire to Yahweh. This is a solemn assembly, and you must not do any ordinary work. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 These are the appointed festivals for Yahweh, which you must proclaim as holy assemblies to offer sacrifice by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering and a grain offering, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its own day. -\v 38 These festivals will be in addition to the Sabbaths of Yahweh and your gifts, all your vows, and all your freewill offerings that you give to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 Regarding the Festival of Shelters, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you must keep this festival of Yahweh for seven days. The first day will be a solemn rest, and the eighth day will also be a solemn rest. - -\s5 -\v 40 On the first day you must take the best fruit from the trees, branches of palm trees, and leafy branches of thick trees, and willows from streams, and you will rejoice before Yahweh your God for seven days. -\v 41 For seven days each year, you must celebrate this festival for Yahweh. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live. You must celebrate this festival in the seventh month. - -\s5 -\v 42 You must live in small shelters for seven days. All native-born Israelites must live in small shelters for seven days, -\v 43 so that your descendants, generation after generation, may learn how I made the people of Israel live in such shelters when I led them out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.'" -\v 44 In this way, Moses announced to the people of Israel the appointed festivals for Yahweh. - - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 2 "Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil beaten from olives to be used in the lamp, that the light may burn continually. - -\s5 -\v 3 Outside the curtain before the covenant decrees in the tent of meeting, Aaron must continually, from evening to morning, keep the lamp lit before Yahweh. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations. -\v 4 The high priest must always keep the lamps lit before Yahweh, the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 You must take fine flour and bake twelve loaves with it. There must be two-tenths of an ephah in each loaf. -\v 6 Then you must set them in two rows, six in a row, on the table of pure gold before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 7 You must put pure incense along each row of loaves as a representative offering. This incense will be burnt for Yahweh. -\v 8 Every Sabbath day the high priest must regularly set out the bread before Yahweh on behalf of the people of Israel, as a sign of an everlasting covenant. -\v 9 This offering will be for Aaron and his sons, and they are to eat it in a place that is holy, for it is a portion from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire." -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Now it happened that the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went among the people of Israel. This son of the Israelite woman fought against an Israelite man in the camp. -\v 11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the name of Yahweh and cursed God, so the people brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, from the tribe of Dan. -\v 12 They held him in custody until Yahweh himself should declare his will to them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, -\v 14 "Take the man who has cursed God outside the camp. All who heard him must lay their hands on his head, and then the entire assembly must stone him. - -\s5 -\v 15 You must explain to the people of Israel and say, 'Whoever curses his God must carry his own guilt. -\v 16 He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh must surely be put to death. All the assembly must certainly stone him, whether he is a foreigner or a native-born Israelite. If anyone blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he must be put to death. - -\s5 -\v 17 If anyone strikes down another human being, he must certainly be put to death. -\v 18 If anyone strikes down someone's animal, he must pay it back, life for life. - -\s5 -\v 19 If anyone injures his neighbor, it must be done to him as he did to his neighbor: -\v 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has caused an injury to a person, so must it also be done to him. -\v 21 Anyone who kills an animal must pay it back, and anyone who kills a person must be put to death. - -\s5 -\v 22 You must have the same law for both the foreigner and the native-born Israelite, for I am Yahweh your God.'" -\v 23 So Moses spoke to the people of Israel, and the people brought the man outside the camp, the one who had cursed Yahweh. They stoned him with stones. The people of Israel carried out the command of Yahweh to Moses. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, -\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land that I give you, then the land must be made to keep a Sabbath for Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 3 You must plant your field for six years, and for six years you must prune your vineyard and gather the produce. -\v 4 But in the seventh year, a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land must be observed, a Sabbath for Yahweh. You must not plant your field or prune your vineyard. - -\s5 -\v 5 You must not conduct an organized harvest of whatever grows by itself, and you must not conduct an organized harvest of whatever grapes grow on your unpruned vines. This will be a year of solemn rest for the land. -\v 6 Whatever the unworked land grows during the Sabbath year will be food for you. You, your male and female servants, your hired servants and the foreigners who live with you may gather food, -\v 7 and your livestock and also wild animals may eat whatever the land produces. -\s5 -\p -\v 8 You must count off seven Sabbaths of years, that is, seven times seven years, so that there will be seven Sabbaths of years, totaling forty-nine years. -\v 9 Then you must blow a loud trumpet everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you must blow a trumpet throughout all your land. - -\s5 -\v 10 You must set apart the fiftieth year to Yahweh and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It will be a Jubilee for you, in which property and slaves must be returned to their families. -\s5 -\v 11 The fiftieth year will be a Jubilee for you. You must not plant or conduct an organized harvest. Eat whatever grows by itself, and gather the grapes that grow on the unpruned vines. -\v 12 For it is a Jubilee, which will be holy for you. You must eat the produce that grows by itself out of the fields. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 You must return everyone to his own property in this year of Jubilee. -\p -\v 14 If you sell any land to your neighbor or buy any land from your neighbor, you must not cheat or wrong each other. - -\s5 -\v 15 If you buy land from your neighbor, consider the number of years and crops that can be harvested until the next Jubilee. Your neighbor selling the land must consider that also. -\v 16 A larger number of years until the next Jubilee will increase the value of land, and a smaller number of years until the next Jubilee will decrease the value, because the number of harvests the land will produce for the new owner is related to the number of years before the next Jubilee. -\v 17 You must not cheat or wrong one another; instead, you must honor your God, for I am Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Therefore you must obey my decrees, keep my laws, and carry them out. Then you will live in the land in safety. -\v 19 The land will yield its produce, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety. - -\s5 -\v 20 You might say, "What will we eat during the seventh year? Look, we cannot plant or gather our produce." -\v 21 I will command my blessing to come upon you in the sixth year, and it will produce harvest enough for three years. -\v 22 You will plant in the eighth year and continue to eat from the previous years' produce and the stored food. Until the harvest of the ninth year comes in, you will be able to eat from the provisions stored in the previous years. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The land must not be sold to a new permanent owner, because the land is mine. You are all foreigners and temporary residents on my land. -\v 24 You must observe the right of redemption for all the land that you acquire; you must allow the land to be bought back by the family from whom you bought it. -\v 25 If your fellow Israelite became poor and for that reason sold some of his property, then his nearest relative may come and buy back the property that he sold to you. - -\s5 -\v 26 If a man has no relative to redeem his property, but if he has prospered and has the ability to redeem it, -\v 27 then he may calculate the years since the land was sold and repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it. Then he may return to his own property. -\v 28 But if he is not able to get the land back for himself, then the land he has sold will remain in the ownership of the one who bought it until the year of Jubilee. At the year of Jubilee, the land will be returned to the man who sold it, and the original owner will return to his property. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 If a man sells a house in a walled city, then he may buy it back within a whole year after it was sold. For a full year he will have the right of redemption. -\v 30 If the house is not redeemed within a full year, then the house in the walled city will become the permanent property of the buyer and his descendants. It is not to be returned in the year of Jubilee. - -\s5 -\v 31 But the houses of the villages that have no wall around them will be considered as the field of the land. They may be redeemed, and they must be returned during the year of Jubilee. -\v 32 However, the houses owned by the Levites in their cities may be redeemed at any time. - -\s5 -\v 33 If one of the Levites does not redeem a house he sold, then the house that was sold in the city where it is located must be returned in the year of Jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their property among the people of Israel. -\v 34 But the fields around their cities may not be sold because they are the permanent property of the Levites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 If your fellow countryman becomes poor, so that he can no longer provide for himself, then you must help him as you would help a foreigner or anyone else living as an outsider among you. -\v 36 Do not charge him interest or try to profit from him in any way, but honor your God so that your brother may keep living with you. -\v 37 You must not give him a loan of money and charge interest, nor sell him your food to earn a profit. -\v 38 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, in order that I might give you the land of Canaan, and that I might be your God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 If your fellow countryman has become poor and sells himself to you, you must not make him work like a slave. -\v 40 Treat him as a hired servant. He must be like someone living temporarily with you. He will serve with you until the year of Jubilee. -\v 41 Then he will go away from you, he and his children with him, and he will return to his own family and to his fathers' property. - -\s5 -\v 42 For they are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. They will not be sold as slaves. -\v 43 You must not rule over them harshly, but you must honor your God. -\v 44 As for your male and female slaves, whom you can obtain from the nations who live around you, you may buy slaves from them. - -\s5 -\v 45 You may also buy slaves from the foreigners who are living among you, that is, from their families who are with you, children who have been born in your land. They may become your property. -\v 46 You may provide such slaves as an inheritance for your children after you, to hold as property, and make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your brothers among the people of Israel with harshness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 47 If a foreigner or someone living temporarily with you has become wealthy, and if one of your fellow Israelites has become poor and sells himself to that foreigner, or to someone in a foreigner's family, -\v 48 after your fellow Israelite has been bought, he may be bought back. Someone in his family may redeem him. -\s5 -\v 49 It might be the person's uncle, or his uncle's son, who redeems him, or anyone who is his close relative from his family. Or, if he has become prosperous, he may redeem himself. -\v 50 He must bargain with the man who bought him; they must count the years from the year he sold himself to his purchaser until the year of Jubilee. The price of his redemption must be figured in keeping with the rate paid to a hired servant, for the number of years he might continue to work for the one who bought him. - -\s5 -\v 51 If there are still many years until the year of Jubilee, he must pay back as the price for his redemption an amount of money that is in proportion to the number of those years. -\v 52 If there are only a few years to the year of Jubilee, then he must bargain with his purchaser to reflect the number of years left before the year of Jubilee, and he must pay for his redemption in keeping with the number of years. - -\s5 -\v 53 He is to be treated like a man hired year by year. You must make sure he is not treated with harshness. -\v 54 If he is not redeemed by these means, then he must serve until the year of Jubilee, he and his children with him. -\v 55 To me the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.'" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 "You must make no idols, and you must not lift up a carved figure or a sacred stone pillar, and you must not place any carved stone image in your land to which you bow down, for I am Yahweh your God. -\v 2 You must keep my Sabbaths and honor my sanctuary. I am Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 If you walk in my laws and keep my commandments and obey them, -\v 4 then I will give you rain in its season; the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will yield their fruit. - -\s5 -\v 5 Your threshing will continue to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will extend to the planting season. You will eat your bread to the full and live safely where you make your home in the land. -\v 6 I will give peace in the land; you will lie down with nothing to make you afraid. I will take the dangerous animals away from the land, and the sword will not pass through your land. - -\s5 -\v 7 You will chase your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword. -\v 8 Five of you will chase away a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand; your enemies will fall before you by the sword. - -\s5 -\v 9 I will look at you with favor and make you fruitful and multiply you; I will establish my covenant with you. -\v 10 You will eat food stored a long time. You will have to bring out the stored food because you will need the room for the new harvest. - -\s5 -\v 11 I will place my tabernacle among you, and I will not detest you. -\v 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. -\v 13 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, so that you would not be their slaves. I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you to walk standing up straight. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 But if you will not listen to me, and will not obey all these commandments, -\v 15 and if you reject my decrees and detest my laws, so that you will not obey all my commandments, but break my covenant— - -\s5 -\v 16 —if you do these things, then I will do this to you: I will inflict terror on you, diseases and fever that will destroy the eyes and will drain away your life. You will plant your seeds for nothing, because your enemies will eat their produce. -\v 17 I will set my face against you, and you will be overpowered by your enemies. Men who hate you will rule over you, and you will run away, even when no one is chasing you. - -\s5 -\v 18 If after all this you do not listen to me, then I will punish you seven times as severely for your sins. -\v 19 I will break your pride in your power. I will make the sky over you like iron and your land like bronze. -\v 20 Your strength will be used up for nothing, because your land will not produce its harvest, and your trees in the land will not produce their fruit. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 If you walk against me and will not listen to me, I will bring seven times more blows on you, in proportion to your sins. -\v 22 I will send dangerous animals against you, which will steal your children, destroy your cattle, and make you few in number. So your roads will become deserted. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 If in spite of these things you still do not accept my correction and you continue to walk in opposition to me, -\v 24 then I will also walk in opposition to you, and I myself will punish you seven times because of your sins. - -\s5 -\v 25 I will bring a sword on you that will execute vengeance for breaking the covenant. You will be gathered together inside your cities, and I will send a disease among you there, and then you will be delivered into the hand of your enemy. -\v 26 When I cut off your food supply, ten women will be able to bake your bread in one oven, and they will distribute your bread by weight. You will eat but not be satisfied. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 If you do not listen to me despite these things, but continue to walk against me, -\v 28 then I will walk against you in anger, and I will punish you even seven more times as much for your sins. - -\s5 -\v 29 You will eat the flesh of your sons; you will eat the flesh of your daughters. -\v 30 I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and throw your corpses on the corpses of your idols, and I myself will abhor you. - -\s5 -\v 31 I will turn your cities into ruins and destroy your sanctuaries. I will not be pleased with the aroma of your offerings. -\v 32 I will devastate the land. Your enemies who will live there will be shocked at the devastation. -\v 33 I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out my sword and follow you. Your land will be abandoned, and your cities will be ruined. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths for as long as it lies abandoned and you are in your enemies' lands. During that time, the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. -\v 35 As long as it lies abandoned, it will have rest, which will be the rest that it did not have with your Sabbaths, when you lived in it. -\p -\v 36 As for those of you who are left in your enemies' lands, I will send fear into your hearts so that even the sound of a leaf blowing in the wind will startle you, and you will flee as though you were fleeing from the sword. You will fall, even when no one is chasing you. - -\s5 -\v 37 You will stumble over each other as though you were running from the sword, even though no one is chasing you. You will have no power to stand before your enemies. -\v 38 You will perish among the nations, and your enemies' land will itself devour you. -\v 39 Those who are left among you will waste away in their sins, there in your enemies' lands, and because of their fathers' sins they will waste away as well. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 Yet if they confess their sins and their fathers' sin, and their treason by which they were unfaithful to me, and also their walking against me— -\v 41 which caused me to turn against them and I brought them into the land of their enemies—if their uncircumcised hearts become humbled, and if they accept the punishment for their sins, -\v 42 then will I call to mind my covenant with Jacob, my covenant with Isaac, and my covenant with Abraham; also, I will call the land to mind. - -\s5 -\v 43 The land will be abandoned by them, so it will be pleased with its Sabbaths while it lies abandoned without them. They will have to pay the penalty for their sins because they themselves rejected my decrees and detested my laws. - -\s5 -\v 44 Yet despite all this, when they are in their enemies' land, I will not reject them, neither will I detest them so as to completely destroy them and do away with my covenant with them, for I am Yahweh their God. -\v 45 But for their sakes I will call to mind the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, so that I might be their God. I am Yahweh." - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 These are the commandments, decrees, and laws that Yahweh made between himself and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai through Moses. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'If anyone makes a special vow to Yahweh, use the following valuations. - -\s5 -\v 3 Your standard value for a male from twenty to sixty years old must be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. -\v 4 For a female of the same ages your standard value must be thirty shekels. - -\s5 -\v 5 From five years to twenty years old your standard value for a male must be twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. -\v 6 From one month old to five years your standard value for a male must be five shekels of silver, and for a female three shekels of silver. - -\s5 -\v 7 From sixty years old and up for a male your standard value must be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. -\v 8 But if the person making the vow cannot pay the standard value, then the person being given must be presented to the priest, and the priest will value that person by the amount the one making the vow is able to afford. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 If someone wants to sacrifice an animal to Yahweh, and if Yahweh accepts it, then that animal will be set apart to him. -\v 10 The person must not alter or change such an animal, a good one for a bad one or a bad for a good. If he does at all change one animal for another, then both it and the one for which it is exchanged become holy. - -\s5 -\v 11 However, if what the person has vowed to give Yahweh is in fact unclean, so that Yahweh will not accept it, then the person must bring the animal to a priest. -\v 12 The priest will value it, by the market value of the animal. Whatever value the priest places on the animal, that will be its value. -\v 13 If the owner wishes to redeem it, then a fifth of its value is to be added to its redemption price. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 When a man sets apart his house as a holy gift to Yahweh, then the priest will set its value as either good or bad. Whatever the priest values it, so it will be. -\v 15 But if the owner who set apart his home wishes to redeem it, he must add a fifth of its value to its redemption price, and it will belong to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 If a man sets apart some of his own land, then the valuation of it will be in proportion to the amount of seed required to plant it—a homer of barley will be valued at fifty shekels of silver. - -\s5 -\v 17 If he sets apart his field during the year of Jubilee, the valuation of it will stand. -\v 18 But if he sets apart his field after the year of Jubilee, then the priest must calculate the value of the field by the number of years that remain until the next year of Jubilee, and the valuation of it must be reduced. - -\s5 -\v 19 If the man who set apart the field wishes to redeem it, then he must add a fifth to the valuation, and it will belong to him. -\v 20 If he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it cannot be redeemed any more. -\v 21 Instead, the field, when it is released in the year of Jubilee, will be a holy gift to Yahweh, like the field that has been completely given to Yahweh. It will belong to the priest. - -\s5 -\v 22 If a man sets apart a field that he has bought, but that field is not part of his family's land, -\v 23 then the priest will figure the valuation of it up to the year of Jubilee, and the man must pay its value on that day as a holy gift to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 24 In the year of Jubilee, the field will return to the man from whom it was bought, to the land's owner. -\v 25 All the valuations must be set by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. Twenty gerahs must be the equivalent of one shekel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 No one may set apart the firstborn among animals, since the firstborn already belongs to Yahweh; whether ox or sheep, it is Yahweh's. -\v 27 If it is an unclean animal, then the owner may buy it back at the valuation of it, and a fifth must be added to that value. If the animal is not redeemed, then it is to be sold at the set value. - - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 But nothing that a man devotes to Yahweh, from all that he has, whether human or animal, or his family land, may be sold or redeemed. Everything that is devoted is very holy to Yahweh. -\v 29 No ransom may be paid for the person who is devoted for destruction. That person must be put to death. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 All the tithe of the land, whether grain grown on the land or fruit from the trees, is Yahweh's. It is holy to Yahweh. -\v 31 If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value. - -\s5 -\v 32 As for every tenth of the herd or the flock, whatever passes under the shepherd's rod, one-tenth must be set apart to Yahweh. -\v 33 The shepherd must not search for the better or the worse animals, and he must not substitute one for another. If he changes it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed will be holy. It cannot be redeemed.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 These are the commandments that Yahweh gave at Mount Sinai to Moses for the people of Israel. - - + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 2 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, tell them to keep away from the holy things of the people of Israel, which they set apart to me. They must not profane my holy name. I am Yahweh. +\v 3 Say to them, 'If any of your descendants throughout your generations approaches the holy things that the people of Israel have set apart to Yahweh, while he is unclean, that person must be cut off from before me: I am Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 None of the descendants of Aaron who has an infectious skin disease, or an infection flowing from his body, may eat any of the sacrifices made to Yahweh until he is clean. Whoever touches anything unclean through contact with the dead, or by contact with a man who has a flow of semen, +\v 5 or whoever touches any creeping animal that makes him unclean, or any person who makes him unclean, whatever kind of uncleanness it may be— +\v 6 then the priest who touches anything unclean will be unclean until evening. He must not eat any of the holy things, unless he has bathed his body in water. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 When the sun has set, he will then be clean. After sunset he may eat from the holy things, because they are his food. +\v 8 He must not eat anything found dead or killed by wild animals, by which he would defile himself. I am Yahweh. +\p +\v 9 The priests must follow my instructions, or they will be guilty of sin and could die for profaning me. I am Yahweh who makes them holy. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 No one outside the priest's family, including guests of a priest or his hired servants, may eat anything that is holy. +\v 11 But if a priest buys any slave with his own money, that slave may eat from the things set apart to Yahweh. The priest's family members and slaves born in his house, they also may eat with him from those things. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 If a priest's daughter married someone who is not a priest, she may not eat any of the holy contribution offerings. +\v 13 But if a priest's daughter is a widow, or divorced, and if she has no child, and if she returns to live in her father's house as in her youth, she may eat from her father's food. But no one who is not in the priestly family may eat from the priest's food. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 If a man eats a holy food without knowing it, then he must repay the priest for it; he must add one-fifth to it and give it back to the priest. +\p +\v 15 The people of Israel must not dishonor the holy things that they have raised high and presented to Yahweh, +\v 16 and cause themselves to carry the sin that would make them guilty of eating the holy food, for I am Yahweh who makes them holy.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 18 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, and to all the people of Israel. Say to them, 'Any Israelite, or an alien living in Israel, when they present a sacrifice—whether it is to fulfill a vow, or whether it is a freewill offering, or they present to Yahweh a burnt offering, +\v 19 if it is to be accepted, they must offer a male animal without blemish from the cattle, sheep, or goats. + +\s5 +\v 20 But you must not offer whatever has a blemish. I will not accept it on your behalf. +\p +\v 21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of fellowship offerings from the herd or the flock to Yahweh to fulfill a vow, or as a freewill offering, it must be unblemished to be accepted. There must be no defect in the animal. + +\s5 +\v 22 You must not offer animals that are blind, disabled, or maimed, or that have warts, sores, or scabs. You must not offer these to Yahweh as a sacrifice by fire on the altar. +\v 23 You may present as a freewill offering an ox or a lamb that is deformed or small, but an offering like that will not be accepted for a vow. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Do not offer any animal to Yahweh that has bruised, crushed, torn, or cut testicles. Do not do this within your land. +\v 25 You must not present the bread of your God from the hand of a foreigner. Those animals are deformed and have defects in them, they will not be accepted for you.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 27 "When a calf or a sheep or a goat is born, it must remain seven days with its mother. Then from the eighth day on, it may be accepted as a sacrifice for an offering made by fire to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Do not kill a cow or ewe along with its young, both on the same day. +\v 29 When you sacrifice a thank offering to Yahweh, you must sacrifice it in an acceptable way. +\v 30 It must be eaten on the same day that it is sacrificed. You must leave none of it until the next morning. I am Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 So you must keep my commandments and carry them out. I am Yahweh. +\p +\v 32 You must not dishonor my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the people of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy, +\v 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am Yahweh." + + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses: +\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel, and say to them, 'These are the appointed festivals for Yahweh, which you must proclaim as holy assemblies; they are my regular festivals. + +\s5 +\v 3 You may work for six days, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy assembly. You must do no work because it is a Sabbath for Yahweh in all the places where you live. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 These are the appointed festivals of Yahweh, the holy assemblies that you must announce at their appointed times: +\v 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is Yahweh's Passover. +\v 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the Festival of Unleavened Bread for Yahweh. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. + +\s5 +\v 7 The first day you must set apart to gather together; you will not do any of your regular work. +\v 8 You will present a food offering to Yahweh for seven days. The seventh day is an assembly set apart to Yahweh, and on that day you must not do any regular work.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 10 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you have come into the land that I will give you, and when you reap its harvest, then you must bring a sheaf of its firstfruits to the priest. +\v 11 He will raise the sheaf before Yahweh and present it to him, for it to be accepted on your behalf. It is on the day after the Sabbath that the priest will raise it and present it to me. + +\s5 +\v 12 On the day when you raise the sheaf and present it to me, you must offer a male lamb one year old and without blemish as a burnt offering to Yahweh. +\v 13 The grain offering must be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to Yahweh, to produce a sweet aroma, and with it a drink offering of wine, a fourth of a hin. +\v 14 You must eat no bread, nor roasted or fresh grain, until the same day you have brought this offering to your God. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations, in every place that you live. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Beginning from the day after the Sabbath—that was the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering—count seven full weeks. +\v 16 You must count fifty days, which would be the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you must present an offering of new grain to Yahweh. +\s5 +\v 17 You must bring out of your houses two loaves made from two-tenths of an ephah. They must be made from fine flour and baked with yeast; they will be a wave offering of the firstfruits to Yahweh. +\v 18 You must present with the bread seven lambs one year old and without blemish, one young bull, and two rams. They must be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering made by fire and producing a sweet aroma for Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 19 You must offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice, as fellowship offerings. +\v 20 The priest must wave them together with the bread of the firstfruits before Yahweh, and present them to him as an offering with the two lambs. They will be holy offerings to Yahweh for the priest. +\v 21 You must make a proclamation on that same day. There will be a holy assembly, and you must do no ordinary work. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not completely reap the corners of your fields, and you must not gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 24 "Speak to the people of Israel and say, 'In the seventh month, the first day of that month will be a solemn rest for you, a memorial with the blowing of trumpets, and a holy assembly. +\v 25 You must do no ordinary work, and you must offer a sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh.'" +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 27 "Now the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It is to be a holy assembly, and you must humble yourselves and present to Yahweh an offering by fire. + +\s5 +\v 28 You must do no work on that day because it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for yourselves before Yahweh your God. +\v 29 Whoever does not humble himself on that day must be cut off from his people. + +\s5 +\v 30 Whoever does any work on that day, I, Yahweh, will destroy him from among his people. +\v 31 You must do no work of any kind on that day. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live. +\v 32 This day must be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you must humble yourselves the ninth day of the month at the evening. From evening to evening you are to observe your Sabbath." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 34 "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'On the fifteenth day of the seventh month will be the Festival of Shelters for Yahweh. It will last seven days. + +\s5 +\v 35 On the first day there must be a holy assembly. You must do no ordinary work. +\v 36 For seven days you must offer a sacrifice made by fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day there must be a holy assembly, and you must make a sacrifice offered with fire to Yahweh. This is a solemn assembly, and you must not do any ordinary work. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 These are the appointed festivals for Yahweh, which you must proclaim as holy assemblies to offer sacrifice by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering and a grain offering, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its own day. +\v 38 These festivals will be in addition to the Sabbaths of Yahweh and your gifts, all your vows, and all your freewill offerings that you give to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 Regarding the Festival of Shelters, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you must keep this festival of Yahweh for seven days. The first day will be a solemn rest, and the eighth day will also be a solemn rest. + +\s5 +\v 40 On the first day you must take the best fruit from the trees, branches of palm trees, and leafy branches of thick trees, and willows from streams, and you will rejoice before Yahweh your God for seven days. +\v 41 For seven days each year, you must celebrate this festival for Yahweh. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations in all the places where you live. You must celebrate this festival in the seventh month. + +\s5 +\v 42 You must live in small shelters for seven days. All native-born Israelites must live in small shelters for seven days, +\v 43 so that your descendants, generation after generation, may learn how I made the people of Israel live in such shelters when I led them out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.'" +\v 44 In this way, Moses announced to the people of Israel the appointed festivals for Yahweh. + + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 2 "Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil beaten from olives to be used in the lamp, that the light may burn continually. + +\s5 +\v 3 Outside the curtain before the covenant decrees in the tent of meeting, Aaron must continually, from evening to morning, keep the lamp lit before Yahweh. This will be a permanent statute throughout your people's generations. +\v 4 The high priest must always keep the lamps lit before Yahweh, the lamps on the lampstand of pure gold. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 You must take fine flour and bake twelve loaves with it. There must be two-tenths of an ephah in each loaf. +\v 6 Then you must set them in two rows, six in a row, on the table of pure gold before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 7 You must put pure incense along each row of loaves as a representative offering. This incense will be burnt for Yahweh. +\v 8 Every Sabbath day the high priest must regularly set out the bread before Yahweh on behalf of the people of Israel, as a sign of an everlasting covenant. +\v 9 This offering will be for Aaron and his sons, and they are to eat it in a place that is holy, for it is a portion from the offerings to Yahweh made by fire." +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Now it happened that the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went among the people of Israel. This son of the Israelite woman fought against an Israelite man in the camp. +\v 11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the name of Yahweh and cursed God, so the people brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, from the tribe of Dan. +\v 12 They held him in custody until Yahweh himself should declare his will to them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, +\v 14 "Take the man who has cursed God outside the camp. All who heard him must lay their hands on his head, and then the entire assembly must stone him. + +\s5 +\v 15 You must explain to the people of Israel and say, 'Whoever curses his God must carry his own guilt. +\v 16 He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh must surely be put to death. All the assembly must certainly stone him, whether he is a foreigner or a native-born Israelite. If anyone blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he must be put to death. + +\s5 +\v 17 If anyone strikes down another human being, he must certainly be put to death. +\v 18 If anyone strikes down someone's animal, he must pay it back, life for life. + +\s5 +\v 19 If anyone injures his neighbor, it must be done to him as he did to his neighbor: +\v 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has caused an injury to a person, so must it also be done to him. +\v 21 Anyone who kills an animal must pay it back, and anyone who kills a person must be put to death. + +\s5 +\v 22 You must have the same law for both the foreigner and the native-born Israelite, for I am Yahweh your God.'" +\v 23 So Moses spoke to the people of Israel, and the people brought the man outside the camp, the one who had cursed Yahweh. They stoned him with stones. The people of Israel carried out the command of Yahweh to Moses. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, +\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land that I give you, then the land must be made to keep a Sabbath for Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 3 You must plant your field for six years, and for six years you must prune your vineyard and gather the produce. +\v 4 But in the seventh year, a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land must be observed, a Sabbath for Yahweh. You must not plant your field or prune your vineyard. + +\s5 +\v 5 You must not conduct an organized harvest of whatever grows by itself, and you must not conduct an organized harvest of whatever grapes grow on your unpruned vines. This will be a year of solemn rest for the land. +\v 6 Whatever the unworked land grows during the Sabbath year will be food for you. You, your male and female servants, your hired servants and the foreigners who live with you may gather food, +\v 7 and your livestock and also wild animals may eat whatever the land produces. +\s5 +\p +\v 8 You must count off seven Sabbaths of years, that is, seven times seven years, so that there will be seven Sabbaths of years, totaling forty-nine years. +\v 9 Then you must blow a loud trumpet everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you must blow a trumpet throughout all your land. + +\s5 +\v 10 You must set apart the fiftieth year to Yahweh and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It will be a Jubilee for you, in which property and slaves must be returned to their families. +\s5 +\v 11 The fiftieth year will be a Jubilee for you. You must not plant or conduct an organized harvest. Eat whatever grows by itself, and gather the grapes that grow on the unpruned vines. +\v 12 For it is a Jubilee, which will be holy for you. You must eat the produce that grows by itself out of the fields. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 You must return everyone to his own property in this year of Jubilee. +\p +\v 14 If you sell any land to your neighbor or buy any land from your neighbor, you must not cheat or wrong each other. + +\s5 +\v 15 If you buy land from your neighbor, consider the number of years and crops that can be harvested until the next Jubilee. Your neighbor selling the land must consider that also. +\v 16 A larger number of years until the next Jubilee will increase the value of land, and a smaller number of years until the next Jubilee will decrease the value, because the number of harvests the land will produce for the new owner is related to the number of years before the next Jubilee. +\v 17 You must not cheat or wrong one another; instead, you must honor your God, for I am Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Therefore you must obey my decrees, keep my laws, and carry them out. Then you will live in the land in safety. +\v 19 The land will yield its produce, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety. + +\s5 +\v 20 You might say, "What will we eat during the seventh year? Look, we cannot plant or gather our produce." +\v 21 I will command my blessing to come upon you in the sixth year, and it will produce harvest enough for three years. +\v 22 You will plant in the eighth year and continue to eat from the previous years' produce and the stored food. Until the harvest of the ninth year comes in, you will be able to eat from the provisions stored in the previous years. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The land must not be sold to a new permanent owner, because the land is mine. You are all foreigners and temporary residents on my land. +\v 24 You must observe the right of redemption for all the land that you acquire; you must allow the land to be bought back by the family from whom you bought it. +\v 25 If your fellow Israelite became poor and for that reason sold some of his property, then his nearest relative may come and buy back the property that he sold to you. + +\s5 +\v 26 If a man has no relative to redeem his property, but if he has prospered and has the ability to redeem it, +\v 27 then he may calculate the years since the land was sold and repay the balance to the man to whom he sold it. Then he may return to his own property. +\v 28 But if he is not able to get the land back for himself, then the land he has sold will remain in the ownership of the one who bought it until the year of Jubilee. At the year of Jubilee, the land will be returned to the man who sold it, and the original owner will return to his property. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 If a man sells a house in a walled city, then he may buy it back within a whole year after it was sold. For a full year he will have the right of redemption. +\v 30 If the house is not redeemed within a full year, then the house in the walled city will become the permanent property of the buyer and his descendants. It is not to be returned in the year of Jubilee. + +\s5 +\v 31 But the houses of the villages that have no wall around them will be considered as the field of the land. They may be redeemed, and they must be returned during the year of Jubilee. +\v 32 However, the houses owned by the Levites in their cities may be redeemed at any time. + +\s5 +\v 33 If one of the Levites does not redeem a house he sold, then the house that was sold in the city where it is located must be returned in the year of Jubilee, for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their property among the people of Israel. +\v 34 But the fields around their cities may not be sold because they are the permanent property of the Levites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 If your fellow countryman becomes poor, so that he can no longer provide for himself, then you must help him as you would help a foreigner or anyone else living as an outsider among you. +\v 36 Do not charge him interest or try to profit from him in any way, but honor your God so that your brother may keep living with you. +\v 37 You must not give him a loan of money and charge interest, nor sell him your food to earn a profit. +\v 38 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, in order that I might give you the land of Canaan, and that I might be your God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 If your fellow countryman has become poor and sells himself to you, you must not make him work like a slave. +\v 40 Treat him as a hired servant. He must be like someone living temporarily with you. He will serve with you until the year of Jubilee. +\v 41 Then he will go away from you, he and his children with him, and he will return to his own family and to his fathers' property. + +\s5 +\v 42 For they are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. They will not be sold as slaves. +\v 43 You must not rule over them harshly, but you must honor your God. +\v 44 As for your male and female slaves, whom you can obtain from the nations who live around you, you may buy slaves from them. + +\s5 +\v 45 You may also buy slaves from the foreigners who are living among you, that is, from their families who are with you, children who have been born in your land. They may become your property. +\v 46 You may provide such slaves as an inheritance for your children after you, to hold as property, and make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your brothers among the people of Israel with harshness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 47 If a foreigner or someone living temporarily with you has become wealthy, and if one of your fellow Israelites has become poor and sells himself to that foreigner, or to someone in a foreigner's family, +\v 48 after your fellow Israelite has been bought, he may be bought back. Someone in his family may redeem him. +\s5 +\v 49 It might be the person's uncle, or his uncle's son, who redeems him, or anyone who is his close relative from his family. Or, if he has become prosperous, he may redeem himself. +\v 50 He must bargain with the man who bought him; they must count the years from the year he sold himself to his purchaser until the year of Jubilee. The price of his redemption must be figured in keeping with the rate paid to a hired servant, for the number of years he might continue to work for the one who bought him. + +\s5 +\v 51 If there are still many years until the year of Jubilee, he must pay back as the price for his redemption an amount of money that is in proportion to the number of those years. +\v 52 If there are only a few years to the year of Jubilee, then he must bargain with his purchaser to reflect the number of years left before the year of Jubilee, and he must pay for his redemption in keeping with the number of years. + +\s5 +\v 53 He is to be treated like a man hired year by year. You must make sure he is not treated with harshness. +\v 54 If he is not redeemed by these means, then he must serve until the year of Jubilee, he and his children with him. +\v 55 To me the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.'" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 "You must make no idols, and you must not lift up a carved figure or a sacred stone pillar, and you must not place any carved stone image in your land to which you bow down, for I am Yahweh your God. +\v 2 You must keep my Sabbaths and honor my sanctuary. I am Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 If you walk in my laws and keep my commandments and obey them, +\v 4 then I will give you rain in its season; the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will yield their fruit. + +\s5 +\v 5 Your threshing will continue to the time of the grape harvest, and the grape harvest will extend to the planting season. You will eat your bread to the full and live safely where you make your home in the land. +\v 6 I will give peace in the land; you will lie down with nothing to make you afraid. I will take the dangerous animals away from the land, and the sword will not pass through your land. + +\s5 +\v 7 You will chase your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword. +\v 8 Five of you will chase away a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand; your enemies will fall before you by the sword. + +\s5 +\v 9 I will look at you with favor and make you fruitful and multiply you; I will establish my covenant with you. +\v 10 You will eat food stored a long time. You will have to bring out the stored food because you will need the room for the new harvest. + +\s5 +\v 11 I will place my tabernacle among you, and I will not detest you. +\v 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. +\v 13 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, so that you would not be their slaves. I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you to walk standing up straight. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 But if you will not listen to me, and will not obey all these commandments, +\v 15 and if you reject my decrees and detest my laws, so that you will not obey all my commandments, but break my covenant— + +\s5 +\v 16 —if you do these things, then I will do this to you: I will inflict terror on you, diseases and fever that will destroy the eyes and will drain away your life. You will plant your seeds for nothing, because your enemies will eat their produce. +\v 17 I will set my face against you, and you will be overpowered by your enemies. Men who hate you will rule over you, and you will run away, even when no one is chasing you. + +\s5 +\v 18 If after all this you do not listen to me, then I will punish you seven times as severely for your sins. +\v 19 I will break your pride in your power. I will make the sky over you like iron and your land like bronze. +\v 20 Your strength will be used up for nothing, because your land will not produce its harvest, and your trees in the land will not produce their fruit. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 If you walk against me and will not listen to me, I will bring seven times more blows on you, in proportion to your sins. +\v 22 I will send dangerous animals against you, which will steal your children, destroy your cattle, and make you few in number. So your roads will become deserted. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 If in spite of these things you still do not accept my correction and you continue to walk in opposition to me, +\v 24 then I will also walk in opposition to you, and I myself will punish you seven times because of your sins. + +\s5 +\v 25 I will bring a sword on you that will execute vengeance for breaking the covenant. You will be gathered together inside your cities, and I will send a disease among you there, and then you will be delivered into the hand of your enemy. +\v 26 When I cut off your food supply, ten women will be able to bake your bread in one oven, and they will distribute your bread by weight. You will eat but not be satisfied. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 If you do not listen to me despite these things, but continue to walk against me, +\v 28 then I will walk against you in anger, and I will punish you even seven more times as much for your sins. + +\s5 +\v 29 You will eat the flesh of your sons; you will eat the flesh of your daughters. +\v 30 I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and throw your corpses on the corpses of your idols, and I myself will abhor you. + +\s5 +\v 31 I will turn your cities into ruins and destroy your sanctuaries. I will not be pleased with the aroma of your offerings. +\v 32 I will devastate the land. Your enemies who will live there will be shocked at the devastation. +\v 33 I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out my sword and follow you. Your land will be abandoned, and your cities will be ruined. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths for as long as it lies abandoned and you are in your enemies' lands. During that time, the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. +\v 35 As long as it lies abandoned, it will have rest, which will be the rest that it did not have with your Sabbaths, when you lived in it. +\p +\v 36 As for those of you who are left in your enemies' lands, I will send fear into your hearts so that even the sound of a leaf blowing in the wind will startle you, and you will flee as though you were fleeing from the sword. You will fall, even when no one is chasing you. + +\s5 +\v 37 You will stumble over each other as though you were running from the sword, even though no one is chasing you. You will have no power to stand before your enemies. +\v 38 You will perish among the nations, and your enemies' land will itself devour you. +\v 39 Those who are left among you will waste away in their sins, there in your enemies' lands, and because of their fathers' sins they will waste away as well. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 Yet if they confess their sins and their fathers' sin, and their treason by which they were unfaithful to me, and also their walking against me— +\v 41 which caused me to turn against them and I brought them into the land of their enemies—if their uncircumcised hearts become humbled, and if they accept the punishment for their sins, +\v 42 then will I call to mind my covenant with Jacob, my covenant with Isaac, and my covenant with Abraham; also, I will call the land to mind. + +\s5 +\v 43 The land will be abandoned by them, so it will be pleased with its Sabbaths while it lies abandoned without them. They will have to pay the penalty for their sins because they themselves rejected my decrees and detested my laws. + +\s5 +\v 44 Yet despite all this, when they are in their enemies' land, I will not reject them, neither will I detest them so as to completely destroy them and do away with my covenant with them, for I am Yahweh their God. +\v 45 But for their sakes I will call to mind the covenant with their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, so that I might be their God. I am Yahweh." + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 These are the commandments, decrees, and laws that Yahweh made between himself and the people of Israel at Mount Sinai through Moses. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'If anyone makes a special vow to Yahweh, use the following valuations. + +\s5 +\v 3 Your standard value for a male from twenty to sixty years old must be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. +\v 4 For a female of the same ages your standard value must be thirty shekels. + +\s5 +\v 5 From five years to twenty years old your standard value for a male must be twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. +\v 6 From one month old to five years your standard value for a male must be five shekels of silver, and for a female three shekels of silver. + +\s5 +\v 7 From sixty years old and up for a male your standard value must be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. +\v 8 But if the person making the vow cannot pay the standard value, then the person being given must be presented to the priest, and the priest will value that person by the amount the one making the vow is able to afford. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 If someone wants to sacrifice an animal to Yahweh, and if Yahweh accepts it, then that animal will be set apart to him. +\v 10 The person must not alter or change such an animal, a good one for a bad one or a bad for a good. If he does at all change one animal for another, then both it and the one for which it is exchanged become holy. + +\s5 +\v 11 However, if what the person has vowed to give Yahweh is in fact unclean, so that Yahweh will not accept it, then the person must bring the animal to a priest. +\v 12 The priest will value it, by the market value of the animal. Whatever value the priest places on the animal, that will be its value. +\v 13 If the owner wishes to redeem it, then a fifth of its value is to be added to its redemption price. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 When a man sets apart his house as a holy gift to Yahweh, then the priest will set its value as either good or bad. Whatever the priest values it, so it will be. +\v 15 But if the owner who set apart his home wishes to redeem it, he must add a fifth of its value to its redemption price, and it will belong to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 If a man sets apart some of his own land, then the valuation of it will be in proportion to the amount of seed required to plant it—a homer of barley will be valued at fifty shekels of silver. + +\s5 +\v 17 If he sets apart his field during the year of Jubilee, the valuation of it will stand. +\v 18 But if he sets apart his field after the year of Jubilee, then the priest must calculate the value of the field by the number of years that remain until the next year of Jubilee, and the valuation of it must be reduced. + +\s5 +\v 19 If the man who set apart the field wishes to redeem it, then he must add a fifth to the valuation, and it will belong to him. +\v 20 If he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it cannot be redeemed any more. +\v 21 Instead, the field, when it is released in the year of Jubilee, will be a holy gift to Yahweh, like the field that has been completely given to Yahweh. It will belong to the priest. + +\s5 +\v 22 If a man sets apart a field that he has bought, but that field is not part of his family's land, +\v 23 then the priest will figure the valuation of it up to the year of Jubilee, and the man must pay its value on that day as a holy gift to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 24 In the year of Jubilee, the field will return to the man from whom it was bought, to the land's owner. +\v 25 All the valuations must be set by the weight of the sanctuary shekel. Twenty gerahs must be the equivalent of one shekel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 No one may set apart the firstborn among animals, since the firstborn already belongs to Yahweh; whether ox or sheep, it is Yahweh's. +\v 27 If it is an unclean animal, then the owner may buy it back at the valuation of it, and a fifth must be added to that value. If the animal is not redeemed, then it is to be sold at the set value. + + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 But nothing that a man devotes to Yahweh, from all that he has, whether human or animal, or his family land, may be sold or redeemed. Everything that is devoted is very holy to Yahweh. +\v 29 No ransom may be paid for the person who is devoted for destruction. That person must be put to death. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 All the tithe of the land, whether grain grown on the land or fruit from the trees, is Yahweh's. It is holy to Yahweh. +\v 31 If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value. + +\s5 +\v 32 As for every tenth of the herd or the flock, whatever passes under the shepherd's rod, one-tenth must be set apart to Yahweh. +\v 33 The shepherd must not search for the better or the worse animals, and he must not substitute one for another. If he changes it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed will be holy. It cannot be redeemed.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 These are the commandments that Yahweh gave at Mount Sinai to Moses for the people of Israel. + + diff --git a/04-NUM.usfm b/04-NUM.usfm index 2331e786..9e7df5ed 100644 --- a/04-NUM.usfm +++ b/04-NUM.usfm @@ -4,503 +4,503 @@ \toc1 The Book of Numbers \toc2 Numbers \toc3 Num -\mt Numbers \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the wilderness of Sinai. This happened on the first day of the second month during the second year after the people of Israel had come out from the land of Egypt. Yahweh said, -\v 2 "Conduct a census of all the men of Israel in each clan, in their fathers' families. Count them by name. Count every male, each man -\v 3 who is twenty years old or older. Count all who can fight as soldiers for Israel. You and Aaron must record the number of men in their armed groups. - -\s5 -\v 4 A man from each tribe, a clan head, must serve with you as his tribe's leader. Each leader must lead the men who will fight for his tribe. -\v 5 These are the names of the leaders who must fight with you: -\q1 -From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; -\q1 -\v 6 from the tribe of Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 from the tribe of Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; -\q1 -\v 8 from the tribe of Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar; -\q1 -\v 9 from the tribe of Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon; - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 from the tribe of Ephraim son of Joseph, Elishama son of Ammihud; -\q1 from the tribe of Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur; -\q1 -\v 11 from the tribe of Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni; - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 from the tribe of Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai; -\q1 -\v 13 from the tribe of Asher, Pagiel son of Okran; -\q1 -\v 14 from the tribe of Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; -\q1 -\v 15 and from the tribe of Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan." -\m - -\s5 -\v 16 These were the men appointed from the people. They led their ancestors' tribes. They were the leaders of the clans in Israel. - -\s5 -\v 17 Moses and Aaron took these men, who were recorded by name, -\v 18 and along with these men they assembled all the men of Israel on the first day of the second month. Then each man twenty years old and older identified his ancestry. He had to name the clans and families descended from his ancestors. -\v 19 Then Moses recorded their numbers in the wilderness of Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him to do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 From the descendants of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 21 They counted 46,500 men from the tribe of Reuben. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 From the descendants of Simeon were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 23 They counted 59,300 men from the tribe of Simeon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 From the descendants of Gad were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 25 They counted 45,650 men from the tribe of Gad. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 From the descendants of Judah were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 27 They counted 74,600 men from the tribe of Judah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 From the descendants of Issachar were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 29 They counted 54,400 men from the tribe of Issachar. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 From the descendants of Zebulun were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 31 They counted 57,400 men from the tribe of Zebulun. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 From the descendants of Ephraim son of Joseph were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 33 They counted 40,500 men from the tribe of Ephraim. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 From the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 35 They counted 32,200 men from the tribe of Manasseh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 From the descendants of Benjamin were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 37 They counted 35,400 men from the tribe of Benjamin. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 From the descendants of Dan were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 39 They counted 62,700 from the tribe of Dan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 From the descendants of Asher were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 41 They counted 41,500 men from the tribe of Asher. - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 From the descendants of Naphtali were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. -\v 43 They counted 53,400 from the tribe of Naphtali. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 Moses and Aaron counted all these men, together with the twelve men who were leading the twelve tribes of Israel. -\v 45 So all the men of Israel from twenty years old and older, all who could fight in war, were counted in each of their families. -\v 46 They counted 603,550 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 47 But the men who were descended from Levi were not counted, -\v 48 because Yahweh had said to Moses, -\v 49 "You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the total of the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 50 Instead, assign the Levites to care for the tabernacle of the covenant decrees, and to care for all the furnishings in the tabernacle and for everything in it. The Levites must carry the tabernacle, and they must carry the tabernacle's furnishings. They must care for the tabernacle and make their camp around it. - -\s5 -\v 51 When the tabernacle is to move to another place, the Levites must take it down. When the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites must set it up. Any stranger who comes near the tabernacle must be killed. -\v 52 When the people of Israel set up their tents, each man must do so near the banner that belongs to his armed group. - -\s5 -\v 53 However, the Levites must set up their tents around the tabernacle of the covenant decrees so that my anger does not come upon the people of Israel. The Levites must care for the tabernacle of the covenant decrees." -\v 54 The people of Israel did all these things. They did everything that Yahweh commanded through Moses. - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke again to Moses and Aaron. He said, -\v 2 "Each one of the Israelites must camp around his standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They will camp around the tent of meeting on every side. - -\s5 -\v 3 Those will be camping on the east of the tent of meeting, where the sun rises, they are the camp of Judah and they are camping under their standard. Nahshon son of Amminadab is the leader of the people of Judah. -\v 4 The number of the people of Judah is 74,600. - -\s5 -\v 5 The tribe of Issachar must camp next to Judah. Nethanel son of Zuar must lead the army of Issachar. -\v 6 The number in his division is 54,400 men. - -\s5 -\v 7 The tribe of Zebulun must camp next to Issachar. Eliab son of Helon must lead the army of Zebulun. -\v 8 The number in his division is 57,400. - -\s5 -\v 9 All the number of the camp of Judah is 186,400. They will set out first. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 On the south side will be the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the camp of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur. -\v 11 The number in his division is 46,500. - -\s5 -\v 12 Simeon is camping next to Reuben. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. -\v 13 The number in his division is 59,300. - -\s5 -\v 14 The tribe of Gad is next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel. -\v 15 The number in his division is 45,650. - -\s5 -\v 16 The number of all the men assigned to the camp of Reuben, according to their divisions, is 151,450. They will set out second. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Next, the tent of meeting must go out from the camp with the Levites in the middle of all the camps. They must go out from the camp in the same order as they come into the camp. Every man must be in his place, by his banner. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 The divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud. -\v 19 The number in his division is 40,500. - -\s5 -\v 20 Next to them is the tribe of Manasseh. The leader of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. -\v 21 The number in his division is 32,200. - -\s5 -\v 22 Next will be the tribe of Benjamin. The leader of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni. -\v 23 The number in his division is 35,400. - -\s5 -\v 24 All those numbered in the camp of Ephraim is 108,100. They will set out third. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. -\v 26 The number in his division is 62,700. - -\s5 -\v 27 The people of the tribe of Asher camp next to Dan. The leader of Asher is Pagiel son of Okran. -\v 28 The number in his division is 41,500. - -\s5 -\v 29 The tribe of Naphtali is next. The leader of Naphthali is Ahira son of Enan. -\v 30 The mnumber in his division is 53,400. - -\s5 -\v 31 All those numbered in the camp with Dan is 157,600. They will go out from the camp last, under their banner." - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 These are the Israelites, numbered according to their families. All those counted in their camps, by their divisions, are 603,550. -\v 33 But Moses and Aaron did not count the Levites among the people of Israel. This was as Yahweh had commanded Moses. - -\s5 -\v 34 The people of Israel did everything that Yahweh commanded Moses. They camped by their banners. They went out from the camp by their clans, in the order of their ancestor's families. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now this is the history of the descendants of Aaron and Moses when Yahweh spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. -\v 2 The names of Aaron's sons were Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. - -\s5 -\v 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed and who were ordained to serve as priests. -\v 4 But Nadab and Abihu fell dead before Yahweh when they offered to him unacceptable fire in the wilderness of Sinai. Nadab and Abihu had no children, so just Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests with Aaron their father. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 6 "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest for them to help him. - -\s5 -\v 7 They must perform the duties on behalf of Aaron and the whole community before the tent of meeting. They must serve in the tabernacle. -\v 8 They must care for all the furnishings in the tent of meeting, and they must help the tribes of Israel to carry out the tabernacle service. - -\s5 -\v 9 You must give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They are wholly given to help him serve the people of Israel. -\v 10 You must appoint Aaron and his sons as priests, but any foreigner who comes near must be put to death." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 12 "Look, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel. I have done this instead of taking each firstborn male who is born among the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me. -\v 13 All the firstborn belong to me. On the day that I attacked all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both people and animals. They belong to me. I am Yahweh." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. He said, -\v 15 "Count the descendants of Levi in each family, in their clans. Count every male who is one month old and older." -\v 16 Moses counted them, following the word of Yahweh, just as he was commanded to do. - -\s5 -\v 17 The names of Levi's sons were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. -\v 18 The clans coming from Gershon's sons were Libni and Shimei. -\v 19 The clans coming from Kohath's sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. -\v 20 The clans coming from Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, listed clan by clan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 The clans of the Libnites and the Shimeites come from Gershon. These are the clans of the Gershonites. -\v 22 All the males from a month old and older were counted, totaling 7,500. -\v 23 The clans of the Gershonites must camp on the west side of the tabernacle. - -\s5 -\v 24 Eliasaph son of Lael must lead the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites. -\v 25 The family of Gershon must care for the tent of meeting including the tabernacle. They must care for the tent, its covering, and the curtain used as the entrance to the tent of meeting. -\v 26 They must care for the courtyard hangings, the curtain at the courtyard entrance—the courtyard that surrounds the sanctuary and the altar. They must care for the ropes of the tent of meeting and for everything in it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 These clans come from Kohath: the clan of the Amramites, the clan of the Izharites, the clan of the Hebronites, and the clan of the Uzzielites. These clans belong to the Kohathites. -\v 28 8,600 males have been counted aged one month old and older to take care of the things that belong to Yahweh. -\v 29 The Kohath clans must camp on the south side of the tabernacle. - -\s5 -\v 30 Elizaphan son of Uzziel must lead the clans of the Kohathites. -\v 31 They must care for the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the holy things that are used in their service, the curtain, and all the work around it. -\v 32 Eleazar son of Aaron the priest must lead the men who lead the Levites. He must supervise the men who care for the holy place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 Two clans have come from Merari: the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites. These clans have come from Merari. -\v 34 6,200 males have been counted aged one month old and older. -\v 35 Zuriel son of Abihail must lead the clans of Merari. They must camp on the north side of the tabernacle. - -\s5 -\v 36 The descendants of Merari must care for the framing of the tabernacle, the crossbars, posts, bases, all the hardware, and everything related to them, including -\v 37 the pillars and posts of the courtyard that surround the tabernacle, with their sockets, pegs, and ropes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 Moses and Aaron and his sons must camp on the east side of the tabernacle, in front of the tent of meeting, toward the sunrise. They are responsible for the fulfillment of the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the people of Israel. Any foreigner who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death. -\v 39 Moses and Aaron counted all the males in the clans of Levi who were aged one month old and older, just as Yahweh commanded. They counted twenty-two thousand men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 Yahweh said to Moses, "Count all the firstborn males of the people of Israel who are aged one month old and older. List their names. -\v 41 You must take the Levites for me—I am Yahweh—instead of all the firstborn of the people of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of the firstborn of the livestock of the descendants of Israel." - -\s5 -\v 42 Moses counted all the firstborn people of Israel as Yahweh had commanded him to do. -\v 43 He counted all the firstborn males by name, aged one month old and older. He counted 22,273 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 Again, Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 45 "Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and take the Levites' livestock instead of the people's livestock. The Levites belong to me—I am Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 46 You must collect five shekels for the redemption of each of the 273 firstborn people of Israel who exceed the number of the Levites. -\v 47 You must use the shekel of the sanctuary as your standard weight. The shekel equals twenty gerahs. -\v 48 You must give the price of redemption that you paid to Aaron and his sons." - -\s5 -\v 49 So Moses collected the payment of redemption from those who exceeded the number of those redeemed by the Levites. -\v 50 Moses collected the money from the firstborn of the people of Israel. He collected 1,365 shekels, weighing with the shekel of the sanctuary. -\v 51 Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons. Moses did everything he was told to do by Yahweh's word, as Yahweh had commanded him. - - - - - -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said, -\v 2 "Conduct a census of the male descendants of Kohath from among the Levites, by their clans and families. -\v 3 Count all the men who are thirty to fifty years old. These men must join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. -\v 4 The descendants of Kohath must take care of the most holy things reserved for me in the tent of meeting. - -\s5 -\v 5 When the camp prepares to move forward, Aaron and his sons must go into the tent, take down the curtain that separates the most holy place from the holy place and cover the ark of the testimony with it. -\v 6 They must cover the ark with sea cow skins. They must spread a blue cloth over it. They must insert the poles to carry it. - -\s5 -\v 7 They are to spread a blue cloth on the table of the bread of the presence. On it they must put the dishes, spoons, bowls, and jars for pouring. Bread must always continue to be on the table. -\v 8 They must cover them with a scarlet cloth and again with sea cow skins. They must insert poles to carry the table. - -\s5 -\v 9 They must take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand, along with its lamps, tongs, trays, and all the jars of oil for the lamps. -\v 10 They must put the lampstand and all its accessories into a covering of sea cow skins, and they must put it on a carrying frame. -\v 11 They must spread a cloth of blue on the gold altar. They must cover it with a covering of sea cow skins, and then insert the carrying poles. - -\s5 -\v 12 They must take all the equipment for the work in the holy place and wrap it in a blue cloth. They must cover it with sea cow skins and put the equipment on the carrying frame. -\v 13 They must remove the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth on the altar. -\v 14 They must put on the carrying frame all the equipment that they use in the work of the altar. These objects are the firepans, forks, shovels, bowls, and all the other equipment for the altar. They must cover the altar with sea cow skins and then insert the carrying poles. - -\s5 -\v 15 When Aaron and his sons have completely covered the holy place and all its equipment, and when the camp moves forward, then the descendants of Kohath must come to carry the holy place. If they touch the holy instruments, they must die. This is the work of the descendants of Kohath, to carry the furnishings in the tent of meeting. -\v 16 Eleazar son of Aaron the priest oversees the care of the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil. He oversees the care of the entire tabernacle and all that is in it, the holy place and its equipment." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said, -\v 18 "Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be removed from among the Levites. -\v 19 Protect them, that they may live and not die, by doing this. When they approach the most holy things -\v 20 they must not go in to see the holy place even for a moment, or they must die. Aaron and his sons must go in, and then Aaron and his sons must assign each of the Kohathites to his work, to his special tasks." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Yahweh spoke again to Moses. He said, -\v 22 "Conduct a census of the descendants of Gershon also, by their ancestor's families and by their clans. -\v 23 Count those who are thirty years old to fifty years old. Count all of them who will join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. - -\s5 -\v 24 This is the work of the clans of the Gershonites, when they serve and what they carry. -\v 25 They must carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, its covering, the covering of sea cow skin that is on it, and the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting. -\v 26 They must carry the curtains of the court, the curtain for the doorway of the court's gate, which is near the tabernacle and near the altar, their ropes, and all the instruments for their service. Whatever should be done with these things, they must do it. - -\s5 -\v 27 Aaron and his sons must direct all the service of the descendants of the Gershonites, in everything that they transport, and in all their service. You must assign them to all their responsibilities. -\v 28 This is the service of the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites for the tent of meeting. Ithamar son of Aaron the priest must lead them in their service. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 You must count the descendants of Merari by their clans, and order them by their ancestor's families, -\v 30 from thirty years old and older up to fifty years old. Count everyone who is going to join the company and serve in the tent of meeting. - -\s5 -\v 31 This is their responsibility and their work in all their service for the tent of meeting. They must care for the framing of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, and sockets, -\v 32 along with the posts of the court around the tabernacle, their sockets, pegs, and their ropes, with all their hardware. List by name the articles they must carry. - -\s5 -\v 33 This is the service of the clans of the descendants of Merari, what they are to do for the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest." - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 Moses and Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the descendants of the Kohathites by the clans of their ancestor's families. -\v 35 They counted them from thirty years old and older up to fifty years old. They counted everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. -\v 36 They counted 2,750 men by their clans. - -\s5 -\v 37 Moses and Aaron counted all the men in the clans and families of the Kohathites who serve in the tent of meeting. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 The descendants of Gershon were counted in their clans, by their ancestor's families, -\v 39 from thirty to fifty years old, everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. -\v 40 All the men, counted by their clans and their ancestor's families, numbered 2,630. - -\s5 -\v 41 Moses and Aaron counted the clans of the descendants of Gershon who would serve in the tent of meeting. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 The descendants of Merari were counted in their clans by their ancestor's families, -\v 43 from thirty to fifty years old, everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. -\v 44 All the men, counted by their clans and their ancestor's families, numbered 3,200. - -\s5 -\v 45 Moses and Aaron counted all these men, the descendants of Merari. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses. -\s5 -\p -\v 46 So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans in their ancestral families -\v 47 from thirty to fifty years old. They counted everyone who would do work in the tabernacle, and who would carry and care for the items in the tent of meeting. -\v 48 They counted 8,580 men. - -\s5 -\v 49 At Yahweh's command, Moses counted each man, keeping count of each by the type of work he was assigned to do. He counted each man by the kind of responsibility he would bear. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses. - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 2 "Command the people of Israel to send away from the camp everyone with an infectious skin disease, and everyone who has an oozing sore, and whoever is unclean through touching a dead body. -\v 3 Whether male or female, you must send them out of the camp. They must not defile the camp, because I live in it." -\v 4 The people of Israel did so. They sent them out of the camp, as Yahweh commanded Moses. The people of Israel obeyed Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 6 "Speak to the people of Israel. When a man or woman commits any sin such as people do to one another, and is unfaithful to me, that person is guilty. -\v 7 Then he must confess the sin that he has done. He must completely pay back the price of his guilt and add to the price one-fifth more. He must give this to the one he has wronged. - -\s5 -\v 8 But if the wronged person has no close relative to receive the payment, he must pay the price for his guilt to me through a priest, along with a ram to atone for himself. -\v 9 Every offering of the people of Israel, the things that are set aside and brought to the priest by the people of Israel, will belong to him. -\v 10 The offerings of every person will be for the priest; if anyone gives anything to the priest, it will belong to him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Again, Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 12 "Speak to the people of Israel. Say to them, 'Suppose that a man's wife turns away and sins against her husband. - -\s5 -\v 13 Then suppose that another man sleeps with her. In that case, she is defiled. Even if her husband does not see it or know about it, and even if no one catches her in the act and there is no one to testify against her, -\v 14 nevertheless, a spirit of jealousy might still inform the husband that his wife is defiled. However, a spirit of jealousy might falsely come on a man when his wife is not defiled. - -\s5 -\v 15 In such cases, the man should bring his wife to the priest. The husband must bring a drink offering for her. He must bring a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He must pour no oil or frankincense on it because it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering as a possible indicator of sin. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 The priest must bring her near and place her before Yahweh. -\v 17 The priest must take a jar of holy water and take dust from the floor of the tabernacle. He must put the dust into the water. - -\s5 -\v 18 The priest will set the woman before Yahweh and he will untie the hair on the woman's head. He will put into her hands the grain offering of remembrance, which is the grain offering of suspicion. The priest will hold in his hand the bitter water that can bring a curse. -\v 19 The priest will put the woman under an oath and say to her, 'If no other man had sexual relations with you, and if you have not gone astray and committed impurity, then you will be free from this bitter water that can bring a curse. - -\s5 -\v 20 But if you, a woman under her husband, have gone astray, if you are defiled, and if some other man has slept with you, -\v 21 then, (the priest must cause the woman to swear an oath that can bring down a curse on her, and then he must continue speaking to the woman) 'Yahweh will make you into a curse that will be shown to your people to be such. This will happen if Yahweh causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell. -\v 22 This water that brings the curse will go into your stomach and make your abdomen swell and your thighs waste away.' The woman is to reply, 'Yes, let that happen if I am guilty.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The priest must write these curses on a scroll, and then he must wash away the written curses into the bitter water. - -\s5 -\v 24 The priest must make the woman drink the bitter water that brings the curse. The water that brings the curse will enter her and become bitter. -\v 25 The priest must take the grain offering of jealousy out of the woman's hand. He must hold up the grain offering before Yahweh and bring it to the altar. -\v 26 The priest must take a handful of the grain offering as a representative offering, and burn it on the altar. Then he must give the woman the bitter water to drink. - -\s5 -\v 27 When he gives her the water to drink, if she is defiled because she has committed a sin against her husband, then the water that brings the curse will enter her and become bitter. Her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away. The woman will be cursed among her people. -\v 28 But if the woman is not defiled and if she is clean, then she must be free. She will be able to conceive children. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 This is the law of jealousy. It is the law for a woman who strays away from her husband and is defiled. -\v 30 It is the law for a man with a spirit of jealousy when he is jealous of his wife. He must bring the woman before Yahweh, and the priest must do to her everything that this law of jealousy describes. - -\s5 -\v 31 The man will be free from guilt for bringing his wife to the priest. The woman must bear any guilt she might have." - - - +\mt Numbers \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the wilderness of Sinai. This happened on the first day of the second month during the second year after the people of Israel had come out from the land of Egypt. Yahweh said, +\v 2 "Conduct a census of all the men of Israel in each clan, in their fathers' families. Count them by name. Count every male, each man +\v 3 who is twenty years old or older. Count all who can fight as soldiers for Israel. You and Aaron must record the number of men in their armed groups. + +\s5 +\v 4 A man from each tribe, a clan head, must serve with you as his tribe's leader. Each leader must lead the men who will fight for his tribe. +\v 5 These are the names of the leaders who must fight with you: +\q1 +From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; +\q1 +\v 6 from the tribe of Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 from the tribe of Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; +\q1 +\v 8 from the tribe of Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar; +\q1 +\v 9 from the tribe of Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon; + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 from the tribe of Ephraim son of Joseph, Elishama son of Ammihud; +\q1 from the tribe of Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur; +\q1 +\v 11 from the tribe of Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni; + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 from the tribe of Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai; +\q1 +\v 13 from the tribe of Asher, Pagiel son of Okran; +\q1 +\v 14 from the tribe of Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; +\q1 +\v 15 and from the tribe of Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan." +\m + +\s5 +\v 16 These were the men appointed from the people. They led their ancestors' tribes. They were the leaders of the clans in Israel. + +\s5 +\v 17 Moses and Aaron took these men, who were recorded by name, +\v 18 and along with these men they assembled all the men of Israel on the first day of the second month. Then each man twenty years old and older identified his ancestry. He had to name the clans and families descended from his ancestors. +\v 19 Then Moses recorded their numbers in the wilderness of Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him to do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 From the descendants of Reuben, Israel's firstborn, were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 21 They counted 46,500 men from the tribe of Reuben. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 From the descendants of Simeon were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 23 They counted 59,300 men from the tribe of Simeon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 From the descendants of Gad were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 25 They counted 45,650 men from the tribe of Gad. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 From the descendants of Judah were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 27 They counted 74,600 men from the tribe of Judah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 From the descendants of Issachar were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 29 They counted 54,400 men from the tribe of Issachar. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 From the descendants of Zebulun were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 31 They counted 57,400 men from the tribe of Zebulun. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 From the descendants of Ephraim son of Joseph were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 33 They counted 40,500 men from the tribe of Ephraim. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 From the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 35 They counted 32,200 men from the tribe of Manasseh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 From the descendants of Benjamin were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 37 They counted 35,400 men from the tribe of Benjamin. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 From the descendants of Dan were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 39 They counted 62,700 from the tribe of Dan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 From the descendants of Asher were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 41 They counted 41,500 men from the tribe of Asher. + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 From the descendants of Naphtali were counted all the names of each and every man twenty years old or older able to go to war, from the records of their ancestor's clans and families. +\v 43 They counted 53,400 from the tribe of Naphtali. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 Moses and Aaron counted all these men, together with the twelve men who were leading the twelve tribes of Israel. +\v 45 So all the men of Israel from twenty years old and older, all who could fight in war, were counted in each of their families. +\v 46 They counted 603,550 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 47 But the men who were descended from Levi were not counted, +\v 48 because Yahweh had said to Moses, +\v 49 "You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the total of the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 50 Instead, assign the Levites to care for the tabernacle of the covenant decrees, and to care for all the furnishings in the tabernacle and for everything in it. The Levites must carry the tabernacle, and they must carry the tabernacle's furnishings. They must care for the tabernacle and make their camp around it. + +\s5 +\v 51 When the tabernacle is to move to another place, the Levites must take it down. When the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites must set it up. Any stranger who comes near the tabernacle must be killed. +\v 52 When the people of Israel set up their tents, each man must do so near the banner that belongs to his armed group. + +\s5 +\v 53 However, the Levites must set up their tents around the tabernacle of the covenant decrees so that my anger does not come upon the people of Israel. The Levites must care for the tabernacle of the covenant decrees." +\v 54 The people of Israel did all these things. They did everything that Yahweh commanded through Moses. + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke again to Moses and Aaron. He said, +\v 2 "Each one of the Israelites must camp around his standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They will camp around the tent of meeting on every side. + +\s5 +\v 3 Those will be camping on the east of the tent of meeting, where the sun rises, they are the camp of Judah and they are camping under their standard. Nahshon son of Amminadab is the leader of the people of Judah. +\v 4 The number of the people of Judah is 74,600. + +\s5 +\v 5 The tribe of Issachar must camp next to Judah. Nethanel son of Zuar must lead the army of Issachar. +\v 6 The number in his division is 54,400 men. + +\s5 +\v 7 The tribe of Zebulun must camp next to Issachar. Eliab son of Helon must lead the army of Zebulun. +\v 8 The number in his division is 57,400. + +\s5 +\v 9 All the number of the camp of Judah is 186,400. They will set out first. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 On the south side will be the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the camp of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur. +\v 11 The number in his division is 46,500. + +\s5 +\v 12 Simeon is camping next to Reuben. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. +\v 13 The number in his division is 59,300. + +\s5 +\v 14 The tribe of Gad is next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel. +\v 15 The number in his division is 45,650. + +\s5 +\v 16 The number of all the men assigned to the camp of Reuben, according to their divisions, is 151,450. They will set out second. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Next, the tent of meeting must go out from the camp with the Levites in the middle of all the camps. They must go out from the camp in the same order as they come into the camp. Every man must be in his place, by his banner. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 The divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud. +\v 19 The number in his division is 40,500. + +\s5 +\v 20 Next to them is the tribe of Manasseh. The leader of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. +\v 21 The number in his division is 32,200. + +\s5 +\v 22 Next will be the tribe of Benjamin. The leader of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni. +\v 23 The number in his division is 35,400. + +\s5 +\v 24 All those numbered in the camp of Ephraim is 108,100. They will set out third. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. +\v 26 The number in his division is 62,700. + +\s5 +\v 27 The people of the tribe of Asher camp next to Dan. The leader of Asher is Pagiel son of Okran. +\v 28 The number in his division is 41,500. + +\s5 +\v 29 The tribe of Naphtali is next. The leader of Naphthali is Ahira son of Enan. +\v 30 The mnumber in his division is 53,400. + +\s5 +\v 31 All those numbered in the camp with Dan is 157,600. They will go out from the camp last, under their banner." + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 These are the Israelites, numbered according to their families. All those counted in their camps, by their divisions, are 603,550. +\v 33 But Moses and Aaron did not count the Levites among the people of Israel. This was as Yahweh had commanded Moses. + +\s5 +\v 34 The people of Israel did everything that Yahweh commanded Moses. They camped by their banners. They went out from the camp by their clans, in the order of their ancestor's families. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now this is the history of the descendants of Aaron and Moses when Yahweh spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. +\v 2 The names of Aaron's sons were Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. + +\s5 +\v 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed and who were ordained to serve as priests. +\v 4 But Nadab and Abihu fell dead before Yahweh when they offered to him unacceptable fire in the wilderness of Sinai. Nadab and Abihu had no children, so just Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests with Aaron their father. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 6 "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest for them to help him. + +\s5 +\v 7 They must perform the duties on behalf of Aaron and the whole community before the tent of meeting. They must serve in the tabernacle. +\v 8 They must care for all the furnishings in the tent of meeting, and they must help the tribes of Israel to carry out the tabernacle service. + +\s5 +\v 9 You must give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They are wholly given to help him serve the people of Israel. +\v 10 You must appoint Aaron and his sons as priests, but any foreigner who comes near must be put to death." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 12 "Look, I have taken the Levites from among the people of Israel. I have done this instead of taking each firstborn male who is born among the people of Israel. The Levites belong to me. +\v 13 All the firstborn belong to me. On the day that I attacked all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I set apart for myself all the firstborn in Israel, both people and animals. They belong to me. I am Yahweh." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. He said, +\v 15 "Count the descendants of Levi in each family, in their clans. Count every male who is one month old and older." +\v 16 Moses counted them, following the word of Yahweh, just as he was commanded to do. + +\s5 +\v 17 The names of Levi's sons were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. +\v 18 The clans coming from Gershon's sons were Libni and Shimei. +\v 19 The clans coming from Kohath's sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. +\v 20 The clans coming from Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites, listed clan by clan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 The clans of the Libnites and the Shimeites come from Gershon. These are the clans of the Gershonites. +\v 22 All the males from a month old and older were counted, totaling 7,500. +\v 23 The clans of the Gershonites must camp on the west side of the tabernacle. + +\s5 +\v 24 Eliasaph son of Lael must lead the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites. +\v 25 The family of Gershon must care for the tent of meeting including the tabernacle. They must care for the tent, its covering, and the curtain used as the entrance to the tent of meeting. +\v 26 They must care for the courtyard hangings, the curtain at the courtyard entrance—the courtyard that surrounds the sanctuary and the altar. They must care for the ropes of the tent of meeting and for everything in it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 These clans come from Kohath: the clan of the Amramites, the clan of the Izharites, the clan of the Hebronites, and the clan of the Uzzielites. These clans belong to the Kohathites. +\v 28 8,600 males have been counted aged one month old and older to take care of the things that belong to Yahweh. +\v 29 The Kohath clans must camp on the south side of the tabernacle. + +\s5 +\v 30 Elizaphan son of Uzziel must lead the clans of the Kohathites. +\v 31 They must care for the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the holy things that are used in their service, the curtain, and all the work around it. +\v 32 Eleazar son of Aaron the priest must lead the men who lead the Levites. He must supervise the men who care for the holy place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 Two clans have come from Merari: the clan of the Mahlites and the clan of the Mushites. These clans have come from Merari. +\v 34 6,200 males have been counted aged one month old and older. +\v 35 Zuriel son of Abihail must lead the clans of Merari. They must camp on the north side of the tabernacle. + +\s5 +\v 36 The descendants of Merari must care for the framing of the tabernacle, the crossbars, posts, bases, all the hardware, and everything related to them, including +\v 37 the pillars and posts of the courtyard that surround the tabernacle, with their sockets, pegs, and ropes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 Moses and Aaron and his sons must camp on the east side of the tabernacle, in front of the tent of meeting, toward the sunrise. They are responsible for the fulfillment of the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the people of Israel. Any foreigner who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death. +\v 39 Moses and Aaron counted all the males in the clans of Levi who were aged one month old and older, just as Yahweh commanded. They counted twenty-two thousand men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 Yahweh said to Moses, "Count all the firstborn males of the people of Israel who are aged one month old and older. List their names. +\v 41 You must take the Levites for me—I am Yahweh—instead of all the firstborn of the people of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of the firstborn of the livestock of the descendants of Israel." + +\s5 +\v 42 Moses counted all the firstborn people of Israel as Yahweh had commanded him to do. +\v 43 He counted all the firstborn males by name, aged one month old and older. He counted 22,273 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 Again, Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 45 "Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and take the Levites' livestock instead of the people's livestock. The Levites belong to me—I am Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 46 You must collect five shekels for the redemption of each of the 273 firstborn people of Israel who exceed the number of the Levites. +\v 47 You must use the shekel of the sanctuary as your standard weight. The shekel equals twenty gerahs. +\v 48 You must give the price of redemption that you paid to Aaron and his sons." + +\s5 +\v 49 So Moses collected the payment of redemption from those who exceeded the number of those redeemed by the Levites. +\v 50 Moses collected the money from the firstborn of the people of Israel. He collected 1,365 shekels, weighing with the shekel of the sanctuary. +\v 51 Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons. Moses did everything he was told to do by Yahweh's word, as Yahweh had commanded him. + + + + + +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said, +\v 2 "Conduct a census of the male descendants of Kohath from among the Levites, by their clans and families. +\v 3 Count all the men who are thirty to fifty years old. These men must join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. +\v 4 The descendants of Kohath must take care of the most holy things reserved for me in the tent of meeting. + +\s5 +\v 5 When the camp prepares to move forward, Aaron and his sons must go into the tent, take down the curtain that separates the most holy place from the holy place and cover the ark of the testimony with it. +\v 6 They must cover the ark with sea cow skins. They must spread a blue cloth over it. They must insert the poles to carry it. + +\s5 +\v 7 They are to spread a blue cloth on the table of the bread of the presence. On it they must put the dishes, spoons, bowls, and jars for pouring. Bread must always continue to be on the table. +\v 8 They must cover them with a scarlet cloth and again with sea cow skins. They must insert poles to carry the table. + +\s5 +\v 9 They must take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand, along with its lamps, tongs, trays, and all the jars of oil for the lamps. +\v 10 They must put the lampstand and all its accessories into a covering of sea cow skins, and they must put it on a carrying frame. +\v 11 They must spread a cloth of blue on the gold altar. They must cover it with a covering of sea cow skins, and then insert the carrying poles. + +\s5 +\v 12 They must take all the equipment for the work in the holy place and wrap it in a blue cloth. They must cover it with sea cow skins and put the equipment on the carrying frame. +\v 13 They must remove the ashes from the altar and spread a purple cloth on the altar. +\v 14 They must put on the carrying frame all the equipment that they use in the work of the altar. These objects are the firepans, forks, shovels, bowls, and all the other equipment for the altar. They must cover the altar with sea cow skins and then insert the carrying poles. + +\s5 +\v 15 When Aaron and his sons have completely covered the holy place and all its equipment, and when the camp moves forward, then the descendants of Kohath must come to carry the holy place. If they touch the holy instruments, they must die. This is the work of the descendants of Kohath, to carry the furnishings in the tent of meeting. +\v 16 Eleazar son of Aaron the priest oversees the care of the oil for the light, the sweet incense, the regular grain offering, and the anointing oil. He oversees the care of the entire tabernacle and all that is in it, the holy place and its equipment." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said, +\v 18 "Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be removed from among the Levites. +\v 19 Protect them, that they may live and not die, by doing this. When they approach the most holy things +\v 20 they must not go in to see the holy place even for a moment, or they must die. Aaron and his sons must go in, and then Aaron and his sons must assign each of the Kohathites to his work, to his special tasks." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Yahweh spoke again to Moses. He said, +\v 22 "Conduct a census of the descendants of Gershon also, by their ancestor's families and by their clans. +\v 23 Count those who are thirty years old to fifty years old. Count all of them who will join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. + +\s5 +\v 24 This is the work of the clans of the Gershonites, when they serve and what they carry. +\v 25 They must carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, its covering, the covering of sea cow skin that is on it, and the curtains for the entrance to the tent of meeting. +\v 26 They must carry the curtains of the court, the curtain for the doorway of the court's gate, which is near the tabernacle and near the altar, their ropes, and all the instruments for their service. Whatever should be done with these things, they must do it. + +\s5 +\v 27 Aaron and his sons must direct all the service of the descendants of the Gershonites, in everything that they transport, and in all their service. You must assign them to all their responsibilities. +\v 28 This is the service of the clans of the descendants of the Gershonites for the tent of meeting. Ithamar son of Aaron the priest must lead them in their service. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 You must count the descendants of Merari by their clans, and order them by their ancestor's families, +\v 30 from thirty years old and older up to fifty years old. Count everyone who is going to join the company and serve in the tent of meeting. + +\s5 +\v 31 This is their responsibility and their work in all their service for the tent of meeting. They must care for the framing of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, and sockets, +\v 32 along with the posts of the court around the tabernacle, their sockets, pegs, and their ropes, with all their hardware. List by name the articles they must carry. + +\s5 +\v 33 This is the service of the clans of the descendants of Merari, what they are to do for the tent of meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest." + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 Moses and Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the descendants of the Kohathites by the clans of their ancestor's families. +\v 35 They counted them from thirty years old and older up to fifty years old. They counted everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. +\v 36 They counted 2,750 men by their clans. + +\s5 +\v 37 Moses and Aaron counted all the men in the clans and families of the Kohathites who serve in the tent of meeting. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 The descendants of Gershon were counted in their clans, by their ancestor's families, +\v 39 from thirty to fifty years old, everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. +\v 40 All the men, counted by their clans and their ancestor's families, numbered 2,630. + +\s5 +\v 41 Moses and Aaron counted the clans of the descendants of Gershon who would serve in the tent of meeting. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 The descendants of Merari were counted in their clans by their ancestor's families, +\v 43 from thirty to fifty years old, everyone who would join the company to serve in the tent of meeting. +\v 44 All the men, counted by their clans and their ancestor's families, numbered 3,200. + +\s5 +\v 45 Moses and Aaron counted all these men, the descendants of Merari. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses. +\s5 +\p +\v 46 So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans in their ancestral families +\v 47 from thirty to fifty years old. They counted everyone who would do work in the tabernacle, and who would carry and care for the items in the tent of meeting. +\v 48 They counted 8,580 men. + +\s5 +\v 49 At Yahweh's command, Moses counted each man, keeping count of each by the type of work he was assigned to do. He counted each man by the kind of responsibility he would bear. In doing this, they obeyed what Yahweh had commanded them to do through Moses. + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 2 "Command the people of Israel to send away from the camp everyone with an infectious skin disease, and everyone who has an oozing sore, and whoever is unclean through touching a dead body. +\v 3 Whether male or female, you must send them out of the camp. They must not defile the camp, because I live in it." +\v 4 The people of Israel did so. They sent them out of the camp, as Yahweh commanded Moses. The people of Israel obeyed Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 6 "Speak to the people of Israel. When a man or woman commits any sin such as people do to one another, and is unfaithful to me, that person is guilty. +\v 7 Then he must confess the sin that he has done. He must completely pay back the price of his guilt and add to the price one-fifth more. He must give this to the one he has wronged. + +\s5 +\v 8 But if the wronged person has no close relative to receive the payment, he must pay the price for his guilt to me through a priest, along with a ram to atone for himself. +\v 9 Every offering of the people of Israel, the things that are set aside and brought to the priest by the people of Israel, will belong to him. +\v 10 The offerings of every person will be for the priest; if anyone gives anything to the priest, it will belong to him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Again, Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 12 "Speak to the people of Israel. Say to them, 'Suppose that a man's wife turns away and sins against her husband. + +\s5 +\v 13 Then suppose that another man sleeps with her. In that case, she is defiled. Even if her husband does not see it or know about it, and even if no one catches her in the act and there is no one to testify against her, +\v 14 nevertheless, a spirit of jealousy might still inform the husband that his wife is defiled. However, a spirit of jealousy might falsely come on a man when his wife is not defiled. + +\s5 +\v 15 In such cases, the man should bring his wife to the priest. The husband must bring a drink offering for her. He must bring a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He must pour no oil or frankincense on it because it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering as a possible indicator of sin. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 The priest must bring her near and place her before Yahweh. +\v 17 The priest must take a jar of holy water and take dust from the floor of the tabernacle. He must put the dust into the water. + +\s5 +\v 18 The priest will set the woman before Yahweh and he will untie the hair on the woman's head. He will put into her hands the grain offering of remembrance, which is the grain offering of suspicion. The priest will hold in his hand the bitter water that can bring a curse. +\v 19 The priest will put the woman under an oath and say to her, 'If no other man had sexual relations with you, and if you have not gone astray and committed impurity, then you will be free from this bitter water that can bring a curse. + +\s5 +\v 20 But if you, a woman under her husband, have gone astray, if you are defiled, and if some other man has slept with you, +\v 21 then, (the priest must cause the woman to swear an oath that can bring down a curse on her, and then he must continue speaking to the woman) 'Yahweh will make you into a curse that will be shown to your people to be such. This will happen if Yahweh causes your thigh to waste away and your abdomen to swell. +\v 22 This water that brings the curse will go into your stomach and make your abdomen swell and your thighs waste away.' The woman is to reply, 'Yes, let that happen if I am guilty.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The priest must write these curses on a scroll, and then he must wash away the written curses into the bitter water. + +\s5 +\v 24 The priest must make the woman drink the bitter water that brings the curse. The water that brings the curse will enter her and become bitter. +\v 25 The priest must take the grain offering of jealousy out of the woman's hand. He must hold up the grain offering before Yahweh and bring it to the altar. +\v 26 The priest must take a handful of the grain offering as a representative offering, and burn it on the altar. Then he must give the woman the bitter water to drink. + +\s5 +\v 27 When he gives her the water to drink, if she is defiled because she has committed a sin against her husband, then the water that brings the curse will enter her and become bitter. Her abdomen will swell and her thigh will waste away. The woman will be cursed among her people. +\v 28 But if the woman is not defiled and if she is clean, then she must be free. She will be able to conceive children. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 This is the law of jealousy. It is the law for a woman who strays away from her husband and is defiled. +\v 30 It is the law for a man with a spirit of jealousy when he is jealous of his wife. He must bring the woman before Yahweh, and the priest must do to her everything that this law of jealousy describes. + +\s5 +\v 31 The man will be free from guilt for bringing his wife to the priest. The woman must bear any guilt she might have." + + + \s5 \c 6 @@ -569,176 +569,176 @@ From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 On the day that Moses completed the tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart to Yahweh, together with all of its furnishings. He did the same for the altar and all its utensils. He anointed them and set them apart to Yahweh. -\v 2 On that day, the leaders of Israel, the heads of their ancestor's families, offered sacrifices. These men were leading the tribes. They had overseen the counting of the men in the census. -\v 3 They brought their offerings before Yahweh. They brought six covered carts and twelve oxen. They brought one cart for every two leaders, and each leader brought one ox. They presented these things in front of the tabernacle. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 5 "Accept the offerings from them and use the offerings for the work in the tent of meeting. Give the offerings to the Levites, to each one as his work needs them." - -\s5 -\v 6 Moses took the carts and the oxen, and he gave them to the Levites. -\v 7 He gave two carts and four oxen to the descendants of Gershon, because of what their work needed. -\v 8 He gave four carts and eight oxen to the descendants of Merari, in the care of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. He did this because of what their work required. - -\s5 -\v 9 But he gave none of those things to the descendants of Kohath, because theirs would be the work related to the things that belong to Yahweh that they would carry on their own shoulders. - -\s5 -\v 10 The leaders offered their goods for the dedication of the altar on the day that Moses anointed the altar. The leaders offered their sacrifices in front of the altar. -\v 11 Yahweh said to Moses, "Each leader must offer on his own day his sacrifice for the dedication of the altar." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 On the first day, Nahshon son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah, offered his sacrifice. -\v 13 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 14 He gave one gold dish that weighed ten shekels and was full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 15 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 16 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 17 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Nahshon son of Amminadab. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 On the second day, Nethanel son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, offered his sacrifice. -\v 19 He offered as his sacrifice one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. - -\s5 -\v 20 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. -\v 21 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 22 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 23 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Nethanel son of Zuar. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, leader of the descendants of Zebulun, offered his sacrifice. -\v 25 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 26 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 27 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 28 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 29 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Eliab son of Helon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 On the fourth day, Elizur son of Shedeur, leader of the descendants of Reuben, offered his sacrifice. -\v 31 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 32 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 33 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 34 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 35 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Elizur son of Shedeur. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 On the fifth day, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, leader of the descendants of Simeon, offered his sacrifice. -\v 37 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 38 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 39 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 40 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 41 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph son of Deuel, leader of the descendants of Gad, offered his sacrifice. -\v 43 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 44 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 45 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 46 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 47 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Eliasaph son of Deuel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 On the seventh day, Elishama son of Ammihud, leader of the descendants of Ephraim, offered his sacrifice. -\v 49 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 50 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 51 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 52 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 53 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Elishama son of Ammihud. - -\s5 -\p -\v 54 On the eighth day, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, leader of the descendants of Manasseh, offered his sacrifice. -\v 55 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 56 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. -\s5 -\v 57 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 58 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 59 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. - -\s5 -\p -\v 60 On the ninth day, Abidan son of Gideoni, leader of the descendants of Benjamin, offered his sacrifice. -\v 61 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a grain offering. -\v 62 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 63 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 64 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 65 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Abidan son of Gideoni. -\s5 -\p -\v 66 On the tenth day, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, leader of the descendants of Dan, offered his sacrifice. -\v 67 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 68 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 69 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.. -\v 70 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 71 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. - -\s5 -\p -\v 72 On the eleventh day, Pagiel son of Okran, leader of the descendants of Asher, offered his sacrifice. -\v 73 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a grain offering. -\v 74 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 75 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 76 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 77 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Pagiel son of Okran. - -\s5 -\p -\v 78 On the twelfth day, Ahira son of Enan, leader of the descendants of Naphtali, offered his sacrifice. -\v 79 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. -\v 80 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. - -\s5 -\v 81 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. -\v 82 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. -\v 83 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Ahira son of Enan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 84 The leaders of Israel set all these apart on the day that Moses anointed the altar. They set apart the twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes. -\v 85 Each silver platter weighed 130 shekels and each bowl weighed seventy shekels. All the silver vessels weighed 2,400 shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. -\v 86 Each of the twelve gold dishes, full of incense, weighed ten shekels by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. All the gold dishes weighed 120 shekels. - -\s5 -\v 87 They set apart all the animals for the burnt offerings, twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve year-old male lambs. They gave their grain offering. They gave twelve male goats as a sin offering. -\v 88 From all their cattle, they gave twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old, as the sacrifice for the fellowship offering. This was for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 89 When Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Yahweh, he heard his voice speaking to him. Yahweh spoke to him from above the atonement lid on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim. He spoke to him. - - - + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 On the day that Moses completed the tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart to Yahweh, together with all of its furnishings. He did the same for the altar and all its utensils. He anointed them and set them apart to Yahweh. +\v 2 On that day, the leaders of Israel, the heads of their ancestor's families, offered sacrifices. These men were leading the tribes. They had overseen the counting of the men in the census. +\v 3 They brought their offerings before Yahweh. They brought six covered carts and twelve oxen. They brought one cart for every two leaders, and each leader brought one ox. They presented these things in front of the tabernacle. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 5 "Accept the offerings from them and use the offerings for the work in the tent of meeting. Give the offerings to the Levites, to each one as his work needs them." + +\s5 +\v 6 Moses took the carts and the oxen, and he gave them to the Levites. +\v 7 He gave two carts and four oxen to the descendants of Gershon, because of what their work needed. +\v 8 He gave four carts and eight oxen to the descendants of Merari, in the care of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. He did this because of what their work required. + +\s5 +\v 9 But he gave none of those things to the descendants of Kohath, because theirs would be the work related to the things that belong to Yahweh that they would carry on their own shoulders. + +\s5 +\v 10 The leaders offered their goods for the dedication of the altar on the day that Moses anointed the altar. The leaders offered their sacrifices in front of the altar. +\v 11 Yahweh said to Moses, "Each leader must offer on his own day his sacrifice for the dedication of the altar." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 On the first day, Nahshon son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah, offered his sacrifice. +\v 13 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 14 He gave one gold dish that weighed ten shekels and was full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 15 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 16 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 17 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Nahshon son of Amminadab. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 On the second day, Nethanel son of Zuar, leader of Issachar, offered his sacrifice. +\v 19 He offered as his sacrifice one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. + +\s5 +\v 20 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. +\v 21 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 22 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 23 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Nethanel son of Zuar. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, leader of the descendants of Zebulun, offered his sacrifice. +\v 25 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 26 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 27 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 28 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 29 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Eliab son of Helon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 On the fourth day, Elizur son of Shedeur, leader of the descendants of Reuben, offered his sacrifice. +\v 31 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 32 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 33 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 34 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 35 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Elizur son of Shedeur. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 On the fifth day, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, leader of the descendants of Simeon, offered his sacrifice. +\v 37 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 38 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 39 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 40 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 41 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph son of Deuel, leader of the descendants of Gad, offered his sacrifice. +\v 43 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 44 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 45 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 46 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 47 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Eliasaph son of Deuel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 On the seventh day, Elishama son of Ammihud, leader of the descendants of Ephraim, offered his sacrifice. +\v 49 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 50 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 51 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 52 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 53 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Elishama son of Ammihud. + +\s5 +\p +\v 54 On the eighth day, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, leader of the descendants of Manasseh, offered his sacrifice. +\v 55 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 56 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. +\s5 +\v 57 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 58 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 59 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. + +\s5 +\p +\v 60 On the ninth day, Abidan son of Gideoni, leader of the descendants of Benjamin, offered his sacrifice. +\v 61 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a grain offering. +\v 62 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 63 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 64 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 65 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Abidan son of Gideoni. +\s5 +\p +\v 66 On the tenth day, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, leader of the descendants of Dan, offered his sacrifice. +\v 67 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 68 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 69 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb.. +\v 70 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 71 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. + +\s5 +\p +\v 72 On the eleventh day, Pagiel son of Okran, leader of the descendants of Asher, offered his sacrifice. +\v 73 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a grain offering. +\v 74 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 75 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 76 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 77 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Pagiel son of Okran. + +\s5 +\p +\v 78 On the twelfth day, Ahira son of Enan, leader of the descendants of Naphtali, offered his sacrifice. +\v 79 His sacrifice was one silver platter weighing 130 shekels and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. Both of these objects were full of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering. +\v 80 He also gave one gold dish weighing ten shekels, full of incense. + +\s5 +\v 81 He gave as a burnt offering one young bull, one ram, and a one-year-old male lamb. +\v 82 He gave one male goat as a sin offering. +\v 83 He gave two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs that were a year old, as the sacrifice for a fellowship offering. This was the sacrifice of Ahira son of Enan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 84 The leaders of Israel set all these apart on the day that Moses anointed the altar. They set apart the twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes. +\v 85 Each silver platter weighed 130 shekels and each bowl weighed seventy shekels. All the silver vessels weighed 2,400 shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. +\v 86 Each of the twelve gold dishes, full of incense, weighed ten shekels by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. All the gold dishes weighed 120 shekels. + +\s5 +\v 87 They set apart all the animals for the burnt offerings, twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve year-old male lambs. They gave their grain offering. They gave twelve male goats as a sin offering. +\v 88 From all their cattle, they gave twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old, as the sacrifice for the fellowship offering. This was for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 89 When Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with Yahweh, he heard his voice speaking to him. Yahweh spoke to him from above the atonement lid on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim. He spoke to him. + + + \s5 \c 8 @@ -800,2201 +800,2201 @@ From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they came out from the land of Egypt. He said, -\v 2 "Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its fixed time of year. -\v 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you must keep the Passover at its fixed time of year. You must keep it, follow all the regulations, and obey all the decrees that are related to it." - -\s5 -\v 4 So, Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Festival of the Passover. -\v 5 So they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. The people of Israel obeyed everything that Yahweh commanded Moses to do. - -\s5 -\v 6 There were certain men who became unclean by the body of a dead man. They could not keep the Passover on that day. They went before Moses and Aaron on that same day. -\v 7 Those men said to Moses, "We are unclean because of the dead body of a man. Why do you keep us from offering the sacrifice to Yahweh at the fixed time of year among the people of Israel?" -\v 8 Moses said to them, "Wait for me to hear what Yahweh will instruct about you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 10 "Speak to the people of Israel. Say, 'If any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body, or are on a long journey, he may still keep the Passover to Yahweh.' - -\s5 -\v 11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at evening, they will eat the Passover meal. They must eat the Passover lamb with bread that is made without yeast and with bitter herbs. -\v 12 They must not leave any of it until the morning, or break any of its bones. They must follow all the regulations for the Passover. - -\s5 -\v 13 But any person who is clean and is not on a journey, but who fails to keep the Passover, that person must be cut off from his people because he did not offer the sacrifice that Yahweh requires at the fixed time of year. That man must carry his sin. -\v 14 If a stranger lives among you and keeps the Passover in Yahweh's honor, he must keep it and do all he commands, keeping the rules of the Passover, and obeying the laws for it. You must have the same law for the foreigner and for all who have been born in the land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant decrees. At evening the cloud was over the tabernacle. It appeared like fire until morning. -\v 16 It continued that way. The cloud covered the tabernacle and appeared like fire at night. -\v 17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tent, the people of Israel would set out on their journey. Wherever the cloud stopped, the people would camp. - -\s5 -\v 18 At Yahweh's command, the people of Israel would travel, and at his command, they would camp. While the cloud stopped over the tabernacle, they would stay in their camp. -\v 19 When the cloud remained on the tabernacle for many days, then the people of Israel would obey Yahweh's instructions and not travel. - -\s5 -\v 20 Sometimes the cloud remained a few days on the tabernacle. In that case, they would obey Yahweh's command—they would make camp and then travel on again at his command. -\v 21 Sometimes the cloud was present in camp from evening until morning. When the cloud lifted in the morning, they journeyed. If it continued for a day and for a night, only when the cloud lifted would they journey on. - -\s5 -\v 22 Whether the cloud stayed on the tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, for as long as it stayed there, the people of Israel would stay in their camp and not travel. But whenever the cloud was taken up, they would set out on their journey. -\v 23 They would camp at Yahweh's command, and they would travel at his command. They obeyed Yahweh's command given through Moses. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 2 "Make two silver trumpets. Hammer the silver to make them. You must use the trumpets to call the community together and to call the community to move their camps. - -\s5 -\v 3 The priests must blow the trumpets to call all the community together in front of you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. -\v 4 If the priests blow only one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, must gather to you. -\v 5 When you blow a loud signal, the camps on the east side must begin their journey. - -\s5 -\v 6 When you blow a loud signal the second time, the camps on the south side must begin their journey. They must blow a loud signal for their journeys. -\v 7 When the community gathers together, blow the trumpets, but not loudly. -\v 8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets. This will always be a regulation for you throughout your people's generations. - -\s5 -\v 9 When you go to war in your land against an adversary who oppresses you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets. I, Yahweh your God, will call you to mind and save you from your enemies. - -\s5 -\v 10 Also, at the times of celebration, both your regular festivals and at the beginnings of the months, you must blow the trumpets in honor of your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices for your fellowship offerings. These will act as a reminder of you to me, your God. I am Yahweh your God." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was lifted from the tabernacle of the covenant decrees. -\v 12 The people of Israel then went on their journey from the wilderness of Sinai. The cloud stopped in the wilderness of Paran. -\v 13 They made their first journey, following Yahweh's command given through Moses. - -\s5 -\v 14 The camp under the banner of Judah's descendants went out first, moving out their individual armies. Nahshon son of Amminadab led Judah's army. -\v 15 Nethanel son of Zuar led the army of the tribe of Issachar's descendants. -\v 16 Eliab son of Helon led the army of the tribe of Zebulun's descendants. - -\s5 -\v 17 The descendants of Gershon and of Merari, who cared for the tabernacle, took down the tabernacle and then set out on their journey. -\v 18 Next, the armies under the banner of Reuben's camp set out on their journey. Elizur son of Shedeur led Reuben's army. -\v 19 Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai led the army of the tribe of Simeon's descendants. -\v 20 Eliasaph son of Deuel led the army of the tribe of Gad's descendants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 The Kohathites set out. They carried the sanctuary's holy equipment. Others would set up the tabernacle before the Kohathites arrived at the next camp. -\v 22 The armies under the banner of Ephraim's descendants set out next. Elishama son of Ammihud led Ephraim's army. -\v 23 Gamaliel son of Pedahzur led the army of the tribe of Manasseh's descendants. -\v 24 Abidan son of Gideoni led the army of the tribe of Benjamin's descendants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 The armies that camped under the banner of Dan's descendants set out last. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai led Dan's army. -\v 26 Pagiel son of Okran led the army of the tribe of Asher's descendants. -\v 27 Ahira son of Enan led the army of the tribe of Naphtali's descendants. -\v 28 This is the way that the armies of the people of Israel set out on their journey. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Moses spoke to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite. Reuel was the father of Moses' wife. Moses spoke to Hobab and said, "We are traveling to a place that Yahweh described. Yahweh said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us and we will do you good. Yahweh has promised to do good for Israel." -\v 30 But Hobab said to Moses, "I will not go with you. I will go to my own land and my own people." - -\s5 -\v 31 Then Moses replied, "Please do not leave us. You know how to camp in the wilderness. You must watch out for us. -\v 32 If you go with us, we will do for you the same good that Yahweh does to us." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 They journeyed from the mountain of Yahweh for three days. The ark of the covenant of Yahweh went before them for three days to find a place for them to rest. -\v 34 Yahweh's cloud was over them by daylight as they journeyed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, "Rise up, Yahweh. Scatter your enemies. Make those who hate you run from you." -\v 36 Whenever the ark stopped, Moses would say, "Return, Yahweh, to Israel's many tens of thousands." - - - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Now the people complained about their troubles as Yahweh listened. Yahweh heard the people and became angry. Fire from Yahweh burned among them and consumed some of the camp on its edges. -\v 2 Then people called out to Moses, so Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire stopped. -\v 3 That place was named Taberah, because Yahweh's fire burned among them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Some foreign people began to camp with Israel's descendants. They wanted better food to eat. Then the people of Israel began to weep and say, "Who will give us meat to eat? -\v 5 We remember the fish that we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. -\v 6 Now our appetite is gone, because all we can see is this manna." - -\s5 -\v 7 Manna was like coriander seed. It looked like resin. -\v 8 The people walked around and gathered it. They ground it in mills, beat it in mortars, boiled it in pots, and made it into cakes. It tasted like fresh olive oil. - -\s5 -\v 9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna also fell. -\v 10 Moses heard the people weeping in their families, and every man was at the entrance to his tent. Yahweh was very angry, and in Moses' eyes their complaining was wrong. - -\s5 -\v 11 Moses said to Yahweh, "Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why are you not pleased with me? You make me carry the load of all these people. -\v 12 Did I conceive all these people? Have I given them birth so that you should say to me, 'Carry them closely to your chest as a father carries a baby?' Should I carry them to the land that you swore to their ancestors to give them? - -\s5 -\v 13 Where can I find meat to give to all this people? They are weeping in front of me and are saying, 'Give us meat to eat.' -\v 14 I cannot bear all these people alone. They are too much for me. -\v 15 Since you are treating me this way, kill me now—if I find favor in your eyes—do not let me see my misery." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Bring to me seventy of Israel's elders. Be sure that they are elders and officers of the people. Bring them to the tent of meeting to stand there with you. -\v 17 I will come down and talk with you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will bear the burden of the people with you. You will not have to bear it alone. - -\s5 -\v 18 Say to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow and you will indeed eat meat, for you have wept and Yahweh has heard. You said, "Who will give us meat to eat? It was good for us in Egypt." Therefore Yahweh will give you meat, and you will eat it. -\v 19 You will not eat meat for only one day, two days, five days, ten days, or twenty days, -\v 20 but you will eat meat for a whole month until it comes out of your nostrils. It will disgust you because you have rejected Yahweh, who is among you. You have wept before him. You said, "Why did we leave Egypt?"'" - -\s5 -\v 21 Then Moses said, "I am with 600,000 people, and you have said, 'I will give them meat to eat for a whole month.' -\v 22 Should we kill flocks and herds to satisfy them? Should we catch all the fish in the sea to satisfy them?" -\v 23 Yahweh said to Moses, "Is my hand short? Now you will see whether or not my word is true." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Moses went out and told the people Yahweh's words. He gathered seventy of the people's elders and positioned them around the tent. -\v 25 Yahweh came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Yahweh took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but only on that occasion and not again. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Two men remained in the camp, named Eldad and Medad. The Spirit also rested on them. Their names were written on the list, but they had not gone out to the tent. Nevertheless, they prophesied in the camp. -\v 27 A young man in the camp ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." - -\s5 -\v 28 Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant, one of his chosen men, said to Moses, "My master Moses, stop them." -\v 29 Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all of Yahweh's people were prophets and that he would put his Spirit on them all!" -\v 30 Then Moses and the elders of Israel went back to the camp. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Then a wind came from Yahweh and brought quail from the sea. They fell near the camp, about a day's journey on one side and a day's journey on the other side. The quail surrounded the camp about two cubits above the ground. -\v 32 The people were busy gathering quail all that day, all the night, and all the next day. No one gathered less than ten homers of quail. They shared the quail all through the camp. - -\s5 -\v 33 While the meat was still between their teeth, while they were chewing it, Yahweh became angry at them. He attacked the people with a very great disease. -\v 34 That place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved meat. -\v 35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth, where they stayed. - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married. -\v 2 They said, "Has Yahweh spoken only with Moses? Has he not spoken also with us?" Now Yahweh heard what they said. -\v 3 Now the man Moses was very humble, humbler than anyone else on earth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Right away Yahweh spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam: "Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting." So the three of them went out. -\v 5 Then Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud. He stood at the entrance to the tent and called Aaron and Miriam. They both came forward. - -\s5 -\v 6 Yahweh said, "Now listen to my words. -\q When a prophet of mine is with you, -\q2 I will reveal myself to him in visions -\q2 and speak to him in dreams. -\v 7 My servant Moses is not like that. -\q He is faithful in all my house. -\v 8 I speak to Moses directly, not with visions or riddles. -\q He sees my form. -\q So why are you unafraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Yahweh's anger burned against them, and then he left them. -\v 10 The cloud rose from over the tent, and Miriam was suddenly leprous—she was as white as snow. When Aaron turned toward Miriam, he saw that she had leprosy. - -\s5 -\v 11 Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my master, please do not hold this sin against us. We have spoken foolishly, and we have sinned. -\v 12 Please do not let her be like a dead newborn whose flesh is half consumed when it emerges from its mother's womb." - -\s5 -\v 13 So Moses called out to Yahweh. He said, "Please heal her, God, please." -\v 14 Yahweh said to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, she would be disgraced for seven days. Shut her outside the camp for seven days. After that bring her in again." -\v 15 So Miriam was shut outside the camp for seven days. The people did not journey until she had returned to the camp. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 After that, the people journeyed from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 2 "Send some men to examine the land of Canaan, which I have given to the people of Israel. Send a man from every tribe of their ancestors. Each man must be a leader among them." - -\s5 -\v 3 Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, so that they might obey Yahweh's command. All of them were leaders among the people of Israel. -\v 4 These were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur; - -\s5 -\v 5 from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori; -\v 6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh; -\v 7 from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph; -\v 8 from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun; - -\s5 -\v 9 from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu; -\v 10 from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi; -\v 11 from the tribe of Joseph (that is to say, from the tribe Manasseh), Gaddi son of Susi; -\v 12 from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli; - -\s5 -\v 13 from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael; -\v 14 from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi; -\v 15 from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Maki. -\v 16 These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to examine the land. Moses called Hoshea son of Nun by the name of Joshua. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Moses sent them to examine the land of Canaan. He said to them, "Approach from the Negev and go up into the hill country. -\v 18 Examine the land to see what it is like. Observe the people who live there, whether they are strong or weak, and whether they are few or many. -\v 19 See what the land is like where they live. Is it good or bad? What cities are there? Are they like camps, or are they fortified cities? -\v 20 See what the land is like, whether it is good for growing crops or not, and whether there are trees there or not. Be brave and bring back samples of the land's produce." Now the time was the season for the first ripe grapes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 So the men went up and examined the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo Hamath. -\v 22 They went up from the Negev and arrived at Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, clans descended from Anak, were there. Now Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut down a branch with a cluster of grapes. They carried it on a staff between two of their group. They also brought pomegranates and figs. -\v 24 That place was named the Valley of Eshkol, because of the grape cluster that the people of Israel cut down there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 After forty days, they returned from examining the land. -\v 26 They came back to Moses, Aaron, and all the community of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the community, and showed them the produce from the land. - -\s5 -\v 27 They told Moses, "We reached the land to which you sent us. It certainly flows with milk and honey. Here is some produce from it. -\v 28 However, the people who make their homes there are strong. The cities are fortified and very large. We also saw descendants of Anak there. -\v 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev. The Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites have their homes in the hill country. The Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan River." - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Then Caleb silenced the people who were before Moses and said, "Let us go up and take possession of the land, for we are certainly able to conquer it." -\v 31 But the other men who had gone with him said, "We are not able to attack the people because they are stronger than we are." - -\s5 -\v 32 So they spread around a discouraging report to the people of Israel about the land that they had examined. They said, "The land that we looked at is a land that eats up its inhabitants. All the people whom we saw there are people of great height. -\v 33 There we saw giants, descendants of Anak, people who came from giants. In our own sight we were like grasshoppers in comparison with them, and this is what we were in their sight, too." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 That night all the community wept loudly. -\v 2 All the people of Israel criticized Moses and Aaron. The whole community said to them, "We wish we had died in the land of Egypt, or here in this wilderness! -\v 3 Why did Yahweh bring us to this land to die by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become victims. Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 They said to each another, "Let us choose another leader, and let us return to Egypt." -\v 5 Then Moses and Aaron lay facedown before all the assembly of the community of the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were some of those sent to examine the land, tore their clothes. -\v 7 They spoke to all the community of the people of Israel. They said, "The land that we passed through and examined is a very good land. -\v 8 If Yahweh is pleased with us, then he will take us into this land and give it to us. The land flows with milk and honey. - -\s5 -\v 9 But do not rebel against Yahweh, and do not fear the people in the land, for they are bread to us. Their protection will be removed from them, because Yahweh is with us. Do not fear them." -\v 10 But all the community threatened to stone them to death. Then Yahweh's glory appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Yahweh said to Moses, "How long must this people despise me? How long must they fail to trust me, despite all the signs of my power that I have done among them? -\v 12 I will attack them with plague, disinherit them, and make from your own clan a nation that will be greater and mightier than they are." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Moses said to Yahweh, "If you do this, then the Egyptians will hear about it, because you rescued this people from them by your power. -\v 14 They will tell it to this land's inhabitants. They have heard that you, Yahweh, are present with this people, because you are seen face to face. Your cloud stands over our people. You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. - -\s5 -\v 15 Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations that have heard of your fame will speak and say, -\v 16 'Because Yahweh could not take this people into the land that he swore to give them, -he has killed them in the wilderness.' - -\s5 -\v 17 Now, I beg you, use your great power. For you have said, -\v 18 'Yahweh is slow to anger and abundant in covenant faithfulness. He forgives iniquity and transgression. He will by no means clear the guilty when he brings the punishment of the ancestors' sin on their descendants, to the third and fourth generation.' -\v 19 Pardon, I plead with you, this people's sin because of the greatness of your covenant faithfulness, just as you have always forgiven this people from the time they were in Egypt until now." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Yahweh said, "I have pardoned them in keeping with your request, -\v 21 but truly, as I live, and as all the earth will be filled with my glory, -\v 22 all those people who saw my glory and the signs of power that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness—they have still tempted me these ten times and have not listened to my voice. - -\s5 -\v 23 So I say that they will certainly not see the land about which I made an oath to their ancestors. Not one of them who despised me will see it, -\v 24 except for my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit. He has followed me fully; I will bring him into the land which he went to examine. His descendants will possess it. -\v 25 (Now the Amalekites and Canaanites lived in the valley.) Tomorrow turn and go to the wilderness by the way of the Sea of Reeds." - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said, -\v 27 "How long must I tolerate this evil community that criticizes me? I have heard the complaining of the people of Israel against me. - -\s5 -\v 28 Say to them, 'As I live,' says Yahweh, 'as you have spoken in my hearing, I will do this to you: -\v 29 Your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness, all you who complained against me, you who were counted in the census, the whole number of the people from twenty years old and upward. -\v 30 You will certainly not go into the land that I promised to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. - -\s5 -\v 31 But your little ones who you said would be victims, I will take them into the land. They will experience the land that you have rejected! -\v 32 As for you, your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness. -\v 33 Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years. They must bear the consequences of your acts of rebellion until the end of your corpses in the wilderness. - -\s5 -\v 34 Just as the number of the days during which you examined the land—forty days, you must likewise bear the consequences of your sins for forty years—one year for every day, and you must know what it is like for me to oppose you. -\v 35 I, Yahweh, have spoken. I will certainly do this to all this evil community that is gathered together against me. They will be completely cut off, and here they will die.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 The men Moses sent to spy out the land, when they returned, they made the entire community grumble against Moses by spreading a bad report about the land— -\v 37 the men who had brought out a bad report about the land—died of a plague before Yahweh. -\v 38 Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive. - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 When Moses reported these words to all the people of Israel, they mourned very deeply. -\v 40 They rose up early in the morning and went to the top of the mountain and said, "Look, we are here, and we will go to the place that Yahweh has promised, for we have sinned." - -\s5 -\v 41 But Moses said, "Why are you now violating Yahweh's command? You will not succeed. -\v 42 Do not go, because Yahweh is not with you to prevent you from being defeated by your enemies. -\v 43 The Amalekites and Canaanites are there, and you will die by the sword because you turned back from following Yahweh. So he will not be with you." - -\s5 -\v 44 But they presumed to go up into the hill country; however, neither Moses nor the ark of the covenant of Yahweh left the camp. -\v 45 Then the Amalekites came down, and also the Canaanites who lived on those hills. They attacked the Israelites and defeated them all the way to Hormah. - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you go into the land where you will live, which Yahweh will give to you, -\v 3 you are to prepare an offering by fire to Yahweh, either a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a vow or a freewill offering, or an offering at your feasts, to produce a pleasing aroma for Yahweh from the herd or the flock. - -\s5 -\v 4 You must offer to Yahweh a burnt offering as well as a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil. -\v 5 You must also offer with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, one-fourth of a hin of wine for the drink offering for each lamb. - -\s5 -\v 6 If you are offering a ram, you must prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil. -\v 7 For the drink offering, you must offer a third of a hin of wine. It will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 8 When you prepare a bull as a burnt offering or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or as a fellowship offering to Yahweh, -\v 9 then you must offer with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil. -\v 10 You must offer as the drink offering half a hin of wine, as an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 It must be done this way for each bull, for each ram, and for each of the male lambs or young goats. -\v 12 Every sacrifice that you prepare and offer must be done as described here. -\v 13 All who are native-born Israelites must do these things in this way, when anyone brings an offering made by fire, to produce an aroma that is pleasing to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 14 If a foreigner is staying with you, or whoever may live among you throughout your people's generations, he must make an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. He must act as you act. -\v 15 There must be the same law for the community and for the foreigner who stays with you, a permanent law throughout your people's generations. As you are, so also must be the traveler staying with you. He must act as you act before Yahweh. -\v 16 The same law and decree must apply to you and to the foreigner who is staying with you.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 18 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land where I will take you, -\v 19 when you eat the food produced in the land, you must offer an offering and present it to me. - -\s5 -\v 20 From the first of your dough you must offer a loaf to raise it up as a raised offering from the threshing floor. You must raise it up in this way. -\v 21 You must give to me a raised offering throughout your people's generations from the first of your dough. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 You will sometimes sin without intending to do so, when you do not obey all these commands that I have spoken to Moses— -\v 23 everything that I have commanded you through Moses from the day that I began to give you commands and onward throughout your people's generations. -\v 24 In the case of unintentional sin without the community's knowledge, then all the community must offer one young bull as a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. Along with this must be made a grain offering and drink offering, as commanded by the decree, and one male goat as a sin offering. - -\s5 -\v 25 The priest must make atonement for all the community of the people of Israel. They will be forgiven because the sin was an error. They have brought their sacrifice, an offering made by fire to me. They have brought their sin offering before me for their error. -\v 26 Then all the community of the people of Israel will be forgiven, and also the foreigners who are staying with them, because all the people committed the sin unintentionally. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 If a person sins unintentionally, then he must offer a female goat a year old as a sin offering. -\v 28 The priest must make atonement before Yahweh for the person who sins unintentionally. That person will be forgiven when atonement has been made. -\v 29 You must have the same law for the one who does anything unintentionally, the same law for the one who is native born among the people of Israel and for the foreigners who are staying among them. - -\s5 -\v 30 But the person who does anything in defiance, whether he is native born or a foreigner, blasphemes me. That person must be cut off from among his people. -\v 31 Because he has despised my word and has broken my commandment, that person must be cut off completely. His sin will be on him.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day. -\v 33 Those who found him brought him to Moses, Aaron, and all the community. -\v 34 They kept him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done with him. - -\s5 -\v 35 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "The man must surely be put to death. All the community must stone him with stones outside the camp." -\v 36 So all the community brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death as Yahweh had commanded Moses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 38 "Speak to the descendants of Israel and command them to make for themselves tassels to hang from the borders of their garments, to hang them from each border by a blue cord. They must do this throughout their people's generations. -\v 39 It will be a special reminder to you, when you may look at it, of all my commandments, to carry them out so that you do not look to your own heart and your own eyes and prostitute yourselves to them. -\s5 -\v 40 Do this so that you may call to mind and obey all my commandments, and so that you may be holy, reserved for me, your God. -\v 41 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to become your God. I am Yahweh your God." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 Now Korah son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, descendants of Reuben, gathered some men. -\v 2 They rose up against Moses, along with other men from the people of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the community who were well-known members in the community. -\v 3 They assembled themselves together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said to them, "You have gone too far! All the community is set apart, every one of them, and Yahweh is among them. Why do you lift up yourselves above the rest of Yahweh's community?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 When Moses heard that, he lay facedown. -\v 5 He spoke to Korah and to all those with him, "In the morning Yahweh will make known who belongs to him and who is set apart to him. He will bring that person near to him. The one he chooses he will bring near to himself. - -\s5 -\v 6 Do this, Korah and all your group. Take censers -\v 7 tomorrow and put fire and incense in them before Yahweh. The one whom Yahweh chooses, that man will be set apart to Yahweh. You have gone too far, you descendants of Levi." - -\s5 -\v 8 Again, Moses said to Korah, "Now listen, you descendants of Levi: -\v 9 is it a small thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the community of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do work in Yahweh's tabernacle, and to stand before the community to serve them? -\v 10 He has brought you near, and all your kinfolk, the descendants of Levi, with you, yet you are seeking the priesthood also! -\v 11 That is why you and all your group have gathered together against Yahweh. So why are you complaining about Aaron, who obeys Yahweh?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then Moses called for Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they said, "We will not come up. -\v 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness? Now you want to make yourself ruler over us! -\v 14 In addition, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us the fields and vineyards as an inheritance. Now do you want to blind us with empty promises? We will not come to you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Moses was very angry and said to Yahweh, "Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed any of them." -\v 16 Then Moses said to Korah, "Tomorrow you and all your company must go before Yahweh—you and they, and Aaron. -\v 17 Each of you must take his censer and put incense in it. Then each man must bring before Yahweh his censer, two hundred and fifty censers. You and Aaron, also, must each bring your censer." - -\s5 -\v 18 So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense in it, and stood at the entrance to the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron. -\v 19 Korah assembled all the community against Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and Yahweh's glory appeared to all the community. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron: -\v 21 "Separate yourselves from among this community that I may consume them immediately." -\v 22 Moses and Aaron lay facedown and said, "God, the God of the spirits of all humanity, if one man sins, must you be angry with all the community?" - -\s5 -\v 23 Yahweh replied to Moses. He said, -\v 24 "Speak to the community. Say, 'Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Then Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram; the elders of Israel followed him. -\v 26 He spoke to the community and said, "Now leave the tents of these wicked men and touch nothing of theirs, or you will be consumed by all their sins." -\v 27 So the community on every side of the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram left them. Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the entrance to their tents, with their wives, sons, and their little ones. - -\s5 -\v 28 Then Moses said, "By this you will know that Yahweh has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own accord. -\v 29 If these men die a natural death such as normally happens, then Yahweh has not sent me. -\v 30 But if Yahweh creates an opening in the ground that swallows them up like a large mouth, along with all their families, and if they go down alive into Sheol, then you must understand that these men have despised Yahweh." - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 As soon as Moses finished speaking all these words, the ground opened under those men. -\v 32 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their families, and all the people who belonged to Korah, as well as all their possessions. - -\s5 -\v 33 They and everyone in their families went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed over them, and in this way they perished from the midst of the community. -\v 34 All Israel around them fled from their cries. They exclaimed, "The earth may swallow us up also!" -\v 35 Then fire flashed out from Yahweh and devoured the 250 men who had offered incense. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 37 "Speak to Eleazar son of Aaron the priest and let him take up the censers out of the flames, for the censers are set apart to me. Then let him scatter the burning coals at a distance. -\v 38 Take the censers of those who lost their lives because of their sin. Let them be made into hammered plates as a covering over the altar. Those men did offer them before me, so they are set apart to me. They will be a sign of my presence to the people of Israel." - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers that had been used by the men who were burned up, and they were hammered out into a covering for the altar, -\v 40 to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider who was not descended from Aaron should come up to burn incense before Yahweh, so they might not become like Korah and his group—just as Yahweh had commanded through Moses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 But the next morning all the community of the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron. They said, "You have killed Yahweh's people." -\v 42 Then it happened, when the community had assembled against Moses and Aaron, that they looked toward the tent of meeting and, behold, the cloud was covering it. Yahweh's glory appeared, -\v 43 and Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting. - -\s5 -\v 44 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 45 "Go away from in front of this community so that I may consume them immediately." Then Moses and Aaron lay down with their faces to the ground. -\v 46 Moses said to Aaron, "Take the censer, put fire in it from off the altar, put incense in it, carry it quickly to the community, and make atonement for them, because anger is coming from Yahweh. The plague has begun." - -\s5 -\v 47 So Aaron did as Moses directed. He ran into the middle of the community. The plague had quickly started to spread among the people, so he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. -\v 48 Aaron stood between the dead and the living; in this way the plague was stopped. - -\s5 -\v 49 Those who died by the plague were 14,700 in number, besides those who had died in the matter of Korah. -\v 50 Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and the plague ended. - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, -\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and get staffs from them, one for each ancestral tribe, twelve staffs. Write each man's name on his staff. - -\s5 -\v 3 You must write Aaron's name on Levi's staff. There must be one staff for each leader from his ancestors' tribe. -\v 4 You must place the staffs in the tent of meeting in front of the covenant decrees, where I meet with you. -\v 5 It will happen that the staff of the man whom I choose will bud. I will cause the complaints from the people of Israel to stop, which they are speaking against you." - -\s5 -\v 6 So Moses spoke to the people of Israel. All the tribal leaders gave him staffs, one staff from each leader, selected from each of the ancestral tribes, twelve staffs in all. Aaron's staff was among them. -\v 7 Then Moses deposited the staffs before Yahweh in the tent of the covenant decrees. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The next day Moses went into the tent of the covenant decrees and, behold, Aaron's staff for the tribe of Levi had budded. It grew buds and produced blossoms and ripe almonds! -\v 9 Moses brought out all the staffs from before Yahweh to all the people of Israel, and each man took his staff. - -\s5 -\v 10 Yahweh said to Moses, "Put Aaron's staff in front of the covenant decrees. Keep it as a sign of guilt against the people who rebelled so that you may end complaints against me, or they will die." -\v 11 Moses did just as Yahweh had commanded him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 The people of Israel spoke to Moses and said, "We will die here. We will all perish! -\v 13 Everyone who comes up, who approaches Yahweh's tabernacle, will die. Must we all perish?" - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said to Aaron, "You, your sons, and your ancestor's clan will be responsible for all sins committed against the sanctuary. But only you and your sons with you will be responsible for all sins committed by anyone in the priesthood. -\v 2 As for your fellow members of the tribe of Levi, your ancestors' tribe, you must bring them with you so they may join you and help you when you and your sons serve in front of the tent of the covenant decrees. - -\s5 -\v 3 They must serve you and the whole tent. However, they must not come near to anything in the holy place or connected with the altar, or they and also you will die. -\v 4 They must join you and take care of the tent of meeting, for all the work connected with the tent. A foreigner must not come near you. -\v 5 You must take responsibility for the holy place and for the altar so that my anger does not come on the people of Israel again. - -\s5 -\v 6 Look, I myself have chosen your fellow members of the Levites from among the descendants of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to me to do the work connected to the tent of meeting. -\v 7 But only you and your sons may exercise the priesthood regarding everything connected with the altar and everything inside the curtain. You yourselves must fulfill those responsibilities. I am giving you the priesthood as a gift. Any foreigner who approaches must be put to death." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then Yahweh said to Aaron, "Look, I have given you the duty of handling the offerings raised up to me, and all the holy offerings that the people of Israel give to me. I have given these offerings to you and your sons as your ongoing share. -\v 9 This will belong to you from the most holy things that is kept from the fire. From every offering of theirs—every grain offering, every sin offering, and every guilt offering—they are set apart to you and to your sons. - -\s5 -\v 10 These offerings are very holy; every male must eat it, for they are holy to you. -\v 11 These are the offerings that will belong to you, set apart out of all their gifts of the wave offerings of the people of Israel. I have given them to you, your sons, and your daughters, as your portion forever. Everyone who is ceremonially clean in your family may eat any of these offerings. - -\s5 -\v 12 All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and grain, the firstfruits that the people give to me—all these things I have given to you. -\v 13 The first ripe produce of all that is in their land, which they bring to me, will be yours. Everyone who is clean in your family may eat these things. - -\s5 -\v 14 Every devoted thing in Israel will be yours. -\v 15 Everything that opens the womb, all the firstborn which the people offer to Yahweh, both of man and animal, will be yours. Nevertheless, the people must certainly buy back every firstborn son, and they must buy back the firstborn male of unclean animals. -\v 16 Those that are to be bought back by the people must be bought back after becoming one month old. Then the people may buy them back, for the price of five shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs. - -\s5 -\v 17 But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat—you must not buy back these animals; they are set apart to me. You must sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to Yahweh. -\v 18 Their meat will be yours. Like the raised breast and the right thigh, their meat will be yours. - -\s5 -\v 19 All the holy offerings that the people of Israel present to Yahweh, I have given to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a continual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt, a binding covenant forever, before Yahweh for both you and your descendants with you." -\v 20 Yahweh said to Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in the people's land, nor will you have any share of property among the people. I am your share and inheritance among the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 To the descendants of Levi, look, I have given all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the service that they provide in working at the tent of meeting. -\v 22 From now on the people of Israel must not come near the tent of meeting, or they will be responsible for this sin and die. - -\s5 -\v 23 The Levites must do the work connected to the tent of meeting. They will be responsible for any sin regarding it. This will be a permanent law throughout your people's generations. Among the people of Israel they must have no inheritance. -\v 24 For the tithes of the people of Israel, which they offer as a contribution to me—it is these that I have given to the Levites as their inheritance. That is why I said to them, 'They must have no inheritance among the people of Israel.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 26 "You must speak to the Levites and say to them, 'When you receive from the people of Israel the tenth that I have given to you from them for your inheritance, you will present a contribution from it to Yahweh, a tenth of the tithe. -\v 27 Your contribution must be considered by you as if it were a tenth of the grain from the threshing floor or of the production from the winepress. - -\s5 -\v 28 So you also must make a contribution to Yahweh from all the tithes that you receive from the people of Israel. From them you must give his contribution to Aaron the priest. -\v 29 Out of all the gifts you receive, you must make every contribution to Yahweh. You must do this from all the best and the holiest things that have been given to you.' - -\s5 -\v 30 Therefore you must say to them, 'When you present the best of it, then it must be credited to the Levites as the product from the threshing floor and the winepress. -\v 31 You may eat the rest of your gifts in any place, you and your families, because it is your pay in return for your work in the tent of meeting. -\v 32 You will not incur any guilt by eating and drinking it, if you have presented to Yahweh the best of what you have received. But you must not profane the holy offerings of the people of Israel, or you will die.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said, -\v 2 "This is a statute, a law which I am commanding you: Say to the people of Israel that they must bring to you a red heifer without flaw or blemish, and which has never carried a yoke. - -\s5 -\v 3 Give the heifer to Eleazar the priest. He must bring it outside the camp, and someone must kill it in front of him. -\v 4 Eleazar the priest must take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the tent of meeting. -\v 5 Another priest must burn the heifer in his sight. He must burn its hide, flesh, and its blood with its dung. -\v 6 The priest must take cedarwood, hyssop, and scarlet wool, and throw it all into the middle of the burning heifer. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then he must wash his clothes and bathe in water. Then he may come into the camp, where he will remain unclean until the evening. -\v 8 The one who has burned the heifer must wash his clothes in water and bathe in water. He will remain unclean until the evening. - -\s5 -\v 9 Someone who is clean must gather up the heifer's ashes and put them outside the camp in a clean place. These ashes must be kept for the community of the people of Israel. They will mix the ashes with water for purification from sin, since the ashes were from a sin offering. -\v 10 The one who gathered the heifer's ashes must wash his clothes. He will remain unclean until the evening. This will be a permanent law for the people of Israel and the foreigners who stay with them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Whoever touches the dead body of any man will be unclean for seven days. -\v 12 Such a person must purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day. Then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself the third day, then he will not be clean on the seventh day. -\v 13 Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died, and does not purify himself—this person defiles Yahweh's tabernacle. That person must be cut off from Israel because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him. He will remain unclean; his uncleanness will remain on him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 This is the law for when someone dies in a tent. Everyone who goes into the tent and everyone who is already in the tent will be unclean for seven days. -\v 15 Every open container with no cover becomes unclean. -\v 16 Similarly, anyone outside a tent who touches someone who has been killed with a sword, any other dead body, a human bone, or a grave—that person will be unclean for seven days. - -\s5 -\v 17 Do this for the unclean person: Take some ashes from the burnt sin offering and mix them in a jar with fresh water. -\v 18 Someone who is clean must then take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the containers inside the tent, on the persons who were there, and on anyone who touched the bone, the one who was killed, the one who died, or the grave. -\v 19 On the third day and on the seventh day, the clean person must sprinkle the unclean person. On the seventh day the unclean person must purify himself. He must wash his clothes and bathe in water. At evening he will become clean. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 But anyone who remains unclean, who refuses to purify himself—that person will be cut off from the community, because he has defiled Yahweh's sanctuary. The water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him; he remains unclean. -\v 21 This will be an ongoing law concerning these situations. The one who sprinkles the water for impurity must wash his clothes. The one who touches the water for impurity will become unclean until evening. -\v 22 Whatever the unclean person touches will become unclean. The person who touches it will become unclean until evening." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 So the people of Israel, the whole community, went into the wilderness of Zin in the first month; they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 There was no water for the community, so they assembled together against Moses and Aaron. -\v 3 The people complained against Moses. They said, "It would have been better if we had died when our fellow Israelites died in front of Yahweh! - -\s5 -\v 4 Why have you brought Yahweh's community into this wilderness to die here, we and our animals? -\v 5 Why did you make us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this horrible place? Here there is no seed, figs, vines, or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink." - -\s5 -\v 6 So Moses and Aaron went away from in front of the assembly. They went to the entrance of the tent of meeting and lay facedown. There Yahweh's brilliant glory appeared to them. - -\s5 -\v 7 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 8 "Take the staff and assemble the community, you, and Aaron your brother. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and command it to flow with water. You will produce water for them out of that rock, and you must give it to the community and their cattle to drink." -\v 9 Moses took the staff from before Yahweh, as Yahweh had commanded him to do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock. Moses said to them, "Listen now, you rebels. Must we bring water out of this rock for you?" -\v 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, and much water came out. The community drank, and their cattle drank. - -\s5 -\v 12 Then Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust me or honor me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them." -\v 13 This place was called the waters of Meribah because the people of Israel had quarreled with Yahweh there, and he showed himself to them as holy. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: Your brother Israel says this: "You know all the difficulties that have happened to us. -\v 15 You know that our ancestors went down to Egypt and lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians treated us harshly and also our ancestors. -\v 16 When we called out to Yahweh, he heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. Look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the border of your land. - -\s5 -\v 17 I am asking you to let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, nor will we drink the water in your wells. We will go along the king's highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed your border." - -\s5 -\v 18 But the king of Edom replied to him, "You may not pass through here. If you do, I will come with the sword to attack you." -\v 19 Then the people of Israel said to him, "We will go along the highway. If we or our livestock drink your water, we will pay for it. Just let us walk through on foot, without doing anything else." - -\s5 -\v 20 But the king of Edom replied, "You may not pass through." So the king of Edom came against Israel with a strong hand with many soldiers. -\v 21 The king of Edom refused to allow Israel to cross over their border. Because of this, Israel turned away from the land of Edom. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 So the people journeyed from Kadesh. The people of Israel, the whole community, came to Mount Hor. -\v 23 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on Edom's border. He said, -\v 24 "Aaron must be gathered to his people, for he will not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel. This is because you both rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah. - -\s5 -\v 25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor. -\v 26 Take Aaron's priestly garments off him and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron must die and be gathered to his people there." - -\s5 -\v 27 Moses did as Yahweh commanded. They went up Mount Hor in the sight of all the community. -\v 28 Moses took Aaron's priestly garments off him and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down. -\v 29 When all the community saw that Aaron was dead, the entire nation wept for Aaron for thirty days. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was traveling by the road to Atharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. -\v 2 Israel vowed to Yahweh and said, "If you give us victory over these people, then we will completely destroy their cities." -\v 3 Yahweh listened to Israel's voice and he gave them victory over the Canaanites. They completely destroyed them and their cities. That place was called Hormah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 They traveled from Mount Hor by the road to the Sea of Reeds to go around the land of Edom. The people became very discouraged on the way. -\v 5 The people spoke against God and Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, no water, and we hate this miserable food." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then Yahweh sent poisonous snakes among the people. The snakes bit the people; many people died. -\v 7 The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned because we have spoken against Yahweh and you. Pray to Yahweh for him to take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. - -\s5 -\v 8 Yahweh said to Moses, "Make a snake and attach it to a pole. It will happen that everyone who is bitten will survive, if he looks at it." -\v 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and attached it to a pole. When a snake bit any person, if he looked at the bronze snake, he survived. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then the people of Israel traveled on and camped at Oboth. -\v 11 They traveled from Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim in the wilderness that faces Moab toward the east. - -\s5 -\v 12 From there they traveled on and camped in the Valley of Zered. -\v 13 From there they traveled on and camped on the other side of the Arnon River, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites. The Arnon River forms the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. - -\s5 -\v 14 That is why it says in the scroll of the Wars of Yahweh, -\q "... Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon, -\q -\v 15 the slope of the valleys that lead toward the town of Ar -\q and lie along the border of Moab." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 From there they traveled to Beer, the well where Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather the people together for me to give them water." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Israel sang this song: -\q "Spring up, well! -\q Sing about it, -\q -\v 18 about the well that our leaders dug, -\q the well the nobles of the people dug, -\q with the scepter and their staffs." -\m Then from the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah. - -\s5 -\v 19 From Mattanah they traveled to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, -\v 20 and from Bamoth to a valley in the land of Moab. That is where the top of Mount Pisgah looks down on the wilderness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites saying, -\v 22 "Let us pass through your land. We will not turn into any field or vineyard. We will not drink the water from your wells. We will travel by the king's highway until we have crossed your border." -\v 23 But King Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through their border. Instead, Sihon gathered all his army together and attacked Israel in the wilderness. He came to Jahaz, where he fought against Israel. - -\s5 -\v 24 Israel attacked the army of Sihon with the edge of the sword and took their land from the Arnon to the Jabbok river, as far as the land of the people of Ammon. Now the border of the people of Ammon was fortified. -\v 25 Israel took all the Amorite cities and lived in all of them, including Heshbon and all of its villages. -\v 26 Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab. Sihon had taken all his land from his territory to the Arnon River. - -\s5 -\v 27 That is why those who speak in proverbs say, -\q "Come to Heshbon. -\q Let the city of Sihon be rebuilt and established again. -\q -\v 28 A fire blazed from Heshbon, -\q a flame from the city of Sihon -\q that devoured Ar of Moab, -\q and the owners of the high places of Arnon. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 Woe to you, Moab! -\q You have perished, people of Chemosh. -\q He has made his sons to be fugitives -\q and his daughters to be prisoners -\q of Sihon king of the Amorites. -\q -\v 30 But we have conquered Sihon. Heshbon is devastated all the way to Dibon. -\q We have defeated them all the way to Nophah, -\q which reaches to Medeba." - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 So Israel began to live in the Amorites' land. -\v 32 Then Moses sent men to look at Jazer. They took its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 Then they turned and went up by the road of Bashan. Og king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his army, to fight them at Edrei. -\v 34 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Do not fear him, because I have given you victory over him, all his army, and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon." -\v 35 So they killed him, his sons, and all his army, until none of his people were left alive. Then they took over his land. - - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\nb -\v 1 The people of Israel traveled on until they camped in the plains of Moab near Jericho, on the other side of the Jordan River from the city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. -\v 3 Moab was very afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was in terror of the people of Israel. -\v 4 The king of Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This multitude will eat up all that is around us as an ox eats up the grass in a field." Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. - -\s5 -\v 5 He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor which is by the Euphrates River, in the land of his nation and his people. He called him and said, "Look, a nation has come here from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and they are right now next to me. -\v 6 So please come now and curse this nation for me, because they are too strong for me. Perhaps then I can manage to attack them and drive them out of the land. I know that whomever you bless will be blessed, and whomever you curse will be cursed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left, taking payment for divination. They came to Balaam and spoke to him Balak's words. -\v 8 Balaam said to them, "Stay here tonight. I will bring you what Yahweh says to me." So the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam that night. - -\s5 -\v 9 God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men who came to you?" -\v 10 Balaam answered God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent them to me. He said, -\v 11 'Look, the people who have come from Egypt cover the surface of my land. Now come and curse them for me. Perhaps I will manage to fight them and drive them out.'" - -\s5 -\v 12 God replied to Balaam, "You must not go with those men. You must not curse the people of Israel because they have been blessed." -\v 13 Balaam rose up in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land because Yahweh refuses to allow me to go with you." -\v 14 So the leaders of Moab left and went back to Balak. They said, "Balaam refused to come with us." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Balak sent again more leaders who were even more honored than the first group. -\v 16 They came to Balaam and said to him, "Balak son of Zippor says this, 'Please let nothing stop you from coming to me, -\v 17 because I will pay you extremely well and give you great honor, and I will do whatever you tell me to do. So please come and curse this people for me.'" - -\s5 -\v 18 Balaam answered and said to Balak's men, "Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Yahweh, my God, and do less or more than what he tells me. -\v 19 Now then, please wait here tonight too, so that I may learn anything further that Yahweh says to me." -\v 20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them. But only do what I tell you to do." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab. -\v 22 But because he went, God's anger was kindled. The angel of Yahweh placed himself in the road as someone hostile to Balaam, who was riding on his donkey. Balaam's two servants were also with him. -\v 23 The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with his drawn sword in his hand. The donkey turned off the road and went into a field. Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back to the road. - -\s5 -\v 24 Then the angel of Yahweh stood in a narrow part of the road between some vineyards, with a wall on his right side and another wall on his left side. -\v 25 The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh again. She went against the wall and pinned Balaam's foot against it. Balaam struck her again. - -\s5 -\v 26 The angel of Yahweh went further and stood in another narrow place where there was no way to turn to either side. -\v 27 The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. - -\s5 -\v 28 Then Yahweh opened the donkey's mouth so she could talk. She said to Balaam, "What have I done to you that induced you to strike me these three times?" -\v 29 Balaam replied to the donkey, "It was because you acted so stupidly with me. I wish there were a sword in my hand. If there were, by now I would have killed you." -\v 30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am not I your donkey on which you have ridden all your life long to this present day? Have I ever been in the habit of doing such things to you before?" Balaam said, "No." - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Then Yahweh opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with his drawn sword in his hand. Balaam lowered his head and lay facedown. -\v 32 The angel of Yahweh said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I have come as someone hostile to you because your actions before me have been wicked. -\v 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I would certainly have killed you and spared her life." - -\s5 -\v 34 Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, "I have sinned. I did not know that you stood against me in the road. So now, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back." -\v 35 But the angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, "Go on ahead with the men. But you must only speak the words that I tell you." So Balaam went with the leaders of Balak. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at a city in Moab at the Arnon, which is on the border. -\v 37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send men to you to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?" - -\s5 -\v 38 Then Balaam replied to Balak, "See, I have come to you. Do I now have any power to say anything? I can only say the words that God puts into my mouth." -\v 39 Balaam went with Balak, and they arrived at Kiriath Huzoth. -\v 40 Then Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and gave some meat to Balaam and the leaders who were with him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam up to the high place of Baal. From there Balaam could see only a part of the Israelites in their camp. - - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\nb -\v 1 Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars here for me and prepare seven bulls and seven rams." -\v 2 So Balak did as Balaam requested. Then Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on every altar. -\v 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand at your burnt offering and I will go. Perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you." So he went away to a hilltop with no trees. - -\s5 -\v 4 While he was on the hilltop, God met him, and Balaam said to him, "I have built seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each one." -\v 5 Yahweh put a message in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak and speak to him." -\v 6 So Balaam returned to Balak, who was standing by his burnt offering, and all the leaders of Moab were with him. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then Balaam began to speak his prophecy and said, -\q "Balak has brought me from Aram, -\q2 the king of Moab from the eastern mountains. -\q 'Come, curse Jacob for me,' he said. -\q2 'Come, defy Israel.' -\q -\v 8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? -\q2 How can I oppose those whom Yahweh does not oppose? - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him; -\q2 from the hills I look at him. -\q See, there is a people who live alone -\q2 and do not consider themselves as just an ordinary nation. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob -\q2 or number even only one-fourth of Israel? -\q Let me die the death of a righteous person, -\q2 and let my life's end be like his!" - -\s5 -\m -\v 11 Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them." -\v 12 Balaam answered and said, "Should I not be careful to say only what Yahweh puts in my mouth?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 So Balak said to him, "Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the nearest of them, not all of them. There you will curse them for me." -\v 14 So he took Balaam into the field of Zophim, to the top of Mount Pisgah, and built seven more altars. He offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. -\v 15 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet with Yahweh over there." - -\s5 -\v 16 So Yahweh met Balaam and put a message in his mouth. He said, "Return to Balak and give him my message." -\v 17 Balaam returned to him, and look, he was standing by his burnt offering, and the leaders of Moab were with him. Then Balak said to him, "What has Yahweh said?" -\v 18 Balaam began his prophecy. He said, -\q "Rise up, Balak, and hear. -\q2 Listen to me, you son of Zippor. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 God is not a man, that he should lie, -\q2 Or a human being, that he should change his mind. -\q Has he promised anything without doing it? -\q2 Has he said he would do something without carrying it out? -\v 20 Look, I have been commanded to bless. -\q2 God has given a blessing, and I cannot reverse it. -\q - -\s5 -\v 21 He has seen no hardship in Jacob -\q2 or trouble in Israel. -\q Yahweh their God is with them, -\q2 and shouts for their king are among them. -\v 22 God brought them out of Egypt -\q2 with strength like that of a wild ox. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 There is no sorcery that works against Jacob, -\q2 and no fortune-telling harms Israel. -\q Instead, it must be said about Jacob and Israel, -\q2 'Look what God has done!' - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 Look, the people rise like a lioness, -\q2 as a lion emerges and attacks. -\q He does not lie down until he eats his victim -\q2 and drinks the blood of what he has killed." - -\s5 -\m -\v 25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them or bless them at all." -\v 26 But Balaam answered and said to Balak, "Did I not tell you that I must say all that Yahweh tells me to say?" -\v 27 So Balak replied to Balaam, "Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God for you to curse them there for me." - -\s5 -\v 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which looks down on the wilderness. -\v 29 Balaam said to Balak, "Build me seven altars here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams." -\v 30 So Balak did as Balaam had said; he offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. - - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\nb -\v 1 When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to use sorcery. Instead, he looked toward the wilderness. - -\s5 -\v 2 He raised his eyes and saw that Israel was camped, each in their own tribe, and the Spirit of God came on him. -\v 3 He received this prophecy and said, -\q "Balaam son of Beor is about to speak, -\q2 the man whose eyes are wide open. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 He speaks and hears God's words. -\q2 He sees a vision from the Almighty, -\q Before whom he bows down with his eyes open. -\q -\v 5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, -\q2 the place where you live, Israel! - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Like valleys they spread out, -\q2 like gardens by the riverside, -\q2 like aloes planted by Yahweh, -\q2 like cedars beside the waters. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Water flows from their buckets, -\q2 and their seed is well-watered. -\q Their king is to be higher than Agag, -\q2 and their kingdom will be honored. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 God brings him out of Egypt, -\q with strength like a wild ox. -\q2 He will eat up the nations who fight against him. -\q2 He will break their bones to pieces. -\q2 He will shoot them with his arrows. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 He crouches down like a lion, -\q2 like a lioness. Who dares disturb him? -\q May everyone who blesses him be blessed; -\q2 may everyone who curses him be cursed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam and he struck his hands together in anger. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them three times. -\v 11 So leave me right now and go home. I said I would greatly reward you, but Yahweh has kept you from getting any reward." - -\s5 -\v 12 Then Balaam replied to Balak, "I said to the messengers that you sent to me, -\v 13 'Even if Balak gave me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond Yahweh's word and anything bad or good, or anything at all that I might want to do. I can say only what Yahweh tells me to say.' Did I not say this to them? -\v 14 So now, look, I will go back to my people. But first let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days ahead." - -\s5 -\v 15 Balaam began this prophecy. He said, -\q "Balaam son of Beor speaks, -\q2 The man whose eyes are wide open. -\q -\v 16 This is a prophecy of someone who hears words from God, -\q2 who has knowledge from the Most High, -\q2 who has visions from the Almighty, -\q Before whom he bows down with open eyes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 I see him, but he is not here now. -\q I look at him, but he is not near. -\q A star will come out of Jacob, -\q2 and a scepter will rise out of Israel. -\q He will shatter Moab's leaders -\q2 and destroy all the descendants of Seth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Then Edom will become a possession of Israel, -\q and Seir will also become their possession, -\q2 enemies of Israel, -\q2 whom Israel will conquer with force. -\q -\v 19 Out of Jacob a king will come who will have dominion, -\q2 and he will destroy the survivors of their city." - -\s5 -\m -\v 20 Then Balaam looked at Amalek and began his prophecy. He said, -\q "Amalek was once the greatest of nations, -\q2 but his final end will be destruction." - -\s5 -\m -\v 21 Then Balaam looked toward the Kenites and began his prophecy. He said, -\q "The place where you live is strong, -\q2 and your nest is in the rocks. -\q -\v 22 Nevertheless you Kenites will be consumed by fire -\q2 when Assyria carries you away captive." -\m - -\s5 -\v 23 Then Balaam began his final prophecy. He said, -\q "Woe! Who will survive when God does this? -\q -\v 24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; -\q2 they will attack Assyria and will conquer Eber, -\q2 but they, too, will end in destruction." - -\s5 -\m -\v 25 Then Balaam got up and left. He returned to his home, and Balak also went away. - - - - -\c 25 -\s5 -\p -\v 1 Israel stayed in Shittim, and the men began to prostitute themselves with women of Moab, -\v 2 for the Moabites had invited the people to the sacrifices to their gods. So the people ate and bowed down to Moabite gods. -\v 3 The men of Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel. - -\s5 -\v 4 Yahweh said to Moses, "Kill all the leaders of the people and hang them up before me to expose them in the daylight, so that my fierce anger may turn away from Israel." -\v 5 So Moses said to Israel's leaders, "Each of you must execute his people who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then one of the men of Israel came and brought among his family members a Midianite woman. This happened in the sight of Moses and all the community of the people of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting. -\v 7 When Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, saw that, he rose up from among the community and took a spear in his hand. - -\s5 -\v 8 He followed the Israelite man into the tent and thrust the spear through both of their bodies, both the Israelite man and the woman. So a plague that God had sent on the people of Israel stopped. -\v 9 Those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand in number. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 11 "Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, has turned my rage away from the people of Israel because he was passionate with my zeal among them. So I have not consumed the people of Israel in my fierceness. - -\s5 -\v 12 Therefore say, 'Yahweh says, "Look, I am giving to Phinehas my covenant of peace. -\v 13 For him and his descendants after him, it will be a covenant of an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous for me, his God. He has atoned for the people of Israel."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Now the name of the Israelite man who was killed with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, a leader of an ancestor's family among the Simeonites. -\v 15 The name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Kozbi daughter of Zur, who was head of a tribe and family in Midian. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 17 "Treat the Midianites as enemies and attack them, -\v 18 for they treated you like enemies with their deceitfulness. They led you into evil in the case of Peor and in the case of their sister Kozbi, the daughter of a leader in Midian, who was killed on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor." - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 It came about after the plague that Yahweh spoke to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest. He said, -\v 2 "Count all the community of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and up, by their ancestor's families, all who are able to go to war for Israel." - -\s5 -\v 3 So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said, -\v 4 "Count the people, from twenty years old and up, as Yahweh commanded Moses and the people of Israel, who came out of the land of Egypt." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. From his son Hanok came the clan of the Hanokites. From Pallu came the clan of the Palluites. -\v 6 From Hezron came the clan of the Hezronites. From Karmi came the clan of the Karmites. -\v 7 These were the clans of Reuben, who numbered 43,730 men. - -\s5 -\v 8 Eliab was a son of Pallu. -\v 9 Eliab's sons were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These were the same Dathan and Abiram who followed Korah when they challenged Moses and Aaron and rebelled against Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 10 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when all his followers died. At that time, fire devoured 250 men, who became a warning sign. -\v 11 But Korah's line did not die out. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 The clans of Simeon's descendants were these: -\q1 -Through Nemuel, the clan of the Nemuelites, -\q1 through Jamin, the clan of the Jaminites, -\q1 through Jakin, the clan of the Jakinites, -\q1 -\v 13 through Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites, -\q1 through Shaul, the clan of the Shaulites. - -\v 14 These were the clans of Simeon's descendants, who numbered 22,200 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 The clans of Gad's descendants were these: -\q1 -Through Zephon, the clan of the Zephonites, -\q1 through Haggi, the clan of the Haggites, -\q1 through Shuni, the clan of the Shunites, -\q1 -\v 16 through Ozni, the clan of the Oznites, -\q1 through Eri, the clan of the Erites, -\q1 -\v 17 through Arod, the clan of the Arodites, -\q1 through Areli, the clan of the Arelites. -\v 18 These were the clans of Gad's descendants, who numbered 40,500 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Judah's sons were Er and Onan, but these men died in the land of Canaan. -\v 20 The clans of Judah's other descendants were these: -\q1 through Shelah, the clan of the Shelanites, -\q1 through Perez, the clan of the Perezites, and -\q1 through Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites. -\v 21 The descendants of Perez were these: -\q1 -Through Hezron, the clan of the Hezronites, -\q1 through Hamul, the clan of the Hamulites. -\v 22 These were the clans of Judah's descendants, who numbered 76,500 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The clans of Issachar's descendants were these: -\q1 -Through Tola, the clan of the Tolaites, -\q1 through Puah, the clan of the Puites, -\v 24 through Jashub, the clan of the Jashubites, -\q1 through Shimron, the clan of the Shimronites. -\v 25 These were the clans of Issachar, who numbered 64,300 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 The clans of Zebulun's descendants were these: -\q1 -Through Sered, the clan of the Seredites, -\q1 through Elon, the clan of the Elonites, -\q1 through Jahleel, the clan of the Jahleelites. -\v 27 These were the clans of the Zebulunites, who numbered 60,500 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 The clans of Joseph's descendants were Manasseh and Ephraim. -\v 29 The descendants of Manasseh were these: -\q1 -through Makir, the clan of the Makirites (Makir was Gilead's father), -\q1 through Gilead, the clan of the Gileadites. - -\s5 -\v 30 Gilead's descendants were these: -\q1 -Through Iezer, the clan of the Iezerites, -\q1 through Helek, the clan of the Helekites, -\q1 -\v 31 through Asriel, the clan of the Asrielites, -\q1 through Shechem, the clan of the Shechemites, -\q1 -\v 32 through Shemida, the clan of the Shemidaites, -\q1 through Hepher, the clan of the Hepherites. - -\s5 -\v 33 Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons, but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah. -\v 34 These were the clans of Manasseh, who numbered 52,700 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 The clans of Ephraim's descendants were these: -\q1 -Through Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites, -\q1 through Beker, the clan of the Bekerites, -\q1 through Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites. - -\v 36 The descendants of Shuthelah were, by Eran, the clan of the Eranites. -\v 37 These were the clans of Ephraim's descendants, who numbered 32,500 men. These were Joseph's descendants, counted in each of their clans. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 The clans of Benjamin's descendants were these: -\q1 -Through Bela, the clan of the Belaites, -\q1 through Ashbel, the clan of the Ashbelites, -\q1 through Ahiram, the clan of the Ahiramites, -\q1 -\v 39 through Shephupham, the clan of the Shuphamites, -\q1 through Hupham, the clan of the Huphamites. -\m -\v 40 Bela's sons were Ard and Naaman. From Ard came the clan of the Ardites, and from Naaman came the clan of the Naamites. -\v 41 These were the clans of Benjamin's descendants. They numbered 45,600 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 The clans of Dan's descendants were, by Shuham, the clans of the Shuhamites. These were the clans of Dan's descendants. -\v 43 All the clans of the Shuhamites numbered 64,400 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 The clans of Asher's descendants were these: -\q1 -Through Imnah, the clan of the Imnites, -\q1 through Ishvi, the clan of the Ishvites, -\q1 through Beriah, the clan of the Beriites. -\m -\v 45 The descendants of Beriah were these: -\q1 -Through Heber, the clan of the Heberites, -\q1 through Malkiel, the clan of the Malkielites. -\m -\v 46 The name of Asher's daughter was Serah. -\v 47 These were the clans of Asher's descendants, who numbered 53,400 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 The clans of Naphtali's descendants were these: -\q1 Through Jahzeel, the clan of the Jahzeelites, -\q1 through Guni, the clan of the Gunites, -\q1 -\v 49 through Jezer, the clan of the Jezerites, -\q1 through Shillem, the clan of the Shillemites. -\m -\v 50 These were the clans of Naphtali's descendants, who numbered 45,400 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 51 This was the complete count of men among the people of Israel: 601,730. - -\s5 -\p -\v 52 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 53 "The land must be divided among these men as an inheritance according to the number of their names. - -\s5 -\v 54 To the larger clans you must give more inheritance, and to the smaller clans you must give less inheritance. To every family you must give an inheritance according to the number of men who were counted. -\v 55 However, the land must be divided by random lots. They must inherit the land as it will be divided among their ancestors' tribes. -\v 56 Their inheritance must be divided among the larger and the smaller clans, distributed to them by random lot." -\s5 -\p -\v 57 The Levite clans, counted clan by clan, were these: -\q1 Through Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites, -\q1 through Kohath, the clan of the Kohathites, -\q1 through Merari, the clan of the Merarites. -\m -\v 58 The clans of Levi were these: -\q1 -the clan of the Libnites, -\q1 the clan of the Hebronites, -\q1 the clan of the Mahlites, -\q1 the clan of the Mushites, -\q1 and the clan of the Korahites. -\m Kohath was the Amram's ancestor. -\v 59 The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, a descendant of Levi, who was born to Levites in Egypt. She bore to Amram their children, who were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam their sister. - -\s5 -\v 60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. -\v 61 Nadab and Abihu died when they offered before Yahweh unacceptable fire. -\v 62 The males who were counted among them numbered twenty-three thousand, all males one month old and up. But they were not counted among Israel's descendants because no inheritance was given to them among the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 63 These are the ones who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest. They counted the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. -\v 64 But among these there was no man who had been counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when the descendants of Israel were counted in the wilderness of Sinai. - -\s5 -\v 65 For Yahweh had said that all of those people would certainly die in the wilderness. There was not a man left among them, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. - - - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 Then to Moses came the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah. - -\s5 -\v 2 They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and before all the community at the entrance to the tent of meeting. They said, -\v 3 "Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among those who conspired against Yahweh in the company of Korah. He died for his own sin, and he had no sons. - -\s5 -\v 4 Why should our father's name be taken away from among his clan members because he had no son? Give us land among our father's relatives." -\v 5 So Moses brought their case before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 7 "Zelophehad's daughters are speaking correctly. You must certainly give them land as an inheritance among their father's relatives, and you must ensure that their father's inheritance passes on to them. -\v 8 You must speak to the people of Israel and say, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you must cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. - -\s5 -\v 9 If he has no daughter, then you must give his inheritance to his brothers. -\v 10 If he has no brothers, then you must give his inheritance to his father's brothers. -\v 11 If his father has no brothers, then you must give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his clan, and he must take it for his own. This will be a law established by decree for the people of Israel, as Yahweh has commanded me.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go up the mountains of Abarim and look at the land that I have given to the people of Israel. -\v 13 After you have seen it, you, too, must be gathered to your people, like Aaron your brother. -\v 14 This will happen because you two rebelled against my command in the wilderness of Zin. There, when the water flowed from the rock, in your anger you failed to honor me as holy before the eyes of the whole community." These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then Moses spoke to Yahweh and said, -\v 16 "May you, Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all humanity, appoint a man over the community, -\v 17 a man who may go out and come in before them and lead them out and bring them in, so that your community is not like sheep that have no shepherd." - -\s5 -\v 18 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom my Spirit lives, and lay your hand on him. -\v 19 Place him before Eleazar the priest and before all the community, and command him before their eyes to lead them. - -\s5 -\v 20 You must put some of your authority on him, so that all the community of the people of Israel may obey him. -\v 21 He will go before Eleazar the priest to seek my will for him by the decisions of the Urim. It will be at his command that the people will go out and come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole community." - -\s5 -\v 22 So Moses did as Yahweh had commanded him. He took Joshua and placed him before Eleazar the priest and all the community. -\v 23 He laid his hands on him and commanded him to lead, as Yahweh had commanded him to do. - - - - -\s5 -\c 28 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 2 "Command the people of Israel and say to them, 'You must offer sacrifices to me at the appointed times, the food of my offerings made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for me.' - -\s5 -\v 3 You must also say to them, 'This is the offering made by fire that you must offer to Yahweh—male lambs a year old without blemish, two each day, as a regular burnt offering. -\v 4 One lamb you must offer in the morning, and the other lamb you must offer in the evening. -\v 5 You must offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with one-fourth of a hin of beaten oil. - -\s5 -\v 6 This is the regular burnt offering that was commanded at Mount Sinai to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. -\v 7 The drink offering with it must be one-fourth of a hin for one of the lambs. You must pour out in the holy place a drink offering of strong drink to Yahweh. -\v 8 The other lamb you must offer in the evening along with another grain offering like the one offered in the morning. You must also offer another drink offering with it, an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 On the Sabbath day you must offer two male lambs, each a year old without blemish, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, and the drink offering with it. -\v 10 This is to be the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 At the beginning of each month, you must offer a burnt offering to Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old without blemish. -\v 12 You must also offer three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with oil for each bull, and two-tenths of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with oil for the one ram. -\v 13 You must also offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering for each lamb. This is to be the burnt offering, to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 14 The people's drink offerings must be half a hin of wine for a bull, a third of a hin for a ram, and one-fourth of a hin for a lamb. This is to be the burnt offering for every month throughout the months of the year. -\v 15 One male goat as a sin offering to Yahweh must be offered. This will be in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 During the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, comes Yahweh's Passover. -\v 17 On the fifteenth day of this month a feast is to be held. For seven days, bread without yeast must be eaten. -\v 18 On the first day, there must be a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day. - -\s5 -\v 19 However, you must offer a sacrifice made by fire, a burnt offering to Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, without blemish. -\v 20 Along with the bull, you must offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, and along with the ram, two-tenths. -\v 21 With each of the seven lambs, you must offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, -\v 22 and one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for yourselves. - -\s5 -\v 23 You must offer these in addition to the regular burnt offering required each morning. -\v 24 As described here, you must offer these sacrifices daily, for the seven days of the Passover, the food of the offering made by fire, a sweet aroma for Yahweh. It must be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it. -\v 25 On the seventh day you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh, and you must not do regular work on that day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Also on the day of the firstfruits, when you offer a new grain offering to Yahweh in your Festival of Weeks, you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh, and you must not do regular work on that day. -\v 27 You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. -\v 28 Offer also grain offering to go with them: Fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull and two-tenths for the one ram. - -\s5 -\v 29 Offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for each of the seven lambs, -\v 30 and one male goat to make atonement for yourselves. -\v 31 When you offer those animals without blemish, along with their drink offerings, this must be in addition to the regular burnt offering and the grain offering with it.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day. It will be a day when you blow trumpets. - -\s5 -\v 2 You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, each without blemish. - -\s5 -\v 3 You must offer with them their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, -\v 4 and one-tenth for each lamb of the seven lambs. -\v 5 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for yourselves. - -\s5 -\v 6 Make these offerings in the seventh month in addition to all of the offerings you will make on the first of each month: the special burnt offering and the grain offering to go with it. These must be in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offerings. As you make these offerings, you will obey what has been decreed to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 On the tenth day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must humble yourselves and do no work. -\v 8 You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. They must each be without blemish. - -\s5 -\v 9 You must offer with them a grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the one ram, -\v 10 and a tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs. -\v 11 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering. This will be in addition to the sin offering of atonement, the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day, and you must keep the festival for him seven days. -\v 13 You must offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old. Each must be without blemish. - -\s5 -\v 14 You must offer with them a grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for every bull of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths for each ram of the two rams, -\v 15 and a tenth of an ephah for each of the fourteen lambs. -\v 16 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and the drink offering with it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 On the second day of the assembly, you must offer twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. -\v 18 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. -\v 19 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 On the third day of the assembly, you must offer eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. -\v 21 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. -\v 22 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 On the fourth day of the assembly, you must offer ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. -\v 24 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. -\v 25 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 On the fifth day of the assembly, you must offer nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. -\v 27 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. -\v 28 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 On the sixth day of the assembly, you must offer eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. -\v 30 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. -\v 31 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 On the seventh day of the assembly, you must offer seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. -\v 33 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. -\v 34 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 On the eighth day you must have another solemn assembly. You must not do regular work on that day. -\v 36 You must make a burnt offering, an offering made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, each without blemish. - -\s5 -\v 37 You must offer their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. -\v 38 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 These are what you must offer to Yahweh at your fixed festivals. These must be in addition to your vows and freewill offerings. You must offer these as your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and fellowship offerings." -\v 40 Moses told the people of Israel everything that Yahweh had commanded him to say. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 30 -\p -\v 1 Moses spoke to the leaders of the tribes of the people of Israel. He said, "This is what Yahweh has commanded. -\v 2 When anyone makes a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind himself with a promise, he must not break his word. He must keep his promise to do everything that comes out of his mouth. - -\s5 -\v 3 When a young woman living in her father's house makes a vow to Yahweh and binds herself with a promise, -\v 4 if her father hears the vow and the promise by which she has bound herself, and if he says nothing to reverse her, then all her vows will remain in force. Every promise by which she has bound herself will remain in force. - -\s5 -\v 5 But if her father hears about her vow and her promise, and if he says nothing to her, then all the vows and promises that she took on herself will remain in force. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 However, if her father hears all the vows she made and her solemn promises with which she has bound herself, and if he overrules her on that same day, then they will not remain in force. Yahweh will forgive her because her father had overruled her. -\v 7 If she marries a man while she is under those vows, or if she makes rash promises with which she obligates herself, those obligations will remain in force. - -\s5 -\v 8 But if her husband stops her on the day that he hears about it, then he cancels the vow that she has made, the rash talk of her lips with which she has bound herself. Yahweh will release her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 But as for a widow or a divorced woman, everything by which she has bound herself will remain in force against her. -\v 10 If a woman made a vow in her husband's house or obligates herself by taking an oath, -\v 11 and her husband hears of it, but he says nothing to her and he does oppose her, then all her vows must stand and the obligations she made must remain in force. - -\s5 -\v 12 But if her husband cancels them on the day that he heard about them, then whatever came out of her lips about her vows or promises will not remain in force. Her husband has canceled them. Yahweh will release her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Every vow or oath a woman takes that binds her to deny herself something may be confirmed or canceled by her husband. -\v 14 But if he says nothing at all to her day after day, then he confirms all her vows and binding promises that she has made. He has confirmed them because he has said nothing to her at the time that he heard about them. - -\s5 -\v 15 If her husband tries to cancel his wife's vow a long time after he has heard about it, then he will be responsible for her sin." -\v 16 These are the statutes that Yahweh commanded Moses to announce—statutes for what is between a man and his wife and between a father and his daughter when she is in her youth in her father's family. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 31 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 2 "Take vengeance on the Midianites for what they did to the Israelites. After doing that, you will die and be gathered to your people." - -\s5 -\v 3 So Moses spoke to the people. He said, "Arm some of your men for war so they may go against Midian and carry out Yahweh's vengeance on it. -\v 4 Every tribe throughout Israel must send a thousand soldiers to war." -\v 5 So out of Israel's thousands of men, one thousand was provided from each tribe, twelve thousand men armed for war. - -\s5 -\v 6 Then Moses sent them to battle, a thousand from every tribe, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, and with some articles from the holy place and the trumpets in his possession for sounding signals. -\v 7 They fought against Midian, as Yahweh had commanded Moses. They killed every man. -\v 8 They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their dead: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor, with the sword. - -\s5 -\v 9 The army of Israel took captive the women of Midian, their children, all their cattle, all their flocks, and all their goods. They took these as plunder. -\v 10 They burned all their cities where they lived and all their camps. - -\s5 -\v 11 They took all the plunder and prisoners, both people and animals. -\v 12 They brought the prisoners, the plunder, and the captured things to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the community of the people of Israel. They brought these to the camp in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan near Jericho. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp. -\v 14 But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from battle. -\v 15 Moses said to them, "Have you let all the women live? - -\s5 -\v 16 Look, these women caused the people of Israel, through Balaam's advice, to commit sin against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, when the plague spread among Yahweh's community. -\v 17 Now then, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has ever slept with a man. - -\s5 -\v 18 But take for yourselves all the young girls who have never slept with a man. -\v 19 You must camp outside the camp of Israel for seven days. All of you who have killed anyone and or have touched any dead person—you must purify yourselves on the third day and on the seventh day—you and your prisoners. -\v 20 You must purify every garment and everything made of animal hide and goats' hair, and everything made of wood." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to war, "This is a decreed law that Yahweh has given to Moses: -\v 22 The gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead, -\v 23 and everything that resists fire, you must put it through the fire, and it will become clean. You must then purify those things with the water of cleansing. Whatever cannot go through the fire you must cleanse with that water. -\v 24 You must wash your clothes on the seventh day, and then you will become clean. Afterward you may come into Israel's camp." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 26 "Count all the plundered things that were taken, both people and animals. You, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the community's ancestor's clans -\v 27 must divide the plunder into two parts. Divide it between the soldiers who went out to battle and all the rest of the community. - -\s5 -\v 28 Then levy a tax to be given to me from the soldiers who went out to battle. This tax must be one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or goats. -\v 29 Take this tax from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest for an offering to be presented to me. - -\s5 -\v 30 Also from the people of Israel's half, you must take one out of every fifty—from the persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats. Give these to the Levites who take care of my tabernacle." -\v 31 So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as Yahweh had commanded Moses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 Now the plunder that remained of what the soldiers had taken was 675,000 sheep, -\v 33 seventy-two thousand oxen, -\v 34 sixty-one thousand donkeys, -\v 35 and thirty-two thousand women who had never slept with any man. - -\s5 -\v 36 The half that was kept for the soldiers numbered 337,000 sheep. -\v 37 Yahweh's part of the sheep was 675. -\v 38 The oxen were thirty-six thousand which Yahweh's tax was seventy-two. - -\s5 -\v 39 The donkeys were 30,500 from which Yahweh's part was sixty-one. -\v 40 The persons were sixteen thousand women of whom Yahweh's tax was thirty-two. -\v 41 Moses took the tax that was to be an offering presented to Yahweh. He gave it to Eleazar the priest, as Yahweh commanded Moses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 As for the people of Israel's half that Moses had taken from the soldiers who had gone to war— -\v 43 the community's half was 337,500 sheep, -\v 44 thirty-six thousand oxen, -\v 45 30,500 donkeys, -\v 46 and sixteen thousand women. - -\s5 -\v 47 From the people of Israel's half, Moses took one out of every fifty, both of people and animals. He gave them to the Levites who kept care of Yahweh's tabernacle, as Yahweh had commanded him to do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 Then the officers of the army, the commanders over thousands and the captains over hundreds, came to Moses. -\v 49 They said to him, "Your servants have counted the soldiers who are under our command, and not one man is missing. - -\s5 -\v 50 We have brought Yahweh's offering, what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before Yahweh." -\v 51 Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them the gold and all the articles of craftsmanship. - -\s5 -\v 52 All the gold of the offering that they gave to Yahweh—the offerings from the commanders of thousands and from the captains of hundreds—weighed 16,750 shekels. -\v 53 Each soldier had taken plunder, each man for himself. -\v 54 Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from the commanders of thousands and captains of hundreds. They took it into the tent of meeting as a reminder of the people of Israel for Yahweh. - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 32 -\p -\v 1 Now the descendants of Reuben and of Gad had large numbers of livestock. When they saw the land of Jazer and Gilead, the land was a wonderful place for livestock. -\v 2 So the descendants of Gad and Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the community. They said, -\v 3 "This is a list of places we have surveyed: Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon. - -\s5 -\v 4 These are the lands that Yahweh attacked before the community of Israel, and they are good places for livestock. We, your servants, have a lot of livestock." -\v 5 They said, "If we have found favor in your eyes, let this land be given to us, your servants, as a possession. Do not make us cross over the Jordan." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Moses replied to the descendants of Gad and Reuben, "Should your brothers go to war while you settle down here? -\v 7 Why discourage the hearts of the people of Israel from going over into the land that Yahweh has given them? - -\s5 -\v 8 Your fathers did the same thing when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to examine the land. -\v 9 They went up to the Valley of Eshkol. They saw the land and then discouraged the hearts of the people of Israel so that they refused to enter the land that Yahweh had given them. - -\s5 -\v 10 Yahweh's anger was kindled on that day. He took an oath and said, -\v 11 'Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and up, will see the land about which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, because they have not completely followed me, except for -\v 12 Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua son of Nun. Only Caleb and Joshua have completely followed me.' - -\s5 -\v 13 So Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel. He made them wander around in the wilderness for forty years until all the generation who had done evil in his sight was destroyed. -\v 14 Look, you have risen up in your fathers' place, like just more sinful men, to add to Yahweh's burning anger toward Israel. -\v 15 If you turn away from following him, he will again leave Israel in the wilderness and you will have destroyed all this people." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So they came near Moses and said, "Allow us to build fences here for our cattle and cities for our families. -\v 17 However, we ourselves will be ready and armed to go with Israel's army until we have led them into their place. But our families will live in the fortified cities because of the other people who still live in this land. - -\s5 -\v 18 We will not return to our houses until every one of the people of Israel has obtained his inheritance. -\v 19 We will not inherit the land with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance is here on the east side of the Jordan." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 So Moses replied to them, "If you do what you say, if you arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to war, -\v 21 then every one of your armed men must cross over the Jordan before Yahweh, until he has driven out his enemies from before him -\v 22 and the land is subdued before him. Then afterward you may return. You will be guiltless toward Yahweh and toward Israel. This land will be your possession before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 23 But if you do not do so, look, you will have sinned against Yahweh. Be sure that your sin will find you out. -\v 24 Build cities for your families and pens for your sheep; then do what you have said." -\v 25 The descendants of Gad and Reuben spoke to Moses and said, "Your servants will do as you, our master, commands. - -\s5 -\v 26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock will stay there in the cities of Gilead. -\v 27 However, we, your servants, will cross over before Yahweh to battle, every man who is armed for war, as you, our master, say." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 So Moses gave instructions concerning them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the leaders of the ancestor's clans in the tribes of the people of Israel. -\v 29 Moses said to them, "If the descendants of Gad and Reuben cross over the Jordan with you, every man who is armed to battle before Yahweh, and if the land is subdued before you, then you will give them the land of Gilead as a possession. -\v 30 But if they do not cross over with you armed, then they will acquire their possessions among you in the land of Canaan." - -\s5 -\v 31 So the descendants of Gad and Reuben answered and said, "As Yahweh has said to us, your servants, this is what we will do. -\v 32 We will cross over armed before Yahweh into the land of Canaan, but our possessed inheritance will remain with us on this side of the Jordan." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 So to the descendants of Gad and Reuben, and also to the half tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph, Moses gave the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and of Og, king of Bashan. He gave to them the land, and distributed to them all its cities with their borders, the cities of the land around them. - -\s5 -\v 34 The descendants of Gad rebuilt Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, -\v 35 Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, -\v 36 Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as fortified cities with pens for sheep. - -\s5 -\v 37 The descendants of Reuben rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, -\v 38 Nebo, Baal Meon—their names were later changed, and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities that they rebuilt. -\v 39 The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it away from the Amorites who were in it. - -\s5 -\v 40 Then Moses gave Gilead to Machir son of Manasseh, and his people settled there. -\v 41 Jair son of Manasseh went and captured its towns and called them Havvoth Jair. -\v 42 Nobah went and captured Kenath and its villages, and he called it Nobah, after his own name. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 33 -\p -\v 1 These were the movements of the people of Israel after they left the land of Egypt by their armed groups under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. -\v 2 Moses wrote down the places from where they left to where they went, as commanded by Yahweh. These were their movements, departure after departure. - -\s5 -\v 3 They traveled from Rameses during the first month, leaving on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the morning after the Passover, the people of Israel left openly, in the sight of all the Egyptians. -\v 4 This happened while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, those whom Yahweh had killed among them, for he also inflicted punishment on their gods. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 The people of Israel set out from Rameses and camped at Succoth. -\v 6 They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. -\v 7 They set out from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, which is opposite Baal Zephon, where they camped opposite Migdol. - -\s5 -\v 8 Then they set out from opposite Pi Hahiroth and passed through the middle of the sea into the wilderness. They traveled three days' journey into the wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah. -\v 9 They set out from Marah and arrived at Elim. At Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. That is where they camped. -\v 10 They set out from Elim and camped by the Sea of Reeds. - -\s5 -\v 11 They set out from the Sea of Reeds and camped in the wilderness of Sin. -\v 12 They set out from the wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah. -\v 13 They set out from Dophkah and camped at Alush. -\v 14 They set out from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where no water was found for the people to drink. - -\s5 -\v 15 They set out from Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai. -\v 16 They set out from the wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah. -\v 17 They set out from Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth. -\v 18 They set out from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah. - -\s5 -\v 19 They set out from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez. -\v 20 They set out from Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah. -\v 21 They set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah. -\v 22 They set out from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah. - -\s5 -\v 23 They set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher. -\v 24 They set out from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah. -\v 25 They set out from Haradah and camped at Makheloth. -\v 26 They set out from Makheloth and camped at Tahath. - -\s5 -\v 27 They set out from Tahath and camped at Terah. -\v 28 They set out from Terah and camped at Mithkah. -\v 29 They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah. -\v 30 They set out from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth. - -\s5 -\v 31 They set out from Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan. -\v 32 They set out from Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Haggidgad. -\v 33 They set out from Hor Haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah. -\v 34 They set out from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah. - -\s5 -\v 35 They set out from Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber. -\v 36 They set out from Ezion Geber and camped in the wilderness of Zin at Kadesh. -\v 37 They set out from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, at the edge of the land of Edom. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 Aaron the priest went up Mount Hor at Yahweh's command and died there in the fortieth year after the people of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. -\v 39 Aaron was a 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 The Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the southern wilderness in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 They set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah. -\v 42 They set out from Zalmonah and camped at Punon. -\v 43 They set out from Punon and camped at Oboth. - -\s5 -\v 44 They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim, on the border of Moab. -\v 45 They set out from Iye Abarim and camped at Dibon Gad. -\v 46 They set out from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim. - -\s5 -\v 47 They set out from Almon Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, opposite Nebo. -\v 48 They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. -\v 49 They camped by the Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab. - -\s5 -\p -\v 50 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said, -\v 51 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, -\v 52 then you must drive out all the land's inhabitants before you. You must destroy all their carved figures. You must destroy all their cast figures and demolish all their high places. - -\s5 -\v 53 You must take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given you the land to possess. -\v 54 You must inherit the land by lot, according to each clan. To the larger clans you must give a larger share of land, and to the smaller clans you must give a smaller share of land. Wherever the lot falls to each clan, that land will belong to it. You will inherit the land according to your ancestors' tribes. - -\s5 -\v 55 But if you do not drive out the land's inhabitants before you, then the people you allow to stay will become like objects in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will make your lives difficult in the land where you settle. -\v 56 Then it will happen that what I now intend to do to those people, I will do also to you.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 34 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 2 "Command the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land of Canaan, the land that will belong to you, the land of Canaan and its borders, -\v 3 your southern border will extend from the wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. The eastern end of the southern border will be on a line that ends at the southern end of the Salt Sea. - -\s5 -\v 4 Your border will turn south from the hill of Akrabbim and pass along through the wilderness of Zin. From there, it will run south of Kadesh Barnea and continue to Hazar Addar and further to Azmon. -\v 5 From there, the border will turn from Azmon toward the brook of Egypt and follow it to the sea. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 The western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea. This will be your western border. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Your northern border will extend along a line that you must mark out from the Great Sea to Mount Hor, -\v 8 then from Mount Hor to Lebo Hamath, then on to Zedad. -\v 9 Then the border will continue to Ziphron and end at Hazar Enan. This will be your northern border. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then you must mark out your eastern border from Hazar Enan south to Shepham. -\v 11 Then the eastern border will go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain. The border will continue along the east side of the Sea of Kinnereth. -\v 12 Then the border will continue south along the Jordan River to the Salt Sea and continue down the eastern border of the Salt Sea. This will be your land, following its borders all around.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then Moses commanded the people of Israel and said, "This is the land that you will receive by lot, which Yahweh has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half tribe. -\v 14 The tribe of the descendants of Reuben, following the assignment of property to their ancestor's tribe, and the tribe of the descendants of Gad, following the assignment of property to their ancestor's tribe, and the half tribe of Manasseh have all received their land. -\v 15 The two tribes and the half tribe have received their share of land beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 17 "These are the names of the men who will divide the land for your inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun. -\v 18 You must choose one leader from every tribe to divide the land for their clans. - -\s5 -\v 19 These are the names of the men: -\q1 From the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh. -\q1 -\v 20 From the tribe of the descendants of Simeon, Shemuel son of Ammihud. -\q1 - -\s5 -\v 21 From the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad son of Kislon. -\q1 -\v 22 From of the tribe of the descendants of Dan a leader, Bukki son of Jogli. -\q1 -\v 23 From the descendants of Joseph, of the tribe of the descendants of Manasseh a leader, Hanniel son of Ephod. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 24 From the tribe of the descendants of Ephraim a leader, Kemuel son of Shiphtan. -\q1 -\v 25 From the tribe of the descendants of Zebulun a leader, Elizaphan son of Parnak. -\q1 -\v 26 From the tribe of the descendants of Issachar a leader, Paltiel son of Azzan. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 27 From the tribe of the descendants of Asher a leader, Ahihud son of Shelomi. -\q1 -\v 28 From the tribe of the descendants of Naphtali a leader, Pedahel son of Ammihud." -\m -\v 29 Yahweh commanded these men to divide the land of Canaan and to give each of the tribes of Israel their share. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 35 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said, -\v 2 "Command the people of Israel to give some of their own shares of land to the Levites. They must give them cities to live in and pastureland surrounding those cities. -\s5 -\v 3 The Levites will have these cities to live in. The pastureland will be for their cattle, their flocks, and all their animals. -\v 4 The pasturelands around the cities that you will give to the Levites must extend from the city walls for one thousand cubits in every direction. - -\s5 -\v 5 You must measure two thousand cubits from outside the city on the east side, and two thousand cubits to the south side, two thousand cubits to the west side, and two thousand cubits to the north side. This will be the pasturelands for their cities. The cities will be in the center. - -\s5 -\v 6 Six of the cities that you will give to Levites must serve as cities of refuge. You must provide these as places to which a person who has killed someone can flee. Also provide forty-two other cities. -\v 7 The cities that you give to the Levites will total forty-eight. You must give their pasturelands with them. - -\s5 -\v 8 The larger tribes of the people of Israel, the tribes that have more land, must provide more cities. The smaller tribes will provide fewer cities. Each tribe must provide for the Levites according to the share that it has received." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, -\v 10 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, -\v 11 then you must choose cities to serve as cities of refuge for you, a place to which a person who has killed someone unintentionally may flee. - -\s5 -\v 12 These cities must be your refuge from the avenger, so that the accused man will not be killed without first standing trial before the community. -\v 13 You must choose six cities as cities of refuge. - -\s5 -\v 14 You must provide three cities beyond the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan. They will be cities of refuge. -\v 15 For the people of Israel, for the foreigners, for anyone living among you, these six cities will serve as a refuge to which anyone who kills someone unintentionally can flee. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 But if an accused man has struck his victim with an instrument of iron, and if his victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death. -\v 17 If an accused man has struck his victim with a stone in his hand that might kill the victim, and if his victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death. -\v 18 If an accused man has struck his victim with a wooden weapon that might kill the victim, and if the victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death. - -\s5 -\v 19 The avenger of blood may put the murderer to death. When he meets him, the avenger of blood must put him to death. -\v 20 If he strikes another in hatred or throws something at him, while hiding to ambush him, so that the victim dies, -\v 21 or if he strikes him down in hatred with his hand so that the victim dies, then the accused who struck him must surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood may put the murderer to death when he meets him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 But if an accused man suddenly hits a victim without premeditated hate or throws something that hits the victim without lying in wait -\v 23 or if he throws a stone that could kill a victim without seeing the victim, then the accused was not the victim's enemy; he was not trying to hurt the victim. But this is what to do if the victim dies anyway. - -\s5 -\v 24 In that case, the community must judge between the accused and the avenger of blood on the basis of these rules. -\v 25 The community must rescue the accused from the power of the avenger of blood. The community must return the accused to the city of refuge to which he had originally fled. He must live there until the death of the current high priest, the one who was anointed with the holy oil. - -\s5 -\v 26 But if the accused man at any time goes beyond the border of the city of refuge to which he fled, -\v 27 and if the avenger of blood finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, and if he kills the accused man, the avenger of blood will not be guilty of murder. -\v 28 This is because the accused man should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. After the death of the high priest, the accused may return to the land where he has his own property. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 These laws must be statutes for you through all your people's generations in all the places where you live. -\v 30 Whoever kills any person, the murderer must be killed, as testified to by the words of witnesses. But one witness' word alone may not cause any person to be put to death. - -\s5 -\v 31 Also, you must not accept ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of murder. He must certainly be put to death. -\v 32 You must not accept ransom for the one who has fled to a city of refuge. You must not in this way allow him to reside on his own property until the high priest dies. - -\s5 -\v 33 Do not pollute in this way the land where you live, because blood from murder pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land when blood has been shed on it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. -\v 34 So you must not defile the land in which you live because I am living in it. I, Yahweh, live among the people of Israel.'" - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 36 -\p -\v 1 Then the leaders of the ancestors' families of the clan of Gilead son of Machir (who was Manasseh's son), who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses and before the leaders who were the heads of the ancestor's families of the people of Israel. -\v 2 They said, "Yahweh commanded you, our master, to give a share of land by lot to the people of Israel. You were commanded by Yahweh to give the share of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. - -\s5 -\v 3 But if his daughters marry men in another tribe of the people of Israel, then their share of land will be removed from our ancestor's share. It will be added to the share of the tribes that they join. In that case, it will be removed from the assigned share of our inheritance. -\v 4 In that case, when the year of Jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their share will be joined to the share of the tribe that they have joined. In this way, their share will be taken away from the share of our ancestors' tribe." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 So Moses gave a command to the people of Israel, at Yahweh's word. He said, "What the tribe of Joseph's descendants says is right. -\v 6 This is what Yahweh commands concerning Zelophehad's daughters. He says, 'Let them be married to whom they think best, but they must marry only within the family of their father's tribe.' - -\s5 -\v 7 No share of the people of Israel must change from one tribe to another. Each one of the people of Israel must continue with the share of his ancestor's tribe. - -\s5 -\v 8 Every woman of the people of Israel who owns a share in her tribe must marry someone from the clans belonging to her father's tribe. This is so that everyone of the people of Israel may own an inheritance from his ancestors. -\v 9 No share may change hands from one tribe to another. Everyone of the tribes of the people of Israel must keep his own inheritance." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 So Zelophehad's daughters did as Yahweh had commanded Moses. -\v 11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, married descendants of Manasseh. -\v 12 They married into the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph. In this way, their inheritances remained in the tribe to which their father's clan belonged. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 These are the commands and the decrees that Yahweh gave by Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. - + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they came out from the land of Egypt. He said, +\v 2 "Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its fixed time of year. +\v 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you must keep the Passover at its fixed time of year. You must keep it, follow all the regulations, and obey all the decrees that are related to it." + +\s5 +\v 4 So, Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Festival of the Passover. +\v 5 So they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. The people of Israel obeyed everything that Yahweh commanded Moses to do. + +\s5 +\v 6 There were certain men who became unclean by the body of a dead man. They could not keep the Passover on that day. They went before Moses and Aaron on that same day. +\v 7 Those men said to Moses, "We are unclean because of the dead body of a man. Why do you keep us from offering the sacrifice to Yahweh at the fixed time of year among the people of Israel?" +\v 8 Moses said to them, "Wait for me to hear what Yahweh will instruct about you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 10 "Speak to the people of Israel. Say, 'If any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body, or are on a long journey, he may still keep the Passover to Yahweh.' + +\s5 +\v 11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at evening, they will eat the Passover meal. They must eat the Passover lamb with bread that is made without yeast and with bitter herbs. +\v 12 They must not leave any of it until the morning, or break any of its bones. They must follow all the regulations for the Passover. + +\s5 +\v 13 But any person who is clean and is not on a journey, but who fails to keep the Passover, that person must be cut off from his people because he did not offer the sacrifice that Yahweh requires at the fixed time of year. That man must carry his sin. +\v 14 If a stranger lives among you and keeps the Passover in Yahweh's honor, he must keep it and do all he commands, keeping the rules of the Passover, and obeying the laws for it. You must have the same law for the foreigner and for all who have been born in the land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant decrees. At evening the cloud was over the tabernacle. It appeared like fire until morning. +\v 16 It continued that way. The cloud covered the tabernacle and appeared like fire at night. +\v 17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tent, the people of Israel would set out on their journey. Wherever the cloud stopped, the people would camp. + +\s5 +\v 18 At Yahweh's command, the people of Israel would travel, and at his command, they would camp. While the cloud stopped over the tabernacle, they would stay in their camp. +\v 19 When the cloud remained on the tabernacle for many days, then the people of Israel would obey Yahweh's instructions and not travel. + +\s5 +\v 20 Sometimes the cloud remained a few days on the tabernacle. In that case, they would obey Yahweh's command—they would make camp and then travel on again at his command. +\v 21 Sometimes the cloud was present in camp from evening until morning. When the cloud lifted in the morning, they journeyed. If it continued for a day and for a night, only when the cloud lifted would they journey on. + +\s5 +\v 22 Whether the cloud stayed on the tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, for as long as it stayed there, the people of Israel would stay in their camp and not travel. But whenever the cloud was taken up, they would set out on their journey. +\v 23 They would camp at Yahweh's command, and they would travel at his command. They obeyed Yahweh's command given through Moses. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 2 "Make two silver trumpets. Hammer the silver to make them. You must use the trumpets to call the community together and to call the community to move their camps. + +\s5 +\v 3 The priests must blow the trumpets to call all the community together in front of you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. +\v 4 If the priests blow only one trumpet, then the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, must gather to you. +\v 5 When you blow a loud signal, the camps on the east side must begin their journey. + +\s5 +\v 6 When you blow a loud signal the second time, the camps on the south side must begin their journey. They must blow a loud signal for their journeys. +\v 7 When the community gathers together, blow the trumpets, but not loudly. +\v 8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, must blow the trumpets. This will always be a regulation for you throughout your people's generations. + +\s5 +\v 9 When you go to war in your land against an adversary who oppresses you, then you must sound an alarm with the trumpets. I, Yahweh your God, will call you to mind and save you from your enemies. + +\s5 +\v 10 Also, at the times of celebration, both your regular festivals and at the beginnings of the months, you must blow the trumpets in honor of your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices for your fellowship offerings. These will act as a reminder of you to me, your God. I am Yahweh your God." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was lifted from the tabernacle of the covenant decrees. +\v 12 The people of Israel then went on their journey from the wilderness of Sinai. The cloud stopped in the wilderness of Paran. +\v 13 They made their first journey, following Yahweh's command given through Moses. + +\s5 +\v 14 The camp under the banner of Judah's descendants went out first, moving out their individual armies. Nahshon son of Amminadab led Judah's army. +\v 15 Nethanel son of Zuar led the army of the tribe of Issachar's descendants. +\v 16 Eliab son of Helon led the army of the tribe of Zebulun's descendants. + +\s5 +\v 17 The descendants of Gershon and of Merari, who cared for the tabernacle, took down the tabernacle and then set out on their journey. +\v 18 Next, the armies under the banner of Reuben's camp set out on their journey. Elizur son of Shedeur led Reuben's army. +\v 19 Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai led the army of the tribe of Simeon's descendants. +\v 20 Eliasaph son of Deuel led the army of the tribe of Gad's descendants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 The Kohathites set out. They carried the sanctuary's holy equipment. Others would set up the tabernacle before the Kohathites arrived at the next camp. +\v 22 The armies under the banner of Ephraim's descendants set out next. Elishama son of Ammihud led Ephraim's army. +\v 23 Gamaliel son of Pedahzur led the army of the tribe of Manasseh's descendants. +\v 24 Abidan son of Gideoni led the army of the tribe of Benjamin's descendants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 The armies that camped under the banner of Dan's descendants set out last. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai led Dan's army. +\v 26 Pagiel son of Okran led the army of the tribe of Asher's descendants. +\v 27 Ahira son of Enan led the army of the tribe of Naphtali's descendants. +\v 28 This is the way that the armies of the people of Israel set out on their journey. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Moses spoke to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite. Reuel was the father of Moses' wife. Moses spoke to Hobab and said, "We are traveling to a place that Yahweh described. Yahweh said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us and we will do you good. Yahweh has promised to do good for Israel." +\v 30 But Hobab said to Moses, "I will not go with you. I will go to my own land and my own people." + +\s5 +\v 31 Then Moses replied, "Please do not leave us. You know how to camp in the wilderness. You must watch out for us. +\v 32 If you go with us, we will do for you the same good that Yahweh does to us." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 They journeyed from the mountain of Yahweh for three days. The ark of the covenant of Yahweh went before them for three days to find a place for them to rest. +\v 34 Yahweh's cloud was over them by daylight as they journeyed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, "Rise up, Yahweh. Scatter your enemies. Make those who hate you run from you." +\v 36 Whenever the ark stopped, Moses would say, "Return, Yahweh, to Israel's many tens of thousands." + + + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Now the people complained about their troubles as Yahweh listened. Yahweh heard the people and became angry. Fire from Yahweh burned among them and consumed some of the camp on its edges. +\v 2 Then people called out to Moses, so Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire stopped. +\v 3 That place was named Taberah, because Yahweh's fire burned among them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Some foreign people began to camp with Israel's descendants. They wanted better food to eat. Then the people of Israel began to weep and say, "Who will give us meat to eat? +\v 5 We remember the fish that we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. +\v 6 Now our appetite is gone, because all we can see is this manna." + +\s5 +\v 7 Manna was like coriander seed. It looked like resin. +\v 8 The people walked around and gathered it. They ground it in mills, beat it in mortars, boiled it in pots, and made it into cakes. It tasted like fresh olive oil. + +\s5 +\v 9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna also fell. +\v 10 Moses heard the people weeping in their families, and every man was at the entrance to his tent. Yahweh was very angry, and in Moses' eyes their complaining was wrong. + +\s5 +\v 11 Moses said to Yahweh, "Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why are you not pleased with me? You make me carry the load of all these people. +\v 12 Did I conceive all these people? Have I given them birth so that you should say to me, 'Carry them closely to your chest as a father carries a baby?' Should I carry them to the land that you swore to their ancestors to give them? + +\s5 +\v 13 Where can I find meat to give to all this people? They are weeping in front of me and are saying, 'Give us meat to eat.' +\v 14 I cannot bear all these people alone. They are too much for me. +\v 15 Since you are treating me this way, kill me now—if I find favor in your eyes—do not let me see my misery." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Bring to me seventy of Israel's elders. Be sure that they are elders and officers of the people. Bring them to the tent of meeting to stand there with you. +\v 17 I will come down and talk with you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will bear the burden of the people with you. You will not have to bear it alone. + +\s5 +\v 18 Say to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow and you will indeed eat meat, for you have wept and Yahweh has heard. You said, "Who will give us meat to eat? It was good for us in Egypt." Therefore Yahweh will give you meat, and you will eat it. +\v 19 You will not eat meat for only one day, two days, five days, ten days, or twenty days, +\v 20 but you will eat meat for a whole month until it comes out of your nostrils. It will disgust you because you have rejected Yahweh, who is among you. You have wept before him. You said, "Why did we leave Egypt?"'" + +\s5 +\v 21 Then Moses said, "I am with 600,000 people, and you have said, 'I will give them meat to eat for a whole month.' +\v 22 Should we kill flocks and herds to satisfy them? Should we catch all the fish in the sea to satisfy them?" +\v 23 Yahweh said to Moses, "Is my hand short? Now you will see whether or not my word is true." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Moses went out and told the people Yahweh's words. He gathered seventy of the people's elders and positioned them around the tent. +\v 25 Yahweh came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Yahweh took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but only on that occasion and not again. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Two men remained in the camp, named Eldad and Medad. The Spirit also rested on them. Their names were written on the list, but they had not gone out to the tent. Nevertheless, they prophesied in the camp. +\v 27 A young man in the camp ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." + +\s5 +\v 28 Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant, one of his chosen men, said to Moses, "My master Moses, stop them." +\v 29 Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all of Yahweh's people were prophets and that he would put his Spirit on them all!" +\v 30 Then Moses and the elders of Israel went back to the camp. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Then a wind came from Yahweh and brought quail from the sea. They fell near the camp, about a day's journey on one side and a day's journey on the other side. The quail surrounded the camp about two cubits above the ground. +\v 32 The people were busy gathering quail all that day, all the night, and all the next day. No one gathered less than ten homers of quail. They shared the quail all through the camp. + +\s5 +\v 33 While the meat was still between their teeth, while they were chewing it, Yahweh became angry at them. He attacked the people with a very great disease. +\v 34 That place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved meat. +\v 35 From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth, where they stayed. + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married. +\v 2 They said, "Has Yahweh spoken only with Moses? Has he not spoken also with us?" Now Yahweh heard what they said. +\v 3 Now the man Moses was very humble, humbler than anyone else on earth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Right away Yahweh spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam: "Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting." So the three of them went out. +\v 5 Then Yahweh came down in a pillar of cloud. He stood at the entrance to the tent and called Aaron and Miriam. They both came forward. + +\s5 +\v 6 Yahweh said, "Now listen to my words. +\q When a prophet of mine is with you, +\q2 I will reveal myself to him in visions +\q2 and speak to him in dreams. +\v 7 My servant Moses is not like that. +\q He is faithful in all my house. +\v 8 I speak to Moses directly, not with visions or riddles. +\q He sees my form. +\q So why are you unafraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Yahweh's anger burned against them, and then he left them. +\v 10 The cloud rose from over the tent, and Miriam was suddenly leprous—she was as white as snow. When Aaron turned toward Miriam, he saw that she had leprosy. + +\s5 +\v 11 Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my master, please do not hold this sin against us. We have spoken foolishly, and we have sinned. +\v 12 Please do not let her be like a dead newborn whose flesh is half consumed when it emerges from its mother's womb." + +\s5 +\v 13 So Moses called out to Yahweh. He said, "Please heal her, God, please." +\v 14 Yahweh said to Moses, "If her father had spit in her face, she would be disgraced for seven days. Shut her outside the camp for seven days. After that bring her in again." +\v 15 So Miriam was shut outside the camp for seven days. The people did not journey until she had returned to the camp. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 After that, the people journeyed from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 2 "Send some men to examine the land of Canaan, which I have given to the people of Israel. Send a man from every tribe of their ancestors. Each man must be a leader among them." + +\s5 +\v 3 Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, so that they might obey Yahweh's command. All of them were leaders among the people of Israel. +\v 4 These were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur; + +\s5 +\v 5 from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori; +\v 6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh; +\v 7 from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph; +\v 8 from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun; + +\s5 +\v 9 from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu; +\v 10 from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi; +\v 11 from the tribe of Joseph (that is to say, from the tribe Manasseh), Gaddi son of Susi; +\v 12 from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli; + +\s5 +\v 13 from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael; +\v 14 from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi; +\v 15 from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Maki. +\v 16 These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to examine the land. Moses called Hoshea son of Nun by the name of Joshua. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Moses sent them to examine the land of Canaan. He said to them, "Approach from the Negev and go up into the hill country. +\v 18 Examine the land to see what it is like. Observe the people who live there, whether they are strong or weak, and whether they are few or many. +\v 19 See what the land is like where they live. Is it good or bad? What cities are there? Are they like camps, or are they fortified cities? +\v 20 See what the land is like, whether it is good for growing crops or not, and whether there are trees there or not. Be brave and bring back samples of the land's produce." Now the time was the season for the first ripe grapes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 So the men went up and examined the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo Hamath. +\v 22 They went up from the Negev and arrived at Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, clans descended from Anak, were there. Now Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut down a branch with a cluster of grapes. They carried it on a staff between two of their group. They also brought pomegranates and figs. +\v 24 That place was named the Valley of Eshkol, because of the grape cluster that the people of Israel cut down there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 After forty days, they returned from examining the land. +\v 26 They came back to Moses, Aaron, and all the community of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the community, and showed them the produce from the land. + +\s5 +\v 27 They told Moses, "We reached the land to which you sent us. It certainly flows with milk and honey. Here is some produce from it. +\v 28 However, the people who make their homes there are strong. The cities are fortified and very large. We also saw descendants of Anak there. +\v 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev. The Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites have their homes in the hill country. The Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan River." + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Then Caleb silenced the people who were before Moses and said, "Let us go up and take possession of the land, for we are certainly able to conquer it." +\v 31 But the other men who had gone with him said, "We are not able to attack the people because they are stronger than we are." + +\s5 +\v 32 So they spread around a discouraging report to the people of Israel about the land that they had examined. They said, "The land that we looked at is a land that eats up its inhabitants. All the people whom we saw there are people of great height. +\v 33 There we saw giants, descendants of Anak, people who came from giants. In our own sight we were like grasshoppers in comparison with them, and this is what we were in their sight, too." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 That night all the community wept loudly. +\v 2 All the people of Israel criticized Moses and Aaron. The whole community said to them, "We wish we had died in the land of Egypt, or here in this wilderness! +\v 3 Why did Yahweh bring us to this land to die by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become victims. Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 They said to each another, "Let us choose another leader, and let us return to Egypt." +\v 5 Then Moses and Aaron lay facedown before all the assembly of the community of the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were some of those sent to examine the land, tore their clothes. +\v 7 They spoke to all the community of the people of Israel. They said, "The land that we passed through and examined is a very good land. +\v 8 If Yahweh is pleased with us, then he will take us into this land and give it to us. The land flows with milk and honey. + +\s5 +\v 9 But do not rebel against Yahweh, and do not fear the people in the land, for they are bread to us. Their protection will be removed from them, because Yahweh is with us. Do not fear them." +\v 10 But all the community threatened to stone them to death. Then Yahweh's glory appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Yahweh said to Moses, "How long must this people despise me? How long must they fail to trust me, despite all the signs of my power that I have done among them? +\v 12 I will attack them with plague, disinherit them, and make from your own clan a nation that will be greater and mightier than they are." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Moses said to Yahweh, "If you do this, then the Egyptians will hear about it, because you rescued this people from them by your power. +\v 14 They will tell it to this land's inhabitants. They have heard that you, Yahweh, are present with this people, because you are seen face to face. Your cloud stands over our people. You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. + +\s5 +\v 15 Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations that have heard of your fame will speak and say, +\v 16 'Because Yahweh could not take this people into the land that he swore to give them, +he has killed them in the wilderness.' + +\s5 +\v 17 Now, I beg you, use your great power. For you have said, +\v 18 'Yahweh is slow to anger and abundant in covenant faithfulness. He forgives iniquity and transgression. He will by no means clear the guilty when he brings the punishment of the ancestors' sin on their descendants, to the third and fourth generation.' +\v 19 Pardon, I plead with you, this people's sin because of the greatness of your covenant faithfulness, just as you have always forgiven this people from the time they were in Egypt until now." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Yahweh said, "I have pardoned them in keeping with your request, +\v 21 but truly, as I live, and as all the earth will be filled with my glory, +\v 22 all those people who saw my glory and the signs of power that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness—they have still tempted me these ten times and have not listened to my voice. + +\s5 +\v 23 So I say that they will certainly not see the land about which I made an oath to their ancestors. Not one of them who despised me will see it, +\v 24 except for my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit. He has followed me fully; I will bring him into the land which he went to examine. His descendants will possess it. +\v 25 (Now the Amalekites and Canaanites lived in the valley.) Tomorrow turn and go to the wilderness by the way of the Sea of Reeds." + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron. He said, +\v 27 "How long must I tolerate this evil community that criticizes me? I have heard the complaining of the people of Israel against me. + +\s5 +\v 28 Say to them, 'As I live,' says Yahweh, 'as you have spoken in my hearing, I will do this to you: +\v 29 Your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness, all you who complained against me, you who were counted in the census, the whole number of the people from twenty years old and upward. +\v 30 You will certainly not go into the land that I promised to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. + +\s5 +\v 31 But your little ones who you said would be victims, I will take them into the land. They will experience the land that you have rejected! +\v 32 As for you, your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness. +\v 33 Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years. They must bear the consequences of your acts of rebellion until the end of your corpses in the wilderness. + +\s5 +\v 34 Just as the number of the days during which you examined the land—forty days, you must likewise bear the consequences of your sins for forty years—one year for every day, and you must know what it is like for me to oppose you. +\v 35 I, Yahweh, have spoken. I will certainly do this to all this evil community that is gathered together against me. They will be completely cut off, and here they will die.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 The men Moses sent to spy out the land, when they returned, they made the entire community grumble against Moses by spreading a bad report about the land— +\v 37 the men who had brought out a bad report about the land—died of a plague before Yahweh. +\v 38 Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive. + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 When Moses reported these words to all the people of Israel, they mourned very deeply. +\v 40 They rose up early in the morning and went to the top of the mountain and said, "Look, we are here, and we will go to the place that Yahweh has promised, for we have sinned." + +\s5 +\v 41 But Moses said, "Why are you now violating Yahweh's command? You will not succeed. +\v 42 Do not go, because Yahweh is not with you to prevent you from being defeated by your enemies. +\v 43 The Amalekites and Canaanites are there, and you will die by the sword because you turned back from following Yahweh. So he will not be with you." + +\s5 +\v 44 But they presumed to go up into the hill country; however, neither Moses nor the ark of the covenant of Yahweh left the camp. +\v 45 Then the Amalekites came down, and also the Canaanites who lived on those hills. They attacked the Israelites and defeated them all the way to Hormah. + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you go into the land where you will live, which Yahweh will give to you, +\v 3 you are to prepare an offering by fire to Yahweh, either a burnt offering or a sacrifice to fulfill a vow or a freewill offering, or an offering at your feasts, to produce a pleasing aroma for Yahweh from the herd or the flock. + +\s5 +\v 4 You must offer to Yahweh a burnt offering as well as a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of oil. +\v 5 You must also offer with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, one-fourth of a hin of wine for the drink offering for each lamb. + +\s5 +\v 6 If you are offering a ram, you must prepare as a grain offering two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil. +\v 7 For the drink offering, you must offer a third of a hin of wine. It will produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 8 When you prepare a bull as a burnt offering or as a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or as a fellowship offering to Yahweh, +\v 9 then you must offer with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil. +\v 10 You must offer as the drink offering half a hin of wine, as an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 It must be done this way for each bull, for each ram, and for each of the male lambs or young goats. +\v 12 Every sacrifice that you prepare and offer must be done as described here. +\v 13 All who are native-born Israelites must do these things in this way, when anyone brings an offering made by fire, to produce an aroma that is pleasing to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 14 If a foreigner is staying with you, or whoever may live among you throughout your people's generations, he must make an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. He must act as you act. +\v 15 There must be the same law for the community and for the foreigner who stays with you, a permanent law throughout your people's generations. As you are, so also must be the traveler staying with you. He must act as you act before Yahweh. +\v 16 The same law and decree must apply to you and to the foreigner who is staying with you.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 18 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you come into the land where I will take you, +\v 19 when you eat the food produced in the land, you must offer an offering and present it to me. + +\s5 +\v 20 From the first of your dough you must offer a loaf to raise it up as a raised offering from the threshing floor. You must raise it up in this way. +\v 21 You must give to me a raised offering throughout your people's generations from the first of your dough. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 You will sometimes sin without intending to do so, when you do not obey all these commands that I have spoken to Moses— +\v 23 everything that I have commanded you through Moses from the day that I began to give you commands and onward throughout your people's generations. +\v 24 In the case of unintentional sin without the community's knowledge, then all the community must offer one young bull as a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. Along with this must be made a grain offering and drink offering, as commanded by the decree, and one male goat as a sin offering. + +\s5 +\v 25 The priest must make atonement for all the community of the people of Israel. They will be forgiven because the sin was an error. They have brought their sacrifice, an offering made by fire to me. They have brought their sin offering before me for their error. +\v 26 Then all the community of the people of Israel will be forgiven, and also the foreigners who are staying with them, because all the people committed the sin unintentionally. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 If a person sins unintentionally, then he must offer a female goat a year old as a sin offering. +\v 28 The priest must make atonement before Yahweh for the person who sins unintentionally. That person will be forgiven when atonement has been made. +\v 29 You must have the same law for the one who does anything unintentionally, the same law for the one who is native born among the people of Israel and for the foreigners who are staying among them. + +\s5 +\v 30 But the person who does anything in defiance, whether he is native born or a foreigner, blasphemes me. That person must be cut off from among his people. +\v 31 Because he has despised my word and has broken my commandment, that person must be cut off completely. His sin will be on him.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day. +\v 33 Those who found him brought him to Moses, Aaron, and all the community. +\v 34 They kept him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done with him. + +\s5 +\v 35 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "The man must surely be put to death. All the community must stone him with stones outside the camp." +\v 36 So all the community brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death as Yahweh had commanded Moses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 38 "Speak to the descendants of Israel and command them to make for themselves tassels to hang from the borders of their garments, to hang them from each border by a blue cord. They must do this throughout their people's generations. +\v 39 It will be a special reminder to you, when you may look at it, of all my commandments, to carry them out so that you do not look to your own heart and your own eyes and prostitute yourselves to them. +\s5 +\v 40 Do this so that you may call to mind and obey all my commandments, and so that you may be holy, reserved for me, your God. +\v 41 I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to become your God. I am Yahweh your God." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 Now Korah son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, descendants of Reuben, gathered some men. +\v 2 They rose up against Moses, along with other men from the people of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the community who were well-known members in the community. +\v 3 They assembled themselves together to confront Moses and Aaron. They said to them, "You have gone too far! All the community is set apart, every one of them, and Yahweh is among them. Why do you lift up yourselves above the rest of Yahweh's community?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 When Moses heard that, he lay facedown. +\v 5 He spoke to Korah and to all those with him, "In the morning Yahweh will make known who belongs to him and who is set apart to him. He will bring that person near to him. The one he chooses he will bring near to himself. + +\s5 +\v 6 Do this, Korah and all your group. Take censers +\v 7 tomorrow and put fire and incense in them before Yahweh. The one whom Yahweh chooses, that man will be set apart to Yahweh. You have gone too far, you descendants of Levi." + +\s5 +\v 8 Again, Moses said to Korah, "Now listen, you descendants of Levi: +\v 9 is it a small thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the community of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do work in Yahweh's tabernacle, and to stand before the community to serve them? +\v 10 He has brought you near, and all your kinfolk, the descendants of Levi, with you, yet you are seeking the priesthood also! +\v 11 That is why you and all your group have gathered together against Yahweh. So why are you complaining about Aaron, who obeys Yahweh?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then Moses called for Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they said, "We will not come up. +\v 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness? Now you want to make yourself ruler over us! +\v 14 In addition, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us the fields and vineyards as an inheritance. Now do you want to blind us with empty promises? We will not come to you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Moses was very angry and said to Yahweh, "Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed any of them." +\v 16 Then Moses said to Korah, "Tomorrow you and all your company must go before Yahweh—you and they, and Aaron. +\v 17 Each of you must take his censer and put incense in it. Then each man must bring before Yahweh his censer, two hundred and fifty censers. You and Aaron, also, must each bring your censer." + +\s5 +\v 18 So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense in it, and stood at the entrance to the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron. +\v 19 Korah assembled all the community against Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and Yahweh's glory appeared to all the community. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron: +\v 21 "Separate yourselves from among this community that I may consume them immediately." +\v 22 Moses and Aaron lay facedown and said, "God, the God of the spirits of all humanity, if one man sins, must you be angry with all the community?" + +\s5 +\v 23 Yahweh replied to Moses. He said, +\v 24 "Speak to the community. Say, 'Get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Then Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram; the elders of Israel followed him. +\v 26 He spoke to the community and said, "Now leave the tents of these wicked men and touch nothing of theirs, or you will be consumed by all their sins." +\v 27 So the community on every side of the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram left them. Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the entrance to their tents, with their wives, sons, and their little ones. + +\s5 +\v 28 Then Moses said, "By this you will know that Yahweh has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own accord. +\v 29 If these men die a natural death such as normally happens, then Yahweh has not sent me. +\v 30 But if Yahweh creates an opening in the ground that swallows them up like a large mouth, along with all their families, and if they go down alive into Sheol, then you must understand that these men have despised Yahweh." + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 As soon as Moses finished speaking all these words, the ground opened under those men. +\v 32 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their families, and all the people who belonged to Korah, as well as all their possessions. + +\s5 +\v 33 They and everyone in their families went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed over them, and in this way they perished from the midst of the community. +\v 34 All Israel around them fled from their cries. They exclaimed, "The earth may swallow us up also!" +\v 35 Then fire flashed out from Yahweh and devoured the 250 men who had offered incense. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 37 "Speak to Eleazar son of Aaron the priest and let him take up the censers out of the flames, for the censers are set apart to me. Then let him scatter the burning coals at a distance. +\v 38 Take the censers of those who lost their lives because of their sin. Let them be made into hammered plates as a covering over the altar. Those men did offer them before me, so they are set apart to me. They will be a sign of my presence to the people of Israel." + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers that had been used by the men who were burned up, and they were hammered out into a covering for the altar, +\v 40 to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider who was not descended from Aaron should come up to burn incense before Yahweh, so they might not become like Korah and his group—just as Yahweh had commanded through Moses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 But the next morning all the community of the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron. They said, "You have killed Yahweh's people." +\v 42 Then it happened, when the community had assembled against Moses and Aaron, that they looked toward the tent of meeting and, behold, the cloud was covering it. Yahweh's glory appeared, +\v 43 and Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting. + +\s5 +\v 44 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 45 "Go away from in front of this community so that I may consume them immediately." Then Moses and Aaron lay down with their faces to the ground. +\v 46 Moses said to Aaron, "Take the censer, put fire in it from off the altar, put incense in it, carry it quickly to the community, and make atonement for them, because anger is coming from Yahweh. The plague has begun." + +\s5 +\v 47 So Aaron did as Moses directed. He ran into the middle of the community. The plague had quickly started to spread among the people, so he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. +\v 48 Aaron stood between the dead and the living; in this way the plague was stopped. + +\s5 +\v 49 Those who died by the plague were 14,700 in number, besides those who had died in the matter of Korah. +\v 50 Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, and the plague ended. + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, +\v 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and get staffs from them, one for each ancestral tribe, twelve staffs. Write each man's name on his staff. + +\s5 +\v 3 You must write Aaron's name on Levi's staff. There must be one staff for each leader from his ancestors' tribe. +\v 4 You must place the staffs in the tent of meeting in front of the covenant decrees, where I meet with you. +\v 5 It will happen that the staff of the man whom I choose will bud. I will cause the complaints from the people of Israel to stop, which they are speaking against you." + +\s5 +\v 6 So Moses spoke to the people of Israel. All the tribal leaders gave him staffs, one staff from each leader, selected from each of the ancestral tribes, twelve staffs in all. Aaron's staff was among them. +\v 7 Then Moses deposited the staffs before Yahweh in the tent of the covenant decrees. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The next day Moses went into the tent of the covenant decrees and, behold, Aaron's staff for the tribe of Levi had budded. It grew buds and produced blossoms and ripe almonds! +\v 9 Moses brought out all the staffs from before Yahweh to all the people of Israel, and each man took his staff. + +\s5 +\v 10 Yahweh said to Moses, "Put Aaron's staff in front of the covenant decrees. Keep it as a sign of guilt against the people who rebelled so that you may end complaints against me, or they will die." +\v 11 Moses did just as Yahweh had commanded him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 The people of Israel spoke to Moses and said, "We will die here. We will all perish! +\v 13 Everyone who comes up, who approaches Yahweh's tabernacle, will die. Must we all perish?" + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said to Aaron, "You, your sons, and your ancestor's clan will be responsible for all sins committed against the sanctuary. But only you and your sons with you will be responsible for all sins committed by anyone in the priesthood. +\v 2 As for your fellow members of the tribe of Levi, your ancestors' tribe, you must bring them with you so they may join you and help you when you and your sons serve in front of the tent of the covenant decrees. + +\s5 +\v 3 They must serve you and the whole tent. However, they must not come near to anything in the holy place or connected with the altar, or they and also you will die. +\v 4 They must join you and take care of the tent of meeting, for all the work connected with the tent. A foreigner must not come near you. +\v 5 You must take responsibility for the holy place and for the altar so that my anger does not come on the people of Israel again. + +\s5 +\v 6 Look, I myself have chosen your fellow members of the Levites from among the descendants of Israel. They are a gift to you, given to me to do the work connected to the tent of meeting. +\v 7 But only you and your sons may exercise the priesthood regarding everything connected with the altar and everything inside the curtain. You yourselves must fulfill those responsibilities. I am giving you the priesthood as a gift. Any foreigner who approaches must be put to death." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then Yahweh said to Aaron, "Look, I have given you the duty of handling the offerings raised up to me, and all the holy offerings that the people of Israel give to me. I have given these offerings to you and your sons as your ongoing share. +\v 9 This will belong to you from the most holy things that is kept from the fire. From every offering of theirs—every grain offering, every sin offering, and every guilt offering—they are set apart to you and to your sons. + +\s5 +\v 10 These offerings are very holy; every male must eat it, for they are holy to you. +\v 11 These are the offerings that will belong to you, set apart out of all their gifts of the wave offerings of the people of Israel. I have given them to you, your sons, and your daughters, as your portion forever. Everyone who is ceremonially clean in your family may eat any of these offerings. + +\s5 +\v 12 All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and grain, the firstfruits that the people give to me—all these things I have given to you. +\v 13 The first ripe produce of all that is in their land, which they bring to me, will be yours. Everyone who is clean in your family may eat these things. + +\s5 +\v 14 Every devoted thing in Israel will be yours. +\v 15 Everything that opens the womb, all the firstborn which the people offer to Yahweh, both of man and animal, will be yours. Nevertheless, the people must certainly buy back every firstborn son, and they must buy back the firstborn male of unclean animals. +\v 16 Those that are to be bought back by the people must be bought back after becoming one month old. Then the people may buy them back, for the price of five shekels, by the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel, which equals twenty gerahs. + +\s5 +\v 17 But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat—you must not buy back these animals; they are set apart to me. You must sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to Yahweh. +\v 18 Their meat will be yours. Like the raised breast and the right thigh, their meat will be yours. + +\s5 +\v 19 All the holy offerings that the people of Israel present to Yahweh, I have given to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a continual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt, a binding covenant forever, before Yahweh for both you and your descendants with you." +\v 20 Yahweh said to Aaron, "You will have no inheritance in the people's land, nor will you have any share of property among the people. I am your share and inheritance among the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 To the descendants of Levi, look, I have given all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the service that they provide in working at the tent of meeting. +\v 22 From now on the people of Israel must not come near the tent of meeting, or they will be responsible for this sin and die. + +\s5 +\v 23 The Levites must do the work connected to the tent of meeting. They will be responsible for any sin regarding it. This will be a permanent law throughout your people's generations. Among the people of Israel they must have no inheritance. +\v 24 For the tithes of the people of Israel, which they offer as a contribution to me—it is these that I have given to the Levites as their inheritance. That is why I said to them, 'They must have no inheritance among the people of Israel.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 26 "You must speak to the Levites and say to them, 'When you receive from the people of Israel the tenth that I have given to you from them for your inheritance, you will present a contribution from it to Yahweh, a tenth of the tithe. +\v 27 Your contribution must be considered by you as if it were a tenth of the grain from the threshing floor or of the production from the winepress. + +\s5 +\v 28 So you also must make a contribution to Yahweh from all the tithes that you receive from the people of Israel. From them you must give his contribution to Aaron the priest. +\v 29 Out of all the gifts you receive, you must make every contribution to Yahweh. You must do this from all the best and the holiest things that have been given to you.' + +\s5 +\v 30 Therefore you must say to them, 'When you present the best of it, then it must be credited to the Levites as the product from the threshing floor and the winepress. +\v 31 You may eat the rest of your gifts in any place, you and your families, because it is your pay in return for your work in the tent of meeting. +\v 32 You will not incur any guilt by eating and drinking it, if you have presented to Yahweh the best of what you have received. But you must not profane the holy offerings of the people of Israel, or you will die.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said, +\v 2 "This is a statute, a law which I am commanding you: Say to the people of Israel that they must bring to you a red heifer without flaw or blemish, and which has never carried a yoke. + +\s5 +\v 3 Give the heifer to Eleazar the priest. He must bring it outside the camp, and someone must kill it in front of him. +\v 4 Eleazar the priest must take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the tent of meeting. +\v 5 Another priest must burn the heifer in his sight. He must burn its hide, flesh, and its blood with its dung. +\v 6 The priest must take cedarwood, hyssop, and scarlet wool, and throw it all into the middle of the burning heifer. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then he must wash his clothes and bathe in water. Then he may come into the camp, where he will remain unclean until the evening. +\v 8 The one who has burned the heifer must wash his clothes in water and bathe in water. He will remain unclean until the evening. + +\s5 +\v 9 Someone who is clean must gather up the heifer's ashes and put them outside the camp in a clean place. These ashes must be kept for the community of the people of Israel. They will mix the ashes with water for purification from sin, since the ashes were from a sin offering. +\v 10 The one who gathered the heifer's ashes must wash his clothes. He will remain unclean until the evening. This will be a permanent law for the people of Israel and the foreigners who stay with them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Whoever touches the dead body of any man will be unclean for seven days. +\v 12 Such a person must purify himself on the third day and on the seventh day. Then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself the third day, then he will not be clean on the seventh day. +\v 13 Whoever touches a dead person, the body of a man who has died, and does not purify himself—this person defiles Yahweh's tabernacle. That person must be cut off from Israel because the water for impurity was not sprinkled on him. He will remain unclean; his uncleanness will remain on him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 This is the law for when someone dies in a tent. Everyone who goes into the tent and everyone who is already in the tent will be unclean for seven days. +\v 15 Every open container with no cover becomes unclean. +\v 16 Similarly, anyone outside a tent who touches someone who has been killed with a sword, any other dead body, a human bone, or a grave—that person will be unclean for seven days. + +\s5 +\v 17 Do this for the unclean person: Take some ashes from the burnt sin offering and mix them in a jar with fresh water. +\v 18 Someone who is clean must then take hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle it on the tent, on all the containers inside the tent, on the persons who were there, and on anyone who touched the bone, the one who was killed, the one who died, or the grave. +\v 19 On the third day and on the seventh day, the clean person must sprinkle the unclean person. On the seventh day the unclean person must purify himself. He must wash his clothes and bathe in water. At evening he will become clean. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 But anyone who remains unclean, who refuses to purify himself—that person will be cut off from the community, because he has defiled Yahweh's sanctuary. The water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him; he remains unclean. +\v 21 This will be an ongoing law concerning these situations. The one who sprinkles the water for impurity must wash his clothes. The one who touches the water for impurity will become unclean until evening. +\v 22 Whatever the unclean person touches will become unclean. The person who touches it will become unclean until evening." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 So the people of Israel, the whole community, went into the wilderness of Zin in the first month; they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 There was no water for the community, so they assembled together against Moses and Aaron. +\v 3 The people complained against Moses. They said, "It would have been better if we had died when our fellow Israelites died in front of Yahweh! + +\s5 +\v 4 Why have you brought Yahweh's community into this wilderness to die here, we and our animals? +\v 5 Why did you make us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this horrible place? Here there is no seed, figs, vines, or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink." + +\s5 +\v 6 So Moses and Aaron went away from in front of the assembly. They went to the entrance of the tent of meeting and lay facedown. There Yahweh's brilliant glory appeared to them. + +\s5 +\v 7 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 8 "Take the staff and assemble the community, you, and Aaron your brother. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and command it to flow with water. You will produce water for them out of that rock, and you must give it to the community and their cattle to drink." +\v 9 Moses took the staff from before Yahweh, as Yahweh had commanded him to do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock. Moses said to them, "Listen now, you rebels. Must we bring water out of this rock for you?" +\v 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, and much water came out. The community drank, and their cattle drank. + +\s5 +\v 12 Then Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust me or honor me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them." +\v 13 This place was called the waters of Meribah because the people of Israel had quarreled with Yahweh there, and he showed himself to them as holy. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom: Your brother Israel says this: "You know all the difficulties that have happened to us. +\v 15 You know that our ancestors went down to Egypt and lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians treated us harshly and also our ancestors. +\v 16 When we called out to Yahweh, he heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. Look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the border of your land. + +\s5 +\v 17 I am asking you to let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard, nor will we drink the water in your wells. We will go along the king's highway. We will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed your border." + +\s5 +\v 18 But the king of Edom replied to him, "You may not pass through here. If you do, I will come with the sword to attack you." +\v 19 Then the people of Israel said to him, "We will go along the highway. If we or our livestock drink your water, we will pay for it. Just let us walk through on foot, without doing anything else." + +\s5 +\v 20 But the king of Edom replied, "You may not pass through." So the king of Edom came against Israel with a strong hand with many soldiers. +\v 21 The king of Edom refused to allow Israel to cross over their border. Because of this, Israel turned away from the land of Edom. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 So the people journeyed from Kadesh. The people of Israel, the whole community, came to Mount Hor. +\v 23 Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor, on Edom's border. He said, +\v 24 "Aaron must be gathered to his people, for he will not enter the land that I have given to the people of Israel. This is because you both rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah. + +\s5 +\v 25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor. +\v 26 Take Aaron's priestly garments off him and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron must die and be gathered to his people there." + +\s5 +\v 27 Moses did as Yahweh commanded. They went up Mount Hor in the sight of all the community. +\v 28 Moses took Aaron's priestly garments off him and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down. +\v 29 When all the community saw that Aaron was dead, the entire nation wept for Aaron for thirty days. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was traveling by the road to Atharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. +\v 2 Israel vowed to Yahweh and said, "If you give us victory over these people, then we will completely destroy their cities." +\v 3 Yahweh listened to Israel's voice and he gave them victory over the Canaanites. They completely destroyed them and their cities. That place was called Hormah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 They traveled from Mount Hor by the road to the Sea of Reeds to go around the land of Edom. The people became very discouraged on the way. +\v 5 The people spoke against God and Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread, no water, and we hate this miserable food." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then Yahweh sent poisonous snakes among the people. The snakes bit the people; many people died. +\v 7 The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned because we have spoken against Yahweh and you. Pray to Yahweh for him to take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. + +\s5 +\v 8 Yahweh said to Moses, "Make a snake and attach it to a pole. It will happen that everyone who is bitten will survive, if he looks at it." +\v 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and attached it to a pole. When a snake bit any person, if he looked at the bronze snake, he survived. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then the people of Israel traveled on and camped at Oboth. +\v 11 They traveled from Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim in the wilderness that faces Moab toward the east. + +\s5 +\v 12 From there they traveled on and camped in the Valley of Zered. +\v 13 From there they traveled on and camped on the other side of the Arnon River, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites. The Arnon River forms the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. + +\s5 +\v 14 That is why it says in the scroll of the Wars of Yahweh, +\q "... Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon, +\q +\v 15 the slope of the valleys that lead toward the town of Ar +\q and lie along the border of Moab." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 From there they traveled to Beer, the well where Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather the people together for me to give them water." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Israel sang this song: +\q "Spring up, well! +\q Sing about it, +\q +\v 18 about the well that our leaders dug, +\q the well the nobles of the people dug, +\q with the scepter and their staffs." +\m Then from the wilderness they traveled to Mattanah. + +\s5 +\v 19 From Mattanah they traveled to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, +\v 20 and from Bamoth to a valley in the land of Moab. That is where the top of Mount Pisgah looks down on the wilderness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites saying, +\v 22 "Let us pass through your land. We will not turn into any field or vineyard. We will not drink the water from your wells. We will travel by the king's highway until we have crossed your border." +\v 23 But King Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through their border. Instead, Sihon gathered all his army together and attacked Israel in the wilderness. He came to Jahaz, where he fought against Israel. + +\s5 +\v 24 Israel attacked the army of Sihon with the edge of the sword and took their land from the Arnon to the Jabbok river, as far as the land of the people of Ammon. Now the border of the people of Ammon was fortified. +\v 25 Israel took all the Amorite cities and lived in all of them, including Heshbon and all of its villages. +\v 26 Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab. Sihon had taken all his land from his territory to the Arnon River. + +\s5 +\v 27 That is why those who speak in proverbs say, +\q "Come to Heshbon. +\q Let the city of Sihon be rebuilt and established again. +\q +\v 28 A fire blazed from Heshbon, +\q a flame from the city of Sihon +\q that devoured Ar of Moab, +\q and the owners of the high places of Arnon. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 Woe to you, Moab! +\q You have perished, people of Chemosh. +\q He has made his sons to be fugitives +\q and his daughters to be prisoners +\q of Sihon king of the Amorites. +\q +\v 30 But we have conquered Sihon. Heshbon is devastated all the way to Dibon. +\q We have defeated them all the way to Nophah, +\q which reaches to Medeba." + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 So Israel began to live in the Amorites' land. +\v 32 Then Moses sent men to look at Jazer. They took its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 Then they turned and went up by the road of Bashan. Og king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his army, to fight them at Edrei. +\v 34 Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Do not fear him, because I have given you victory over him, all his army, and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon." +\v 35 So they killed him, his sons, and all his army, until none of his people were left alive. Then they took over his land. + + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\nb +\v 1 The people of Israel traveled on until they camped in the plains of Moab near Jericho, on the other side of the Jordan River from the city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. +\v 3 Moab was very afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was in terror of the people of Israel. +\v 4 The king of Moab said to the elders of Midian, "This multitude will eat up all that is around us as an ox eats up the grass in a field." Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. + +\s5 +\v 5 He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor which is by the Euphrates River, in the land of his nation and his people. He called him and said, "Look, a nation has come here from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and they are right now next to me. +\v 6 So please come now and curse this nation for me, because they are too strong for me. Perhaps then I can manage to attack them and drive them out of the land. I know that whomever you bless will be blessed, and whomever you curse will be cursed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian left, taking payment for divination. They came to Balaam and spoke to him Balak's words. +\v 8 Balaam said to them, "Stay here tonight. I will bring you what Yahweh says to me." So the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam that night. + +\s5 +\v 9 God came to Balaam and said, "Who are these men who came to you?" +\v 10 Balaam answered God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent them to me. He said, +\v 11 'Look, the people who have come from Egypt cover the surface of my land. Now come and curse them for me. Perhaps I will manage to fight them and drive them out.'" + +\s5 +\v 12 God replied to Balaam, "You must not go with those men. You must not curse the people of Israel because they have been blessed." +\v 13 Balaam rose up in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land because Yahweh refuses to allow me to go with you." +\v 14 So the leaders of Moab left and went back to Balak. They said, "Balaam refused to come with us." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Balak sent again more leaders who were even more honored than the first group. +\v 16 They came to Balaam and said to him, "Balak son of Zippor says this, 'Please let nothing stop you from coming to me, +\v 17 because I will pay you extremely well and give you great honor, and I will do whatever you tell me to do. So please come and curse this people for me.'" + +\s5 +\v 18 Balaam answered and said to Balak's men, "Even if Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Yahweh, my God, and do less or more than what he tells me. +\v 19 Now then, please wait here tonight too, so that I may learn anything further that Yahweh says to me." +\v 20 God came to Balaam at night and said to him, "Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them. But only do what I tell you to do." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab. +\v 22 But because he went, God's anger was kindled. The angel of Yahweh placed himself in the road as someone hostile to Balaam, who was riding on his donkey. Balaam's two servants were also with him. +\v 23 The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with his drawn sword in his hand. The donkey turned off the road and went into a field. Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back to the road. + +\s5 +\v 24 Then the angel of Yahweh stood in a narrow part of the road between some vineyards, with a wall on his right side and another wall on his left side. +\v 25 The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh again. She went against the wall and pinned Balaam's foot against it. Balaam struck her again. + +\s5 +\v 26 The angel of Yahweh went further and stood in another narrow place where there was no way to turn to either side. +\v 27 The donkey saw the angel of Yahweh, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. + +\s5 +\v 28 Then Yahweh opened the donkey's mouth so she could talk. She said to Balaam, "What have I done to you that induced you to strike me these three times?" +\v 29 Balaam replied to the donkey, "It was because you acted so stupidly with me. I wish there were a sword in my hand. If there were, by now I would have killed you." +\v 30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am not I your donkey on which you have ridden all your life long to this present day? Have I ever been in the habit of doing such things to you before?" Balaam said, "No." + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Then Yahweh opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of Yahweh standing in the road with his drawn sword in his hand. Balaam lowered his head and lay facedown. +\v 32 The angel of Yahweh said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Look, I have come as someone hostile to you because your actions before me have been wicked. +\v 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I would certainly have killed you and spared her life." + +\s5 +\v 34 Balaam said to the angel of Yahweh, "I have sinned. I did not know that you stood against me in the road. So now, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back." +\v 35 But the angel of Yahweh said to Balaam, "Go on ahead with the men. But you must only speak the words that I tell you." So Balaam went with the leaders of Balak. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him at a city in Moab at the Arnon, which is on the border. +\v 37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send men to you to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?" + +\s5 +\v 38 Then Balaam replied to Balak, "See, I have come to you. Do I now have any power to say anything? I can only say the words that God puts into my mouth." +\v 39 Balaam went with Balak, and they arrived at Kiriath Huzoth. +\v 40 Then Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and gave some meat to Balaam and the leaders who were with him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam up to the high place of Baal. From there Balaam could see only a part of the Israelites in their camp. + + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\nb +\v 1 Balaam said to Balak, "Build seven altars here for me and prepare seven bulls and seven rams." +\v 2 So Balak did as Balaam requested. Then Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on every altar. +\v 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand at your burnt offering and I will go. Perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you." So he went away to a hilltop with no trees. + +\s5 +\v 4 While he was on the hilltop, God met him, and Balaam said to him, "I have built seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on each one." +\v 5 Yahweh put a message in Balaam's mouth and said, "Return to Balak and speak to him." +\v 6 So Balaam returned to Balak, who was standing by his burnt offering, and all the leaders of Moab were with him. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then Balaam began to speak his prophecy and said, +\q "Balak has brought me from Aram, +\q2 the king of Moab from the eastern mountains. +\q 'Come, curse Jacob for me,' he said. +\q2 'Come, defy Israel.' +\q +\v 8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? +\q2 How can I oppose those whom Yahweh does not oppose? + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him; +\q2 from the hills I look at him. +\q See, there is a people who live alone +\q2 and do not consider themselves as just an ordinary nation. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob +\q2 or number even only one-fourth of Israel? +\q Let me die the death of a righteous person, +\q2 and let my life's end be like his!" + +\s5 +\m +\v 11 Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them." +\v 12 Balaam answered and said, "Should I not be careful to say only what Yahweh puts in my mouth?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 So Balak said to him, "Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the nearest of them, not all of them. There you will curse them for me." +\v 14 So he took Balaam into the field of Zophim, to the top of Mount Pisgah, and built seven more altars. He offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. +\v 15 Then Balaam said to Balak, "Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet with Yahweh over there." + +\s5 +\v 16 So Yahweh met Balaam and put a message in his mouth. He said, "Return to Balak and give him my message." +\v 17 Balaam returned to him, and look, he was standing by his burnt offering, and the leaders of Moab were with him. Then Balak said to him, "What has Yahweh said?" +\v 18 Balaam began his prophecy. He said, +\q "Rise up, Balak, and hear. +\q2 Listen to me, you son of Zippor. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 God is not a man, that he should lie, +\q2 Or a human being, that he should change his mind. +\q Has he promised anything without doing it? +\q2 Has he said he would do something without carrying it out? +\v 20 Look, I have been commanded to bless. +\q2 God has given a blessing, and I cannot reverse it. +\q + +\s5 +\v 21 He has seen no hardship in Jacob +\q2 or trouble in Israel. +\q Yahweh their God is with them, +\q2 and shouts for their king are among them. +\v 22 God brought them out of Egypt +\q2 with strength like that of a wild ox. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 There is no sorcery that works against Jacob, +\q2 and no fortune-telling harms Israel. +\q Instead, it must be said about Jacob and Israel, +\q2 'Look what God has done!' + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 Look, the people rise like a lioness, +\q2 as a lion emerges and attacks. +\q He does not lie down until he eats his victim +\q2 and drinks the blood of what he has killed." + +\s5 +\m +\v 25 Then Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them or bless them at all." +\v 26 But Balaam answered and said to Balak, "Did I not tell you that I must say all that Yahweh tells me to say?" +\v 27 So Balak replied to Balaam, "Come now, I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God for you to curse them there for me." + +\s5 +\v 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Mount Peor, which looks down on the wilderness. +\v 29 Balaam said to Balak, "Build me seven altars here and prepare seven bulls and seven rams." +\v 30 So Balak did as Balaam had said; he offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. + + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\nb +\v 1 When Balaam saw that it pleased Yahweh to bless Israel, he did not go, as at the other times, to use sorcery. Instead, he looked toward the wilderness. + +\s5 +\v 2 He raised his eyes and saw that Israel was camped, each in their own tribe, and the Spirit of God came on him. +\v 3 He received this prophecy and said, +\q "Balaam son of Beor is about to speak, +\q2 the man whose eyes are wide open. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 He speaks and hears God's words. +\q2 He sees a vision from the Almighty, +\q Before whom he bows down with his eyes open. +\q +\v 5 How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, +\q2 the place where you live, Israel! + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Like valleys they spread out, +\q2 like gardens by the riverside, +\q2 like aloes planted by Yahweh, +\q2 like cedars beside the waters. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Water flows from their buckets, +\q2 and their seed is well-watered. +\q Their king is to be higher than Agag, +\q2 and their kingdom will be honored. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 God brings him out of Egypt, +\q with strength like a wild ox. +\q2 He will eat up the nations who fight against him. +\q2 He will break their bones to pieces. +\q2 He will shoot them with his arrows. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 He crouches down like a lion, +\q2 like a lioness. Who dares disturb him? +\q May everyone who blesses him be blessed; +\q2 may everyone who curses him be cursed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam and he struck his hands together in anger. Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but look, you have blessed them three times. +\v 11 So leave me right now and go home. I said I would greatly reward you, but Yahweh has kept you from getting any reward." + +\s5 +\v 12 Then Balaam replied to Balak, "I said to the messengers that you sent to me, +\v 13 'Even if Balak gave me his palace full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond Yahweh's word and anything bad or good, or anything at all that I might want to do. I can say only what Yahweh tells me to say.' Did I not say this to them? +\v 14 So now, look, I will go back to my people. But first let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days ahead." + +\s5 +\v 15 Balaam began this prophecy. He said, +\q "Balaam son of Beor speaks, +\q2 The man whose eyes are wide open. +\q +\v 16 This is a prophecy of someone who hears words from God, +\q2 who has knowledge from the Most High, +\q2 who has visions from the Almighty, +\q Before whom he bows down with open eyes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 I see him, but he is not here now. +\q I look at him, but he is not near. +\q A star will come out of Jacob, +\q2 and a scepter will rise out of Israel. +\q He will shatter Moab's leaders +\q2 and destroy all the descendants of Seth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Then Edom will become a possession of Israel, +\q and Seir will also become their possession, +\q2 enemies of Israel, +\q2 whom Israel will conquer with force. +\q +\v 19 Out of Jacob a king will come who will have dominion, +\q2 and he will destroy the survivors of their city." + +\s5 +\m +\v 20 Then Balaam looked at Amalek and began his prophecy. He said, +\q "Amalek was once the greatest of nations, +\q2 but his final end will be destruction." + +\s5 +\m +\v 21 Then Balaam looked toward the Kenites and began his prophecy. He said, +\q "The place where you live is strong, +\q2 and your nest is in the rocks. +\q +\v 22 Nevertheless you Kenites will be consumed by fire +\q2 when Assyria carries you away captive." +\m + +\s5 +\v 23 Then Balaam began his final prophecy. He said, +\q "Woe! Who will survive when God does this? +\q +\v 24 Ships will come from the coast of Kittim; +\q2 they will attack Assyria and will conquer Eber, +\q2 but they, too, will end in destruction." + +\s5 +\m +\v 25 Then Balaam got up and left. He returned to his home, and Balak also went away. + + + + +\c 25 +\s5 +\p +\v 1 Israel stayed in Shittim, and the men began to prostitute themselves with women of Moab, +\v 2 for the Moabites had invited the people to the sacrifices to their gods. So the people ate and bowed down to Moabite gods. +\v 3 The men of Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel. + +\s5 +\v 4 Yahweh said to Moses, "Kill all the leaders of the people and hang them up before me to expose them in the daylight, so that my fierce anger may turn away from Israel." +\v 5 So Moses said to Israel's leaders, "Each of you must execute his people who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then one of the men of Israel came and brought among his family members a Midianite woman. This happened in the sight of Moses and all the community of the people of Israel, while they were weeping at the entrance to the tent of meeting. +\v 7 When Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, saw that, he rose up from among the community and took a spear in his hand. + +\s5 +\v 8 He followed the Israelite man into the tent and thrust the spear through both of their bodies, both the Israelite man and the woman. So a plague that God had sent on the people of Israel stopped. +\v 9 Those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand in number. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 11 "Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, has turned my rage away from the people of Israel because he was passionate with my zeal among them. So I have not consumed the people of Israel in my fierceness. + +\s5 +\v 12 Therefore say, 'Yahweh says, "Look, I am giving to Phinehas my covenant of peace. +\v 13 For him and his descendants after him, it will be a covenant of an everlasting priesthood because he was zealous for me, his God. He has atoned for the people of Israel."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Now the name of the Israelite man who was killed with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, a leader of an ancestor's family among the Simeonites. +\v 15 The name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Kozbi daughter of Zur, who was head of a tribe and family in Midian. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 17 "Treat the Midianites as enemies and attack them, +\v 18 for they treated you like enemies with their deceitfulness. They led you into evil in the case of Peor and in the case of their sister Kozbi, the daughter of a leader in Midian, who was killed on the day of the plague in the matter of Peor." + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 It came about after the plague that Yahweh spoke to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest. He said, +\v 2 "Count all the community of the people of Israel, from twenty years old and up, by their ancestor's families, all who are able to go to war for Israel." + +\s5 +\v 3 So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said, +\v 4 "Count the people, from twenty years old and up, as Yahweh commanded Moses and the people of Israel, who came out of the land of Egypt." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. From his son Hanok came the clan of the Hanokites. From Pallu came the clan of the Palluites. +\v 6 From Hezron came the clan of the Hezronites. From Karmi came the clan of the Karmites. +\v 7 These were the clans of Reuben, who numbered 43,730 men. + +\s5 +\v 8 Eliab was a son of Pallu. +\v 9 Eliab's sons were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These were the same Dathan and Abiram who followed Korah when they challenged Moses and Aaron and rebelled against Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 10 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when all his followers died. At that time, fire devoured 250 men, who became a warning sign. +\v 11 But Korah's line did not die out. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 The clans of Simeon's descendants were these: +\q1 +Through Nemuel, the clan of the Nemuelites, +\q1 through Jamin, the clan of the Jaminites, +\q1 through Jakin, the clan of the Jakinites, +\q1 +\v 13 through Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites, +\q1 through Shaul, the clan of the Shaulites. + +\v 14 These were the clans of Simeon's descendants, who numbered 22,200 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 The clans of Gad's descendants were these: +\q1 +Through Zephon, the clan of the Zephonites, +\q1 through Haggi, the clan of the Haggites, +\q1 through Shuni, the clan of the Shunites, +\q1 +\v 16 through Ozni, the clan of the Oznites, +\q1 through Eri, the clan of the Erites, +\q1 +\v 17 through Arod, the clan of the Arodites, +\q1 through Areli, the clan of the Arelites. +\v 18 These were the clans of Gad's descendants, who numbered 40,500 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Judah's sons were Er and Onan, but these men died in the land of Canaan. +\v 20 The clans of Judah's other descendants were these: +\q1 through Shelah, the clan of the Shelanites, +\q1 through Perez, the clan of the Perezites, and +\q1 through Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites. +\v 21 The descendants of Perez were these: +\q1 +Through Hezron, the clan of the Hezronites, +\q1 through Hamul, the clan of the Hamulites. +\v 22 These were the clans of Judah's descendants, who numbered 76,500 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The clans of Issachar's descendants were these: +\q1 +Through Tola, the clan of the Tolaites, +\q1 through Puah, the clan of the Puites, +\v 24 through Jashub, the clan of the Jashubites, +\q1 through Shimron, the clan of the Shimronites. +\v 25 These were the clans of Issachar, who numbered 64,300 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 The clans of Zebulun's descendants were these: +\q1 +Through Sered, the clan of the Seredites, +\q1 through Elon, the clan of the Elonites, +\q1 through Jahleel, the clan of the Jahleelites. +\v 27 These were the clans of the Zebulunites, who numbered 60,500 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 The clans of Joseph's descendants were Manasseh and Ephraim. +\v 29 The descendants of Manasseh were these: +\q1 +through Makir, the clan of the Makirites (Makir was Gilead's father), +\q1 through Gilead, the clan of the Gileadites. + +\s5 +\v 30 Gilead's descendants were these: +\q1 +Through Iezer, the clan of the Iezerites, +\q1 through Helek, the clan of the Helekites, +\q1 +\v 31 through Asriel, the clan of the Asrielites, +\q1 through Shechem, the clan of the Shechemites, +\q1 +\v 32 through Shemida, the clan of the Shemidaites, +\q1 through Hepher, the clan of the Hepherites. + +\s5 +\v 33 Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons, but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah. +\v 34 These were the clans of Manasseh, who numbered 52,700 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 The clans of Ephraim's descendants were these: +\q1 +Through Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites, +\q1 through Beker, the clan of the Bekerites, +\q1 through Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites. + +\v 36 The descendants of Shuthelah were, by Eran, the clan of the Eranites. +\v 37 These were the clans of Ephraim's descendants, who numbered 32,500 men. These were Joseph's descendants, counted in each of their clans. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 The clans of Benjamin's descendants were these: +\q1 +Through Bela, the clan of the Belaites, +\q1 through Ashbel, the clan of the Ashbelites, +\q1 through Ahiram, the clan of the Ahiramites, +\q1 +\v 39 through Shephupham, the clan of the Shuphamites, +\q1 through Hupham, the clan of the Huphamites. +\m +\v 40 Bela's sons were Ard and Naaman. From Ard came the clan of the Ardites, and from Naaman came the clan of the Naamites. +\v 41 These were the clans of Benjamin's descendants. They numbered 45,600 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 The clans of Dan's descendants were, by Shuham, the clans of the Shuhamites. These were the clans of Dan's descendants. +\v 43 All the clans of the Shuhamites numbered 64,400 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 The clans of Asher's descendants were these: +\q1 +Through Imnah, the clan of the Imnites, +\q1 through Ishvi, the clan of the Ishvites, +\q1 through Beriah, the clan of the Beriites. +\m +\v 45 The descendants of Beriah were these: +\q1 +Through Heber, the clan of the Heberites, +\q1 through Malkiel, the clan of the Malkielites. +\m +\v 46 The name of Asher's daughter was Serah. +\v 47 These were the clans of Asher's descendants, who numbered 53,400 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 The clans of Naphtali's descendants were these: +\q1 Through Jahzeel, the clan of the Jahzeelites, +\q1 through Guni, the clan of the Gunites, +\q1 +\v 49 through Jezer, the clan of the Jezerites, +\q1 through Shillem, the clan of the Shillemites. +\m +\v 50 These were the clans of Naphtali's descendants, who numbered 45,400 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 51 This was the complete count of men among the people of Israel: 601,730. + +\s5 +\p +\v 52 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 53 "The land must be divided among these men as an inheritance according to the number of their names. + +\s5 +\v 54 To the larger clans you must give more inheritance, and to the smaller clans you must give less inheritance. To every family you must give an inheritance according to the number of men who were counted. +\v 55 However, the land must be divided by random lots. They must inherit the land as it will be divided among their ancestors' tribes. +\v 56 Their inheritance must be divided among the larger and the smaller clans, distributed to them by random lot." +\s5 +\p +\v 57 The Levite clans, counted clan by clan, were these: +\q1 Through Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites, +\q1 through Kohath, the clan of the Kohathites, +\q1 through Merari, the clan of the Merarites. +\m +\v 58 The clans of Levi were these: +\q1 +the clan of the Libnites, +\q1 the clan of the Hebronites, +\q1 the clan of the Mahlites, +\q1 the clan of the Mushites, +\q1 and the clan of the Korahites. +\m Kohath was the Amram's ancestor. +\v 59 The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, a descendant of Levi, who was born to Levites in Egypt. She bore to Amram their children, who were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam their sister. + +\s5 +\v 60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. +\v 61 Nadab and Abihu died when they offered before Yahweh unacceptable fire. +\v 62 The males who were counted among them numbered twenty-three thousand, all males one month old and up. But they were not counted among Israel's descendants because no inheritance was given to them among the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 63 These are the ones who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest. They counted the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. +\v 64 But among these there was no man who had been counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when the descendants of Israel were counted in the wilderness of Sinai. + +\s5 +\v 65 For Yahweh had said that all of those people would certainly die in the wilderness. There was not a man left among them, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. + + + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 Then to Moses came the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, of the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah. + +\s5 +\v 2 They stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and before all the community at the entrance to the tent of meeting. They said, +\v 3 "Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among those who conspired against Yahweh in the company of Korah. He died for his own sin, and he had no sons. + +\s5 +\v 4 Why should our father's name be taken away from among his clan members because he had no son? Give us land among our father's relatives." +\v 5 So Moses brought their case before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 7 "Zelophehad's daughters are speaking correctly. You must certainly give them land as an inheritance among their father's relatives, and you must ensure that their father's inheritance passes on to them. +\v 8 You must speak to the people of Israel and say, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you must cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. + +\s5 +\v 9 If he has no daughter, then you must give his inheritance to his brothers. +\v 10 If he has no brothers, then you must give his inheritance to his father's brothers. +\v 11 If his father has no brothers, then you must give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his clan, and he must take it for his own. This will be a law established by decree for the people of Israel, as Yahweh has commanded me.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Yahweh said to Moses, "Go up the mountains of Abarim and look at the land that I have given to the people of Israel. +\v 13 After you have seen it, you, too, must be gathered to your people, like Aaron your brother. +\v 14 This will happen because you two rebelled against my command in the wilderness of Zin. There, when the water flowed from the rock, in your anger you failed to honor me as holy before the eyes of the whole community." These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then Moses spoke to Yahweh and said, +\v 16 "May you, Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all humanity, appoint a man over the community, +\v 17 a man who may go out and come in before them and lead them out and bring them in, so that your community is not like sheep that have no shepherd." + +\s5 +\v 18 Yahweh said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom my Spirit lives, and lay your hand on him. +\v 19 Place him before Eleazar the priest and before all the community, and command him before their eyes to lead them. + +\s5 +\v 20 You must put some of your authority on him, so that all the community of the people of Israel may obey him. +\v 21 He will go before Eleazar the priest to seek my will for him by the decisions of the Urim. It will be at his command that the people will go out and come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole community." + +\s5 +\v 22 So Moses did as Yahweh had commanded him. He took Joshua and placed him before Eleazar the priest and all the community. +\v 23 He laid his hands on him and commanded him to lead, as Yahweh had commanded him to do. + + + + +\s5 +\c 28 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 2 "Command the people of Israel and say to them, 'You must offer sacrifices to me at the appointed times, the food of my offerings made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for me.' + +\s5 +\v 3 You must also say to them, 'This is the offering made by fire that you must offer to Yahweh—male lambs a year old without blemish, two each day, as a regular burnt offering. +\v 4 One lamb you must offer in the morning, and the other lamb you must offer in the evening. +\v 5 You must offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with one-fourth of a hin of beaten oil. + +\s5 +\v 6 This is the regular burnt offering that was commanded at Mount Sinai to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. +\v 7 The drink offering with it must be one-fourth of a hin for one of the lambs. You must pour out in the holy place a drink offering of strong drink to Yahweh. +\v 8 The other lamb you must offer in the evening along with another grain offering like the one offered in the morning. You must also offer another drink offering with it, an offering made by fire, to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 On the Sabbath day you must offer two male lambs, each a year old without blemish, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with oil, and the drink offering with it. +\v 10 This is to be the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 At the beginning of each month, you must offer a burnt offering to Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old without blemish. +\v 12 You must also offer three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with oil for each bull, and two-tenths of fine flour as a grain offering mixed with oil for the one ram. +\v 13 You must also offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering for each lamb. This is to be the burnt offering, to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 14 The people's drink offerings must be half a hin of wine for a bull, a third of a hin for a ram, and one-fourth of a hin for a lamb. This is to be the burnt offering for every month throughout the months of the year. +\v 15 One male goat as a sin offering to Yahweh must be offered. This will be in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 During the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, comes Yahweh's Passover. +\v 17 On the fifteenth day of this month a feast is to be held. For seven days, bread without yeast must be eaten. +\v 18 On the first day, there must be a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day. + +\s5 +\v 19 However, you must offer a sacrifice made by fire, a burnt offering to Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, without blemish. +\v 20 Along with the bull, you must offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, and along with the ram, two-tenths. +\v 21 With each of the seven lambs, you must offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, +\v 22 and one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for yourselves. + +\s5 +\v 23 You must offer these in addition to the regular burnt offering required each morning. +\v 24 As described here, you must offer these sacrifices daily, for the seven days of the Passover, the food of the offering made by fire, a sweet aroma for Yahweh. It must be offered in addition to the regular burnt offering and the drink offering with it. +\v 25 On the seventh day you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh, and you must not do regular work on that day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Also on the day of the firstfruits, when you offer a new grain offering to Yahweh in your Festival of Weeks, you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh, and you must not do regular work on that day. +\v 27 You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. +\v 28 Offer also grain offering to go with them: Fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for each bull and two-tenths for the one ram. + +\s5 +\v 29 Offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for each of the seven lambs, +\v 30 and one male goat to make atonement for yourselves. +\v 31 When you offer those animals without blemish, along with their drink offerings, this must be in addition to the regular burnt offering and the grain offering with it.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day. It will be a day when you blow trumpets. + +\s5 +\v 2 You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, each without blemish. + +\s5 +\v 3 You must offer with them their grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, +\v 4 and one-tenth for each lamb of the seven lambs. +\v 5 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for yourselves. + +\s5 +\v 6 Make these offerings in the seventh month in addition to all of the offerings you will make on the first of each month: the special burnt offering and the grain offering to go with it. These must be in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offerings. As you make these offerings, you will obey what has been decreed to produce a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 On the tenth day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must humble yourselves and do no work. +\v 8 You must offer a burnt offering to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. They must each be without blemish. + +\s5 +\v 9 You must offer with them a grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the one ram, +\v 10 and a tenth of an ephah for each of the seven lambs. +\v 11 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering. This will be in addition to the sin offering of atonement, the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you must have a holy assembly to honor Yahweh. You must not do regular work on that day, and you must keep the festival for him seven days. +\v 13 You must offer a burnt offering, a sacrifice made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old. Each must be without blemish. + +\s5 +\v 14 You must offer with them a grain offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three-tenths of an ephah for every bull of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths for each ram of the two rams, +\v 15 and a tenth of an ephah for each of the fourteen lambs. +\v 16 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and the drink offering with it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 On the second day of the assembly, you must offer twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. +\v 18 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. +\v 19 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 On the third day of the assembly, you must offer eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. +\v 21 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. +\v 22 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 On the fourth day of the assembly, you must offer ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. +\v 24 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. +\v 25 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 On the fifth day of the assembly, you must offer nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. +\v 27 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. +\v 28 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 On the sixth day of the assembly, you must offer eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. +\v 30 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. +\v 31 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 On the seventh day of the assembly, you must offer seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, each without blemish. +\v 33 You must make with them a grain offering and the drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. +\v 34 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 On the eighth day you must have another solemn assembly. You must not do regular work on that day. +\v 36 You must make a burnt offering, an offering made by fire to produce a sweet aroma for Yahweh. You must offer one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, each without blemish. + +\s5 +\v 37 You must offer their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, making as many offerings as were commanded. +\v 38 You must offer one male goat as a sin offering in addition to the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and their drink offerings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 These are what you must offer to Yahweh at your fixed festivals. These must be in addition to your vows and freewill offerings. You must offer these as your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and fellowship offerings." +\v 40 Moses told the people of Israel everything that Yahweh had commanded him to say. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 30 +\p +\v 1 Moses spoke to the leaders of the tribes of the people of Israel. He said, "This is what Yahweh has commanded. +\v 2 When anyone makes a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind himself with a promise, he must not break his word. He must keep his promise to do everything that comes out of his mouth. + +\s5 +\v 3 When a young woman living in her father's house makes a vow to Yahweh and binds herself with a promise, +\v 4 if her father hears the vow and the promise by which she has bound herself, and if he says nothing to reverse her, then all her vows will remain in force. Every promise by which she has bound herself will remain in force. + +\s5 +\v 5 But if her father hears about her vow and her promise, and if he says nothing to her, then all the vows and promises that she took on herself will remain in force. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 However, if her father hears all the vows she made and her solemn promises with which she has bound herself, and if he overrules her on that same day, then they will not remain in force. Yahweh will forgive her because her father had overruled her. +\v 7 If she marries a man while she is under those vows, or if she makes rash promises with which she obligates herself, those obligations will remain in force. + +\s5 +\v 8 But if her husband stops her on the day that he hears about it, then he cancels the vow that she has made, the rash talk of her lips with which she has bound herself. Yahweh will release her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 But as for a widow or a divorced woman, everything by which she has bound herself will remain in force against her. +\v 10 If a woman made a vow in her husband's house or obligates herself by taking an oath, +\v 11 and her husband hears of it, but he says nothing to her and he does oppose her, then all her vows must stand and the obligations she made must remain in force. + +\s5 +\v 12 But if her husband cancels them on the day that he heard about them, then whatever came out of her lips about her vows or promises will not remain in force. Her husband has canceled them. Yahweh will release her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Every vow or oath a woman takes that binds her to deny herself something may be confirmed or canceled by her husband. +\v 14 But if he says nothing at all to her day after day, then he confirms all her vows and binding promises that she has made. He has confirmed them because he has said nothing to her at the time that he heard about them. + +\s5 +\v 15 If her husband tries to cancel his wife's vow a long time after he has heard about it, then he will be responsible for her sin." +\v 16 These are the statutes that Yahweh commanded Moses to announce—statutes for what is between a man and his wife and between a father and his daughter when she is in her youth in her father's family. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 31 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 2 "Take vengeance on the Midianites for what they did to the Israelites. After doing that, you will die and be gathered to your people." + +\s5 +\v 3 So Moses spoke to the people. He said, "Arm some of your men for war so they may go against Midian and carry out Yahweh's vengeance on it. +\v 4 Every tribe throughout Israel must send a thousand soldiers to war." +\v 5 So out of Israel's thousands of men, one thousand was provided from each tribe, twelve thousand men armed for war. + +\s5 +\v 6 Then Moses sent them to battle, a thousand from every tribe, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, and with some articles from the holy place and the trumpets in his possession for sounding signals. +\v 7 They fought against Midian, as Yahweh had commanded Moses. They killed every man. +\v 8 They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their dead: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor, with the sword. + +\s5 +\v 9 The army of Israel took captive the women of Midian, their children, all their cattle, all their flocks, and all their goods. They took these as plunder. +\v 10 They burned all their cities where they lived and all their camps. + +\s5 +\v 11 They took all the plunder and prisoners, both people and animals. +\v 12 They brought the prisoners, the plunder, and the captured things to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the community of the people of Israel. They brought these to the camp in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan near Jericho. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp. +\v 14 But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the commanders of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from battle. +\v 15 Moses said to them, "Have you let all the women live? + +\s5 +\v 16 Look, these women caused the people of Israel, through Balaam's advice, to commit sin against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, when the plague spread among Yahweh's community. +\v 17 Now then, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has ever slept with a man. + +\s5 +\v 18 But take for yourselves all the young girls who have never slept with a man. +\v 19 You must camp outside the camp of Israel for seven days. All of you who have killed anyone and or have touched any dead person—you must purify yourselves on the third day and on the seventh day—you and your prisoners. +\v 20 You must purify every garment and everything made of animal hide and goats' hair, and everything made of wood." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to war, "This is a decreed law that Yahweh has given to Moses: +\v 22 The gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead, +\v 23 and everything that resists fire, you must put it through the fire, and it will become clean. You must then purify those things with the water of cleansing. Whatever cannot go through the fire you must cleanse with that water. +\v 24 You must wash your clothes on the seventh day, and then you will become clean. Afterward you may come into Israel's camp." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 26 "Count all the plundered things that were taken, both people and animals. You, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the community's ancestor's clans +\v 27 must divide the plunder into two parts. Divide it between the soldiers who went out to battle and all the rest of the community. + +\s5 +\v 28 Then levy a tax to be given to me from the soldiers who went out to battle. This tax must be one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or goats. +\v 29 Take this tax from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest for an offering to be presented to me. + +\s5 +\v 30 Also from the people of Israel's half, you must take one out of every fifty—from the persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, and goats. Give these to the Levites who take care of my tabernacle." +\v 31 So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as Yahweh had commanded Moses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 Now the plunder that remained of what the soldiers had taken was 675,000 sheep, +\v 33 seventy-two thousand oxen, +\v 34 sixty-one thousand donkeys, +\v 35 and thirty-two thousand women who had never slept with any man. + +\s5 +\v 36 The half that was kept for the soldiers numbered 337,000 sheep. +\v 37 Yahweh's part of the sheep was 675. +\v 38 The oxen were thirty-six thousand which Yahweh's tax was seventy-two. + +\s5 +\v 39 The donkeys were 30,500 from which Yahweh's part was sixty-one. +\v 40 The persons were sixteen thousand women of whom Yahweh's tax was thirty-two. +\v 41 Moses took the tax that was to be an offering presented to Yahweh. He gave it to Eleazar the priest, as Yahweh commanded Moses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 As for the people of Israel's half that Moses had taken from the soldiers who had gone to war— +\v 43 the community's half was 337,500 sheep, +\v 44 thirty-six thousand oxen, +\v 45 30,500 donkeys, +\v 46 and sixteen thousand women. + +\s5 +\v 47 From the people of Israel's half, Moses took one out of every fifty, both of people and animals. He gave them to the Levites who kept care of Yahweh's tabernacle, as Yahweh had commanded him to do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 Then the officers of the army, the commanders over thousands and the captains over hundreds, came to Moses. +\v 49 They said to him, "Your servants have counted the soldiers who are under our command, and not one man is missing. + +\s5 +\v 50 We have brought Yahweh's offering, what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before Yahweh." +\v 51 Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them the gold and all the articles of craftsmanship. + +\s5 +\v 52 All the gold of the offering that they gave to Yahweh—the offerings from the commanders of thousands and from the captains of hundreds—weighed 16,750 shekels. +\v 53 Each soldier had taken plunder, each man for himself. +\v 54 Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from the commanders of thousands and captains of hundreds. They took it into the tent of meeting as a reminder of the people of Israel for Yahweh. + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 32 +\p +\v 1 Now the descendants of Reuben and of Gad had large numbers of livestock. When they saw the land of Jazer and Gilead, the land was a wonderful place for livestock. +\v 2 So the descendants of Gad and Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the community. They said, +\v 3 "This is a list of places we have surveyed: Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon. + +\s5 +\v 4 These are the lands that Yahweh attacked before the community of Israel, and they are good places for livestock. We, your servants, have a lot of livestock." +\v 5 They said, "If we have found favor in your eyes, let this land be given to us, your servants, as a possession. Do not make us cross over the Jordan." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Moses replied to the descendants of Gad and Reuben, "Should your brothers go to war while you settle down here? +\v 7 Why discourage the hearts of the people of Israel from going over into the land that Yahweh has given them? + +\s5 +\v 8 Your fathers did the same thing when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to examine the land. +\v 9 They went up to the Valley of Eshkol. They saw the land and then discouraged the hearts of the people of Israel so that they refused to enter the land that Yahweh had given them. + +\s5 +\v 10 Yahweh's anger was kindled on that day. He took an oath and said, +\v 11 'Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and up, will see the land about which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, because they have not completely followed me, except for +\v 12 Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua son of Nun. Only Caleb and Joshua have completely followed me.' + +\s5 +\v 13 So Yahweh's anger was kindled against Israel. He made them wander around in the wilderness for forty years until all the generation who had done evil in his sight was destroyed. +\v 14 Look, you have risen up in your fathers' place, like just more sinful men, to add to Yahweh's burning anger toward Israel. +\v 15 If you turn away from following him, he will again leave Israel in the wilderness and you will have destroyed all this people." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So they came near Moses and said, "Allow us to build fences here for our cattle and cities for our families. +\v 17 However, we ourselves will be ready and armed to go with Israel's army until we have led them into their place. But our families will live in the fortified cities because of the other people who still live in this land. + +\s5 +\v 18 We will not return to our houses until every one of the people of Israel has obtained his inheritance. +\v 19 We will not inherit the land with them on the other side of the Jordan, because our inheritance is here on the east side of the Jordan." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 So Moses replied to them, "If you do what you say, if you arm yourselves to go before Yahweh to war, +\v 21 then every one of your armed men must cross over the Jordan before Yahweh, until he has driven out his enemies from before him +\v 22 and the land is subdued before him. Then afterward you may return. You will be guiltless toward Yahweh and toward Israel. This land will be your possession before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 23 But if you do not do so, look, you will have sinned against Yahweh. Be sure that your sin will find you out. +\v 24 Build cities for your families and pens for your sheep; then do what you have said." +\v 25 The descendants of Gad and Reuben spoke to Moses and said, "Your servants will do as you, our master, commands. + +\s5 +\v 26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock will stay there in the cities of Gilead. +\v 27 However, we, your servants, will cross over before Yahweh to battle, every man who is armed for war, as you, our master, say." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 So Moses gave instructions concerning them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the leaders of the ancestor's clans in the tribes of the people of Israel. +\v 29 Moses said to them, "If the descendants of Gad and Reuben cross over the Jordan with you, every man who is armed to battle before Yahweh, and if the land is subdued before you, then you will give them the land of Gilead as a possession. +\v 30 But if they do not cross over with you armed, then they will acquire their possessions among you in the land of Canaan." + +\s5 +\v 31 So the descendants of Gad and Reuben answered and said, "As Yahweh has said to us, your servants, this is what we will do. +\v 32 We will cross over armed before Yahweh into the land of Canaan, but our possessed inheritance will remain with us on this side of the Jordan." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 So to the descendants of Gad and Reuben, and also to the half tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph, Moses gave the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and of Og, king of Bashan. He gave to them the land, and distributed to them all its cities with their borders, the cities of the land around them. + +\s5 +\v 34 The descendants of Gad rebuilt Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, +\v 35 Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, +\v 36 Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran as fortified cities with pens for sheep. + +\s5 +\v 37 The descendants of Reuben rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, +\v 38 Nebo, Baal Meon—their names were later changed, and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities that they rebuilt. +\v 39 The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it away from the Amorites who were in it. + +\s5 +\v 40 Then Moses gave Gilead to Machir son of Manasseh, and his people settled there. +\v 41 Jair son of Manasseh went and captured its towns and called them Havvoth Jair. +\v 42 Nobah went and captured Kenath and its villages, and he called it Nobah, after his own name. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 33 +\p +\v 1 These were the movements of the people of Israel after they left the land of Egypt by their armed groups under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. +\v 2 Moses wrote down the places from where they left to where they went, as commanded by Yahweh. These were their movements, departure after departure. + +\s5 +\v 3 They traveled from Rameses during the first month, leaving on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the morning after the Passover, the people of Israel left openly, in the sight of all the Egyptians. +\v 4 This happened while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, those whom Yahweh had killed among them, for he also inflicted punishment on their gods. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 The people of Israel set out from Rameses and camped at Succoth. +\v 6 They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. +\v 7 They set out from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, which is opposite Baal Zephon, where they camped opposite Migdol. + +\s5 +\v 8 Then they set out from opposite Pi Hahiroth and passed through the middle of the sea into the wilderness. They traveled three days' journey into the wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah. +\v 9 They set out from Marah and arrived at Elim. At Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. That is where they camped. +\v 10 They set out from Elim and camped by the Sea of Reeds. + +\s5 +\v 11 They set out from the Sea of Reeds and camped in the wilderness of Sin. +\v 12 They set out from the wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah. +\v 13 They set out from Dophkah and camped at Alush. +\v 14 They set out from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where no water was found for the people to drink. + +\s5 +\v 15 They set out from Rephidim and camped in the wilderness of Sinai. +\v 16 They set out from the wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah. +\v 17 They set out from Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth. +\v 18 They set out from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah. + +\s5 +\v 19 They set out from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez. +\v 20 They set out from Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah. +\v 21 They set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah. +\v 22 They set out from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah. + +\s5 +\v 23 They set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher. +\v 24 They set out from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah. +\v 25 They set out from Haradah and camped at Makheloth. +\v 26 They set out from Makheloth and camped at Tahath. + +\s5 +\v 27 They set out from Tahath and camped at Terah. +\v 28 They set out from Terah and camped at Mithkah. +\v 29 They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah. +\v 30 They set out from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth. + +\s5 +\v 31 They set out from Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan. +\v 32 They set out from Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Haggidgad. +\v 33 They set out from Hor Haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah. +\v 34 They set out from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah. + +\s5 +\v 35 They set out from Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber. +\v 36 They set out from Ezion Geber and camped in the wilderness of Zin at Kadesh. +\v 37 They set out from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, at the edge of the land of Edom. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 Aaron the priest went up Mount Hor at Yahweh's command and died there in the fortieth year after the people of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. +\v 39 Aaron was a 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 The Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the southern wilderness in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 They set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah. +\v 42 They set out from Zalmonah and camped at Punon. +\v 43 They set out from Punon and camped at Oboth. + +\s5 +\v 44 They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim, on the border of Moab. +\v 45 They set out from Iye Abarim and camped at Dibon Gad. +\v 46 They set out from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim. + +\s5 +\v 47 They set out from Almon Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, opposite Nebo. +\v 48 They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. +\v 49 They camped by the Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab. + +\s5 +\p +\v 50 Yahweh spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said, +\v 51 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, +\v 52 then you must drive out all the land's inhabitants before you. You must destroy all their carved figures. You must destroy all their cast figures and demolish all their high places. + +\s5 +\v 53 You must take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given you the land to possess. +\v 54 You must inherit the land by lot, according to each clan. To the larger clans you must give a larger share of land, and to the smaller clans you must give a smaller share of land. Wherever the lot falls to each clan, that land will belong to it. You will inherit the land according to your ancestors' tribes. + +\s5 +\v 55 But if you do not drive out the land's inhabitants before you, then the people you allow to stay will become like objects in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will make your lives difficult in the land where you settle. +\v 56 Then it will happen that what I now intend to do to those people, I will do also to you.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 34 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 2 "Command the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you enter the land of Canaan, the land that will belong to you, the land of Canaan and its borders, +\v 3 your southern border will extend from the wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. The eastern end of the southern border will be on a line that ends at the southern end of the Salt Sea. + +\s5 +\v 4 Your border will turn south from the hill of Akrabbim and pass along through the wilderness of Zin. From there, it will run south of Kadesh Barnea and continue to Hazar Addar and further to Azmon. +\v 5 From there, the border will turn from Azmon toward the brook of Egypt and follow it to the sea. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 The western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea. This will be your western border. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Your northern border will extend along a line that you must mark out from the Great Sea to Mount Hor, +\v 8 then from Mount Hor to Lebo Hamath, then on to Zedad. +\v 9 Then the border will continue to Ziphron and end at Hazar Enan. This will be your northern border. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then you must mark out your eastern border from Hazar Enan south to Shepham. +\v 11 Then the eastern border will go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain. The border will continue along the east side of the Sea of Kinnereth. +\v 12 Then the border will continue south along the Jordan River to the Salt Sea and continue down the eastern border of the Salt Sea. This will be your land, following its borders all around.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then Moses commanded the people of Israel and said, "This is the land that you will receive by lot, which Yahweh has commanded to give to the nine tribes and to the half tribe. +\v 14 The tribe of the descendants of Reuben, following the assignment of property to their ancestor's tribe, and the tribe of the descendants of Gad, following the assignment of property to their ancestor's tribe, and the half tribe of Manasseh have all received their land. +\v 15 The two tribes and the half tribe have received their share of land beyond the Jordan at Jericho eastward, toward the sunrise." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 17 "These are the names of the men who will divide the land for your inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun. +\v 18 You must choose one leader from every tribe to divide the land for their clans. + +\s5 +\v 19 These are the names of the men: +\q1 From the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh. +\q1 +\v 20 From the tribe of the descendants of Simeon, Shemuel son of Ammihud. +\q1 + +\s5 +\v 21 From the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad son of Kislon. +\q1 +\v 22 From of the tribe of the descendants of Dan a leader, Bukki son of Jogli. +\q1 +\v 23 From the descendants of Joseph, of the tribe of the descendants of Manasseh a leader, Hanniel son of Ephod. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 24 From the tribe of the descendants of Ephraim a leader, Kemuel son of Shiphtan. +\q1 +\v 25 From the tribe of the descendants of Zebulun a leader, Elizaphan son of Parnak. +\q1 +\v 26 From the tribe of the descendants of Issachar a leader, Paltiel son of Azzan. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 27 From the tribe of the descendants of Asher a leader, Ahihud son of Shelomi. +\q1 +\v 28 From the tribe of the descendants of Naphtali a leader, Pedahel son of Ammihud." +\m +\v 29 Yahweh commanded these men to divide the land of Canaan and to give each of the tribes of Israel their share. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 35 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho and said, +\v 2 "Command the people of Israel to give some of their own shares of land to the Levites. They must give them cities to live in and pastureland surrounding those cities. +\s5 +\v 3 The Levites will have these cities to live in. The pastureland will be for their cattle, their flocks, and all their animals. +\v 4 The pasturelands around the cities that you will give to the Levites must extend from the city walls for one thousand cubits in every direction. + +\s5 +\v 5 You must measure two thousand cubits from outside the city on the east side, and two thousand cubits to the south side, two thousand cubits to the west side, and two thousand cubits to the north side. This will be the pasturelands for their cities. The cities will be in the center. + +\s5 +\v 6 Six of the cities that you will give to Levites must serve as cities of refuge. You must provide these as places to which a person who has killed someone can flee. Also provide forty-two other cities. +\v 7 The cities that you give to the Levites will total forty-eight. You must give their pasturelands with them. + +\s5 +\v 8 The larger tribes of the people of Israel, the tribes that have more land, must provide more cities. The smaller tribes will provide fewer cities. Each tribe must provide for the Levites according to the share that it has received." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, +\v 10 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, +\v 11 then you must choose cities to serve as cities of refuge for you, a place to which a person who has killed someone unintentionally may flee. + +\s5 +\v 12 These cities must be your refuge from the avenger, so that the accused man will not be killed without first standing trial before the community. +\v 13 You must choose six cities as cities of refuge. + +\s5 +\v 14 You must provide three cities beyond the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan. They will be cities of refuge. +\v 15 For the people of Israel, for the foreigners, for anyone living among you, these six cities will serve as a refuge to which anyone who kills someone unintentionally can flee. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 But if an accused man has struck his victim with an instrument of iron, and if his victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death. +\v 17 If an accused man has struck his victim with a stone in his hand that might kill the victim, and if his victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death. +\v 18 If an accused man has struck his victim with a wooden weapon that might kill the victim, and if the victim dies, then the accused is indeed a murderer. He must certainly be put to death. + +\s5 +\v 19 The avenger of blood may put the murderer to death. When he meets him, the avenger of blood must put him to death. +\v 20 If he strikes another in hatred or throws something at him, while hiding to ambush him, so that the victim dies, +\v 21 or if he strikes him down in hatred with his hand so that the victim dies, then the accused who struck him must surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood may put the murderer to death when he meets him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 But if an accused man suddenly hits a victim without premeditated hate or throws something that hits the victim without lying in wait +\v 23 or if he throws a stone that could kill a victim without seeing the victim, then the accused was not the victim's enemy; he was not trying to hurt the victim. But this is what to do if the victim dies anyway. + +\s5 +\v 24 In that case, the community must judge between the accused and the avenger of blood on the basis of these rules. +\v 25 The community must rescue the accused from the power of the avenger of blood. The community must return the accused to the city of refuge to which he had originally fled. He must live there until the death of the current high priest, the one who was anointed with the holy oil. + +\s5 +\v 26 But if the accused man at any time goes beyond the border of the city of refuge to which he fled, +\v 27 and if the avenger of blood finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, and if he kills the accused man, the avenger of blood will not be guilty of murder. +\v 28 This is because the accused man should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. After the death of the high priest, the accused may return to the land where he has his own property. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 These laws must be statutes for you through all your people's generations in all the places where you live. +\v 30 Whoever kills any person, the murderer must be killed, as testified to by the words of witnesses. But one witness' word alone may not cause any person to be put to death. + +\s5 +\v 31 Also, you must not accept ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of murder. He must certainly be put to death. +\v 32 You must not accept ransom for the one who has fled to a city of refuge. You must not in this way allow him to reside on his own property until the high priest dies. + +\s5 +\v 33 Do not pollute in this way the land where you live, because blood from murder pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land when blood has been shed on it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. +\v 34 So you must not defile the land in which you live because I am living in it. I, Yahweh, live among the people of Israel.'" + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 36 +\p +\v 1 Then the leaders of the ancestors' families of the clan of Gilead son of Machir (who was Manasseh's son), who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses and before the leaders who were the heads of the ancestor's families of the people of Israel. +\v 2 They said, "Yahweh commanded you, our master, to give a share of land by lot to the people of Israel. You were commanded by Yahweh to give the share of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. + +\s5 +\v 3 But if his daughters marry men in another tribe of the people of Israel, then their share of land will be removed from our ancestor's share. It will be added to the share of the tribes that they join. In that case, it will be removed from the assigned share of our inheritance. +\v 4 In that case, when the year of Jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their share will be joined to the share of the tribe that they have joined. In this way, their share will be taken away from the share of our ancestors' tribe." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 So Moses gave a command to the people of Israel, at Yahweh's word. He said, "What the tribe of Joseph's descendants says is right. +\v 6 This is what Yahweh commands concerning Zelophehad's daughters. He says, 'Let them be married to whom they think best, but they must marry only within the family of their father's tribe.' + +\s5 +\v 7 No share of the people of Israel must change from one tribe to another. Each one of the people of Israel must continue with the share of his ancestor's tribe. + +\s5 +\v 8 Every woman of the people of Israel who owns a share in her tribe must marry someone from the clans belonging to her father's tribe. This is so that everyone of the people of Israel may own an inheritance from his ancestors. +\v 9 No share may change hands from one tribe to another. Everyone of the tribes of the people of Israel must keep his own inheritance." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 So Zelophehad's daughters did as Yahweh had commanded Moses. +\v 11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, married descendants of Manasseh. +\v 12 They married into the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph. In this way, their inheritances remained in the tribe to which their father's clan belonged. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 These are the commands and the decrees that Yahweh gave by Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. + diff --git a/05-DEU.usfm b/05-DEU.usfm index 69c2eac6..0f305561 100644 --- a/05-DEU.usfm +++ b/05-DEU.usfm @@ -4,101 +4,101 @@ \toc1 The Book of Deuteronomy \toc2 Deuteronomy \toc3 Deu -\mt Deuteronomy -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain of the Jordan River valley over against Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. -\v 2 It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. - -\s5 -\v 3 It happened in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the people of Israel, telling them all that Yahweh commanded him concerning them. -\v 4 This was after Yahweh had attacked Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth at Edrei. - -\s5 -\v 5 Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to announce these instructions, saying, -\v 6 "Yahweh our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have lived long enough in this hill country. - -\s5 -\v 7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the places near there in the plain of the Jordan River valley, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the Negev, and by the seashore—the land of the Canaanites, and in Lebanon as far as the great river, the Euphrates. -\v 8 Look, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land that Yahweh swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob—to give to them and to their descendants after them.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 I spoke to you at that time, saying, 'I am not able to carry you myself alone. -\v 10 Yahweh your God has multiplied you, and, look, you are today as the multitude of the stars of heaven. -\v 11 May Yahweh, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are, and bless you, as he has promised you! - -\s5 -\v 12 But how can I myself alone carry your loads, your burdens, and your disputes? -\v 13 Take wise men, understanding men, and men of good repute from each tribe, and I will make them heads over you.' -\v 14 You answered me and said, 'The thing that you have spoken is good for us to do.' - -\s5 -\v 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise men, and men of good repute, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, tribe by tribe. -\v 16 I commanded your judges at that time, saying, 'Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is with him. - -\s5 -\v 17 You will not show partiality to anyone in a dispute; you will hear the small and the great alike. You will not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God's. The dispute that is too hard for you, you will bring to me, and I will hear it.' -\v 18 I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 We journeyed away from Horeb and went through all that great and terrible wilderness that you saw, on our way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Yahweh our God had commanded us; and we came to Kadesh Barnea. - -\s5 -\v 20 I said to you, 'You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which Yahweh our God is giving to us. -\v 21 Look, Yahweh your God has set the land before you; go up, take possession, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you; do not be afraid, neither be discouraged.' - -\s5 -\v 22 Every one of you came to me and said, 'Let us send men ahead of us, so that they may search out the land for us, and bring us word about the way by which we should attack, and about the cities to which we will come.' -\v 23 The advice pleased me well; I took twelve men of you, one man for every tribe. -\v 24 They turned and went up into the hill country, came to the Valley of Eshkol, and scouted it. - -\s5 -\v 25 They took some of the produce of the land in their hands and brought it down to us. They also brought us word and said, 'It is a good land that Yahweh our God is giving to us.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Yet you refused to attack, but rebelled against the commandment of Yahweh your God. -\v 27 You complained in your tents and said, "It is because Yahweh hated us that he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us. -\v 28 Where can we go now? Our brothers have made our heart to melt, saying, 'Those people are bigger and taller than we are; their cities are large and are fortified up to the heavens; moreover, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.'" - -\s5 -\v 29 Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, neither be afraid of them. -\v 30 Yahweh your God, who goes before you, he will fight for you, like everything that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, -\v 31 and also in the wilderness, where you have seen how Yahweh your God carried you, as a man carries his son, everywhere you went until you came to this place.' - -\s5 -\v 32 Yet in spite of this word you did not believe Yahweh your God, -\v 33 who went before you on the way to find a place for you to make camp, in fire by night and in a cloud by day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 Yahweh heard the sound of your words and was angry; he swore and said, -\v 35 'Surely not one of these men of this evil generation will see the good land that I swore to give to your ancestors, -\v 36 save Caleb son of Jephunneh; he will see it. To him I will give the land that he has stepped on, and to his children, because he has wholly followed Yahweh.' - -\s5 -\v 37 Also Yahweh was angry with me because of you, saying, 'You also will not go in there; -\v 38 Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, he will go in there; encourage him, for he will lead Israel to inherit it. - -\s5 -\v 39 Moreover, your little children, the ones you said would be victims, who today have no knowledge of good or evil—they will go in there. To them I will give it, and they will possess it. -\v 40 But as for you, turn and take your journey into the wilderness along the way to the Sea of Reeds.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Then you answered and said to me, 'We have sinned against Yahweh; we will go up and fight, and we will follow all that Yahweh our God has commanded us to do.' Every man among you put on his weapons of war, and you were ready to attack the hill country. -\v 42 Yahweh said to me, 'Say to them, "Do not attack and do not fight, for I will not be with you, and you will be defeated by your enemies.' - -\s5 -\v 43 I spoke to you in this way, but you did not listen. You rebelled against the commandment of Yahweh; you were arrogant and attacked the hill country. -\v 44 But the Amorites, who lived in that hill country, came out against you and chased you like bees, and struck you down in Seir, as far as Hormah. - -\s5 -\v 45 You returned and wept before Yahweh; but Yahweh did not listen to your voice, nor did he pay attention to you. -\v 46 So you stayed in Kadesh many days, all the days that you stayed there. +\mt Deuteronomy +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain of the Jordan River valley over against Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. +\v 2 It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. + +\s5 +\v 3 It happened in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spoke to the people of Israel, telling them all that Yahweh commanded him concerning them. +\v 4 This was after Yahweh had attacked Sihon the king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth at Edrei. + +\s5 +\v 5 Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to announce these instructions, saying, +\v 6 "Yahweh our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, 'You have lived long enough in this hill country. + +\s5 +\v 7 Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the places near there in the plain of the Jordan River valley, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the Negev, and by the seashore—the land of the Canaanites, and in Lebanon as far as the great river, the Euphrates. +\v 8 Look, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land that Yahweh swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob—to give to them and to their descendants after them.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 I spoke to you at that time, saying, 'I am not able to carry you myself alone. +\v 10 Yahweh your God has multiplied you, and, look, you are today as the multitude of the stars of heaven. +\v 11 May Yahweh, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are, and bless you, as he has promised you! + +\s5 +\v 12 But how can I myself alone carry your loads, your burdens, and your disputes? +\v 13 Take wise men, understanding men, and men of good repute from each tribe, and I will make them heads over you.' +\v 14 You answered me and said, 'The thing that you have spoken is good for us to do.' + +\s5 +\v 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise men, and men of good repute, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, tribe by tribe. +\v 16 I commanded your judges at that time, saying, 'Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is with him. + +\s5 +\v 17 You will not show partiality to anyone in a dispute; you will hear the small and the great alike. You will not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is God's. The dispute that is too hard for you, you will bring to me, and I will hear it.' +\v 18 I commanded you at that time all the things that you should do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 We journeyed away from Horeb and went through all that great and terrible wilderness that you saw, on our way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Yahweh our God had commanded us; and we came to Kadesh Barnea. + +\s5 +\v 20 I said to you, 'You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which Yahweh our God is giving to us. +\v 21 Look, Yahweh your God has set the land before you; go up, take possession, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you; do not be afraid, neither be discouraged.' + +\s5 +\v 22 Every one of you came to me and said, 'Let us send men ahead of us, so that they may search out the land for us, and bring us word about the way by which we should attack, and about the cities to which we will come.' +\v 23 The advice pleased me well; I took twelve men of you, one man for every tribe. +\v 24 They turned and went up into the hill country, came to the Valley of Eshkol, and scouted it. + +\s5 +\v 25 They took some of the produce of the land in their hands and brought it down to us. They also brought us word and said, 'It is a good land that Yahweh our God is giving to us.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Yet you refused to attack, but rebelled against the commandment of Yahweh your God. +\v 27 You complained in your tents and said, "It is because Yahweh hated us that he has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to give us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us. +\v 28 Where can we go now? Our brothers have made our heart to melt, saying, 'Those people are bigger and taller than we are; their cities are large and are fortified up to the heavens; moreover, we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.'" + +\s5 +\v 29 Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified, neither be afraid of them. +\v 30 Yahweh your God, who goes before you, he will fight for you, like everything that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, +\v 31 and also in the wilderness, where you have seen how Yahweh your God carried you, as a man carries his son, everywhere you went until you came to this place.' + +\s5 +\v 32 Yet in spite of this word you did not believe Yahweh your God, +\v 33 who went before you on the way to find a place for you to make camp, in fire by night and in a cloud by day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 Yahweh heard the sound of your words and was angry; he swore and said, +\v 35 'Surely not one of these men of this evil generation will see the good land that I swore to give to your ancestors, +\v 36 save Caleb son of Jephunneh; he will see it. To him I will give the land that he has stepped on, and to his children, because he has wholly followed Yahweh.' + +\s5 +\v 37 Also Yahweh was angry with me because of you, saying, 'You also will not go in there; +\v 38 Joshua son of Nun, who stands before you, he will go in there; encourage him, for he will lead Israel to inherit it. + +\s5 +\v 39 Moreover, your little children, the ones you said would be victims, who today have no knowledge of good or evil—they will go in there. To them I will give it, and they will possess it. +\v 40 But as for you, turn and take your journey into the wilderness along the way to the Sea of Reeds.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Then you answered and said to me, 'We have sinned against Yahweh; we will go up and fight, and we will follow all that Yahweh our God has commanded us to do.' Every man among you put on his weapons of war, and you were ready to attack the hill country. +\v 42 Yahweh said to me, 'Say to them, "Do not attack and do not fight, for I will not be with you, and you will be defeated by your enemies.' + +\s5 +\v 43 I spoke to you in this way, but you did not listen. You rebelled against the commandment of Yahweh; you were arrogant and attacked the hill country. +\v 44 But the Amorites, who lived in that hill country, came out against you and chased you like bees, and struck you down in Seir, as far as Hormah. + +\s5 +\v 45 You returned and wept before Yahweh; but Yahweh did not listen to your voice, nor did he pay attention to you. +\v 46 So you stayed in Kadesh many days, all the days that you stayed there. \s5 @@ -179,315 +179,315 @@ \v 37 It was only to the land of the descendants of Ammon that you did not go, as well as all the side of the Jabbok River, and the cities of the hill country—wherever Yahweh our God had forbidden us to go. - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan. Og, the king of Bashan, came and attacked us, he and all his people, to fight at Edrei. -\v 2 Yahweh said to me, 'Do not fear him; for I have given you victory over him and have put all his people and his land under your control. You will do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.' - -\s5 -\v 3 So Yahweh our God also gave us victory over Og the king of Bashan, and all his people were put under our control. We struck them down until not one of his people remained. -\v 4 We took all his cities at that time. There was not one of the sixty cities that we did not take from them—all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. - -\s5 -\v 5 These were all cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars; this was besides very many unwalled villages. -\v 6 We completely destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, completely destroying every city—men and the women and the little ones. -\v 7 But all the cattle and the spoil of the cities, we took as spoils for ourselves. - -\s5 -\v 8 At that time we took the land out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon -\v 9 (Mount Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir) -\v 10 and all the cities of the plain, all Gilead, and all Bashan, all the way to Salekah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan." - -\s5 -\v 11 (For of the remnant of the Rephaim, only Og king of Bashan had remained. Look! His bed was a bed of iron. Was it not in Rabbah, where the descendants of Ammon live? It was nine cubits long and four cubits wide, the way people measure.) - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 "This land that we took in possession at that time—from Aroer, that is by the Valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead, and its cities—I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites. -\v 13 The rest of Gilead and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half tribe of Manasseh. (All the region of Argob, and all Bashan. The same territory is called the land of Rephaim. - -\s5 -\v 14 Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took all the region of Argob to the border of the Geshurites and the Maakathites. He called the region, even Bashan, by his own name, Havvoth Jair, to this day.) - -\s5 -\v 15 I gave Gilead to Machir. -\v 16 To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave territory from Gilead to the Valley of the Arnon—the middle of the valley is the territory's border—and to the Jabbok River, which is the border with the descendants of Ammon. - -\s5 -\v 17 Another of its borders is also the plain of the Jordan River valley, from Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Salt Sea) to the slopes of Mount Pisgah eastward. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 I commanded you at that time, saying, 'Yahweh your God has given you this land to possess it; you, all the men of war, will pass over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 19 But your wives, your little ones, and your cattle (I know that you have much cattle), will stay in your cities that I have given you, -\v 20 until Yahweh gives rest to your brothers, as he has to you, until they also possess the land that Yahweh your God is giving them beyond the Jordan; then will you return, every man of you, to your own property that I have given you.' - -\s5 -\v 21 I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, 'Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh your God has done to these two kings; Yahweh will do the same to all the kingdoms where you go over. -\v 22 You will not fear them, for Yahweh your God is the one who will fight for you.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 I implored Yahweh at that time, saying, -\v 24 'O Lord Yahweh, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or in earth that can do the same works as you have done, and the same mighty acts? -\v 25 Let me go over, I beg you, and see the good land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country, and also Lebanon.' - -\s5 -\v 26 But Yahweh was angry with me because of you; he did not listen to me. Yahweh said to me, 'Let this be enough for you—speak no more to me about this matter: -\v 27 go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward, northward, southward, and eastward; look with your eyes, for you will not go over the Jordan. - -\s5 -\v 28 Instead, instruct Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will go over before this people, and he will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.' -\v 29 So we stayed in the valley opposite Beth Peor. - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Now, Israel, listen to the laws and the decrees that I am about to teach you, to do them; so that you may live and go in and possess the land that Yahweh, the God of your fathers, is giving you. -\v 2 You will not add to the words that I command you, neither will you diminish them, so that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God that I am about to command you. - -\s5 -\v 3 Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of Baal Peor; for all the men who followed the Baal of Peor, Yahweh your God has destroyed them from among you. -\v 4 But you who clung to Yahweh your God are alive today, every one of you. - -\s5 -\v 5 Look, I have taught you laws and decrees, as Yahweh my God had commanded me, that you should do so in the midst of the land which you are going into in order to possess it. -\v 6 Therefore keep them and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear about all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' - -\s5 -\v 7 For what other great nation is there that has a god so near to them, as Yahweh our God is whenever we call upon him? -\v 8 What other great nation is there that has laws and decrees so righteous as all this law that I am setting before you today? - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Only pay attention and carefully guard yourself, so that you do not forget the things that your eyes have seen, so that they do not leave your heart for all the days of your life. Instead, make them known to your children and your children's children. -\v 10 On the day that you stood before Yahweh your God at Horeb, when Yahweh said to me, 'Assemble me the people, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.' - -\s5 -\v 11 You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain. The mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. -\v 12 Yahweh spoke to you out of the middle of the fire; you heard the voice with its words, but you saw no form; you only heard a voice. - -\s5 -\v 13 He declared to you his covenant that he commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments. He wrote them on two tablets of stone. -\v 14 Yahweh commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and ordinances, so that you might do them in the land that you are crossing over to take possession of. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 So take great heed to yourselves—for you saw no kind of form on the day that Yahweh spoke to you at Horeb out of the middle of the fire— -\v 16 that you do not corrupt yourselves and by making a carved image in the form of any figure, in the likeness of male or female, -\v 17 the likeness of any animal on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the heavens, -\v 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, or the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth. - -\s5 -\v 19 You shall not lift your eyes up to the heavens and look at the sun, the moon, or the stars—all the host of the heavens—and be drawn away to worship them and adore them—those things of which Yahweh your God has given a share all the peoples under the whole sky. -\v 20 But Yahweh has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of his own inheritance, as you are today. - -\s5 -\v 21 Yahweh was angry with me because of you; he swore that I should not go over the Jordan, and that I should not go into that good land, the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you as an inheritance. -\v 22 Instead, I must die in this land; I must not go over the Jordan; but you will go over and possess that good land. - -\s5 -\v 23 Pay attention to yourselves, so that you do not forget the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything that Yahweh your God has forbidden you to make. -\v 24 For Yahweh your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 When you beget children and children's children, and when you will have been in the land for a long time, and if you corrupt yourselves and make a carved figure in the form of anything, and do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God, to provoke him to anger— -\v 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that you will soon utterly perish from off the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but you will be completely destroyed. - -\s5 -\v 27 Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations, where Yahweh will lead you away. -\v 28 There you will serve other gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, hear, eat, nor smell. - -\s5 -\v 29 But from there you will seek Yahweh your God, and you will find him, when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. - -\s5 -\v 30 When you are in distress, and when all these things will have come on you, in those later days you will return to Yahweh your God and listen to his voice. -\v 31 For Yahweh your God is a merciful God; he will not fail you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers that he swore to them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 Ask now about the days that are past, which were before your time, since the day that God created man on the earth, ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether there has been anything so great as this, or has anything like it ever been heard? -\v 33 Did ever a people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live? - -\s5 -\v 34 Or has God ever attempted to go and take for himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, as everything that Yahweh your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? - -\s5 -\v 35 To you these things were shown, so that you might know that Yahweh is God, and that there is no one else besides him. -\v 36 Out of heaven he made you to hear his voice, so that he might instruct you; on earth he made you see his great fire; you heard his words out of the midst of the fire. - -\s5 -\v 37 Because he loved your fathers, he chose their descendants after them, and brought you out of Egypt with his presence, with his great power; -\v 38 in order to drive out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as today. - -\s5 -\v 39 Know therefore today, and lay it on your heart, that Yahweh is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no one else. -\v 40 You will keep his statutes and his commandments that I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you forever." - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Then Moses selected three cities on the east side of the Jordan, -\v 42 so that anyone might flee to one of them if he killed another person accidentally, without being his enemy previously. By fleeing to one of these cities, he might survive. -\v 43 They were: Bezer in the wilderness, the plain country, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 This is the law that Moses placed before the people of Israel; -\v 45 these are the covenant decrees, laws, and other decrees that he spoke to the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt, -\v 46 when they were east of the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the people of Israel had defeated when they came out of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 47 They took his land as a possession, and the land of Og king of Bashan—these, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the east. -\v 48 This territory went from Aroer, on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, to Mount Sion (or Mount Hermon), -\v 49 and included all of the plain of the Jordan River valley, eastward beyond the Jordan, to the Sea of the Arabah, to the slopes of Mount Pisgah. - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Moses called to all Israel and said to them, "Listen, Israel, to the statutes and the decrees that I will speak in your ears today, that you may learn them and keep them. -\v 2 Yahweh our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. -\v 3 Yahweh did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with us, all of us alive here today. - -\s5 -\v 4 Yahweh spoke with you face to face on the mount out of the middle of the fire -\v 5 (I stood between Yahweh and you at that time, to reveal to you his word; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain). Yahweh said, -\p -\v 6 'I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 You will have no other gods before me. -\p -\v 8 You will not make for yourself a carved figure nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water below. - -\s5 -\v 9 You will not bow down to them or serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God. I punish the -ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the children, to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, -\v 10 and showing covenant faithfulness to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 You will not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy, as Yahweh your God commanded you. -\v 13 For six days you will labor and do all your work; -\v 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. On it you will not do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor any foreigner who is within your gates. This is so that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. - -\s5 -\v 15 You will call to mind that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore Yahweh your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God has commanded you to do, that you may live a long time in the land that Yahweh your God gives you, and so that it may go well with you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 You will not murder. -\p -\v 18 You will not commit adultery. -\p -\v 19 You will not steal. -\p -\v 20 You will not give false witness against your neighbor. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 You will not covet your neighbor's wife, you will not covet your neighbor's house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 These words Yahweh spoke in a loud voice to all your assembly on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness; he did not add any more words. He wrote them down on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. - -\s5 -\v 23 It came about, when you heard the voice out of the middle of the darkness, while the mountain was burning, that you came near to me—all your elders and the heads of your tribes. -\v 24 You said, 'Look, Yahweh our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the middle of the fire; we have seen today that when God speaks with people, they can live. - -\s5 -\v 25 But why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of Yahweh our God any longer, we will die. -\v 26 For who besides us is there among all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speak out of the middle of the fire and lived, as we have done? -\v 27 As for you, you should go and listen to everything that Yahweh our God says; repeat to us everything that Yahweh our God says to you; we will listen to it and obey it.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Yahweh heard your words when you spoke to me. He said to me, 'I have heard the words of this people, what they said to you. What they said was good. -\v 29 Oh, that there were such a heart in them, that they would honor me and always keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their children forever! -\v 30 Go say to them, "Return to your tents." - -\s5 -\v 31 But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, the statutes, and the decrees that you will teach them, so that they may keep them in the land that I will give them to possess.' - -\s5 -\v 32 You will keep, therefore, what Yahweh your God has commanded you; you will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. -\v 33 You will walk in all the ways that Yahweh your God has commanded you, so that you may live, and so that it may go well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that you will possess. - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 Now these are the commandments, statutes, and decrees that Yahweh your God has commanded me to teach you, so that you might keep them in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess; -\v 2 so that you might honor Yahweh your God, so as to keep all his statutes and commandments that I am commanding you—you, your sons, and your sons' sons, all the days of your lives, so that your days may be prolonged. - -\s5 -\v 3 Therefore listen to them, Israel, and keep them, so that it may go well with you, so that you may greatly multiply, in a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised you would do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Listen, Israel: Yahweh our God is one. -\v 5 You will love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. - -\s5 -\v 6 The words that I am commanding you today will be in your heart; -\v 7 and you will diligently teach them to your children; you will talk about them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. - -\s5 -\v 8 You will tie them as a sign upon your hand, and they will serve as frontlets between your eyes. -\v 9 You will write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 When Yahweh your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, that he would give you, with large and very good cities that you did not build, -\v 11 and houses full of all kinds of good things that you did not make, cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant, you will eat and be satisfied— -\v 12 then be careful so that you do not forget Yahweh, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. - -\s5 -\v 13 You will honor Yahweh your God; him you will worship, and you will swear by his name. -\v 14 You will not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you— -\v 15 for Yahweh your God in the midst of you is a jealous God—if you do, the anger of Yahweh your God will be kindled against you and he will destroy you from the surface of the earth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 You will not test Yahweh your God as you tested him at Massah. -\v 17 You will diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, his solemn commands, and his statutes, that he has commanded you. - -\s5 -\v 18 You will do what is right and good in the sight of Yahweh, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land that Yahweh swore to your fathers, -\v 19 to drive out all your enemies from before you, as Yahweh has said. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What are the covenant decrees, the statutes, and the other decrees that Yahweh our God commanded you?' -\v 21 then you will say to your son, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt; Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, -\v 22 and he displayed signs and wonders, great and severe, on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his house, before our eyes; -\v 23 and he brought us out from there, so that he might bring us in, to give us the land that he swore to our fathers. - -\s5 -\v 24 Yahweh commanded us to always keep all these statutes, to fear Yahweh our God for our good, so that he might keep us alive, as we are today. -\v 25 If we keep all these commands before Yahweh our God, as he has commanded us, this will be our righteousness.' - - + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Then we turned and went up the way to Bashan. Og, the king of Bashan, came and attacked us, he and all his people, to fight at Edrei. +\v 2 Yahweh said to me, 'Do not fear him; for I have given you victory over him and have put all his people and his land under your control. You will do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.' + +\s5 +\v 3 So Yahweh our God also gave us victory over Og the king of Bashan, and all his people were put under our control. We struck them down until not one of his people remained. +\v 4 We took all his cities at that time. There was not one of the sixty cities that we did not take from them—all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan. + +\s5 +\v 5 These were all cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars; this was besides very many unwalled villages. +\v 6 We completely destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, completely destroying every city—men and the women and the little ones. +\v 7 But all the cattle and the spoil of the cities, we took as spoils for ourselves. + +\s5 +\v 8 At that time we took the land out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan, from the Valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon +\v 9 (Mount Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir) +\v 10 and all the cities of the plain, all Gilead, and all Bashan, all the way to Salekah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan." + +\s5 +\v 11 (For of the remnant of the Rephaim, only Og king of Bashan had remained. Look! His bed was a bed of iron. Was it not in Rabbah, where the descendants of Ammon live? It was nine cubits long and four cubits wide, the way people measure.) + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 "This land that we took in possession at that time—from Aroer, that is by the Valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead, and its cities—I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites. +\v 13 The rest of Gilead and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half tribe of Manasseh. (All the region of Argob, and all Bashan. The same territory is called the land of Rephaim. + +\s5 +\v 14 Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took all the region of Argob to the border of the Geshurites and the Maakathites. He called the region, even Bashan, by his own name, Havvoth Jair, to this day.) + +\s5 +\v 15 I gave Gilead to Machir. +\v 16 To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave territory from Gilead to the Valley of the Arnon—the middle of the valley is the territory's border—and to the Jabbok River, which is the border with the descendants of Ammon. + +\s5 +\v 17 Another of its borders is also the plain of the Jordan River valley, from Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Salt Sea) to the slopes of Mount Pisgah eastward. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 I commanded you at that time, saying, 'Yahweh your God has given you this land to possess it; you, all the men of war, will pass over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 19 But your wives, your little ones, and your cattle (I know that you have much cattle), will stay in your cities that I have given you, +\v 20 until Yahweh gives rest to your brothers, as he has to you, until they also possess the land that Yahweh your God is giving them beyond the Jordan; then will you return, every man of you, to your own property that I have given you.' + +\s5 +\v 21 I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, 'Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh your God has done to these two kings; Yahweh will do the same to all the kingdoms where you go over. +\v 22 You will not fear them, for Yahweh your God is the one who will fight for you.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 I implored Yahweh at that time, saying, +\v 24 'O Lord Yahweh, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or in earth that can do the same works as you have done, and the same mighty acts? +\v 25 Let me go over, I beg you, and see the good land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country, and also Lebanon.' + +\s5 +\v 26 But Yahweh was angry with me because of you; he did not listen to me. Yahweh said to me, 'Let this be enough for you—speak no more to me about this matter: +\v 27 go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward, northward, southward, and eastward; look with your eyes, for you will not go over the Jordan. + +\s5 +\v 28 Instead, instruct Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will go over before this people, and he will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.' +\v 29 So we stayed in the valley opposite Beth Peor. + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Now, Israel, listen to the laws and the decrees that I am about to teach you, to do them; so that you may live and go in and possess the land that Yahweh, the God of your fathers, is giving you. +\v 2 You will not add to the words that I command you, neither will you diminish them, so that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God that I am about to command you. + +\s5 +\v 3 Your eyes have seen what Yahweh did because of Baal Peor; for all the men who followed the Baal of Peor, Yahweh your God has destroyed them from among you. +\v 4 But you who clung to Yahweh your God are alive today, every one of you. + +\s5 +\v 5 Look, I have taught you laws and decrees, as Yahweh my God had commanded me, that you should do so in the midst of the land which you are going into in order to possess it. +\v 6 Therefore keep them and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear about all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' + +\s5 +\v 7 For what other great nation is there that has a god so near to them, as Yahweh our God is whenever we call upon him? +\v 8 What other great nation is there that has laws and decrees so righteous as all this law that I am setting before you today? + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Only pay attention and carefully guard yourself, so that you do not forget the things that your eyes have seen, so that they do not leave your heart for all the days of your life. Instead, make them known to your children and your children's children. +\v 10 On the day that you stood before Yahweh your God at Horeb, when Yahweh said to me, 'Assemble me the people, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.' + +\s5 +\v 11 You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain. The mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. +\v 12 Yahweh spoke to you out of the middle of the fire; you heard the voice with its words, but you saw no form; you only heard a voice. + +\s5 +\v 13 He declared to you his covenant that he commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments. He wrote them on two tablets of stone. +\v 14 Yahweh commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and ordinances, so that you might do them in the land that you are crossing over to take possession of. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 So take great heed to yourselves—for you saw no kind of form on the day that Yahweh spoke to you at Horeb out of the middle of the fire— +\v 16 that you do not corrupt yourselves and by making a carved image in the form of any figure, in the likeness of male or female, +\v 17 the likeness of any animal on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the heavens, +\v 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, or the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth. + +\s5 +\v 19 You shall not lift your eyes up to the heavens and look at the sun, the moon, or the stars—all the host of the heavens—and be drawn away to worship them and adore them—those things of which Yahweh your God has given a share all the peoples under the whole sky. +\v 20 But Yahweh has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of his own inheritance, as you are today. + +\s5 +\v 21 Yahweh was angry with me because of you; he swore that I should not go over the Jordan, and that I should not go into that good land, the land that Yahweh your God is giving to you as an inheritance. +\v 22 Instead, I must die in this land; I must not go over the Jordan; but you will go over and possess that good land. + +\s5 +\v 23 Pay attention to yourselves, so that you do not forget the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything that Yahweh your God has forbidden you to make. +\v 24 For Yahweh your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 When you beget children and children's children, and when you will have been in the land for a long time, and if you corrupt yourselves and make a carved figure in the form of anything, and do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God, to provoke him to anger— +\v 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that you will soon utterly perish from off the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but you will be completely destroyed. + +\s5 +\v 27 Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations, where Yahweh will lead you away. +\v 28 There you will serve other gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, hear, eat, nor smell. + +\s5 +\v 29 But from there you will seek Yahweh your God, and you will find him, when you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. + +\s5 +\v 30 When you are in distress, and when all these things will have come on you, in those later days you will return to Yahweh your God and listen to his voice. +\v 31 For Yahweh your God is a merciful God; he will not fail you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers that he swore to them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 Ask now about the days that are past, which were before your time, since the day that God created man on the earth, ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether there has been anything so great as this, or has anything like it ever been heard? +\v 33 Did ever a people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and live? + +\s5 +\v 34 Or has God ever attempted to go and take for himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, as everything that Yahweh your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? + +\s5 +\v 35 To you these things were shown, so that you might know that Yahweh is God, and that there is no one else besides him. +\v 36 Out of heaven he made you to hear his voice, so that he might instruct you; on earth he made you see his great fire; you heard his words out of the midst of the fire. + +\s5 +\v 37 Because he loved your fathers, he chose their descendants after them, and brought you out of Egypt with his presence, with his great power; +\v 38 in order to drive out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as today. + +\s5 +\v 39 Know therefore today, and lay it on your heart, that Yahweh is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no one else. +\v 40 You will keep his statutes and his commandments that I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you forever." + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Then Moses selected three cities on the east side of the Jordan, +\v 42 so that anyone might flee to one of them if he killed another person accidentally, without being his enemy previously. By fleeing to one of these cities, he might survive. +\v 43 They were: Bezer in the wilderness, the plain country, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 This is the law that Moses placed before the people of Israel; +\v 45 these are the covenant decrees, laws, and other decrees that he spoke to the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt, +\v 46 when they were east of the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the people of Israel had defeated when they came out of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 47 They took his land as a possession, and the land of Og king of Bashan—these, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the east. +\v 48 This territory went from Aroer, on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, to Mount Sion (or Mount Hermon), +\v 49 and included all of the plain of the Jordan River valley, eastward beyond the Jordan, to the Sea of the Arabah, to the slopes of Mount Pisgah. + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Moses called to all Israel and said to them, "Listen, Israel, to the statutes and the decrees that I will speak in your ears today, that you may learn them and keep them. +\v 2 Yahweh our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. +\v 3 Yahweh did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with us, all of us alive here today. + +\s5 +\v 4 Yahweh spoke with you face to face on the mount out of the middle of the fire +\v 5 (I stood between Yahweh and you at that time, to reveal to you his word; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain). Yahweh said, +\p +\v 6 'I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 You will have no other gods before me. +\p +\v 8 You will not make for yourself a carved figure nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water below. + +\s5 +\v 9 You will not bow down to them or serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God. I punish the +ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the children, to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, +\v 10 and showing covenant faithfulness to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 You will not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy, as Yahweh your God commanded you. +\v 13 For six days you will labor and do all your work; +\v 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. On it you will not do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor any foreigner who is within your gates. This is so that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. + +\s5 +\v 15 You will call to mind that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Yahweh your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore Yahweh your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God has commanded you to do, that you may live a long time in the land that Yahweh your God gives you, and so that it may go well with you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 You will not murder. +\p +\v 18 You will not commit adultery. +\p +\v 19 You will not steal. +\p +\v 20 You will not give false witness against your neighbor. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 You will not covet your neighbor's wife, you will not covet your neighbor's house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 These words Yahweh spoke in a loud voice to all your assembly on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness; he did not add any more words. He wrote them down on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. + +\s5 +\v 23 It came about, when you heard the voice out of the middle of the darkness, while the mountain was burning, that you came near to me—all your elders and the heads of your tribes. +\v 24 You said, 'Look, Yahweh our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the middle of the fire; we have seen today that when God speaks with people, they can live. + +\s5 +\v 25 But why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of Yahweh our God any longer, we will die. +\v 26 For who besides us is there among all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speak out of the middle of the fire and lived, as we have done? +\v 27 As for you, you should go and listen to everything that Yahweh our God says; repeat to us everything that Yahweh our God says to you; we will listen to it and obey it.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Yahweh heard your words when you spoke to me. He said to me, 'I have heard the words of this people, what they said to you. What they said was good. +\v 29 Oh, that there were such a heart in them, that they would honor me and always keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their children forever! +\v 30 Go say to them, "Return to your tents." + +\s5 +\v 31 But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, the statutes, and the decrees that you will teach them, so that they may keep them in the land that I will give them to possess.' + +\s5 +\v 32 You will keep, therefore, what Yahweh your God has commanded you; you will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. +\v 33 You will walk in all the ways that Yahweh your God has commanded you, so that you may live, and so that it may go well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that you will possess. + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 Now these are the commandments, statutes, and decrees that Yahweh your God has commanded me to teach you, so that you might keep them in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess; +\v 2 so that you might honor Yahweh your God, so as to keep all his statutes and commandments that I am commanding you—you, your sons, and your sons' sons, all the days of your lives, so that your days may be prolonged. + +\s5 +\v 3 Therefore listen to them, Israel, and keep them, so that it may go well with you, so that you may greatly multiply, in a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised you would do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Listen, Israel: Yahweh our God is one. +\v 5 You will love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. + +\s5 +\v 6 The words that I am commanding you today will be in your heart; +\v 7 and you will diligently teach them to your children; you will talk about them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. + +\s5 +\v 8 You will tie them as a sign upon your hand, and they will serve as frontlets between your eyes. +\v 9 You will write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 When Yahweh your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, that he would give you, with large and very good cities that you did not build, +\v 11 and houses full of all kinds of good things that you did not make, cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant, you will eat and be satisfied— +\v 12 then be careful so that you do not forget Yahweh, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. + +\s5 +\v 13 You will honor Yahweh your God; him you will worship, and you will swear by his name. +\v 14 You will not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you— +\v 15 for Yahweh your God in the midst of you is a jealous God—if you do, the anger of Yahweh your God will be kindled against you and he will destroy you from the surface of the earth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 You will not test Yahweh your God as you tested him at Massah. +\v 17 You will diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, his solemn commands, and his statutes, that he has commanded you. + +\s5 +\v 18 You will do what is right and good in the sight of Yahweh, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land that Yahweh swore to your fathers, +\v 19 to drive out all your enemies from before you, as Yahweh has said. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What are the covenant decrees, the statutes, and the other decrees that Yahweh our God commanded you?' +\v 21 then you will say to your son, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt; Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, +\v 22 and he displayed signs and wonders, great and severe, on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his house, before our eyes; +\v 23 and he brought us out from there, so that he might bring us in, to give us the land that he swore to our fathers. + +\s5 +\v 24 Yahweh commanded us to always keep all these statutes, to fear Yahweh our God for our good, so that he might keep us alive, as we are today. +\v 25 If we keep all these commands before Yahweh our God, as he has commanded us, this will be our righteousness.' + + \s5 @@ -661,58 +661,58 @@ ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the children, to the third and f - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 At that time Yahweh said to me, 'Carve two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. -\v 2 I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you will put them in the ark.' - -\s5 -\v 3 So I made an ark of acacia wood, and I carved two tablets of stone like the first, and I went up the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand. -\v 4 He wrote on the tablets, like the first writing, the Ten Commandments which Yahweh had spoken to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire on the day of the assembly; then Yahweh gave them to me. - -\s5 -\v 5 I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark that I had made; there they are, as Yahweh commanded me." - -\s5 -\v 6 (The people of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; Eleazar, his son, served in the priest's office in his place. -\v 7 From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of streams of water. - -\s5 -\v 8 At that time Yahweh chose the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, to stand before Yahweh to serve him, and to bless people in his name, as today. -\v 9 Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance of land with his brothers; Yahweh is his inheritance, as Yahweh your God spoke to him.) - -\s5 -\v 10 "I stayed on the mountain as at the first time, forty days and forty nights. Yahweh listened to me that time also; Yahweh did not wish to destroy you. -\v 11 Yahweh said to me, 'Arise, go before the people to lead them on their journey; they will go in and possess the land that I swore to their ancestors to give to them.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, except to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to worship Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, -\v 13 to keep the commandments of Yahweh, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today for your own good? - -\s5 -\v 14 Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is in them. -\v 15 Only Yahweh took pleasure in your fathers so as to love them, and he chose you, their descendants, after them, more than any of the other peoples, as he does today. - -\s5 -\v 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stubborn no longer. -\v 17 For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods and Lord of masters, the great God, the mighty one and the fearsome one, who favors no one and takes no bribes. - -\s5 -\v 18 He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and he shows love for the foreigner by giving him food and clothing. -\v 19 Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 20 You will fear Yahweh your God; him will you worship. To him you must cling, and by his name will you swear. -\v 21 He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and fearsome things, which your eyes have seen. - -\s5 -\v 22 Your fathers went down into Egypt as seventy persons; now Yahweh your God has made you as many as the stars of the heavens. - - + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 At that time Yahweh said to me, 'Carve two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. +\v 2 I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you will put them in the ark.' + +\s5 +\v 3 So I made an ark of acacia wood, and I carved two tablets of stone like the first, and I went up the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand. +\v 4 He wrote on the tablets, like the first writing, the Ten Commandments which Yahweh had spoken to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire on the day of the assembly; then Yahweh gave them to me. + +\s5 +\v 5 I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark that I had made; there they are, as Yahweh commanded me." + +\s5 +\v 6 (The people of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; Eleazar, his son, served in the priest's office in his place. +\v 7 From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of streams of water. + +\s5 +\v 8 At that time Yahweh chose the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, to stand before Yahweh to serve him, and to bless people in his name, as today. +\v 9 Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance of land with his brothers; Yahweh is his inheritance, as Yahweh your God spoke to him.) + +\s5 +\v 10 "I stayed on the mountain as at the first time, forty days and forty nights. Yahweh listened to me that time also; Yahweh did not wish to destroy you. +\v 11 Yahweh said to me, 'Arise, go before the people to lead them on their journey; they will go in and possess the land that I swore to their ancestors to give to them.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, except to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to worship Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, +\v 13 to keep the commandments of Yahweh, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today for your own good? + +\s5 +\v 14 Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is in them. +\v 15 Only Yahweh took pleasure in your fathers so as to love them, and he chose you, their descendants, after them, more than any of the other peoples, as he does today. + +\s5 +\v 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stubborn no longer. +\v 17 For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods and Lord of masters, the great God, the mighty one and the fearsome one, who favors no one and takes no bribes. + +\s5 +\v 18 He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and he shows love for the foreigner by giving him food and clothing. +\v 19 Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 20 You will fear Yahweh your God; him will you worship. To him you must cling, and by his name will you swear. +\v 21 He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and fearsome things, which your eyes have seen. + +\s5 +\v 22 Your fathers went down into Egypt as seventy persons; now Yahweh your God has made you as many as the stars of the heavens. + + \s5 \c 11 @@ -900,123 +900,123 @@ ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the children, to the third and f \v 18 He will do this because you are listening to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep all his commandments that I am commanding you today, to do that which is right in the eyes of Yahweh your God. - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 You are the people of Yahweh your God. Do not cut yourselves, nor shave any part of your face for the dead. -\v 2 For you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, more than all peoples that are on the surface of the earth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 You must not eat any abominable thing. -\v 4 These are the animals that you may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, -\v 5 the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, and ibex, and the antelope, and the mountain sheep. - -\s5 -\v 6 You may eat any animals that parts the hoof, that is, that has the hoof divided in two, and that chews the cud. -\v 7 Nevertheless, you must not eat some animals that chew the cud or that have the hoof divided in two: the camel, the rabbit, and the rock badger; because they chew the cud but do not part the hoof, they are unclean to you. - -\s5 -\v 8 The pig is unclean to you as well because he parts the hoof but does not chew the cud; he is unclean to you. Do not eat pig meat, and do not touch their carcasses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Of these things that are in water you may eat: whatever has fins and scales; -\v 10 but whatever has no fins and scales you must not eat; they are unclean to you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 All clean birds you may eat. -\v 12 But these are the birds that you must not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, -\v 13 the red kite and black kite, any kind of falcon. - -\s5 -\v 14 You must not eat any kind of raven, -\v 15 and the ostrich, and the night hawk, the sea gull, any kind of hawk, -\v 16 the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, -\v 17 the pelican, the carrion vulture, the cormorant. - -\s5 -\v 18 You must not eat the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat. -\v 19 All winged, swarming things are unclean to you; they must not be eaten. -\v 20 You may eat all clean flying things. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 You must not eat of anything that dies of itself; you may give it to the foreigner who is within your towns, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 You must surely tithe all the yield of your seed, that which comes out from the field year after year. -\v 23 You must eat before Yahweh your God, in the place that he will choose as his sanctuary, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock; that you may learn to always honor Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\v 24 If the journey is too long for you so that you are not able to carry it, because the place that Yahweh your God will choose as his sanctuary is too far from you, then, when Yahweh God blesses you, -\v 25 you will convert the offering into money, tie up the money in your hand, and go to the place that Yahweh your God will choose. - -\s5 -\v 26 There you will spend the money for whatever you desire: for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever you desire; you will eat there before Yahweh your God, and you will rejoice, you and your household. -\v 27 The Levite who is within your gates—do not forsake him, for he has no portion nor inheritance with you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 At the end of every three years you will present all the tithe of your produce in the same year, and you will store it up within your gates; -\v 29 and the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the foreigner, and the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates, will come and eat and be satisfied. Do this so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work of your hand that you do. - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 At the end of every seven years, you must cancel debts. -\v 2 This is the manner of the release: Every creditor will cancel that which he has lent to his neighbor; he will not demand it from his neighbor or his brother because Yahweh's cancellation of debts has been proclaimed. -\v 3 From a foreigner you may demand it; but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand must release. - -\s5 -\v 4 However, there should be no poor among you (for Yahweh will surely bless you in the land that he gives you as an inheritance to possess), -\v 5 if only you diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep all these commandments that I am commanding you today. -\v 6 For Yahweh your God will bless you, as he promised you; you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, within any of your gates in your land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother; -\v 8 but you must surely open your hand to him and surely lend him sufficient for his need. - -\s5 -\v 9 Be careful not to have a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is near,' so that you will not be stingy in regard to your poor brother and give him nothing; he might cry out to Yahweh about you, and it would be sin for you. -\v 10 You must surely give to him, and your heart must not be sorry when you give to him, because in return for this Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. - -\s5 -\v 11 For the poor will never cease to exist in the land; therefore I command you and say, 'You must surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor in your land.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you for six years, then in the seventh year you must let him go free from you. -\v 13 When you let him go free from you, you must not let him go empty-handed. -\v 14 You must liberally provide for him out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As Yahweh your God has blessed you, you must give to him. - -\s5 -\v 15 You must remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that Yahweh your God redeemed you; therefore I am commanding you today to do this. -\v 16 It will happen that if he says to you, 'I will not go away from you,' because he loves you and your house, and because he is well off with you, -\v 17 then you must take an awl and thrust it through his ear to a door, and he will be your servant for life. You must do the same with your female servant. - -\s5 -\v 18 It must not seem difficult for you to let him go free from you, because he has served you for six years and given twice the value of a hired person. Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 All the firstborn males in your herd and your flock you must set apart to Yahweh your God. You will do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. -\v 20 You must eat the firstborn before Yahweh your God year by year in the place that Yahweh will choose, you and your household. -\v 21 If it has any blemish—for example, if it is lame or blind, or has any blemish whatever—you must not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\v 22 You will eat it within your gates; the unclean and the clean persons alike must eat it, as you would eat a gazelle or a deer. -\v 23 Only you must not eat its blood; you must pour its blood out on the ground like water. - - + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 You are the people of Yahweh your God. Do not cut yourselves, nor shave any part of your face for the dead. +\v 2 For you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be a people for his own possession, more than all peoples that are on the surface of the earth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 You must not eat any abominable thing. +\v 4 These are the animals that you may eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, +\v 5 the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, and ibex, and the antelope, and the mountain sheep. + +\s5 +\v 6 You may eat any animals that parts the hoof, that is, that has the hoof divided in two, and that chews the cud. +\v 7 Nevertheless, you must not eat some animals that chew the cud or that have the hoof divided in two: the camel, the rabbit, and the rock badger; because they chew the cud but do not part the hoof, they are unclean to you. + +\s5 +\v 8 The pig is unclean to you as well because he parts the hoof but does not chew the cud; he is unclean to you. Do not eat pig meat, and do not touch their carcasses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Of these things that are in water you may eat: whatever has fins and scales; +\v 10 but whatever has no fins and scales you must not eat; they are unclean to you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 All clean birds you may eat. +\v 12 But these are the birds that you must not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, +\v 13 the red kite and black kite, any kind of falcon. + +\s5 +\v 14 You must not eat any kind of raven, +\v 15 and the ostrich, and the night hawk, the sea gull, any kind of hawk, +\v 16 the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, +\v 17 the pelican, the carrion vulture, the cormorant. + +\s5 +\v 18 You must not eat the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat. +\v 19 All winged, swarming things are unclean to you; they must not be eaten. +\v 20 You may eat all clean flying things. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 You must not eat of anything that dies of itself; you may give it to the foreigner who is within your towns, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a nation that is set apart to Yahweh your God. You must not boil a young goat in its mother's milk. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 You must surely tithe all the yield of your seed, that which comes out from the field year after year. +\v 23 You must eat before Yahweh your God, in the place that he will choose as his sanctuary, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock; that you may learn to always honor Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\v 24 If the journey is too long for you so that you are not able to carry it, because the place that Yahweh your God will choose as his sanctuary is too far from you, then, when Yahweh God blesses you, +\v 25 you will convert the offering into money, tie up the money in your hand, and go to the place that Yahweh your God will choose. + +\s5 +\v 26 There you will spend the money for whatever you desire: for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever you desire; you will eat there before Yahweh your God, and you will rejoice, you and your household. +\v 27 The Levite who is within your gates—do not forsake him, for he has no portion nor inheritance with you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 At the end of every three years you will present all the tithe of your produce in the same year, and you will store it up within your gates; +\v 29 and the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the foreigner, and the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates, will come and eat and be satisfied. Do this so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work of your hand that you do. + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 At the end of every seven years, you must cancel debts. +\v 2 This is the manner of the release: Every creditor will cancel that which he has lent to his neighbor; he will not demand it from his neighbor or his brother because Yahweh's cancellation of debts has been proclaimed. +\v 3 From a foreigner you may demand it; but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand must release. + +\s5 +\v 4 However, there should be no poor among you (for Yahweh will surely bless you in the land that he gives you as an inheritance to possess), +\v 5 if only you diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, to keep all these commandments that I am commanding you today. +\v 6 For Yahweh your God will bless you, as he promised you; you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, within any of your gates in your land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother; +\v 8 but you must surely open your hand to him and surely lend him sufficient for his need. + +\s5 +\v 9 Be careful not to have a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is near,' so that you will not be stingy in regard to your poor brother and give him nothing; he might cry out to Yahweh about you, and it would be sin for you. +\v 10 You must surely give to him, and your heart must not be sorry when you give to him, because in return for this Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. + +\s5 +\v 11 For the poor will never cease to exist in the land; therefore I command you and say, 'You must surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor in your land.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you for six years, then in the seventh year you must let him go free from you. +\v 13 When you let him go free from you, you must not let him go empty-handed. +\v 14 You must liberally provide for him out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your winepress. As Yahweh your God has blessed you, you must give to him. + +\s5 +\v 15 You must remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that Yahweh your God redeemed you; therefore I am commanding you today to do this. +\v 16 It will happen that if he says to you, 'I will not go away from you,' because he loves you and your house, and because he is well off with you, +\v 17 then you must take an awl and thrust it through his ear to a door, and he will be your servant for life. You must do the same with your female servant. + +\s5 +\v 18 It must not seem difficult for you to let him go free from you, because he has served you for six years and given twice the value of a hired person. Yahweh your God will bless you in all that you do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 All the firstborn males in your herd and your flock you must set apart to Yahweh your God. You will do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. +\v 20 You must eat the firstborn before Yahweh your God year by year in the place that Yahweh will choose, you and your household. +\v 21 If it has any blemish—for example, if it is lame or blind, or has any blemish whatever—you must not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\v 22 You will eat it within your gates; the unclean and the clean persons alike must eat it, as you would eat a gazelle or a deer. +\v 23 Only you must not eat its blood; you must pour its blood out on the ground like water. + + \s5 @@ -1069,491 +1069,491 @@ ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the children, to the third and f \v 22 Neither must you set up for yourself any sacred stone pillar, which Yahweh your God hates. - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 You must not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox or a sheep in which is any blemish or anything bad, for that would be an abomination to Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 If there is found among you, within any of your city gates that Yahweh your God is giving you, any man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God and transgresses his covenant, -\v 3 anyone who has gone and worshiped other gods and bowed down to them, either the sun, the moon, or any of the host of heaven—nothing that I have commanded— -\v 4 and if you are told about this, or if you have heard of it, then you must make a careful investigation. If it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel, this is what you should do. - -\s5 -\v 5 You must bring that man or woman, who has done this evil thing, to your city gates, that very man or woman, and you must stone that person to death. -\v 6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, will he who must die be put to death; but at the mouth of only one witness he must not be put to death. -\v 7 The hand of the witnesses must be the first to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people; and you will remove the evil from among you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 If a matter arises that is too hard for you to judge—perhaps a question of murder or accidental death, of one person's right and another person's right, or a question of one kind of harm done, or another kind of matter, matters of controversy within your city gates—then you must go up to the place that Yahweh your God will choose as his sanctuary. -\v 9 You must go to the priests, the descendants of Levi, and to the judge who will be serving at that time; you will seek their advice, and they will give you the verdict. - -\s5 -\v 10 You must follow the law given to you at the place Yahweh will choose as his sanctuary. You will be careful to do everything that they direct you to do. -\v 11 Follow the law they teach you, and do according to the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right hand or to the left. - -\s5 -\v 12 Anyone who acts arrogantly, in not listening to the priest who is standing to serve before Yahweh your God, or in not listening to the judge—that man will die; you will put away the evil from Israel. -\v 13 All the people must hear and fear, and act arrogantly no more. -\s5 -\p -\v 14 When you have come to the land that Yahweh your God gives you, and when you take possession of it and begin to live in it, and then you say, 'I will set a king over myself, like all the nations that are round about me,' -\v 15 then you must surely set as king over yourself someone whom Yahweh your God will choose. You must set as king over yourself someone from among your brothers. You may not put a foreigner, who is not your brother, over yourself. - -\s5 -\v 16 But he must not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt so that he may multiply horses, for Yahweh had said to you, 'You will never return that way again.' -\v 17 He must not take many wives for himself, so that his heart does not turn away. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he must write for himself in a scroll a copy of this law, from the law that is before the priests, who are Levites. -\v 19 The scroll must be with him, and he must read in it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to honor Yahweh his God, so as to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to observe them. - -\s5 -\v 20 He must do this so that his heart is not lifted up above his brothers, and so that he does not turn away from the commandments, to the right hand or to the left; for the purpose that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, among Israel. - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 The priests, who are Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, will have no portion nor inheritance with Israel; they must eat the offerings of Yahweh made by fire as their inheritance. -\v 2 They must have no inheritance among their brothers; Yahweh is their inheritance, as he said to them. - -\s5 -\v 3 This is the share given to the priests, given to them from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether it be an oxen or a sheep: the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts. -\v 4 The firstfruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you must give him. -\v 5 For Yahweh your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to serve in the name of Yahweh, him and his sons forever. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 If a Levite comes from any of your towns out of all Israel from where he is living, and desires with all his soul to come to the place Yahweh will choose, -\v 7 then he must serve in the name of Yahweh his God as all his brothers the Levites do, who stand there before Yahweh. -\v 8 They must have similar portions to eat, besides of what comes of the sale of his family's inheritance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When you have come into the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must not learn to observe the abominations of those nations. -\v 10 There must not be found among you anyone who puts his son or his daughter into the fire, anyone who uses divination, anyone who practices augury, or any enchanter, or any sorcerer, -\v 11 any charmer, anyone who talks with the dead, or anyone who talks with spirits. - -\s5 -\v 12 For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh; it is because of these abominations that Yahweh your God is driving them out from before you. -\v 13 You must be blameless before Yahweh your God. -\v 14 For these nations that you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and divination; but as for you, Yahweh your God has not allowed you to do so. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Yahweh your God will raise up for you a prophet from among you, one of your brothers, like me. You must listen to him. -\v 16 This is what you asked from Yahweh your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, 'Let us not hear again the voice of Yahweh our God, nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.' - -\s5 -\v 17 Yahweh said to me, 'What they have said is good. -\v 18 I will raise up a prophet for them from among their brothers, just like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him. -\v 19 It will happen that if anyone does not listen to the words of mine that he speaks in my name, I will require it of him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 But the prophet who speaks a word arrogantly in my name, a word that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that very prophet must die.' -\v 21 This is what you must say in your heart: 'How will we recognize a message that Yahweh has not spoken?' - -\s5 -\v 22 You will recognize a message that Yahweh has spoken when a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh. If that thing does not occur nor happen, then that is something that Yahweh has not spoken and the prophet has spoken it arrogantly, and you must not be afraid of him. - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 When Yahweh your God cuts off the nations, those whose land Yahweh your God is giving you, and when you come after them and live in their cities and houses, -\v 2 you must select three cities for yourself in the middle of your land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess. -\v 3 You must build a road and divide the borders of your land into three parts, the land that Yahweh your God is causing you to inherit, so that everyone who kills another person may flee there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 This is the law for the one who kills another and who flees there to live—anyone who kills his neighbor unintentionally, and did not previously hate him. -\v 5 For example, if a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his chops with the ax to cut down a tree, and the ax head slips off of the handle and strikes his neighbor and kills him—then that man must flee to one of these cities and save his life. - -\s5 -\v 6 Otherwise the avenger of blood might go after the one who took a life, and in the heat of his anger overtake him, if the distance is too great, strike him and kill him, even though that man did not deserve to die, since he had not hated his neighbor in the past. -\v 7 Therefore I command you to select three cities for yourself. - -\s5 -\v 8 If Yahweh your God enlarges your borders, as he has sworn to your ancestors to do, and gives you all the land that he promised to give to your ancestors; -\v 9 if you keep all these commandments to do them, which I am commanding you today—commandments to love Yahweh your God and to always walk in his ways, then you must add three more cities for yourself, besides these three. -\v 10 Do this so that innocent blood is not shed in the midst of the land that Yahweh your God is giving you for as an inheritance, so that no bloodguilt may be on you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 But if anyone hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, and mortally wounds him so that he dies, and if he then flees into one of these cities— -\v 12 then the elders of his city must send and bring him back from there, and turn him over into the hand of the responsible relative, so that he may die. -\v 13 Your eye must not pity him; instead, you must eradicate the bloodguilt from Israel, that it may go well with you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 You must not remove your neighbor's landmark that they set in place a long time ago, in your inheritance that you will inherit, in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 One sole witness must not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any matter that he sins; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, must any matter be confirmed. -\v 16 Suppose that an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then both men, the ones between whom the controversy exists, must stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days. -\v 18 The judges must make diligent inquiries; see, if the witness is a false witness and has testified falsely against his brother, -\v 19 then must you do to him, as he had wished to do to his brother; and you will remove the evil from among you. -\s5 -\v 20 Then those who remain will hear and fear, and will from then on commit no longer any such evil among you. -\v 21 Your eyes must not pity; life will pay for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 When you march out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you must not be afraid of them; for Yahweh your God is with you, he who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 2 When you are about to enter into battle, the priest must approach and speak to the people. -\v 3 He must say to them, 'Listen, Israel, you are going to battle against your enemies. Do not let your hearts faint. Do not fear or tremble. Do not be afraid of them. -\v 4 For Yahweh your God is the one who is going with you to fight for you against your enemies and to save you.' - -\s5 -\v 5 The officers must speak to the people and say, 'What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, so that he does not die in battle and another man dedicates it. - -\s5 -\v 6 Is there anyone who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go home, so he will not die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit. -\v 7 What man is there who is engaged to marry a woman but has not yet married her? Let him go home so that he does not die in battle and another man marries her.' - -\s5 -\v 8 The officers must speak further to the people and say, 'What man is there who is fearful or fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that his brother's heart does not melt like his own heart.' -\v 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they must appoint commanders over them. -\s5 -\p -\v 10 When you march up to attack a city, make those people an offer of peace. -\v 11 If they accept your offer and open their gates to you, all the people who are found in it must become forced labor for you and must serve you. - -\s5 -\v 12 But if it makes no offer of peace to you, but instead makes war against you, then you must besiege it, -\v 13 and when Yahweh your God gives you victory and puts them under your control, you must kill every man in the town. - -\s5 -\v 14 But the women, the little ones, the cattle, and everything that is in the city, and all its spoil, you will take as booty for yourself. You will consume the booty of your enemies, whom Yahweh your God has given to you. -\v 15 You must act in this way toward all the cities that are very far from you, cities that are not of the cities of these following nations. - -\s5 -\v 16 In the cities of these peoples that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must save alive nothing that breathes. -\v 17 Instead, you must completely destroy them: the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, as Yahweh your God has commanded you. -\v 18 Do this so that they do not teach you to act in any of their abominable ways, as they have done with their gods. If you do, you will sin against Yahweh your God. -\s5 -\p -\v 19 When you will besiege a city for a long time, as you wage war against it to capture it, you must not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them. For you may eat from them, so you must not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a man whom you should besiege? -\v 20 Only the trees that you know are not trees for food, you may destroy and cut down; you will build siege works against the city that makes war with you, until it falls. - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 If someone is found killed in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess, lying in the field, and it is not known who has attacked him; -\v 2 then your elders and your judges must go out, and they must measure to the cities that are around him who has been killed. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then the elders of the town nearest to the dead man's body must take a heifer from the herd, one that has never been put to work, and that has not borne the yoke. -\v 4 Then they must lead the heifer down to a valley with running water, a valley that has been neither plowed nor sown, and there in the valley they must break the heifer's neck. - -\s5 -\v 5 The priests, descendants of Levi, must come forward, for Yahweh your God has chosen them to serve him and give blessing in the name of Yahweh and to decide every case of dispute and assault by their word. - -\s5 -\v 6 All the elders of the city that is the nearest to the killed man must wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley; -\v 7 and they must answer to the case and say, 'Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. - -\s5 -\v 8 Forgive, Yahweh, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not put guilt for innocent bloodshed in the midst of your people Israel.' Then the bloodshed will be forgiven them. -\v 9 In this way you will put away the innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the eyes of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 When you go out to do battle against your enemies and Yahweh your God gives you victory and puts them under your control, and you take them away as captives, -\v 11 if you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you have a desire for her and wish to take her for yourself as a wife, -\v 12 then you will bring her home to your house; she will shave her head and cut her nails. - -\s5 -\v 13 Then she will take off the clothes she was wearing when she was taken captive and she will remain in your house and mourn for her father and her mother a full month. After that you may sleep with her and be her husband, and she will be your wife. -\v 14 But if you take no delight in her, then you may let her go where she wishes. But you must not sell her at all for money, and you must not treat her like a slave, because you have humiliated her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 If a man has two wives and one is loved and the other is hated, and they have both borne him children—both the beloved wife and the hated wife—if the firstborn son is of her that is hated, -\v 16 then on the day that the man causes his sons to inherit what he possesses, he may not make the son of the beloved wife the firstborn before the son of the hated wife, the son who is actually the firstborn. -\v 17 Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he possesses; for that son is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, even though they correct him, will not listen to them; -\v 19 then his father and his mother must lay hold on him and bring him out to the elders of his city and to the gate of his city. - -\s5 -\v 20 They must say to the elders of his city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.' -\v 21 Then all the men of his city must stone him to death with stones; and you will remove the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and fear. -\s5 -\p -\v 22 If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, -\v 23 then his body must not remain all night on the tree. Instead, you must surely bury him the same day; for whoever is hanged is cursed by God. Obey this commandment so that you do not defile the land that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance. - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 You must not watch your fellow Israelite's ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them; you must surely bring them back to him. -\v 2 If your fellow Israelite is not near to you, or if you do not know him, then you must bring the animal home to your house, and it must be with you until he looks for it, and then you must restore it to him. - -\s5 -\v 3 You must do the same with his donkey; you must do the same with his garment; you must do the same with every lost thing of your fellow Israelite's, anything that he has lost and you have found; you must not hide yourself. -\v 4 You must not see your fellow Israelite's donkey or his ox fallen down in the road and hide yourself from them; you must surely help him to lift it up again. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 A woman must not wear what pertains to a man, and neither must a man put on women's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 If a bird's nest happens to be in front of you on the road, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs in it, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young. -\v 7 You must surely let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself. Obey this command so that it may go well with you, and that you may prolong your days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 When you build a new house, then you must make a railing for your roof so that you do not bring blood on your house if anyone falls from there. -\s5 -\p -\v 9 You must not plant your vineyard with two kinds of seed, so that the whole harvest is not confiscated by the holy place, the seed that you have sown and the yield of the vineyard. -\v 10 You must not plow with an ox and a donkey together. -\v 11 You must not wear fabric made of wool and linen together. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 You must make yourself fringes on the four corners of the cloak with which you clothe yourself. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Suppose a man takes a wife, sleeps with her, and then hates her, -\v 14 and then accuses her of shameful things and puts a bad reputation on her, and says, 'I took this woman, but when I came near to her, I found no proof of virginity in her.' - -\s5 -\v 15 Then the father and mother of the girl must take proof of her virginity to the elders at the city gate. - -\s5 -\v 16 The girl's father must say to the elders, 'I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, and he hates her. -\v 17 See, he has accused her of shameful things and said, "I did not find in your daughter the proof of virginity." But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity.' Then they will spread the garment out before the elders of the city. - -\s5 -\v 18 The elders of that city must take that man and punish him; -\v 19 and they must fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the girl, because the man has caused a bad reputation for a virgin of Israel. She must be his wife; he may not send her away during all his days. - -\s5 -\v 20 But if this thing is true, that the proof of virginity was not found in the girl, -\v 21 then they must bring out the girl to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city must stone her to death with stones, because she has committed a disgraceful action in Israel, to act as a harlot in her father's house; and you will remove the evil from among you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 If a man is found sleeping with a woman who is married to another man, then they must both die, the man who was sleeping with the woman and the woman herself; and you will remove the evil from among you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 If there is a girl who is a virgin, engaged to a man, and another man finds her in the city and sleeps with her, -\v 24 take both of them to the city gate, and stone them to death. You must stone the girl, because she did not cry out, even though she was in the city. You must stone the man, because he violated his neighbor's wife; and you will remove the evil from among you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 But if the man finds the engaged girl in the field, and if he seizes her and sleeps with her, then only the man who sleeps with her must die. -\v 26 But to the girl you must do nothing; there is no sin worthy of death in the girl. For this case is like when a man attacks his neighbor and kills him. -\v 27 For he found her in the field; the engaged girl cried out, but there was no one to save her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 If a man finds a girl who is a virgin but who is not engaged, and if he seizes her and sleeps with her, and if they are discovered, -\v 29 then the man who slept with her must give fifty shekels of silver to the girl's father, and she must become his wife, because he has humiliated her. He may not send her away during all his days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 A man must not take his father's wife as his own; he must not take away his father's marriage rights. - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 No man injured by crushing or cutting off may enter the assembly of Yahweh. -\p -\v 2 No illegitimate child may belong to the assembly of Yahweh; as far as to the tenth generation of his descendants, none of them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 An Ammonite or a Moabite may not belong to the assembly of Yahweh; as far as to the tenth generation of his descendants, none of them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh. -\v 4 This is because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the road when you had come out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim, to curse you. - -\s5 -\v 5 But Yahweh your God would not listen to Balaam; instead, Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because Yahweh your God loved you. -\v 6 You must never seek their peace or prosperity, during all your days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 You must not detest an Edomite, for he is your brother; you must not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a foreigner in his land. -\v 8 The descendants of the third generation that are born to them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When you march out as an army against your enemies, then you must keep yourselves from every evil thing. -\v 10 If there is among you any man who is unclean because of what happened to him at night, then he must go out of the army's camp; he must not come back into the camp. -\v 11 When evening comes, he must bathe himself in water; when the sun goes down, he will come back inside the camp. - -\s5 -\v 12 You must have a place also outside the camp to which you will go; -\v 13 and you will have something among your tools to dig with; when you squat down to relieve yourself, you must dig with it and then put back the earth and cover up what has come out from you. -\v 14 For Yahweh your God walks in the midst of your camp to give you victory and to hand over your enemies to you. Therefore your camp must be holy, so that he may not see any unclean thing among you and turn away from you. -\s5 -\p -\v 15 You must not give back to his master a slave who has escaped from his master. -\v 16 Let him live with you, in whatever town he chooses. Do not oppress him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 There must be no cultic prostitute among any of the daughters of Israel, neither must there be a cultic prostitute among the sons of Israel. -\v 18 You must not bring the wages of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of Yahweh your God for any vow; for both these are abominations to Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 You must not lend on interest to your fellow Israelite—interest of money, interest of food, or the interest of anything that is lent on interest. -\v 20 To a foreigner you may lend on interest; but to your fellow Israelite you must not lend on interest, so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land which you are going in to possess. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 When you make a vow to Yahweh your God, you must not be slow in fulfilling it, for Yahweh your God will surely require it of you; it would be sin for you not to fulfill it. -\v 22 But if you will refrain from making a vow, it will be no sin for you. -\v 23 That which has gone out from your lips you must observe and do; according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God, anything that you have freely promised with your mouth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 When you go into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat as many grapes as you desire, but do not put any in your basket. -\v 25 When you go into your neighbor's ripe grain, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but do not put a sickle to your neighbor's ripe grain. - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 When a man takes a wife and marries her, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some unsuitable thing in her, then he must write her a certificate of divorce, put it into her hand, and send her out of his house. -\v 2 When she has gone out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. - -\s5 -\v 3 If the second husband hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it into her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the second husband dies, the man who took her to be his wife— -\v 4 then her former husband, the one who had first sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has become impure; for that would be an abomination to Yahweh. You must not cause the land to become guilty, the land that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 When a man takes a new wife, he will not go to war with the army, neither may he be commanded to go on any forced duty; he will be free to be at home for one year and will cheer his wife whom he has taken. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 No man may take a mill or an upper millstone as a pledge, for that would be taking a person's life as a pledge. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 If a man is found kidnapping any of his brothers from among the people of Israel, and treats him as a slave and sells him, that thief must die; and you will remove the evil from among you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Take heed regarding any plague of leprosy, so that you carefully observe and follow every instruction given to you which the priests, the Levites, teach you; as I commanded them, so you will act. -\v 9 Call to mind what Yahweh your God did to Miriam as you were coming out of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 When you make your neighbor any kind of loan, you must not go into his house to fetch his pledge. -\v 11 You will stand outside, and the man to whom you have lent will bring the pledge outside to you. - -\s5 -\v 12 If he is a poor man, you must not sleep with his pledge in your possession. -\v 13 You must surely restore to him the pledge by the time the sun goes down, so that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; it will be righteousness for you before Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 You must not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is of your fellow Israelites, or of the foreigners who are in your land within your city gates; -\v 15 Each day you must give him his wage; the sun must not go down on this unsettled matter, for he is poor and is counting on it. Do this so that he does not cry out against you to Yahweh, and so that it not be a sin that you have committed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 The parents must not be put to death for their children, neither must the children be put to death for their parents. Instead, everyone must be put to death for his own sin. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 You must not use force to take away the justice that is due the foreigner or the fatherless, nor take the widow's cloak as a pledge. -\v 18 Instead, you must call to mind that you were a slave in Egypt, and that Yahweh your God rescued you from there. Therefore I instruct you to obey this command. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 When you reap your harvest in your field, and if you have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you must not go back to get it; it must be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, or for the widow, so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. -\v 20 When you shake your olive tree, you must not go over the branches again; it will be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, or for the widow. - -\s5 -\v 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you must not glean it again. What is left over will be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. -\v 22 You must call to mind that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I instruct you to obey this command. - - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges judge them, then they will acquit the righteous and condemn the wicked. -\v 2 If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, then the judge will make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the ordered number of blows, as was his crime. - -\s5 -\v 3 The judge may give him forty blows, but he may not exceed that number; for if he should exceed that number and beat him with many more blows, then your fellow Israelite would be humiliated before your eyes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 You must not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 If brothers live together and one of them dies, not having any son, then the wife of the dead man must not be married off to someone else outside the family. Instead, her husband's brother must sleep with her and take her to himself as a wife, and do the duty of a husband's brother to her. -\v 6 This is so that the firstborn that she bears will succeed in the name of that man's dead brother, so that his name will not perish from Israel. -\s5 -\v 7 But if the man does not wish to take his brother's wife for himself, then his brother's wife must go up to the gate to the elders and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to raise up for his brother a name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.' -\v 8 Then the elders of his city must call him and speak to him. But suppose that he insists and says, 'I do not wish to take her.' - -\s5 -\v 9 Then his brother's wife must come up to him in the presence of the elders, take off his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face. She must answer him and say, 'This is what is done to the man who does not build up his brother's house.' -\v 10 His name will be called in Israel, 'The house of him whose sandal has been taken off.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 If men fight with each other, and the wife of one comes to rescue her husband out of the hand of him who struck him, and if she stretches out her hand and takes him by the private parts, -\v 12 then you must cut off her hand; your eye must have no pity. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 You must not have in your bag different weights, a large and a small. -\v 14 You must not have in your house different measures, a large and a small. - -\s5 -\v 15 A perfect and just weight you must have; a perfect and just measure you must have, so that your days may be long in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you. -\v 16 For all who do such things, all that act unrighteously, are an abomination to Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Call to mind what Amalek did to you on the road as you came out of Egypt, -\v 18 how he met you on the road and attacked those of you at the rear, all who were feeble in your rear, when you were faint and weary; he did not honor God. -\v 19 Therefore, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you must not forget that you must blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. - - + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 You must not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox or a sheep in which is any blemish or anything bad, for that would be an abomination to Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 If there is found among you, within any of your city gates that Yahweh your God is giving you, any man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of Yahweh your God and transgresses his covenant, +\v 3 anyone who has gone and worshiped other gods and bowed down to them, either the sun, the moon, or any of the host of heaven—nothing that I have commanded— +\v 4 and if you are told about this, or if you have heard of it, then you must make a careful investigation. If it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel, this is what you should do. + +\s5 +\v 5 You must bring that man or woman, who has done this evil thing, to your city gates, that very man or woman, and you must stone that person to death. +\v 6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, will he who must die be put to death; but at the mouth of only one witness he must not be put to death. +\v 7 The hand of the witnesses must be the first to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people; and you will remove the evil from among you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 If a matter arises that is too hard for you to judge—perhaps a question of murder or accidental death, of one person's right and another person's right, or a question of one kind of harm done, or another kind of matter, matters of controversy within your city gates—then you must go up to the place that Yahweh your God will choose as his sanctuary. +\v 9 You must go to the priests, the descendants of Levi, and to the judge who will be serving at that time; you will seek their advice, and they will give you the verdict. + +\s5 +\v 10 You must follow the law given to you at the place Yahweh will choose as his sanctuary. You will be careful to do everything that they direct you to do. +\v 11 Follow the law they teach you, and do according to the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right hand or to the left. + +\s5 +\v 12 Anyone who acts arrogantly, in not listening to the priest who is standing to serve before Yahweh your God, or in not listening to the judge—that man will die; you will put away the evil from Israel. +\v 13 All the people must hear and fear, and act arrogantly no more. +\s5 +\p +\v 14 When you have come to the land that Yahweh your God gives you, and when you take possession of it and begin to live in it, and then you say, 'I will set a king over myself, like all the nations that are round about me,' +\v 15 then you must surely set as king over yourself someone whom Yahweh your God will choose. You must set as king over yourself someone from among your brothers. You may not put a foreigner, who is not your brother, over yourself. + +\s5 +\v 16 But he must not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt so that he may multiply horses, for Yahweh had said to you, 'You will never return that way again.' +\v 17 He must not take many wives for himself, so that his heart does not turn away. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 When he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he must write for himself in a scroll a copy of this law, from the law that is before the priests, who are Levites. +\v 19 The scroll must be with him, and he must read in it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to honor Yahweh his God, so as to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to observe them. + +\s5 +\v 20 He must do this so that his heart is not lifted up above his brothers, and so that he does not turn away from the commandments, to the right hand or to the left; for the purpose that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, among Israel. + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 The priests, who are Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, will have no portion nor inheritance with Israel; they must eat the offerings of Yahweh made by fire as their inheritance. +\v 2 They must have no inheritance among their brothers; Yahweh is their inheritance, as he said to them. + +\s5 +\v 3 This is the share given to the priests, given to them from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether it be an oxen or a sheep: the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts. +\v 4 The firstfruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep, you must give him. +\v 5 For Yahweh your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to serve in the name of Yahweh, him and his sons forever. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 If a Levite comes from any of your towns out of all Israel from where he is living, and desires with all his soul to come to the place Yahweh will choose, +\v 7 then he must serve in the name of Yahweh his God as all his brothers the Levites do, who stand there before Yahweh. +\v 8 They must have similar portions to eat, besides of what comes of the sale of his family's inheritance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When you have come into the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must not learn to observe the abominations of those nations. +\v 10 There must not be found among you anyone who puts his son or his daughter into the fire, anyone who uses divination, anyone who practices augury, or any enchanter, or any sorcerer, +\v 11 any charmer, anyone who talks with the dead, or anyone who talks with spirits. + +\s5 +\v 12 For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh; it is because of these abominations that Yahweh your God is driving them out from before you. +\v 13 You must be blameless before Yahweh your God. +\v 14 For these nations that you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and divination; but as for you, Yahweh your God has not allowed you to do so. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Yahweh your God will raise up for you a prophet from among you, one of your brothers, like me. You must listen to him. +\v 16 This is what you asked from Yahweh your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, 'Let us not hear again the voice of Yahweh our God, nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.' + +\s5 +\v 17 Yahweh said to me, 'What they have said is good. +\v 18 I will raise up a prophet for them from among their brothers, just like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will speak to them all that I command him. +\v 19 It will happen that if anyone does not listen to the words of mine that he speaks in my name, I will require it of him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 But the prophet who speaks a word arrogantly in my name, a word that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that very prophet must die.' +\v 21 This is what you must say in your heart: 'How will we recognize a message that Yahweh has not spoken?' + +\s5 +\v 22 You will recognize a message that Yahweh has spoken when a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh. If that thing does not occur nor happen, then that is something that Yahweh has not spoken and the prophet has spoken it arrogantly, and you must not be afraid of him. + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 When Yahweh your God cuts off the nations, those whose land Yahweh your God is giving you, and when you come after them and live in their cities and houses, +\v 2 you must select three cities for yourself in the middle of your land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess. +\v 3 You must build a road and divide the borders of your land into three parts, the land that Yahweh your God is causing you to inherit, so that everyone who kills another person may flee there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 This is the law for the one who kills another and who flees there to live—anyone who kills his neighbor unintentionally, and did not previously hate him. +\v 5 For example, if a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his chops with the ax to cut down a tree, and the ax head slips off of the handle and strikes his neighbor and kills him—then that man must flee to one of these cities and save his life. + +\s5 +\v 6 Otherwise the avenger of blood might go after the one who took a life, and in the heat of his anger overtake him, if the distance is too great, strike him and kill him, even though that man did not deserve to die, since he had not hated his neighbor in the past. +\v 7 Therefore I command you to select three cities for yourself. + +\s5 +\v 8 If Yahweh your God enlarges your borders, as he has sworn to your ancestors to do, and gives you all the land that he promised to give to your ancestors; +\v 9 if you keep all these commandments to do them, which I am commanding you today—commandments to love Yahweh your God and to always walk in his ways, then you must add three more cities for yourself, besides these three. +\v 10 Do this so that innocent blood is not shed in the midst of the land that Yahweh your God is giving you for as an inheritance, so that no bloodguilt may be on you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 But if anyone hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, and mortally wounds him so that he dies, and if he then flees into one of these cities— +\v 12 then the elders of his city must send and bring him back from there, and turn him over into the hand of the responsible relative, so that he may die. +\v 13 Your eye must not pity him; instead, you must eradicate the bloodguilt from Israel, that it may go well with you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 You must not remove your neighbor's landmark that they set in place a long time ago, in your inheritance that you will inherit, in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 One sole witness must not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any matter that he sins; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, must any matter be confirmed. +\v 16 Suppose that an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then both men, the ones between whom the controversy exists, must stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days. +\v 18 The judges must make diligent inquiries; see, if the witness is a false witness and has testified falsely against his brother, +\v 19 then must you do to him, as he had wished to do to his brother; and you will remove the evil from among you. +\s5 +\v 20 Then those who remain will hear and fear, and will from then on commit no longer any such evil among you. +\v 21 Your eyes must not pity; life will pay for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 When you march out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you must not be afraid of them; for Yahweh your God is with you, he who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 2 When you are about to enter into battle, the priest must approach and speak to the people. +\v 3 He must say to them, 'Listen, Israel, you are going to battle against your enemies. Do not let your hearts faint. Do not fear or tremble. Do not be afraid of them. +\v 4 For Yahweh your God is the one who is going with you to fight for you against your enemies and to save you.' + +\s5 +\v 5 The officers must speak to the people and say, 'What man is there who has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, so that he does not die in battle and another man dedicates it. + +\s5 +\v 6 Is there anyone who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go home, so he will not die in battle and another man enjoy its fruit. +\v 7 What man is there who is engaged to marry a woman but has not yet married her? Let him go home so that he does not die in battle and another man marries her.' + +\s5 +\v 8 The officers must speak further to the people and say, 'What man is there who is fearful or fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that his brother's heart does not melt like his own heart.' +\v 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they must appoint commanders over them. +\s5 +\p +\v 10 When you march up to attack a city, make those people an offer of peace. +\v 11 If they accept your offer and open their gates to you, all the people who are found in it must become forced labor for you and must serve you. + +\s5 +\v 12 But if it makes no offer of peace to you, but instead makes war against you, then you must besiege it, +\v 13 and when Yahweh your God gives you victory and puts them under your control, you must kill every man in the town. + +\s5 +\v 14 But the women, the little ones, the cattle, and everything that is in the city, and all its spoil, you will take as booty for yourself. You will consume the booty of your enemies, whom Yahweh your God has given to you. +\v 15 You must act in this way toward all the cities that are very far from you, cities that are not of the cities of these following nations. + +\s5 +\v 16 In the cities of these peoples that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must save alive nothing that breathes. +\v 17 Instead, you must completely destroy them: the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, as Yahweh your God has commanded you. +\v 18 Do this so that they do not teach you to act in any of their abominable ways, as they have done with their gods. If you do, you will sin against Yahweh your God. +\s5 +\p +\v 19 When you will besiege a city for a long time, as you wage war against it to capture it, you must not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them. For you may eat from them, so you must not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a man whom you should besiege? +\v 20 Only the trees that you know are not trees for food, you may destroy and cut down; you will build siege works against the city that makes war with you, until it falls. + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 If someone is found killed in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess, lying in the field, and it is not known who has attacked him; +\v 2 then your elders and your judges must go out, and they must measure to the cities that are around him who has been killed. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then the elders of the town nearest to the dead man's body must take a heifer from the herd, one that has never been put to work, and that has not borne the yoke. +\v 4 Then they must lead the heifer down to a valley with running water, a valley that has been neither plowed nor sown, and there in the valley they must break the heifer's neck. + +\s5 +\v 5 The priests, descendants of Levi, must come forward, for Yahweh your God has chosen them to serve him and give blessing in the name of Yahweh and to decide every case of dispute and assault by their word. + +\s5 +\v 6 All the elders of the city that is the nearest to the killed man must wash their hands over the heifer whose neck was broken in the valley; +\v 7 and they must answer to the case and say, 'Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. + +\s5 +\v 8 Forgive, Yahweh, your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not put guilt for innocent bloodshed in the midst of your people Israel.' Then the bloodshed will be forgiven them. +\v 9 In this way you will put away the innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the eyes of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 When you go out to do battle against your enemies and Yahweh your God gives you victory and puts them under your control, and you take them away as captives, +\v 11 if you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you have a desire for her and wish to take her for yourself as a wife, +\v 12 then you will bring her home to your house; she will shave her head and cut her nails. + +\s5 +\v 13 Then she will take off the clothes she was wearing when she was taken captive and she will remain in your house and mourn for her father and her mother a full month. After that you may sleep with her and be her husband, and she will be your wife. +\v 14 But if you take no delight in her, then you may let her go where she wishes. But you must not sell her at all for money, and you must not treat her like a slave, because you have humiliated her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 If a man has two wives and one is loved and the other is hated, and they have both borne him children—both the beloved wife and the hated wife—if the firstborn son is of her that is hated, +\v 16 then on the day that the man causes his sons to inherit what he possesses, he may not make the son of the beloved wife the firstborn before the son of the hated wife, the son who is actually the firstborn. +\v 17 Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he possesses; for that son is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, even though they correct him, will not listen to them; +\v 19 then his father and his mother must lay hold on him and bring him out to the elders of his city and to the gate of his city. + +\s5 +\v 20 They must say to the elders of his city, 'This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.' +\v 21 Then all the men of his city must stone him to death with stones; and you will remove the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and fear. +\s5 +\p +\v 22 If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, +\v 23 then his body must not remain all night on the tree. Instead, you must surely bury him the same day; for whoever is hanged is cursed by God. Obey this commandment so that you do not defile the land that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance. + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 You must not watch your fellow Israelite's ox or his sheep go astray and hide yourself from them; you must surely bring them back to him. +\v 2 If your fellow Israelite is not near to you, or if you do not know him, then you must bring the animal home to your house, and it must be with you until he looks for it, and then you must restore it to him. + +\s5 +\v 3 You must do the same with his donkey; you must do the same with his garment; you must do the same with every lost thing of your fellow Israelite's, anything that he has lost and you have found; you must not hide yourself. +\v 4 You must not see your fellow Israelite's donkey or his ox fallen down in the road and hide yourself from them; you must surely help him to lift it up again. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 A woman must not wear what pertains to a man, and neither must a man put on women's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 If a bird's nest happens to be in front of you on the road, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs in it, and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young. +\v 7 You must surely let the mother go, but the young you may take for yourself. Obey this command so that it may go well with you, and that you may prolong your days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 When you build a new house, then you must make a railing for your roof so that you do not bring blood on your house if anyone falls from there. +\s5 +\p +\v 9 You must not plant your vineyard with two kinds of seed, so that the whole harvest is not confiscated by the holy place, the seed that you have sown and the yield of the vineyard. +\v 10 You must not plow with an ox and a donkey together. +\v 11 You must not wear fabric made of wool and linen together. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 You must make yourself fringes on the four corners of the cloak with which you clothe yourself. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Suppose a man takes a wife, sleeps with her, and then hates her, +\v 14 and then accuses her of shameful things and puts a bad reputation on her, and says, 'I took this woman, but when I came near to her, I found no proof of virginity in her.' + +\s5 +\v 15 Then the father and mother of the girl must take proof of her virginity to the elders at the city gate. + +\s5 +\v 16 The girl's father must say to the elders, 'I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, and he hates her. +\v 17 See, he has accused her of shameful things and said, "I did not find in your daughter the proof of virginity." But here is the proof of my daughter's virginity.' Then they will spread the garment out before the elders of the city. + +\s5 +\v 18 The elders of that city must take that man and punish him; +\v 19 and they must fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the girl, because the man has caused a bad reputation for a virgin of Israel. She must be his wife; he may not send her away during all his days. + +\s5 +\v 20 But if this thing is true, that the proof of virginity was not found in the girl, +\v 21 then they must bring out the girl to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city must stone her to death with stones, because she has committed a disgraceful action in Israel, to act as a harlot in her father's house; and you will remove the evil from among you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 If a man is found sleeping with a woman who is married to another man, then they must both die, the man who was sleeping with the woman and the woman herself; and you will remove the evil from among you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 If there is a girl who is a virgin, engaged to a man, and another man finds her in the city and sleeps with her, +\v 24 take both of them to the city gate, and stone them to death. You must stone the girl, because she did not cry out, even though she was in the city. You must stone the man, because he violated his neighbor's wife; and you will remove the evil from among you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 But if the man finds the engaged girl in the field, and if he seizes her and sleeps with her, then only the man who sleeps with her must die. +\v 26 But to the girl you must do nothing; there is no sin worthy of death in the girl. For this case is like when a man attacks his neighbor and kills him. +\v 27 For he found her in the field; the engaged girl cried out, but there was no one to save her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 If a man finds a girl who is a virgin but who is not engaged, and if he seizes her and sleeps with her, and if they are discovered, +\v 29 then the man who slept with her must give fifty shekels of silver to the girl's father, and she must become his wife, because he has humiliated her. He may not send her away during all his days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 A man must not take his father's wife as his own; he must not take away his father's marriage rights. + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 No man injured by crushing or cutting off may enter the assembly of Yahweh. +\p +\v 2 No illegitimate child may belong to the assembly of Yahweh; as far as to the tenth generation of his descendants, none of them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 An Ammonite or a Moabite may not belong to the assembly of Yahweh; as far as to the tenth generation of his descendants, none of them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh. +\v 4 This is because they did not meet you with bread and with water on the road when you had come out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim, to curse you. + +\s5 +\v 5 But Yahweh your God would not listen to Balaam; instead, Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because Yahweh your God loved you. +\v 6 You must never seek their peace or prosperity, during all your days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 You must not detest an Edomite, for he is your brother; you must not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a foreigner in his land. +\v 8 The descendants of the third generation that are born to them may belong to the assembly of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When you march out as an army against your enemies, then you must keep yourselves from every evil thing. +\v 10 If there is among you any man who is unclean because of what happened to him at night, then he must go out of the army's camp; he must not come back into the camp. +\v 11 When evening comes, he must bathe himself in water; when the sun goes down, he will come back inside the camp. + +\s5 +\v 12 You must have a place also outside the camp to which you will go; +\v 13 and you will have something among your tools to dig with; when you squat down to relieve yourself, you must dig with it and then put back the earth and cover up what has come out from you. +\v 14 For Yahweh your God walks in the midst of your camp to give you victory and to hand over your enemies to you. Therefore your camp must be holy, so that he may not see any unclean thing among you and turn away from you. +\s5 +\p +\v 15 You must not give back to his master a slave who has escaped from his master. +\v 16 Let him live with you, in whatever town he chooses. Do not oppress him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 There must be no cultic prostitute among any of the daughters of Israel, neither must there be a cultic prostitute among the sons of Israel. +\v 18 You must not bring the wages of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of Yahweh your God for any vow; for both these are abominations to Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 You must not lend on interest to your fellow Israelite—interest of money, interest of food, or the interest of anything that is lent on interest. +\v 20 To a foreigner you may lend on interest; but to your fellow Israelite you must not lend on interest, so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land which you are going in to possess. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 When you make a vow to Yahweh your God, you must not be slow in fulfilling it, for Yahweh your God will surely require it of you; it would be sin for you not to fulfill it. +\v 22 But if you will refrain from making a vow, it will be no sin for you. +\v 23 That which has gone out from your lips you must observe and do; according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God, anything that you have freely promised with your mouth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 When you go into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat as many grapes as you desire, but do not put any in your basket. +\v 25 When you go into your neighbor's ripe grain, you may pluck the heads of grain with your hand, but do not put a sickle to your neighbor's ripe grain. + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 When a man takes a wife and marries her, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some unsuitable thing in her, then he must write her a certificate of divorce, put it into her hand, and send her out of his house. +\v 2 When she has gone out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. + +\s5 +\v 3 If the second husband hates her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it into her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the second husband dies, the man who took her to be his wife— +\v 4 then her former husband, the one who had first sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after she has become impure; for that would be an abomination to Yahweh. You must not cause the land to become guilty, the land that Yahweh your God is giving you as an inheritance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 When a man takes a new wife, he will not go to war with the army, neither may he be commanded to go on any forced duty; he will be free to be at home for one year and will cheer his wife whom he has taken. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 No man may take a mill or an upper millstone as a pledge, for that would be taking a person's life as a pledge. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 If a man is found kidnapping any of his brothers from among the people of Israel, and treats him as a slave and sells him, that thief must die; and you will remove the evil from among you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Take heed regarding any plague of leprosy, so that you carefully observe and follow every instruction given to you which the priests, the Levites, teach you; as I commanded them, so you will act. +\v 9 Call to mind what Yahweh your God did to Miriam as you were coming out of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 When you make your neighbor any kind of loan, you must not go into his house to fetch his pledge. +\v 11 You will stand outside, and the man to whom you have lent will bring the pledge outside to you. + +\s5 +\v 12 If he is a poor man, you must not sleep with his pledge in your possession. +\v 13 You must surely restore to him the pledge by the time the sun goes down, so that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; it will be righteousness for you before Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 You must not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is of your fellow Israelites, or of the foreigners who are in your land within your city gates; +\v 15 Each day you must give him his wage; the sun must not go down on this unsettled matter, for he is poor and is counting on it. Do this so that he does not cry out against you to Yahweh, and so that it not be a sin that you have committed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 The parents must not be put to death for their children, neither must the children be put to death for their parents. Instead, everyone must be put to death for his own sin. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 You must not use force to take away the justice that is due the foreigner or the fatherless, nor take the widow's cloak as a pledge. +\v 18 Instead, you must call to mind that you were a slave in Egypt, and that Yahweh your God rescued you from there. Therefore I instruct you to obey this command. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 When you reap your harvest in your field, and if you have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you must not go back to get it; it must be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, or for the widow, so that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. +\v 20 When you shake your olive tree, you must not go over the branches again; it will be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, or for the widow. + +\s5 +\v 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you must not glean it again. What is left over will be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. +\v 22 You must call to mind that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I instruct you to obey this command. + + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges judge them, then they will acquit the righteous and condemn the wicked. +\v 2 If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, then the judge will make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the ordered number of blows, as was his crime. + +\s5 +\v 3 The judge may give him forty blows, but he may not exceed that number; for if he should exceed that number and beat him with many more blows, then your fellow Israelite would be humiliated before your eyes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 You must not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 If brothers live together and one of them dies, not having any son, then the wife of the dead man must not be married off to someone else outside the family. Instead, her husband's brother must sleep with her and take her to himself as a wife, and do the duty of a husband's brother to her. +\v 6 This is so that the firstborn that she bears will succeed in the name of that man's dead brother, so that his name will not perish from Israel. +\s5 +\v 7 But if the man does not wish to take his brother's wife for himself, then his brother's wife must go up to the gate to the elders and say, 'My husband's brother refuses to raise up for his brother a name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me.' +\v 8 Then the elders of his city must call him and speak to him. But suppose that he insists and says, 'I do not wish to take her.' + +\s5 +\v 9 Then his brother's wife must come up to him in the presence of the elders, take off his sandal from his foot, and spit in his face. She must answer him and say, 'This is what is done to the man who does not build up his brother's house.' +\v 10 His name will be called in Israel, 'The house of him whose sandal has been taken off.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 If men fight with each other, and the wife of one comes to rescue her husband out of the hand of him who struck him, and if she stretches out her hand and takes him by the private parts, +\v 12 then you must cut off her hand; your eye must have no pity. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 You must not have in your bag different weights, a large and a small. +\v 14 You must not have in your house different measures, a large and a small. + +\s5 +\v 15 A perfect and just weight you must have; a perfect and just measure you must have, so that your days may be long in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you. +\v 16 For all who do such things, all that act unrighteously, are an abomination to Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Call to mind what Amalek did to you on the road as you came out of Egypt, +\v 18 how he met you on the road and attacked those of you at the rear, all who were feeble in your rear, when you were faint and weary; he did not honor God. +\v 19 Therefore, when Yahweh your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land that Yahweh your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you must not forget that you must blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. + + \s5 @@ -1600,873 +1600,873 @@ ancestors' wickedness by bringing punishment on the children, to the third and f \v 19 and he will set you high above all the other nations that he has made, and you will receive praise, fame, and honor. You will be a people that is set apart to Yahweh your God, just as he said." - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people and said, "Keep all the commandments that I command you today. -\v 2 On the day when you will pass over the Jordan to the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must set up some large stones and plaster them with plaster. -\v 3 You must write on them all the words of this law when you have passed over; that you may go into the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. - -\s5 -\v 4 When you have passed over the Jordan, set up these stones that I am commanding you about today, on Mount Ebal, and plaster them with plaster. -\v 5 There you must build an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones; but you must raise no iron tool to work the stones. - -\s5 -\v 6 You must build the altar of Yahweh your God of unworked stones; you must offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God, -\v 7 and you will sacrifice fellowship offerings and will eat there; you will rejoice before Yahweh your God. -\v 8 You will write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Moses and the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel and said, "Be silent and listen, Israel: Today you have become the people of Yahweh your God. -\v 10 You must therefore obey the voice of Yahweh your God and obey his commandments and statutes that I am commanding you today." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Moses commanded the people the same day and said, -\v 12 "These tribes must stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people after you have passed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. - -\s5 -\v 13 These are the tribes that must stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. -\v 14 The Levites will answer and say to all the men of Israel in a loud voice: - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 'May the man be cursed who makes a carved or cast figure, an abomination to Yahweh, the work of the hands of a craftsman, and who sets it up in secret.' Then all the people must answer and say, 'Amen.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 'May the man be cursed who dishonors his father or his mother.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' -\p -\v 17 'May the man be cursed who removes his neighbor's landmark.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 'May the man be cursed who makes the blind to wander away from the road.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' -\p -\v 19 'May the man be cursed who uses force to take away the justice due to a foreigner, fatherless, or widow.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 'May the man be cursed who lies with his father's wife, because he has taken away his father's rights.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' -\p -\v 21 'May the man be cursed who sleeps with any kind of beast.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 'May the man be cursed who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father, or with the daughter of his mother.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' -\p -\v 23 'May the man be cursed who sleeps with his mother-in-law.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 'May the man be cursed who kills his neighbor secretly.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' -\p -\v 25 'May the man be cursed who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 'May the man be cursed who does not confirm the words of this law, that he will obey them.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' - - - - -\s5 -\c 28 -\p -\v 1 If you listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God so as to keep all his commandments that I am commanding you today, Yahweh your God will set you above all the other nations of the earth. -\v 2 All these blessings will come on you and overtake you, if you listen to the voice of Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\v 3 Blessed will you be in the city, and blessed will you be in the field. -\v 4 Blessed will be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock. - -\s5 -\v 5 Blessed will be your basket and your kneading trough. -\v 6 Blessed will you be when you come in, and blessed will you be when you go out. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Yahweh will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck down before you; they will come out against you one way but will flee before you seven ways. -\v 8 Yahweh will command the blessing to come on you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to; he will bless you in the land that he is giving you. - -\s5 -\v 9 Yahweh will establish you as a people that is set apart for himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and walk in his ways. -\v 10 All the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of Yahweh, and they will be afraid of you. - -\s5 -\v 11 Yahweh will make you very prosperous in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your cattle, in the fruit of your ground, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you. -\v 12 Yahweh will open to you his storehouse of the heavens to give the rain for your land at the right time, and to bless all the work of your hand; you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. - -\s5 -\v 13 Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail; you will be only above, and you will never be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God that I am commanding you today, so as to observe and to do them, -\v 14 and if you do not turn away from any of the words that I am commanding you today, to the right hand or to the left, so as to go after other gods to serve them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 But if you do not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep all his commandments and his statutes that I am commanding you today, then all these curses will come on you and overtake you. - -\s5 -\v 16 Cursed will you be in the city, and cursed will you be in the field. -\v 17 Cursed will be your basket and your kneading trough. - -\s5 -\v 18 Cursed will be the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock. -\v 19 Cursed will you be when you come in, and cursed will you be when you go out. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Yahweh will send on you curses, confusion, and rebukes in all that you put your hand to, until you are destroyed, and until you perish quickly because of your wicked actions by which you will have forsaken me. -\v 21 Yahweh will make the plague cling to you until he destroys you from off the land that you are going in to possess. - -\s5 -\v 22 Yahweh will attack you with infectious diseases, with fever, with inflammation, and with drought and blistering heat, and with scorching winds and mildew. These will pursue you until you perish. - -\s5 -\v 23 Your skies that are over your head will be bronze, and the earth that is under you will be iron. -\v 24 Yahweh will make the rain of your land into powder and dust; from the heavens will it come down on you, until you are destroyed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Yahweh will cause you to be struck down before your enemies; you will go out one way against them but will flee before them seven ways. You will be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth. -\v 26 Your dead body will be food to all the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the earth; there will be no one to frighten them away. - -\s5 -\v 27 Yahweh will attack you with the boils of Egypt and with ulcers, scurvy, and itch, from which you cannot be healed. -\v 28 Yahweh will attack you with madness, with blindness, and with mental confusion. -\v 29 You will grope about at noonday like the blind grope in the darkness, and you will not prosper in your ways; you will be always oppressed and robbed, and there will be no one to save you. - -\s5 -\v 30 You will become engaged to a woman, but another man will seize her and rape her. You will build a house but not live in it; you will plant a vineyard but not enjoy its fruit. -\v 31 Your ox will be slain before your eyes, but you will not eat its meat; your donkey will be forcibly taken away from before you and will not be restored to you. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and you will have no one to aid you. - -\s5 -\v 32 Your sons and your daughters will be given to other peoples; your eyes will look for them the entire day, but will fail with longing for them. There will be no strength in your hand. - -\s5 -\v 33 The harvest of your land and of all your labors—a nation that you do not know will eat it up; you will always be oppressed and crushed, -\v 34 so that you will become insane by what you have to see happen. -\v 35 Yahweh will attack you in the knees and legs with severe boils from which you cannot be cured, from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Yahweh will take you and the king whom you will place over yourself to a nation that you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors; there you will worship other gods of wood and stone. -\v 37 You will become a source of horror, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples where Yahweh will lead you away. - -\s5 -\v 38 You will take much seed out into the field, but will gather little seed in, for the locusts will consume it. -\v 39 You will plant vineyards and cultivate them, but you will neither drink any of the wine, nor even gather in the grapes, for worms will eat them. - -\s5 -\v 40 You will have olive trees within all your territory, but you will not rub any of the oil on yourself, for your olive trees will drop their fruit. -\v 41 You will have sons and daughters, but they will not remain yours, for they will go into captivity. - -\s5 -\v 42 All your trees and the fruit of your ground—the locusts will take them over. -\v 43 The foreigner who is among you will rise up above you higher and higher; you yourself will come down lower and lower. -\v 44 He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he will be the head, and you will be the tail. - -\s5 -\v 45 All these curses will come on you and will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed. This will happen because you did not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep his commandments and his regulations that he commanded you. -\v 46 These curses will be on you as signs and wonders, and on your descendants forever. - -\s5 -\p -\v 47 Because you did not worship Yahweh your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart when you were in prosperity, -\v 48 therefore will you serve the enemies that Yahweh will send against you; you will serve them in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in poverty. He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he destroys you. - -\s5 -\v 49 Yahweh will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle flies to its victim, a nation whose language you do not understand; -\v 50 a nation with a fierce face that does not respect the aged and does not show favor to the young. -\v 51 They will eat the young of your cattle and the fruit of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave for you no grain, new wine, or oil, no young of your cattle or of your flock, until they have caused you to perish. - -\s5 -\v 52 They will besiege you in all your city gates, until your high and fortified walls come down everywhere in your land, walls in which you had trusted. They will besiege you within all your city gates throughout all the land that Yahweh your God had given you. -\v 53 You will eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, whom Yahweh your God gave you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies will put upon you. - -\s5 -\v 54 The man who is tender and very delicate among you—he will be envious of his brother and his own dear wife, and of whatever children he has left. -\v 55 So he will not give to any of them the flesh of his own children that he is going to eat, because he will have nothing left for himself in the siege and in the distress which your enemy will put upon you within all your city gates. - -\s5 -\v 56 The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to put the bottom of her foot on the ground for delicateness and tenderness—she will be envious of her own dear husband, of her son, and of her daughter, -\v 57 and of her own newborn that comes out from between her legs, and of the children whom she will bear. She will eat them in private for lack of anything else, during the siege and in the distress which your enemy will put upon you within your city gates. - -\s5 -\p -\v 58 If you do not keep all the words of this law that are written in this book, so as to honor this glorious and fearful name, Yahweh your God, -\v 59 then Yahweh will make your plagues terrible, and those of your descendants; they will be great plagues, of long duration, and severe diseases, of long duration. - -\s5 -\v 60 He will bring on you again all the diseases of Egypt that you were afraid of; they will cling to you. -\v 61 Also every sickness and plague that is not written in the book of this law, those also Yahweh will bring on you until you are destroyed. -\v 62 You will be left few in number, although you were like the stars of the heavens in number, because you did not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\v 63 As Yahweh once rejoiced over you in doing you good, and in multiplying you, so he will rejoice over you in making you perish and in destroying you. You will be plucked off the land that you are going into to possess. -\v 64 Yahweh will scatter you among all peoples from the one end of the earth to the other end of the earth; there you will worship other gods that you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors, gods of wood and stone. - -\s5 -\v 65 Among these nations will you find no ease, and there will be no rest for the bottoms of your feet; instead, Yahweh will give you there a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a soul that mourns. -\v 66 Your life will hang in doubt before you; you will fear every night and day and will have no certainty at all in your life. - -\s5 -\v 67 In the morning you will say, 'I wish it were evening!' and in the evening you will say, 'I wish it were morning!' because of the fear in your hearts and the things your eyes will have to see. -\v 68 Yahweh will bring you into Egypt again by ships, by the route about which I had said to you, 'You will not see Egypt again.' There you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will purchase you." - - - - -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 These are the words that Yahweh commanded Moses to tell the people of Israel in the land of Moab, words that were added to the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Moses called to all Israel and said to them, "You have seen everything that Yahweh did before your eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his servants, and to all his land— -\v 3 the great sufferings that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. -\v 4 But until today Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, or ears to hear. - -\s5 -\v 5 I have led you for forty years in the wilderness; your clothes did not wear out on you, and your sandals did not wear out on your feet. -\v 6 You did not eat any bread, and you did not drink any wine or other alcoholic drinks, so that you might know that I am Yahweh your God. - -\s5 -\v 7 When you came to this place, Sihon, the king of Heshbon, and Og, the king of Bashan, came out against us to fight, and we struck them down. -\v 8 We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh. -\v 9 Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, so that you may prosper in everything that you do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 You stand today, all of you, before Yahweh your God; your chiefs, your tribes, your elders, and your officers—all the men of Israel, -\v 11 your little ones, your wives, and the foreigner who is among you in your camp, from him who cuts your wood to him who draws your water. - -\s5 -\v 12 You are here in order to enter into the covenant of Yahweh your God and into the oath that Yahweh your God is making with you today, -\v 13 so that he may make you today into a people for himself, and that he may be God for you, as he spoke to you, and as he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 For it is not only with you that I am making this covenant and this oath— -\v 15 with everyone standing here with us today before Yahweh our God—but also with those who are not here with us today. -\p -\v 16 You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. - -\s5 -\v 17 You have seen their disgusting idols made of wood and stone, silver and gold, that were among them. -\v 18 Make sure there is not among you any man, woman, clan, or tribe whose heart is turning away today from Yahweh our God, so as to go worship the gods of those nations. Make sure there is not among you any root that produces gall and wormwood. -\v 19 When that person hears the words of this curse, he will bless himself in his heart and say, 'I will have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.' This would destroy the wet together with the dry. - -\s5 -\v 20 Yahweh will not pardon him, but instead, the anger of Yahweh and his jealousy will smolder against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book will come on him, and Yahweh will blot out his name from under heaven. -\v 21 Yahweh will set him apart for disaster out of all the tribes of Israel, in keeping with all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 The generation to come, your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a distant land, will speak when they see the plagues on this land and the diseases with which Yahweh has made it sick— -\v 23 and when they see that the whole land has become sulfur and burning salt, where nothing is sown or bears fruit, where no vegetation grows, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, that Yahweh destroyed in his anger and wrath— -\v 24 they will say together with all the other nations, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?' - -\s5 -\v 25 Then people will say, 'It is because they abandoned the covenant of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, that he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt, -\v 26 and because they went and served other gods and bowed down to them, gods that they had not known and that he had not given to them. - -\s5 -\v 27 Therefore the anger of Yahweh has been kindled against this land, so as to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book. -\v 28 Yahweh has uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great fury, and has thrown them into another land, as today.' - -\s5 -\v 29 The secret matters belong alone to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong forever to us and to our descendants, so that we may do all the words of this law. - - - - -\s5 -\c 30 -\p -\v 1 When all these things have come on you, the blessings and the curses that I have set before you, and when you call them to mind among all the other nations where Yahweh your God has driven you, -\v 2 and when you return to Yahweh your God and obey his voice, following all that I am commanding you today— you and your children—with all your heart and with all your soul, -\v 3 then Yahweh your God will reverse your captivity and have compassion on you; he will return and gather you from all the peoples where Yahweh your God has scattered you. - -\s5 -\v 4 If any of your exiled people are in the farthest places under the heavens, from there Yahweh your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you. -\v 5 Yahweh your God will bring you into the land that your forefathers possessed, and you will possess it again; he will do you good and will multiply you more than he did your forefathers. - -\s5 -\v 6 Yahweh your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so you will love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. -\v 7 Yahweh your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, those who persecuted you. -\v 8 You will return and obey the voice of Yahweh, and you will do all his commandments that I am commanding you today. - -\s5 -\v 9 Yahweh your God will make you abundant in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, for prosperity; for Yahweh will again rejoice over you for prosperity, as he rejoiced over your fathers. -\v 10 He will do this if you will obey the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep his commandments and regulations that are written in this book of the law, if you turn to Yahweh your God with all your heart and all your soul. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 For this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, neither is it too far for you to reach. -\v 12 It is not in heaven, so that you should have to say, 'Who will go up for us to heaven and bring it down to us and make us able to hear it, so that we may do it?' - -\s5 -\v 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, so that you should have to say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us and make us to hear it, so that we may do it?' -\v 14 But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and your heart, so that you may do it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 See, today I have placed before you life and good, death and evil. -\v 16 If you obey the decrees of Yahweh your God, in which I am commanding you today to love Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, you will live and multiply, and Yahweh your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. - -\s5 -\v 17 But if your heart turns away, and you do not listen but instead are drawn away and bow down to other gods and worship them, -\v 18 then I announce to you today that you will surely perish; you will not prolong your days in the land that you are passing over the Jordan to go into and possess. - -\s5 -\v 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life so that you may live, you and your descendants. -\v 20 Do this so as to love Yahweh your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him. For he is your life and the length of your days; do this so that you may live in the land that Yahweh swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." - - - - -\s5 -\c 31 -\p -\v 1 Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. -\v 2 He said to them, "I am now one hundred twenty years old; I can no more go out and come in; Yahweh has said to me, 'You will not go over this Jordan.' -\v 3 Yahweh your God, he will go over before you; he will destroy these nations from before you, and you will dispossess them. Joshua, he will go over before you, as Yahweh has spoken. - -\s5 -\v 4 Yahweh will do to them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, which he destroyed. -\v 5 Yahweh will give you victory over them when you meet them in battle, and you will do to them all that I commanded you. -\v 6 Be strong and of good courage, fear not, and do not be afraid of them; for Yahweh your God, he it is who goes with you; he will not fail you nor forsake you." - -\s5 -\v 7 Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you will go with this people into the land that Yahweh has sworn to their ancestors to give them; you will cause them to inherit it. -\v 8 Yahweh, he it is who goes before you; he will be with you; he will not fail you nor abandon you; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Moses wrote this law and gave it out to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; he also gave copies of it to all the elders of Israel. -\v 10 Moses commanded them and said, "At the end of every seven years, at the time fixed for the cancellation of debts, during the Festival of Shelters, -\v 11 when all Israel has come to appear before Yahweh your God in the place that he will choose for his sanctuary, you will read this law before all Israel in their hearing. - -\s5 -\v 12 Assemble the people, the men, the women, and the little ones, and your foreigner who is within your city gates, so that they may hear and learn, and so that they may honor Yahweh your God and keep all the words of this law. -\v 13 Do this so that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to honor Yahweh your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Yahweh said to Moses, "Look, the day is coming when you must die; call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, so that I may give him a command." Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. -\v 15 Yahweh appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud; the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the tent. - -\s5 -\v 16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Look, you will sleep with your fathers; this people will rise up and act like a prostitute going after the strange gods that are among them in the land where they are going. They will forsake me and break my covenant that I have made with them. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then, on that day, my anger will be kindled against them and I will abandon them. I will hide my face from them and they will be devoured. Many disasters and troubles will find them so that they will say on that day, 'Have these disasters not come upon us because our God is not in our midst?' -\v 18 I will surely hide my face from them on that day because of all the evil that they will have done, because they has turned to other gods. - -\s5 -\v 19 Now therefore write this song for yourselves and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, so that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel. -\v 20 For when I will have brought them into the land that I swore to give to their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey, and when they have eaten and become satisfied and fat, then they will turn to other gods and they will serve them and they will despise me and they will break my covenant. - -\s5 -\v 21 When many evils and troubles come upon this people, this song will testify before them as a witness (for it will not be forgotten from the mouths of their descendants). For I know the plans that they are forming today, even before I have brought them into the land that I promised them." - -\s5 -\v 22 So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel. -\v 23 Yahweh gave Joshua son of Nun a command and said, "Be strong and of good courage; for you will bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to them, and I will be with you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 It happened that when Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, -\v 25 that he commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and he said, -\v 26 "Take this book of the law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, so that it may be there as a witness against you. - -\s5 -\v 27 For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck; look, while I am still alive with you even today, you have been rebellious against Yahweh; how much more after my death? -\v 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, so that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them. -\v 29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside out of the path that I have commanded you; disaster will come on you in the following days. This will happen because you will do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh, so as to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands." - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Moses recited in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song until they were finished. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 32 -\q -\v 1 Give ear, you heavens, and let me speak. -\q Let the earth listen to the words of my mouth. -\q -\v 2 Let my teaching drop down like the rain, -\q let my speech distill like the dew, -\q like the gentle rain on the tender grass, -\q and like the showers on the plants. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 For I will proclaim the name of Yahweh, -\q and ascribe greatness to our God. -\q -\v 4 The Rock, his work is perfect; -\q for all his paths are just. -\q He is the faithful God, without iniquity. -\q He is just and upright. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 They have acted corruptly against him. -\q They are not his children. It is their disgrace. -\q They are a perverted and crooked generation. -\q -\v 6 Do you reward Yahweh in this way, -\q you foolish and senseless people? -\q Is he not your father, the one who has created you? -\q He made you and established you. -\q - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Call to mind the days of ancient times, -\q think about the years of many ages past. -\q Ask your father and he will show you, -\q your elders and they will tell you. -\q -\v 8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance— -\q when he divided all of mankind, -\q and he set the boundaries of the peoples, -\q as he also fixed the number of their gods. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 For Yahweh's portion is his people; -\q Jacob is his apportioned inheritance. -\q -\v 10 He found him in a desert land, -\q and in the barren and howling wilderness; -\q he shielded him and cared for him, -\q he guarded him as the apple of his eye. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 As an eagle that guards her nest -\q and flutters over her young, -\q Yahweh spread out his wings and took them, -\q and carried them on his pinions. -\q -\v 12 Yahweh alone led him; -\q no foreign god was with him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 He made him ride on high places of the land, -\q and he fed him the fruits of the field; -\q he nourished him with honey from the rock, -\q and oil from the flinty crag. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 He ate butter from the herd and drank milk from the flock, -\q with fat of lambs, -\q rams of Bashan and goats, -\q with the finest of the wheat— -\q and you drank foaming wine made from the juice of grapes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— -\q you grew fat, you were too fat, and you had eaten your fill— -\q he abandoned the God who made him, -\q and he rejected the Rock of his salvation. -\q -\v 16 They made Yahweh jealous by their strange gods; -\q with their abominations they angered him. -\s5 -\q -\v 17 They sacrificed to demons, which are not God— -\q gods they had not known, -\q gods that recently appeared, -\q gods your fathers did not fear. -\q -\v 18 You have deserted the Rock, who became your father, -\q and you forgot the God who gave you birth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Yahweh saw this and he rejected them, -\q because his sons and his daughters provoked him so. -\q -\v 20 "I will hide my face from them," he said, -\q "and I will see what their end will be; -\q for they are a perverse generation, -\q children who are unfaithful. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 They have made me jealous by what is not god -\q and angered me by their worthless things. -\q I will make them envious by those who are not a people; -\q by a foolish nation I will make them angry. -\s5 -\q -\v 22 For a fire is kindled by my anger -\q and is burning to the lowest Sheol; -\q it is devouring the earth and its harvest; -\q it is setting on fire the foundations of the mountains. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 I will heap disasters on them; -\q I will shoot all my arrows at them; -\q -\v 24 They will be wasted by hunger and devoured by burning heat -\q and bitter destruction; -\q I will send on them the teeth of wild animals, -\q with the poison of things that crawl in the dust. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 Outside the sword will bereave, -\q and in the bedrooms terror will do so. -\q It will destroy both young man and virgin, -\q the nursing baby, and the man of gray hairs. -\q -\v 26 I said that I would scatter them far away, -\q that I would make the memory of them to cease from among mankind. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, -\q and that their enemies would judge mistakenly, -\q and that they would say, 'Our hand is exalted,' -\q I would have done all this. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 For Israel is a nation devoid of wisdom, -\q and there is no understanding in them. -\q -\v 29 Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, -\q that they would consider their coming fate! - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 How could one chase a thousand, -\q and two put ten thousand to flight, -\q unless their Rock had sold them, -\q and Yahweh had given them up? -\q -\v 31 For our enemies' rock is not like our Rock, -\q just as even our enemies admit. - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom, -\q and from the fields of Gomorrah; -\q their grapes are grapes of poison; -\q their clusters are bitter. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 Their wine is the poison of serpents -\q and the cruel venom of asps. -\q -\v 34 Is not this plan secretly kept by me, -\q sealed up among my treasures? - -\s5 -\q -\v 35 Vengeance is mine to give, and recompense, -\q at the time when their foot slips; -\q for the day of disaster for them is near, -\q and the things that are to come on them will hurry to happen." - -\s5 -\q -\v 36 For Yahweh will give justice to his people, -\q and he will pity his servants. -\q He will see that their power is gone, -\q and no one remains, either slaves or free people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 37 Then he will say, "Where are their gods, -\q the rock in whom they took refuge?— -\q -\v 38 The gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices -\q and drank the wine of their drink offerings? -\q Let them rise up and help you; -\q let them be your protection. - -\s5 -\q -\v 39 See now that I, even I, am God, -\q and that there is no god besides me; -\q I kill, and I make alive; -\q I wound, and I heal, -\q and there is no one who can save you from my might. -\q -\v 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven -\q and say, 'As I live forever, I will act. - -\s5 -\q -\v 41 When I sharpen my glittering sword, -\q and when my hand begins to bring justice, -\q I will render vengeance on my enemies, -\q and I will pay back those who hate me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood, -\q and my sword will devour flesh -\q with the blood of the killed and the captives, -\q and from the heads of the leaders of the enemy.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 43 Rejoice, you nations, with God's people, -\q for he will avenge the blood of his servants; -\q he will render vengeance on his enemies, -\q and he will make atonement for his land, for his people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Joshua son of Nun. -\v 45 Then Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel. - -\s5 -\v 46 He said to them, "Fix your mind on all the words that I have witnessed to you today, so that you may command your children to keep them, all the words of this law. -\v 47 For this is no trivial matter for you, because it is your life, and through this thing you will prolong your days in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess." - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 Yahweh spoke to Moses on that same day and said, -\v 49 "Go up into this range of the mountains of Abarim, up Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho. You will look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel as their possession. - -\s5 -\v 50 You will die on the mountain that you go up, and you will be gathered to your people, as Aaron your fellow Israelite died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. -\v 51 This will happen because you were unfaithful to me among the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you did not treat me with honor and respect among the people of Israel. -\v 52 For you will see the land before you, but you will not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 33 -\p -\v 1 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. -\v 2 He said: -\q Yahweh came from Sinai -\q and rose from Seir upon them. -\q He shined out from Mount Paran, -\q and he came with ten thousands of holy ones. -\q In his right hand were flashes of lightning. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Indeed, he loves the peoples; -\q all his holy ones are in your hand, -\q and they bowed down at your feet; -\q they received your words. -\q -\v 4 Moses commanded us a law, -\q an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Then there was a king in Jeshurun, -\q when the heads of the people had gathered, -\q all the tribes of Israel together. -\q -\v 6 Let Reuben live and not die, -\q but may his men be few. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 This is the blessing for Judah. Moses said: -\q Listen, Yahweh, to the voice of Judah, -\q and bring him to his people again. -\q Fight for him; -\q be a help against his enemies. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 About Levi, Moses said: -\q Your Thummim and your Urim belong your loyal one, -\q the one whom you tested at Massah, -\q with whom you struggled at the waters of Meribah. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 The man who said about his father and mother, "I have not seen them." -\q Neither did he acknowledge his brothers, -\q nor did he take account of his own children. -\q For he guarded your word -\q and kept your covenant. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 He teaches Jacob your decrees -\q and Israel your law. -\q He will put incense before you -\q and whole burnt offerings on your altar. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Bless, Yahweh, his possessions, -\q and accept the work of his hands. -\q Shatter the loins of those who rise up against him, -\q and those of the people who hate him, so that they do not rise up again. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 About Benjamin, Moses said: -\q The one loved by Yahweh lives in security beside him; -\q Yahweh shields him all the day long, -\q and he lives between Yahweh's arms. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 About Joseph, Moses said: -\q May his land be blessed by Yahweh -\q with the precious things of heaven, with the dew, -\q and with the deep that lies beneath. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 May his land be blessed with the precious things of the harvest of the sun, -\q with the precious things of the produce of the months, -\q -\v 15 with the finest things of the ancient mountains, -\q and with the precious things of the everlasting hills. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 May his land be blessed with the precious things of the earth and its abundance, -\q and with the good will of him who was in the bush. -\q Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph, -\q and on the top of the head of him who was prince over his brothers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 The firstborn of an ox, majestic is he, -\q and his horns are the horns of a wild ox. -\q With them he will push the peoples, all of them, to the ends of the earth. -\q These are the ten thousands of Ephraim; -\q these are the thousands of Manasseh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 About Zebulun, Moses said: -\q Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, -\q and you, Issachar, in your tents. -\q -\v 19 They will call the peoples to the mountains. -\q There will they offer sacrifices of righteousness. -\q For they will suck the abundance of the seas, -\q and from the sand on the seashore. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 About Gad, Moses said: -\q Blessed be he who enlarges Gad. -\q He will live there like a lioness, -\q and he will tear off an arm or a head. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 He provided the best part for himself, -\q for there was the leader's portion of land reserved. -\q He came with the heads of the people. -\q He carried out the justice of Yahweh -\q and his decrees with Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 About Dan, Moses said: -\q Dan is a lion cub -\q that leaps out from Bashan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 About Naphtali, Moses said: -\q Naphtali, satisfied with favor, -\q and full of the blessing of Yahweh, -\q take possession of the land to the west and south. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 About Asher, Moses said: -\q Blessed be Asher more than the other sons; -\q let him be acceptable to his brothers, -\q and let him dip his foot in olive oil. -\q -\v 25 May your city bars be iron and bronze; -\q as long as will be your days, so long will your security be. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 There is no one like God, Jeshurun—the upright one, -\q who rides through the heavens to your help, -\q and in his majesty on the clouds. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 The eternal God is a refuge, -\q and underneath are the everlasting arms. -\q He thrust out the enemy from before you, -\q and he said, "Destroy!" - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Israel dwelt in safety. -\q Jacob's spring was secure -\q in a land of grain and new wine; -\q indeed, let his heavens drop dew on him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 Your blessings are many, Israel! -\q Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh, -\q the shield of your help, -\q and the sword of your majesty? -\q Your enemies will come trembling to you; -\q you will trample down their high places. - - - - -\s5 -\c 34 -\p -\v 1 Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. There Yahweh showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, -\v 2 and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the western sea, -\v 3 and the Negev, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. - -\s5 -\v 4 Yahweh said to him, "This is the land that I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have allowed you to look at it with your eyes, but you will not go over there." -\v 5 So Moses the servant of Yahweh, died there in the land of Moab, as the word of Yahweh promised. -\v 6 Yahweh buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth Peor, but no one knows where his grave is to this day. - -\s5 -\v 7 Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. -\v 8 The people of Israel mourned for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days, and then the days of mourning for Moses were finished. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. The people of Israel listened to him and did what Yahweh had commanded Moses. - -\s5 -\v 10 There has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face. -\v 11 There has never been any prophet like him in all the signs and wonders that Yahweh sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land. -\v 12 There has never been any prophet like him in all the great, fearsome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people and said, "Keep all the commandments that I command you today. +\v 2 On the day when you will pass over the Jordan to the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, you must set up some large stones and plaster them with plaster. +\v 3 You must write on them all the words of this law when you have passed over; that you may go into the land that Yahweh your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. + +\s5 +\v 4 When you have passed over the Jordan, set up these stones that I am commanding you about today, on Mount Ebal, and plaster them with plaster. +\v 5 There you must build an altar to Yahweh your God, an altar of stones; but you must raise no iron tool to work the stones. + +\s5 +\v 6 You must build the altar of Yahweh your God of unworked stones; you must offer burnt offerings on it to Yahweh your God, +\v 7 and you will sacrifice fellowship offerings and will eat there; you will rejoice before Yahweh your God. +\v 8 You will write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Moses and the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel and said, "Be silent and listen, Israel: Today you have become the people of Yahweh your God. +\v 10 You must therefore obey the voice of Yahweh your God and obey his commandments and statutes that I am commanding you today." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Moses commanded the people the same day and said, +\v 12 "These tribes must stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people after you have passed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. + +\s5 +\v 13 These are the tribes that must stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. +\v 14 The Levites will answer and say to all the men of Israel in a loud voice: + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 'May the man be cursed who makes a carved or cast figure, an abomination to Yahweh, the work of the hands of a craftsman, and who sets it up in secret.' Then all the people must answer and say, 'Amen.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 'May the man be cursed who dishonors his father or his mother.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' +\p +\v 17 'May the man be cursed who removes his neighbor's landmark.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 'May the man be cursed who makes the blind to wander away from the road.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' +\p +\v 19 'May the man be cursed who uses force to take away the justice due to a foreigner, fatherless, or widow.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 'May the man be cursed who lies with his father's wife, because he has taken away his father's rights.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' +\p +\v 21 'May the man be cursed who sleeps with any kind of beast.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 'May the man be cursed who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father, or with the daughter of his mother.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' +\p +\v 23 'May the man be cursed who sleeps with his mother-in-law.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 'May the man be cursed who kills his neighbor secretly.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' +\p +\v 25 'May the man be cursed who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 'May the man be cursed who does not confirm the words of this law, that he will obey them.' Then all the people must say, 'Amen.' + + + + +\s5 +\c 28 +\p +\v 1 If you listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God so as to keep all his commandments that I am commanding you today, Yahweh your God will set you above all the other nations of the earth. +\v 2 All these blessings will come on you and overtake you, if you listen to the voice of Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\v 3 Blessed will you be in the city, and blessed will you be in the field. +\v 4 Blessed will be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock. + +\s5 +\v 5 Blessed will be your basket and your kneading trough. +\v 6 Blessed will you be when you come in, and blessed will you be when you go out. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Yahweh will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck down before you; they will come out against you one way but will flee before you seven ways. +\v 8 Yahweh will command the blessing to come on you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to; he will bless you in the land that he is giving you. + +\s5 +\v 9 Yahweh will establish you as a people that is set apart for himself, as he has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and walk in his ways. +\v 10 All the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of Yahweh, and they will be afraid of you. + +\s5 +\v 11 Yahweh will make you very prosperous in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your cattle, in the fruit of your ground, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you. +\v 12 Yahweh will open to you his storehouse of the heavens to give the rain for your land at the right time, and to bless all the work of your hand; you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. + +\s5 +\v 13 Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail; you will be only above, and you will never be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God that I am commanding you today, so as to observe and to do them, +\v 14 and if you do not turn away from any of the words that I am commanding you today, to the right hand or to the left, so as to go after other gods to serve them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 But if you do not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep all his commandments and his statutes that I am commanding you today, then all these curses will come on you and overtake you. + +\s5 +\v 16 Cursed will you be in the city, and cursed will you be in the field. +\v 17 Cursed will be your basket and your kneading trough. + +\s5 +\v 18 Cursed will be the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock. +\v 19 Cursed will you be when you come in, and cursed will you be when you go out. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Yahweh will send on you curses, confusion, and rebukes in all that you put your hand to, until you are destroyed, and until you perish quickly because of your wicked actions by which you will have forsaken me. +\v 21 Yahweh will make the plague cling to you until he destroys you from off the land that you are going in to possess. + +\s5 +\v 22 Yahweh will attack you with infectious diseases, with fever, with inflammation, and with drought and blistering heat, and with scorching winds and mildew. These will pursue you until you perish. + +\s5 +\v 23 Your skies that are over your head will be bronze, and the earth that is under you will be iron. +\v 24 Yahweh will make the rain of your land into powder and dust; from the heavens will it come down on you, until you are destroyed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Yahweh will cause you to be struck down before your enemies; you will go out one way against them but will flee before them seven ways. You will be tossed to and fro among all the kingdoms of the earth. +\v 26 Your dead body will be food to all the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the earth; there will be no one to frighten them away. + +\s5 +\v 27 Yahweh will attack you with the boils of Egypt and with ulcers, scurvy, and itch, from which you cannot be healed. +\v 28 Yahweh will attack you with madness, with blindness, and with mental confusion. +\v 29 You will grope about at noonday like the blind grope in the darkness, and you will not prosper in your ways; you will be always oppressed and robbed, and there will be no one to save you. + +\s5 +\v 30 You will become engaged to a woman, but another man will seize her and rape her. You will build a house but not live in it; you will plant a vineyard but not enjoy its fruit. +\v 31 Your ox will be slain before your eyes, but you will not eat its meat; your donkey will be forcibly taken away from before you and will not be restored to you. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and you will have no one to aid you. + +\s5 +\v 32 Your sons and your daughters will be given to other peoples; your eyes will look for them the entire day, but will fail with longing for them. There will be no strength in your hand. + +\s5 +\v 33 The harvest of your land and of all your labors—a nation that you do not know will eat it up; you will always be oppressed and crushed, +\v 34 so that you will become insane by what you have to see happen. +\v 35 Yahweh will attack you in the knees and legs with severe boils from which you cannot be cured, from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Yahweh will take you and the king whom you will place over yourself to a nation that you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors; there you will worship other gods of wood and stone. +\v 37 You will become a source of horror, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples where Yahweh will lead you away. + +\s5 +\v 38 You will take much seed out into the field, but will gather little seed in, for the locusts will consume it. +\v 39 You will plant vineyards and cultivate them, but you will neither drink any of the wine, nor even gather in the grapes, for worms will eat them. + +\s5 +\v 40 You will have olive trees within all your territory, but you will not rub any of the oil on yourself, for your olive trees will drop their fruit. +\v 41 You will have sons and daughters, but they will not remain yours, for they will go into captivity. + +\s5 +\v 42 All your trees and the fruit of your ground—the locusts will take them over. +\v 43 The foreigner who is among you will rise up above you higher and higher; you yourself will come down lower and lower. +\v 44 He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him; he will be the head, and you will be the tail. + +\s5 +\v 45 All these curses will come on you and will pursue and overtake you until you are destroyed. This will happen because you did not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep his commandments and his regulations that he commanded you. +\v 46 These curses will be on you as signs and wonders, and on your descendants forever. + +\s5 +\p +\v 47 Because you did not worship Yahweh your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart when you were in prosperity, +\v 48 therefore will you serve the enemies that Yahweh will send against you; you will serve them in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in poverty. He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until he destroys you. + +\s5 +\v 49 Yahweh will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle flies to its victim, a nation whose language you do not understand; +\v 50 a nation with a fierce face that does not respect the aged and does not show favor to the young. +\v 51 They will eat the young of your cattle and the fruit of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave for you no grain, new wine, or oil, no young of your cattle or of your flock, until they have caused you to perish. + +\s5 +\v 52 They will besiege you in all your city gates, until your high and fortified walls come down everywhere in your land, walls in which you had trusted. They will besiege you within all your city gates throughout all the land that Yahweh your God had given you. +\v 53 You will eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, whom Yahweh your God gave you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies will put upon you. + +\s5 +\v 54 The man who is tender and very delicate among you—he will be envious of his brother and his own dear wife, and of whatever children he has left. +\v 55 So he will not give to any of them the flesh of his own children that he is going to eat, because he will have nothing left for himself in the siege and in the distress which your enemy will put upon you within all your city gates. + +\s5 +\v 56 The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to put the bottom of her foot on the ground for delicateness and tenderness—she will be envious of her own dear husband, of her son, and of her daughter, +\v 57 and of her own newborn that comes out from between her legs, and of the children whom she will bear. She will eat them in private for lack of anything else, during the siege and in the distress which your enemy will put upon you within your city gates. + +\s5 +\p +\v 58 If you do not keep all the words of this law that are written in this book, so as to honor this glorious and fearful name, Yahweh your God, +\v 59 then Yahweh will make your plagues terrible, and those of your descendants; they will be great plagues, of long duration, and severe diseases, of long duration. + +\s5 +\v 60 He will bring on you again all the diseases of Egypt that you were afraid of; they will cling to you. +\v 61 Also every sickness and plague that is not written in the book of this law, those also Yahweh will bring on you until you are destroyed. +\v 62 You will be left few in number, although you were like the stars of the heavens in number, because you did not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\v 63 As Yahweh once rejoiced over you in doing you good, and in multiplying you, so he will rejoice over you in making you perish and in destroying you. You will be plucked off the land that you are going into to possess. +\v 64 Yahweh will scatter you among all peoples from the one end of the earth to the other end of the earth; there you will worship other gods that you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors, gods of wood and stone. + +\s5 +\v 65 Among these nations will you find no ease, and there will be no rest for the bottoms of your feet; instead, Yahweh will give you there a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a soul that mourns. +\v 66 Your life will hang in doubt before you; you will fear every night and day and will have no certainty at all in your life. + +\s5 +\v 67 In the morning you will say, 'I wish it were evening!' and in the evening you will say, 'I wish it were morning!' because of the fear in your hearts and the things your eyes will have to see. +\v 68 Yahweh will bring you into Egypt again by ships, by the route about which I had said to you, 'You will not see Egypt again.' There you will offer yourselves for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will purchase you." + + + + +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 These are the words that Yahweh commanded Moses to tell the people of Israel in the land of Moab, words that were added to the covenant that he had made with them at Horeb. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Moses called to all Israel and said to them, "You have seen everything that Yahweh did before your eyes in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his servants, and to all his land— +\v 3 the great sufferings that your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. +\v 4 But until today Yahweh has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, or ears to hear. + +\s5 +\v 5 I have led you for forty years in the wilderness; your clothes did not wear out on you, and your sandals did not wear out on your feet. +\v 6 You did not eat any bread, and you did not drink any wine or other alcoholic drinks, so that you might know that I am Yahweh your God. + +\s5 +\v 7 When you came to this place, Sihon, the king of Heshbon, and Og, the king of Bashan, came out against us to fight, and we struck them down. +\v 8 We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh. +\v 9 Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, so that you may prosper in everything that you do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 You stand today, all of you, before Yahweh your God; your chiefs, your tribes, your elders, and your officers—all the men of Israel, +\v 11 your little ones, your wives, and the foreigner who is among you in your camp, from him who cuts your wood to him who draws your water. + +\s5 +\v 12 You are here in order to enter into the covenant of Yahweh your God and into the oath that Yahweh your God is making with you today, +\v 13 so that he may make you today into a people for himself, and that he may be God for you, as he spoke to you, and as he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 For it is not only with you that I am making this covenant and this oath— +\v 15 with everyone standing here with us today before Yahweh our God—but also with those who are not here with us today. +\p +\v 16 You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. + +\s5 +\v 17 You have seen their disgusting idols made of wood and stone, silver and gold, that were among them. +\v 18 Make sure there is not among you any man, woman, clan, or tribe whose heart is turning away today from Yahweh our God, so as to go worship the gods of those nations. Make sure there is not among you any root that produces gall and wormwood. +\v 19 When that person hears the words of this curse, he will bless himself in his heart and say, 'I will have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.' This would destroy the wet together with the dry. + +\s5 +\v 20 Yahweh will not pardon him, but instead, the anger of Yahweh and his jealousy will smolder against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book will come on him, and Yahweh will blot out his name from under heaven. +\v 21 Yahweh will set him apart for disaster out of all the tribes of Israel, in keeping with all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 The generation to come, your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a distant land, will speak when they see the plagues on this land and the diseases with which Yahweh has made it sick— +\v 23 and when they see that the whole land has become sulfur and burning salt, where nothing is sown or bears fruit, where no vegetation grows, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, that Yahweh destroyed in his anger and wrath— +\v 24 they will say together with all the other nations, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?' + +\s5 +\v 25 Then people will say, 'It is because they abandoned the covenant of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, that he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt, +\v 26 and because they went and served other gods and bowed down to them, gods that they had not known and that he had not given to them. + +\s5 +\v 27 Therefore the anger of Yahweh has been kindled against this land, so as to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book. +\v 28 Yahweh has uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great fury, and has thrown them into another land, as today.' + +\s5 +\v 29 The secret matters belong alone to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong forever to us and to our descendants, so that we may do all the words of this law. + + + + +\s5 +\c 30 +\p +\v 1 When all these things have come on you, the blessings and the curses that I have set before you, and when you call them to mind among all the other nations where Yahweh your God has driven you, +\v 2 and when you return to Yahweh your God and obey his voice, following all that I am commanding you today— you and your children—with all your heart and with all your soul, +\v 3 then Yahweh your God will reverse your captivity and have compassion on you; he will return and gather you from all the peoples where Yahweh your God has scattered you. + +\s5 +\v 4 If any of your exiled people are in the farthest places under the heavens, from there Yahweh your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you. +\v 5 Yahweh your God will bring you into the land that your forefathers possessed, and you will possess it again; he will do you good and will multiply you more than he did your forefathers. + +\s5 +\v 6 Yahweh your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, so you will love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live. +\v 7 Yahweh your God will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, those who persecuted you. +\v 8 You will return and obey the voice of Yahweh, and you will do all his commandments that I am commanding you today. + +\s5 +\v 9 Yahweh your God will make you abundant in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, for prosperity; for Yahweh will again rejoice over you for prosperity, as he rejoiced over your fathers. +\v 10 He will do this if you will obey the voice of Yahweh your God, so as to keep his commandments and regulations that are written in this book of the law, if you turn to Yahweh your God with all your heart and all your soul. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 For this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, neither is it too far for you to reach. +\v 12 It is not in heaven, so that you should have to say, 'Who will go up for us to heaven and bring it down to us and make us able to hear it, so that we may do it?' + +\s5 +\v 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, so that you should have to say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us and make us to hear it, so that we may do it?' +\v 14 But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and your heart, so that you may do it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 See, today I have placed before you life and good, death and evil. +\v 16 If you obey the decrees of Yahweh your God, in which I am commanding you today to love Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, you will live and multiply, and Yahweh your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. + +\s5 +\v 17 But if your heart turns away, and you do not listen but instead are drawn away and bow down to other gods and worship them, +\v 18 then I announce to you today that you will surely perish; you will not prolong your days in the land that you are passing over the Jordan to go into and possess. + +\s5 +\v 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life so that you may live, you and your descendants. +\v 20 Do this so as to love Yahweh your God, to obey his voice, and to cling to him. For he is your life and the length of your days; do this so that you may live in the land that Yahweh swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." + + + + +\s5 +\c 31 +\p +\v 1 Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. +\v 2 He said to them, "I am now one hundred twenty years old; I can no more go out and come in; Yahweh has said to me, 'You will not go over this Jordan.' +\v 3 Yahweh your God, he will go over before you; he will destroy these nations from before you, and you will dispossess them. Joshua, he will go over before you, as Yahweh has spoken. + +\s5 +\v 4 Yahweh will do to them as he did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, which he destroyed. +\v 5 Yahweh will give you victory over them when you meet them in battle, and you will do to them all that I commanded you. +\v 6 Be strong and of good courage, fear not, and do not be afraid of them; for Yahweh your God, he it is who goes with you; he will not fail you nor forsake you." + +\s5 +\v 7 Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and of good courage, for you will go with this people into the land that Yahweh has sworn to their ancestors to give them; you will cause them to inherit it. +\v 8 Yahweh, he it is who goes before you; he will be with you; he will not fail you nor abandon you; do not be afraid, do not be discouraged." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Moses wrote this law and gave it out to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh; he also gave copies of it to all the elders of Israel. +\v 10 Moses commanded them and said, "At the end of every seven years, at the time fixed for the cancellation of debts, during the Festival of Shelters, +\v 11 when all Israel has come to appear before Yahweh your God in the place that he will choose for his sanctuary, you will read this law before all Israel in their hearing. + +\s5 +\v 12 Assemble the people, the men, the women, and the little ones, and your foreigner who is within your city gates, so that they may hear and learn, and so that they may honor Yahweh your God and keep all the words of this law. +\v 13 Do this so that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to honor Yahweh your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Yahweh said to Moses, "Look, the day is coming when you must die; call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, so that I may give him a command." Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. +\v 15 Yahweh appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud; the pillar of cloud stood over the door of the tent. + +\s5 +\v 16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Look, you will sleep with your fathers; this people will rise up and act like a prostitute going after the strange gods that are among them in the land where they are going. They will forsake me and break my covenant that I have made with them. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then, on that day, my anger will be kindled against them and I will abandon them. I will hide my face from them and they will be devoured. Many disasters and troubles will find them so that they will say on that day, 'Have these disasters not come upon us because our God is not in our midst?' +\v 18 I will surely hide my face from them on that day because of all the evil that they will have done, because they has turned to other gods. + +\s5 +\v 19 Now therefore write this song for yourselves and teach it to the people of Israel. Put it in their mouths, so that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel. +\v 20 For when I will have brought them into the land that I swore to give to their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey, and when they have eaten and become satisfied and fat, then they will turn to other gods and they will serve them and they will despise me and they will break my covenant. + +\s5 +\v 21 When many evils and troubles come upon this people, this song will testify before them as a witness (for it will not be forgotten from the mouths of their descendants). For I know the plans that they are forming today, even before I have brought them into the land that I promised them." + +\s5 +\v 22 So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel. +\v 23 Yahweh gave Joshua son of Nun a command and said, "Be strong and of good courage; for you will bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to them, and I will be with you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 It happened that when Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, +\v 25 that he commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and he said, +\v 26 "Take this book of the law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God, so that it may be there as a witness against you. + +\s5 +\v 27 For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck; look, while I am still alive with you even today, you have been rebellious against Yahweh; how much more after my death? +\v 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, so that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them. +\v 29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside out of the path that I have commanded you; disaster will come on you in the following days. This will happen because you will do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh, so as to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands." + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Moses recited in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song until they were finished. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 32 +\q +\v 1 Give ear, you heavens, and let me speak. +\q Let the earth listen to the words of my mouth. +\q +\v 2 Let my teaching drop down like the rain, +\q let my speech distill like the dew, +\q like the gentle rain on the tender grass, +\q and like the showers on the plants. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 For I will proclaim the name of Yahweh, +\q and ascribe greatness to our God. +\q +\v 4 The Rock, his work is perfect; +\q for all his paths are just. +\q He is the faithful God, without iniquity. +\q He is just and upright. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 They have acted corruptly against him. +\q They are not his children. It is their disgrace. +\q They are a perverted and crooked generation. +\q +\v 6 Do you reward Yahweh in this way, +\q you foolish and senseless people? +\q Is he not your father, the one who has created you? +\q He made you and established you. +\q + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Call to mind the days of ancient times, +\q think about the years of many ages past. +\q Ask your father and he will show you, +\q your elders and they will tell you. +\q +\v 8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance— +\q when he divided all of mankind, +\q and he set the boundaries of the peoples, +\q as he also fixed the number of their gods. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 For Yahweh's portion is his people; +\q Jacob is his apportioned inheritance. +\q +\v 10 He found him in a desert land, +\q and in the barren and howling wilderness; +\q he shielded him and cared for him, +\q he guarded him as the apple of his eye. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 As an eagle that guards her nest +\q and flutters over her young, +\q Yahweh spread out his wings and took them, +\q and carried them on his pinions. +\q +\v 12 Yahweh alone led him; +\q no foreign god was with him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 He made him ride on high places of the land, +\q and he fed him the fruits of the field; +\q he nourished him with honey from the rock, +\q and oil from the flinty crag. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 He ate butter from the herd and drank milk from the flock, +\q with fat of lambs, +\q rams of Bashan and goats, +\q with the finest of the wheat— +\q and you drank foaming wine made from the juice of grapes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— +\q you grew fat, you were too fat, and you had eaten your fill— +\q he abandoned the God who made him, +\q and he rejected the Rock of his salvation. +\q +\v 16 They made Yahweh jealous by their strange gods; +\q with their abominations they angered him. +\s5 +\q +\v 17 They sacrificed to demons, which are not God— +\q gods they had not known, +\q gods that recently appeared, +\q gods your fathers did not fear. +\q +\v 18 You have deserted the Rock, who became your father, +\q and you forgot the God who gave you birth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Yahweh saw this and he rejected them, +\q because his sons and his daughters provoked him so. +\q +\v 20 "I will hide my face from them," he said, +\q "and I will see what their end will be; +\q for they are a perverse generation, +\q children who are unfaithful. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 They have made me jealous by what is not god +\q and angered me by their worthless things. +\q I will make them envious by those who are not a people; +\q by a foolish nation I will make them angry. +\s5 +\q +\v 22 For a fire is kindled by my anger +\q and is burning to the lowest Sheol; +\q it is devouring the earth and its harvest; +\q it is setting on fire the foundations of the mountains. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 I will heap disasters on them; +\q I will shoot all my arrows at them; +\q +\v 24 They will be wasted by hunger and devoured by burning heat +\q and bitter destruction; +\q I will send on them the teeth of wild animals, +\q with the poison of things that crawl in the dust. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 Outside the sword will bereave, +\q and in the bedrooms terror will do so. +\q It will destroy both young man and virgin, +\q the nursing baby, and the man of gray hairs. +\q +\v 26 I said that I would scatter them far away, +\q that I would make the memory of them to cease from among mankind. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 Were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy, +\q and that their enemies would judge mistakenly, +\q and that they would say, 'Our hand is exalted,' +\q I would have done all this. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 For Israel is a nation devoid of wisdom, +\q and there is no understanding in them. +\q +\v 29 Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, +\q that they would consider their coming fate! + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 How could one chase a thousand, +\q and two put ten thousand to flight, +\q unless their Rock had sold them, +\q and Yahweh had given them up? +\q +\v 31 For our enemies' rock is not like our Rock, +\q just as even our enemies admit. + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom, +\q and from the fields of Gomorrah; +\q their grapes are grapes of poison; +\q their clusters are bitter. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 Their wine is the poison of serpents +\q and the cruel venom of asps. +\q +\v 34 Is not this plan secretly kept by me, +\q sealed up among my treasures? + +\s5 +\q +\v 35 Vengeance is mine to give, and recompense, +\q at the time when their foot slips; +\q for the day of disaster for them is near, +\q and the things that are to come on them will hurry to happen." + +\s5 +\q +\v 36 For Yahweh will give justice to his people, +\q and he will pity his servants. +\q He will see that their power is gone, +\q and no one remains, either slaves or free people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 37 Then he will say, "Where are their gods, +\q the rock in whom they took refuge?— +\q +\v 38 The gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices +\q and drank the wine of their drink offerings? +\q Let them rise up and help you; +\q let them be your protection. + +\s5 +\q +\v 39 See now that I, even I, am God, +\q and that there is no god besides me; +\q I kill, and I make alive; +\q I wound, and I heal, +\q and there is no one who can save you from my might. +\q +\v 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven +\q and say, 'As I live forever, I will act. + +\s5 +\q +\v 41 When I sharpen my glittering sword, +\q and when my hand begins to bring justice, +\q I will render vengeance on my enemies, +\q and I will pay back those who hate me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood, +\q and my sword will devour flesh +\q with the blood of the killed and the captives, +\q and from the heads of the leaders of the enemy.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 43 Rejoice, you nations, with God's people, +\q for he will avenge the blood of his servants; +\q he will render vengeance on his enemies, +\q and he will make atonement for his land, for his people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Joshua son of Nun. +\v 45 Then Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel. + +\s5 +\v 46 He said to them, "Fix your mind on all the words that I have witnessed to you today, so that you may command your children to keep them, all the words of this law. +\v 47 For this is no trivial matter for you, because it is your life, and through this thing you will prolong your days in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess." + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 Yahweh spoke to Moses on that same day and said, +\v 49 "Go up into this range of the mountains of Abarim, up Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho. You will look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel as their possession. + +\s5 +\v 50 You will die on the mountain that you go up, and you will be gathered to your people, as Aaron your fellow Israelite died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. +\v 51 This will happen because you were unfaithful to me among the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you did not treat me with honor and respect among the people of Israel. +\v 52 For you will see the land before you, but you will not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 33 +\p +\v 1 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. +\v 2 He said: +\q Yahweh came from Sinai +\q and rose from Seir upon them. +\q He shined out from Mount Paran, +\q and he came with ten thousands of holy ones. +\q In his right hand were flashes of lightning. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Indeed, he loves the peoples; +\q all his holy ones are in your hand, +\q and they bowed down at your feet; +\q they received your words. +\q +\v 4 Moses commanded us a law, +\q an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Then there was a king in Jeshurun, +\q when the heads of the people had gathered, +\q all the tribes of Israel together. +\q +\v 6 Let Reuben live and not die, +\q but may his men be few. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 This is the blessing for Judah. Moses said: +\q Listen, Yahweh, to the voice of Judah, +\q and bring him to his people again. +\q Fight for him; +\q be a help against his enemies. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 About Levi, Moses said: +\q Your Thummim and your Urim belong your loyal one, +\q the one whom you tested at Massah, +\q with whom you struggled at the waters of Meribah. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 The man who said about his father and mother, "I have not seen them." +\q Neither did he acknowledge his brothers, +\q nor did he take account of his own children. +\q For he guarded your word +\q and kept your covenant. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 He teaches Jacob your decrees +\q and Israel your law. +\q He will put incense before you +\q and whole burnt offerings on your altar. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Bless, Yahweh, his possessions, +\q and accept the work of his hands. +\q Shatter the loins of those who rise up against him, +\q and those of the people who hate him, so that they do not rise up again. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 About Benjamin, Moses said: +\q The one loved by Yahweh lives in security beside him; +\q Yahweh shields him all the day long, +\q and he lives between Yahweh's arms. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 About Joseph, Moses said: +\q May his land be blessed by Yahweh +\q with the precious things of heaven, with the dew, +\q and with the deep that lies beneath. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 May his land be blessed with the precious things of the harvest of the sun, +\q with the precious things of the produce of the months, +\q +\v 15 with the finest things of the ancient mountains, +\q and with the precious things of the everlasting hills. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 May his land be blessed with the precious things of the earth and its abundance, +\q and with the good will of him who was in the bush. +\q Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph, +\q and on the top of the head of him who was prince over his brothers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 The firstborn of an ox, majestic is he, +\q and his horns are the horns of a wild ox. +\q With them he will push the peoples, all of them, to the ends of the earth. +\q These are the ten thousands of Ephraim; +\q these are the thousands of Manasseh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 About Zebulun, Moses said: +\q Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, +\q and you, Issachar, in your tents. +\q +\v 19 They will call the peoples to the mountains. +\q There will they offer sacrifices of righteousness. +\q For they will suck the abundance of the seas, +\q and from the sand on the seashore. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 About Gad, Moses said: +\q Blessed be he who enlarges Gad. +\q He will live there like a lioness, +\q and he will tear off an arm or a head. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 He provided the best part for himself, +\q for there was the leader's portion of land reserved. +\q He came with the heads of the people. +\q He carried out the justice of Yahweh +\q and his decrees with Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 About Dan, Moses said: +\q Dan is a lion cub +\q that leaps out from Bashan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 About Naphtali, Moses said: +\q Naphtali, satisfied with favor, +\q and full of the blessing of Yahweh, +\q take possession of the land to the west and south. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 About Asher, Moses said: +\q Blessed be Asher more than the other sons; +\q let him be acceptable to his brothers, +\q and let him dip his foot in olive oil. +\q +\v 25 May your city bars be iron and bronze; +\q as long as will be your days, so long will your security be. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 There is no one like God, Jeshurun—the upright one, +\q who rides through the heavens to your help, +\q and in his majesty on the clouds. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 The eternal God is a refuge, +\q and underneath are the everlasting arms. +\q He thrust out the enemy from before you, +\q and he said, "Destroy!" + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Israel dwelt in safety. +\q Jacob's spring was secure +\q in a land of grain and new wine; +\q indeed, let his heavens drop dew on him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 Your blessings are many, Israel! +\q Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh, +\q the shield of your help, +\q and the sword of your majesty? +\q Your enemies will come trembling to you; +\q you will trample down their high places. + + + + +\s5 +\c 34 +\p +\v 1 Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. There Yahweh showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan, +\v 2 and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the western sea, +\v 3 and the Negev, and the plain of the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. + +\s5 +\v 4 Yahweh said to him, "This is the land that I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have allowed you to look at it with your eyes, but you will not go over there." +\v 5 So Moses the servant of Yahweh, died there in the land of Moab, as the word of Yahweh promised. +\v 6 Yahweh buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth Peor, but no one knows where his grave is to this day. + +\s5 +\v 7 Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. +\v 8 The people of Israel mourned for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days, and then the days of mourning for Moses were finished. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. The people of Israel listened to him and did what Yahweh had commanded Moses. + +\s5 +\v 10 There has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face. +\v 11 There has never been any prophet like him in all the signs and wonders that Yahweh sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land. +\v 12 There has never been any prophet like him in all the great, fearsome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. + + + diff --git a/06-JOS.usfm b/06-JOS.usfm index ff2277d3..0c3e045c 100644 --- a/06-JOS.usfm +++ b/06-JOS.usfm @@ -299,69 +299,69 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 But the people of Israel acted unfaithfully regarding the things that were set apart for destruction. Achan son of Karmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some things that were set apart for destruction, and Yahweh's anger burned against the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which was near Beth Aven, east of Bethel. He said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." So the men went up and spied out Ai. -\v 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said to him, "Do not send all the people up to Ai. Send only two or three thousand men to go up and attack Ai. Do not make all the people labor in battle, for they are few in number." - -\s5 -\v 4 So only about three thousand men went up from the army, but these ran away from the men of Ai. -\v 5 The men of Ai killed about thirty-six men as they pursued them from the city gate as far as to the stone quarries, and they killed them as they were going down a hill. The hearts of the people melted and became like water. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then Joshua tore his garments. He and the elders of Israel put dust on their heads and lay facedown on the ground in front of the ark of Yahweh, remaining there until evening. -\v 7 Then Joshua said, "Ah, Yahweh Lord, why have you brought this people across the Jordan at all? To give us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we made a different decision and we had stayed on the other side of the Jordan! - -\s5 -\v 8 Lord, what can I say, after Israel has turned their backs before their enemies? -\v 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it. They will surround us and make the people of the earth forget our name. What will you do for your great name?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Yahweh said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying there on your face? -\v 11 Israel has sinned. They have broken my covenant which I commanded them. They have stolen some of the things that were set apart. They have stolen and then also hidden their sin by putting what they have taken among their own belongings. -\v 12 As a result, the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turned their backs from their enemies because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will not be with you any more unless you destroy the things that should have been destroyed, but are still among you. - -\s5 -\v 13 Get up! Consecrate the people to me and say to them, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow. For Yahweh, the God of Israel says, "There are things set apart to be destroyed that are still among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove from among you all the things that were set apart to be destroyed." - -\s5 -\v 14 In the morning, you must present yourselves by your tribes. The tribe that Yahweh selects will come near by their clans. The clan that Yahweh selects must come near by each household. The household that Yahweh selects must come near one by one. -\v 15 It will happen that the one who is selected and who has those things that were set apart for destruction, he will be burned, he and all he has, because he has broken the covenant of Yahweh and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So, Joshua got up early in the morning and brought Israel near, tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected. -\v 17 Joshua brought the clans of Judah near, and the clan of the Zerahites was selected. He brought near the clan of the Zerahites person by person, and Zabdi was selected. -\v 18 He brought Zabdi's household near, person by person, and Achan son of Karmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, was selected. - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, tell the truth before Yahweh, the God of Israel, and give your confession to him. Please tell me what you have done. Do not hide it from me." -\v 20 Achan answered Joshua, "Truly, I have sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel. This is what I did: -\v 21 When I saw among the plunder a beautiful coat from Babylon, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I desired them and took them. They are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, and the silver is under it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Joshua sent messengers, who ran to the tent and there were the things. When they looked, they found them hidden in his own tent, and the silver under them. -\v 23 They took the items from the middle of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. They poured them out before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 24 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, the coat, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them up to the Valley of Achor. - -\s5 -\v 25 Then Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? Yahweh will trouble you today." All Israel stoned him with stones. Then they stoned the rest with stones and burned them with fire. -\v 26 They set up over him a great heap of stones that is here until this day. Yahweh turned away his burning anger. Therefore the name of the place is the Valley of Achor until this present day. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 But the people of Israel acted unfaithfully regarding the things that were set apart for destruction. Achan son of Karmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some things that were set apart for destruction, and Yahweh's anger burned against the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which was near Beth Aven, east of Bethel. He said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." So the men went up and spied out Ai. +\v 3 When they returned to Joshua, they said to him, "Do not send all the people up to Ai. Send only two or three thousand men to go up and attack Ai. Do not make all the people labor in battle, for they are few in number." + +\s5 +\v 4 So only about three thousand men went up from the army, but these ran away from the men of Ai. +\v 5 The men of Ai killed about thirty-six men as they pursued them from the city gate as far as to the stone quarries, and they killed them as they were going down a hill. The hearts of the people melted and became like water. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then Joshua tore his garments. He and the elders of Israel put dust on their heads and lay facedown on the ground in front of the ark of Yahweh, remaining there until evening. +\v 7 Then Joshua said, "Ah, Yahweh Lord, why have you brought this people across the Jordan at all? To give us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we made a different decision and we had stayed on the other side of the Jordan! + +\s5 +\v 8 Lord, what can I say, after Israel has turned their backs before their enemies? +\v 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it. They will surround us and make the people of the earth forget our name. What will you do for your great name?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Yahweh said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying there on your face? +\v 11 Israel has sinned. They have broken my covenant which I commanded them. They have stolen some of the things that were set apart. They have stolen and then also hidden their sin by putting what they have taken among their own belongings. +\v 12 As a result, the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turned their backs from their enemies because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will not be with you any more unless you destroy the things that should have been destroyed, but are still among you. + +\s5 +\v 13 Get up! Consecrate the people to me and say to them, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow. For Yahweh, the God of Israel says, "There are things set apart to be destroyed that are still among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove from among you all the things that were set apart to be destroyed." + +\s5 +\v 14 In the morning, you must present yourselves by your tribes. The tribe that Yahweh selects will come near by their clans. The clan that Yahweh selects must come near by each household. The household that Yahweh selects must come near one by one. +\v 15 It will happen that the one who is selected and who has those things that were set apart for destruction, he will be burned, he and all he has, because he has broken the covenant of Yahweh and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So, Joshua got up early in the morning and brought Israel near, tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected. +\v 17 Joshua brought the clans of Judah near, and the clan of the Zerahites was selected. He brought near the clan of the Zerahites person by person, and Zabdi was selected. +\v 18 He brought Zabdi's household near, person by person, and Achan son of Karmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, was selected. + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, tell the truth before Yahweh, the God of Israel, and give your confession to him. Please tell me what you have done. Do not hide it from me." +\v 20 Achan answered Joshua, "Truly, I have sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel. This is what I did: +\v 21 When I saw among the plunder a beautiful coat from Babylon, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I desired them and took them. They are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, and the silver is under it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Joshua sent messengers, who ran to the tent and there were the things. When they looked, they found them hidden in his own tent, and the silver under them. +\v 23 They took the items from the middle of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. They poured them out before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 24 Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, the coat, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them up to the Valley of Achor. + +\s5 +\v 25 Then Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? Yahweh will trouble you today." All Israel stoned him with stones. Then they stoned the rest with stones and burned them with fire. +\v 26 They set up over him a great heap of stones that is here until this day. Yahweh turned away his burning anger. Therefore the name of the place is the Valley of Achor until this present day. + + + \s5 @@ -832,138 +832,138 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 The assignment of land for the tribe of the people of Judah, clan by clan, extended south to the border of Edom, with the wilderness of Zin being the farthest point to the south. -\v 2 Their border on the south ran from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces to the south. - -\s5 -\v 3 Their boundary next went out to the south of the hill of Akrabbim and passed along to Zin, and went up south of Kadesh Barnea, along by Hezron, and up to Addar, where it turned about to Karka. -\v 4 It passed along to Azmon, went by the brook of Egypt, and came to its end at the sea. This was their south boundary. - -\s5 -\v 5 The eastern boundary was the Salt Sea, at the mouth of the Jordan. The border on the north ran from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. -\v 6 It went up to Beth Hoglah and passed along north of Beth Arabah. Then it went up to the Stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. -\s5 -\v 7 Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal, which is opposite the hill of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. Then the border passed along to the springs of En Shemesh and went to En Rogel. -\v 8 Then the border went up the Valley of Ben Hinnom to the south side of the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem). Then it went up to the top of the hill that lies over the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, which is at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then the border extended from the top of the hills to the spring of Nephtoah, and went out from there to the cities of Mount Ephron. Then the border bends around to Baalah (the same as Kiriath Jearim). -\v 10 Then the border circled around west of Baalah to Mount Seir, and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim on the north (the same as Kesalon), went down to Beth Shemesh, and crossed over to Timnah. - -\s5 -\v 11 The border went out beside the northern hill of Ekron, and then it bends around to Shikkeron and passed along to Mount Baalah, from there it went to Jabneel. The border ended at the sea. -\v 12 The western boundary was the Great Sea and its coastline. This is the border around the tribe of Judah, clan by clan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 In keeping with the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh an assignment of land among the tribe of Judah, Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak). -\v 14 Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, descendants of Anak. -\v 15 He went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir (Debir used to be called Kiriath Sepher). - -\s5 -\v 16 Caleb said, "The man who attacks Kiriath Sepher and captures it, to him I will give Aksah my daughter as a wife." -\v 17 When Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, captured it, Caleb gave him Aksah his daughter as a wife. - -\s5 -\v 18 Soon after that, Aksah came to Othniel and she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb said to her, "What do you want?" - -\s5 -\v 19 Aksah replied, "Do me a special favor, since you have given me the land of the Negev: Also give me some springs of water." Then Caleb gave her the upper springs and lower springs. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 This was the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, clan by clan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 The cities belonging to the tribe of Judah in the extreme south, toward the border of Edom, were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, -\v 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, -\v 23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, -\v 24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth. - -\s5 -\v 25 Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (this was also known as Hazor), -\v 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah, -\v 27 Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, -\v 28 Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah. - -\s5 -\v 29 Baalah, Iyim, Ezem, -\v 30 Eltolad, Kesil, Hormah, -\v 31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, -\v 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. These were twenty-nine cities in all, including their villages. -\s5 -\p -\v 33 In the lower hill country to the west, there were Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, -\v 34 Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, -\v 35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Sokoh, Azekah, -\v 36 Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (that is, Gederothaim). These were fourteen cities in number, including their villages. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdalgad, -\v 38 Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel, -\v 39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon. - -\s5 -\v 40 Kabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish, -\v 41 Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, Makkedah. These were sixteen cities in number, including their villages. - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan, -\v 43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, -\v 44 Keilah, Akzib, Mareshah. These were nine cities, including their villages. - -\s5 -\p -\v 45 Ekron, with its surrounding towns and villages; -\v 46 from Ekron to the Great Sea, all the settlements that were near Ashdod, including their villages. -\p -\v 47 Ashdod, its surrounding towns and villages; Gaza, its surrounding towns and villages; to the brook of Egypt, and to the Great Sea with its coastline. - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 In the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Sokoh, -\v 49 Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir), -\v 50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, -\v 51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh. These were eleven cities, including their villages. - -\s5 -\p -\v 52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan, -\v 53 Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, -\v 54 Humtah, Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior. These were nine cities, including their villages. - -\s5 -\p -\v 55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah, -\v 56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, -\v 57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah. These were ten cities, including their villages. - -\s5 -\p -\v 58 Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor, -\v 59 Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon. These were six cities, including their villages. - -\s5 -\p -\v 60 Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim), and Rabbah. These were two cities, including their villages. -\p -\v 61 In the wilderness, there were Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah, -\v 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi. These were six cities, including their villages. - -\s5 -\p -\v 63 But as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the tribe of Judah could not drive them out, so the Jebusites live there with the tribe of Judah to this day. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 The assignment of land for the tribe of the people of Judah, clan by clan, extended south to the border of Edom, with the wilderness of Zin being the farthest point to the south. +\v 2 Their border on the south ran from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces to the south. + +\s5 +\v 3 Their boundary next went out to the south of the hill of Akrabbim and passed along to Zin, and went up south of Kadesh Barnea, along by Hezron, and up to Addar, where it turned about to Karka. +\v 4 It passed along to Azmon, went by the brook of Egypt, and came to its end at the sea. This was their south boundary. + +\s5 +\v 5 The eastern boundary was the Salt Sea, at the mouth of the Jordan. The border on the north ran from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan. +\v 6 It went up to Beth Hoglah and passed along north of Beth Arabah. Then it went up to the Stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. +\s5 +\v 7 Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal, which is opposite the hill of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. Then the border passed along to the springs of En Shemesh and went to En Rogel. +\v 8 Then the border went up the Valley of Ben Hinnom to the south side of the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem). Then it went up to the top of the hill that lies over the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, which is at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then the border extended from the top of the hills to the spring of Nephtoah, and went out from there to the cities of Mount Ephron. Then the border bends around to Baalah (the same as Kiriath Jearim). +\v 10 Then the border circled around west of Baalah to Mount Seir, and passed along to the side of Mount Jearim on the north (the same as Kesalon), went down to Beth Shemesh, and crossed over to Timnah. + +\s5 +\v 11 The border went out beside the northern hill of Ekron, and then it bends around to Shikkeron and passed along to Mount Baalah, from there it went to Jabneel. The border ended at the sea. +\v 12 The western boundary was the Great Sea and its coastline. This is the border around the tribe of Judah, clan by clan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 In keeping with the commandment of Yahweh to Joshua, Joshua gave Caleb son of Jephunneh an assignment of land among the tribe of Judah, Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak). +\v 14 Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, descendants of Anak. +\v 15 He went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir (Debir used to be called Kiriath Sepher). + +\s5 +\v 16 Caleb said, "The man who attacks Kiriath Sepher and captures it, to him I will give Aksah my daughter as a wife." +\v 17 When Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, captured it, Caleb gave him Aksah his daughter as a wife. + +\s5 +\v 18 Soon after that, Aksah came to Othniel and she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb said to her, "What do you want?" + +\s5 +\v 19 Aksah replied, "Do me a special favor, since you have given me the land of the Negev: Also give me some springs of water." Then Caleb gave her the upper springs and lower springs. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 This was the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, clan by clan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 The cities belonging to the tribe of Judah in the extreme south, toward the border of Edom, were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, +\v 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, +\v 23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, +\v 24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth. + +\s5 +\v 25 Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (this was also known as Hazor), +\v 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah, +\v 27 Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, +\v 28 Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah. + +\s5 +\v 29 Baalah, Iyim, Ezem, +\v 30 Eltolad, Kesil, Hormah, +\v 31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, +\v 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. These were twenty-nine cities in all, including their villages. +\s5 +\p +\v 33 In the lower hill country to the west, there were Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, +\v 34 Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, +\v 35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Sokoh, Azekah, +\v 36 Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (that is, Gederothaim). These were fourteen cities in number, including their villages. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdalgad, +\v 38 Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel, +\v 39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon. + +\s5 +\v 40 Kabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish, +\v 41 Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, Makkedah. These were sixteen cities in number, including their villages. + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan, +\v 43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, +\v 44 Keilah, Akzib, Mareshah. These were nine cities, including their villages. + +\s5 +\p +\v 45 Ekron, with its surrounding towns and villages; +\v 46 from Ekron to the Great Sea, all the settlements that were near Ashdod, including their villages. +\p +\v 47 Ashdod, its surrounding towns and villages; Gaza, its surrounding towns and villages; to the brook of Egypt, and to the Great Sea with its coastline. + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 In the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Sokoh, +\v 49 Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir), +\v 50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, +\v 51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh. These were eleven cities, including their villages. + +\s5 +\p +\v 52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan, +\v 53 Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, +\v 54 Humtah, Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior. These were nine cities, including their villages. + +\s5 +\p +\v 55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah, +\v 56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, +\v 57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah. These were ten cities, including their villages. + +\s5 +\p +\v 58 Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor, +\v 59 Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon. These were six cities, including their villages. + +\s5 +\p +\v 60 Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim), and Rabbah. These were two cities, including their villages. +\p +\v 61 In the wilderness, there were Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah, +\v 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi. These were six cities, including their villages. + +\s5 +\p +\v 63 But as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the tribe of Judah could not drive them out, so the Jebusites live there with the tribe of Judah to this day. + + + \s5 diff --git a/07-JDG.usfm b/07-JDG.usfm index 7aa8d567..6e33d5b2 100644 --- a/07-JDG.usfm +++ b/07-JDG.usfm @@ -4,1545 +4,1545 @@ \toc1 The Book of Judges \toc2 Judges \toc3 Jdg -\mt Judges -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel asked Yahweh, saying, "Who first will attack the Canaanites for us, to fight against them?" -\v 2 Yahweh said, "Judah will attack. See, I have given them control of this land." -\v 3 The men of Judah said to men of Simeon, their brothers, "Come up with us into our territory that was assigned to us that together we may fight against the Canaanites. We will likewise go with you to the territory that was assigned to you." So the tribe of Simeon went with them. - -\s5 -\v 4 The men of Judah attacked, and Yahweh gave them victory over the Canaanites and the Perizzites. They killed ten thousand of them at Bezek. -\v 5 They found Adoni-Bezek at Bezek, and they fought against him and defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites. - -\s5 -\v 6 But Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued him and caught him, and they cut off his thumbs and his big toes. -\v 7 Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, who had their thumbs and their big toes cut off, gathered their food from under my table. As I have done, even so God has done to me." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The men of Judah fought against the city of Jerusalem and took it. They attacked it with the edge of the sword and they set the city on fire. -\v 9 After that, the men of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, in the Negev, and the western foothills. -\v 10 Judah advanced against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (the name of Hebron was previously Kiriath Arba), and they defeated Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 From there the men of Judah advanced against the inhabitants of Debir (the name of Debir was previously Kiriath Sepher). -\v 12 Caleb said, "Whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it, I will give him Aksah, my daughter, to be his wife." -\v 13 Othniel, son of Kenaz (Caleb's younger brother) captured Debir, so Caleb gave him Aksah, his daughter, to be his wife. - -\s5 -\v 14 Soon Aksah came to Othniel, and she urged him to ask her father to give her a field. As she was getting off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?" -\v 15 She said to him, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negev, also give me springs of water." So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 The descendants of Moses' father-in-law the Kenite went up from the City of Palms with the people of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the Negev, to live with the people of Judah near Arad. -\v 17 The men of Judah went with the men of Simeon their brothers and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and they completely destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah. - -\s5 -\v 18 The people of Judah also captured Gaza and the land around it, Ashkelon and the land around it, and Ekron and the land around it. -\v 19 Yahweh was with the people of Judah and they took possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had iron chariots. - -\s5 -\v 20 Hebron was given to Caleb (like Moses had said), and he drove out from there the three sons of Anak. -\v 21 But the people of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem. So the Jebusites have lived with the people of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 The house of Joseph prepared to attack Bethel, and Yahweh was with them. -\v 23 They sent out men to spy on Bethel (the city that was formerly called Luz). -\v 24 The spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, "Show us, please, how to get into the city, and we will be kind to you." - -\s5 -\v 25 He showed them a way into the city, and so they attacked the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man and all his family get away. -\v 26 Then the man went to the land of the Hittites and built a city and called it Luz, which is its name to this day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 The people of Manasseh did not drive out the people living in the cities of Beth Shan and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or those who lived in Dor and its villages, or those who lived in Ibleam and its villages, or those who lived in Megiddo and its villages, because the Canaanites were determined to live in that land. -\v 28 When Israel became strong, they forced the Canaanites to serve them with hard labor, but they never drove them out completely. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites continued to live in Gezer among them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Zebulun did not drive out the people living in Kitron, or the people living in Nahalol, and so the Canaanites continued to live among them, but Zebulun forced the Canaanites to serve them with hard labor. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Asher did not drive out the people living in Akko, or the people living in Sidon, or those living in Ahlab, Akzib, Helbah, Aphek, or Rehob. -\v 32 So the tribe of Asher lived among the Canaanites (those who lived in the land), because they did not drive them out. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 The tribe of Naphtali did not drive out those who were living in Beth Shemesh, or those living in Beth Anath. So the tribe of Naphtali lived among the Canaanites (the people who were living in that land). However, the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were forced into hard labor for Naphthali. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 The Amorites forced the tribe of Dan to live in the hill country, not allowing them to come down to the plain. -\v 35 So the Amorites lived at Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, but the military might of the house of Joseph conquered them, and they were forced to serve them with hard labor. -\v 36 The border of the Amorites ran from the hill of Akrabbim at Sela up into the hill country. - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 The angel of Yahweh went up from Gilgal to Bokim, and said, "I brought you up from Egypt, and have brought you to the land I swore to give to your fathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you. -\v 2 You must make no covenant with those who live in this land. You must tear down their altars.' But you have not listened to my voice. What is this that you have done? - -\s5 -\v 3 So now I say, 'I will not drive the Canaanites out before you, but they will become thorns in your sides, and their gods will become a trap for you.'" -\v 4 When the angel of Yahweh spoke these words to all the people of Israel, the people shouted and wept. -\v 5 They called that place Bokim. There they offered sacrifices to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Now when Joshua had sent the people on their way, the people of Israel each went to the place assigned, to take ownership of their land. -\v 7 The people served Yahweh during the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him, those who had seen all of Yahweh's great deeds he had done for Israel. -\v 8 Joshua son of Nun the servant of Yahweh, died at the age of 110 years old. - -\s5 -\v 9 They buried him within the border of the land he was assigned in Timnath Heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. -\v 10 All that generation was also gathered to their fathers. Another generation grew up after them who did not know Yahweh or what he had done for Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and they served the Baals. -\v 12 They broke away from Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, the very gods of the peoples who were around them, and they bowed down to them. They provoked Yahweh to anger because -\v 13 they broke away from Yahweh and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths. - -\s5 -\v 14 The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel, and he gave them to the raiders who stole their possessions from them. He sold them as slaves who were held by the strength of their enemies around them, so they could no longer defend themselves against their enemies. -\v 15 Wherever Israel went out to fight, Yahweh's hand was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them and they were in terrible distress. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who were stealing their possessions. -\v 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges. They were unfaithful to Yahweh and gave themselves like prostitutes to other gods and worshiped them. They soon turned aside from the way their fathers had lived—those who had obeyed the commandments of Yahweh—but they themselves did not do so. - -\s5 -\v 18 When Yahweh raised up judges for them, Yahweh helped the judges and rescued them from the hand of their enemies all the days the judge lived. Yahweh had pity on them as they groaned because of those who oppressed them and afflicted them. -\v 19 But when the judge died, they would turn away and do things that were even more corrupt than their fathers had done. They would go after other gods to serve them and worship them. They refused to give up any of their evil practices or their stubborn ways. - -\s5 -\v 20 The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel; he said, "Because this nation has broken the terms of my covenant that I had set in place for their fathers—because they have not listened to my voice— -\v 21 I will not, from now on, drive out from before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died. -\v 22 I will do this so that I may test Israel, whether or not they will keep the way of Yahweh and walk in it, as their fathers kept it." -\v 23 That is why Yahweh left those nations and did not drive them out quickly and give them into the hand of Joshua. - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now Yahweh left these nations to test Israel, namely everyone in Israel who had not experienced any of the wars fought in Canaan. -\v 2 (He did this to teach warfare to the new generation of the Israelites who had not known it before.) -\v 3 These are the nations: the five kings from the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the Lebanon mountains, from Mount Baal Hermon to Hamath Pass. - -\s5 -\v 4 These nations were left as a means by which Yahweh would test Israel, to confirm whether they would obey the commands he gave their ancestors through Moses. -\v 5 So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. -\v 6 Their daughters they took to be their wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and forgot Yahweh their God. They worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs. -\v 8 Therefore, the anger of Yahweh was set on fire against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim. The people of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim for eight years. - -\s5 -\v 9 When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up someone who would come to help the people of Israel, and who would rescue them: Othniel son of Kenaz (Caleb's younger brother). -\v 10 Yahweh's Spirit empowered him, and he judged Israel and he went out to war. Yahweh gave him victory over Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram. The hand of Othniel defeated Cushan-Rishathaim. -\v 11 The land had peace for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 After that, the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and Yahweh gave strength to Eglon king of Moab to overpower the Israelites. -\v 13 Eglon joined with the Ammonites and the Amalekites and they went and defeated Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. -\v 14 The people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab for eighteen years. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up someone who would help them, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjamite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent him, with their tribute payment, to Eglon king of Moab. - -\s5 -\v 16 Ehud made himself a sword that had two edges, one cubit in length; he strapped it on under his clothing on his right thigh. -\v 17 He gave the tribute payment to King Eglon of Moab. (Now Eglon was a very fat man.) -\v 18 After Ehud had presented the tribute payment, he left with those who had carried it in. - -\s5 -\v 19 As for Ehud himself, however, when he reached the place where the carved images were made near Gilgal, he turned and went back, and he said, "I have a secret message for you, my king." Eglon said, "Silence!" So all those serving him left the room. -\v 20 Ehud came to him. The king was sitting by himself, alone in the coolness of the upper room. Ehud said, "I have a message from God for you." The king got up out of his seat. - -\s5 -\v 21 Ehud reached with his left hand and took the sword from his right thigh, and he stabbed it into the king's body. -\v 22 The hilt of the sword also went into him following the blade. The tip of the sword came out of his back and the fat closed over it, for Ehud did not pull the sword out of his belly. -\v 23 Then Ehud went out on the porch and closed the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 After Ehud had gone, the king's servants came; they saw that the doors of the upper room were locked, so they thought, "Surely he is relieving himself in the coolness of the upper room." -\v 25 They were growing more concerned until they felt they were neglecting their duty when the king still did not open the doors to the upper room. So they took the key and opened them, and there lay their master, fallen to the floor, dead. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 While the servants were waiting, wondering what they should do, Ehud escaped and passed beyond the place where there were carved images of idols, and so he escaped to Seirah. -\v 27 When he arrived, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hills, and he was leading them. - -\s5 -\v 28 He said to them, "Follow me, for Yahweh is about to defeat your enemies, the Moabites." They followed him and they captured the fords of the Jordan across from the Moabites, and they did not allow anyone to cross the river. -\v 29 At that time they killed about ten thousand men of Moab, and all were strong and capable men. Not one escaped. -\v 30 So that day Moab was subdued by the strength of Israel, and the land had rest for eighty years. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 After Ehud the next judge was Shamgar son of Anath who killed 600 men of the Philistines with a stick used to goad the cattle. He also delivered Israel from danger. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 After Ehud died, the people of Israel once again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. -\v 2 Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was named Sisera, and he lived in Harosheth Haggoyim. -\v 3 The people of Israel called out to Yahweh for help, because Sisera had nine hundred iron chariots and he oppressed the people of Israel with force for twenty years. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Now Deborah, a prophetess (the wife of Lappidoth), was a leading judge in Israel at that time. -\v 5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came to her to settle their disputes. - -\s5 -\v 6 She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali. She said to him, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun. -\v 7 I will draw out Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon, with his chariots and his army, and I will give you victory over him.'" - -\s5 -\v 8 Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go, but if you do not go with me, I will not go." -\v 9 She said, "I will certainly go with you. However, the road on which you are going will not lead to your honor, for Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. - -\s5 -\v 10 Barak called for the men of Zebulun and Naphtali to come together at Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah went along with him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Now Heber (the Kenite) had separated himself from the Kenites—they were the descendants of Hobab (Moses' father-in-law)—and he pitched his tent by the oak in Zaanannim near Kedesh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 When they told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, -\v 13 Sisera called out all his chariots, nine hundred iron chariots, and all the soldiers who were with him, from Harosheth Haggoyim to the Kishon River. - -\s5 -\v 14 Deborah said to Barak, "Go! For this is the day in which Yahweh has given you victory over Sisera. Is not Yahweh leading you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. - -\s5 -\v 15 Yahweh confused Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and ran away on foot. -\v 16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth Haggoyim, and the whole army of Sisera was killed by the edge of the sword, and not a man survived. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 But Sisera ran away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite. -\v 18 Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Turn aside, my master; turn aside to me and do not be afraid." So he turned aside to her and came into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. - -\s5 -\v 19 He said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." She opened a leather bag of milk -and gave him drink, and then she covered him up again. -\v 20 He said to her, "Stand at the opening of the tent. If someone comes and asks you, 'Is anyone here?', say 'No'." - -\s5 -\v 21 Then Jael (the wife of Heber) took a tent peg and a hammer in her hand and went in secretly to him, for he was in a deep sleep, and she hammered the tent peg into the side of his head and it pierced through him and went down into the ground, and he died. -\v 22 As Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael want out to meet him and said to him, "Come, I will show you the man you are looking for." So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in the side of his head. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 So on that day God defeated Jabin, the king of Canaan, before the people of Israel. -\v 24 The might of the people of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed him. - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: -\q -\v 2 "When the leaders take the lead in Israel, -\q when the people gladly volunteer for war— -\q we praise Yahweh! - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you leaders! -\q I, I will sing to Yahweh; -\q I will sing praises to Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\q -\v 4 Yahweh, when you went out from Seir, -\q when you marched from Edom, -\q the earth shook, and the skies also trembled; -\q also the clouds poured down water. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 The mountains quaked before the face of Yahweh; -\q even Mount Sinai quaked before the face of Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\q -\v 6 In the days of Shamgar (son of Anath), -\q in the days of Jael, the main roads were abandoned, -\q and those who walked only used the winding paths. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 There were few rural people in Israel, -\q until I, Deborah, arose, -\q arose as a mother in Israel! -\q -\v 8 When they chose new gods, -\q there was fighting at the city gates -\q and yet there were no shields or spears seen -\q among forty thousand in Israel. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel, -\q along with the people who gladly volunteered— -\q we bless Yahweh for them! -\q -\v 10 Think about this—you who ride on white donkeys -\q sitting on rugs for saddles, -\q and you who walk along the road. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Hear the voices of those who sing at the watering places. -\q There they tell again of Yahweh's righteous deeds, -\q and the righteous actions of his warriors in Israel. -\q Then the people of Yahweh went down to the city gates. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Awake, awake, Deborah! -\q Awake, awake, sing a song! -\q Get up, Barak, and capture your prisoners, you son of Abinoam. -\q -\v 13 Then the survivors came down to the nobles; -\q the people of Yahweh came down to me with the warriors. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 They came from Ephraim, whose root is in Amalek; -\q the people of Benjamin followed you. -\q From Machir commanders came down, -\q and from Zebulun those who carry an officer's staff. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 My princes in Issachar were with Deborah; -\q and Issachar was with Barak -\q rushing after him into the valley under his command. -\q Among the clans of Reuben -\q there were great searchings of heart. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Why did you sit between the fireplaces, -\q listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks? -\q As for the clans of Reuben -\q there were great searchings of heart. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Gilead stayed on the other side of the Jordan; -\q and Dan, why did he wander about on ships? -\q Asher remained on the coast -\q and lived close to his harbors. -\q -\v 18 Zebulun was a tribe who would risk their lives to the point of death, -\q and Naphtali, also, on the field of battle. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 The kings came, they fought; -\q the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach -\q by the waters of Megiddo. -\q But they took away no silver as plunder. -\q -\v 20 From heaven the stars fought, -\q from their paths across the heavens they fought against Sisera. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 The Kishon River swept them away, -\q2 that old river, the Kishon River. -\q March on my soul, be strong! -\q -\v 22 Then the sound of horses' hooves— -\q galloping, the galloping of his mighty ones. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 'Curse Meroz!' says the angel of Yahweh. -\q 'Surely curse its inhabitants!— -\q because they did not come to help Yahweh— -\q to help Yahweh in the battle against the mighty warriors.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 Jael is blessed more than all other women, -\q Jael (the wife of Heber the Kenite), -\q she is more blessed than all the women who live in tents. -\q -\v 25 The man asked for water, and she gave him milk; -\q she brought him butter in a dish fit for princes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 She put her hand to the tent peg, -\q and her right hand to the workman's hammer; -\q with the hammer she struck Sisera, she crushed his head. -\q She smashed his skull into pieces when she pierced him through the side of his head. -\q -\v 27 He collapsed between her feet, he fell and he lay there. -\q Between her feet he fell limp. -\q The place he collapsed is where he was violently killed. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Out of a window she looked— -\q the mother of Sisera looked through the lattice and she called out in sadness, -\q 'Why has it taken his chariot so long to come? -\q Why have the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots been delayed?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 Her wisest princesses replied, -\q and she gave herself the same answer: -\q -\v 30 'Have they not found and divided up the plunder? -\q —A womb, two wombs for every man; -\q the plunder of dyed fabric for Sisera, -\q the plunder of dyed fabric embroidered, -\q two pieces of dyed fabric embroidered for the necks of those who plunder?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 So may all your enemies perish, Yahweh! -\q But your friends be like the sun when it rises in its might." -\p Then the land had peace for forty years. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he gave them into the hand of Midian for seven years. -\v 2 The power of Midian oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the people of Israel made shelters for themselves from the dens in the hills, the caves, and the strongholds. - -\s5 -\v 3 It happened that any time the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people from the east would attack the Israelites. -\v 4 They would set up their army on the land and destroy the crops, all the way to Gaza. They would leave no food in Israel, and no sheep, nor cattle or donkeys. - -\s5 -\v 5 Whenever they and their livestock and tents came up, they would come as a swarm of locusts, and it was impossible to count either the people or their camels. They invaded the land in order to destroy it. -\v 6 Midian weakened the Israelites so severely that the people of Israel called out to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh because of Midian, -\v 8 Yahweh sent a prophet to the people of Israel. The prophet said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought you up from Egypt; I brought you out of the house of slavery. - -\s5 -\v 9 I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all who were oppressing you. I drove them out before you, and I gave you their land. -\v 10 I said to you, "I am Yahweh your God; I commanded you not to worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living." But you have not obeyed my voice.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Now the angel of Yahweh came and sat under the oak in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash (the Abiezrite), while Gideon, Joash's son, was separating out the wheat by beating it on the floor, in the winepress—to hide it from the Midianites. -\v 12 The angel of Yahweh appeared to him and said to him, "Yahweh is with you, you strong warrior!" - -\s5 -\v 13 Gideon said to him, "Oh, my master, if Yahweh is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers told us about, when they said, 'Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt?' But now Yahweh has abandoned us and gave us into the hand of Midian." - -\s5 -\v 14 Yahweh looked at him and said, "Go in the strength you already have. Deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" -\v 15 Gideon said to him, "Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? See, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least important in my father's house." - -\s5 -\v 16 Yahweh said to him, "I will be with you, and you will defeat the entire Midianite army as one man." -\v 17 Gideon said to him, "If you are pleased with me, then give me a sign that it is you who is speaking to me. -\v 18 Please, do not leave here, until I come to you and bring out my gift and set it before you." Yahweh said, "I will wait until you return." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Gideon went and prepared a young goat and from an ephah of flour he made unleavened bread. He put the meat in a basket, and he -put the broth in a pot and brought them to him under the oak tree, and presented them. -\v 20 The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and put them on this rock, and pour out the broth over them." That is what Gideon did. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then the angel of Yahweh reached out with the end of the staff in his hand. With it he touched the flesh and the unleavened bread; a fire went up out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of Yahweh went away and Gideon could no longer see him. - -\s5 -\v 22 Gideon understood that this was the angel of Yahweh. Gideon said, "Ah, Lord Yahweh! For I have seen the angel of Yahweh face to face!" -\v 23 Yahweh said to him, "Peace to you! Do not be afraid, you will not die." -\v 24 So Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh. He called it, "Yahweh is Peace." To this day it still stands at Ophrah of the clan of Abiezer. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 That night Yahweh said to him, "Take your father's bull, and a second bull that is seven -years old, and pull apart the altar of Baal that belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it. -\v 26 Build an altar to Yahweh your God on the top of this place of refuge, and construct it the correct way. Offer the second bull as a burnt offering, using the wood from the Asherah that you cut down." - -\s5 -\v 27 So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as Yahweh had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father's household and the men of the town to do it during the day, he did it at night. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 In the morning when the men of the town got up, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah that was beside it was cut down, and the second bull had been offered on the altar that had been built. -\v 29 The men of the city said to one another, "Who has done this?" When they talked with others and searched for answers, they said, "Gideon son of Joash has done this thing." - -\s5 -\v 30 Then the men of the town said to Joash, "Bring out your son so that he may be put to death, because he pulled apart the altar of Baal, and because he cut down the Asherah beside it." - -\s5 -\v 31 Joash said to all who opposed him, "Will you plead the case for Baal? Will you save him? Whoever pleads the case for him, let him be put to death while it is still morning. If Baal is a god, let him defend himself when someone pulls his altar apart." -\v 32 Therefore on that day they called Gideon "Jerub Baal," because he said, "Let Baal defend himself against him," because Gideon broke down Baal's altar. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 Now all the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the people of the east gathered together. They crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. - -\s5 -\v 34 But the Spirit of Yahweh came over Gideon. Gideon blew a trumpet, calling out the clan of Abiezer, so they might follow him. -\v 35 He sent messengers all throughout Manasseh, and they too, were called out to follow him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Gideon said to God, "If you intend to use me to save Israel, as you have said— -\v 37 Look, I am putting a woolen fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that you will use me to save Israel, as you said." - -\s5 -\v 38 This is what happened—Gideon rose early the next morning, he pressed the fleece together, and wrung out the dew from the fleece, enough to fill a bowl with water. - -\s5 -\v 39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me, I will speak one more time. Please allow me one more test using the fleece. This time make the fleece dry, and let there be dew on all the ground around it." -\v 40 God did what he asked for that night. The fleece was dry, and there was dew on all the ground around it. - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Then Jerub Baal (that is, Gideon) rose up early, and all the people who were with him, and they encamped beside the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was to their north in the valley near the hill of Moreh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Yahweh said to Gideon, "There are too many soldiers for me to give you victory over the Midianites, so that Israel may not boast over me, saying, 'Our own power has saved us.' -\v 3 Now therefore, proclaim in the ears of the people and say, 'Whoever is afraid, whoever trembles, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand people went away, and ten thousand remained. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Yahweh said to Gideon, "The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will make their number smaller for you there. If I say to you, 'This one will go with you,' he will go with you; but if I say, 'This one will not go with you,' he will not go." - -\s5 -\v 5 So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and Yahweh said to him, "Separate everyone who laps up the water, as a dog laps, from those who kneel down to drink." -\v 6 Three hundred men lapped. The rest of the men kneeled down to drink water. - -\s5 -\v 7 Yahweh said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men who lapped, I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Let every other man go back to his own place." -\v 8 So those who were chosen took their supplies and their trumpets. Gideon sent away all the men of Israel, every man to his tent, but he kept the three hundred men. Now the Midian camp was down below him in the valley. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 That same night Yahweh said to him, "Get up! Attack the camp, for I am going to give you victory over it. -\v 10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, -\v 11 and listen to what they are saying, and your courage will be strengthened to attack the camp." So Gideon went with Purah his servant, down to the guard posts of the camp. - -\s5 -\v 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites, and all the people of the east settled along in the valley, as thick as a cloud of locusts. Their camels were more than could be counted; they were more in number than the grains of the sand on the seashore. - -\s5 -\v 13 When Gideon arrived there, a man was telling a dream to his companion. The man said, "Look! I had a dream, and I saw a round loaf of barley bread tumbling into the camp of Midian. It came to the tent, and hit it so hard that it fell down and turned it upside down, so that it lay flat." -\v 14 The other man said, "This is nothing other than the sword of Gideon (the son of Joash), the Israelite. God has given him victory over Midian and all their army." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 When Gideon heard the retelling of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down in worship. He went back to the camp of Israel and said, "Get up! Yahweh has given you victory over the Midian army." -\v 16 He divided the three hundred men into three groups, and he gave them all trumpets and empty jars, with torches inside each jar. -\s5 -\v 17 He said to them, "Look at me and do what I do. Watch! When I come to the edge of the camp, you must do what I do. -\v 18 When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow your trumpets also on every side of the entire camp and shout, 'For Yahweh and for Gideon!'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the edge of the camp, right at the beginning of the middle watch. Just as the Midianites were changing guard, they blew the trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. - -\s5 -\v 20 The three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands to blow them. They shouted out, "The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon." -\v 21 Every man stood in his place around the camp and all the Midianite army ran. They shouted and ran away. - -\s5 -\v 22 When they blew the three hundred trumpets, Yahweh set every Midianite man's sword against his comrades and against all their army. The army fled as far as Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, near Tabbath. -\v 23 The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh were called out, and they went after Midian. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Go down against Midian and take control of the Jordan River, as far as Beth Barah, to stop them." So all the men of Ephraim gathered together and took control of the waters, as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan River. -\v 25 They captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They went after the Midianites, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was on the other side of the Jordan. - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 The men of Ephraim said to Gideon, "What is this you have done to us? You did not call us when you went to fight against Midian." Then they had a violent argument with him. - -\s5 -\v 2 He said to them, "What have I done now compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? -\v 3 God has given you victory over the princes of Midian—Oreb and Zeeb! What have I accomplished compared to you?" Their anger toward him died down when he said this. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over it, he and the three hundred men who were with him. They were exhausted, yet they still kept up the pursuit. -\v 5 He said to the men of Succoth, "Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then the officials said, "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand? Why should we give bread to your army?" -\v 7 Gideon said, "When Yahweh has given us victory over Zebah and Zalmunna, I will tear your skin with the desert thorns and briers." - -\s5 -\v 8 He went up from there to Peniel and spoke to the people there in the same way, but the men of Peniel answered him just as the men of Succoth had answered. -\v 9 He spoke also to the men of Peniel and said, "When I come again in peace, I will pull down this tower." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about fifteen thousand men, all who remained out of the entire army of the people of the East, for there had fallen 120,000 men who drew the sword. - -\s5 -\v 11 Gideon went up the road taken by tent dwellers, past Nobah and Jogbehah. He defeated the enemy army, because they were not expecting an attack. -\v 12 Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and as Gideon pursued them, he captured the two kings of Midian—Zebah and Zalmunna—and set their whole army into a panic. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Gideon, son of Joash, returned from the battle going through the pass of Heres. -\v 14 He ran into a young man of the people of Succoth and sought advice from him. The young man described for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders, seventy-seven men. - -\s5 -\v 15 Gideon came to the men of Succoth and said, "Look at Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you mocked me and said, 'Have you already conquered Zebah and Zalmunna? We do not know that we should give bread to your army.'" -\v 16 Gideon took the elders of the city, and he punished the men of Succoth with the desert thorns and briers. -\v 17 Then he pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of that city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then Gideon said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?" They answered, "As you are, so were they. Every one of them looked like the son of a king." -\v 19 Gideon said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As Yahweh lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you." - -\s5 -\v 20 He said to Jether (his firstborn), "Get up and kill them!" But the young man did not draw his sword for he was afraid, because he was still a young boy. -\v 21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, "Get up yourself and kill us! For as the man is, so is his strength." Gideon rose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna. He also took off the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on their camels' necks. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us—you, your son, and your grandson—because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian." -\v 23 Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you. Yahweh will rule over you." - -\s5 -\v 24 Gideon said to them, "Let me make a request of you: Every one of you would give me the earrings from his plunder." (The Midianites had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites.) -\v 25 They answered, "We are glad to give them to you." They spread out a cloak and every man threw on it the earrings from his plunder. - -\s5 -\v 26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold. This plunder was in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple clothing that was worn by the kings of Midian, and in addition to the chains that had been around their camels' necks. - -\s5 -\v 27 Gideon made an ephod out of the earrings and put it in his city, in Ophrah, and all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there. It became a trap for Gideon and for those in his house. -\v 28 So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel and they did not raise their heads up again. So the land had peace for forty years in the days of Gideon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Jerub Baal, son of Joash, went and lived in his own house. -\v 30 Gideon had seventy sons who were his descendants, for he had many wives. -\v 31 His concubine, who was in Shechem, also bore him a son, and Gideon gave him the name Abimelech. - -\s5 -\v 32 Gideon, son of Joash, died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, at Ophrah of the clan of Abiezer. -\p -\v 33 It came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, the people of Israel turned again and prostituted themselves by worshiping the Baals. They made Baal-Berith their god. - -\s5 -\v 34 The people of Israel did not remember to honor Yahweh, their God, who had rescued them from the hand of all their enemies on every side. -\v 35 They did not keep their promises to the house of Jerub Baal (that is, Gideon), in return for all the good he had done in Israel. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 Abimelech son of Jerub Baal went to his mother's relatives at Shechem and he said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family, -\v 2 "Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?' Remember that I am your bone and your flesh." - -\s5 -\v 3 His mother's relatives spoke for him to the leaders of Shechem, and they agreed to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother." -\v 4 They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire men of lawless and reckless character, who followed him. - -\s5 -\v 5 Abimelech went to his father's house at Ophrah, and upon one stone he murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub Baal. Only Jotham was left, the youngest son of Jerub Baal, for he hid himself. -\v 6 All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo came together and they went and made Abimelech king, beside the oak near the pillar which is in Shechem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 When Jotham was told about this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He shouted and said to them, "Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. -\v 8 The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.' - -\s5 -\v 9 But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I give up my oil, which is used to honor gods and mankind, so I may go return, just to sway over the other trees?' -\v 10 The trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and reign over us.' -\v 11 But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, just so I could return and sway over the other trees?' - -\s5 -\v 12 The trees said to the vine, 'Come and reign over us.' -\v 13 The vine said to them, 'Should I give up my new wine, which cheers gods and mankind, and return and sway over the other trees?' -\v 14 Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.' - -\s5 -\v 15 The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you truly want to anoint me as king over you, then come and find safety under my shade. If not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon.' -\v 16 Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and honesty, when you made Abimelech king, and if you have done well concerning Jerub Baal and his house, and if you have punished him as he deserves— - -\s5 -\v 17 —and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you out of the hand of Midian— -\v 18 but today you have risen up against my father's house and have killed his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone. Then you have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative. - -\s5 -\v 19 If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house, then you should rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. -\v 20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and Beth Millo. Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelech." -\v 21 Jotham fled and ran away, and he went to Beer. He lived there because it was far away from Abimelech, his brother. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. -\v 23 God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem betrayed the trust they had with Abimelech. -\v 24 God did this so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub Baal might be avenged, and Abimelech their brother would be held responsible for murdering them, and the men of Shechem would be held responsible because they helped him murder his brothers. - -\s5 -\v 25 So the leaders of Shechem positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him, and they robbed all who passed by them along that road. This was reported to Abimelech. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Gaal son of Ebed came with his relatives and they went over to Shechem. The leaders of Shechem had confidence in him. -\v 27 They went out into the field and gathered grapes from the vineyards, and they trampled on them. They held a festival in the house of their god, where they ate and drank, and they cursed Abimelech. - -\s5 -\v 28 Gaal son of Ebed, said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub Baal? Is Zebul not his officer? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelech? -\v 29 I wish that this people were under my command! Then would I remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out all your army.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 When Zebul, the official of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed his anger was kindled. -\v 31 He sent messengers to Abimelech in order to deceive, saying, "See, Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives are coming to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you. - -\s5 -\v 32 Now, get up during the night, you and the soldiers with you, and prepare an ambush in the fields. -\v 33 Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and make a raid on the city. When he and the people with him come out against you, do whatever you can to them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 So Abimelech got up during the night, he and all the men who were with him, and they set an ambush against Shechem—dividing into four units. -\v 35 Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate. Abimelech and the men who were with him came out of their hiding place. - -\s5 -\v 36 When Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, "See, men are coming down from the hilltops!" Zebul said to him, "You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men." -\v 37 Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, men are coming down in the middle of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the oak of the diviners." - -\s5 -\v 38 Then Zebul said to him, "Where are your proud words now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men you despised? Go out now and fight against them." -\v 39 Gaal went out and he was leading the men of Shechem, and he fought Abimelech. -\v 40 Abimelech chased him, and Gaal fled before him. Many fell with deadly wounds before the entrance to the city gate. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Abimelech stayed in Arumah. Zebul forced Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem. -\v 42 On the next day the people of Shechem went out into the field, and this was reported to Abimelech. -\v 43 He took his people, divided them into three units, and they set an ambush in the fields. He looked and saw the people coming out from the city and he attacked and killed them. - -\s5 -\v 44 Abimelech and the units that were with him attacked and blocked the entrance to the city gate. The other two units attacked all who were in the field and killed them. -\v 45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city, and killed the people who were in it. He tore down the city walls and spread salt over it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-Berith. -\v 47 Abimelech was told that all the leaders had gathered together at the tower of Shechem. - -\s5 -\v 48 Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men who were with him. Abimelech took an ax and cut off branches. He put it on his shoulder and ordered the men with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done." -\v 49 So every one cut off branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the wall of the tower, and they set it on fire, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women. - -\s5 -\p -\v 50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and captured it. -\v 51 But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in. Then they went up to the roof of the tower. - -\s5 -\v 52 Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and he came up near to the door of the tower to burn it. -\v 53 But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and it cracked his skull. -\v 54 Then he called urgently to the young man who was his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me, 'A woman killed him.'" So his young man pierced him through, and he died. - -\s5 -\v 55 When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home. -\v 56 So God avenged the evil of Abimelech that he did to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. -\v 57 God made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads and on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub Baal. - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 After Abimelech, Tola son of Puah son of Dodo, a man from Issachar who lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim, arose to deliver Israel. -\v 2 He judged Israel twenty-three years. He died and was buried in Shamir. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 He was followed by Jair the Gileadite. He judged Israel twenty-two years. -\v 4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. -\v 5 Jair died and was buried in Kamon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 The people of Israel added to the evil they had done in the sight of Yahweh and worshiped the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the people of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. They abandoned Yahweh and no longer worshiped him. -\v 7 Yahweh burned with anger toward Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites. - -\s5 -\v 8 They crushed and oppressed the people of Israel that year, and for eighteen years they oppressed all the people of Israel who were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. -\v 9 Then the Ammonites crossed over the Jordan to fight against Judah, against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was greatly distressed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, saying, "We have sinned against you, because we abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals." -\v 11 Yahweh said to the people of Israel, "Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, -\v 12 and also from the Sidonians? The Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you; you called out to me, and I delivered you from their power. - -\s5 -\v 13 Yet you abandoned me again and worshiped other gods. Therefore, I will not keep adding to the times I deliver you. -\v 14 Go and call out to the gods that you have worshiped. Let them rescue you when you have trouble." - -\s5 -\v 15 The people of Israel said to Yahweh, "We have sinned. Do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please, rescue us this day." -\v 16 They got rid of the foreign gods among them and they worshiped Yahweh. Then Yahweh could bear Israel's misery no longer. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Ammonites gathered together and set up camp in Gilead. The Israelites came together and set up their camp at Mizpah. -\v 18 The leaders of the people of Gilead said one to another, "Who is the man who will begin to fight the Ammonites? He will become the leader over all those who are living in Gilead." - - - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was his father. -\v 2 Gilead's wife also gave birth to his other sons. When his wife's sons grew up, they forced Jephthah to leave the house and said to him, "You are not going to inherit anything from our family. You are the son of another woman." -\v 3 So Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. Lawless men joined Jephthah and they came and went with him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Some days later, the people of Ammon made war against Israel. -\v 5 When the people of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah back from the land of Tob. -\v 6 They said to Jephthah, "Come and be our leader that we may fight with the people of Ammon." - -\s5 -\v 7 Jephthah said to the leaders of Gilead, "You hated me and forced me to leave my father's house. Why do you come to me now when you are in trouble?" -\v 8 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "That is why we are turning to you now; come with us and fight with the people of Ammon, and you will become the leader over all who live in Gilead." - -\s5 -\v 9 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you bring me home again to fight against the people of Ammon, and if Yahweh gives us victory over them, I will be your leader." -\v 10 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "May Yahweh be witness between us if we do not do as we say!" -\v 11 So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him leader and commander over them. When he was before Yahweh in Mizpah, Jephthah repeated all the promises he made. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, "What is this conflict between us? Why have you come with force to take our land?" -\v 13 The king of the people of Ammon answered to the messengers of Jephthah, "Because when Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, over to the Jordan. Now give back those lands in peace." - -\s5 -\v 14 Again Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, -\v 15 and he said, "This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not take the land of Moab and the land of the people of Ammon, -\v 16 but they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the wilderness to the Sea of Reeds and on to Kadesh. - -\s5 -\v 17 When Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Please let us pass through your land,' the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he refused. So Israel stayed at Kadesh. -\v 18 Then they went through the wilderness and turned away from the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and they went along the east side of the land of Moab and they camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not go into the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was Moab's border. - -\s5 -\v 19 Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon; Israel said to him, 'Please, let us pass through your land to the place that is ours.' -\v 20 But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his army together and moved it to Jahaz, and there he fought against Israel. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then Yahweh, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel and they defeated them. So Israel took all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country. -\v 22 They took over everything within the territory of the Amorites, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, and from the wilderness to the Jordan. - -\s5 -\v 23 So then Yahweh, the God of Israel, has driven out the Amorites before his people Israel, and should you now take possession of their land? -\v 24 Will you not take over the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you? So whatever land Yahweh our God has given us, we will take over. -\v 25 Now are you really better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he dare to have an argument with Israel? Did he ever wage war against them? - -\s5 -\v 26 While Israel lived for three hundred years in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities that are along the banks of the Arnon—why then did you not take them back during that time? -\v 27 I have not done you wrong, but you are doing me wrong by attacking me. Yahweh, the judge, will decide today between the people of Israel and the people of Ammon." -\v 28 But the king of the people of Ammon rejected the warning Jephthah sent him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed through to the people of Ammon. -\v 30 Jephthah made a vow to Yahweh and said, "If you give me victory over the people of Ammon, -\v 31 then whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the people of Ammon will belong to Yahweh, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering." - -\s5 -\v 32 So Jephthah passed through to the people of Ammon to fight against them, and Yahweh gave him victory. -\v 33 He attacked them and caused a great slaughter from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim. So the people of Ammon were put under the control of the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah, and there his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. She was his only child, and besides her he had neither son nor daughter. -\v 35 As soon as he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Oh! My daughter! You have crushed me with sorrow, and you have become one who causes me pain! For I have made an oath to Yahweh, and I cannot turn back on my promise." - -\s5 -\v 36 She said to him, "My father, you have made a vow to Yahweh, do to me everything you promised, because Yahweh has taken vengeance for you against your enemies, the Ammonites." -\v 37 She said to her father, "Let this promise be kept for me. Leave me alone for two months, that I may leave and go down to the hills and grieve over my virginity, I and my companions." - -\s5 -\v 38 He said, "Go." He sent her away for two months. She left him, she and her companions, and they grieved her virginity in the hills. -\v 39 At the end of two months she returned to her father, who did with her according to the promise of the vow he had made. Now she had never slept with a man, and it became a custom in Israel -\v 40 that the daughters of Israel every year, for four days, would retell the story of the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite. - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 A call went out to the men of Ephraim; they passed through Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you pass through to fight against the people of Ammon and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down over you." -\v 2 Jephthah said to them, "I and my people were in a great conflict with the people of Ammon. When I called you, you did not rescue me from them. - -\s5 -\v 3 When I saw that you did not rescue me, I put my life in my own strength and passed through against the people of Ammon, and Yahweh gave me victory. Why have you come to fight against me today?" -\v 4 Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead and he fought against Ephraim. The men of Gilead attacked the men of Ephraim because they said, "You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim—in Ephraim and Manasseh." - -\s5 -\v 5 The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim. When any of the survivors of Ephraim said, "Let me go over the river," the men of Gilead would say to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No," -\v 6 then they would say to him, "Say: Shibboleth," and if he said "Sibboleth" (for he could not pronounce the word correctly), the Gileadites would seize him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Jephthah served as a judge over Israel for six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem served as a judge over Israel. -\v 9 He had thirty sons. He gave away thirty daughters in marriage, and he brought in thirty daughters of other men for his sons, from the outside. He judged Israel for seven years. - -\s5 -\v 10 Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem. -\v 11 After him Elon the Zebulunite served as judge over Israel. He judged Israel for ten years. -\v 12 Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 After him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite served as a judge over Israel. -\v 14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons. They rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel for eight years. -\v 15 Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim in the hill country -of the Amalekites. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. -\p -\v 2 There was a man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was not able to become pregnant and so she had not given birth. - -\s5 -\v 3 The angel of Yahweh appeared to the woman and said to her, "See now, you have been unable to become pregnant, and you have not given birth, but you will become pregnant and you will give birth to a son. -\v 4 Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean. -\p -\v 5 Look, you will become pregnant and give birth to a son. No razor will be used upon his head, for the child will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then the woman came and told her husband, "A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like that of an angel of God, very terrible. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name. -\v 7 He said to me, 'Look! You will become pregnant, and you will give birth to a son. So then drink no wine or strong drink, and do not eat any food that the law declares to be unclean, because the child will be a Nazirite to God from the time he is in your womb until the day of his death.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then Manoah prayed to Yahweh and said, "Oh, Lord, please let the man of God you sent come again to us so that he may teach us what we are to do for the child who soon will be born." -\v 9 God answered Manoah's prayer, and the angel of God came to the woman again when she was sitting in the field. But Manoah her husband was not with her. - -\s5 -\v 10 So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, "Look! The man has appeared to me—the one who came to me the other day!" -\v 11 Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, "Are you the man who spoke with my wife?" The man said, "I am." - -\s5 -\v 12 So Manoah said, "Now may your words come true. What will be the rules for the child, and what will be his work?" -\v 13 The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, "She must carefully do everything that I said to her. -\v 14 She may not eat anything that comes from the vines, and do not let her drink wine or strong drink or eat anything unclean. She must obey everything I have commanded her to do." -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, "Please stay for a while, to give us time to prepare a young goat for you." -\v 16 The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, "Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to Yahweh." (Manoah did not know that he was the angel of Yahweh.) - -\s5 -\v 17 Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, "What is your name, so we may honor you when your words come true?" -\v 18 The angel of Yahweh said to him, "Why do you ask my name? It is wonderful!" -\s5 -\v 19 So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering and offered them on the rock to Yahweh. He did something marvelous while Manoah and his wife were watching. -\v 20 When the flame went up from the altar toward the sky, the angel of Yahweh went up in the flame of the altar. Manoah and his wife saw this and lay facedown on the ground. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 The angel of Yahweh did not appear again to Manoah or his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of Yahweh. -\v 22 Manoah said to his wife, "We are sure to die, because we have seen God!" - -\s5 -\v 23 But his wife said to him, "If Yahweh wanted to kill us, he would not have received the burnt offering and the grain offering we gave him. He would not have shown us all these things, nor at this time would he have let us hear such things." - -\s5 -\v 24 Later the woman gave birth to a son, and called his name Samson. The child grew up and Yahweh blessed him. -\v 25 Yahweh's Spirit began to stir him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. - - - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 Samson went down to Timnah, and there he saw a woman, one of the daughters of the Philistines. -\v 2 When he returned, he told his father and mother, "I saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines. Now get her for me to be my wife." - -\s5 -\v 3 His father and mother said to him, "Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people? Are you going to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for when I look at her, she pleases me." -\v 4 But his father and his mother did not know that this matter came from Yahweh, for he desired to create a conflict with the Philistines (for at that time the Philistines were ruling Israel). - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and his mother, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And, look, there one of the young lions came up and was roaring at him. -\v 6 Yahweh's Spirit suddenly came on him, and he tore the lion apart as easily as he would have torn apart a small goat, and he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. - -\s5 -\v 7 He went and spoke with the woman, and when he looked at her, she pleased Samson. -\v 8 A few days later when he returned to marry her, he turned aside to look for the carcass of the lion. And, look, there was a swarm of bees and honey in what was left of the lion's body. -\v 9 He scraped up the honey in his hands and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and his mother, he gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them he had taken the honey out of what was left of the lion's body. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Samson's father went down to where the woman was, and Samson gave a feast there, for this was the custom of the young men. -\v 11 As soon as her relatives saw him, they brought him thirty of their friends to be with him. - -\s5 -\v 12 Samson said to them, "Let me now tell you a riddle. If one of you can find it out and tell me the answer during the seven days of the feast, I will give out thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes. -\v 13 But if you cannot tell me the answer, then you will give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes." They said to him, "Tell us your riddle, so we may hear it." - -\s5 -\v 14 He said to them, -\q "Out of the eater was something to eat; -\q out of the strong was something sweet." -\p But his guests could not find the answer in three days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, "Trick your husband so that he may tell us the answer to the riddle, or we will burn up you and your father's house. Did you invite us here in order to make us poor?" - -\s5 -\v 16 Samson's wife started to weep in front of him; she said, "All you do is hate me! You do not love me. You have told a riddle to some of my people, but you have not told me the answer." Samson said to her, "Look here, if I have not told my father or my mother, should I tell you?" -\v 17 She cried during the seven days that their feast lasted. On the seventh day he told her the answer because she pressured him very much. She told the answer to the relatives of her people. - -\s5 -\v 18 Before the sun went down on the seventh day the men of the city said to him, -\q "What is sweeter than honey? -\q What is stronger than a lion?" -\p Samson said to them, -\q "If you had not plowed with my heifer, -\q you would not have found the answer to my riddle." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then Yahweh's Spirit suddenly came on Samson with power. Samson went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men. He took their plunder, and he gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he went up to his father's house. -\v 20 Samson's wife was given to his best friend. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 After some days, during the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said to himself, "I will go to my wife's room." But her father would not allow him to go in. -\v 2 Her father said, "I really thought you hated her, so I gave her to your friend. Her younger sister is more beautiful than she is, is she not? Take her instead." - -\s5 -\v 3 Samson said to them, "This time I will be innocent in regard to the Philistines when I hurt them." -\v 4 Samson went and caught three hundred foxes and he tied together each pair, tail to tail. Then he took torches and tied them in the middle of each pair of tails. - -\s5 -\v 5 When he had set the torches on fire, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and they set fire to both the stacked grain and the grain standing in the field, along with the vineyards and the olive orchards. -\v 6 The Philistines asked, "Who did this?" They were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, did this because the Timnite took Samson's wife and gave her to his friend." Then the Philistines went and burned up her and her father. - -\s5 -\v 7 Samson said to them, "If this is what you do, I will get my revenge against you, and after that is done, I will stop." -\v 8 Then he cut them to pieces, hip and thigh, with a great slaughter. Then he went down and lived in a cave in the cliff of Etam. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then the Philistines came up and they prepared for battle in Judah and set up their army in Lehi. -\v 10 The men of Judah said, "Why have you come up to attack us?" They said, "We are attacking so we may capture Samson, and do to him as he has done to us." - -\s5 -\v 11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave in the cliff of Etam, and they said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What is this you have done to us?" Samson said to them, "They did to me, and so I have done to them." - -\s5 -\v 12 They said to Samson, "We have come down to tie you up and give you into the hands of the Philistines." Samson said to them, "Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves." -\v 13 They said to him, "No, we will only tie you with ropes and hand you over to them. We promise we will not kill you." Then they tied him up with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting as they met him. Then Yahweh's Spirit came on him with power. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and they fell off his hands. - -\s5 -\v 15 Samson found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and he picked it up and killed a thousand men with it. -\v 16 Samson said, -\q "With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, -\q with the jawbone of a donkey I have killed a thousand men." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 When Samson finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone, and he called the place Ramath Lehi. -\v 18 Samson was very thirsty and called on Yahweh and said, "You have given this great victory to your servant. But now will I die of thirst and fall into the hands of those who are uncircumcised?" - -\s5 -\v 19 God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi and water came out. When he drank, his strength returned and he revived. So he called the name of that place En Hakkore, and it is at Lehi to this day. -\v 20 Samson judged Israel in the days of the Philistines for twenty years. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 Samson went to Gaza and saw a prostitute there, and he went to bed with her. -\v 2 The Gazites were told, "Samson has come here." The Gazites surrounded the place and in secret, they waited for him all night at the city gate. They kept silent all night. They had said, "Let us wait until daylight, and then let us kill him." - -\s5 -\v 3 Samson lay in bed until midnight. At midnight he got up and he took hold of the city gate and its two posts. He pulled them up out of the ground, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the hill, in front of Hebron. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 After this, Samson came to love a woman who lived in the Valley of Sorek. Her name was Delilah. -\v 5 The rulers of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, "Trick Samson to see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him in order to humiliate him. Do this, and each one of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then Delilah said to Samson, "Please, tell me how is it that you are so strong, and how could anyone bind you, so you might be controlled?" -\v 7 Samson said to her, "If they tie me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I will become weak and be like any other man." - -\s5 -\v 8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought up to Delilah seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied Samson up with them. -\v 9 Now she had men hiding in secret, staying in her inner room. She said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he broke the bowstrings like a thread of yarn when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not discovered. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then Delilah said to Samson, "This is how you have deceived me and told me lies. Please, tell me how you can be overpowered." -\v 11 He said to her, "If they tie me up with new ropes which have never been used for work, I will become weak and like any other man." -\v 12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him up with them, and said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" The men lying in wait were in the inner room. But Samson tore off the ropes from his arms like they were a piece of thread. - - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Delilah said to Samson, "Until now you have deceived me and told me lies. Tell me how you may be overpowered." Samson said to her, "If you weave seven locks of my hair into a fabric on a loom, and then nail that to the loom, I will be like any other man." -\v 14 While he slept, Delilah wove seven locks of his hair into the fabric on the loom and nailed it to the loom, and she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" He woke from his sleep and he pulled out the fabric and the pin from the loom. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 She said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you do not share your secrets with me? You have mocked me these three times and have not told me how you have such great strength." -\v 16 Every day she pressed him hard with her words, and she pressured him so much that he wished he would die. - -\s5 -\v 17 So Samson told her everything and said to her, "I have never had a razor cut the hair on my head, for I have been a Nazirite for God from my mother's womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I will become weak and be like every other man." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 When Delilah saw that he had told her the truth about everything, she sent and called for the rulers of the Philistines, saying, "Come up again, for he has told me everything." Then the rulers of the Philistines went up to her, bringing the silver in their hands. -\v 19 She had him fall asleep in her lap. She called for a man to shave off the seven locks of his head, and she began to subdue him, for his strength had left him. - -\s5 -\v 20 She said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" He woke up out of his sleep and said, "I will get out like the other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that Yahweh had left him. -\v 21 The Philistines captured him and put out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. He turned the millstone at the prison house. -\v 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The rulers of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice. They said, "Our god has conquered Samson, our enemy, and put him in our grasp." -\v 24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, for they said, "Our god has conquered our enemy and given him to us—the destroyer of our country, who killed many of us." - -\s5 -\v 25 When they were celebrating, they said, "Call for Samson, that he may make us laugh." They called for Samson out of the prison and he made them laugh. They made him stand between the pillars. -\v 26 Samson said to the boy who held his hand, "Permit me to touch the pillars on which the building rests, so that I can lean against them." - -\s5 -\v 27 Now the house was full of men and women. All the rulers of the Philistines were there. There were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who were looking on while Samson was entertaining them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Samson called to Yahweh and said, "Lord Yahweh, call me to mind! Please strengthen me only this once, God, so that I may have revenge in one blow on the Philistines for taking my two eyes." -\v 29 Samson held on to the two middle pillars on which the building rested, and he leaned against them, one pillar with his right hand, and the other with his left. - -\s5 -\v 30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He stretched out with his strength and the building fell on the rulers and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed when he died were more than those he killed during his life. -\v 31 Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down. They took him, brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial place of Manoah, his father. Samson had judged Israel for twenty years. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 There was a man in the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Micah. -\v 2 He said to his mother, "The 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you spoke a curse, and which I heard—look here! I have the silver with me. I stole it." His mother said, "May Yahweh bless you, my son!" - -\s5 -\v 3 He restored the 1,100 pieces of silver to his mother and his mother said, "I set apart this silver to Yahweh, for my son to make carved and cast metal figures. So now, I restore it to you." -\v 4 When he restored the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to a metal worker who made them into carved and cast metal figures, and they were placed in the house of Micah. - -\s5 -\v 5 The man Micah had a house of idols and he made an ephod and household gods, and he hired one of his sons to become his priest. -\v 6 In those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the clan of Judah, who was a Levite. He stayed there to fulfill his duties. -\v 8 The man left Bethlehem in Judah to go and find a place to live. As he journeyed, he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim. -\v 9 Micah said to him, "Where do you come from?" The man said to him, "I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am traveling to find a place where I might live." - - -\s5 -\v 10 Micah said to him, "Stay with me, and be to me a father and a priest. I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your food." So the Levite went into his house. -\v 11 The Levite was content to live with the man, and the young man became to Micah like one of his sons. - -\s5 -\v 12 Micah set apart the Levite for sacred duties, and the young man became his priest, and was in Micah's house. -\v 13 Then Micah said, "Now I know that Yahweh will do good for me, because this Levite has become my priest." - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 In those days there was no king in Israel. The tribe of the descendants of Dan was looking for a territory to live in, for up to that day they had not received any inheritance from among the tribes of Israel. -\v 2 The people of Dan sent five men from the whole number of their tribe, men who were experienced warriors from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to scout the land on foot, and to look it over. They said to them, "Go and look over the land." They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and they spent the night there. - -\s5 -\v 3 When they were near Micah's house, they recognized the speech of the young Levite. So they stopped and asked him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?" -\v 4 He said to them, "This is what Micah has done for me: He has hired me to become his priest." - -\s5 -\v 5 They said to him, "Please seek the advice of God, so we may know whether the journey we are going on will be successful." -\v 6 The priest said to them, "Go in peace. Yahweh will lead you in the way you should go." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Then the five men left and came to Laish, and they saw that the people were living in safety, in the same way the Sidonians lived, undisturbed and secure. There was no one who conquered them or who oppressed them in any way in the land. They lived far away from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone. -\v 8 They returned to their tribe in Zorah and Eshtaol. Their relatives asked them, "What is your report?" - -\s5 -\v 9 They said, "Come! Let us attack them! We have seen the land and it is very good. Are you doing nothing? Do not be slow to attack and conquer the land. -\v 10 When you go, you will come to a people who think they are secure, and the land is wide! God has given it to you—a place that does not lack anything in the land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Six hundred men of the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. -\v 12 They went up and camped at Kiriath Jearim, in Judah. This is why people called that place Mahaneh Dan to this day; it is west of Kiriath Jearim. - -\s5 -\v 13 They went away from there to the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah. -\p -\v 14 Then the five men who had gone to scout the country of Laish said to their relatives, "Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, household gods, a carved figure, and a cast metal figure? Decide now what you will do." - -\s5 -\v 15 So they turned in there and came to the house of the young Levite, at the house of Micah, and they greeted him. -\v 16 Now the six hundred Danites, armed with weapons of war, stood at the entrance of the gate. - -\s5 -\v 17 The five men who had gone to scout out the land went there and they took the carved figure, the ephod, the household gods, and the cast metal figure, while the priest stood by the opening of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war. -\v 18 When these went into Micah's house and took the carved figure, the ephod, the household gods, and the cast metal figure, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?" - -\s5 -\v 19 They said to him, "Be quiet! Put your hand on your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest for the house of one man, or to be priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel?" -\v 20 The priest's heart was glad. He took the ephod, the household gods, and the carved figure, and went along with the people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 So they turned and went away. They put the small children in front of themselves, as well as the cattle and their possessions. -\v 22 When they were a good distance from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah's house were called together, and they caught up with the Danites. -\v 23 They shouted to the Danites, and they turned and said to Micah, "Why have you been called together?" - -\s5 -\v 24 He said, "You stole the gods that I made, you have taken my priest, and you are leaving. What else do I have left? How can you ask me, 'What is bothering you?'" -\v 25 The people of Dan said to him, "You should not let us hear you say anything, or some very angry men will attack you, and you and your family will be killed." -\v 26 Then the people of Dan went their way. When Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 The people of Dan took what Micah had made, as well as his priest, and they came to Laish, to a people who were undisturbed and secure and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city. -\v 28 There was no one to rescue them because it was a long way from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that is near Beth Rehob. The Danites rebuilt the city and lived there. -\v 29 They named the city Dan, the name of Dan their ancestor, who was one of Israel's sons. But the name of the city used to be Laish. - -\s5 -\v 30 The people of Dan set up the carved figure for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses, he and his sons were priests for the tribe of the Danites until the day of the land's captivity. -\v 31 So they worshiped Micah's carved figure that he made as long as the house of God was at Shiloh. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 In those days, when there was no king in Israel, there was a man, a Levite, living for a while in the most remote area of the hill country of Ephraim. He took for himself a woman, a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. -\v 2 But his concubine was unfaithful to him; she left him and went back to her father's house in Bethlehem of Judah. She stayed there for four months. - - -\s5 -\v 3 Then her husband got up and went after her in order to persuade her to come back. His servant was with him, and a pair of donkeys. She brought him into her father's house. When the girl's father saw him, he was glad. -\v 4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, persuaded him to stay for three days. They ate and drank, and they spent the night there. - -\s5 -\v 5 On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law, "Strengthen yourself with a bit of bread, then you may go." -\v 6 So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Then the girl's father said, "Please be willing to spend the night and have a good time." - -\s5 -\v 7 When the Levite got up to leave, the father of the young woman urged him to stay, so he changed his plan and spent the night there again. -\v 8 On the fifth day he woke up early to leave, but the girl's father said, "Strengthen yourself, and wait until the afternoon." So the two of them had a meal. - -\s5 -\v 9 When the Levite and his concubine and his servant rose up to depart, his father-in-law, the girl's father said to him, "See, now the day is advancing toward evening. Please stay another night, and have a good time. You can get up early tomorrow and go back home." -\s5 -\p -\v 10 But the Levite was not willing to spend the night. He got up and left. He went toward Jebus (that is Jerusalem). He had a pair of saddled donkeys—and his concubine was with him. -\v 11 When they were near Jebus, the day was nearly over, and the servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside to the city of the Jebusites and spend the night in it." - -\s5 -\v 12 His master said to him, "We will not turn aside into a city of foreigners who do not belong to the people of Israel. We will go on to Gibeah." -\v 13 The Levite said to his young man, "Come, let us go to one of those other places, and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah." - -\s5 -\v 14 So they went on, and the sun set as they came near to Gibeah, in the territory of Benjamin. -\v 15 They turned aside there to spend the night in Gibeah. They went and sat down in the city square, but no one took them into his house for the night. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 But then an old man was coming from his work in the field that evening. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he was staying for a while in Gibeah. But the men living in that place were Benjamites. -\v 17 He raised his eyes and saw the traveler in the city square. The old man said, "Where are you going? -Where are you coming from?" - -\s5 -\v 18 The Levite said to him, "We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to the most remote part of the hill country of Ephraim, which is where I come from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to the house of Yahweh, but there is no one who will take me into his house. -\v 19 We have straw and feed for our donkeys, and there is bread and wine for me and your female servant here, and for this young man with your servants. We lack nothing." - -\s5 -\v 20 The old man greeted them, "Peace be with you! I will take care of all your needs. Only do not spend the night in the square." -\v 21 So the man brought the Levite into his house and gave feed to the donkeys. They washed their feet and ate and drank. -\s5 -\p -\v 22 While they were making their hearts glad, some men of the city, worthless men, surrounded the house, beating on the door. They spoke to the old man, the master of the house, saying, "Bring out the man who came into your house, so we can have sex with him." -\v 23 The man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, please do not do this evil thing! Since this man is a guest in my house, do not do this wicked thing! - -\s5 -\v 24 See, my virgin daughter and his concubine are here. Let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them whatever you like. But do not do such a wicked thing to this man!" -\v 25 But the men would not listen to him, so the man seized his concubine and brought her out to them. They seized her, raped her, and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. -\v 26 At dawn the woman came and she fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, and she lay there until it was light. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Her master rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way. He could see his concubine lying there at the door, with her hands on the threshold. -\v 28 The Levite said to her, "Get up. Let us go." But there was no answer. He put her on the donkey, and the man set out for home. - -\s5 -\v 29 When the Levite came to his house, he took a knife, and he took hold of his concubine, and cut her up, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent the pieces everywhere throughout Israel. -\v 30 All who saw this said, "Such a thing has never been done or seen from the day the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this present day. Think about it! Give us advice! Tell us what to do!" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 Then all the people of Israel came out as one man, from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead also, and they assembled together before Yahweh at Mizpah. -\v 2 The leaders of all the people, of all the tribes of Israel, took their places in the assembly of the people of God—400,000 men on foot, who were ready to fight with the sword. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah. The people of Israel said, "Tell us how this wicked thing happened." -\v 4 The Levite, the husband of the woman who had been murdered, answered, "I came to Gibeah in the territory that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. - -\s5 -\v 5 During the night, the leaders of Gibeah attacked me, surrounding the house and intending to kill me. They seized and raped my concubine, and she died. -\v 6 I took my concubine and cut her body into pieces, and sent them into each region of Israel's inheritance, because they have committed such wickedness and outrage in Israel. -\v 7 Now, all you Israelites, give your advice and counsel here." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 All the people arose together as one man, and they said, "None of us will go to his tent, and none of us will return to his house! -\v 9 But now this is what we must do to Gibeah: We will attack it as the lot directs us. - -\s5 -\v 10 We will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and one hundred of a thousand, and one thousand of ten thousand, to get provisions for these people, so that when they come to Gibeah in Benjamin, they may punish them for the wickedness they committed in Israel." -\v 11 So all the soldiers of Israel assembled against the city, as one man. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What is this wickedness that was done among you? -\v 13 Therefore, give us those wicked men of Gibeah, so we may put them to death, and so we will completely remove this evil from Israel." But the Benjamites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. -\v 14 Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to get ready to fight against the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 15 The people of Benjamin brought together from their cities to fight on that day twenty-six thousand soldiers who were trained to fight with the sword. In addition, there were seven hundred of their chosen men from the inhabitants of Gibeah. -\v 16 Among all these soldiers were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed. Each of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 The people of Israel, not counting the number from Benjamin, numbered 400,000 men, who were trained to fight with the sword. All of these were men of war. -\v 18 The people of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and asked for advice from God. They asked, "Who first will attack the people of Benjamin for us?" Yahweh said, "Judah will attack first." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 The people of Israel got up in the morning and they moved their camp near Gibeah. -\v 20 The people of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin. They set up their battle positions against them at Gibeah. -\v 21 The people of Benjamin came out of Gibeah, and they killed twenty-two thousand men of the army of Israel on that day. - -\s5 -\v 22 But the people of Israel strengthened themselves and they formed the battle line in the same place where they had taken positions on the first day. -\v 23 Then the people of Israel went up and they wept before Yahweh until evening, and they sought direction from Yahweh. They said, "Should we go again to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?" Yahweh said, "Attack them!" -\s5 -\p -\v 24 So the people of Israel went against the soldiers of Benjamin the second day. -\v 25 On the second day, Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah and they killed eighteen thousand men from the people of Israel. All were men who trained to fight with the sword. - -\s5 -\v 26 Then all the soldiers of Israel and all the people went up to Bethel and wept, and there they sat before Yahweh and they fasted that day until the evening and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 27 The people of Israel asked Yahweh—for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, -\v 28 and Phinehas, son of Eleazar son of Aaron, was serving before the ark in those days—"Should we go out to battle once more against the people of Benjamin, our brothers, or stop?" Yahweh said, "Attack, for tomorrow I will help you defeat them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 So Israel set men in secret places around Gibeah. -\v 30 The people of Israel fought against the people of Benjamin for the third day, and they formed their battle lines against Gibeah as they had done before. - -\s5 -\v 31 The people of Benjamin went and fought against the people, and they were drawn away from the city. They began to kill some of the people. There were about thirty men of Israel who died in the fields and on the roads. One of the roads went up to Bethel, and the other went to Gibeah. - -\s5 -\v 32 Then the people of Benjamin said, "They are defeated and they are running away from us, just as at first." But the soldiers of Israel said, "Let us run back and draw them away from the city to the roads." -\v 33 All the people of Israel rose up out of their places and formed themselves into lines for battle at Baal Tamar. Then the soldiers of Israel who had been hiding in secret places ran out from their places from Maareh Gibeah. - -\s5 -\v 34 There came out against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the fighting was fierce, but the Benjamites did not know that disaster was close to them. -\v 35 Yahweh defeated Benjamin before Israel. On that day, the soldiers of Israel killed 25,100 men of Benjamin. All these who died were those who had been trained to fight with the sword. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 So the soldiers of Benjamin saw they were defeated. The men of Israel had given ground to Benjamin, because they were counting on the men they had placed in hidden positions outside Gibeah. -\v 37 Then the men who were hiding got up and hurried and they rushed into Gibeah, and they struck all the city with the edge of the sword. -\v 38 The arranged signal between the soldiers of Israel and the men hiding in secret would be that a great cloud of smoke would rise up out of the city. - -\s5 -\v 39 When the signal was sent the soldiers of Israel would turn from the battle. Now Benjamin began to attack and they killed about thirty men of Israel, and they said, "It is sure that they are defeated before us, as in the first battle." - -\s5 -\v 40 But when a pillar of smoke began to rise up out of the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the smoke rising to the sky from the whole city. -\v 41 Then the people of Israel turned against them. The men of Benjamin were terrified, for they saw that disaster had come on them. - -\s5 -\v 42 So they ran away from the people of Israel, escaping on the way to the wilderness. But the fighting overtook them. The soldiers of Israel came out of the cities and killed them where they stood. - -\s5 -\v 43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and trampled them down at Nohah, all the way to the east side of Gibeah. -\v 44 From the tribe of Benjamin, eighteen thousand people died, all of them men who were distinguished in battle. - -\s5 -\v 45 They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. The Israelites killed five thousand more of them along the roads. They kept going after them, following them closely all the way to Gidom, and there they killed two thousand more. -\v 46 All the soldiers of Benjamin who fell that day were twenty-five thousand—men who were trained to fight with the sword; all of them were distinguished in battle. - -\s5 -\v 47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness, toward the rock of Rimmon. For four months they stayed at the rock of Rimmon. -\v 48 The soldiers of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, including the animals and everything that they found. They also burned down every town in their path. - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Now the men of Israel had made a promise at Mizpah, "None of us will give his daughter to marry a Benjamite." -\v 2 Then the people went to Bethel and sat there before God until the evening, and with loud voices they wept bitterly. -\v 3 They called out, "Why, Yahweh, God of Israel, has this happened to Israel, that one of our tribes should be missing today?" - -\s5 -\v 4 The next day the people got up early and built an altar there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. -\v 5 The people of Israel said, "Which of all the tribes of Israel did not come up in the assembly to Yahweh?" For they had made an important promise concerning anyone who did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah. They said, "He would certainly be put to death." - -\s5 -\v 6 The people of Israel had compassion for their brother Benjamin. They said, "Today one tribe has been cut off from Israel. -\v 7 Who will provide wives for those who are left, since we have made a promise to Yahweh that we will not let any of them marry our daughters?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 They said, "Which of the tribes of Israel did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah?" It was found that no one had come to the assembly from Jabesh Gilead. -\v 9 For when the people were set out in an orderly manner, behold, none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were there. -\v 10 The assembly sent twelve thousand of their bravest men with instructions to go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, including the women and children. - -\s5 -\v 11 "Do this: You must kill every male and every woman who has slept with a man." -\v 12 The men found among those living in Jabesh Gilead four hundred young women who had never slept with a man, and they took them to the camp at Shiloh, in Canaan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 The entire assembly sent a message and told the people of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon that they were offering them peace. -\v 14 The Benjamites returned at that time and they were given the women of Jabesh Gilead, but there were not enough women for all of them. -\v 15 The people were sorry for what happened to Benjamin, because Yahweh made a division between the tribes of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then the leaders of the assembly said, "How will we arrange wives for the Benjamites who are left, since the women of Benjamin have been killed?" -\v 17 They said, "There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe is not destroyed from Israel. - -\s5 -\v 18 We cannot give them wives from our daughters, for the people of Israel had made a promise, 'Cursed be anyone who gives a wife to Benjamin.'" -\v 19 So they said, "You know there is a feast for Yahweh every year at Shiloh (which is north of Bethel, east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah)." - -\s5 -\v 20 They instructed the men of Benjamin, saying, "Go and hide in secret and wait in the vineyards. -\v 21 Watch for the time when the girls from Shiloh come out to dance, then rush out of the vineyards and each one of you should grab a wife from the girls of Shiloh, then go back to the land of Benjamin. - -\s5 -\v 22 When their fathers or their brothers come to protest to us, we will say to them, 'Show us favor! Let them remain because we did not get wives for each man during the war. You are innocent, since you did not give your daughters to them.'" -\s5 -\v 23 The people of Benjamin did so. They took the number of wives that they needed from the girls who were dancing and they carried them off to be their wives. They went and returned to the place of their inheritance. They rebuilt the towns and lived in them. -\v 24 Then the people of Israel left that place and went home, each one to his own tribe and clan, and each one to his own inheritance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. - +\mt Judges +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel asked Yahweh, saying, "Who first will attack the Canaanites for us, to fight against them?" +\v 2 Yahweh said, "Judah will attack. See, I have given them control of this land." +\v 3 The men of Judah said to men of Simeon, their brothers, "Come up with us into our territory that was assigned to us that together we may fight against the Canaanites. We will likewise go with you to the territory that was assigned to you." So the tribe of Simeon went with them. + +\s5 +\v 4 The men of Judah attacked, and Yahweh gave them victory over the Canaanites and the Perizzites. They killed ten thousand of them at Bezek. +\v 5 They found Adoni-Bezek at Bezek, and they fought against him and defeated the Canaanites and the Perizzites. + +\s5 +\v 6 But Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued him and caught him, and they cut off his thumbs and his big toes. +\v 7 Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, who had their thumbs and their big toes cut off, gathered their food from under my table. As I have done, even so God has done to me." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The men of Judah fought against the city of Jerusalem and took it. They attacked it with the edge of the sword and they set the city on fire. +\v 9 After that, the men of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites who lived in the hill country, in the Negev, and the western foothills. +\v 10 Judah advanced against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (the name of Hebron was previously Kiriath Arba), and they defeated Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 From there the men of Judah advanced against the inhabitants of Debir (the name of Debir was previously Kiriath Sepher). +\v 12 Caleb said, "Whoever attacks Kiriath Sepher and takes it, I will give him Aksah, my daughter, to be his wife." +\v 13 Othniel, son of Kenaz (Caleb's younger brother) captured Debir, so Caleb gave him Aksah, his daughter, to be his wife. + +\s5 +\v 14 Soon Aksah came to Othniel, and she urged him to ask her father to give her a field. As she was getting off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?" +\v 15 She said to him, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negev, also give me springs of water." So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 The descendants of Moses' father-in-law the Kenite went up from the City of Palms with the people of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah, which is in the Negev, to live with the people of Judah near Arad. +\v 17 The men of Judah went with the men of Simeon their brothers and they attacked the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and they completely destroyed it. The name of the city was called Hormah. + +\s5 +\v 18 The people of Judah also captured Gaza and the land around it, Ashkelon and the land around it, and Ekron and the land around it. +\v 19 Yahweh was with the people of Judah and they took possession of the hill country, but they could not drive out the inhabitants of the plains because they had iron chariots. + +\s5 +\v 20 Hebron was given to Caleb (like Moses had said), and he drove out from there the three sons of Anak. +\v 21 But the people of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem. So the Jebusites have lived with the people of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 The house of Joseph prepared to attack Bethel, and Yahweh was with them. +\v 23 They sent out men to spy on Bethel (the city that was formerly called Luz). +\v 24 The spies saw a man coming out of the city, and they said to him, "Show us, please, how to get into the city, and we will be kind to you." + +\s5 +\v 25 He showed them a way into the city, and so they attacked the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man and all his family get away. +\v 26 Then the man went to the land of the Hittites and built a city and called it Luz, which is its name to this day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 The people of Manasseh did not drive out the people living in the cities of Beth Shan and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or those who lived in Dor and its villages, or those who lived in Ibleam and its villages, or those who lived in Megiddo and its villages, because the Canaanites were determined to live in that land. +\v 28 When Israel became strong, they forced the Canaanites to serve them with hard labor, but they never drove them out completely. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites continued to live in Gezer among them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Zebulun did not drive out the people living in Kitron, or the people living in Nahalol, and so the Canaanites continued to live among them, but Zebulun forced the Canaanites to serve them with hard labor. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Asher did not drive out the people living in Akko, or the people living in Sidon, or those living in Ahlab, Akzib, Helbah, Aphek, or Rehob. +\v 32 So the tribe of Asher lived among the Canaanites (those who lived in the land), because they did not drive them out. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 The tribe of Naphtali did not drive out those who were living in Beth Shemesh, or those living in Beth Anath. So the tribe of Naphtali lived among the Canaanites (the people who were living in that land). However, the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh and Beth Anath were forced into hard labor for Naphthali. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 The Amorites forced the tribe of Dan to live in the hill country, not allowing them to come down to the plain. +\v 35 So the Amorites lived at Mount Heres, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, but the military might of the house of Joseph conquered them, and they were forced to serve them with hard labor. +\v 36 The border of the Amorites ran from the hill of Akrabbim at Sela up into the hill country. + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 The angel of Yahweh went up from Gilgal to Bokim, and said, "I brought you up from Egypt, and have brought you to the land I swore to give to your fathers. I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you. +\v 2 You must make no covenant with those who live in this land. You must tear down their altars.' But you have not listened to my voice. What is this that you have done? + +\s5 +\v 3 So now I say, 'I will not drive the Canaanites out before you, but they will become thorns in your sides, and their gods will become a trap for you.'" +\v 4 When the angel of Yahweh spoke these words to all the people of Israel, the people shouted and wept. +\v 5 They called that place Bokim. There they offered sacrifices to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Now when Joshua had sent the people on their way, the people of Israel each went to the place assigned, to take ownership of their land. +\v 7 The people served Yahweh during the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him, those who had seen all of Yahweh's great deeds he had done for Israel. +\v 8 Joshua son of Nun the servant of Yahweh, died at the age of 110 years old. + +\s5 +\v 9 They buried him within the border of the land he was assigned in Timnath Heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. +\v 10 All that generation was also gathered to their fathers. Another generation grew up after them who did not know Yahweh or what he had done for Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and they served the Baals. +\v 12 They broke away from Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, the very gods of the peoples who were around them, and they bowed down to them. They provoked Yahweh to anger because +\v 13 they broke away from Yahweh and worshiped Baal and the Ashtoreths. + +\s5 +\v 14 The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel, and he gave them to the raiders who stole their possessions from them. He sold them as slaves who were held by the strength of their enemies around them, so they could no longer defend themselves against their enemies. +\v 15 Wherever Israel went out to fight, Yahweh's hand was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them and they were in terrible distress. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then Yahweh raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who were stealing their possessions. +\v 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges. They were unfaithful to Yahweh and gave themselves like prostitutes to other gods and worshiped them. They soon turned aside from the way their fathers had lived—those who had obeyed the commandments of Yahweh—but they themselves did not do so. + +\s5 +\v 18 When Yahweh raised up judges for them, Yahweh helped the judges and rescued them from the hand of their enemies all the days the judge lived. Yahweh had pity on them as they groaned because of those who oppressed them and afflicted them. +\v 19 But when the judge died, they would turn away and do things that were even more corrupt than their fathers had done. They would go after other gods to serve them and worship them. They refused to give up any of their evil practices or their stubborn ways. + +\s5 +\v 20 The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel; he said, "Because this nation has broken the terms of my covenant that I had set in place for their fathers—because they have not listened to my voice— +\v 21 I will not, from now on, drive out from before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died. +\v 22 I will do this so that I may test Israel, whether or not they will keep the way of Yahweh and walk in it, as their fathers kept it." +\v 23 That is why Yahweh left those nations and did not drive them out quickly and give them into the hand of Joshua. + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now Yahweh left these nations to test Israel, namely everyone in Israel who had not experienced any of the wars fought in Canaan. +\v 2 (He did this to teach warfare to the new generation of the Israelites who had not known it before.) +\v 3 These are the nations: the five kings from the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the Lebanon mountains, from Mount Baal Hermon to Hamath Pass. + +\s5 +\v 4 These nations were left as a means by which Yahweh would test Israel, to confirm whether they would obey the commands he gave their ancestors through Moses. +\v 5 So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. +\v 6 Their daughters they took to be their wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and forgot Yahweh their God. They worshiped the Baals and the Asherahs. +\v 8 Therefore, the anger of Yahweh was set on fire against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim. The people of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim for eight years. + +\s5 +\v 9 When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up someone who would come to help the people of Israel, and who would rescue them: Othniel son of Kenaz (Caleb's younger brother). +\v 10 Yahweh's Spirit empowered him, and he judged Israel and he went out to war. Yahweh gave him victory over Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram. The hand of Othniel defeated Cushan-Rishathaim. +\v 11 The land had peace for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 After that, the Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and Yahweh gave strength to Eglon king of Moab to overpower the Israelites. +\v 13 Eglon joined with the Ammonites and the Amalekites and they went and defeated Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms. +\v 14 The people of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab for eighteen years. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up someone who would help them, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjamite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent him, with their tribute payment, to Eglon king of Moab. + +\s5 +\v 16 Ehud made himself a sword that had two edges, one cubit in length; he strapped it on under his clothing on his right thigh. +\v 17 He gave the tribute payment to King Eglon of Moab. (Now Eglon was a very fat man.) +\v 18 After Ehud had presented the tribute payment, he left with those who had carried it in. + +\s5 +\v 19 As for Ehud himself, however, when he reached the place where the carved images were made near Gilgal, he turned and went back, and he said, "I have a secret message for you, my king." Eglon said, "Silence!" So all those serving him left the room. +\v 20 Ehud came to him. The king was sitting by himself, alone in the coolness of the upper room. Ehud said, "I have a message from God for you." The king got up out of his seat. + +\s5 +\v 21 Ehud reached with his left hand and took the sword from his right thigh, and he stabbed it into the king's body. +\v 22 The hilt of the sword also went into him following the blade. The tip of the sword came out of his back and the fat closed over it, for Ehud did not pull the sword out of his belly. +\v 23 Then Ehud went out on the porch and closed the doors of the upper room behind him and locked them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 After Ehud had gone, the king's servants came; they saw that the doors of the upper room were locked, so they thought, "Surely he is relieving himself in the coolness of the upper room." +\v 25 They were growing more concerned until they felt they were neglecting their duty when the king still did not open the doors to the upper room. So they took the key and opened them, and there lay their master, fallen to the floor, dead. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 While the servants were waiting, wondering what they should do, Ehud escaped and passed beyond the place where there were carved images of idols, and so he escaped to Seirah. +\v 27 When he arrived, he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the hills, and he was leading them. + +\s5 +\v 28 He said to them, "Follow me, for Yahweh is about to defeat your enemies, the Moabites." They followed him and they captured the fords of the Jordan across from the Moabites, and they did not allow anyone to cross the river. +\v 29 At that time they killed about ten thousand men of Moab, and all were strong and capable men. Not one escaped. +\v 30 So that day Moab was subdued by the strength of Israel, and the land had rest for eighty years. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 After Ehud the next judge was Shamgar son of Anath who killed 600 men of the Philistines with a stick used to goad the cattle. He also delivered Israel from danger. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 After Ehud died, the people of Israel once again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. +\v 2 Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was named Sisera, and he lived in Harosheth Haggoyim. +\v 3 The people of Israel called out to Yahweh for help, because Sisera had nine hundred iron chariots and he oppressed the people of Israel with force for twenty years. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Now Deborah, a prophetess (the wife of Lappidoth), was a leading judge in Israel at that time. +\v 5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came to her to settle their disputes. + +\s5 +\v 6 She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali. She said to him, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun. +\v 7 I will draw out Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon, with his chariots and his army, and I will give you victory over him.'" + +\s5 +\v 8 Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go, but if you do not go with me, I will not go." +\v 9 She said, "I will certainly go with you. However, the road on which you are going will not lead to your honor, for Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. + +\s5 +\v 10 Barak called for the men of Zebulun and Naphtali to come together at Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah went along with him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Now Heber (the Kenite) had separated himself from the Kenites—they were the descendants of Hobab (Moses' father-in-law)—and he pitched his tent by the oak in Zaanannim near Kedesh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 When they told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, +\v 13 Sisera called out all his chariots, nine hundred iron chariots, and all the soldiers who were with him, from Harosheth Haggoyim to the Kishon River. + +\s5 +\v 14 Deborah said to Barak, "Go! For this is the day in which Yahweh has given you victory over Sisera. Is not Yahweh leading you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. + +\s5 +\v 15 Yahweh confused Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and ran away on foot. +\v 16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth Haggoyim, and the whole army of Sisera was killed by the edge of the sword, and not a man survived. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 But Sisera ran away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the family of Heber the Kenite. +\v 18 Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Turn aside, my master; turn aside to me and do not be afraid." So he turned aside to her and came into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. + +\s5 +\v 19 He said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." She opened a leather bag of milk +and gave him drink, and then she covered him up again. +\v 20 He said to her, "Stand at the opening of the tent. If someone comes and asks you, 'Is anyone here?', say 'No'." + +\s5 +\v 21 Then Jael (the wife of Heber) took a tent peg and a hammer in her hand and went in secretly to him, for he was in a deep sleep, and she hammered the tent peg into the side of his head and it pierced through him and went down into the ground, and he died. +\v 22 As Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael want out to meet him and said to him, "Come, I will show you the man you are looking for." So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in the side of his head. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 So on that day God defeated Jabin, the king of Canaan, before the people of Israel. +\v 24 The might of the people of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed him. + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: +\q +\v 2 "When the leaders take the lead in Israel, +\q when the people gladly volunteer for war— +\q we praise Yahweh! + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you leaders! +\q I, I will sing to Yahweh; +\q I will sing praises to Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\q +\v 4 Yahweh, when you went out from Seir, +\q when you marched from Edom, +\q the earth shook, and the skies also trembled; +\q also the clouds poured down water. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 The mountains quaked before the face of Yahweh; +\q even Mount Sinai quaked before the face of Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\q +\v 6 In the days of Shamgar (son of Anath), +\q in the days of Jael, the main roads were abandoned, +\q and those who walked only used the winding paths. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 There were few rural people in Israel, +\q until I, Deborah, arose, +\q arose as a mother in Israel! +\q +\v 8 When they chose new gods, +\q there was fighting at the city gates +\q and yet there were no shields or spears seen +\q among forty thousand in Israel. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel, +\q along with the people who gladly volunteered— +\q we bless Yahweh for them! +\q +\v 10 Think about this—you who ride on white donkeys +\q sitting on rugs for saddles, +\q and you who walk along the road. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Hear the voices of those who sing at the watering places. +\q There they tell again of Yahweh's righteous deeds, +\q and the righteous actions of his warriors in Israel. +\q Then the people of Yahweh went down to the city gates. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Awake, awake, Deborah! +\q Awake, awake, sing a song! +\q Get up, Barak, and capture your prisoners, you son of Abinoam. +\q +\v 13 Then the survivors came down to the nobles; +\q the people of Yahweh came down to me with the warriors. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 They came from Ephraim, whose root is in Amalek; +\q the people of Benjamin followed you. +\q From Machir commanders came down, +\q and from Zebulun those who carry an officer's staff. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 My princes in Issachar were with Deborah; +\q and Issachar was with Barak +\q rushing after him into the valley under his command. +\q Among the clans of Reuben +\q there were great searchings of heart. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Why did you sit between the fireplaces, +\q listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks? +\q As for the clans of Reuben +\q there were great searchings of heart. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Gilead stayed on the other side of the Jordan; +\q and Dan, why did he wander about on ships? +\q Asher remained on the coast +\q and lived close to his harbors. +\q +\v 18 Zebulun was a tribe who would risk their lives to the point of death, +\q and Naphtali, also, on the field of battle. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 The kings came, they fought; +\q the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach +\q by the waters of Megiddo. +\q But they took away no silver as plunder. +\q +\v 20 From heaven the stars fought, +\q from their paths across the heavens they fought against Sisera. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 The Kishon River swept them away, +\q2 that old river, the Kishon River. +\q March on my soul, be strong! +\q +\v 22 Then the sound of horses' hooves— +\q galloping, the galloping of his mighty ones. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 'Curse Meroz!' says the angel of Yahweh. +\q 'Surely curse its inhabitants!— +\q because they did not come to help Yahweh— +\q to help Yahweh in the battle against the mighty warriors.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 Jael is blessed more than all other women, +\q Jael (the wife of Heber the Kenite), +\q she is more blessed than all the women who live in tents. +\q +\v 25 The man asked for water, and she gave him milk; +\q she brought him butter in a dish fit for princes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 She put her hand to the tent peg, +\q and her right hand to the workman's hammer; +\q with the hammer she struck Sisera, she crushed his head. +\q She smashed his skull into pieces when she pierced him through the side of his head. +\q +\v 27 He collapsed between her feet, he fell and he lay there. +\q Between her feet he fell limp. +\q The place he collapsed is where he was violently killed. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Out of a window she looked— +\q the mother of Sisera looked through the lattice and she called out in sadness, +\q 'Why has it taken his chariot so long to come? +\q Why have the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots been delayed?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 Her wisest princesses replied, +\q and she gave herself the same answer: +\q +\v 30 'Have they not found and divided up the plunder? +\q —A womb, two wombs for every man; +\q the plunder of dyed fabric for Sisera, +\q the plunder of dyed fabric embroidered, +\q two pieces of dyed fabric embroidered for the necks of those who plunder?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 So may all your enemies perish, Yahweh! +\q But your friends be like the sun when it rises in its might." +\p Then the land had peace for forty years. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he gave them into the hand of Midian for seven years. +\v 2 The power of Midian oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the people of Israel made shelters for themselves from the dens in the hills, the caves, and the strongholds. + +\s5 +\v 3 It happened that any time the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people from the east would attack the Israelites. +\v 4 They would set up their army on the land and destroy the crops, all the way to Gaza. They would leave no food in Israel, and no sheep, nor cattle or donkeys. + +\s5 +\v 5 Whenever they and their livestock and tents came up, they would come as a swarm of locusts, and it was impossible to count either the people or their camels. They invaded the land in order to destroy it. +\v 6 Midian weakened the Israelites so severely that the people of Israel called out to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 When the people of Israel called out to Yahweh because of Midian, +\v 8 Yahweh sent a prophet to the people of Israel. The prophet said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought you up from Egypt; I brought you out of the house of slavery. + +\s5 +\v 9 I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all who were oppressing you. I drove them out before you, and I gave you their land. +\v 10 I said to you, "I am Yahweh your God; I commanded you not to worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living." But you have not obeyed my voice.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Now the angel of Yahweh came and sat under the oak in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash (the Abiezrite), while Gideon, Joash's son, was separating out the wheat by beating it on the floor, in the winepress—to hide it from the Midianites. +\v 12 The angel of Yahweh appeared to him and said to him, "Yahweh is with you, you strong warrior!" + +\s5 +\v 13 Gideon said to him, "Oh, my master, if Yahweh is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers told us about, when they said, 'Did not Yahweh bring us up from Egypt?' But now Yahweh has abandoned us and gave us into the hand of Midian." + +\s5 +\v 14 Yahweh looked at him and said, "Go in the strength you already have. Deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" +\v 15 Gideon said to him, "Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? See, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least important in my father's house." + +\s5 +\v 16 Yahweh said to him, "I will be with you, and you will defeat the entire Midianite army as one man." +\v 17 Gideon said to him, "If you are pleased with me, then give me a sign that it is you who is speaking to me. +\v 18 Please, do not leave here, until I come to you and bring out my gift and set it before you." Yahweh said, "I will wait until you return." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Gideon went and prepared a young goat and from an ephah of flour he made unleavened bread. He put the meat in a basket, and he +put the broth in a pot and brought them to him under the oak tree, and presented them. +\v 20 The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and put them on this rock, and pour out the broth over them." That is what Gideon did. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then the angel of Yahweh reached out with the end of the staff in his hand. With it he touched the flesh and the unleavened bread; a fire went up out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of Yahweh went away and Gideon could no longer see him. + +\s5 +\v 22 Gideon understood that this was the angel of Yahweh. Gideon said, "Ah, Lord Yahweh! For I have seen the angel of Yahweh face to face!" +\v 23 Yahweh said to him, "Peace to you! Do not be afraid, you will not die." +\v 24 So Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh. He called it, "Yahweh is Peace." To this day it still stands at Ophrah of the clan of Abiezer. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 That night Yahweh said to him, "Take your father's bull, and a second bull that is seven +years old, and pull apart the altar of Baal that belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it. +\v 26 Build an altar to Yahweh your God on the top of this place of refuge, and construct it the correct way. Offer the second bull as a burnt offering, using the wood from the Asherah that you cut down." + +\s5 +\v 27 So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as Yahweh had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father's household and the men of the town to do it during the day, he did it at night. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 In the morning when the men of the town got up, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah that was beside it was cut down, and the second bull had been offered on the altar that had been built. +\v 29 The men of the city said to one another, "Who has done this?" When they talked with others and searched for answers, they said, "Gideon son of Joash has done this thing." + +\s5 +\v 30 Then the men of the town said to Joash, "Bring out your son so that he may be put to death, because he pulled apart the altar of Baal, and because he cut down the Asherah beside it." + +\s5 +\v 31 Joash said to all who opposed him, "Will you plead the case for Baal? Will you save him? Whoever pleads the case for him, let him be put to death while it is still morning. If Baal is a god, let him defend himself when someone pulls his altar apart." +\v 32 Therefore on that day they called Gideon "Jerub Baal," because he said, "Let Baal defend himself against him," because Gideon broke down Baal's altar. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 Now all the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the people of the east gathered together. They crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. + +\s5 +\v 34 But the Spirit of Yahweh came over Gideon. Gideon blew a trumpet, calling out the clan of Abiezer, so they might follow him. +\v 35 He sent messengers all throughout Manasseh, and they too, were called out to follow him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Gideon said to God, "If you intend to use me to save Israel, as you have said— +\v 37 Look, I am putting a woolen fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that you will use me to save Israel, as you said." + +\s5 +\v 38 This is what happened—Gideon rose early the next morning, he pressed the fleece together, and wrung out the dew from the fleece, enough to fill a bowl with water. + +\s5 +\v 39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me, I will speak one more time. Please allow me one more test using the fleece. This time make the fleece dry, and let there be dew on all the ground around it." +\v 40 God did what he asked for that night. The fleece was dry, and there was dew on all the ground around it. + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Then Jerub Baal (that is, Gideon) rose up early, and all the people who were with him, and they encamped beside the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was to their north in the valley near the hill of Moreh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Yahweh said to Gideon, "There are too many soldiers for me to give you victory over the Midianites, so that Israel may not boast over me, saying, 'Our own power has saved us.' +\v 3 Now therefore, proclaim in the ears of the people and say, 'Whoever is afraid, whoever trembles, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand people went away, and ten thousand remained. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Yahweh said to Gideon, "The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will make their number smaller for you there. If I say to you, 'This one will go with you,' he will go with you; but if I say, 'This one will not go with you,' he will not go." + +\s5 +\v 5 So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and Yahweh said to him, "Separate everyone who laps up the water, as a dog laps, from those who kneel down to drink." +\v 6 Three hundred men lapped. The rest of the men kneeled down to drink water. + +\s5 +\v 7 Yahweh said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men who lapped, I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Let every other man go back to his own place." +\v 8 So those who were chosen took their supplies and their trumpets. Gideon sent away all the men of Israel, every man to his tent, but he kept the three hundred men. Now the Midian camp was down below him in the valley. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 That same night Yahweh said to him, "Get up! Attack the camp, for I am going to give you victory over it. +\v 10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, +\v 11 and listen to what they are saying, and your courage will be strengthened to attack the camp." So Gideon went with Purah his servant, down to the guard posts of the camp. + +\s5 +\v 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites, and all the people of the east settled along in the valley, as thick as a cloud of locusts. Their camels were more than could be counted; they were more in number than the grains of the sand on the seashore. + +\s5 +\v 13 When Gideon arrived there, a man was telling a dream to his companion. The man said, "Look! I had a dream, and I saw a round loaf of barley bread tumbling into the camp of Midian. It came to the tent, and hit it so hard that it fell down and turned it upside down, so that it lay flat." +\v 14 The other man said, "This is nothing other than the sword of Gideon (the son of Joash), the Israelite. God has given him victory over Midian and all their army." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 When Gideon heard the retelling of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down in worship. He went back to the camp of Israel and said, "Get up! Yahweh has given you victory over the Midian army." +\v 16 He divided the three hundred men into three groups, and he gave them all trumpets and empty jars, with torches inside each jar. +\s5 +\v 17 He said to them, "Look at me and do what I do. Watch! When I come to the edge of the camp, you must do what I do. +\v 18 When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow your trumpets also on every side of the entire camp and shout, 'For Yahweh and for Gideon!'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the edge of the camp, right at the beginning of the middle watch. Just as the Midianites were changing guard, they blew the trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. + +\s5 +\v 20 The three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands to blow them. They shouted out, "The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon." +\v 21 Every man stood in his place around the camp and all the Midianite army ran. They shouted and ran away. + +\s5 +\v 22 When they blew the three hundred trumpets, Yahweh set every Midianite man's sword against his comrades and against all their army. The army fled as far as Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, near Tabbath. +\v 23 The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh were called out, and they went after Midian. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Go down against Midian and take control of the Jordan River, as far as Beth Barah, to stop them." So all the men of Ephraim gathered together and took control of the waters, as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan River. +\v 25 They captured the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They went after the Midianites, and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was on the other side of the Jordan. + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 The men of Ephraim said to Gideon, "What is this you have done to us? You did not call us when you went to fight against Midian." Then they had a violent argument with him. + +\s5 +\v 2 He said to them, "What have I done now compared to you? Are not the gleanings of Ephraim's grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? +\v 3 God has given you victory over the princes of Midian—Oreb and Zeeb! What have I accomplished compared to you?" Their anger toward him died down when he said this. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over it, he and the three hundred men who were with him. They were exhausted, yet they still kept up the pursuit. +\v 5 He said to the men of Succoth, "Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then the officials said, "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand? Why should we give bread to your army?" +\v 7 Gideon said, "When Yahweh has given us victory over Zebah and Zalmunna, I will tear your skin with the desert thorns and briers." + +\s5 +\v 8 He went up from there to Peniel and spoke to the people there in the same way, but the men of Peniel answered him just as the men of Succoth had answered. +\v 9 He spoke also to the men of Peniel and said, "When I come again in peace, I will pull down this tower." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about fifteen thousand men, all who remained out of the entire army of the people of the East, for there had fallen 120,000 men who drew the sword. + +\s5 +\v 11 Gideon went up the road taken by tent dwellers, past Nobah and Jogbehah. He defeated the enemy army, because they were not expecting an attack. +\v 12 Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and as Gideon pursued them, he captured the two kings of Midian—Zebah and Zalmunna—and set their whole army into a panic. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Gideon, son of Joash, returned from the battle going through the pass of Heres. +\v 14 He ran into a young man of the people of Succoth and sought advice from him. The young man described for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders, seventy-seven men. + +\s5 +\v 15 Gideon came to the men of Succoth and said, "Look at Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you mocked me and said, 'Have you already conquered Zebah and Zalmunna? We do not know that we should give bread to your army.'" +\v 16 Gideon took the elders of the city, and he punished the men of Succoth with the desert thorns and briers. +\v 17 Then he pulled down the tower of Peniel and killed the men of that city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then Gideon said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?" They answered, "As you are, so were they. Every one of them looked like the son of a king." +\v 19 Gideon said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As Yahweh lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you." + +\s5 +\v 20 He said to Jether (his firstborn), "Get up and kill them!" But the young man did not draw his sword for he was afraid, because he was still a young boy. +\v 21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, "Get up yourself and kill us! For as the man is, so is his strength." Gideon rose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna. He also took off the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on their camels' necks. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us—you, your son, and your grandson—because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian." +\v 23 Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, neither will my son rule over you. Yahweh will rule over you." + +\s5 +\v 24 Gideon said to them, "Let me make a request of you: Every one of you would give me the earrings from his plunder." (The Midianites had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites.) +\v 25 They answered, "We are glad to give them to you." They spread out a cloak and every man threw on it the earrings from his plunder. + +\s5 +\v 26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold. This plunder was in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple clothing that was worn by the kings of Midian, and in addition to the chains that had been around their camels' necks. + +\s5 +\v 27 Gideon made an ephod out of the earrings and put it in his city, in Ophrah, and all Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there. It became a trap for Gideon and for those in his house. +\v 28 So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel and they did not raise their heads up again. So the land had peace for forty years in the days of Gideon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Jerub Baal, son of Joash, went and lived in his own house. +\v 30 Gideon had seventy sons who were his descendants, for he had many wives. +\v 31 His concubine, who was in Shechem, also bore him a son, and Gideon gave him the name Abimelech. + +\s5 +\v 32 Gideon, son of Joash, died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, at Ophrah of the clan of Abiezer. +\p +\v 33 It came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, the people of Israel turned again and prostituted themselves by worshiping the Baals. They made Baal-Berith their god. + +\s5 +\v 34 The people of Israel did not remember to honor Yahweh, their God, who had rescued them from the hand of all their enemies on every side. +\v 35 They did not keep their promises to the house of Jerub Baal (that is, Gideon), in return for all the good he had done in Israel. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 Abimelech son of Jerub Baal went to his mother's relatives at Shechem and he said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family, +\v 2 "Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?' Remember that I am your bone and your flesh." + +\s5 +\v 3 His mother's relatives spoke for him to the leaders of Shechem, and they agreed to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother." +\v 4 They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire men of lawless and reckless character, who followed him. + +\s5 +\v 5 Abimelech went to his father's house at Ophrah, and upon one stone he murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub Baal. Only Jotham was left, the youngest son of Jerub Baal, for he hid himself. +\v 6 All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo came together and they went and made Abimelech king, beside the oak near the pillar which is in Shechem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 When Jotham was told about this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He shouted and said to them, "Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. +\v 8 The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.' + +\s5 +\v 9 But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I give up my oil, which is used to honor gods and mankind, so I may go return, just to sway over the other trees?' +\v 10 The trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and reign over us.' +\v 11 But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, just so I could return and sway over the other trees?' + +\s5 +\v 12 The trees said to the vine, 'Come and reign over us.' +\v 13 The vine said to them, 'Should I give up my new wine, which cheers gods and mankind, and return and sway over the other trees?' +\v 14 Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.' + +\s5 +\v 15 The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you truly want to anoint me as king over you, then come and find safety under my shade. If not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon.' +\v 16 Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and honesty, when you made Abimelech king, and if you have done well concerning Jerub Baal and his house, and if you have punished him as he deserves— + +\s5 +\v 17 —and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you out of the hand of Midian— +\v 18 but today you have risen up against my father's house and have killed his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone. Then you have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative. + +\s5 +\v 19 If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house, then you should rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. +\v 20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and Beth Millo. Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelech." +\v 21 Jotham fled and ran away, and he went to Beer. He lived there because it was far away from Abimelech, his brother. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. +\v 23 God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem betrayed the trust they had with Abimelech. +\v 24 God did this so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub Baal might be avenged, and Abimelech their brother would be held responsible for murdering them, and the men of Shechem would be held responsible because they helped him murder his brothers. + +\s5 +\v 25 So the leaders of Shechem positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him, and they robbed all who passed by them along that road. This was reported to Abimelech. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Gaal son of Ebed came with his relatives and they went over to Shechem. The leaders of Shechem had confidence in him. +\v 27 They went out into the field and gathered grapes from the vineyards, and they trampled on them. They held a festival in the house of their god, where they ate and drank, and they cursed Abimelech. + +\s5 +\v 28 Gaal son of Ebed, said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub Baal? Is Zebul not his officer? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelech? +\v 29 I wish that this people were under my command! Then would I remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out all your army.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 When Zebul, the official of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed his anger was kindled. +\v 31 He sent messengers to Abimelech in order to deceive, saying, "See, Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives are coming to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you. + +\s5 +\v 32 Now, get up during the night, you and the soldiers with you, and prepare an ambush in the fields. +\v 33 Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and make a raid on the city. When he and the people with him come out against you, do whatever you can to them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 So Abimelech got up during the night, he and all the men who were with him, and they set an ambush against Shechem—dividing into four units. +\v 35 Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate. Abimelech and the men who were with him came out of their hiding place. + +\s5 +\v 36 When Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, "See, men are coming down from the hilltops!" Zebul said to him, "You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men." +\v 37 Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, men are coming down in the middle of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the oak of the diviners." + +\s5 +\v 38 Then Zebul said to him, "Where are your proud words now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men you despised? Go out now and fight against them." +\v 39 Gaal went out and he was leading the men of Shechem, and he fought Abimelech. +\v 40 Abimelech chased him, and Gaal fled before him. Many fell with deadly wounds before the entrance to the city gate. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Abimelech stayed in Arumah. Zebul forced Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem. +\v 42 On the next day the people of Shechem went out into the field, and this was reported to Abimelech. +\v 43 He took his people, divided them into three units, and they set an ambush in the fields. He looked and saw the people coming out from the city and he attacked and killed them. + +\s5 +\v 44 Abimelech and the units that were with him attacked and blocked the entrance to the city gate. The other two units attacked all who were in the field and killed them. +\v 45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city, and killed the people who were in it. He tore down the city walls and spread salt over it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-Berith. +\v 47 Abimelech was told that all the leaders had gathered together at the tower of Shechem. + +\s5 +\v 48 Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men who were with him. Abimelech took an ax and cut off branches. He put it on his shoulder and ordered the men with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done." +\v 49 So every one cut off branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the wall of the tower, and they set it on fire, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women. + +\s5 +\p +\v 50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and captured it. +\v 51 But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in. Then they went up to the roof of the tower. + +\s5 +\v 52 Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and he came up near to the door of the tower to burn it. +\v 53 But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and it cracked his skull. +\v 54 Then he called urgently to the young man who was his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me, 'A woman killed him.'" So his young man pierced him through, and he died. + +\s5 +\v 55 When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home. +\v 56 So God avenged the evil of Abimelech that he did to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. +\v 57 God made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads and on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub Baal. + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 After Abimelech, Tola son of Puah son of Dodo, a man from Issachar who lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim, arose to deliver Israel. +\v 2 He judged Israel twenty-three years. He died and was buried in Shamir. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 He was followed by Jair the Gileadite. He judged Israel twenty-two years. +\v 4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havvoth Jair to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. +\v 5 Jair died and was buried in Kamon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 The people of Israel added to the evil they had done in the sight of Yahweh and worshiped the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the people of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines. They abandoned Yahweh and no longer worshiped him. +\v 7 Yahweh burned with anger toward Israel, and he sold them into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the Ammonites. + +\s5 +\v 8 They crushed and oppressed the people of Israel that year, and for eighteen years they oppressed all the people of Israel who were beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. +\v 9 Then the Ammonites crossed over the Jordan to fight against Judah, against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was greatly distressed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then the people of Israel called out to Yahweh, saying, "We have sinned against you, because we abandoned our God and worshiped the Baals." +\v 11 Yahweh said to the people of Israel, "Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, +\v 12 and also from the Sidonians? The Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you; you called out to me, and I delivered you from their power. + +\s5 +\v 13 Yet you abandoned me again and worshiped other gods. Therefore, I will not keep adding to the times I deliver you. +\v 14 Go and call out to the gods that you have worshiped. Let them rescue you when you have trouble." + +\s5 +\v 15 The people of Israel said to Yahweh, "We have sinned. Do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please, rescue us this day." +\v 16 They got rid of the foreign gods among them and they worshiped Yahweh. Then Yahweh could bear Israel's misery no longer. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Ammonites gathered together and set up camp in Gilead. The Israelites came together and set up their camp at Mizpah. +\v 18 The leaders of the people of Gilead said one to another, "Who is the man who will begin to fight the Ammonites? He will become the leader over all those who are living in Gilead." + + + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was his father. +\v 2 Gilead's wife also gave birth to his other sons. When his wife's sons grew up, they forced Jephthah to leave the house and said to him, "You are not going to inherit anything from our family. You are the son of another woman." +\v 3 So Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. Lawless men joined Jephthah and they came and went with him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Some days later, the people of Ammon made war against Israel. +\v 5 When the people of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah back from the land of Tob. +\v 6 They said to Jephthah, "Come and be our leader that we may fight with the people of Ammon." + +\s5 +\v 7 Jephthah said to the leaders of Gilead, "You hated me and forced me to leave my father's house. Why do you come to me now when you are in trouble?" +\v 8 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "That is why we are turning to you now; come with us and fight with the people of Ammon, and you will become the leader over all who live in Gilead." + +\s5 +\v 9 Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, "If you bring me home again to fight against the people of Ammon, and if Yahweh gives us victory over them, I will be your leader." +\v 10 The elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, "May Yahweh be witness between us if we do not do as we say!" +\v 11 So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him leader and commander over them. When he was before Yahweh in Mizpah, Jephthah repeated all the promises he made. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, "What is this conflict between us? Why have you come with force to take our land?" +\v 13 The king of the people of Ammon answered to the messengers of Jephthah, "Because when Israel came up out of Egypt, they seized my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, over to the Jordan. Now give back those lands in peace." + +\s5 +\v 14 Again Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, +\v 15 and he said, "This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not take the land of Moab and the land of the people of Ammon, +\v 16 but they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the wilderness to the Sea of Reeds and on to Kadesh. + +\s5 +\v 17 When Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, 'Please let us pass through your land,' the king of Edom would not listen. They also sent messengers to the king of Moab, but he refused. So Israel stayed at Kadesh. +\v 18 Then they went through the wilderness and turned away from the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and they went along the east side of the land of Moab and they camped on the other side of the Arnon. But they did not go into the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was Moab's border. + +\s5 +\v 19 Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon; Israel said to him, 'Please, let us pass through your land to the place that is ours.' +\v 20 But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his army together and moved it to Jahaz, and there he fought against Israel. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then Yahweh, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel and they defeated them. So Israel took all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country. +\v 22 They took over everything within the territory of the Amorites, from the Arnon to the Jabbok, and from the wilderness to the Jordan. + +\s5 +\v 23 So then Yahweh, the God of Israel, has driven out the Amorites before his people Israel, and should you now take possession of their land? +\v 24 Will you not take over the land that Chemosh, your god, gives you? So whatever land Yahweh our God has given us, we will take over. +\v 25 Now are you really better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he dare to have an argument with Israel? Did he ever wage war against them? + +\s5 +\v 26 While Israel lived for three hundred years in Heshbon and its villages, and in Aroer and its villages, and in all the cities that are along the banks of the Arnon—why then did you not take them back during that time? +\v 27 I have not done you wrong, but you are doing me wrong by attacking me. Yahweh, the judge, will decide today between the people of Israel and the people of Ammon." +\v 28 But the king of the people of Ammon rejected the warning Jephthah sent him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Then the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, and passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he passed through to the people of Ammon. +\v 30 Jephthah made a vow to Yahweh and said, "If you give me victory over the people of Ammon, +\v 31 then whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the people of Ammon will belong to Yahweh, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering." + +\s5 +\v 32 So Jephthah passed through to the people of Ammon to fight against them, and Yahweh gave him victory. +\v 33 He attacked them and caused a great slaughter from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim. So the people of Ammon were put under the control of the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah, and there his daughter came out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. She was his only child, and besides her he had neither son nor daughter. +\v 35 As soon as he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Oh! My daughter! You have crushed me with sorrow, and you have become one who causes me pain! For I have made an oath to Yahweh, and I cannot turn back on my promise." + +\s5 +\v 36 She said to him, "My father, you have made a vow to Yahweh, do to me everything you promised, because Yahweh has taken vengeance for you against your enemies, the Ammonites." +\v 37 She said to her father, "Let this promise be kept for me. Leave me alone for two months, that I may leave and go down to the hills and grieve over my virginity, I and my companions." + +\s5 +\v 38 He said, "Go." He sent her away for two months. She left him, she and her companions, and they grieved her virginity in the hills. +\v 39 At the end of two months she returned to her father, who did with her according to the promise of the vow he had made. Now she had never slept with a man, and it became a custom in Israel +\v 40 that the daughters of Israel every year, for four days, would retell the story of the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite. + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 A call went out to the men of Ephraim; they passed through Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you pass through to fight against the people of Ammon and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house down over you." +\v 2 Jephthah said to them, "I and my people were in a great conflict with the people of Ammon. When I called you, you did not rescue me from them. + +\s5 +\v 3 When I saw that you did not rescue me, I put my life in my own strength and passed through against the people of Ammon, and Yahweh gave me victory. Why have you come to fight against me today?" +\v 4 Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead and he fought against Ephraim. The men of Gilead attacked the men of Ephraim because they said, "You Gileadites are fugitives in Ephraim—in Ephraim and Manasseh." + +\s5 +\v 5 The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim. When any of the survivors of Ephraim said, "Let me go over the river," the men of Gilead would say to him, "Are you an Ephraimite?" If he said, "No," +\v 6 then they would say to him, "Say: Shibboleth," and if he said "Sibboleth" (for he could not pronounce the word correctly), the Gileadites would seize him and kill him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Jephthah served as a judge over Israel for six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem served as a judge over Israel. +\v 9 He had thirty sons. He gave away thirty daughters in marriage, and he brought in thirty daughters of other men for his sons, from the outside. He judged Israel for seven years. + +\s5 +\v 10 Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem. +\v 11 After him Elon the Zebulunite served as judge over Israel. He judged Israel for ten years. +\v 12 Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 After him, Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite served as a judge over Israel. +\v 14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons. They rode on seventy donkeys, and he judged Israel for eight years. +\v 15 Abdon son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim in the hill country +of the Amalekites. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 The people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and he gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. +\p +\v 2 There was a man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was not able to become pregnant and so she had not given birth. + +\s5 +\v 3 The angel of Yahweh appeared to the woman and said to her, "See now, you have been unable to become pregnant, and you have not given birth, but you will become pregnant and you will give birth to a son. +\v 4 Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean. +\p +\v 5 Look, you will become pregnant and give birth to a son. No razor will be used upon his head, for the child will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then the woman came and told her husband, "A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like that of an angel of God, very terrible. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name. +\v 7 He said to me, 'Look! You will become pregnant, and you will give birth to a son. So then drink no wine or strong drink, and do not eat any food that the law declares to be unclean, because the child will be a Nazirite to God from the time he is in your womb until the day of his death.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then Manoah prayed to Yahweh and said, "Oh, Lord, please let the man of God you sent come again to us so that he may teach us what we are to do for the child who soon will be born." +\v 9 God answered Manoah's prayer, and the angel of God came to the woman again when she was sitting in the field. But Manoah her husband was not with her. + +\s5 +\v 10 So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, "Look! The man has appeared to me—the one who came to me the other day!" +\v 11 Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, "Are you the man who spoke with my wife?" The man said, "I am." + +\s5 +\v 12 So Manoah said, "Now may your words come true. What will be the rules for the child, and what will be his work?" +\v 13 The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, "She must carefully do everything that I said to her. +\v 14 She may not eat anything that comes from the vines, and do not let her drink wine or strong drink or eat anything unclean. She must obey everything I have commanded her to do." +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, "Please stay for a while, to give us time to prepare a young goat for you." +\v 16 The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, "Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to Yahweh." (Manoah did not know that he was the angel of Yahweh.) + +\s5 +\v 17 Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, "What is your name, so we may honor you when your words come true?" +\v 18 The angel of Yahweh said to him, "Why do you ask my name? It is wonderful!" +\s5 +\v 19 So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering and offered them on the rock to Yahweh. He did something marvelous while Manoah and his wife were watching. +\v 20 When the flame went up from the altar toward the sky, the angel of Yahweh went up in the flame of the altar. Manoah and his wife saw this and lay facedown on the ground. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 The angel of Yahweh did not appear again to Manoah or his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of Yahweh. +\v 22 Manoah said to his wife, "We are sure to die, because we have seen God!" + +\s5 +\v 23 But his wife said to him, "If Yahweh wanted to kill us, he would not have received the burnt offering and the grain offering we gave him. He would not have shown us all these things, nor at this time would he have let us hear such things." + +\s5 +\v 24 Later the woman gave birth to a son, and called his name Samson. The child grew up and Yahweh blessed him. +\v 25 Yahweh's Spirit began to stir him in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol. + + + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 Samson went down to Timnah, and there he saw a woman, one of the daughters of the Philistines. +\v 2 When he returned, he told his father and mother, "I saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines. Now get her for me to be my wife." + +\s5 +\v 3 His father and mother said to him, "Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people? Are you going to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?" Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for when I look at her, she pleases me." +\v 4 But his father and his mother did not know that this matter came from Yahweh, for he desired to create a conflict with the Philistines (for at that time the Philistines were ruling Israel). + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and his mother, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And, look, there one of the young lions came up and was roaring at him. +\v 6 Yahweh's Spirit suddenly came on him, and he tore the lion apart as easily as he would have torn apart a small goat, and he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. + +\s5 +\v 7 He went and spoke with the woman, and when he looked at her, she pleased Samson. +\v 8 A few days later when he returned to marry her, he turned aside to look for the carcass of the lion. And, look, there was a swarm of bees and honey in what was left of the lion's body. +\v 9 He scraped up the honey in his hands and went on, eating as he went. When he came to his father and his mother, he gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them he had taken the honey out of what was left of the lion's body. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Samson's father went down to where the woman was, and Samson gave a feast there, for this was the custom of the young men. +\v 11 As soon as her relatives saw him, they brought him thirty of their friends to be with him. + +\s5 +\v 12 Samson said to them, "Let me now tell you a riddle. If one of you can find it out and tell me the answer during the seven days of the feast, I will give out thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes. +\v 13 But if you cannot tell me the answer, then you will give me thirty linen robes and thirty sets of clothes." They said to him, "Tell us your riddle, so we may hear it." + +\s5 +\v 14 He said to them, +\q "Out of the eater was something to eat; +\q out of the strong was something sweet." +\p But his guests could not find the answer in three days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 On the fourth day they said to Samson's wife, "Trick your husband so that he may tell us the answer to the riddle, or we will burn up you and your father's house. Did you invite us here in order to make us poor?" + +\s5 +\v 16 Samson's wife started to weep in front of him; she said, "All you do is hate me! You do not love me. You have told a riddle to some of my people, but you have not told me the answer." Samson said to her, "Look here, if I have not told my father or my mother, should I tell you?" +\v 17 She cried during the seven days that their feast lasted. On the seventh day he told her the answer because she pressured him very much. She told the answer to the relatives of her people. + +\s5 +\v 18 Before the sun went down on the seventh day the men of the city said to him, +\q "What is sweeter than honey? +\q What is stronger than a lion?" +\p Samson said to them, +\q "If you had not plowed with my heifer, +\q you would not have found the answer to my riddle." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then Yahweh's Spirit suddenly came on Samson with power. Samson went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men. He took their plunder, and he gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he went up to his father's house. +\v 20 Samson's wife was given to his best friend. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 After some days, during the time of wheat harvest, Samson took a young goat and went to visit his wife. He said to himself, "I will go to my wife's room." But her father would not allow him to go in. +\v 2 Her father said, "I really thought you hated her, so I gave her to your friend. Her younger sister is more beautiful than she is, is she not? Take her instead." + +\s5 +\v 3 Samson said to them, "This time I will be innocent in regard to the Philistines when I hurt them." +\v 4 Samson went and caught three hundred foxes and he tied together each pair, tail to tail. Then he took torches and tied them in the middle of each pair of tails. + +\s5 +\v 5 When he had set the torches on fire, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and they set fire to both the stacked grain and the grain standing in the field, along with the vineyards and the olive orchards. +\v 6 The Philistines asked, "Who did this?" They were told, "Samson, the Timnite's son-in-law, did this because the Timnite took Samson's wife and gave her to his friend." Then the Philistines went and burned up her and her father. + +\s5 +\v 7 Samson said to them, "If this is what you do, I will get my revenge against you, and after that is done, I will stop." +\v 8 Then he cut them to pieces, hip and thigh, with a great slaughter. Then he went down and lived in a cave in the cliff of Etam. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then the Philistines came up and they prepared for battle in Judah and set up their army in Lehi. +\v 10 The men of Judah said, "Why have you come up to attack us?" They said, "We are attacking so we may capture Samson, and do to him as he has done to us." + +\s5 +\v 11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cave in the cliff of Etam, and they said to Samson, "Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What is this you have done to us?" Samson said to them, "They did to me, and so I have done to them." + +\s5 +\v 12 They said to Samson, "We have come down to tie you up and give you into the hands of the Philistines." Samson said to them, "Swear to me that you will not kill me yourselves." +\v 13 They said to him, "No, we will only tie you with ropes and hand you over to them. We promise we will not kill you." Then they tied him up with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting as they met him. Then Yahweh's Spirit came on him with power. The ropes on his arms became like burnt flax, and they fell off his hands. + +\s5 +\v 15 Samson found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and he picked it up and killed a thousand men with it. +\v 16 Samson said, +\q "With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps upon heaps, +\q with the jawbone of a donkey I have killed a thousand men." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 When Samson finished speaking, he threw away the jawbone, and he called the place Ramath Lehi. +\v 18 Samson was very thirsty and called on Yahweh and said, "You have given this great victory to your servant. But now will I die of thirst and fall into the hands of those who are uncircumcised?" + +\s5 +\v 19 God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi and water came out. When he drank, his strength returned and he revived. So he called the name of that place En Hakkore, and it is at Lehi to this day. +\v 20 Samson judged Israel in the days of the Philistines for twenty years. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 Samson went to Gaza and saw a prostitute there, and he went to bed with her. +\v 2 The Gazites were told, "Samson has come here." The Gazites surrounded the place and in secret, they waited for him all night at the city gate. They kept silent all night. They had said, "Let us wait until daylight, and then let us kill him." + +\s5 +\v 3 Samson lay in bed until midnight. At midnight he got up and he took hold of the city gate and its two posts. He pulled them up out of the ground, bar and all, put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the hill, in front of Hebron. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 After this, Samson came to love a woman who lived in the Valley of Sorek. Her name was Delilah. +\v 5 The rulers of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, "Trick Samson to see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him in order to humiliate him. Do this, and each one of us will give you 1,100 pieces of silver." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then Delilah said to Samson, "Please, tell me how is it that you are so strong, and how could anyone bind you, so you might be controlled?" +\v 7 Samson said to her, "If they tie me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I will become weak and be like any other man." + +\s5 +\v 8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought up to Delilah seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied Samson up with them. +\v 9 Now she had men hiding in secret, staying in her inner room. She said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" But he broke the bowstrings like a thread of yarn when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not discovered. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then Delilah said to Samson, "This is how you have deceived me and told me lies. Please, tell me how you can be overpowered." +\v 11 He said to her, "If they tie me up with new ropes which have never been used for work, I will become weak and like any other man." +\v 12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him up with them, and said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" The men lying in wait were in the inner room. But Samson tore off the ropes from his arms like they were a piece of thread. + + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Delilah said to Samson, "Until now you have deceived me and told me lies. Tell me how you may be overpowered." Samson said to her, "If you weave seven locks of my hair into a fabric on a loom, and then nail that to the loom, I will be like any other man." +\v 14 While he slept, Delilah wove seven locks of his hair into the fabric on the loom and nailed it to the loom, and she said to him, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" He woke from his sleep and he pulled out the fabric and the pin from the loom. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 She said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you do not share your secrets with me? You have mocked me these three times and have not told me how you have such great strength." +\v 16 Every day she pressed him hard with her words, and she pressured him so much that he wished he would die. + +\s5 +\v 17 So Samson told her everything and said to her, "I have never had a razor cut the hair on my head, for I have been a Nazirite for God from my mother's womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I will become weak and be like every other man." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 When Delilah saw that he had told her the truth about everything, she sent and called for the rulers of the Philistines, saying, "Come up again, for he has told me everything." Then the rulers of the Philistines went up to her, bringing the silver in their hands. +\v 19 She had him fall asleep in her lap. She called for a man to shave off the seven locks of his head, and she began to subdue him, for his strength had left him. + +\s5 +\v 20 She said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" He woke up out of his sleep and said, "I will get out like the other times and shake myself free." But he did not know that Yahweh had left him. +\v 21 The Philistines captured him and put out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. He turned the millstone at the prison house. +\v 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The rulers of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice. They said, "Our god has conquered Samson, our enemy, and put him in our grasp." +\v 24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, for they said, "Our god has conquered our enemy and given him to us—the destroyer of our country, who killed many of us." + +\s5 +\v 25 When they were celebrating, they said, "Call for Samson, that he may make us laugh." They called for Samson out of the prison and he made them laugh. They made him stand between the pillars. +\v 26 Samson said to the boy who held his hand, "Permit me to touch the pillars on which the building rests, so that I can lean against them." + +\s5 +\v 27 Now the house was full of men and women. All the rulers of the Philistines were there. There were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who were looking on while Samson was entertaining them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Samson called to Yahweh and said, "Lord Yahweh, call me to mind! Please strengthen me only this once, God, so that I may have revenge in one blow on the Philistines for taking my two eyes." +\v 29 Samson held on to the two middle pillars on which the building rested, and he leaned against them, one pillar with his right hand, and the other with his left. + +\s5 +\v 30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" He stretched out with his strength and the building fell on the rulers and on all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed when he died were more than those he killed during his life. +\v 31 Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down. They took him, brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial place of Manoah, his father. Samson had judged Israel for twenty years. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 There was a man in the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Micah. +\v 2 He said to his mother, "The 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you spoke a curse, and which I heard—look here! I have the silver with me. I stole it." His mother said, "May Yahweh bless you, my son!" + +\s5 +\v 3 He restored the 1,100 pieces of silver to his mother and his mother said, "I set apart this silver to Yahweh, for my son to make carved and cast metal figures. So now, I restore it to you." +\v 4 When he restored the money to his mother, his mother took two hundred pieces of silver and gave them to a metal worker who made them into carved and cast metal figures, and they were placed in the house of Micah. + +\s5 +\v 5 The man Micah had a house of idols and he made an ephod and household gods, and he hired one of his sons to become his priest. +\v 6 In those days there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the clan of Judah, who was a Levite. He stayed there to fulfill his duties. +\v 8 The man left Bethlehem in Judah to go and find a place to live. As he journeyed, he came to Micah's house in the hill country of Ephraim. +\v 9 Micah said to him, "Where do you come from?" The man said to him, "I am a Levite of Bethlehem in Judah, and I am traveling to find a place where I might live." + + +\s5 +\v 10 Micah said to him, "Stay with me, and be to me a father and a priest. I will give you ten pieces of silver a year, a suit of clothes, and your food." So the Levite went into his house. +\v 11 The Levite was content to live with the man, and the young man became to Micah like one of his sons. + +\s5 +\v 12 Micah set apart the Levite for sacred duties, and the young man became his priest, and was in Micah's house. +\v 13 Then Micah said, "Now I know that Yahweh will do good for me, because this Levite has become my priest." + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 In those days there was no king in Israel. The tribe of the descendants of Dan was looking for a territory to live in, for up to that day they had not received any inheritance from among the tribes of Israel. +\v 2 The people of Dan sent five men from the whole number of their tribe, men who were experienced warriors from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to scout the land on foot, and to look it over. They said to them, "Go and look over the land." They came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and they spent the night there. + +\s5 +\v 3 When they were near Micah's house, they recognized the speech of the young Levite. So they stopped and asked him, "Who brought you here? What are you doing in this place? Why are you here?" +\v 4 He said to them, "This is what Micah has done for me: He has hired me to become his priest." + +\s5 +\v 5 They said to him, "Please seek the advice of God, so we may know whether the journey we are going on will be successful." +\v 6 The priest said to them, "Go in peace. Yahweh will lead you in the way you should go." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Then the five men left and came to Laish, and they saw that the people were living in safety, in the same way the Sidonians lived, undisturbed and secure. There was no one who conquered them or who oppressed them in any way in the land. They lived far away from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone. +\v 8 They returned to their tribe in Zorah and Eshtaol. Their relatives asked them, "What is your report?" + +\s5 +\v 9 They said, "Come! Let us attack them! We have seen the land and it is very good. Are you doing nothing? Do not be slow to attack and conquer the land. +\v 10 When you go, you will come to a people who think they are secure, and the land is wide! God has given it to you—a place that does not lack anything in the land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Six hundred men of the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out from Zorah and Eshtaol. +\v 12 They went up and camped at Kiriath Jearim, in Judah. This is why people called that place Mahaneh Dan to this day; it is west of Kiriath Jearim. + +\s5 +\v 13 They went away from there to the hill country of Ephraim and came to the house of Micah. +\p +\v 14 Then the five men who had gone to scout the country of Laish said to their relatives, "Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, household gods, a carved figure, and a cast metal figure? Decide now what you will do." + +\s5 +\v 15 So they turned in there and came to the house of the young Levite, at the house of Micah, and they greeted him. +\v 16 Now the six hundred Danites, armed with weapons of war, stood at the entrance of the gate. + +\s5 +\v 17 The five men who had gone to scout out the land went there and they took the carved figure, the ephod, the household gods, and the cast metal figure, while the priest stood by the opening of the gate with the six hundred men armed with weapons of war. +\v 18 When these went into Micah's house and took the carved figure, the ephod, the household gods, and the cast metal figure, the priest said to them, "What are you doing?" + +\s5 +\v 19 They said to him, "Be quiet! Put your hand on your mouth and come with us, and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest for the house of one man, or to be priest for a tribe and a clan in Israel?" +\v 20 The priest's heart was glad. He took the ephod, the household gods, and the carved figure, and went along with the people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 So they turned and went away. They put the small children in front of themselves, as well as the cattle and their possessions. +\v 22 When they were a good distance from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah's house were called together, and they caught up with the Danites. +\v 23 They shouted to the Danites, and they turned and said to Micah, "Why have you been called together?" + +\s5 +\v 24 He said, "You stole the gods that I made, you have taken my priest, and you are leaving. What else do I have left? How can you ask me, 'What is bothering you?'" +\v 25 The people of Dan said to him, "You should not let us hear you say anything, or some very angry men will attack you, and you and your family will be killed." +\v 26 Then the people of Dan went their way. When Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 The people of Dan took what Micah had made, as well as his priest, and they came to Laish, to a people who were undisturbed and secure and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city. +\v 28 There was no one to rescue them because it was a long way from Sidon, and they had no dealings with anyone. It was in the valley that is near Beth Rehob. The Danites rebuilt the city and lived there. +\v 29 They named the city Dan, the name of Dan their ancestor, who was one of Israel's sons. But the name of the city used to be Laish. + +\s5 +\v 30 The people of Dan set up the carved figure for themselves. Jonathan son of Gershom, son of Moses, he and his sons were priests for the tribe of the Danites until the day of the land's captivity. +\v 31 So they worshiped Micah's carved figure that he made as long as the house of God was at Shiloh. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 In those days, when there was no king in Israel, there was a man, a Levite, living for a while in the most remote area of the hill country of Ephraim. He took for himself a woman, a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. +\v 2 But his concubine was unfaithful to him; she left him and went back to her father's house in Bethlehem of Judah. She stayed there for four months. + + +\s5 +\v 3 Then her husband got up and went after her in order to persuade her to come back. His servant was with him, and a pair of donkeys. She brought him into her father's house. When the girl's father saw him, he was glad. +\v 4 His father-in-law, the girl's father, persuaded him to stay for three days. They ate and drank, and they spent the night there. + +\s5 +\v 5 On the fourth day they got up early and he prepared to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law, "Strengthen yourself with a bit of bread, then you may go." +\v 6 So the two of them sat down to eat and drink together. Then the girl's father said, "Please be willing to spend the night and have a good time." + +\s5 +\v 7 When the Levite got up to leave, the father of the young woman urged him to stay, so he changed his plan and spent the night there again. +\v 8 On the fifth day he woke up early to leave, but the girl's father said, "Strengthen yourself, and wait until the afternoon." So the two of them had a meal. + +\s5 +\v 9 When the Levite and his concubine and his servant rose up to depart, his father-in-law, the girl's father said to him, "See, now the day is advancing toward evening. Please stay another night, and have a good time. You can get up early tomorrow and go back home." +\s5 +\p +\v 10 But the Levite was not willing to spend the night. He got up and left. He went toward Jebus (that is Jerusalem). He had a pair of saddled donkeys—and his concubine was with him. +\v 11 When they were near Jebus, the day was nearly over, and the servant said to his master, "Come, let us turn aside to the city of the Jebusites and spend the night in it." + +\s5 +\v 12 His master said to him, "We will not turn aside into a city of foreigners who do not belong to the people of Israel. We will go on to Gibeah." +\v 13 The Levite said to his young man, "Come, let us go to one of those other places, and spend the night in Gibeah or Ramah." + +\s5 +\v 14 So they went on, and the sun set as they came near to Gibeah, in the territory of Benjamin. +\v 15 They turned aside there to spend the night in Gibeah. They went and sat down in the city square, but no one took them into his house for the night. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 But then an old man was coming from his work in the field that evening. He was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he was staying for a while in Gibeah. But the men living in that place were Benjamites. +\v 17 He raised his eyes and saw the traveler in the city square. The old man said, "Where are you going? +Where are you coming from?" + +\s5 +\v 18 The Levite said to him, "We are on our way from Bethlehem in Judah to the most remote part of the hill country of Ephraim, which is where I come from. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to the house of Yahweh, but there is no one who will take me into his house. +\v 19 We have straw and feed for our donkeys, and there is bread and wine for me and your female servant here, and for this young man with your servants. We lack nothing." + +\s5 +\v 20 The old man greeted them, "Peace be with you! I will take care of all your needs. Only do not spend the night in the square." +\v 21 So the man brought the Levite into his house and gave feed to the donkeys. They washed their feet and ate and drank. +\s5 +\p +\v 22 While they were making their hearts glad, some men of the city, worthless men, surrounded the house, beating on the door. They spoke to the old man, the master of the house, saying, "Bring out the man who came into your house, so we can have sex with him." +\v 23 The man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, please do not do this evil thing! Since this man is a guest in my house, do not do this wicked thing! + +\s5 +\v 24 See, my virgin daughter and his concubine are here. Let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them whatever you like. But do not do such a wicked thing to this man!" +\v 25 But the men would not listen to him, so the man seized his concubine and brought her out to them. They seized her, raped her, and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. +\v 26 At dawn the woman came and she fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, and she lay there until it was light. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Her master rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way. He could see his concubine lying there at the door, with her hands on the threshold. +\v 28 The Levite said to her, "Get up. Let us go." But there was no answer. He put her on the donkey, and the man set out for home. + +\s5 +\v 29 When the Levite came to his house, he took a knife, and he took hold of his concubine, and cut her up, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent the pieces everywhere throughout Israel. +\v 30 All who saw this said, "Such a thing has never been done or seen from the day the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this present day. Think about it! Give us advice! Tell us what to do!" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 Then all the people of Israel came out as one man, from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead also, and they assembled together before Yahweh at Mizpah. +\v 2 The leaders of all the people, of all the tribes of Israel, took their places in the assembly of the people of God—400,000 men on foot, who were ready to fight with the sword. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah. The people of Israel said, "Tell us how this wicked thing happened." +\v 4 The Levite, the husband of the woman who had been murdered, answered, "I came to Gibeah in the territory that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. + +\s5 +\v 5 During the night, the leaders of Gibeah attacked me, surrounding the house and intending to kill me. They seized and raped my concubine, and she died. +\v 6 I took my concubine and cut her body into pieces, and sent them into each region of Israel's inheritance, because they have committed such wickedness and outrage in Israel. +\v 7 Now, all you Israelites, give your advice and counsel here." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 All the people arose together as one man, and they said, "None of us will go to his tent, and none of us will return to his house! +\v 9 But now this is what we must do to Gibeah: We will attack it as the lot directs us. + +\s5 +\v 10 We will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and one hundred of a thousand, and one thousand of ten thousand, to get provisions for these people, so that when they come to Gibeah in Benjamin, they may punish them for the wickedness they committed in Israel." +\v 11 So all the soldiers of Israel assembled against the city, as one man. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 The tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What is this wickedness that was done among you? +\v 13 Therefore, give us those wicked men of Gibeah, so we may put them to death, and so we will completely remove this evil from Israel." But the Benjamites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. +\v 14 Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to get ready to fight against the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 15 The people of Benjamin brought together from their cities to fight on that day twenty-six thousand soldiers who were trained to fight with the sword. In addition, there were seven hundred of their chosen men from the inhabitants of Gibeah. +\v 16 Among all these soldiers were seven hundred chosen men who were left-handed. Each of them could sling a stone at a hair and not miss. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 The people of Israel, not counting the number from Benjamin, numbered 400,000 men, who were trained to fight with the sword. All of these were men of war. +\v 18 The people of Israel arose, went up to Bethel, and asked for advice from God. They asked, "Who first will attack the people of Benjamin for us?" Yahweh said, "Judah will attack first." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 The people of Israel got up in the morning and they moved their camp near Gibeah. +\v 20 The people of Israel went out to fight against Benjamin. They set up their battle positions against them at Gibeah. +\v 21 The people of Benjamin came out of Gibeah, and they killed twenty-two thousand men of the army of Israel on that day. + +\s5 +\v 22 But the people of Israel strengthened themselves and they formed the battle line in the same place where they had taken positions on the first day. +\v 23 Then the people of Israel went up and they wept before Yahweh until evening, and they sought direction from Yahweh. They said, "Should we go again to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?" Yahweh said, "Attack them!" +\s5 +\p +\v 24 So the people of Israel went against the soldiers of Benjamin the second day. +\v 25 On the second day, Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah and they killed eighteen thousand men from the people of Israel. All were men who trained to fight with the sword. + +\s5 +\v 26 Then all the soldiers of Israel and all the people went up to Bethel and wept, and there they sat before Yahweh and they fasted that day until the evening and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 27 The people of Israel asked Yahweh—for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, +\v 28 and Phinehas, son of Eleazar son of Aaron, was serving before the ark in those days—"Should we go out to battle once more against the people of Benjamin, our brothers, or stop?" Yahweh said, "Attack, for tomorrow I will help you defeat them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 So Israel set men in secret places around Gibeah. +\v 30 The people of Israel fought against the people of Benjamin for the third day, and they formed their battle lines against Gibeah as they had done before. + +\s5 +\v 31 The people of Benjamin went and fought against the people, and they were drawn away from the city. They began to kill some of the people. There were about thirty men of Israel who died in the fields and on the roads. One of the roads went up to Bethel, and the other went to Gibeah. + +\s5 +\v 32 Then the people of Benjamin said, "They are defeated and they are running away from us, just as at first." But the soldiers of Israel said, "Let us run back and draw them away from the city to the roads." +\v 33 All the people of Israel rose up out of their places and formed themselves into lines for battle at Baal Tamar. Then the soldiers of Israel who had been hiding in secret places ran out from their places from Maareh Gibeah. + +\s5 +\v 34 There came out against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the fighting was fierce, but the Benjamites did not know that disaster was close to them. +\v 35 Yahweh defeated Benjamin before Israel. On that day, the soldiers of Israel killed 25,100 men of Benjamin. All these who died were those who had been trained to fight with the sword. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 So the soldiers of Benjamin saw they were defeated. The men of Israel had given ground to Benjamin, because they were counting on the men they had placed in hidden positions outside Gibeah. +\v 37 Then the men who were hiding got up and hurried and they rushed into Gibeah, and they struck all the city with the edge of the sword. +\v 38 The arranged signal between the soldiers of Israel and the men hiding in secret would be that a great cloud of smoke would rise up out of the city. + +\s5 +\v 39 When the signal was sent the soldiers of Israel would turn from the battle. Now Benjamin began to attack and they killed about thirty men of Israel, and they said, "It is sure that they are defeated before us, as in the first battle." + +\s5 +\v 40 But when a pillar of smoke began to rise up out of the city, the Benjamites turned and saw the smoke rising to the sky from the whole city. +\v 41 Then the people of Israel turned against them. The men of Benjamin were terrified, for they saw that disaster had come on them. + +\s5 +\v 42 So they ran away from the people of Israel, escaping on the way to the wilderness. But the fighting overtook them. The soldiers of Israel came out of the cities and killed them where they stood. + +\s5 +\v 43 They surrounded the Benjamites, chased them and trampled them down at Nohah, all the way to the east side of Gibeah. +\v 44 From the tribe of Benjamin, eighteen thousand people died, all of them men who were distinguished in battle. + +\s5 +\v 45 They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. The Israelites killed five thousand more of them along the roads. They kept going after them, following them closely all the way to Gidom, and there they killed two thousand more. +\v 46 All the soldiers of Benjamin who fell that day were twenty-five thousand—men who were trained to fight with the sword; all of them were distinguished in battle. + +\s5 +\v 47 But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness, toward the rock of Rimmon. For four months they stayed at the rock of Rimmon. +\v 48 The soldiers of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, including the animals and everything that they found. They also burned down every town in their path. + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Now the men of Israel had made a promise at Mizpah, "None of us will give his daughter to marry a Benjamite." +\v 2 Then the people went to Bethel and sat there before God until the evening, and with loud voices they wept bitterly. +\v 3 They called out, "Why, Yahweh, God of Israel, has this happened to Israel, that one of our tribes should be missing today?" + +\s5 +\v 4 The next day the people got up early and built an altar there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. +\v 5 The people of Israel said, "Which of all the tribes of Israel did not come up in the assembly to Yahweh?" For they had made an important promise concerning anyone who did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah. They said, "He would certainly be put to death." + +\s5 +\v 6 The people of Israel had compassion for their brother Benjamin. They said, "Today one tribe has been cut off from Israel. +\v 7 Who will provide wives for those who are left, since we have made a promise to Yahweh that we will not let any of them marry our daughters?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 They said, "Which of the tribes of Israel did not come up to Yahweh at Mizpah?" It was found that no one had come to the assembly from Jabesh Gilead. +\v 9 For when the people were set out in an orderly manner, behold, none of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were there. +\v 10 The assembly sent twelve thousand of their bravest men with instructions to go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, including the women and children. + +\s5 +\v 11 "Do this: You must kill every male and every woman who has slept with a man." +\v 12 The men found among those living in Jabesh Gilead four hundred young women who had never slept with a man, and they took them to the camp at Shiloh, in Canaan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 The entire assembly sent a message and told the people of Benjamin who were at the rock of Rimmon that they were offering them peace. +\v 14 The Benjamites returned at that time and they were given the women of Jabesh Gilead, but there were not enough women for all of them. +\v 15 The people were sorry for what happened to Benjamin, because Yahweh made a division between the tribes of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then the leaders of the assembly said, "How will we arrange wives for the Benjamites who are left, since the women of Benjamin have been killed?" +\v 17 They said, "There must be an inheritance for the survivors of Benjamin, so that a tribe is not destroyed from Israel. + +\s5 +\v 18 We cannot give them wives from our daughters, for the people of Israel had made a promise, 'Cursed be anyone who gives a wife to Benjamin.'" +\v 19 So they said, "You know there is a feast for Yahweh every year at Shiloh (which is north of Bethel, east of the road that goes up from Bethel to Shechem, and south of Lebonah)." + +\s5 +\v 20 They instructed the men of Benjamin, saying, "Go and hide in secret and wait in the vineyards. +\v 21 Watch for the time when the girls from Shiloh come out to dance, then rush out of the vineyards and each one of you should grab a wife from the girls of Shiloh, then go back to the land of Benjamin. + +\s5 +\v 22 When their fathers or their brothers come to protest to us, we will say to them, 'Show us favor! Let them remain because we did not get wives for each man during the war. You are innocent, since you did not give your daughters to them.'" +\s5 +\v 23 The people of Benjamin did so. They took the number of wives that they needed from the girls who were dancing and they carried them off to be their wives. They went and returned to the place of their inheritance. They rebuilt the towns and lived in them. +\v 24 Then the people of Israel left that place and went home, each one to his own tribe and clan, and each one to his own inheritance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. + diff --git a/08-RUT.usfm b/08-RUT.usfm index 155a7da4..74909055 100644 --- a/08-RUT.usfm +++ b/08-RUT.usfm @@ -4,51 +4,51 @@ \toc1 The Book of Ruth \toc2 Ruth \toc3 Rut -\mt Ruth\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 It happened in the days when the judges ruled that there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons. -\v 2 The name of the man was Elimelek, and the name of his wife was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion, who were Ephrathites of Bethlehem of Judah. They arrived at the country of Moab and lived there. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. -\v 4 These sons took wives from the women of Moab; the name of one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there for about ten years. -\v 5 Then both Mahlon and Kilion died, leaving Naomi without her husband and without her two children. -\s5 -\v 6 Then Naomi decided to leave Moab with her daughters-in-law and return to Judah because she had heard in the region of Moab that Yahweh had helped his people in need and had given them food. -\v 7 So she left the place where she had been with her two daughters-in-law, and they walked down the road to return to the land of Judah. - -\s5 -\v 8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return, each of you, to your mother's house. May Yahweh show kindness toward you, as you have shown kindness toward the dead and toward me. -\v 9 May the Lord grant you that you find rest, each of you in the house of another husband." Then she kissed them, and they raised their voices and cried. -\v 10 They said to her, "No! We will return with you to your people." - -\s5 -\v 11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters! Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb for you, so that they may become your husbands? -\v 12 Turn back, my daughters, go your own way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said, 'I hope I get a husband tonight,' and then give birth to sons, -\v 13 would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you choose not to marry a husband? No, my daughters! It is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me." - -\s5 -\v 14 Then her daughters-in-law lifted up their voices and cried again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law farewell, but Ruth held on to her. -\p -\v 15 Naomi said, "Listen, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Go back with your sister-in-law." - -\s5 -\v 16 But Ruth said, "Do not make me go away from you, for where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. -\v 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May Yahweh punish me, and even more, if anything but death ever separates us." -\v 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped arguing with her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 So the two traveled until they came to the town of Bethlehem. It happened that when they arrived in Bethlehem, the entire town was very excited about them. The women said, "Is this Naomi?" -\v 20 But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi. Call me Bitter, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. -\v 21 I went out full, but Yahweh has brought me home again empty. So why do you call me Naomi, seeing Yahweh has condemned me, that the Almighty has afflicted me?" - -\s5 -\v 22 So Naomi and Ruth the Moabite woman, her daughter-in-law, returned from the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. - - - +\mt Ruth\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 It happened in the days when the judges ruled that there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to the country of Moab with his wife and his two sons. +\v 2 The name of the man was Elimelek, and the name of his wife was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion, who were Ephrathites of Bethlehem of Judah. They arrived at the country of Moab and lived there. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Elimelek, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. +\v 4 These sons took wives from the women of Moab; the name of one was Orpah, and the name of the other was Ruth. They lived there for about ten years. +\v 5 Then both Mahlon and Kilion died, leaving Naomi without her husband and without her two children. +\s5 +\v 6 Then Naomi decided to leave Moab with her daughters-in-law and return to Judah because she had heard in the region of Moab that Yahweh had helped his people in need and had given them food. +\v 7 So she left the place where she had been with her two daughters-in-law, and they walked down the road to return to the land of Judah. + +\s5 +\v 8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return, each of you, to your mother's house. May Yahweh show kindness toward you, as you have shown kindness toward the dead and toward me. +\v 9 May the Lord grant you that you find rest, each of you in the house of another husband." Then she kissed them, and they raised their voices and cried. +\v 10 They said to her, "No! We will return with you to your people." + +\s5 +\v 11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters! Why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb for you, so that they may become your husbands? +\v 12 Turn back, my daughters, go your own way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said, 'I hope I get a husband tonight,' and then give birth to sons, +\v 13 would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you choose not to marry a husband? No, my daughters! It is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me." + +\s5 +\v 14 Then her daughters-in-law lifted up their voices and cried again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law farewell, but Ruth held on to her. +\p +\v 15 Naomi said, "Listen, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Go back with your sister-in-law." + +\s5 +\v 16 But Ruth said, "Do not make me go away from you, for where you go, I will go; where you stay, I will stay; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. +\v 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May Yahweh punish me, and even more, if anything but death ever separates us." +\v 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped arguing with her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 So the two traveled until they came to the town of Bethlehem. It happened that when they arrived in Bethlehem, the entire town was very excited about them. The women said, "Is this Naomi?" +\v 20 But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi. Call me Bitter, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. +\v 21 I went out full, but Yahweh has brought me home again empty. So why do you call me Naomi, seeing Yahweh has condemned me, that the Almighty has afflicted me?" + +\s5 +\v 22 So Naomi and Ruth the Moabite woman, her daughter-in-law, returned from the country of Moab. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. + + + \s5 @@ -148,50 +148,50 @@ \v 18 Then Naomi said, "Stay here, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out, for the man will not rest until he has finished this thing today." - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. Soon, the near kinsman of whom Boaz had spoken came by. Boaz said to him, "My friend, come over and sit down here." The man came over and sat down. -\v 2 Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city and said, "Sit down here." So they sat down. - -\s5 -\v 3 Boaz said to the near kinsman, "Naomi, who has returned from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that was our brother Elimelek's. -\v 4 I thought to inform you and say to you, 'Buy it in the presence of those who are sitting here, and in the presence of the elders of my people.' If you wish to redeem it, redeem it. But if you do not wish to redeem it, then tell me, so that I may know, for there is no one to redeem it besides you, and I am after you." Then the other man said, "I will redeem it." - -\s5 -\v 5 Then Boaz said, "On the day that you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also take Ruth the Moabite woman, the widow of a dead man, in order to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance." -\v 6 Then the near kinsman said, "I cannot redeem it for myself without damaging my own inheritance. You take my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and exchange of goods. To confirm all things, a man took off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor; this was the manner of making legal agreements in Israel. -\v 8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself," and he took off his sandal. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, "You are witnesses today that I have bought all that was Elimelek's and all that was Kilion's and Mahlon's from the hand of Naomi. -\v 10 Also Ruth the Moabite woman, the wife of Mahlon, I have acquired to be my wife, in order that I might raise up the name of the dead man on his inheritance, so that his name will not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his place. Today you are witnesses!" - -\s5 -\v 11 All the people who were in the gate and the elders said, "We are witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built up the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem. -\v 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring that Yahweh will give you with this young woman." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. He slept with her, and Yahweh allowed her to become pregnant, and she bore a son. -\v 14 The women said to Naomi, "May Yahweh be blessed, who has not left you today without a near kinsman, this baby. May his name be famous in Israel. -\v 15 May he be for you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." - -\s5 -\v 16 Naomi took the child, laid him in her bosom, and took care of him. -\v 17 The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Now these were the descendants of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron, -\v 19 Hezron became the father of Ram, Ram became the father of Amminadab, -\v 20 Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon became the father of Salmon, -\v 21 Salmon became the father of Boaz, Boaz became the father of Obed, -\v 22 Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David. - - + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there. Soon, the near kinsman of whom Boaz had spoken came by. Boaz said to him, "My friend, come over and sit down here." The man came over and sat down. +\v 2 Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city and said, "Sit down here." So they sat down. + +\s5 +\v 3 Boaz said to the near kinsman, "Naomi, who has returned from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that was our brother Elimelek's. +\v 4 I thought to inform you and say to you, 'Buy it in the presence of those who are sitting here, and in the presence of the elders of my people.' If you wish to redeem it, redeem it. But if you do not wish to redeem it, then tell me, so that I may know, for there is no one to redeem it besides you, and I am after you." Then the other man said, "I will redeem it." + +\s5 +\v 5 Then Boaz said, "On the day that you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also take Ruth the Moabite woman, the widow of a dead man, in order to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance." +\v 6 Then the near kinsman said, "I cannot redeem it for myself without damaging my own inheritance. You take my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and exchange of goods. To confirm all things, a man took off his shoe and gave it to his neighbor; this was the manner of making legal agreements in Israel. +\v 8 So the near kinsman said to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself," and he took off his sandal. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Boaz said to the elders and to all the people, "You are witnesses today that I have bought all that was Elimelek's and all that was Kilion's and Mahlon's from the hand of Naomi. +\v 10 Also Ruth the Moabite woman, the wife of Mahlon, I have acquired to be my wife, in order that I might raise up the name of the dead man on his inheritance, so that his name will not be cut off from among his brothers and from the gate of his place. Today you are witnesses!" + +\s5 +\v 11 All the people who were in the gate and the elders said, "We are witnesses. May Yahweh make the woman who has come into your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built up the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem. +\v 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, through the offspring that Yahweh will give you with this young woman." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. He slept with her, and Yahweh allowed her to become pregnant, and she bore a son. +\v 14 The women said to Naomi, "May Yahweh be blessed, who has not left you today without a near kinsman, this baby. May his name be famous in Israel. +\v 15 May he be for you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." + +\s5 +\v 16 Naomi took the child, laid him in her bosom, and took care of him. +\v 17 The women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, "A son has been born to Naomi." They named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse, who became the father of David. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Now these were the descendants of Perez: Perez became the father of Hezron, +\v 19 Hezron became the father of Ram, Ram became the father of Amminadab, +\v 20 Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon became the father of Salmon, +\v 21 Salmon became the father of Boaz, Boaz became the father of Obed, +\v 22 Obed became the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David. + + diff --git a/09-1SA.usfm b/09-1SA.usfm index c929f7a2..8018b5ca 100644 --- a/09-1SA.usfm +++ b/09-1SA.usfm @@ -69,129 +69,129 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Hannah prayed and said, -\q "My heart exults in Yahweh. -\q My horn is exalted in Yahweh. -\q My mouth boasts over my enemies, -\q because I rejoice in your salvation. - -\s5 -\q -\v 2 There is no one holy like Yahweh, -\q for there is none besides you; -\q there is no rock like our God. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Boast no more so very proudly; -\q let no arrogance come out of your mouth. -\q For Yahweh is a God of knowledge; -\q by him actions are weighed. -\q -\v 4 The bow of the mighty men are broken, -\q but those who stumble put on strength like a belt. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread; -\q those who were hungry have stopped being hungry. -\q Even the barren one gives birth to seven, -\q but the woman who has many children languishes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Yahweh kills and brings to life. -\q He brings down to Sheol and raises up. -\q -\v 7 Yahweh makes some people poor and some rich. -\q He humbles, but he also lifts up. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 He raises up the poor out of the dust. -\q He lifts the needy from the ash heap -\q to make them sit with princes -\q and inherit the seat of honor. -\q For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's -\q and he has set the world upon them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 He will guard the feet of his faithful people, -\q but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness, -\q for no one will prevail by strength. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Those who oppose Yahweh will be broken to pieces; -\q he will thunder against them from heaven. -\q Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth; -\q he will give strength to his king -\q and exalt the horn of his anointed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Elkanah went to Ramah, to his house. The child served Yahweh in the presence of Eli the priest. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know Yahweh. -\v 13 The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand, while the meat was boiling. -\v 14 He would stick it into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. They did this in Shiloh with all the Israelites that came there. - -\s5 -\v 15 Worse, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat to roast for the priest; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw." -\v 16 If the man said to him, "They must burn the fat first, and then take as much as you want." Then he would say, "No, you will give it me now; if not, I will take it by force." -\v 17 The sin of these young men was very great before Yahweh, for they despised Yahweh's offering. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 But Samuel served Yahweh as a child clothed with a linen ephod. -\v 19 His mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. - -\s5 -\v 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, "May Yahweh give you more children by this woman because of the request she made of Yahweh." Then they would return to their own home. -\v 21 Yahweh again helped Hannah, and again she became pregnant. She bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the child Samuel grew before Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Now Eli was very old; he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. -\v 23 He said to them, "Why do you such things? For I hear of your evil actions from all these people." -\v 24 No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear. You make Yahweh's people disobey. - -\s5 -\v 25 "If one man sins against another, God will judge him; but if a man sins against Yahweh, who will speak for him?" -But they would not listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh intended to kill them. -\v 26 The child Samuel grew up, and increased in favor with Yahweh and also with men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Yahweh says, 'Did I not reveal myself to the house of your ancestor, when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh's house? -\v 28 I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, and to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me. I gave to the house of your ancestor all the offerings of the people of Israel made with fire. - -\s5 -\v 29 Why, then, do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings that I required in the place where I live? Why do you honor your sons above me by making yourselves fat with the best of every offering of my people Israel?' -\v 30 For Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'I promised that your house, and the house of your ancestor, should walk before me forever.' But now Yahweh says, 'Far be it from me to do this, for I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be lightly esteemed. - -\s5 -\v 31 See, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will no longer be any old man in your house. -\v 32 You will see distress in the place where I live. Although good will be given to Israel, there will no longer be any old man in your house. -\v 33 Any one of you that I do not cut off from my altar, I will cause your eyes to fail, and I will cause grief for your life. All the men born in your family will die. - -\s5 -\v 34 This will be the sign for you that will come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: They will both die on the same day. -\v 35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will do what is in my heart and in my soul. I will build him a sure house; and he will walk before my anointed king forever. - -\s5 -\v 36 Everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him, asking for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and will say, "Please assign me to one of the priests' positions so I can eat a piece of bread."'" - - - + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Hannah prayed and said, +\q "My heart exults in Yahweh. +\q My horn is exalted in Yahweh. +\q My mouth boasts over my enemies, +\q because I rejoice in your salvation. + +\s5 +\q +\v 2 There is no one holy like Yahweh, +\q for there is none besides you; +\q there is no rock like our God. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Boast no more so very proudly; +\q let no arrogance come out of your mouth. +\q For Yahweh is a God of knowledge; +\q by him actions are weighed. +\q +\v 4 The bow of the mighty men are broken, +\q but those who stumble put on strength like a belt. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread; +\q those who were hungry have stopped being hungry. +\q Even the barren one gives birth to seven, +\q but the woman who has many children languishes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Yahweh kills and brings to life. +\q He brings down to Sheol and raises up. +\q +\v 7 Yahweh makes some people poor and some rich. +\q He humbles, but he also lifts up. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 He raises up the poor out of the dust. +\q He lifts the needy from the ash heap +\q to make them sit with princes +\q and inherit the seat of honor. +\q For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's +\q and he has set the world upon them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 He will guard the feet of his faithful people, +\q but the wicked will be put to silence in darkness, +\q for no one will prevail by strength. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Those who oppose Yahweh will be broken to pieces; +\q he will thunder against them from heaven. +\q Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth; +\q he will give strength to his king +\q and exalt the horn of his anointed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Elkanah went to Ramah, to his house. The child served Yahweh in the presence of Eli the priest. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know Yahweh. +\v 13 The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered a sacrifice, the priest's servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand, while the meat was boiling. +\v 14 He would stick it into the pan, or kettle, or cauldron, or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. They did this in Shiloh with all the Israelites that came there. + +\s5 +\v 15 Worse, before they burned the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man who was sacrificing, "Give meat to roast for the priest; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw." +\v 16 If the man said to him, "They must burn the fat first, and then take as much as you want." Then he would say, "No, you will give it me now; if not, I will take it by force." +\v 17 The sin of these young men was very great before Yahweh, for they despised Yahweh's offering. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 But Samuel served Yahweh as a child clothed with a linen ephod. +\v 19 His mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. + +\s5 +\v 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, "May Yahweh give you more children by this woman because of the request she made of Yahweh." Then they would return to their own home. +\v 21 Yahweh again helped Hannah, and again she became pregnant. She bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the child Samuel grew before Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Now Eli was very old; he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. +\v 23 He said to them, "Why do you such things? For I hear of your evil actions from all these people." +\v 24 No, my sons; for it is not a good report that I hear. You make Yahweh's people disobey. + +\s5 +\v 25 "If one man sins against another, God will judge him; but if a man sins against Yahweh, who will speak for him?" +But they would not listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh intended to kill them. +\v 26 The child Samuel grew up, and increased in favor with Yahweh and also with men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, "Yahweh says, 'Did I not reveal myself to the house of your ancestor, when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh's house? +\v 28 I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, and to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me. I gave to the house of your ancestor all the offerings of the people of Israel made with fire. + +\s5 +\v 29 Why, then, do you scorn my sacrifices and offerings that I required in the place where I live? Why do you honor your sons above me by making yourselves fat with the best of every offering of my people Israel?' +\v 30 For Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'I promised that your house, and the house of your ancestor, should walk before me forever.' But now Yahweh says, 'Far be it from me to do this, for I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be lightly esteemed. + +\s5 +\v 31 See, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father's house, so that there will no longer be any old man in your house. +\v 32 You will see distress in the place where I live. Although good will be given to Israel, there will no longer be any old man in your house. +\v 33 Any one of you that I do not cut off from my altar, I will cause your eyes to fail, and I will cause grief for your life. All the men born in your family will die. + +\s5 +\v 34 This will be the sign for you that will come on your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: They will both die on the same day. +\v 35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest who will do what is in my heart and in my soul. I will build him a sure house; and he will walk before my anointed king forever. + +\s5 +\v 36 Everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him, asking for a piece of silver and a loaf of bread, and will say, "Please assign me to one of the priests' positions so I can eat a piece of bread."'" + + + \s5 \c 3 @@ -239,142 +239,142 @@ But they would not listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh intended - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\v 1 The word of Samuel came to all of Israel. -\p Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They set up camp at Ebenezer, and the Philistines set up camp at Aphek. -\v 2 The Philistines lined up for battle against Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. - -\s5 -\v 3 When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has Yahweh defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh here from Shiloh, that it may be here with us, that it might keep us safe from the hands of our enemies." -\v 4 So the people sent men to Shiloh; from there they carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of hosts, who sits above the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp, all of the people of Israel gave a great shout, and the earth resounded. -\v 6 When the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, "What does this loud shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" Then they realized that the ark of Yahweh had come into the camp. - -\s5 -\v 7 The Philistines were afraid; they said, "A god has come into the camp." They said, "Woe to us! Nothing like this has happened before! -\v 8 Woe to us! Who will protect us from the strength of these mighty gods? These are the gods who attacked the Egyptians with many different kinds of plagues in the wilderness. -\v 9 Take courage, and be men, you Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you. Be men, and fight." - -\s5 -\v 10 The Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated. Every man fled to his house, and the slaughter was very great; for thirty thousand foot soldiers from Israel fell. -\v 11 The ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, arriving with his clothes torn and earth on his head. -\v 13 When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching because his heart trembled with concern for the ark of God. When the man entered the city and told the news, the whole city cried out. - -\s5 -\v 14 When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, "What is the meaning of this uproar?" The man quickly came and told Eli. -\v 15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; his eyes did not focus, and he could not see. -\s5 -\v 16 The man said to Eli, "I am the one who came from the battle line. I fled from the battle today." Eli said, "How did it go, my son?" -\v 17 The man who brought the news answered and said, "Israel fled from the Philistines. Also, there has been a great defeat among the people. Also, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken." - -\s5 -\v 18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate. His neck was broken, and he died, because he was old and heavy. He had judged Israel for forty years. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news that the ark of God was captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she knelt down and gave birth, but her labor pains overwhelmed her. -\v 20 About the time of her death the women attending to her said, "Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son." But she did not answer or take what they said to heart. - -\s5 -\v 21 She named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has gone away from Israel!" for the ark of God had been captured, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. -\v 22 She said, "The glory has gone away from Israel, because the ark of God has been captured." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. -\v 2 The Philistines took the ark of God, brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it up beside Dagon. -\v 3 When the people of Ashdod got up early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. So they took Dagon and set him up in his place again. - -\s5 -\v 4 But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. The head of Dagon and both of his hands were lying cut off in the doorway. Only the trunk of Dagon remained. -\v 5 This is why, even today, the priests of Dagon and anyone who comes into Dagon's house does not step on the doorway of Dagon in Ashdod. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Yahweh's hand was heavy upon the people of Ashdod. He destroyed them and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories. -\v 7 When the men of Ashdod realized what was happening, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel must not stay with us, because his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god." - -\s5 -\v 8 So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, "What should we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" They answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath." So they carried the ark of the God of Israel there. -\v 9 But after they brought it around, Yahweh's hand was against the city, causing a very great confusion. He afflicted the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them. - -\s5 -\v 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came into Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people." - -\s5 -\v 11 So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it does not kill us and our people." For there was a deathly panic throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. -\v 12 The men who did not die were afflicted with the tumors, and the cry of the city went up to the heavens. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 Now the ark of Yahweh was in the country of the Philistines for seven months. -\v 2 Then the Philistine people called for the priests and the diviners; they said to them, "What should we do with the ark of Yahweh? Tell us how we should send it back to its own country." - -\s5 -\v 3 The priests and diviners said, "If you send back the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it without a gift; by all means send him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted off of you until now." -\v 4 Then they said, "What should the guilt offering be that we are returning to him?" They replied, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice, five being the number that is the same as the number of the rulers of the Philistines. For the same plague afflicted you and your rulers. - -\s5 -\v 5 So you must make models of your tumors, and models of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you, from your gods, and from your land. -\v 6 Why should you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? That was when the God of Israel dealt severely with them; did not the Egyptians send away the people, and they left? - -\s5 -\v 7 Now then, prepare a new cart with two nursing cows that have never been yoked. Tie the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. -\v 8 Then take the ark of Yahweh and place it in the cart. Put the golden figures that you are returning to him as a guilt offering into a box to one side of it. Then send it off and let it go its own way. -\v 9 Then watch; if it goes up on the way to its own land to Beth Shemesh, then it is Yahweh who has executed this great disaster. But if not, then we will know that it is not his hand that afflicted us; instead, we will know that it happened to us by chance." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The men did as they were told; they took two nursing cows, tied them to the cart, and confined their calves at home. -\v 11 They put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, together with a box containing the golden mice and the castings of their tumors. -\v 12 The cows went straight in the direction of Beth Shemesh. They went along one highway, lowing as they went, and they did not turn aside either to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed after them to the border of Beth Shemesh. - -\s5 -\v 13 Now the people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat in the valley. When they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, they rejoiced. - -\s5 -\v 14 The cart came into the field of Joshua from the town of Beth Shemesh and stopped there. A great stone was there, and they split the wood from the cart, and offered the cows as a burnt offering to Yahweh. -\v 15 The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh and the box that was with it, where the golden figures were, and put them on the great stone. The men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices the same day to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 16 When the five rulers of the Philistines saw this, they returned that day to Ekron. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a guilt offering to Yahweh—one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron. -\v 18 The golden mice were the same in number as the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five rulers, both fortified cities and country villages. The great stone, beside which they set down the ark of Yahweh, remains a witness to this day in the field of Joshua the Bethshemite. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Yahweh attacked some of the men of Beth Shemesh because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh. He killed 50,070 men. The people mourned, because Yahweh had given the people a great blow. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa 50,070 men \fqa* , some later copies and modern versions have, \fqa seventy men. \fqa* \f* - -\v 20 The men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from us?" -\s5 -\v 21 They sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark of Yahweh; come down and take it back with you." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\v 1 The word of Samuel came to all of Israel. +\p Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They set up camp at Ebenezer, and the Philistines set up camp at Aphek. +\v 2 The Philistines lined up for battle against Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. + +\s5 +\v 3 When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has Yahweh defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh here from Shiloh, that it may be here with us, that it might keep us safe from the hands of our enemies." +\v 4 So the people sent men to Shiloh; from there they carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of hosts, who sits above the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp, all of the people of Israel gave a great shout, and the earth resounded. +\v 6 When the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, "What does this loud shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?" Then they realized that the ark of Yahweh had come into the camp. + +\s5 +\v 7 The Philistines were afraid; they said, "A god has come into the camp." They said, "Woe to us! Nothing like this has happened before! +\v 8 Woe to us! Who will protect us from the strength of these mighty gods? These are the gods who attacked the Egyptians with many different kinds of plagues in the wilderness. +\v 9 Take courage, and be men, you Philistines, or you will become slaves to the Hebrews, as they have been slaves to you. Be men, and fight." + +\s5 +\v 10 The Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated. Every man fled to his house, and the slaughter was very great; for thirty thousand foot soldiers from Israel fell. +\v 11 The ark of God was taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, arriving with his clothes torn and earth on his head. +\v 13 When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching because his heart trembled with concern for the ark of God. When the man entered the city and told the news, the whole city cried out. + +\s5 +\v 14 When Eli heard the noise of the outcry, he said, "What is the meaning of this uproar?" The man quickly came and told Eli. +\v 15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; his eyes did not focus, and he could not see. +\s5 +\v 16 The man said to Eli, "I am the one who came from the battle line. I fled from the battle today." Eli said, "How did it go, my son?" +\v 17 The man who brought the news answered and said, "Israel fled from the Philistines. Also, there has been a great defeat among the people. Also, your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been taken." + +\s5 +\v 18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate. His neck was broken, and he died, because he was old and heavy. He had judged Israel for forty years. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Now his daughter-in-law, Phinehas' wife, was pregnant and about to give birth. When she heard the news that the ark of God was captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she knelt down and gave birth, but her labor pains overwhelmed her. +\v 20 About the time of her death the women attending to her said, "Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son." But she did not answer or take what they said to heart. + +\s5 +\v 21 She named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has gone away from Israel!" for the ark of God had been captured, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. +\v 22 She said, "The glory has gone away from Israel, because the ark of God has been captured." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. +\v 2 The Philistines took the ark of God, brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it up beside Dagon. +\v 3 When the people of Ashdod got up early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. So they took Dagon and set him up in his place again. + +\s5 +\v 4 But when they got up early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen facedown on the ground before the ark of Yahweh. The head of Dagon and both of his hands were lying cut off in the doorway. Only the trunk of Dagon remained. +\v 5 This is why, even today, the priests of Dagon and anyone who comes into Dagon's house does not step on the doorway of Dagon in Ashdod. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Yahweh's hand was heavy upon the people of Ashdod. He destroyed them and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territories. +\v 7 When the men of Ashdod realized what was happening, they said, "The ark of the God of Israel must not stay with us, because his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god." + +\s5 +\v 8 So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, "What should we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" They answered, "Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath." So they carried the ark of the God of Israel there. +\v 9 But after they brought it around, Yahweh's hand was against the city, causing a very great confusion. He afflicted the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them. + +\s5 +\v 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came into Ekron, the Ekronites cried out, saying, "They have brought to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people." + +\s5 +\v 11 So they sent for and gathered together all of the rulers of the Philistines; they said to them, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it does not kill us and our people." For there was a deathly panic throughout the city; the hand of God was very heavy there. +\v 12 The men who did not die were afflicted with the tumors, and the cry of the city went up to the heavens. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 Now the ark of Yahweh was in the country of the Philistines for seven months. +\v 2 Then the Philistine people called for the priests and the diviners; they said to them, "What should we do with the ark of Yahweh? Tell us how we should send it back to its own country." + +\s5 +\v 3 The priests and diviners said, "If you send back the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it without a gift; by all means send him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted off of you until now." +\v 4 Then they said, "What should the guilt offering be that we are returning to him?" They replied, "Five golden tumors and five golden mice, five being the number that is the same as the number of the rulers of the Philistines. For the same plague afflicted you and your rulers. + +\s5 +\v 5 So you must make models of your tumors, and models of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you, from your gods, and from your land. +\v 6 Why should you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? That was when the God of Israel dealt severely with them; did not the Egyptians send away the people, and they left? + +\s5 +\v 7 Now then, prepare a new cart with two nursing cows that have never been yoked. Tie the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. +\v 8 Then take the ark of Yahweh and place it in the cart. Put the golden figures that you are returning to him as a guilt offering into a box to one side of it. Then send it off and let it go its own way. +\v 9 Then watch; if it goes up on the way to its own land to Beth Shemesh, then it is Yahweh who has executed this great disaster. But if not, then we will know that it is not his hand that afflicted us; instead, we will know that it happened to us by chance." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The men did as they were told; they took two nursing cows, tied them to the cart, and confined their calves at home. +\v 11 They put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, together with a box containing the golden mice and the castings of their tumors. +\v 12 The cows went straight in the direction of Beth Shemesh. They went along one highway, lowing as they went, and they did not turn aside either to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed after them to the border of Beth Shemesh. + +\s5 +\v 13 Now the people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat in the valley. When they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, they rejoiced. + +\s5 +\v 14 The cart came into the field of Joshua from the town of Beth Shemesh and stopped there. A great stone was there, and they split the wood from the cart, and offered the cows as a burnt offering to Yahweh. +\v 15 The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh and the box that was with it, where the golden figures were, and put them on the great stone. The men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices the same day to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 16 When the five rulers of the Philistines saw this, they returned that day to Ekron. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a guilt offering to Yahweh—one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, and one for Ekron. +\v 18 The golden mice were the same in number as the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five rulers, both fortified cities and country villages. The great stone, beside which they set down the ark of Yahweh, remains a witness to this day in the field of Joshua the Bethshemite. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Yahweh attacked some of the men of Beth Shemesh because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh. He killed 50,070 men. The people mourned, because Yahweh had given the people a great blow. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa 50,070 men \fqa* , some later copies and modern versions have, \fqa seventy men. \fqa* \f* + +\v 20 The men of Beth Shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from us?" +\s5 +\v 21 They sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, saying, "The Philistines have brought back the ark of Yahweh; come down and take it back with you." + + + \s5 \c 7 @@ -465,136 +465,136 @@ But they would not listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh intended - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 There was a man from Benjamin, a man of influence. His name was Kish son of Abiel son of Zeror son of Bekorath son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite. -\v 2 He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. There was no man among the people of Israel who was a more handsome person than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, "Take one of the servants with you; arise and go look for the donkeys." -\v 4 So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and went through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, let us go back, or my father may stop caring for the donkeys and begin to worry about us." -\v 6 But the servant said to him, "Listen, there is a man of God in this city. He is a man who is held in honor; everything that he says comes true. Let us go there; maybe he can tell us which way we should go on our journey." - -\s5 -\v 7 Then Saul said to his servant, "But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sack is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?" -\v 8 The servant answered Saul and said, "Here, I have with me one-fourth of a shekel of silver that I will give to the man of God, to tell us which way we should go." - -\s5 -\v 9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to seek the knowledge of God's will, he said, "Come, let us go to the seer." For today's prophet was formerly called a seer.) -\v 10 Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said. Come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was. -\p -\v 11 As they went up the hill to the city, they found young women coming out to draw water; Saul and his servant said to them, "Is the seer here?" - -\s5 -\v 12 They answered, and said, "He is; see, he is just ahead of you. Hurry up, for he is coming to the city today, because the people are sacrificing today at the high place. -\v 13 As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he will bless the sacrifice; afterwards those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will find him immediately." - -\s5 -\v 14 So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them, to go up to the high place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Now the day before Saul came, Yahweh had revealed to Samuel: -\v 16 "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you will anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked on my people with pity because their call for help has come to me." - -\s5 -\v 17 When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh told him, "Here is the man I told you about! He is the one who will rule over my people." -\v 18 Then Saul came close to Samuel in the gate and said, "Tell me where is the house of the seer?" -\v 19 Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you will eat with me. In the morning I will let you go, and I will tell you everything that is on your mind. - -\s5 -\v 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. Then on whom are all the desires of Israel set? Is it not on you and all your father's house?" -\v 21 Saul answered and said, "Am not I a Benjamite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? Is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this manner?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 So Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them at the head place of those who had been invited, who were about thirty people. - -\s5 -\v 23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave to you, of which I said to you, 'Put it aside.'" -\v 24 So the cook took up the thigh and what was on it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, "See what has been kept is set before you. Eat it, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, from the time when I said, 'I have invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 When they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the rooftop. -\v 26 Then at the break of dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the rooftop and said, "Get up, so I can send you on your way." So Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. - -\s5 -\v 27 As they were going to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go ahead of us"—and he went ahead—"but you must stay here awhile, that I may announce the message of God to you." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him. He said, "Has not Yahweh anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance? -\v 2 When you leave me today, you will find two men near Rachel's tomb, in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will say to you, 'The donkeys that you were looking for have been found. Now your father has stopped caring about the donkeys and is worried about you, saying, "What should I do about my son?"' - -\s5 -\v 3 Then you will go on further from there, and you will come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. -\v 4 They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will take from their hands. - -\s5 -\v 5 After that, you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is. When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre before them; they will be prophesying. -\v 6 The Spirit of Yahweh will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them, and you will be changed into a different man. - -\s5 -\v 7 Now, when these signs come to you, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. -\v 8 Go down before me to Gilgal. Then I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you must do." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. Then all these signs came to pass that day. -\v 10 When they came to the hill, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him so that he prophesied with them. - -\s5 -\v 11 When everyone who knew him before saw him prophesying with the prophets, the people said to each other, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul one of the prophets now?" -\v 12 A man who was from that same place answered, "Then who is their father?" Because of this, it became a saying, "Is Saul also one of the prophets?" -\v 13 When he finished prophesying, he came to the high place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then Saul's uncle said to him and his servant, "Where did you go?" He replied, "To look for the donkeys. When we saw that we could not find them, we went to Samuel." -\v 15 Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you." -\v 16 Saul replied to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found." But he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Now Samuel called the people together before Yahweh at Mizpah. -\v 18 He said to the people of Israel, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel says: 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.' -\v 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all of your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, 'Set a king over us.' Now present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes and by your clans." - -\s5 -\v 20 So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. -\v 21 Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their clans; and the clan of the Matrites was chosen; and Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they went looking for him, he could not be found. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then the people wanted to ask God more questions, "Is there still another man to come?" Yahweh answered, "He has hidden himself among the baggage." -\v 23 Then they ran and retrieved Saul from there. When he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. - -\s5 -\v 24 Then Samuel said to the people, "Do you see the man whom Yahweh has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people!" All the people shouted, "Long live the king!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Then Samuel told the people the customs and rules of kingship, wrote them down in a book, and placed it before Yahweh. Samuel then sent all the people away, each man to his own house. - -\s5 -\v 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went some strong men, whose hearts God had touched. -\v 27 But some worthless men said, "How can this man save us?" These people despised Saul and did not bring him any gifts. But Saul kept silent. -\f + \ft Some modern versions add to this verse the following paragraph: \fqa Nahash king of the Ammonites had severely oppressed the Gadites and Reubenites. He dug out the right eye of each man and did not allow anyone to rescue Israel. Across the Jordan River was left no Israelites whose right eye Nahash king of the Ammonites had not dug out. But seven thousand men had escaped from the Ammonites and had gone into Jabesh Gilead. \fqa* \f* - - - + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 There was a man from Benjamin, a man of influence. His name was Kish son of Abiel son of Zeror son of Bekorath son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite. +\v 2 He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. There was no man among the people of Israel who was a more handsome person than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, "Take one of the servants with you; arise and go look for the donkeys." +\v 4 So Saul passed through the hill country of Ephraim and went through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, let us go back, or my father may stop caring for the donkeys and begin to worry about us." +\v 6 But the servant said to him, "Listen, there is a man of God in this city. He is a man who is held in honor; everything that he says comes true. Let us go there; maybe he can tell us which way we should go on our journey." + +\s5 +\v 7 Then Saul said to his servant, "But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sack is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?" +\v 8 The servant answered Saul and said, "Here, I have with me one-fourth of a shekel of silver that I will give to the man of God, to tell us which way we should go." + +\s5 +\v 9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to seek the knowledge of God's will, he said, "Come, let us go to the seer." For today's prophet was formerly called a seer.) +\v 10 Then Saul said to his servant, "Well said. Come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was. +\p +\v 11 As they went up the hill to the city, they found young women coming out to draw water; Saul and his servant said to them, "Is the seer here?" + +\s5 +\v 12 They answered, and said, "He is; see, he is just ahead of you. Hurry up, for he is coming to the city today, because the people are sacrificing today at the high place. +\v 13 As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he will bless the sacrifice; afterwards those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will find him immediately." + +\s5 +\v 14 So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them, to go up to the high place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Now the day before Saul came, Yahweh had revealed to Samuel: +\v 16 "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you will anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked on my people with pity because their call for help has come to me." + +\s5 +\v 17 When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh told him, "Here is the man I told you about! He is the one who will rule over my people." +\v 18 Then Saul came close to Samuel in the gate and said, "Tell me where is the house of the seer?" +\v 19 Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you will eat with me. In the morning I will let you go, and I will tell you everything that is on your mind. + +\s5 +\v 20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. Then on whom are all the desires of Israel set? Is it not on you and all your father's house?" +\v 21 Saul answered and said, "Am not I a Benjamite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? Is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this manner?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 So Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them at the head place of those who had been invited, who were about thirty people. + +\s5 +\v 23 Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion which I gave to you, of which I said to you, 'Put it aside.'" +\v 24 So the cook took up the thigh and what was on it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, "See what has been kept is set before you. Eat it, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, from the time when I said, 'I have invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 When they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the rooftop. +\v 26 Then at the break of dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the rooftop and said, "Get up, so I can send you on your way." So Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. + +\s5 +\v 27 As they were going to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go ahead of us"—and he went ahead—"but you must stay here awhile, that I may announce the message of God to you." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul's head, and kissed him. He said, "Has not Yahweh anointed you to be a ruler over his inheritance? +\v 2 When you leave me today, you will find two men near Rachel's tomb, in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will say to you, 'The donkeys that you were looking for have been found. Now your father has stopped caring about the donkeys and is worried about you, saying, "What should I do about my son?"' + +\s5 +\v 3 Then you will go on further from there, and you will come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. +\v 4 They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will take from their hands. + +\s5 +\v 5 After that, you will come to the hill of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is. When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre before them; they will be prophesying. +\v 6 The Spirit of Yahweh will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them, and you will be changed into a different man. + +\s5 +\v 7 Now, when these signs come to you, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you. +\v 8 Go down before me to Gilgal. Then I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you must do." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. Then all these signs came to pass that day. +\v 10 When they came to the hill, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him so that he prophesied with them. + +\s5 +\v 11 When everyone who knew him before saw him prophesying with the prophets, the people said to each other, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul one of the prophets now?" +\v 12 A man who was from that same place answered, "Then who is their father?" Because of this, it became a saying, "Is Saul also one of the prophets?" +\v 13 When he finished prophesying, he came to the high place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then Saul's uncle said to him and his servant, "Where did you go?" He replied, "To look for the donkeys. When we saw that we could not find them, we went to Samuel." +\v 15 Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you." +\v 16 Saul replied to his uncle, "He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found." But he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Now Samuel called the people together before Yahweh at Mizpah. +\v 18 He said to the people of Israel, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel says: 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.' +\v 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all of your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, 'Set a king over us.' Now present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes and by your clans." + +\s5 +\v 20 So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. +\v 21 Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their clans; and the clan of the Matrites was chosen; and Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they went looking for him, he could not be found. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then the people wanted to ask God more questions, "Is there still another man to come?" Yahweh answered, "He has hidden himself among the baggage." +\v 23 Then they ran and retrieved Saul from there. When he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. + +\s5 +\v 24 Then Samuel said to the people, "Do you see the man whom Yahweh has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people!" All the people shouted, "Long live the king!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Then Samuel told the people the customs and rules of kingship, wrote them down in a book, and placed it before Yahweh. Samuel then sent all the people away, each man to his own house. + +\s5 +\v 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went some strong men, whose hearts God had touched. +\v 27 But some worthless men said, "How can this man save us?" These people despised Saul and did not bring him any gifts. But Saul kept silent. +\f + \ft Some modern versions add to this verse the following paragraph: \fqa Nahash king of the Ammonites had severely oppressed the Gadites and Reubenites. He dug out the right eye of each man and did not allow anyone to rescue Israel. Across the Jordan River was left no Israelites whose right eye Nahash king of the Ammonites had not dug out. But seven thousand men had escaped from the Ammonites and had gone into Jabesh Gilead. \fqa* \f* + + + \s5 @@ -635,64 +635,64 @@ But they would not listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh intended - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to everything you said to me, and I have set a king over you. -\v 2 Now, here is the king walking before you; and I am old and gray; and, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until today. - -\s5 -\v 3 Here I am; testify against me before Yahweh and before his anointed one. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with? Testify against me, and I will restore it to you." - -\s5 -\v 4 They said, "You have not cheated us, oppressed us, or have stolen anything from any man's hand." -\v 5 He said to them, "Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed one is witness today, that you have found nothing in my hand." They replied, "Yahweh is witness." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Samuel said to the people, "It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. -\v 7 Now then, present yourself, so that I may plead with you before Yahweh about all of the righteous deeds of Yahweh, which he did for you and your fathers. - -\s5 -\v 8 When Jacob came to Egypt, and your ancestors cried out to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, who led your ancestors out of Egypt and they settled in this place. -\v 9 But they forgot Yahweh their God; he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the armies of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; these all fought against your ancestors. - -\s5 -\v 10 They cried out to Yahweh and said, 'We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh and have served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.' -\v 11 So Yahweh sent Jerub Baal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and gave you victory over your enemies all around you, so that you lived in security. - -\s5 -\v 12 When you saw that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No! Instead, a king must reign over us'—although Yahweh your God, was your king. -\v 13 Now here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for and whom Yahweh has now appointed as king over you. - -\s5 -\v 14 If you fear Yahweh, serve him, obey his voice, and not rebel against the command of Yahweh, then both you and the king who reigns over you will be followers of Yahweh your God. - -\v 15 If you do not obey the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commands of Yahweh, then Yahweh's hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors. - -\s5 -\v 16 Even now present yourself and see this great thing which Yahweh will do before your eyes. -\v 17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call upon Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking for yourselves a king." -\v 18 So Samuel called to Yahweh; and that same day Yahweh sent thunder and rain. Then all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, so that we do not die. For we have added to all our sins this evil in asking for a king for ourselves." -\v 20 Samuel replied, "Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil, but do not turn away from Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart. -\v 21 Do not turn away after empty things that cannot profit or rescue you, because they are useless. - -\s5 -\v 22 For the sake of his great name, Yahweh will not reject his people, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people for himself. -\v 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you. Instead, I will teach you the way that is good and right. - -\s5 -\v 24 Only fear Yahweh and serve him in truth with all your heart. Consider the great things he has done for you. -\v 25 But if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be destroyed." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to everything you said to me, and I have set a king over you. +\v 2 Now, here is the king walking before you; and I am old and gray; and, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until today. + +\s5 +\v 3 Here I am; testify against me before Yahweh and before his anointed one. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with? Testify against me, and I will restore it to you." + +\s5 +\v 4 They said, "You have not cheated us, oppressed us, or have stolen anything from any man's hand." +\v 5 He said to them, "Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed one is witness today, that you have found nothing in my hand." They replied, "Yahweh is witness." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Samuel said to the people, "It is Yahweh who appointed Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. +\v 7 Now then, present yourself, so that I may plead with you before Yahweh about all of the righteous deeds of Yahweh, which he did for you and your fathers. + +\s5 +\v 8 When Jacob came to Egypt, and your ancestors cried out to Yahweh, then Yahweh sent Moses and Aaron, who led your ancestors out of Egypt and they settled in this place. +\v 9 But they forgot Yahweh their God; he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the armies of Hazor, into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; these all fought against your ancestors. + +\s5 +\v 10 They cried out to Yahweh and said, 'We have sinned, because we have forsaken Yahweh and have served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.' +\v 11 So Yahweh sent Jerub Baal, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel, and gave you victory over your enemies all around you, so that you lived in security. + +\s5 +\v 12 When you saw that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No! Instead, a king must reign over us'—although Yahweh your God, was your king. +\v 13 Now here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for and whom Yahweh has now appointed as king over you. + +\s5 +\v 14 If you fear Yahweh, serve him, obey his voice, and not rebel against the command of Yahweh, then both you and the king who reigns over you will be followers of Yahweh your God. + +\v 15 If you do not obey the voice of Yahweh, but rebel against the commands of Yahweh, then Yahweh's hand will be against you, as it was against your ancestors. + +\s5 +\v 16 Even now present yourself and see this great thing which Yahweh will do before your eyes. +\v 17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call upon Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of Yahweh, in asking for yourselves a king." +\v 18 So Samuel called to Yahweh; and that same day Yahweh sent thunder and rain. Then all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, so that we do not die. For we have added to all our sins this evil in asking for a king for ourselves." +\v 20 Samuel replied, "Do not be afraid. You have done all this evil, but do not turn away from Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart. +\v 21 Do not turn away after empty things that cannot profit or rescue you, because they are useless. + +\s5 +\v 22 For the sake of his great name, Yahweh will not reject his people, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people for himself. +\v 23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you. Instead, I will teach you the way that is good and right. + +\s5 +\v 24 Only fear Yahweh and serve him in truth with all your heart. Consider the great things he has done for you. +\v 25 But if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be destroyed." + + + \s5 @@ -749,125 +749,125 @@ But they would not listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh intended - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 One day, Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor bearer, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison on the other side." But he did not tell his father. - -\s5 -\v 2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is in Migron. About six hundred men were with him, -\v 3 including Ahijah son of Ahitub (Ichabod's brother) son of Phinehas son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh, who wore an ephod. The people did not know that Jonathan was gone. - -\s5 -\v 4 On each side of the pass through which Jonathan wanted to go in order to get to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky cliff on one side and another rocky cliff on the other side. One rocky cliff was called Bozez and the other rocky cliff was called Seneh. -\v 5 One rocky cliff stood on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, "Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised fellows. It may be that Yahweh will work on our behalf, for nothing can stop Yahweh from saving by many or by few people." -\v 7 His armor bearer replied, "Do everything that is in your heart. Go ahead, see, I am with you, to obey all your commands." - -\s5 -\v 8 Then Jonathan said, "We will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. -\v 9 If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come over to you'—then we will stay in our place and will not cross over to them. -\v 10 But if they reply, 'Come over to us,' then we will cross over; because Yahweh has given them into our hand. This will be the sign to us." - -\s5 -\v 11 So both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. The Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves." -\v 12 Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Follow after me, because Yahweh has given them into the hand of Israel." - -\s5 -\v 13 Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer followed behind him. The Philistines were put to death before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death behind him. -\v 14 That first attack that Jonathan and his armor bearer made, killed about twenty men within an area of half an acre. - -\s5 -\v 15 There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among the people. Even the garrison and the raiders panicked. The earth quaked, and there was a great panic. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; the crowd of Philistine soldiers was dispersing, and they were going here and there. -\v 17 Then Saul said to the people that were with him, "Count and see who is missing from us." When they had counted, Jonathan and his armor bearer were missing. - -\s5 -\v 18 Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here," for at that time it was with the people of Israel. -\v 19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines was continuing and increasing. Then Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand." - -\s5 -\v 20 Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into battle. Every Philistine's sword was against his fellow countrymen, and there was very great confusion. -\v 21 Now those Hebrews who previously had been with the Philistines, and who had gone with them into the camp, even they joined with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. - -\s5 -\v 22 When all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hills near Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, even they chased after them in battle. -\v 23 So Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the battle passed beyond Beth Aven. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 That day the men of Israel were distressed because Saul had put the people under an oath and said, "Cursed be the man that eats any food until evening and I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the troops tasted food. -\v 25 Then all the people entered the forest and there was honey upon the ground. -\v 26 When the people entered into the forest, the honey flowed, but no one put his hand to his mouth for the people feared the oath. - -\s5 -\v 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with an oath. He reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. -\v 28 Then one of the people, answered, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, by saying, 'Cursed be the man that eats food on this day,' even though the people are weak from hunger." - -\s5 -\v 29 Then Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the land. See how my eyes have become brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. -\v 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder from their enemies that they found? Because now the slaughter has not been great among the Philistines." - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 They attacked the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very weary. -\v 32 The people rushed greedily on the plunder and took sheep, oxen and calves, and killed them on the ground. The people ate them with the blood. - -\s5 -\v 33 Then they told Saul, "Look, the people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood." Saul said, "You have acted unfaithfully. Now, roll a big stone here to me." -\v 34 Saul said, "Go out among the people, and tell them, 'Let every man bring his ox and his sheep, kill them here, and eat. Do not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.'" So each of the people brought his own ox with him that night and killed it there. - -\s5 -\v 35 Saul built an altar to Yahweh, which was the first altar that he built to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Then Saul said, "Let us pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them until morning; let us not leave one of them alive." They replied, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the priest said, "Let us approach God here." -\v 37 Saul asked God, "Should I pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?" But God did not answer him that day. - -\s5 -\v 38 Then Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people; learn and see how this sin has happened today. -\v 39 For, as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die." But none of the men among all the people answered him. - -\s5 -\v 40 Then he said to all Israel, "You must stand on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other." The people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you." -\v 41 Saul said, "Yahweh, God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, Yahweh, God of Israel, give the Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, give the Thummim." \f +\ft The ULB is following the LXX in the quotation. The Hebrew text has: \fqa “Give me the right answer.” \f* Then Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the army was exonerated. -\v 42 Then Saul said, "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son." Then Jonathan was taken by lot. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die." -\v 44 Saul said, "God do so and more also to me, if you do not die, Jonathan." - -\s5 -\v 45 Then the people said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory for Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God today." So the people rescued Jonathan so that he did not die. -\v 46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 47 When Saul began to rule over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side. He fought against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. -\v 48 He acted with great courage and defeated the Amalekites. He rescued Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 49 The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. The names of his two daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger. -\v 50 The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam; she was the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle. -\v 51 Kish was Saul's father; and Ner, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 52 There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. When Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 One day, Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor bearer, "Come, let us go over to the Philistines' garrison on the other side." But he did not tell his father. + +\s5 +\v 2 Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree that is in Migron. About six hundred men were with him, +\v 3 including Ahijah son of Ahitub (Ichabod's brother) son of Phinehas son of Eli, the priest of Yahweh at Shiloh, who wore an ephod. The people did not know that Jonathan was gone. + +\s5 +\v 4 On each side of the pass through which Jonathan wanted to go in order to get to the Philistines' garrison, there was a rocky cliff on one side and another rocky cliff on the other side. One rocky cliff was called Bozez and the other rocky cliff was called Seneh. +\v 5 One rocky cliff stood on the north in front of Michmash, and the other on the south in front of Geba. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Jonathan said to his young armor bearer, "Come, let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised fellows. It may be that Yahweh will work on our behalf, for nothing can stop Yahweh from saving by many or by few people." +\v 7 His armor bearer replied, "Do everything that is in your heart. Go ahead, see, I am with you, to obey all your commands." + +\s5 +\v 8 Then Jonathan said, "We will cross over to the men, and we will show ourselves to them. +\v 9 If they say to us, 'Wait there until we come over to you'—then we will stay in our place and will not cross over to them. +\v 10 But if they reply, 'Come over to us,' then we will cross over; because Yahweh has given them into our hand. This will be the sign to us." + +\s5 +\v 11 So both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines. The Philistines said, "Look, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves." +\v 12 Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armor bearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Follow after me, because Yahweh has given them into the hand of Israel." + +\s5 +\v 13 Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, and his armor bearer followed behind him. The Philistines were put to death before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death behind him. +\v 14 That first attack that Jonathan and his armor bearer made, killed about twenty men within an area of half an acre. + +\s5 +\v 15 There was a panic in the camp, in the field, and among the people. Even the garrison and the raiders panicked. The earth quaked, and there was a great panic. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; the crowd of Philistine soldiers was dispersing, and they were going here and there. +\v 17 Then Saul said to the people that were with him, "Count and see who is missing from us." When they had counted, Jonathan and his armor bearer were missing. + +\s5 +\v 18 Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here," for at that time it was with the people of Israel. +\v 19 While Saul was talking to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines was continuing and increasing. Then Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand." + +\s5 +\v 20 Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and went into battle. Every Philistine's sword was against his fellow countrymen, and there was very great confusion. +\v 21 Now those Hebrews who previously had been with the Philistines, and who had gone with them into the camp, even they joined with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. + +\s5 +\v 22 When all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hills near Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, even they chased after them in battle. +\v 23 So Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the battle passed beyond Beth Aven. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 That day the men of Israel were distressed because Saul had put the people under an oath and said, "Cursed be the man that eats any food until evening and I am avenged on my enemies." So none of the troops tasted food. +\v 25 Then all the people entered the forest and there was honey upon the ground. +\v 26 When the people entered into the forest, the honey flowed, but no one put his hand to his mouth for the people feared the oath. + +\s5 +\v 27 But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with an oath. He reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened. +\v 28 Then one of the people, answered, "Your father strictly charged the people with an oath, by saying, 'Cursed be the man that eats food on this day,' even though the people are weak from hunger." + +\s5 +\v 29 Then Jonathan said, "My father has made trouble for the land. See how my eyes have become brightened because I tasted a little of this honey. +\v 30 How much better if the people had eaten freely today of the plunder from their enemies that they found? Because now the slaughter has not been great among the Philistines." + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 They attacked the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very weary. +\v 32 The people rushed greedily on the plunder and took sheep, oxen and calves, and killed them on the ground. The people ate them with the blood. + +\s5 +\v 33 Then they told Saul, "Look, the people are sinning against Yahweh by eating with the blood." Saul said, "You have acted unfaithfully. Now, roll a big stone here to me." +\v 34 Saul said, "Go out among the people, and tell them, 'Let every man bring his ox and his sheep, kill them here, and eat. Do not sin against Yahweh by eating with the blood.'" So each of the people brought his own ox with him that night and killed it there. + +\s5 +\v 35 Saul built an altar to Yahweh, which was the first altar that he built to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Then Saul said, "Let us pursue the Philistines by night and plunder them until morning; let us not leave one of them alive." They replied, "Do whatever seems good to you." But the priest said, "Let us approach God here." +\v 37 Saul asked God, "Should I pursue the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?" But God did not answer him that day. + +\s5 +\v 38 Then Saul said, "Come here, all you leaders of the people; learn and see how this sin has happened today. +\v 39 For, as Yahweh lives, who saves Israel, even if it is in Jonathan my son, he will surely die." But none of the men among all the people answered him. + +\s5 +\v 40 Then he said to all Israel, "You must stand on one side, and I and Jonathan my son will be on the other." The people said to Saul, "Do what seems good to you." +\v 41 Saul said, "Yahweh, God of Israel! If this sin has been committed by me or by my son Jonathan, then, Yahweh, God of Israel, give the Urim. But if this sin has been committed by your people Israel, give the Thummim." \f +\ft The ULB is following the LXX in the quotation. The Hebrew text has: \fqa “Give me the right answer.” \f* Then Jonathan and Saul were taken by lot, but the army was exonerated. +\v 42 Then Saul said, "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son." Then Jonathan was taken by lot. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done." Jonathan told him, "I tasted a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand. Here I am; I will die." +\v 44 Saul said, "God do so and more also to me, if you do not die, Jonathan." + +\s5 +\v 45 Then the people said to Saul, "Should Jonathan die, who has accomplished this great victory for Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head will fall to the ground, for he has worked with God today." So the people rescued Jonathan so that he did not die. +\v 46 Then Saul stopped pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 47 When Saul began to rule over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side. He fought against Moab, the Ammonites, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines. Wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment on them. +\v 48 He acted with great courage and defeated the Amalekites. He rescued Israel out of the hands of those who plundered them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 49 The sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malki-Shua. The names of his two daughters were Merab, the firstborn, and Michal, the younger. +\v 50 The name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam; she was the daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the captain of his army was Abner son of Ner, Saul's uncle. +\v 51 Kish was Saul's father; and Ner, the father of Abner, was the son of Abiel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 52 There was hard fighting against the Philistines all the days of Saul. When Saul saw any mighty man, or any valiant man, he attached him to himself. + + + \s5 @@ -947,815 +947,815 @@ But they would not listen to the voice of their father, because Yahweh intended - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected for myself a king among his sons." - -\s5 -\v 2 Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." Yahweh said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.' -\v 3 Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you will do. You will anoint for me the one whom I tell you." - -\s5 -\v 4 Samuel did as Yahweh said and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the city were trembling as they came to meet him and said, "Are you coming in peace?" -\v 5 He said, "In peace; I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Prepare to set yourselves apart and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he set apart Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 When they came, he looked at Eliab and said to himself that Yahweh's anointed was certainly standing before him. -\v 7 But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his outward appearance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him. For Yahweh does not see as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart." - -\s5 -\v 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. Then Samuel said, "Neither has Yahweh chosen this one." -\v 9 Jesse then made Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Neither has Yahweh chosen this one." -\v 10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Yahweh has not chosen any of these." - -\s5 -\v 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all of your sons here?" He replied, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." -\v 12 Jesse sent and brought him in. Now this son was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. Yahweh said, "Arise, anoint him; for he is the one." - -\s5 -\v 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. The Spirit of Yahweh rushed on David from that day forward. Then Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Now the Spirit of Yahweh left Saul, and a harmful spirit from Yahweh troubled him instead. -\v 15 Saul's servants said to him, "Look, a harmful spirit from God troubles you. -\v 16 Let our master now command your servants who are before you to look for a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the harmful spirit from God is on you, he will play it and you will be well." - -\s5 -\v 17 Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man that can play well and bring him to me." -\v 18 Then one of the young men answered, and said, "I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a strong, courageous man, a man of war, one prudent in speech, a handsome man; and Yahweh is with him." -\v 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." - -\s5 -\v 20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them with his son David to Saul. -\v 21 Then David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. - -\s5 -\v 22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my eyes." -\v 23 Whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the harp and played it. So Saul would be refreshed and well, and the harmful spirit would depart from him. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They were gathered at Sokoh, which belongs to Judah. They had encamped between Sokoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. - -\s5 -\v 2 Saul and the men of Israel gathered and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. -\v 3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side with a valley between them. - -\s5 -\v 4 A strong man came out of the Philistines' camp, a man named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. -\v 5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of chainmail. The coat weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. - -\s5 -\v 6 He had bronze armor on his legs and a javelin of bronze between his shoulders. -\v 7 The staff of his spear was large, with a loop of cord for throwing it like the cord on a weaver's beam. His spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. His shield bearer went before him. - -\s5 -\v 8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am not I a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. -\v 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then will we be your servants. But if I defeat him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us." - -\s5 -\v 10 Again the Philistine said, "I challenge the ranks of Israel today. Give me a man so we may fight together." -\v 11 When Saul and all Israel heard what the Philistine said, they were discouraged and greatly afraid. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse. He had eight sons. Jesse was an old man in the days of Saul, very old among men. -\v 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. - -\s5 -\v 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul. -\v 15 Now David went back and forth between Saul's army and his father's sheep at Bethlehem, in order to feed them. -\v 16 For forty days the Philistine strong man came near morning and evening to present himself for battle. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Jesse said to his son David, "Take to your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp for your brothers. -\v 18 Also bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand. See how your brothers are doing and bring back some proof that they are doing well. - -\s5 -\v 19 Your brothers are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting the Philistines." -\v 20 David got up early in the morning and left the flock in the care of a shepherd. He took the supplies and left, as Jesse commanded him. He came to the camp as the army was going out to the battlefield shouting the war cry. -\v 21 Then Israel and the Philistines lined up for battle, army against army. - -\s5 -\v 22 David left his belongings with the keeper of supplies, ran to the army, and greeted his brothers. -\v 23 As he talked with them, the strong man, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, and he came out of the ranks of the Philistines, and said the same words as before, and David heard them. -\v 24 When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were very afraid. - -\s5 -\v 25 The men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? He has come to challenge Israel. The king will give great riches to the man who kills him, and he will give his daughter to him in marriage, and will make his father's house free from taxation in Israel." - -\s5 -\v 26 David said to the men who stood by him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" -\v 27 Then the people repeated what they had been saying and told him, "So it will be done for the man who kills him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride, and the mischief in your heart; for you have come down here so that you might see the battle." -\v 29 David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question?" -\v 30 He turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way. The people answered the same thing as before. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 When the words that David said were heard, soldiers repeated them to Saul, and he sent for David. -\v 32 Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of that Philistine; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." -\v 33 Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are only a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." - -\s5 -\v 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, -\v 35 I chased after him and attacked him, and rescued it out of his mouth. When he rose up against me, I caught him by his beard, struck him, and killed him. - -\s5 -\v 36 Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has challenged the armies of the living God." - -\s5 -\v 37 David said, "Yahweh rescued me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear. He will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Then Saul said to David, "Go, and may Yahweh be with you." -\v 38 Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze upon his head, and he clothed him with a coat of chainmail. - -\s5 -\v 39 David strapped his sword on his armor. But he was not able to walk, because he had not trained with them. Then David said to Saul, "I cannot go out to fight with these, for I have not trained with them." So David put them off. -\v 40 He took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones out of the brook; he put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand as he approached the Philistine. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 The Philistine came and approached David, with his shield bearer in front of him. -\v 42 When the Philistine looked around and saw David, he despised him, for he was only a boy, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance. -\v 43 Then the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?," and the Philistine cursed David by his gods. - -\s5 -\v 44 The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the field." -\v 45 David replied to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin. But I come to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. - -\s5 -\v 46 Today Yahweh will give me victory over you, and I will kill you and remove your head from your body. Today I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the heavens and to the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, -\v 47 and that all this gathering may know that Yahweh does not give victory with sword or spear. For the battle is Yahweh's, and he will give you into our hand." - -\s5 -\v 48 When the Philistine rose and approached David, then David ran quickly toward the enemy army to meet him. -\v 49 David put his hand in his bag, took a stone from it, slung it, and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank into the Philistine's forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. - -\s5 -\p -\v 50 David defeated the Philistine with a sling and with a stone. He hit the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in David's hand. -\v 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword, drew it out of the sheath, killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their strong man was dead, they fled. - -\s5 -\v 52 Then the men of Israel and of Judah rose with a shout, and chased after the Philistines as far as the valley and the gates of Ekron. The dead Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, all the way to Gath and Ekron. -\v 53 The people of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. -\v 54 David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent. - -\s5 -\p -\v 55 When Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the army, "Abner, whose son is this youth?" Abner said, "As you live, king, I do not know." -\v 56 The king said, "Ask those who might know, whose son the boy is." - -\s5 -\v 57 When David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. -\v 58 Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. -\v 2 Saul took David into his service that day; he did not let him return to his father's house. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant of friendship because Jonathan loved him as his own soul. -\v 4 Jonathan took off the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David with his armor, as well as his sword, bow, and belt. - -\s5 -\v 5 David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he succeeded. Saul set him over the men of war. This was pleasing in the eyes of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 As they came home from defeating the Philistines, the women came from all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. -\v 7 The women sang one to another as they played. They sang: -\q "Saul has killed his thousands, -\q and David his ten thousands." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Saul was very angry, and this song displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but they have ascribed only thousands to me. What more can he have but the monarchy?" -\v 9 Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul and he raved within the house. So David played his instrument, as he did each day. Saul had a spear in his hand. -\v 11 Saul threw the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David escaped from Saul's presence twice in this way. -\v 12 Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, but was no longer with Saul. - -\s5 -\v 13 So Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him a commander of a thousand. In this way David went out and came in before the people. -\v 14 David was prospering in all his ways, for Yahweh was with him. - -\s5 -\v 15 When Saul saw that he prospered, he stood in awe of him. -\v 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Saul said to David, "Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I will give her to you as a wife. Only be courageous for me and fight Yahweh's battles." For Saul thought, "Let not my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him." -\v 18 David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my relatives, or my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?" - -\s5 -\v 19 But at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife. - -\s5 -\v 20 But Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. They told Saul, and this pleased him. -\v 21 Then Saul thought, "I will give her to him, so that she can be a trap for him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David a second time, "You will be my son-in-law." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Saul commanded his servants, "Speak with David in private, and say, 'See, the king takes pleasure in you, and all his servants love you. Now then, become the king's son-in-law.'" - -\s5 -\v 23 So Saul's servants spoke these words to David. Then David said, "Is it a small matter to you to be the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?" -\v 24 The servants of Saul reported to him the words which David spoke. - -\s5 -\v 25 Then Saul said, "Say this to David, 'The king does not desire any dowry, only one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged from the king's enemies.'" Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. -\v 26 When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to be the king's son-in-law. -\s5 -\v 27 Before those days had expired, David went with his men and killed two hundred Philistines. David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, so that he might be the king's son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter as his wife. -\v 28 When Saul saw, and he knew that Yahweh was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, -\v 29 Saul was even more afraid of David. Saul was continually David's enemy. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Then the princes of the Philistines came out for battle, and as often as they came out, David succeeded more than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly regarded. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 Saul said to Jonathan his son and to all his servants that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, took great pleasure in David. -\v 2 So Jonathan told David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning and hide yourself in a secret place. -\v 3 I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you. If I learn anything, I will tell you." - -\s5 -\v 4 Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Do not let the king sin against his servant David. For he has not sinned against you, and his deeds have brought you good. -\v 5 For he took his life in his hand and killed the Philistine. Yahweh brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?" - -\s5 -\v 6 Saul listened to Jonathan. Saul swore, "As Yahweh lives, he will not be put to death." -\v 7 Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 There was war again, and David went out and fought with the Philistines and defeated them with a great slaughter. They fled before him. -\v 9 A harmful spirit from Yahweh came on Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand, and as David was playing his instrument. - -\s5 -\v 10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul's presence, so that Saul drove the spear into the wall. David fled and escaped that night. -\v 11 Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him that he might kill him in the morning. Michal, David's wife, told him, "If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed." - -\s5 -\v 12 So Michal let David down through the window. He went and fled, and escaped. -\v 13 Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed. Then she put a pillow of goats' hair at its head, and covered it with the clothes. - -\s5 -\v 14 When Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, "He is sick." -\v 15 Then Saul sent the messengers to see David; he said, "Bring him up to me in the bed, so that I may kill him." - -\s5 -\v 16 When the messengers came in, behold, the household idol was in the bed along with the pillow of goats' hair at its head. -\v 17 Saul said to Michal, "Why have you deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?" Michal answered Saul, "He said to me, 'Let me go. Why should I kill you?'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Now David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel in Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. -\v 19 It was told to Saul, saying, "See, David is at Naioth in Ramah." -\v 20 Then Saul sent messengers to capture David. When they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came on the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. - -\s5 -\v 21 When Saul was told this, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. So Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. -\v 22 Then he also went to Ramah and came to the deep well that is in Seku. He asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" Someone said, "See, they are at Naioth in Ramah." - -\s5 -\v 23 Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. -\v 24 He stripped off his clothes and also prophesied before Samuel. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why they ask, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said to Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my sin before your father, that he seeks to take my life?" -\v 2 Jonathan said to David, "Far from it; you will not die. My father does nothing either great or small without telling it to me. Why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so." - -\s5 -\v 3 Yet David vowed again and said, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes. He has said, 'Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.' But as truly as Yahweh lives, and as you live, there is but a step between me and death." - -\s5 -\v 4 Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you." -\v 5 David said to Jonathan, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king. But let me go, so that I may hide myself in the field until the third day at evening. - -\s5 -\v 6 If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city; because it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.' -\v 7 If he says, 'It is well,' your servant will have peace. But if he is very angry, then know that he has decided on evil. - -\s5 -\v 8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant. For you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you. But if there is sin in me, kill me yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?" -\v 9 Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! If I learned my father decided harm to come upon you, would I not tell you?" - -\s5 -\v 10 Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if by chance your father should answer you roughly?" -\v 11 Jonathan said to David, "Come, let us go out into the field." So they both went out into the field. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Jonathan said to David, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be witness. When I have questioned my father around this time tomorrow, or the third day, see, if there is good will toward David, will I not then send to you and make it known to you? -\v 13 If it pleases my father to do you harm, may Yahweh do to Jonathan and more also if I do not make it known to you and send you away, so that you may go in peace. May Yahweh be with you, as he has been with my father. - -\s5 -\v 14 If I am still alive, will you not show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die? -\v 15 Do not cut off your covenant faithfulness from my house forever—not even when Yahweh cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." -\v 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David and said, "May Yahweh require an accounting from the hand of the enemies of David." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Jonathan made David vow again because of the love that he had for him, because he loved him as he loved his own soul. -\v 18 Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon. You will be missed because your seat will be empty. -\v 19 When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when the business was in hand, and stay by the stone Ezel. - -\s5 -\v 20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target. -\v 21 Then I will send my young man and say to him, 'Go find the arrows.' If I say to the young boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them," then come; for there will be safety for you and not harm, as Yahweh lives. - -\s5 -\v 22 "But if I say to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away. -\v 23 As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, see, Yahweh is between you and me forever.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. -\v 25 The king sat on his seat, as usual, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul's side. But David's place was empty. - -\s5 -\v 26 Yet Saul did not say anything that day, because he thought, "Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean." -\v 27 But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal either yesterday or today?" - -\s5 -\v 28 Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked permission from me to go to Bethlehem. -\v 29 He said, 'Please let me go. For our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has ordered me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table." - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Then Saul's anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? -\v 31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now then, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die." - -\s5 -\v 32 Jonathan answered Saul his father, "For what reason should he be put to death? What has he done?" -\v 33 Then Saul threw his spear at him to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. -\v 34 Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved over David, because his father had dishonored him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 In the morning, Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and a young man was with him. -\v 36 He said to his young man, "Run and find the arrows that I shoot." As the young man ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. -\v 37 When the young man came to the place where the arrow that Jonathan shot had landed, Jonathan called after the young man, and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?" - -\s5 -\v 38 Then Jonathan called after the young man, "Hurry, be quick, do not stay!" So Jonathan's young man gathered up the arrows and came to his master. -\v 39 But the young man did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. -\v 40 Jonathan gave his weapons to his young man and said to him, "Go, take them to the city." - -\s5 -\v 41 As soon as the young man was gone, David stood up from behind the mound, lay facedown on the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another and wept together, with David weeping the more. -\f + \ft The Hebrew text reads, \fqa David came out from beside the south. \fqa* Modern versions interpret this passage in different ways because the Hebrew text is difficult to understand. \f* -\v 42 Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have both sworn in the name of Yahweh and said, 'May Yahweh be between you and me, and between my descendants and your descendants, forever.'" Then David stood up and left, and Jonathan returned to the city. - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Then David came to Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech came to meet David trembling and said to him, "Why are you alone and have no one with you?" -\v 2 David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has sent me on a mission and has said to me, 'Let no one know anything about the business I am sending you, and what I have commanded you.' I have directed the young men to a certain place. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now then what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here." -\v 4 The priest answered David and said, "There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is holy bread—if the young men have kept themselves from women." - -\s5 -\v 5 David answered the priest, "Surely women have been kept from us for the past three days, as usual when I set out. The things belonging to the men have been set apart even on ordinary missions. How much more today will what they have be set apart!" -\v 6 So the priest gave him the bread that was set apart. For there was no bread there except the bread of the presence, which was removed from before Yahweh, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day it was taken away. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Yahweh. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdsmen. - -\s5 -\v 8 David said to Ahimelech, "Now is there not here on hand any spear or sword? For I brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business was urgent." -\v 9 The priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want to take that, take it, for there is no other weapon here." David said, "There is no other sword like that one; give it to me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 David arose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish, the king of Gath. -\v 11 Achish's servants said to him, "Is not this David, the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another about him in dances, -\q 'Saul has killed his thousands, -\q and David his ten thousands?'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 David took these words to heart and was very afraid of Achish, the king of Gath. -\v 13 He changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands; he made marks on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard. - -\s5 -\v 14 Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you see the man is mad. Why have you brought him to me? -\v 15 Do I lack madmen, so that you have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence? Will this fellow really come into my house?" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. -\v 2 Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented—they all gathered to him. David became captain over them. There were about four hundred men with him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Then David went from there to Mizpah in Moab. He said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and my mother go out with you until I know what God will do for me." -\f + \ft Some ancient versions have, \fqa Please let my father and my mother stay with you, \fqa* and some modern versions read this way. \f* -\v 4 He left them with the king of Moab. His father and mother stayed with him the whole time that David was in his stronghold. -\v 5 Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in your stronghold. Leave and go into the land of Judah." So David left there and went into the forest of Hereth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Saul heard that David had been discovered, along with the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him. - -\s5 -\v 7 Saul said to his servants who stood around him, "Listen now, people of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, -\v 8 in exchange for all of you plotting against me? None of you informs me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is sorry for me. None of you informs me that my son has incited my servant David against me. Today he hides and waits for me so he may attack me." - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Nob, to Ahimelech son of Ahitub. -\v 10 He prayed to Yahweh that he might help him, and he gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then the king sent someone to summon the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob. All of them came to the king. -\v 12 Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub." He answered, "Here I am, my master." -\v 13 Saul said to him, "Why have you plotted against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have prayed to God that he might help him, so that he might rise up against me, to hide in secret, as he does today?" - -\s5 -\v 14 Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, "Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law and is over your bodyguard, and is honored in your house? -\v 15 Is today the first time I have prayed to God to help him? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father. For your servant knows nothing of this whole matter." - -\s5 -\v 16 The king replied, "You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house." -\v 17 The king said to the guard that stood around him, "Turn and kill the priests of Yahweh. Because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he fled, but did not reveal it to me." But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to kill the priests of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 18 Then the king said to Doeg, "Turn and kill the priests." So Doeg the Edomite turned and attacked the priests; he killed eighty-five persons who wore a linen ephod that day. -\v 19 He also put to the sword, Nob, the city of the priests; both men and women, children and infants, and oxen and donkeys and sheep he put to the sword. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. -\v 21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed Yahweh's priests. - -\s5 -\v 22 David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am responsible for every death in your father's family! -\v 23 Stay with me and do not be afraid. For the one who seeks your life seeks mine as well. You will be safe with me." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 They told David, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors." -\v 2 So David prayed to Yahweh for help and asked him, "Should I go and attack these Philistines?" Yahweh said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah." - -\s5 -\v 3 David's men said to him, "See, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?" -\v 4 Then David prayed to Yahweh for help yet again. Yahweh answered him, "Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will give you victory over the Philistines." - -\s5 -\v 5 David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines. He led away their cattle and struck them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. -\v 6 When Abiathar son of Ahimelech had fled to David at Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand. -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. Saul said, "God has given him into my hand. For he is shut in because he has entered a city that has gates and bars." -\v 8 Saul summoned all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. -\v 9 David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. He said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod here." - -\s5 -\v 10 Then David said, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, your servant has indeed heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. -\v 11 Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Yahweh, the God of Israel, I beg you, please tell your servant." Yahweh said, "He will come down." - -\s5 -\v 12 Then David said, "Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?" Yahweh said, "They will surrender you." - -\s5 -\v 13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, got up and went away from Keilah, and they went from place to place. It was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, and he stopped the pursuit. -\v 14 David stayed in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul looked for him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life; now David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. -\v 16 Then Jonathan, Saul's son, got up and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. - -\s5 -\v 17 He said to him, "Do not be afraid. For the hand of Saul my father will not find you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be next to you. Saul my father also knows this." -\v 18 They made a covenant before Yahweh. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, which is south of Jeshimon? -\v 20 Now come down, king! According to your desire, come down! Our part will be to surrender him into the king's hand." - -\s5 -\v 21 Saul said, "May you be blessed by Yahweh. For you have had compassion on me. -\v 22 Go, make even more sure. Learn and find out where his hiding place is and who has seen him there. It is told to me that he is very crafty. -\v 23 So look, and learn all of the places where he hides himself. Come back to me with sure information, and then I will return with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then they rose up and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. -\v 25 Saul and his men went to seek him. But David was told of it, so he went down to a rocky hill and lived in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard it, he chased David in the wilderness of Maon. - -\s5 -\v 26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men were going on the other side of the mountain. David hurried to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to take them, -\v 27 a messenger came to Saul and said, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land." - -\s5 -\v 28 So Saul returned from pursuing David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. -\v 29 David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi. - - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 When Saul returned from chasing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness of Engedi." -\v 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats. - -\s5 -\v 3 He came to sheep pens on the way, where there was a cave. Saul went inside to cover his feet. Now David and his men were sitting far back in the cave. -\v 4 David's men said to him, "This is the day of which Yahweh spoke when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hand, for you to do with him as you wish.'" Then David arose and quietly crept forward and cut off the corner of Saul's robe. -\s5 -\v 5 Afterward David's heart afflicted him because he had cut a corner off Saul's robe. -\v 6 He said to his men, "May Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my master, Yahweh's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is Yahweh's anointed." -\v 7 So David rebuked his men with these words, and did not permit them to attack Saul. Saul stood up, left the cave, and went on his way. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Afterward, David also stood up, left the cave, and called out after Saul: "My master the king." When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and showed him respect. -\v 9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the men who say, 'See, David is seeking your harm?' - -\s5 -\v 10 Today your eyes have seen how Yahweh put you into my hand when we were in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my master; for he is Yahweh's anointed.' -\v 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no evil or treason in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, even though you hunt my life to take it. - -\s5 -\v 12 May Yahweh judge between you and me, and may Yahweh avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. -\v 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand will not be against you. - -\s5 -\v 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! -\v 15 May Yahweh be judge and give judgment between you and me, and see to it, and plead my cause and permit me to escape from your hand." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my -son David?" Saul lifted up his voice and wept. - -\s5 -\v 17 He said to David, "You are more righteous than I am. For you have repaid me good, where I have repaid you evil. -\v 18 You have declared today how you have done good to me, for you did not kill me when Yahweh had put me at your mercy. - -\s5 -\v 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go safely? May Yahweh reward you with good for what you have done to me today. -\v 20 Now, I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. - -\s5 -\v 21 Swear to me by Yahweh that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house." -\v 22 So David made an oath to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 Now Samuel died. All Israel gathered together and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 There was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel. The man was very wealthy. He had three thousand sheep and one thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. -\v 3 The man's name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings. He was a descendant of the house of Caleb. - -\s5 -\v 4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. -\v 5 So David sent ten young men. David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. -\v 6 You will say to him, 'Live in prosperity. Peace to you and peace to your house, and peace be to all that you have. - -\s5 -\v 7 I hear that you have shearers. Your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing the whole time they were in Carmel. -\v 8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Now let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. Please give whatever you have on hand to your servants and to your son David.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When David's young men arrived, they said all of this to Nabal on David's behalf and then waited. -\v 10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. -\v 11 Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who come from I do not know where?" - -\s5 -\v 12 So David's young men turned away and came back, and told him everything that was said. -\v 13 David said to his men, "Every man strap on his sword." So every man strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. About four hundred men followed after David, and two hundred stayed by the baggage. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife; he said, "David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he insulted them. -\v 15 Yet the men were very good to us. We were not harmed and did not miss anything as long as we went with them when we were in the fields. - -\s5 -\v 16 They were a wall to us both day and night, all the while we were with them tending the sheep. -\v 17 Therefore know this and consider what you will do, for evil is plotted against our master, and against his whole house. He is such a worthless fellow that one cannot reason with him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves, two bottles of wine, five sheep already prepared, five measures of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. -\v 19 She said to her young men, "Go on before me, and I will come after you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal. - -\s5 -\v 20 As she rode on her donkey and came down by the cover of the mountain, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them. - -\s5 -\v 21 Now David had said, "Surely in vain have I guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. -\v 22 May God do so to me, David, and more also, if by the morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from her donkey and lay before David facedown and bowed herself to the ground. -\v 24 She lay at his feet and said, "On me alone, my master, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak to you, and listen to the words of your servant. - -\s5 -\v 25 Let not my master regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my master, whom you sent. -\v 26 Now then, my master, as Yahweh lives, and as you live, since Yahweh has restrained you from bloodshed, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now let your enemies, and those who seek to do evil to my master, be like Nabal. - -\s5 -\v 27 Now let this present that your servant has brought to my master be given to the young men who follow my master. -\v 28 Please forgive the trespass of your servant, for Yahweh will certainly make my master a sure house, because my master is fighting the battles of Yahweh; and evil will not be found in you so long as you live. - -\s5 -\v 29 Though men rise up to pursue you to take your life, yet the life of my master will be bound in the bundle of the living by Yahweh your God; and he will sling away the lives of your enemies, as from the pocket of a sling. - -\s5 -\v 30 Yahweh will have done for my master everything he promised you, and has appointed you leader over Israel. -\v 31 This will not be a staggering burden for you—that you have poured out innocent blood, or because my master attempted to rescue himself. For when Yahweh will do good for my master, remember your servant." - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 David said to Abigail, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be blessed, he who sent you to meet me today. -\v 33 Your wisdom is blessed and you are blessed, because you have kept me today from bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand! -\s5 -\v 34 For in truth, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, he who has kept me from hurting you, unless you had hurried to come meet me, there would certainly have not been left to Nabal so much as one male baby by morning." -\v 35 So David received from her hand what she had brought him; he said to her, "Go up in peace to your house; see, I have listened to your voice and have accepted you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Abigail went back to Nabal; behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. - -\s5 -\v 37 It came about in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things; his heart died within him, and he became like a stone. -\v 38 It came about ten days later that Yahweh attacked Nabal so that he died. - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "May Yahweh be blessed, who has taken up the cause of my insult from the hand of Nabal and has kept back his servant from evil. He has turned Nabal's evil action back on his own head." Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her to himself as wife. -\v 40 When David's servants had come to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her and said, "David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife." - -\s5 -\v 41 She arose, bowed herself with her face to the ground, and said, "See, your female servant is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my master." -\v 42 Abigail hurried and arose, and rode on a donkey with five servant girls of hers who followed her; and she followed David's messengers and became his wife. -\s5 -\p -\v 43 Now David had also taken Ahinoam of Jezreel as a wife; both of them became his wives. -\v 44 Also, Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was of Gallim. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding in the hill of Hakilah, which is before Jeshimon?" -\v 2 Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. - -\s5 -\v 3 Saul camped on the hill of Hakilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the road. But David was staying in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul was coming after him into the wilderness. -\v 4 So David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come. - -\s5 -\v 5 David arose and went to the place where Saul had camped; he saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army; Saul lay in the camp, and the people were camped around him, all asleep. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" Abishai said, "I! I will go down with you." -\v 7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. Saul was there sleeping inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and his soldiers lay around him. -\v 8 Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has put your enemy into your hand. Now please let me pin him to the ground with the spear with just one blow. I will not strike him a second time." - -\s5 -\v 9 David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can extend his hand against Yahweh's anointed one and be guiltless?" -\v 10 David said, "As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will kill him, or his day will come to die, or he will go into battle and perish. - -\s5 -\v 11 May Yahweh forbid that I should extend my hand against his anointed one; but now, I beg you, take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go." -\v 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they got away. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain far off; a great distance was between them. -\v 14 David shouted out to the people and to Abner son of Ner; he said, "Do you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered and said, "Who are you who is shouting to the king?" - -\s5 -\v 15 David said to Abner, "Are not you a courageous man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your master the king? For someone came in to kill the king your master. -\v 16 This thing you have done is not good. As Yahweh lives, you deserve to die because you have not kept watch over your master, Yahweh's anointed one. Now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was near his head!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" David said, "It is my voice, my master, king." -\v 18 He said, "Why does my master pursue his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? - -\s5 -\v 19 Now therefore, I beg you, let my master the king listen to the words of his servant. If it is Yahweh who has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering; but if it is human beings, may they be cursed in the sight of Yahweh, for they have today driven me out, that I should not cling to the inheritance of Yahweh; they have said to me, 'Go worship other gods.' -\v 20 Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the earth away from Yahweh's presence; for the king of Israel has come out to look for the one flea as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, David, my son; for I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes today. See, I have played the fool and have made a very bad mistake." - -\s5 -\v 22 David answered and said, "See, your spear is here, king! Let one of the young men come over and get it and bring it to you. -\v 23 May Yahweh pay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; because Yahweh put you into my hand today, but I would not strike his anointed. - -\s5 -\v 24 See, as your life was precious in my eyes today, so may my life be much valued in the eyes of Yahweh, and may he rescue me out of all trouble." -\v 25 Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, David my son! You will certainly do great things and you will succeed in them." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 David said in his heart, "I will now perish one day by Saul's hand; there is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines; Saul will give up looking for me any more within all the borders of Israel; in this way I will escape out of his hand." - -\s5 -\v 2 David arose and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish son of Maok, the king of Gath. -\v 3 David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his own household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman, and Abigail the Carmelite woman, Nabal's wife. -\v 4 Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, so he looked for him no longer. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?" -\v 6 So that day Achish gave him Ziklag; that is why Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this very day. -\v 7 The number of days that David lived in the land of the Philistines was a full year and four months. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 David and his men attacked various places, making raids on the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those nations were the inhabitants of the land, as you go to Shur, as far as the land of Egypt. They had been living there in the land from ancient times. \f + \ft Instead of \fq the Girzites \fq* found in the Hebrew text, some modern versions have \fqa the Gizrites \fqa* which is found in the margin of the Hebrew text. \f* -\v 9 David attacked the land and saved neither man nor woman alive; he took away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing; he would return and come again to Achish. - -\s5 -\v 10 Achish would say, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" David would answer, "Against the south of Judah," or "Against the south of the Jerahmeelites," or "Against the south of the Kenites." - -\s5 -\v 11 David would keep neither man nor woman alive to bring them to Gath, saying, "So that they cannot say about us, 'David did such and such.'" This was what he did all the while he was living in the country of the Philistines. -\v 12 Achish believed David, saying, "He has made his people Israel utterly abhor him; he will therefore be my servant forever." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected for myself a king among his sons." + +\s5 +\v 2 Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." Yahweh said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.' +\v 3 Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you will do. You will anoint for me the one whom I tell you." + +\s5 +\v 4 Samuel did as Yahweh said and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the city were trembling as they came to meet him and said, "Are you coming in peace?" +\v 5 He said, "In peace; I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Prepare to set yourselves apart and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he set apart Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 When they came, he looked at Eliab and said to himself that Yahweh's anointed was certainly standing before him. +\v 7 But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his outward appearance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him. For Yahweh does not see as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart." + +\s5 +\v 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. Then Samuel said, "Neither has Yahweh chosen this one." +\v 9 Jesse then made Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Neither has Yahweh chosen this one." +\v 10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Yahweh has not chosen any of these." + +\s5 +\v 11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all of your sons here?" He replied, "There remains yet the youngest, but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he comes here." +\v 12 Jesse sent and brought him in. Now this son was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. Yahweh said, "Arise, anoint him; for he is the one." + +\s5 +\v 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. The Spirit of Yahweh rushed on David from that day forward. Then Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Now the Spirit of Yahweh left Saul, and a harmful spirit from Yahweh troubled him instead. +\v 15 Saul's servants said to him, "Look, a harmful spirit from God troubles you. +\v 16 Let our master now command your servants who are before you to look for a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the harmful spirit from God is on you, he will play it and you will be well." + +\s5 +\v 17 Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man that can play well and bring him to me." +\v 18 Then one of the young men answered, and said, "I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a strong, courageous man, a man of war, one prudent in speech, a handsome man; and Yahweh is with him." +\v 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." + +\s5 +\v 20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them with his son David to Saul. +\v 21 Then David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer. + +\s5 +\v 22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my eyes." +\v 23 Whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the harp and played it. So Saul would be refreshed and well, and the harmful spirit would depart from him. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They were gathered at Sokoh, which belongs to Judah. They had encamped between Sokoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. + +\s5 +\v 2 Saul and the men of Israel gathered and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. +\v 3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side with a valley between them. + +\s5 +\v 4 A strong man came out of the Philistines' camp, a man named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. +\v 5 He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of chainmail. The coat weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. + +\s5 +\v 6 He had bronze armor on his legs and a javelin of bronze between his shoulders. +\v 7 The staff of his spear was large, with a loop of cord for throwing it like the cord on a weaver's beam. His spear's head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. His shield bearer went before him. + +\s5 +\v 8 He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am not I a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me. +\v 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then will we be your servants. But if I defeat him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us." + +\s5 +\v 10 Again the Philistine said, "I challenge the ranks of Israel today. Give me a man so we may fight together." +\v 11 When Saul and all Israel heard what the Philistine said, they were discouraged and greatly afraid. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Now David was the son of the Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, whose name was Jesse. He had eight sons. Jesse was an old man in the days of Saul, very old among men. +\v 13 The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. The names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, second to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. + +\s5 +\v 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul. +\v 15 Now David went back and forth between Saul's army and his father's sheep at Bethlehem, in order to feed them. +\v 16 For forty days the Philistine strong man came near morning and evening to present himself for battle. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Jesse said to his son David, "Take to your brothers an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp for your brothers. +\v 18 Also bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand. See how your brothers are doing and bring back some proof that they are doing well. + +\s5 +\v 19 Your brothers are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting the Philistines." +\v 20 David got up early in the morning and left the flock in the care of a shepherd. He took the supplies and left, as Jesse commanded him. He came to the camp as the army was going out to the battlefield shouting the war cry. +\v 21 Then Israel and the Philistines lined up for battle, army against army. + +\s5 +\v 22 David left his belongings with the keeper of supplies, ran to the army, and greeted his brothers. +\v 23 As he talked with them, the strong man, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, and he came out of the ranks of the Philistines, and said the same words as before, and David heard them. +\v 24 When all the men of Israel saw the man, they fled from him and were very afraid. + +\s5 +\v 25 The men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? He has come to challenge Israel. The king will give great riches to the man who kills him, and he will give his daughter to him in marriage, and will make his father's house free from taxation in Israel." + +\s5 +\v 26 David said to the men who stood by him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" +\v 27 Then the people repeated what they had been saying and told him, "So it will be done for the man who kills him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, "Why did you come down here? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride, and the mischief in your heart; for you have come down here so that you might see the battle." +\v 29 David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question?" +\v 30 He turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way. The people answered the same thing as before. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 When the words that David said were heard, soldiers repeated them to Saul, and he sent for David. +\v 32 Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of that Philistine; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine." +\v 33 Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are only a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." + +\s5 +\v 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant used to keep his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, +\v 35 I chased after him and attacked him, and rescued it out of his mouth. When he rose up against me, I caught him by his beard, struck him, and killed him. + +\s5 +\v 36 Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has challenged the armies of the living God." + +\s5 +\v 37 David said, "Yahweh rescued me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear. He will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." Then Saul said to David, "Go, and may Yahweh be with you." +\v 38 Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze upon his head, and he clothed him with a coat of chainmail. + +\s5 +\v 39 David strapped his sword on his armor. But he was not able to walk, because he had not trained with them. Then David said to Saul, "I cannot go out to fight with these, for I have not trained with them." So David put them off. +\v 40 He took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones out of the brook; he put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand as he approached the Philistine. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 The Philistine came and approached David, with his shield bearer in front of him. +\v 42 When the Philistine looked around and saw David, he despised him, for he was only a boy, and ruddy, with a handsome appearance. +\v 43 Then the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?," and the Philistine cursed David by his gods. + +\s5 +\v 44 The Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the field." +\v 45 David replied to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin. But I come to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. + +\s5 +\v 46 Today Yahweh will give me victory over you, and I will kill you and remove your head from your body. Today I will give the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the heavens and to the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, +\v 47 and that all this gathering may know that Yahweh does not give victory with sword or spear. For the battle is Yahweh's, and he will give you into our hand." + +\s5 +\v 48 When the Philistine rose and approached David, then David ran quickly toward the enemy army to meet him. +\v 49 David put his hand in his bag, took a stone from it, slung it, and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank into the Philistine's forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. + +\s5 +\p +\v 50 David defeated the Philistine with a sling and with a stone. He hit the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in David's hand. +\v 51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword, drew it out of the sheath, killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their strong man was dead, they fled. + +\s5 +\v 52 Then the men of Israel and of Judah rose with a shout, and chased after the Philistines as far as the valley and the gates of Ekron. The dead Philistines lay along the way to Shaaraim, all the way to Gath and Ekron. +\v 53 The people of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. +\v 54 David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent. + +\s5 +\p +\v 55 When Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the captain of the army, "Abner, whose son is this youth?" Abner said, "As you live, king, I do not know." +\v 56 The king said, "Ask those who might know, whose son the boy is." + +\s5 +\v 57 When David returned from killing the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. +\v 58 Saul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" David answered, "I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. +\v 2 Saul took David into his service that day; he did not let him return to his father's house. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant of friendship because Jonathan loved him as his own soul. +\v 4 Jonathan took off the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David with his armor, as well as his sword, bow, and belt. + +\s5 +\v 5 David went out wherever Saul sent him, and he succeeded. Saul set him over the men of war. This was pleasing in the eyes of all the people and also in the sight of Saul's servants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 As they came home from defeating the Philistines, the women came from all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. +\v 7 The women sang one to another as they played. They sang: +\q "Saul has killed his thousands, +\q and David his ten thousands." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Saul was very angry, and this song displeased him. He said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but they have ascribed only thousands to me. What more can he have but the monarchy?" +\v 9 Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul and he raved within the house. So David played his instrument, as he did each day. Saul had a spear in his hand. +\v 11 Saul threw the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David escaped from Saul's presence twice in this way. +\v 12 Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, but was no longer with Saul. + +\s5 +\v 13 So Saul removed him from his presence and appointed him a commander of a thousand. In this way David went out and came in before the people. +\v 14 David was prospering in all his ways, for Yahweh was with him. + +\s5 +\v 15 When Saul saw that he prospered, he stood in awe of him. +\v 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, for he went out and came in before them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Saul said to David, "Here is my oldest daughter Merab. I will give her to you as a wife. Only be courageous for me and fight Yahweh's battles." For Saul thought, "Let not my hand be on him, but let the hand of the Philistines be on him." +\v 18 David said to Saul, "Who am I, and who are my relatives, or my father's clan in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?" + +\s5 +\v 19 But at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife. + +\s5 +\v 20 But Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David. They told Saul, and this pleased him. +\v 21 Then Saul thought, "I will give her to him, so that she can be a trap for him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him." So Saul said to David a second time, "You will be my son-in-law." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Saul commanded his servants, "Speak with David in private, and say, 'See, the king takes pleasure in you, and all his servants love you. Now then, become the king's son-in-law.'" + +\s5 +\v 23 So Saul's servants spoke these words to David. Then David said, "Is it a small matter to you to be the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?" +\v 24 The servants of Saul reported to him the words which David spoke. + +\s5 +\v 25 Then Saul said, "Say this to David, 'The king does not desire any dowry, only one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged from the king's enemies.'" Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. +\v 26 When his servants told David these words, it pleased David to be the king's son-in-law. +\s5 +\v 27 Before those days had expired, David went with his men and killed two hundred Philistines. David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full number to the king, so that he might be the king's son-in-law. So Saul gave him Michal his daughter as his wife. +\v 28 When Saul saw, and he knew that Yahweh was with David, and that Michal, Saul's daughter, loved him, +\v 29 Saul was even more afraid of David. Saul was continually David's enemy. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Then the princes of the Philistines came out for battle, and as often as they came out, David succeeded more than all the servants of Saul, so that his name was highly regarded. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 Saul said to Jonathan his son and to all his servants that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, took great pleasure in David. +\v 2 So Jonathan told David, "Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning and hide yourself in a secret place. +\v 3 I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak with my father about you. If I learn anything, I will tell you." + +\s5 +\v 4 Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Do not let the king sin against his servant David. For he has not sinned against you, and his deeds have brought you good. +\v 5 For he took his life in his hand and killed the Philistine. Yahweh brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?" + +\s5 +\v 6 Saul listened to Jonathan. Saul swore, "As Yahweh lives, he will not be put to death." +\v 7 Then Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all these things. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 There was war again, and David went out and fought with the Philistines and defeated them with a great slaughter. They fled before him. +\v 9 A harmful spirit from Yahweh came on Saul as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand, and as David was playing his instrument. + +\s5 +\v 10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away from Saul's presence, so that Saul drove the spear into the wall. David fled and escaped that night. +\v 11 Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him that he might kill him in the morning. Michal, David's wife, told him, "If you do not save your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed." + +\s5 +\v 12 So Michal let David down through the window. He went and fled, and escaped. +\v 13 Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed. Then she put a pillow of goats' hair at its head, and covered it with the clothes. + +\s5 +\v 14 When Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, "He is sick." +\v 15 Then Saul sent the messengers to see David; he said, "Bring him up to me in the bed, so that I may kill him." + +\s5 +\v 16 When the messengers came in, behold, the household idol was in the bed along with the pillow of goats' hair at its head. +\v 17 Saul said to Michal, "Why have you deceived me and let my enemy go, so that he has escaped?" Michal answered Saul, "He said to me, 'Let me go. Why should I kill you?'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Now David fled and escaped, and went to Samuel in Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went and stayed in Naioth. +\v 19 It was told to Saul, saying, "See, David is at Naioth in Ramah." +\v 20 Then Saul sent messengers to capture David. When they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came on the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. + +\s5 +\v 21 When Saul was told this, he sent other messengers, and they also prophesied. So Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they also prophesied. +\v 22 Then he also went to Ramah and came to the deep well that is in Seku. He asked, "Where are Samuel and David?" Someone said, "See, they are at Naioth in Ramah." + +\s5 +\v 23 Saul went to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God came upon him, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. +\v 24 He stripped off his clothes and also prophesied before Samuel. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why they ask, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 Then David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came and said to Jonathan, "What have I done? What is my iniquity? What is my sin before your father, that he seeks to take my life?" +\v 2 Jonathan said to David, "Far from it; you will not die. My father does nothing either great or small without telling it to me. Why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so." + +\s5 +\v 3 Yet David vowed again and said, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes. He has said, 'Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved.' But as truly as Yahweh lives, and as you live, there is but a step between me and death." + +\s5 +\v 4 Then Jonathan said to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you." +\v 5 David said to Jonathan, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and I ought to sit down to eat with the king. But let me go, so that I may hide myself in the field until the third day at evening. + +\s5 +\v 6 If your father misses me at all, then say, 'David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city; because it is the yearly sacrifice there for all the clan.' +\v 7 If he says, 'It is well,' your servant will have peace. But if he is very angry, then know that he has decided on evil. + +\s5 +\v 8 Therefore deal kindly with your servant. For you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you. But if there is sin in me, kill me yourself; for why then should you bring me to your father?" +\v 9 Jonathan said, "Far be it from you! If I learned my father decided harm to come upon you, would I not tell you?" + +\s5 +\v 10 Then David said to Jonathan, "Who will tell me if by chance your father should answer you roughly?" +\v 11 Jonathan said to David, "Come, let us go out into the field." So they both went out into the field. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Jonathan said to David, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be witness. When I have questioned my father around this time tomorrow, or the third day, see, if there is good will toward David, will I not then send to you and make it known to you? +\v 13 If it pleases my father to do you harm, may Yahweh do to Jonathan and more also if I do not make it known to you and send you away, so that you may go in peace. May Yahweh be with you, as he has been with my father. + +\s5 +\v 14 If I am still alive, will you not show me the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh, that I may not die? +\v 15 Do not cut off your covenant faithfulness from my house forever—not even when Yahweh cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." +\v 16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David and said, "May Yahweh require an accounting from the hand of the enemies of David." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Jonathan made David vow again because of the love that he had for him, because he loved him as he loved his own soul. +\v 18 Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon. You will be missed because your seat will be empty. +\v 19 When you have stayed three days, go down quickly and come to the place where you hid yourself when the business was in hand, and stay by the stone Ezel. + +\s5 +\v 20 I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I were shooting at a target. +\v 21 Then I will send my young man and say to him, 'Go find the arrows.' If I say to the young boy, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them," then come; for there will be safety for you and not harm, as Yahweh lives. + +\s5 +\v 22 "But if I say to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go your way, for Yahweh has sent you away. +\v 23 As for the agreement of which you and I have spoken, see, Yahweh is between you and me forever.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 So David hid himself in the field. When the new moon came, the king sat down to eat food. +\v 25 The king sat on his seat, as usual, on the seat by the wall. Jonathan stood up, and Abner sat by Saul's side. But David's place was empty. + +\s5 +\v 26 Yet Saul did not say anything that day, because he thought, "Something has happened to him. He is not clean; surely he is not clean." +\v 27 But on the second day, the day after the new moon, David's place was empty. Saul said to Jonathan his son, "Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal either yesterday or today?" + +\s5 +\v 28 Jonathan answered Saul, "David earnestly asked permission from me to go to Bethlehem. +\v 29 He said, 'Please let me go. For our family has a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has ordered me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.' For this reason he has not come to the king's table." + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Then Saul's anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? +\v 31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now then, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die." + +\s5 +\v 32 Jonathan answered Saul his father, "For what reason should he be put to death? What has he done?" +\v 33 Then Saul threw his spear at him to kill him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death. +\v 34 Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved over David, because his father had dishonored him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 In the morning, Jonathan went out into the field to the appointment with David, and a young man was with him. +\v 36 He said to his young man, "Run and find the arrows that I shoot." As the young man ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. +\v 37 When the young man came to the place where the arrow that Jonathan shot had landed, Jonathan called after the young man, and said, "Is not the arrow beyond you?" + +\s5 +\v 38 Then Jonathan called after the young man, "Hurry, be quick, do not stay!" So Jonathan's young man gathered up the arrows and came to his master. +\v 39 But the young man did not know anything. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. +\v 40 Jonathan gave his weapons to his young man and said to him, "Go, take them to the city." + +\s5 +\v 41 As soon as the young man was gone, David stood up from behind the mound, lay facedown on the ground, and bowed himself three times. They kissed one another and wept together, with David weeping the more. +\f + \ft The Hebrew text reads, \fqa David came out from beside the south. \fqa* Modern versions interpret this passage in different ways because the Hebrew text is difficult to understand. \f* +\v 42 Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have both sworn in the name of Yahweh and said, 'May Yahweh be between you and me, and between my descendants and your descendants, forever.'" Then David stood up and left, and Jonathan returned to the city. + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Then David came to Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech came to meet David trembling and said to him, "Why are you alone and have no one with you?" +\v 2 David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has sent me on a mission and has said to me, 'Let no one know anything about the business I am sending you, and what I have commanded you.' I have directed the young men to a certain place. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now then what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever is here." +\v 4 The priest answered David and said, "There is no ordinary bread on hand, but there is holy bread—if the young men have kept themselves from women." + +\s5 +\v 5 David answered the priest, "Surely women have been kept from us for the past three days, as usual when I set out. The things belonging to the men have been set apart even on ordinary missions. How much more today will what they have be set apart!" +\v 6 So the priest gave him the bread that was set apart. For there was no bread there except the bread of the presence, which was removed from before Yahweh, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day it was taken away. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Now one of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before Yahweh. His name was Doeg the Edomite, the chief of Saul's herdsmen. + +\s5 +\v 8 David said to Ahimelech, "Now is there not here on hand any spear or sword? For I brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business was urgent." +\v 9 The priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want to take that, take it, for there is no other weapon here." David said, "There is no other sword like that one; give it to me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 David arose and fled that day from Saul and went to Achish, the king of Gath. +\v 11 Achish's servants said to him, "Is not this David, the king of the land? Did they not sing to one another about him in dances, +\q 'Saul has killed his thousands, +\q and David his ten thousands?'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 David took these words to heart and was very afraid of Achish, the king of Gath. +\v 13 He changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands; he made marks on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard. + +\s5 +\v 14 Then Achish said to his servants, "Look, you see the man is mad. Why have you brought him to me? +\v 15 Do I lack madmen, so that you have brought this fellow to behave like one in my presence? Will this fellow really come into my house?" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 So David left there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and all his father's house heard it, they went down there to him. +\v 2 Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented—they all gathered to him. David became captain over them. There were about four hundred men with him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Then David went from there to Mizpah in Moab. He said to the king of Moab, "Please let my father and my mother go out with you until I know what God will do for me." +\f + \ft Some ancient versions have, \fqa Please let my father and my mother stay with you, \fqa* and some modern versions read this way. \f* +\v 4 He left them with the king of Moab. His father and mother stayed with him the whole time that David was in his stronghold. +\v 5 Then the prophet Gad said to David, "Do not stay in your stronghold. Leave and go into the land of Judah." So David left there and went into the forest of Hereth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Saul heard that David had been discovered, along with the men who were with him. Now Saul was sitting in Gibeah under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing around him. + +\s5 +\v 7 Saul said to his servants who stood around him, "Listen now, people of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards? Will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, +\v 8 in exchange for all of you plotting against me? None of you informs me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is sorry for me. None of you informs me that my son has incited my servant David against me. Today he hides and waits for me so he may attack me." + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered, "I saw the son of Jesse come to Nob, to Ahimelech son of Ahitub. +\v 10 He prayed to Yahweh that he might help him, and he gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then the king sent someone to summon the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob. All of them came to the king. +\v 12 Saul said, "Listen now, son of Ahitub." He answered, "Here I am, my master." +\v 13 Saul said to him, "Why have you plotted against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have prayed to God that he might help him, so that he might rise up against me, to hide in secret, as he does today?" + +\s5 +\v 14 Then Ahimelech answered the king and said, "Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law and is over your bodyguard, and is honored in your house? +\v 15 Is today the first time I have prayed to God to help him? Far be it from me! Do not let the king impute anything to his servant or to all the house of my father. For your servant knows nothing of this whole matter." + +\s5 +\v 16 The king replied, "You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father's house." +\v 17 The king said to the guard that stood around him, "Turn and kill the priests of Yahweh. Because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he fled, but did not reveal it to me." But the servants of the king would not put out their hand to kill the priests of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 18 Then the king said to Doeg, "Turn and kill the priests." So Doeg the Edomite turned and attacked the priests; he killed eighty-five persons who wore a linen ephod that day. +\v 19 He also put to the sword, Nob, the city of the priests; both men and women, children and infants, and oxen and donkeys and sheep he put to the sword. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 But one of the sons of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. +\v 21 Abiathar told David that Saul had killed Yahweh's priests. + +\s5 +\v 22 David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am responsible for every death in your father's family! +\v 23 Stay with me and do not be afraid. For the one who seeks your life seeks mine as well. You will be safe with me." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 They told David, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are robbing the threshing floors." +\v 2 So David prayed to Yahweh for help and asked him, "Should I go and attack these Philistines?" Yahweh said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah." + +\s5 +\v 3 David's men said to him, "See, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?" +\v 4 Then David prayed to Yahweh for help yet again. Yahweh answered him, "Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will give you victory over the Philistines." + +\s5 +\v 5 David and his men went to Keilah and fought with the Philistines. He led away their cattle and struck them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah. +\v 6 When Abiathar son of Ahimelech had fled to David at Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand. +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah. Saul said, "God has given him into my hand. For he is shut in because he has entered a city that has gates and bars." +\v 8 Saul summoned all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. +\v 9 David knew that Saul was plotting harm against him. He said to Abiathar the priest, "Bring the ephod here." + +\s5 +\v 10 Then David said, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, your servant has indeed heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. +\v 11 Will the men of Keilah surrender me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Yahweh, the God of Israel, I beg you, please tell your servant." Yahweh said, "He will come down." + +\s5 +\v 12 Then David said, "Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?" Yahweh said, "They will surrender you." + +\s5 +\v 13 Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, got up and went away from Keilah, and they went from place to place. It was told Saul that David had escaped from Keilah, and he stopped the pursuit. +\v 14 David stayed in the strongholds in the wilderness, in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul looked for him every day, but God did not give him into his hand. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life; now David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. +\v 16 Then Jonathan, Saul's son, got up and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. + +\s5 +\v 17 He said to him, "Do not be afraid. For the hand of Saul my father will not find you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be next to you. Saul my father also knows this." +\v 18 They made a covenant before Yahweh. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, which is south of Jeshimon? +\v 20 Now come down, king! According to your desire, come down! Our part will be to surrender him into the king's hand." + +\s5 +\v 21 Saul said, "May you be blessed by Yahweh. For you have had compassion on me. +\v 22 Go, make even more sure. Learn and find out where his hiding place is and who has seen him there. It is told to me that he is very crafty. +\v 23 So look, and learn all of the places where he hides himself. Come back to me with sure information, and then I will return with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the thousands of Judah." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then they rose up and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the Arabah to the south of Jeshimon. +\v 25 Saul and his men went to seek him. But David was told of it, so he went down to a rocky hill and lived in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard it, he chased David in the wilderness of Maon. + +\s5 +\v 26 Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men were going on the other side of the mountain. David hurried to get away from Saul. As Saul and his men were surrounding David and his men to take them, +\v 27 a messenger came to Saul and said, "Hurry and come, for the Philistines have made a raid against the land." + +\s5 +\v 28 So Saul returned from pursuing David and went against the Philistines. Therefore that place was called the Rock of Escape. +\v 29 David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of Engedi. + + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 When Saul returned from chasing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness of Engedi." +\v 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats. + +\s5 +\v 3 He came to sheep pens on the way, where there was a cave. Saul went inside to cover his feet. Now David and his men were sitting far back in the cave. +\v 4 David's men said to him, "This is the day of which Yahweh spoke when he said to you, 'I will give your enemy into your hand, for you to do with him as you wish.'" Then David arose and quietly crept forward and cut off the corner of Saul's robe. +\s5 +\v 5 Afterward David's heart afflicted him because he had cut a corner off Saul's robe. +\v 6 He said to his men, "May Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my master, Yahweh's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is Yahweh's anointed." +\v 7 So David rebuked his men with these words, and did not permit them to attack Saul. Saul stood up, left the cave, and went on his way. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Afterward, David also stood up, left the cave, and called out after Saul: "My master the king." When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and showed him respect. +\v 9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the men who say, 'See, David is seeking your harm?' + +\s5 +\v 10 Today your eyes have seen how Yahweh put you into my hand when we were in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, 'I will not put out my hand against my master; for he is Yahweh's anointed.' +\v 11 See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no evil or treason in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, even though you hunt my life to take it. + +\s5 +\v 12 May Yahweh judge between you and me, and may Yahweh avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. +\v 13 As the proverb of the ancients says, 'Out of the wicked comes wickedness.' But my hand will not be against you. + +\s5 +\v 14 After whom has the king of Israel come out? After whom do you pursue? After a dead dog! After a flea! +\v 15 May Yahweh be judge and give judgment between you and me, and see to it, and plead my cause and permit me to escape from your hand." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my +son David?" Saul lifted up his voice and wept. + +\s5 +\v 17 He said to David, "You are more righteous than I am. For you have repaid me good, where I have repaid you evil. +\v 18 You have declared today how you have done good to me, for you did not kill me when Yahweh had put me at your mercy. + +\s5 +\v 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go safely? May Yahweh reward you with good for what you have done to me today. +\v 20 Now, I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand. + +\s5 +\v 21 Swear to me by Yahweh that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house." +\v 22 So David made an oath to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 Now Samuel died. All Israel gathered together and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Then David rose and went down to the wilderness of Paran. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 There was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel. The man was very wealthy. He had three thousand sheep and one thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. +\v 3 The man's name was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance. But the man was harsh and evil in his dealings. He was a descendant of the house of Caleb. + +\s5 +\v 4 David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. +\v 5 So David sent ten young men. David said to the young men, "Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. +\v 6 You will say to him, 'Live in prosperity. Peace to you and peace to your house, and peace be to all that you have. + +\s5 +\v 7 I hear that you have shearers. Your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing the whole time they were in Carmel. +\v 8 Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Now let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. Please give whatever you have on hand to your servants and to your son David.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When David's young men arrived, they said all of this to Nabal on David's behalf and then waited. +\v 10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. +\v 11 Should I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who come from I do not know where?" + +\s5 +\v 12 So David's young men turned away and came back, and told him everything that was said. +\v 13 David said to his men, "Every man strap on his sword." So every man strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. About four hundred men followed after David, and two hundred stayed by the baggage. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife; he said, "David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he insulted them. +\v 15 Yet the men were very good to us. We were not harmed and did not miss anything as long as we went with them when we were in the fields. + +\s5 +\v 16 They were a wall to us both day and night, all the while we were with them tending the sheep. +\v 17 Therefore know this and consider what you will do, for evil is plotted against our master, and against his whole house. He is such a worthless fellow that one cannot reason with him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then Abigail hurried and took two hundred loaves, two bottles of wine, five sheep already prepared, five measures of parched grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. +\v 19 She said to her young men, "Go on before me, and I will come after you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal. + +\s5 +\v 20 As she rode on her donkey and came down by the cover of the mountain, David and his men came down toward her, and she met them. + +\s5 +\v 21 Now David had said, "Surely in vain have I guarded all that this man has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belonged to him, and he has returned me evil for good. +\v 22 May God do so to me, David, and more also, if by the morning I leave so much as one male of all who belong to him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from her donkey and lay before David facedown and bowed herself to the ground. +\v 24 She lay at his feet and said, "On me alone, my master, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak to you, and listen to the words of your servant. + +\s5 +\v 25 Let not my master regard this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him. But I your servant did not see the young men of my master, whom you sent. +\v 26 Now then, my master, as Yahweh lives, and as you live, since Yahweh has restrained you from bloodshed, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now let your enemies, and those who seek to do evil to my master, be like Nabal. + +\s5 +\v 27 Now let this present that your servant has brought to my master be given to the young men who follow my master. +\v 28 Please forgive the trespass of your servant, for Yahweh will certainly make my master a sure house, because my master is fighting the battles of Yahweh; and evil will not be found in you so long as you live. + +\s5 +\v 29 Though men rise up to pursue you to take your life, yet the life of my master will be bound in the bundle of the living by Yahweh your God; and he will sling away the lives of your enemies, as from the pocket of a sling. + +\s5 +\v 30 Yahweh will have done for my master everything he promised you, and has appointed you leader over Israel. +\v 31 This will not be a staggering burden for you—that you have poured out innocent blood, or because my master attempted to rescue himself. For when Yahweh will do good for my master, remember your servant." + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 David said to Abigail, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be blessed, he who sent you to meet me today. +\v 33 Your wisdom is blessed and you are blessed, because you have kept me today from bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand! +\s5 +\v 34 For in truth, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, he who has kept me from hurting you, unless you had hurried to come meet me, there would certainly have not been left to Nabal so much as one male baby by morning." +\v 35 So David received from her hand what she had brought him; he said to her, "Go up in peace to your house; see, I have listened to your voice and have accepted you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Abigail went back to Nabal; behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. + +\s5 +\v 37 It came about in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, that his wife told him these things; his heart died within him, and he became like a stone. +\v 38 It came about ten days later that Yahweh attacked Nabal so that he died. + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "May Yahweh be blessed, who has taken up the cause of my insult from the hand of Nabal and has kept back his servant from evil. He has turned Nabal's evil action back on his own head." Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her to himself as wife. +\v 40 When David's servants had come to Abigail at Carmel, they spoke to her and said, "David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife." + +\s5 +\v 41 She arose, bowed herself with her face to the ground, and said, "See, your female servant is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my master." +\v 42 Abigail hurried and arose, and rode on a donkey with five servant girls of hers who followed her; and she followed David's messengers and became his wife. +\s5 +\p +\v 43 Now David had also taken Ahinoam of Jezreel as a wife; both of them became his wives. +\v 44 Also, Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was of Gallim. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 The Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah and said, "Is not David hiding in the hill of Hakilah, which is before Jeshimon?" +\v 2 Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. + +\s5 +\v 3 Saul camped on the hill of Hakilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the road. But David was staying in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul was coming after him into the wilderness. +\v 4 So David sent out spies and learned that Saul had indeed come. + +\s5 +\v 5 David arose and went to the place where Saul had camped; he saw the place where Saul lay, and Abner son of Ner, the general of his army; Saul lay in the camp, and the people were camped around him, all asleep. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then David said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, "Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?" Abishai said, "I! I will go down with you." +\v 7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night. Saul was there sleeping inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and his soldiers lay around him. +\v 8 Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has put your enemy into your hand. Now please let me pin him to the ground with the spear with just one blow. I will not strike him a second time." + +\s5 +\v 9 David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him; for who can extend his hand against Yahweh's anointed one and be guiltless?" +\v 10 David said, "As Yahweh lives, Yahweh will kill him, or his day will come to die, or he will go into battle and perish. + +\s5 +\v 11 May Yahweh forbid that I should extend my hand against his anointed one; but now, I beg you, take the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go." +\v 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they got away. No one saw them or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Yahweh had fallen on them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then David went over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain far off; a great distance was between them. +\v 14 David shouted out to the people and to Abner son of Ner; he said, "Do you not answer, Abner?" Then Abner answered and said, "Who are you who is shouting to the king?" + +\s5 +\v 15 David said to Abner, "Are not you a courageous man? Who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept watch over your master the king? For someone came in to kill the king your master. +\v 16 This thing you have done is not good. As Yahweh lives, you deserve to die because you have not kept watch over your master, Yahweh's anointed one. Now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was near his head!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son David?" David said, "It is my voice, my master, king." +\v 18 He said, "Why does my master pursue his servant? What have I done? What evil is in my hand? + +\s5 +\v 19 Now therefore, I beg you, let my master the king listen to the words of his servant. If it is Yahweh who has stirred you up against me, let him accept an offering; but if it is human beings, may they be cursed in the sight of Yahweh, for they have today driven me out, that I should not cling to the inheritance of Yahweh; they have said to me, 'Go worship other gods.' +\v 20 Now therefore, do not let my blood fall to the earth away from Yahweh's presence; for the king of Israel has come out to look for the one flea as when one hunts a partridge in the mountains." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Return, David, my son; for I will harm you no more, because my life was precious in your eyes today. See, I have played the fool and have made a very bad mistake." + +\s5 +\v 22 David answered and said, "See, your spear is here, king! Let one of the young men come over and get it and bring it to you. +\v 23 May Yahweh pay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; because Yahweh put you into my hand today, but I would not strike his anointed. + +\s5 +\v 24 See, as your life was precious in my eyes today, so may my life be much valued in the eyes of Yahweh, and may he rescue me out of all trouble." +\v 25 Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, David my son! You will certainly do great things and you will succeed in them." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 David said in his heart, "I will now perish one day by Saul's hand; there is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines; Saul will give up looking for me any more within all the borders of Israel; in this way I will escape out of his hand." + +\s5 +\v 2 David arose and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish son of Maok, the king of Gath. +\v 3 David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, each man with his own household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman, and Abigail the Carmelite woman, Nabal's wife. +\v 4 Saul was told that David had fled to Gath, so he looked for him no longer. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 David said to Achish, "If I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the country, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?" +\v 6 So that day Achish gave him Ziklag; that is why Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this very day. +\v 7 The number of days that David lived in the land of the Philistines was a full year and four months. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 David and his men attacked various places, making raids on the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites; for those nations were the inhabitants of the land, as you go to Shur, as far as the land of Egypt. They had been living there in the land from ancient times. \f + \ft Instead of \fq the Girzites \fq* found in the Hebrew text, some modern versions have \fqa the Gizrites \fqa* which is found in the margin of the Hebrew text. \f* +\v 9 David attacked the land and saved neither man nor woman alive; he took away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the clothing; he would return and come again to Achish. + +\s5 +\v 10 Achish would say, "Against whom have you made a raid today?" David would answer, "Against the south of Judah," or "Against the south of the Jerahmeelites," or "Against the south of the Kenites." + +\s5 +\v 11 David would keep neither man nor woman alive to bring them to Gath, saying, "So that they cannot say about us, 'David did such and such.'" This was what he did all the while he was living in the country of the Philistines. +\v 12 Achish believed David, saying, "He has made his people Israel utterly abhor him; he will therefore be my servant forever." + + + \s5 @@ -1850,76 +1850,76 @@ son David?" Saul lifted up his voice and wept. - - -\s5 -\c 30 -\p -\v 1 It came about, when David and his men had come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the Negev and on Ziklag. They attacked Ziklag, burned it, -\v 2 and captured the women and everyone who was in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off as they went on their way. - -\s5 -\v 3 When David and his men came to the city, it was burned, and their wives, their sons, and their daughters were taken captive. -\v 4 Then David and the people that were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more power to weep. - -\s5 -\v 5 David's two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. -\v 6 David was greatly distressed, for the people were talking about stoning him, for all the people were bitter in spirit, each man for his sons and daughters; but David strengthened himself in Yahweh, his God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 David said to Abiathar son of Ahimelech, the priest, "I beg you, bring the ephod here for me." Abiathar brought the ephod to David. -\v 8 David prayed to Yahweh for direction, saying, "If I pursue after this troop, will I overtake them?" Yahweh answered him, "Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will surely recover everything." - -\s5 -\v 9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him; they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. -\v 10 But David kept pursuing, he and four hundred men; for two hundred had stayed behind, who were so weak that they could not go over the brook Besor. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David; they gave him bread, and he ate; they gave him water to drink; -\v 12 and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. When he had eaten, he gained strength again, for he had eaten no bread nor drunk any water for three days and three nights. - -\s5 -\v 13 David said to him, "To whom do you belong? Where do you come from?" He said, "I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; my master left me because three days ago I fell sick. -\v 14 We made a raid on the Negev of the Kerethites, and what belongs to Judah, and the Negev of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag." - -\s5 -\v 15 David said to him, "Will you bring me down to this raiding party?" The Egyptian said, "Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or betray me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this raiding party." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When the Egyptian had brought David down, the raiders were spread out over all the ground, eating and drinking and dancing because of all the booty they had taken out of the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. -\v 17 David attacked them from the twilight to the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped except for four hundred young men, who rode on camels and fled. - -\s5 -\v 18 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives. -\v 19 Nothing was missing, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither booty, nor anything that the raiders had taken for themselves. David brought back everything. -\v 20 David took all the flocks and the herds, which the men drove ahead of the other cattle. They said, "This is David's booty." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 David came to the two hundred men who had been too weak to follow him, the ones the others had made to stay at the brook Besor. These men went ahead to meet David and the people who were with him. When David came to these people, he greeted them. -\v 22 Then all the wicked men and worthless fellows among those who had gone with David said, "Because these men did not go with us, we will not give them any of the booty that we have recovered. Except that each man may take his wife and children, lead them away, and go." - -\s5 -\v 23 Then David said, "You must not act like this, my brothers, with what Yahweh has given to us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the raiders who came against us. -\v 24 Who will listen to you in this matter? For as the share is for anyone who goes into battle, so also will the share be for anyone who waits by the baggage; they will share and share alike." -\v 25 It has been so from that day to this day, for David made it a statute and a decree for Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the booty to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "See, here is a present for you from the booty from Yahweh's enemies." -\v 27 He also sent some to the elders who were in Bethuel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the South, and to those who were in Jattir, -\v 28 and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa. - -\s5 -\v 29 He also sent some to the elders who were in Rakal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, -\v 30 and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Bor Ashan, and to those who were in Athak, -\v 31 and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men habitually went. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 30 +\p +\v 1 It came about, when David and his men had come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid upon the Negev and on Ziklag. They attacked Ziklag, burned it, +\v 2 and captured the women and everyone who was in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off as they went on their way. + +\s5 +\v 3 When David and his men came to the city, it was burned, and their wives, their sons, and their daughters were taken captive. +\v 4 Then David and the people that were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more power to weep. + +\s5 +\v 5 David's two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelite woman, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. +\v 6 David was greatly distressed, for the people were talking about stoning him, for all the people were bitter in spirit, each man for his sons and daughters; but David strengthened himself in Yahweh, his God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 David said to Abiathar son of Ahimelech, the priest, "I beg you, bring the ephod here for me." Abiathar brought the ephod to David. +\v 8 David prayed to Yahweh for direction, saying, "If I pursue after this troop, will I overtake them?" Yahweh answered him, "Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will surely recover everything." + +\s5 +\v 9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him; they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. +\v 10 But David kept pursuing, he and four hundred men; for two hundred had stayed behind, who were so weak that they could not go over the brook Besor. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 They found an Egyptian in a field and brought him to David; they gave him bread, and he ate; they gave him water to drink; +\v 12 and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. When he had eaten, he gained strength again, for he had eaten no bread nor drunk any water for three days and three nights. + +\s5 +\v 13 David said to him, "To whom do you belong? Where do you come from?" He said, "I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; my master left me because three days ago I fell sick. +\v 14 We made a raid on the Negev of the Kerethites, and what belongs to Judah, and the Negev of Caleb, and we burned Ziklag." + +\s5 +\v 15 David said to him, "Will you bring me down to this raiding party?" The Egyptian said, "Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or betray me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this raiding party." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When the Egyptian had brought David down, the raiders were spread out over all the ground, eating and drinking and dancing because of all the booty they had taken out of the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. +\v 17 David attacked them from the twilight to the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped except for four hundred young men, who rode on camels and fled. + +\s5 +\v 18 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives. +\v 19 Nothing was missing, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither booty, nor anything that the raiders had taken for themselves. David brought back everything. +\v 20 David took all the flocks and the herds, which the men drove ahead of the other cattle. They said, "This is David's booty." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 David came to the two hundred men who had been too weak to follow him, the ones the others had made to stay at the brook Besor. These men went ahead to meet David and the people who were with him. When David came to these people, he greeted them. +\v 22 Then all the wicked men and worthless fellows among those who had gone with David said, "Because these men did not go with us, we will not give them any of the booty that we have recovered. Except that each man may take his wife and children, lead them away, and go." + +\s5 +\v 23 Then David said, "You must not act like this, my brothers, with what Yahweh has given to us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the raiders who came against us. +\v 24 Who will listen to you in this matter? For as the share is for anyone who goes into battle, so also will the share be for anyone who waits by the baggage; they will share and share alike." +\v 25 It has been so from that day to this day, for David made it a statute and a decree for Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the booty to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, "See, here is a present for you from the booty from Yahweh's enemies." +\v 27 He also sent some to the elders who were in Bethuel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the South, and to those who were in Jattir, +\v 28 and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa. + +\s5 +\v 29 He also sent some to the elders who were in Rakal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites, +\v 30 and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Bor Ashan, and to those who were in Athak, +\v 31 and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men habitually went. + + + \s5 diff --git a/10-2SA.usfm b/10-2SA.usfm index 756b5add..abf66eb4 100644 --- a/10-2SA.usfm +++ b/10-2SA.usfm @@ -4,292 +4,292 @@ \toc1 The Second Book of Samuel \toc2 Second Samuel \toc3 2Sa -\mt Second Samuel -\s5 - -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 After the death of Saul, David returned from attacking the Amalekites and remained in Ziklag for two days. -\v 2 On the third day, a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he came to David he lay facedown on the ground and prostrated himself. - -\s5 -\v 3 David said to him, "Where did you come from?" He answered, "I escaped from the camp of Israel." -\v 4 David said to him, "Please tell me how things went." He answered, "The people fled from the battle. Many have fallen and many are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead." -\v 5 David said to the young man, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?" - -\s5 -\v 6 The young man replied, "By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there Saul was leaning on his spear, and chariots and riders were about to catch up with him. -\v 7 Saul turned around and saw me and called out to me. I answered, 'Here I am.' - -\s5 -\v 8 He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.' -\v 9 He said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me, for great suffering has taken hold of me, but life is still in me.' -\v 10 So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that he would not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and brought them here to you, my master." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then David tore his clothes, and all the men with him did the same. -\v 12 They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, for Jonathan his son, for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel because they had fallen by the sword. -\v 13 David said to the young man, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner in the land, an Amalekite." - -\s5 -\v 14 David said to him, "Why were you not afraid to kill Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?" -\v 15 David called one of the young men and said, "Go and kill him." So that man went and struck him down, and the Amalekite died. -\v 16 Then David said to the dead Amalekite, "Your blood is on your head because your own mouth has testified against you and said, 'I have killed Yahweh's anointed king.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then David sung this funeral song about Saul and Jonathan his son. -\v 18 He commanded the people to teach this Song of the Bow to the sons of Judah, which has been written in The Book of Jashar. -\q -\v 19 "Your glory, Israel, -\q2 is dead, killed on your high places! -\q How the mighty have fallen! -\q -\v 20 Do not tell it in Gath, -\q do not proclaim it -\q2 in the streets of Ashkelon, -\q so that the daughters of the -\q2 Philistines may not rejoice, -\q so that the daughters of the -\q2 uncircumcised may not celebrate. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Mountains of Gilboa, -\q2 let there not be dew or rain on you, -\q2 nor fields giving grain for offerings, -\q for there the shield of the mighty was defiled. -\q2 The shield of Saul is no longer anointed with oil. -\q -\v 22 From the blood of those who have been killed, -\q2 from the bodies of the mighty, -\q the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, -\q and the sword of Saul did not return empty. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Saul and Jonathan were loved and gracious in life, -\q and in their death they were not separated. -\q They were swifter than eagles, -\q they were stronger than lions. -\q -\v 24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, -\q who clothed you in scarlet as well as jewels, -\q and who put ornaments of gold on your clothing. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! -\q Jonathan is killed on your high places. -\q -\v 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. -\q You were very dear to me. -\q Your love to me was wonderful, -\q exceeding the love of women. -\q -\v 27 How the mighty have fallen, -\q and the weapons of war perished!" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 After this David asked Yahweh and said, "Should I go up to one of the cities of Judah?" Yahweh replied to him, "Go up." David said, "To which city should I go?" Yahweh replied, "To Hebron." -\v 2 So David went up with his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel, and Abigail from Carmel, the widow of Nabal. -\v 3 David brought the men who were with him, who each brought his family, to the cities of Hebron, where they began to live. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then men from Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah. -\p They told David, "The men of Jabesh Gilead have buried Saul." -\v 5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them, "You are blessed by Yahweh, since you have showed this loyalty to your master Saul and have buried him. - -\s5 -\v 6 Now may Yahweh show you covenantal loyalty and faithfulness. I also will show you this goodness because you have done this thing. -\v 7 Now then, let your hands be strong; be courageous for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 But Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ishbosheth son of Saul and brought him to Mahanaim. -\v 9 He made Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and over all Israel. - -\s5 -\v 10 Ishbosheth son of Saul, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. -\v 11 The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Abner son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. -\v 13 Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. There they sat down, one group on one side of the pool and the other on the other side. - -\s5 -\v 14 Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men arise and compete before us." Then Joab said, "Let them arise." -\v 15 Then the young men got up and gathered together, twelve for Benjamin and Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve from servants of David. - -\s5 -\v 16 Each man seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into the side of his opponent, and they fell down together. Therefore that place was called in Hebrew, "Helkath Hazzurim," or "Field of Swords," which is in Gibeon. -\v 17 The battle was very severe that day and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated before the servants of David. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was swift in his feet like a wild gazelle. -\v 19 Asahel closely pursued Abner and followed him without turning away in any direction. -\s5 -\v 20 Abner looked behind him and said, "Is that you Asahel?" He answered, "It is I." -\v 21 Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his armor." But Asahel would not turn aside. - -\s5 -\v 22 So Abner said again to Asahel, "Stop pursuing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I hold up my face to Joab, your brother?" -\v 23 But Asahel refused to turn aside, and so Abner stabbed him in the body with the blunt end of his spear, so that the spear came out the other side. Asahel fell down and died there. So it came about that anyone who arrived at the place where Asahel fell down and died, he stopped and stood still. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. When the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is near Giah by the road to the wilderness of Gibeon. -\v 25 The men of Benjamin gathered themselves together behind Abner and stood on the top of the hill. - -\s5 -\v 26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Must the sword devour forever? Do you not know it will be bitter in the end? How long will it be before you tell your men to stop pursuing their brothers?" -\v 27 Joab replied, "Just as God lives, if you had not said that, my soldiers would have pursued their brothers until the morning!" - -\s5 -\v 28 So Joab blew the trumpet, and all his men stopped and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore. -\v 29 Abner and his men traveled all that night through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all the next morning, and then reached Mahanaim. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Joab returned from pursuing Abner. He assembled all his men, from whom were missing Asahel and nineteen of David's soldiers. -\v 31 But the men of David had killed 360 men of Benjamin with Abner. -\v 32 Then they took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men traveled all night, and the day dawned on them at Hebron. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam from Jezreel. -\v 3 His second son, Kileab, was born to Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. The third, Absalom, was son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. - -\s5 -\v 4 David's fourth son, Adonijah, was the son of Haggith. His fifth son was Shephatiah son of Abital, -\v 5 and the sixth, Ithream, was the son of David's wife Eglah. These sons were born to David in Hebron. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 It came about during the war between the house of Saul and the house of David that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul. -\v 7 Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you slept with my father's concubine?" - -\s5 -\v 8 Then Abner was very angry at the words of Ishbosheth and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I am showing faithfulness to the house of Saul, your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, by not delivering you into the hand of David. But now you accuse me of an offense concerning this woman? - -\s5 -\v 9 May God do so to me, Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as Yahweh has sworn to him, -\v 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba." -\v 11 Ishbosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then Abner sent messengers to David to speak for him saying, "Whose land is this? Make a covenant with me, and you will see that my hand is with you, to bring all Israel to you." -\v 13 David answered, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require from you is that you cannot see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see me." - -\s5 -\v 14 Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid a price of one hundred Philistine foreskins." -\v 15 So Ishbosheth sent for Michal and took her from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish. -\v 16 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Return home now." So he returned. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Abner spoke with the elders of Israel saying, "In the past you were trying to have David be king over you. -\v 18 Now do it. For Yahweh has spoken of David saying, 'By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.'" -\s5 -\v 19 Abner also spoke personally to the people of Benjamin. Then Abner went also to speak with David in Hebron to explain everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin desired to accomplish. -\v 20 When Abner and twenty of his men arrived in Hebron to see David, David had a feast prepared for them. - -\s5 -\v 21 Abner explained to David, "I will arise and gather all Israel to you, my master the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, so that you may reign over all that you desire." So David sent Abner away, and Abner left in peace. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Then the soldiers of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much plunder with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron. David had sent him away, and Abner had left in peace. -\v 23 When Joab and all the army with him arrived, they told Joab, "Abner son of Ner came to the king, and the king has sent him away, and Abner left in peace." - -\s5 -\v 24 Then Joab came to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you! Why have you sent him away, and he is gone? -\v 25 Do you not know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to discover your plans and learn everything you are doing?" -\v 26 When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David did not know this. -\s5 -\p -\v 27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly. There Joab stabbed him in the stomach and killed him. In this way, Joab avenged the blood of Asahel his brother. - -\s5 -\v 28 When David heard about this he said, "I and my kingdom are innocent before Yahweh forever regarding the blood of Abner son of Ner. -\v 29 Let the guilt of Abner's death fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house. May there never fail to be in the family of Joab someone who has a flowing sore or skin disease or who is lame and must walk with a staff or who is killed by the sword or who goes without food." -\v 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battle. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner's body." Now King David walked behind the body in the funeral procession. -\v 32 They buried Abner in Hebron. The king wept and cried loudly at the tomb of Abner, and all the people also wept. - -\s5 -\v 33 The king lamented for Abner and sang, -\q "Should Abner die as a fool dies? -\q2 -\v 34 Your hands were not bound. -\q2 Your feet were not shackled. -\q As a man falls before the sons of injustice, so you have fallen." -\m Once more all the people wept over him. - -\s5 -\v 35 All the people came to make David eat while it was still day, but David swore, "May God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down." -\v 36 All the people took notice of David's grief, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased them. - -\s5 -\v 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not the king's desire to kill Abner son of Ner. -\v 38 The king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? -\v 39 Now I am weak today, though I am an anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too brutal for me. May Yahweh repay the evildoer by punishing him for his wickedness, as he deserves." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 When Ishbosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became weak, and all Israel was troubled. -\v 2 Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of groups of soldiers. The name of one was Baanah and the other Recab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite of the people of Benjamin (for Beeroth is also considered part of Benjamin, -\v 3 and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been living there until this very time). - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up to flee. But as she was running, Jonathan's son fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Recab and Baanah, traveled during the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, as he was resting at noon. -\v 6 The woman guarding the door had fallen asleep while sifting wheat, and Recab and Baanah walked in quietly and passed her. -\v 7 So after they entered the house, they attacked him and killed him as he was lying on his bed in his room. Then they cut off his head and carried it away, traveling on the road all night to the Arabah. - -\s5 -\v 8 They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and they said to the king, "Look, this is the head of Ishbosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. Today Yahweh has avenged our master the king against Saul and his descendants." -\v 9 David answered Recab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite; he said to them, "As Yahweh lives, who delivered my life from every trouble, -\v 10 when someone told me, 'Look, Saul is dead,' thinking he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him -at Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news. - -\s5 -\v 11 How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent person in his own house on his bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand, and remove you from the earth?" -\v 12 Then David gave orders to the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them up beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. - - - +\mt Second Samuel +\s5 + +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 After the death of Saul, David returned from attacking the Amalekites and remained in Ziklag for two days. +\v 2 On the third day, a man came from Saul's camp with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he came to David he lay facedown on the ground and prostrated himself. + +\s5 +\v 3 David said to him, "Where did you come from?" He answered, "I escaped from the camp of Israel." +\v 4 David said to him, "Please tell me how things went." He answered, "The people fled from the battle. Many have fallen and many are dead. Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead." +\v 5 David said to the young man, "How do you know that Saul and Jonathan his son are dead?" + +\s5 +\v 6 The young man replied, "By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there Saul was leaning on his spear, and chariots and riders were about to catch up with him. +\v 7 Saul turned around and saw me and called out to me. I answered, 'Here I am.' + +\s5 +\v 8 He said to me, 'Who are you?' I answered him, 'I am an Amalekite.' +\v 9 He said to me, 'Please stand over me and kill me, for great suffering has taken hold of me, but life is still in me.' +\v 10 So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that he would not live after he had fallen. Then I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and brought them here to you, my master." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then David tore his clothes, and all the men with him did the same. +\v 12 They mourned, wept, and fasted until evening for Saul, for Jonathan his son, for the people of Yahweh, and for the house of Israel because they had fallen by the sword. +\v 13 David said to the young man, "Where are you from?" He answered, "I am the son of a foreigner in the land, an Amalekite." + +\s5 +\v 14 David said to him, "Why were you not afraid to kill Yahweh's anointed king with your own hand?" +\v 15 David called one of the young men and said, "Go and kill him." So that man went and struck him down, and the Amalekite died. +\v 16 Then David said to the dead Amalekite, "Your blood is on your head because your own mouth has testified against you and said, 'I have killed Yahweh's anointed king.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then David sung this funeral song about Saul and Jonathan his son. +\v 18 He commanded the people to teach this Song of the Bow to the sons of Judah, which has been written in The Book of Jashar. +\q +\v 19 "Your glory, Israel, +\q2 is dead, killed on your high places! +\q How the mighty have fallen! +\q +\v 20 Do not tell it in Gath, +\q do not proclaim it +\q2 in the streets of Ashkelon, +\q so that the daughters of the +\q2 Philistines may not rejoice, +\q so that the daughters of the +\q2 uncircumcised may not celebrate. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Mountains of Gilboa, +\q2 let there not be dew or rain on you, +\q2 nor fields giving grain for offerings, +\q for there the shield of the mighty was defiled. +\q2 The shield of Saul is no longer anointed with oil. +\q +\v 22 From the blood of those who have been killed, +\q2 from the bodies of the mighty, +\q the bow of Jonathan did not turn back, +\q and the sword of Saul did not return empty. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Saul and Jonathan were loved and gracious in life, +\q and in their death they were not separated. +\q They were swifter than eagles, +\q they were stronger than lions. +\q +\v 24 You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, +\q who clothed you in scarlet as well as jewels, +\q and who put ornaments of gold on your clothing. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! +\q Jonathan is killed on your high places. +\q +\v 26 I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. +\q You were very dear to me. +\q Your love to me was wonderful, +\q exceeding the love of women. +\q +\v 27 How the mighty have fallen, +\q and the weapons of war perished!" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 After this David asked Yahweh and said, "Should I go up to one of the cities of Judah?" Yahweh replied to him, "Go up." David said, "To which city should I go?" Yahweh replied, "To Hebron." +\v 2 So David went up with his two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel, and Abigail from Carmel, the widow of Nabal. +\v 3 David brought the men who were with him, who each brought his family, to the cities of Hebron, where they began to live. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then men from Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah. +\p They told David, "The men of Jabesh Gilead have buried Saul." +\v 5 So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead and said to them, "You are blessed by Yahweh, since you have showed this loyalty to your master Saul and have buried him. + +\s5 +\v 6 Now may Yahweh show you covenantal loyalty and faithfulness. I also will show you this goodness because you have done this thing. +\v 7 Now then, let your hands be strong; be courageous for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 But Abner son of Ner, commander of Saul's army, took Ishbosheth son of Saul and brought him to Mahanaim. +\v 9 He made Ishbosheth king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and over all Israel. + +\s5 +\v 10 Ishbosheth son of Saul, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. +\v 11 The time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Abner son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. +\v 13 Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. There they sat down, one group on one side of the pool and the other on the other side. + +\s5 +\v 14 Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men arise and compete before us." Then Joab said, "Let them arise." +\v 15 Then the young men got up and gathered together, twelve for Benjamin and Ishbosheth son of Saul, and twelve from servants of David. + +\s5 +\v 16 Each man seized his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into the side of his opponent, and they fell down together. Therefore that place was called in Hebrew, "Helkath Hazzurim," or "Field of Swords," which is in Gibeon. +\v 17 The battle was very severe that day and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated before the servants of David. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel. Asahel was swift in his feet like a wild gazelle. +\v 19 Asahel closely pursued Abner and followed him without turning away in any direction. +\s5 +\v 20 Abner looked behind him and said, "Is that you Asahel?" He answered, "It is I." +\v 21 Abner said to him, "Turn aside to your right or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his armor." But Asahel would not turn aside. + +\s5 +\v 22 So Abner said again to Asahel, "Stop pursuing me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I hold up my face to Joab, your brother?" +\v 23 But Asahel refused to turn aside, and so Abner stabbed him in the body with the blunt end of his spear, so that the spear came out the other side. Asahel fell down and died there. So it came about that anyone who arrived at the place where Asahel fell down and died, he stopped and stood still. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. When the sun was going down, they came to the hill of Ammah, which is near Giah by the road to the wilderness of Gibeon. +\v 25 The men of Benjamin gathered themselves together behind Abner and stood on the top of the hill. + +\s5 +\v 26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, "Must the sword devour forever? Do you not know it will be bitter in the end? How long will it be before you tell your men to stop pursuing their brothers?" +\v 27 Joab replied, "Just as God lives, if you had not said that, my soldiers would have pursued their brothers until the morning!" + +\s5 +\v 28 So Joab blew the trumpet, and all his men stopped and did not pursue Israel anymore, nor did they fight anymore. +\v 29 Abner and his men traveled all that night through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, marched all the next morning, and then reached Mahanaim. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Joab returned from pursuing Abner. He assembled all his men, from whom were missing Asahel and nineteen of David's soldiers. +\v 31 But the men of David had killed 360 men of Benjamin with Abner. +\v 32 Then they took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was in Bethlehem. Joab and his men traveled all night, and the day dawned on them at Hebron. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. David grew stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron. His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam from Jezreel. +\v 3 His second son, Kileab, was born to Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. The third, Absalom, was son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. + +\s5 +\v 4 David's fourth son, Adonijah, was the son of Haggith. His fifth son was Shephatiah son of Abital, +\v 5 and the sixth, Ithream, was the son of David's wife Eglah. These sons were born to David in Hebron. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 It came about during the war between the house of Saul and the house of David that Abner made himself strong in the house of Saul. +\v 7 Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you slept with my father's concubine?" + +\s5 +\v 8 Then Abner was very angry at the words of Ishbosheth and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I am showing faithfulness to the house of Saul, your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, by not delivering you into the hand of David. But now you accuse me of an offense concerning this woman? + +\s5 +\v 9 May God do so to me, Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as Yahweh has sworn to him, +\v 10 to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba." +\v 11 Ishbosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then Abner sent messengers to David to speak for him saying, "Whose land is this? Make a covenant with me, and you will see that my hand is with you, to bring all Israel to you." +\v 13 David answered, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require from you is that you cannot see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see me." + +\s5 +\v 14 Then David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid a price of one hundred Philistine foreskins." +\v 15 So Ishbosheth sent for Michal and took her from her husband, Paltiel son of Laish. +\v 16 Her husband went with her, weeping as he went, and followed her to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Return home now." So he returned. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Abner spoke with the elders of Israel saying, "In the past you were trying to have David be king over you. +\v 18 Now do it. For Yahweh has spoken of David saying, 'By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.'" +\s5 +\v 19 Abner also spoke personally to the people of Benjamin. Then Abner went also to speak with David in Hebron to explain everything that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin desired to accomplish. +\v 20 When Abner and twenty of his men arrived in Hebron to see David, David had a feast prepared for them. + +\s5 +\v 21 Abner explained to David, "I will arise and gather all Israel to you, my master the king, so that they may make a covenant with you, so that you may reign over all that you desire." So David sent Abner away, and Abner left in peace. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Then the soldiers of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much plunder with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron. David had sent him away, and Abner had left in peace. +\v 23 When Joab and all the army with him arrived, they told Joab, "Abner son of Ner came to the king, and the king has sent him away, and Abner left in peace." + +\s5 +\v 24 Then Joab came to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you! Why have you sent him away, and he is gone? +\v 25 Do you not know that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to discover your plans and learn everything you are doing?" +\v 26 When Joab left David, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of Sirah, but David did not know this. +\s5 +\p +\v 27 When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the middle of the gate to speak with him quietly. There Joab stabbed him in the stomach and killed him. In this way, Joab avenged the blood of Asahel his brother. + +\s5 +\v 28 When David heard about this he said, "I and my kingdom are innocent before Yahweh forever regarding the blood of Abner son of Ner. +\v 29 Let the guilt of Abner's death fall on the head of Joab and on all his father's house. May there never fail to be in the family of Joab someone who has a flowing sore or skin disease or who is lame and must walk with a staff or who is killed by the sword or who goes without food." +\v 30 So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in battle. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner's body." Now King David walked behind the body in the funeral procession. +\v 32 They buried Abner in Hebron. The king wept and cried loudly at the tomb of Abner, and all the people also wept. + +\s5 +\v 33 The king lamented for Abner and sang, +\q "Should Abner die as a fool dies? +\q2 +\v 34 Your hands were not bound. +\q2 Your feet were not shackled. +\q As a man falls before the sons of injustice, so you have fallen." +\m Once more all the people wept over him. + +\s5 +\v 35 All the people came to make David eat while it was still day, but David swore, "May God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun goes down." +\v 36 All the people took notice of David's grief, and it pleased them, as whatever the king did pleased them. + +\s5 +\v 37 So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it was not the king's desire to kill Abner son of Ner. +\v 38 The king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? +\v 39 Now I am weak today, though I am an anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too brutal for me. May Yahweh repay the evildoer by punishing him for his wickedness, as he deserves." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 When Ishbosheth, Saul's son, heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands became weak, and all Israel was troubled. +\v 2 Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of groups of soldiers. The name of one was Baanah and the other Recab, sons of Rimmon the Beerothite of the people of Benjamin (for Beeroth is also considered part of Benjamin, +\v 3 and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been living there until this very time). + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up to flee. But as she was running, Jonathan's son fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 So the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Recab and Baanah, traveled during the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, as he was resting at noon. +\v 6 The woman guarding the door had fallen asleep while sifting wheat, and Recab and Baanah walked in quietly and passed her. +\v 7 So after they entered the house, they attacked him and killed him as he was lying on his bed in his room. Then they cut off his head and carried it away, traveling on the road all night to the Arabah. + +\s5 +\v 8 They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and they said to the king, "Look, this is the head of Ishbosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. Today Yahweh has avenged our master the king against Saul and his descendants." +\v 9 David answered Recab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite; he said to them, "As Yahweh lives, who delivered my life from every trouble, +\v 10 when someone told me, 'Look, Saul is dead,' thinking he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him +at Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news. + +\s5 +\v 11 How much more, when wicked men have killed an innocent person in his own house on his bed, should I not now require his blood from your hand, and remove you from the earth?" +\v 12 Then David gave orders to the young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hung them up beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the grave of Abner in Hebron. + + + \s5 @@ -400,950 +400,950 @@ at Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news. - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 It happened that after the king had settled in his house, and after Yahweh had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, -\v 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God is staying in the middle of a tent." - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do what is in your heart, for Yahweh is with you." -\v 4 But that same night the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying, -\v 5 "Go and tell David my servant, 'This is what Yahweh says: Will you build me a house in which to live? - -\s5 -\v 6 For I have not lived in a house from the day that I brought up the people of Israel out of Egypt until this present day; instead, I have been moving about in a tent, a tabernacle. -\v 7 In all places where I have moved among all the people of Israel, did I ever say anything to any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'" - -\s5 -\v 8 Now then, tell my servant David, "This is what Yahweh of hosts says: 'I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, so that you would be ruler over my people Israel. -\v 9 I have been with you wherever you went. I have cut off all your enemies -from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the -great ones of the earth. - -\s5 -\v 10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them there, so that they may live in their own place and be troubled no more. No longer will wicked people oppress them, as they did before, -\v 11 as they were doing from the days that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Now I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, I, Yahweh declare to you that I will make you a house. - -\s5 -\v 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up a descendant after you, one who will come out from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. -\v 13 He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. -\v 14 I will be a father to him, and he will be my son. When he sins, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the whipping of the sons of men. - -\s5 -\v 15 But my covenant faithfulness will not leave him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. -\v 16 Your house and kingdom will be confirmed forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.'" -\v 17 Nathan spoke to David and reported to him all these words, and he told him about the entire vision. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh and said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my family that you have brought me to this point? -\v 19 Now this was a small thing in your sight, Lord Yahweh. You have even spoken about your servant's family for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, Lord Yahweh! -\v 20 What more can I, David, say to you? You have honored your servant, Lord Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 21 For your word's sake, and to fulfill your own purpose, you have done this great thing and revealed it to your servant. -\v 22 Therefore you are great, Lord Yahweh, for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as we have heard with our own ears. -\v 23 What nation is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom you, God, went and rescued for yourself? You did this so that they would become a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself, and to do great and fearful deeds for your land. You drove out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you rescued from Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 24 You established Israel as your own people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God. -\v 25 So now, Yahweh God, may the promise that you made concerning your servant and his family be established forever. Do as you have spoken. -\v 26 May your name be forever great, so the people will say, 'Yahweh of hosts is the God of Israel,' while the house of me, David, your servant is established before you. - -\s5 -\v 27 For you, Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. That is why I, your servant, have found courage to pray to you. -\v 28 Now, Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are trustworthy, and you have made this good promise to your servant. -\v 29 Now then, let it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, Lord Yahweh, have said these things, and with your blessing your servant's house will be blessed forever." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 After this it came about that David attacked the Philistines and defeated them. So David took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Then he defeated Moab and measured their men with a line by making them lie down on the ground. He measured off two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. So the Moabites became servants to David and began to pay him tribute. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 David then defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, the king of Zobah, as Hadadezer was traveling to recover his rule by the Euphrates River. -\v 4 David captured from him 1,700 chariots and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for a hundred chariots. - -\s5 -\v 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand Aramean men. -\v 6 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to him and brought him tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. - -\s5 -\v 7 David took the golden shields that were on Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem. -\v 8 From Tebah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When Tou, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer, -\v 10 Tou sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, and because Hadadezer had waged war against Tou. Hadoram brought with himself objects of silver, gold, and bronze. -\s5 -\v 11 King David set aside these objects to Yahweh, together with the silver and gold from all the nations that he conquered— -\v 12 from Aram, Moab, the people of Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek, along with all of the plundered goods of Hadadezer son of Rehob, the king of Zobah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 David's name was well known when he returned from conquering the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, with their eighteen thousand men. -\v 14 He placed garrisons throughout all of Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to him. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and righteousness to all his people. -\v 16 Joab son of Zeruiah was the commander of the army, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder. -\v 17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was scribe. -\v 18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the Kerethites and Pelethites, and David's sons were the chief officials at the king's hand. \f + \ft Comparing this verse with 1CH 18:17, \fqa were the chief officials at the king's hand \fqa* ; but the MT has \fqa were priests.\f* - - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 David said, "Is there anyone left in Saul's family to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" -\v 2 There was in Saul's family a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. The king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He replied, "Yes. I am your servant." -\s5 -\v 3 So the king said, "Is there not anyone left of Saul's family to whom I may show the kindness of God?" Ziba replied to the king, "Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet." -\v 4 The king said to him, "Where is he?" Ziba replied to the king, "Look, he is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." - -\s5 -\v 5 Then King David sent and had him brought out of the house of Machir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar. -\v 6 So Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, came to David and bowed down his face to the floor in honor of David. David said, "Mephibosheth." He answered, "See, I am your servant!" - -\s5 -\v 7 David said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather, and you will always eat at my table." -\v 8 Mephibosheth bowed and said, "What is your servant, that you should look with favor on such a dead dog as I am?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and his family I have given to your master's grandson. -\v 10 You, your sons, and your servants must till the land for him and you must harvest the crops so that your master's grandson will have food to eat. For Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, must always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. - -\s5 -\v 11 Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do all that my master the king commands his servant." The king added, "As for Mephibosheth he will eat at my table, as one of the king's sons." -\v 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mika. All who lived in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. -\v 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, and he always ate at the king's table, though he was lame in both his feet. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 It came about later that the king of the people of Ammon died, and that Hanun his son became king in his place. -\v 2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent his servants to comfort Hanun concerning his father. His servants entered the land of the people of Ammon. -\v 3 But the leaders of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their master, "Do you really think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you? Has not David sent his servants to you to look at the city, to spy it out, in order to overthrow it?" - -\s5 -\v 4 So Hanun took David's servants, shaved off half their beards, cut off their garments up to their buttocks, and sent them away. -\v 5 When they explained this to David, he sent to meet with them, for the men were deeply ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 When the people of Ammon saw that they had become a stench to David, the people of Ammon sent messengers and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob and Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob with twelve thousand men. -\v 7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of soldiers. -\v 8 The Ammonites came out and formed a line of battle at the entrance to their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, stood by themselves in the open fields. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 When Joab saw the battle lines facing him both in front and behind, he chose some of Israel's best fighters and arranged them against the Arameans. -\v 10 The rest of his people he put into the hand of Abishai his brother, and he set them out in position to fight against the army of Ammon. - -\s5 -\v 11 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you, Abishai, must rescue me. But if the army of Ammon is too strong for you, then I will come and rescue you. -\v 12 Be strong, and let us show ourselves to be strong for our people and for the cities of our God, for Yahweh will do what is good for his purpose." -\s5 -\v 13 So Joab and the soldiers of his army advanced to the battle against the Arameans, who were forced to flee before the army of Israel. -\v 14 When the army of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Abishai and went back into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went back to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 When the Arameans saw that they were being defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together again. -\v 16 Then Hadarezer sent for Aramean troops from beyond the Euphrates River. They came to Helam with Shobak, the commander of Hadarezer's army at their head. - -\s5 -\v 17 When David was told this, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and arrived at Helam. The Arameans arranged themselves in battle lines against David and fought him. -\v 18 The Arameans fled from Israel. David killed seven hundred Aramean chariot soldiers and forty thousand horse soldiers. Shobak the commander of their army was wounded and died there. -\v 19 When all the kings who were servants of Hadarezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became their subjects. So the Arameans were afraid to help the people of Ammon anymore. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 It came about in the springtime, at the time when kings normally go to war, that David sent out Joab, his servants, and all the army of Israel. They destroyed the army of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 So it came about one evening that David got up from his bed and walked on the roof of his palace. From there he happened to see a woman who was bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to look at. -\v 3 So David sent and he asked people who would know about the woman. Someone said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, and is she not the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" - -\s5 -\v 4 David sent messengers and took her; she came in to him, and he slept with her (for she had just purified herself from menstruation). Then she returned to her house. -\v 5 The woman conceived, and she sent and told David; she said, "I am pregnant." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then David sent to Joab saying, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David. -\v 7 When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab was, how the army was doing, and how the war was going. -\v 8 David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house, and wash your feet." So Uriah left the king's palace, and the king sent a gift for Uriah after he left. -\s5 -\v 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's palace with all the servants of his master, and he did not go down to his house. -\v 10 When they told David, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David said to Uriah, "Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?" -\v 11 Uriah answered David, "The ark, and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my master's servants are camped in an open field. How then can I go into my house to eat and to drink and to sleep with my wife? As sure as you are alive, I will not do this." -\s5 -\v 12 So David said to Uriah, "Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you leave." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next day. -\v 13 When David called him, he ate and drank before him, and David made him drunk. At evening Uriah went out to sleep on his bed with the servants of his master; he did not go down to his house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 So in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. -\v 15 David wrote in the letter saying, "Set Uriah at the very front of the most intense battle, and then withdraw from him, that he may be hit and killed." - -\s5 -\v 16 So as Joab watched the siege upon the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers would be fighting. -\v 17 When the men of the city went out and fought against Joab's army, some of the soldiers of David fell, and Uriah the Hittite was also killed there. - -\s5 -\v 18 When Joab sent word to David about everything concerning the war, -\v 19 he commanded the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling all the things concerning the war to the king, -\v 20 it may happen that the king will become angry, and he will say to you, 'Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? - -\s5 -\v 21 Who killed Abimelech son of Jerub-Besheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' Then you must answer, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 So the messenger left and went to David and told him everything that Joab had sent him to say. -\v 23 Then the messenger said to David, "The enemy were stronger than we were at first; they came out to us into the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate. - -\s5 -\v 24 Then their shooters shot at your soldiers from off the wall, and some of the king's servants were killed, and your servant Uriah the Hittite was killed too." -\v 25 Then David said to the messenger, "Say this to Joab, 'Do not let this displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle even stronger against the city, and overthrow it,' and encourage him." -\s5 -\p -\v 26 So when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented deeply for her husband. -\v 27 When her sorrow passed, David sent and took her home to his palace, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But what David had done displeased Yahweh. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 Then Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said, "There were once two men in a city. One man was rich and the other poor. -\v 2 The rich man had huge numbers of flocks and herds, -\v 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and fed and raised. It grew up together with him and with his children. The lamb even ate with him and drank from his own cup, and it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. - -\s5 -\v 4 One day a visitor came to the rich man, but the rich man was unwilling to take an animal from his own flocks and herds to provide food for him. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb and cooked it for his visitor." -\v 5 David was hot with anger against the rich man, and he raged to Nathan, "As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this deserves to be put to death. -\v 6 He must pay back the lamb four times over because he did such a thing, and because he had no pity on the poor man." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you out of the hand of Saul. -\v 8 I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your arms. I also gave you the house of Israel and Judah. But if that had been too little, I would have given you many other things in addition. - -\s5 -\v 9 So why have you despised the commands of Yahweh, so as to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your own wife. You killed him with the sword of the army of Ammon. -\v 10 So now the sword will never leave your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your wife.' - -\s5 -\v 11 Yahweh says, 'Look, I will raise up disaster against you out of your own house. Before your own eyes, I will take your wives and give them to your neighbor, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. -\v 12 For you committed your sin secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, in the sunlight.'" -\v 13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against Yahweh." Nathan replied to David, "Yahweh also has passed over your sin. You will not be killed. - -\s5 -\v 14 However, because by this act you have despised Yahweh, the child who is born to you will surely die." -\v 15 Then Nathan left and went home. -\p Yahweh attacked the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he was very sick. - -\s5 -\v 16 David then implored God for the boy. David fasted and went inside and lay all night on the floor. -\v 17 The elders of his house arose and stood beside him, to raise him up from the floor, but he would not get up, and he would not eat with them. -\v 18 It came about on the seventh day that the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Look, while the child was still alive we spoke to him, and he did not listen to our voice. What might he do to himself if we tell him that the boy is dead?!" - -\s5 -\v 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead. He said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" They answered, "He is dead." -\v 20 Then David arose from the floor and washed himself, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went to the tabernacle of Yahweh and worshiped there, and then he came back to his own palace. When he asked for it, they set food before him, and he ate. -\s5 -\v 21 Then his servants said to him, "Why have you done this? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you got up and ate." -\v 22 David answered, "While the child was still alive I fasted and wept. I said, 'Who knows whether or not Yahweh will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' -\v 23 But now he is dead, so why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and slept with her. Later she gave birth to a son, and the child was named Solomon. Yahweh loved him -\v 25 and he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah, because Yahweh loved him. - - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah, the royal city of the people of Ammon, and he captured its fortress. -\v 27 So Joab sent messengers to David and said, "I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city's water supply. -\v 28 Now therefore gather the rest of the army together and camp against the city and take it, because if I take the city, it will be named after me." - -\s5 -\v 29 So David gathered all the army together and went to Rabbah; he fought against the city and captured it. -\v 30 David took the crown from their king's head—it weighed a talent of gold, and there was a precious stone in it. The crown was placed on David's own head. Then he brought out the plunder of the city in large quantities. -\s5 -\v 31 He brought out the people who were in the city and forced them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes; he also made them work at brick kilns. David required all the cities of the people of Ammon to do this labor. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem. - - - - - - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 It came about after this that Amnon son of David, was very attracted to his beautiful half-sister Tamar, who was a full sister of Absalom, another of David's sons. -\v 2 Amnon was so frustrated that he became sick because of his sister Tamar. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. - -\s5 -\v 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. -\v 4 Jonadab said to Amnon, "Why, son of the king, are you depressed every morning? Will you not tell me?" So Amnon answered him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister." - -\s5 -\v 5 Then Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, ask him, 'Would you please send my sister Tamar to give me something to eat and cook it before me, so that I may see it and eat it from her hand?'" -\v 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please send my sister Tamar to make some food for my sickness in front of me so that I may eat from her hand." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Then David sent word to Tamar at his palace, saying, "Go now to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him." -\v 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house where he was lying down. She took dough and kneaded it and formed bread in his sight, and then she baked it. -\v 9 She took the pan and gave the bread to him, but he refused to eat. Then Amnon said to the others present, "Send everyone out, away from me." So everyone went out from him. - -\s5 -\v 10 So Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into my room that I may eat from your hand." So Tamar took the bread that she had made, and brought it into the room of Amnon her brother. -\v 11 When she had brought the food to him, he took hold of her and said to her, "Come, sleep with me, my sister." -\v 12 She answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me, for nothing like this should be done in Israel. Do not do this appalling thing! - -\s5 -\v 13 How could I be rid of my shame? What about you? You would be like one of the fools in Israel! Now, please speak to the king, for he would not keep me from you." -\v 14 However Amnon would not listen to her. Since he was stronger than Tamar, he seized her and he slept with her. -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then Amnon hated Tamar with extreme hatred. He hated her even more than he had desired her. Amnon said to her, "Get up and go." -\v 16 But she responded to him, "No! Because this great evil of making me leave is even worse than what you did to me!" But Amnon did not listen to her. -\v 17 Instead, he called his personal servant and said, "Take this woman away from me, and bolt the door after her." -\s5 -\v 18 Then his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her. Tamar was wearing a very decorated robe because the king's daughters who were virgins dressed that way. -\v 19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. She put her hands on her head and walked away, crying aloud as she went. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep quiet, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart." So Tamar remained alone in her brother Absalom's house. -\v 21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. -\v 22 Absalom said nothing to Amnon, for Absalom hated him for what he had done to her and how he had disgraced his sister Tamar. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 It came about after two full years that Absalom had sheep shearers working at Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons to visit there. -\v 24 Absalom went to the king and said, "Look now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please, may the king and his servants go with me, your servant." - -\s5 -\v 25 The king answered Absalom, "No, my son, all of us should not go because we would be a burden to you." Absalom encouraged the king, but he would not go, yet he did bless Absalom. -\v 26 Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." So the king said to him, "Why should Amnon go with you?" - -\s5 -\v 27 Absalom pressed David, and so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. -\v 28 Absalom commanded his servants saying, "Listen closely. When Amnon begins to be drunk with wine, and when I say to you, 'Attack Amnon,' then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and brave." -\v 29 So Absalom's servants did to Amnon as he had commanded them. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man mounted his mule and fled. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 So it came about, while they were on the road, that the news came to David saying, "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left." -\v 31 Then the king arose and tore his clothes, and lay on the floor; all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. - -\s5 -\v 32 Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered and said, "Let not my master believe that they have killed all the young men who are the king's sons, for Amnon only is dead. Absalom has planned this from the day that Amnon violated his sister Tamar. -\v 33 So therefore let not my master the king take this report to heart, so as to believe that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon only is dead." - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 Absalom fled away. A servant keeping watch raised his eyes and saw many people coming on the road on the hillside west of him. -\v 35 Then Jonadab said to the king, "Look, the king's sons are coming. It is just as your servant said." -\v 36 So it came about when he finished speaking, the king's sons arrived and raised their voices and wept. The king and all his servants also wept bitterly. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. -\v 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, where he was for three years. -\v 39 The mind of King David longed to go out to see Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon and his death. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart desired to see Absalom. -\v 2 So Joab sent word to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought to him. He said to her, "Please pretend you are a mourner and put on mourning clothes. Please do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead. -\v 3 Then go to the king and speak to him about what I will describe." So Joab told her the words she was to say to the king. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 When the woman from Tekoa spoke to the king, she lay facedown on the ground and said, "Help me, king." -\v 5 The king said to her, "What is wrong?" She answered, "The truth is that I am a widow, and my husband is dead. -\v 6 I, your servant, had two sons, and they fought together in the field, and there was no one to separate them. One struck the other and killed him. - -\s5 -\v 7 Now the whole clan has risen against your servant, and they say, 'Hand over the man who struck his brother, so that we may put him to death, to pay for the life of his brother whom he killed.' So they would also destroy the heir. Thus they will put out the burning coal that I have left, and they will leave for my husband neither name nor descendant on the surface of the earth." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 So the king said to the woman, "Go to your house, and I will command something to be done for you." -\v 9 The woman of Tekoa replied to the king, "My master, king, may the guilt be on me and on my father's family. The king and his throne are guiltless." - -\s5 -\v 10 The king replied, "Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he will not touch you anymore." -\v 11 Then she said, "Please, may the king call to mind Yahweh your God, so that the avenger of blood will not destroy anyone further, so that they will not destroy my son." The king replied, "As Yahweh lives, not one hair of your son will fall to the ground." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then the woman said, "Please let your servant speak a further word to my master the king." He said, "Speak on." -\v 13 So the woman said, "Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in saying this thing, the king is like someone who is guilty, because the king has not brought back home again his banished son. -\v 14 For we all must die, and we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life; instead, he finds a way for those who were driven away to be restored. - -\s5 -\v 15 Now then, seeing that I have come to speak this thing to my master the king, it is because the people have made me afraid. So your servant said to herself, 'I will now speak to the king. It may be that the king will perform the request of his servant. -\v 16 For the king will listen to me, in order to hand over his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together, out of the inheritance of God.' -\v 17 Then your servant prayed, 'Yahweh, please let the word of my master the king give me relief, for as an angel of God, so is my master the king in telling good from evil.' May Yahweh your God be with you." -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not hide from me anything that I will ask you." The woman replied, "Let my master the king now speak." -\v 19 The king said, "Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered and said, "As you live, my master the king, no one can escape to the right hand or to the left from anything that my master the king has spoken. It was your servant Joab who commanded me and told me to say these things that your servant has spoken. -\v 20 Your servant Joab has done this to change the course of what is happening. My master is wise, like the wisdom of an angel of God, and he knows everything that is happening in the land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 So the king said to Joab, "Look now, I will do this thing. Go then, and bring the young man Absalom back." -\v 22 So Joab lay facedown on the ground in honor and gratitude to the king. Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your eyes, my master, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant." -\s5 -\v 23 So Joab arose, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. -\v 24 The king said, "He may return to his own house, but he may not see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king's face. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Now in all Israel there was no one praised for his handsomeness more than Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no blemish in him. -\v 26 When he cut the hair of his head at the end of every year, because it was heavy on him, he weighed his hair; it would weigh about two hundred shekels, which is measured by the weight of the king's standard. -\v 27 To Absalom were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without seeing the king's face. -\v 29 Then Absalom sent word for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. So Absalom sent word a second time, but Joab still did not come. - -\s5 -\v 30 So Absalom said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire." So Absalom's servants set the field on fire. -\v 31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom at his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?" - -\s5 -\v 32 Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent word to you saying, 'Come here so I may send you to the king to say, "Why did I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to still be there. Now therefore let me see the king's face, and if I am guilty, let him kill me."'" -\v 33 So Joab went to the king and told him. When the king called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed low to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 It came about after this that Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, with fifty men to run before him. -\v 2 Absalom would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. When any man had a dispute to come to the king for judgment, Absalom called to him and said, "From what city have you come?" Then the man would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel." - -\s5 -\v 3 So Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right, but there is no one empowered by the king to hear your case." -\v 4 Absalom added, "I wish that I were made judge in the land, so that every man who had any dispute or cause might come to me, and I would bring him justice!" - -\s5 -\v 5 So it came about that when any man came to Absalom to honor him, Absalom would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. -\v 6 Absalom acted in this way to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 It came about at the end of four years that Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay a vow that I have made to Yahweh in Hebron. -\v 8 For your servant made a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying,' If Yahweh will indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will worship Yahweh.'" - -\s5 -\v 9 So the king said to him, "Go in peace." So Absalom arose and went to Hebron. -\v 10 But then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you must say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron.'" - -\s5 -\v 11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, who were invited. They went in their innocence, not knowing anything that Absalom had planned. -\v 12 While Absalom offered sacrfices, he sent for Ahithophel from his hometown of Giloh. He was David's counselor. Absalom's conspiracy was strong, for the people following Absalom were constantly increasing. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 A messenger came to David saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are following after Absalom." -\v 14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise and let us flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Prepare to leave immediately, or he will quickly overtake us, and he will bring down disaster on us and attack the city with the edge of the sword." -\v 15 The king's servants said to the king, "Look, your servants are ready to do whatever our master the king decides." - -\s5 -\v 16 The king left and all his family after him, but the king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the palace. -\v 17 After the king went out and all the people after him, they stopped at the last house. -\v 18 All his army marched with him, and before him went all the Kerethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites—six hundred men who had followed him from Gath. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why will you come with us? Return and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and an exile. Return to your own place. -\v 20 Since you just left yesterday, why should I make you wander all over with us? I do not even know where I am going. So return and take your fellow countrymen back. May loyalty and faithfulness go with you." - -\s5 -\v 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, "As Yahweh lives, and as my master the king lives, surely in whatever place where my master the king goes, there also will your servant go, whether that means living or dying." -\v 22 So David said to Ittai, "Go ahead and continue with us." So Ittai the Gittite marched with the king, along with all his men and all the families who were with him. -\v 23 All the country wept with a loud voice as all the people passed by over the Kidron Valley, and as the king also himself crossed over. All the people traveled on the road toward the wilderness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Even Zadok with all the Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant of God, were present. They set the ark of God down, and then Abiathar joined them. They waited until all the people had passed by out of the city. -\v 25 The king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of Yahweh, he will bring me back here and show me again the ark and the place where he lives. -\v 26 But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' look, here am I, let him do to me whatever seems good to him." - -\s5 -\v 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan son of Abiathar. -\v 28 See, I will wait at the fords of the Arabah until word comes from you to inform me." -\v 29 So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back into Jerusalem, and they stayed there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 But David ascended barefoot and weeping up the Mount of Olives, and he had his head covered. Every man of the people who were with him covered his head, and they went up weeping as they walked. -\v 31 Someone told David saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David prayed, "O Yahweh, please turn Ahithophel's advice into foolishness." -\s5 -\v 32 It came about that when David arrived at the top of the road, where God used to be worshiped, Hushai the Arkite came to meet him with his coat torn and earth on his head. -\v 33 David said to him, "If you travel with me, then you will be a burden to me. -\v 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, king, as I have been your father's servant in time past, so will I now be your servant,' then you will confuse Ahithophel's advice for me. - -\s5 -\v 35 Will you not have the priests Zadok and Abiathar with you? So whatever you hear in the king's palace, you must tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. -\v 36 See that they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son. You must send to me by their hand everything that you hear." -\v 37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city as Absalom arrived and entered into Jerusalem. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 When David had gone a short distance over the summit of the hill, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys; on them were two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred bunches of figs, and a skin of wine. -\v 2 The king said to Ziba, "Why did you bring these things?" Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fig cakes are for your men to eat, and the wine is for anyone who is faint in the wilderness to drink." - -\s5 -\v 3 The king said, "Then where is your master's grandson?" Ziba replied to the king, "Look, he has stayed behind in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore my father's kingdom to me.'" -\v 4 Then the king said to Ziba, "Look, all that belonged to Mephibosheth now belongs to you." Ziba answered, "I bow in humility to you, my master, king. Let me find favor in your eyes." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 When King David approached Bahurim, there came out from there a man from the clan of Saul, whose name was Shimei son of Gera. He came out cursing as he walked. -\v 6 He threw stones at David and at all of the king's officials, in spite of the army and bodyguards who were on the king's right and left. - -\s5 -\v 7 Shimei called out in cursing, "Go away, get out of here, you villain, you man of blood! -\v 8 Yahweh has repaid all of you for the blood you shed within the family of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. Yahweh has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah, said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my master the king? Please let me go over and take off his head." -\v 10 But the king said, "What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? Perhaps he is cursing me because Yahweh has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then could say to him, 'Why are you cursing the king?'" -\s5 -\v 11 So David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look, my son, who was born from my body, wants to take my life. How much more may this Benjamite now desire my ruin? Leave him alone and let him curse, for Yahweh has commanded him to do it. -\v 12 Perhaps Yahweh will look at the misery unleashed on me, and repay me with good for his cursing me today." - -\s5 -\v 13 So David and his men traveled on the road, while Shimei went beside him up on the hillside, cursing and throwing dust and stones at him as he went. -\v 14 Then the king and all the people who were with him became weary, and he rested when they stopped for the night. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 As for Absalom and all the men of Israel who were with him, they came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. -\v 16 It came about when Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, had come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" -\s5 -\v 17 Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with him?" -\v 18 Hushai said to Absalom, "No! Instead, the one whom Yahweh and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, that is the man to whom I will belong, and I will stay with him. - -\s5 -\v 19 Also, what man should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, I will serve in your presence." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice about what we should do." -\v 21 Ahithophel answered Absalom, "Go sleep with your father's slave wives whom he has left to keep the palace, and all Israel will hear that you have become a stench to your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong." - -\s5 -\v 22 So they spread for Absalom a tent on the top of the palace, and Absalom slept with his father's slave wives in the sight of all Israel. -\v 23 Now the advice of Ahithophel that he gave in those days was as if a man heard from the mouth of God himself. That was how all of Ahithophel's advice was viewed by both David and Absalom. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. -\v 2 I will come on him while he is weary and weak and will surprise him with fear. The people who are with him will flee, and I will attack only the king. -\v 3 I will bring back all the people to you, like a bride coming to her husband, and all the people will be at peace under you." -\v 4 What Ahithophel said pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Then Absalom said, "Now call Hushai the Arkite, too, and let us hear what he says." -\v 6 When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom explained to him what Ahithophel had said and then asked Hushai, "Should we do what Ahithophel has said? If not, tell us what you advise." -\v 7 So Hushai said to Absalom, "The advice that Ahithophel has given this time is not good." - -\s5 -\v 8 Hushai added, "You know your father and his men are strong warriors, and that they are bitter, and they are like a bear robbed of her cubs in a field. Your father is a man of war; he will not sleep with the army tonight. -\v 9 Look, right now he is probably hidden in some pit or in some other place. It will happen that when some of your men have been killed at the beginning of an attack, that whoever hears it will say, 'A slaughter has taken place among the soldiers who follow Absalom.' -\v 10 Then even the bravest soldiers, whose hearts are like the heart of a lion, will be afraid because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that the men who are with him are very strong. - -\s5 -\v 11 So I advise you that all Israel should be gathered together to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as numerous as the sands that are by the sea, and that you go to battle in person. -\v 12 Then we will come on him wherever he may be found, and we will cover him as the dew falls on the ground. We will not leave even one of his men, or him himself, alive. - -\s5 -\v 13 If he retreats into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city and we will drag it into the river, until there is no longer even a small stone found there." -\v 14 Then Absalom and the men of Israel said, "Hushai the Arkite's advice is better than Ahithophel's." Yahweh had ordained the rejection of Ahithophel's good advice in order to bring destruction on Absalom. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel in such and such a way, but I have advised something else. -\v 16 Now then, go quickly and report to David; say to him, 'Do not camp tonight at the fords of the Arabah, but by all means cross over, or the king will be swallowed up along with all the people who are with him.'" - -\s5 -\v 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at the spring of En Rogel. A female servant used to go and inform them what they needed to know, for they could not risk being seen going into the city. When the message came, then they were to go and tell King David. -\v 18 But a young man saw them this time and told Absalom. So Jonathan and Ahimaaz went away quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, into which they descended. - -\s5 -\v 19 The man's wife took the covering for the well and spread it over the well's opening, and tossed grain over it, so no one knew Jonathan and Ahimaaz were in the well. -\v 20 Absalom's men came to the woman of the house and said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman told them, "They have crossed over the river." So after they had looked around and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 It came about after they had left that Jonathan and Ahimaaz came up out of the well. They went to report to King David; they said to him, "Get up and cross quickly over the water because Ahithophel has given such and such advice about you." -\v 22 Then David arose and all the people who were with him, and they crossed over the Jordan. By morning daylight not one of them had failed to cross over the Jordan. - -\s5 -\v 23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and left. He went home to his own city, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. In this way he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then David came to Mahanaim. As for Absalom, he crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. -\v 25 Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether the Ishmaelite \f + \ft Scholars disagree about whether the word describing Jether should be "Ishmaelite" as it is in some ancient Greek versions, or "Israelite" as it is in the ancient Hebrew text. Some scholars believe that "Israelite" is a scribal error in the Hebrew. "Ishmaelite" is the word used in a parallel passage (See: 1CH 2:17), in both the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts. \f*, who had slept with Abigail, who was the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab. -\v 26 Then Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 It came about when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, -\v 28 brought sleeping mats and blankets, bowls and pots, and wheat, barley flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, -\v 29 honey, butter, sheep, and milk curds, so that David and the people with him could eat. These men had said, "The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 David counted the soldiers who were with him and appointed captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. -\v 2 Then David sent out the army, one-third under the command of Joab, another third under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and still another third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the army, "I will certainly go out with you myself, too." - -\s5 -\v 3 But the men said, "You must not go to battle, for if we flee away they will not care about us, or if half of us die they will not care. But you are worth ten thousand of us! Therefore it is better that you be ready to help us from the city." -\v 4 So the king answered them, "I will do whatever seems best to you." The king stood by the city gate while all the army went out by hundreds and by thousands. - -\s5 -\v 5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, with Absalom." All the people heard that the king had given the captains this command about Absalom. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 So the army went out into the countryside against Israel; the battle spread into the forest of Ephraim. -\v 7 The army of Israel was defeated there before the soldiers of David; there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men. -\v 8 The battle spread throughout the whole countryside, and more men were consumed by the forest than by the sword. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Absalom happened to meet some of David's soldiers. Absalom was riding his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak tree, and his head was caught up in the tree branches. He was left dangling between the ground and the sky while the mule he was riding kept going. -\v 10 Someone saw this and told Joab, "Look, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!" -\v 11 Joab said to the man who told him about Absalom, "Look! You saw him! Why did you not strike him down to the ground? I would have given you ten silver shekels and a belt." -\s5 -\v 12 The man replied to Joab, "Even if I received a thousand silver shekels, still I would not have reached out my hand against the king's son, because we all heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, 'No one must touch the young man Absalom.' -\v 13 If I had risked my life by a falsehood (and there is nothing hidden from the king), you would have abandoned me." - -\s5 -\v 14 Then Joab said, "I will not wait for you." So Joab took three javelins in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive and hanging from the oak. -\v 15 Then ten young men who carried Joab's armor surrounded Absalom, attacked him, and killed him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the army returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab held back the army. -\v 17 They took Absalom and threw him into a large pit in the forest; they buried his body under a very large pile of stones, while all Israel fled, every man to his own home. - -\s5 -\v 18 Now Absalom, while still alive, had built for himself a large stone pillar in the King's Valley, for he said, "I have no son to carry along the memory of my name." He named the pillar after his own name, so it is called Absalom's Monument to this very day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, "Let me now run to the king with the good news, how Yahweh has rescued him from the hand of his enemies." -\v 20 Joab answered him, "You will not be the bearer of news today; you must do it another day. Today you will bear no news because the king's son is dead." - -\s5 -\v 21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed down to Joab, and ran. -\v 22 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said again to Joab, "Regardless of what may happen, please let me also run and follow the Cushite." Joab replied, "Why do you want to run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?" -\v 23 "Whatever happens," said Ahimaaz, "I will run." So Joab answered him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Now David was sitting between the inner and outer gates. The watchman had gone up to the roof of the gate to the wall and raised his eyes. As he looked, he saw a man approaching, running alone. -\v 25 The watchman shouted out and told the king. Then the king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." The runner came closer and neared the city. - -\s5 -\v 26 Then the watchman noticed another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper; he said, "Look, there is another man running alone." The king said, "He is also bringing news." -\v 27 So the watchman said, "I think the running of the man in front is like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok." The king said, "He is a good man and is coming with good news." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, "All is well." He bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground and said, "Blessed be Yahweh your God! He has delivered the men who lifted up their hand against my master the king." -\v 29 So the king replied, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent me, the king's servant, to you, king, I saw a great disturbance, but I did not know what it was." -\v 30 Then the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So Ahimaaz turned aside, and stood still. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Immediately then the Cushite arrived and said, "There is good news for my master the king, for Yahweh has avenged you today from all who rose up against you." -\v 32 Then the king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "The enemies of my master the king, and all who rise up against you to do harm to you, should be as that young man is." -\v 33 Then the king was deeply unnerved, and he went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he went he grieved, "My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 Joab was told, "Look, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." -\v 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the army, for the army heard it said that day, "The king is mourning for his son." - -\s5 -\v 3 The soldiers had to sneak quietly into the city that day, like people who are ashamed sneak away when they run from battle. -\v 4 The king covered his face and cried in a loud voice, "My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!" - -\s5 -\v 5 Then Joab entered into the house to the king and said to him, "You have shamed the faces of all your soldiers today, who have saved your life today, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your slave wives, -\v 6 because you love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you. For today you have shown that commanders and soldiers are nothing to you. Today I believe that if Absalom had lived, and we all had died, then that would have pleased you. - -\s5 -\v 7 Now therefore get up and go out and speak kindly to your soldiers, for I swear by Yahweh, if you do not go, not one man will remain with you tonight. That would be worse for you than all the disasters that have ever happened to you from your youth until now." -\v 8 So the king got up and sat in the city gate, and all the people were told, "Look, the king is sitting in the gate," and all the people came before the king. -\p So Israel fled, every man to his home. - -\s5 -\v 9 All the people were arguing with each other throughout all the tribes of Israel saying, "The king rescued us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines, but now he has run out of the land because of Absalom. -\v 10 Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests saying, "Speak to the elders of Judah saying, 'Why are you the last to bring the king back to his palace, since the talk of all Israel favors the king, to bring him back to his palace? -\v 12 You are my brothers, my flesh and bone. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?' -\s5 -\v 13 Then say to Amasa, 'Are you not my flesh and my bone? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not captain of my army from now on in the place of Joab.'" -\v 14 So he won the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man. They sent to the king saying, "Return, you and all your men." -\v 15 So the king returned and came to the Jordan. Now the men of Judah came to Gilgal to go to meet the king and then to bring the king across the Jordan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. -\v 17 There were one thousand men from Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of Saul, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. They crossed through the Jordan in the presence of the king. -\v 18 They crossed to bring over the king's family and to do whatever he thought good. Shimei son of Gera bowed down before the king just before he began to cross the Jordan. - -\s5 -\v 19 Shimei said to the king, "Do not, my master, find me guilty or call to mind what your servant stubbornly did the day that my master the king left Jerusalem. Please, may the king not take it to heart. -\v 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. See, that is why I have come today as the first from all the family of Joseph to come down to meet my master the king." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 But Abishai son of Zeruiah answered and said, "Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?" -\v 22 Then David said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should today be adversaries to me? Will any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?" -\v 23 So the king said to Shimei, "You will not die." So the king promised him with an oath. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then Mephibosheth son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had not dressed his feet, or trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came home in peace. -\v 25 So when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?" - -\s5 -\v 26 He answered, "My master the king, my servant deceived me, for I said, 'I will saddle a donkey so I may ride on it and go with the king, because your servant is lame.' -\v 27 My servant Ziba has slandered me, your servant, to my master the king. But my master the king is like an angel of God. Therefore, do what is good in your eyes. -\v 28 For all my father's house were dead men before my master the king, but you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I that I should still cry any more to the king?" - -\s5 -\v 29 Then the king said to him, "Why explain anything further? I have decided that you and Ziba will divide the fields." -\v 30 So Mephibosheth replied to the king, "Yes, let him take it all, since my master the king has come safely to his own home." -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Then Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim to cross over the Jordan with the king, and he accompanied the king over the Jordan. -\v 32 Now Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He had furnished the king with provisions while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. -\v 33 The king said to Barzillai, "Come over with me, and I will provide for you to stay with me in Jerusalem." - -\s5 -\v 34 Barzillai replied to the king, "How many days are left in the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? -\v 35 I am eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a burden to my master the king? -\v 36 Your servant would like to just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? - -\s5 -\v 37 Please let your servant return back home, so I may die in my own city by the grave of my father and my mother. But see, here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my master the king, and do for him what seems good to you." - -\s5 -\v 38 The king answered, "Kimham will go over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you, and whatever you desire from me, I do that for you." -\v 39 Then all the people crossed the Jordan, and the king crossed over, and the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned to his own home. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 So the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Kimham crossed over with him. All the army of Judah brought the king over, and also half the army of Israel. -\v 41 Soon all the men of Israel began to come to the king and say to the king, "Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king and his family over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?" - -\s5 -\v 42 So the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "It is because the king is more closely related to us. Why then are you angry about this? Have we eaten anything that the king had to pay for? Has he given us any gifts?" -\v 43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, "We have ten tribes related to the king, so we have even more right to David than you. Why then did you despise us? Was not our proposal to bring back our king the first to be heard?" But the words of the men of Judah were even more harsh than the words of the men of Israel. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 There also happened to be at the same place a troublemaker whose name was Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite. He blew the trumpet and said, "We have no part in David, neither have we any inheritance in the son of Jesse. Let every man go back to his home, Israel." -\v 2 So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah followed closely their king, from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 When David came to his palace at Jerusalem, he took the ten slave wives whom he had left to keep the palace, and he put them in a house under guard. He provided for their needs, but he did not sleep with them any longer. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living as if they were widows. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Then the king said to Amasa, "Call the men of Judah together within three days; you must be here, too." -\v 5 So Amasa went to call Judah, but he was delayed beyond the time that the king had allotted for him. - -\s5 -\v 6 So David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master's servants, my soldiers, and pursue after him, or he will find fortified cities and escape out of our sight." -\v 7 Then Joab's men went out after him, along with the Kerethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty warriors. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri. - -\s5 -\v 8 When they were at the great stone which is at Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing the battle armor that he had put on, which included a belt around his waist with a sheathed sword fastened to it. As he walked forward, the sword fell out. - -\s5 -\v 9 So Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my cousin?" Joab affectionately took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. -\v 10 Amasa did not notice the dagger that was in Joab's left hand. Joab stabbed Amasa in the stomach and his bowels spilled out to the ground. Joab did not strike him again, and Amasa died. -\p So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba son of Bikri. - -\s5 -\v 11 Then one of Joab's men stood by Amasa, and the man said, "He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab." -\v 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa off of the road and into a field. He threw a garment over him because he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. -\v 13 After Amasa was taken off the road, all the men followed on after Joab in pursuit of Sheba son of Bikri. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth Maacah, and through all the land of the Bikrites, who gathered together and also pursued Sheba. -\v 15 They caught up with him and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah. They built up a siege ramp against the city against the wall. All the army who were with Joab battered the wall to knock it down. -\v 16 Then a wise woman cried out of the city, "Listen, please listen, Joab! Come near me so I may speak with -you." - -\s5 -\v 17 So Joab came near to her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your servant." He answered, "I am listening." -\v 18 Then she spoke, "They used to say in old times, 'Surely seek advice at Abel,' and that advice would end the matter. -\v 19 We are a city that is one of the most peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the inheritance of Yahweh?" - -\s5 -\v 20 So Joab answered and said, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. -\v 21 That is not true. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, named Sheba son of Bikri, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you over the wall." -\v 22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew the trumpet and Joab's men left the city, every man to his home. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and over the Pelethites. -\v 24 Adoniram was over the men who did forced labor, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder. -\v 25 Sheva was scribe and Zadok and Abiathar were priests. -\v 26 Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 There was a famine in David's time for three years in a row, and David sought the face of Yahweh. So Yahweh said, "This famine is on you because of Saul and his murderous family, because he put the Gibeonites to death." - -\s5 -\v 2 Now the Gibeonites were not from the people of Israel; they were from what remained of the Amorites. The people of Israel had sworn not to kill them, but Saul tried to kill them all anyway in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah. -\v 3 So King David called together the Gibeonites and said to them, "What should I do for you? How can I make atonement, so that you may bless the people of Yahweh, who inherit his goodness and promises?" - -\s5 -\v 4 The Gibeonites responded to him, "It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his family. In the same way it is not for us to put to death any man in Israel." David replied, "What are you saying that I should do for you?" -\s5 -\v 5 They answered the king, "The man who tried to kill us all, who schemed against us, so that we are now destroyed and have no place within the borders of Israel— -\v 6 let seven men from his descendants be handed over to us, and we will hang them before Yahweh in Gibeah of Saul, the one chosen by Yahweh." So the king said, "I will give them to you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 But the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, because of Yahweh's oath between them, between David and Jonathan son of Saul. -\v 8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, sons whom she bore to Saul—the two sons were named Armoni and Mephibosheth; and David also took the five sons of Merab \f + \ft Some versions read: \fqa Michal,\fqa* but 2SA 6:23 says she had no children; or Michal may have been another name for Merab \f* daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. -\v 9 He handed them over into the hands of the Gibeonites. They hanged them on the mountain before Yahweh, and they died all seven together. They were put to death during the time of harvest, during the first days at the beginning of barley harvest. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the mountain beside the dead bodies, from the beginning of harvest until the rain poured down on them from the sky. She did not allow the birds of the sky to disturb the bodies by day or the wild animals by night. -\v 11 It was told to David what Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, the slave wife of Saul, had done. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, after the Philistines had killed Saul in Gilboa. -\v 13 David took away from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son, and they gathered the bones of the seven men who had been hanged, as well. - -\s5 -\v 14 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. They performed all that the king commanded. After that God answered their prayers for the land. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then the Philistines went to war again with Israel. So David went down with his army and fought against the Philistines. David was overcome with battle fatigue. -\v 16 Ishbi-Benob, a descendant of the giants, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels, and who was armed with a new sword, intended to kill David. -\v 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah rescued David, attacked the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, "You must not go to battle anymore with us, so that you do not put out the lamp of Israel." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 It came about after this that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob, when Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the descendants of the Rephaim. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Gob \fqa* in the Hebrew text, some versions have \fqa Gezeth \fqa* or \fqa Gezer. \fqa* \f* -\v 19 It came about again in a battle with the Philistines at Gob, that Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. - -\s5 -\v 20 It came about in another battle at Gath that there was a man of great height who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number. He also was descended from the Rephaim. -\v 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him. -\v 22 These were descendants of the Rephaim of Gath, and they were killed by the hand of David and by the hand of his soldiers. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 It happened that after the king had settled in his house, and after Yahweh had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, +\v 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God is staying in the middle of a tent." + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do what is in your heart, for Yahweh is with you." +\v 4 But that same night the word of Yahweh came to Nathan, saying, +\v 5 "Go and tell David my servant, 'This is what Yahweh says: Will you build me a house in which to live? + +\s5 +\v 6 For I have not lived in a house from the day that I brought up the people of Israel out of Egypt until this present day; instead, I have been moving about in a tent, a tabernacle. +\v 7 In all places where I have moved among all the people of Israel, did I ever say anything to any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'" + +\s5 +\v 8 Now then, tell my servant David, "This is what Yahweh of hosts says: 'I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, so that you would be ruler over my people Israel. +\v 9 I have been with you wherever you went. I have cut off all your enemies +from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the +great ones of the earth. + +\s5 +\v 10 I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them there, so that they may live in their own place and be troubled no more. No longer will wicked people oppress them, as they did before, +\v 11 as they were doing from the days that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Now I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, I, Yahweh declare to you that I will make you a house. + +\s5 +\v 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up a descendant after you, one who will come out from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. +\v 13 He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. +\v 14 I will be a father to him, and he will be my son. When he sins, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the whipping of the sons of men. + +\s5 +\v 15 But my covenant faithfulness will not leave him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. +\v 16 Your house and kingdom will be confirmed forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.'" +\v 17 Nathan spoke to David and reported to him all these words, and he told him about the entire vision. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh and said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my family that you have brought me to this point? +\v 19 Now this was a small thing in your sight, Lord Yahweh. You have even spoken about your servant's family for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, Lord Yahweh! +\v 20 What more can I, David, say to you? You have honored your servant, Lord Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 21 For your word's sake, and to fulfill your own purpose, you have done this great thing and revealed it to your servant. +\v 22 Therefore you are great, Lord Yahweh, for there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as we have heard with our own ears. +\v 23 What nation is like your people Israel, the one nation on earth whom you, God, went and rescued for yourself? You did this so that they would become a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself, and to do great and fearful deeds for your land. You drove out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you rescued from Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 24 You established Israel as your own people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God. +\v 25 So now, Yahweh God, may the promise that you made concerning your servant and his family be established forever. Do as you have spoken. +\v 26 May your name be forever great, so the people will say, 'Yahweh of hosts is the God of Israel,' while the house of me, David, your servant is established before you. + +\s5 +\v 27 For you, Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. That is why I, your servant, have found courage to pray to you. +\v 28 Now, Lord Yahweh, you are God, and your words are trustworthy, and you have made this good promise to your servant. +\v 29 Now then, let it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, Lord Yahweh, have said these things, and with your blessing your servant's house will be blessed forever." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 After this it came about that David attacked the Philistines and defeated them. So David took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Then he defeated Moab and measured their men with a line by making them lie down on the ground. He measured off two lines to put to death, and one full line to keep alive. So the Moabites became servants to David and began to pay him tribute. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 David then defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, the king of Zobah, as Hadadezer was traveling to recover his rule by the Euphrates River. +\v 4 David captured from him 1,700 chariots and twenty thousand footmen. David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for a hundred chariots. + +\s5 +\v 5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand Aramean men. +\v 6 Then David put garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and the Arameans became servants to him and brought him tribute. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. + +\s5 +\v 7 David took the golden shields that were on Hadadezer's servants and brought them to Jerusalem. +\v 8 From Tebah and Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took very much bronze. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When Tou, king of Hamath, heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer, +\v 10 Tou sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because David had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him, and because Hadadezer had waged war against Tou. Hadoram brought with himself objects of silver, gold, and bronze. +\s5 +\v 11 King David set aside these objects to Yahweh, together with the silver and gold from all the nations that he conquered— +\v 12 from Aram, Moab, the people of Ammon, the Philistines, and Amalek, along with all of the plundered goods of Hadadezer son of Rehob, the king of Zobah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 David's name was well known when he returned from conquering the Arameans in the Valley of Salt, with their eighteen thousand men. +\v 14 He placed garrisons throughout all of Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to him. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and righteousness to all his people. +\v 16 Joab son of Zeruiah was the commander of the army, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder. +\v 17 Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was scribe. +\v 18 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the Kerethites and Pelethites, and David's sons were the chief officials at the king's hand. \f + \ft Comparing this verse with 1CH 18:17, \fqa were the chief officials at the king's hand \fqa* ; but the MT has \fqa were priests.\f* + + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 David said, "Is there anyone left in Saul's family to whom I may show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" +\v 2 There was in Saul's family a servant whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. The king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" He replied, "Yes. I am your servant." +\s5 +\v 3 So the king said, "Is there not anyone left of Saul's family to whom I may show the kindness of God?" Ziba replied to the king, "Jonathan still has a son, who is lame in his feet." +\v 4 The king said to him, "Where is he?" Ziba replied to the king, "Look, he is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar." + +\s5 +\v 5 Then King David sent and had him brought out of the house of Machir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar. +\v 6 So Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, came to David and bowed down his face to the floor in honor of David. David said, "Mephibosheth." He answered, "See, I am your servant!" + +\s5 +\v 7 David said to him, "Do not be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather, and you will always eat at my table." +\v 8 Mephibosheth bowed and said, "What is your servant, that you should look with favor on such a dead dog as I am?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul and his family I have given to your master's grandson. +\v 10 You, your sons, and your servants must till the land for him and you must harvest the crops so that your master's grandson will have food to eat. For Mephibosheth, your master's grandson, must always eat at my table." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. + +\s5 +\v 11 Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do all that my master the king commands his servant." The king added, "As for Mephibosheth he will eat at my table, as one of the king's sons." +\v 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mika. All who lived in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. +\v 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, and he always ate at the king's table, though he was lame in both his feet. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 It came about later that the king of the people of Ammon died, and that Hanun his son became king in his place. +\v 2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent his servants to comfort Hanun concerning his father. His servants entered the land of the people of Ammon. +\v 3 But the leaders of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their master, "Do you really think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you? Has not David sent his servants to you to look at the city, to spy it out, in order to overthrow it?" + +\s5 +\v 4 So Hanun took David's servants, shaved off half their beards, cut off their garments up to their buttocks, and sent them away. +\v 5 When they explained this to David, he sent to meet with them, for the men were deeply ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 When the people of Ammon saw that they had become a stench to David, the people of Ammon sent messengers and hired the Arameans of Beth Rehob and Zobah, twenty thousand foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and the men of Tob with twelve thousand men. +\v 7 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of soldiers. +\v 8 The Ammonites came out and formed a line of battle at the entrance to their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah, stood by themselves in the open fields. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 When Joab saw the battle lines facing him both in front and behind, he chose some of Israel's best fighters and arranged them against the Arameans. +\v 10 The rest of his people he put into the hand of Abishai his brother, and he set them out in position to fight against the army of Ammon. + +\s5 +\v 11 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you, Abishai, must rescue me. But if the army of Ammon is too strong for you, then I will come and rescue you. +\v 12 Be strong, and let us show ourselves to be strong for our people and for the cities of our God, for Yahweh will do what is good for his purpose." +\s5 +\v 13 So Joab and the soldiers of his army advanced to the battle against the Arameans, who were forced to flee before the army of Israel. +\v 14 When the army of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Abishai and went back into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went back to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 When the Arameans saw that they were being defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together again. +\v 16 Then Hadarezer sent for Aramean troops from beyond the Euphrates River. They came to Helam with Shobak, the commander of Hadarezer's army at their head. + +\s5 +\v 17 When David was told this, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and arrived at Helam. The Arameans arranged themselves in battle lines against David and fought him. +\v 18 The Arameans fled from Israel. David killed seven hundred Aramean chariot soldiers and forty thousand horse soldiers. Shobak the commander of their army was wounded and died there. +\v 19 When all the kings who were servants of Hadarezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became their subjects. So the Arameans were afraid to help the people of Ammon anymore. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 It came about in the springtime, at the time when kings normally go to war, that David sent out Joab, his servants, and all the army of Israel. They destroyed the army of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 So it came about one evening that David got up from his bed and walked on the roof of his palace. From there he happened to see a woman who was bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to look at. +\v 3 So David sent and he asked people who would know about the woman. Someone said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, and is she not the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" + +\s5 +\v 4 David sent messengers and took her; she came in to him, and he slept with her (for she had just purified herself from menstruation). Then she returned to her house. +\v 5 The woman conceived, and she sent and told David; she said, "I am pregnant." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then David sent to Joab saying, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David. +\v 7 When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab was, how the army was doing, and how the war was going. +\v 8 David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house, and wash your feet." So Uriah left the king's palace, and the king sent a gift for Uriah after he left. +\s5 +\v 9 But Uriah slept at the door of the king's palace with all the servants of his master, and he did not go down to his house. +\v 10 When they told David, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David said to Uriah, "Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?" +\v 11 Uriah answered David, "The ark, and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my master's servants are camped in an open field. How then can I go into my house to eat and to drink and to sleep with my wife? As sure as you are alive, I will not do this." +\s5 +\v 12 So David said to Uriah, "Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you leave." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next day. +\v 13 When David called him, he ate and drank before him, and David made him drunk. At evening Uriah went out to sleep on his bed with the servants of his master; he did not go down to his house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 So in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. +\v 15 David wrote in the letter saying, "Set Uriah at the very front of the most intense battle, and then withdraw from him, that he may be hit and killed." + +\s5 +\v 16 So as Joab watched the siege upon the city, he assigned Uriah to the place where he knew the strongest enemy soldiers would be fighting. +\v 17 When the men of the city went out and fought against Joab's army, some of the soldiers of David fell, and Uriah the Hittite was also killed there. + +\s5 +\v 18 When Joab sent word to David about everything concerning the war, +\v 19 he commanded the messenger, saying, "When you have finished telling all the things concerning the war to the king, +\v 20 it may happen that the king will become angry, and he will say to you, 'Why did you go so near to the city to fight? Did you not know that they would shoot from the wall? + +\s5 +\v 21 Who killed Abimelech son of Jerub-Besheth? Did not a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?' Then you must answer, 'Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 So the messenger left and went to David and told him everything that Joab had sent him to say. +\v 23 Then the messenger said to David, "The enemy were stronger than we were at first; they came out to us into the field, but we drove them back to the entrance of the gate. + +\s5 +\v 24 Then their shooters shot at your soldiers from off the wall, and some of the king's servants were killed, and your servant Uriah the Hittite was killed too." +\v 25 Then David said to the messenger, "Say this to Joab, 'Do not let this displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Make your battle even stronger against the city, and overthrow it,' and encourage him." +\s5 +\p +\v 26 So when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented deeply for her husband. +\v 27 When her sorrow passed, David sent and took her home to his palace, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But what David had done displeased Yahweh. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 Then Yahweh sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said, "There were once two men in a city. One man was rich and the other poor. +\v 2 The rich man had huge numbers of flocks and herds, +\v 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and fed and raised. It grew up together with him and with his children. The lamb even ate with him and drank from his own cup, and it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him. + +\s5 +\v 4 One day a visitor came to the rich man, but the rich man was unwilling to take an animal from his own flocks and herds to provide food for him. Instead he took the poor man's ewe lamb and cooked it for his visitor." +\v 5 David was hot with anger against the rich man, and he raged to Nathan, "As Yahweh lives, the man who has done this deserves to be put to death. +\v 6 He must pay back the lamb four times over because he did such a thing, and because he had no pity on the poor man." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I rescued you out of the hand of Saul. +\v 8 I gave you your master's house, and your master's wives into your arms. I also gave you the house of Israel and Judah. But if that had been too little, I would have given you many other things in addition. + +\s5 +\v 9 So why have you despised the commands of Yahweh, so as to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your own wife. You killed him with the sword of the army of Ammon. +\v 10 So now the sword will never leave your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your wife.' + +\s5 +\v 11 Yahweh says, 'Look, I will raise up disaster against you out of your own house. Before your own eyes, I will take your wives and give them to your neighbor, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. +\v 12 For you committed your sin secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, in the sunlight.'" +\v 13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against Yahweh." Nathan replied to David, "Yahweh also has passed over your sin. You will not be killed. + +\s5 +\v 14 However, because by this act you have despised Yahweh, the child who is born to you will surely die." +\v 15 Then Nathan left and went home. +\p Yahweh attacked the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he was very sick. + +\s5 +\v 16 David then implored God for the boy. David fasted and went inside and lay all night on the floor. +\v 17 The elders of his house arose and stood beside him, to raise him up from the floor, but he would not get up, and he would not eat with them. +\v 18 It came about on the seventh day that the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Look, while the child was still alive we spoke to him, and he did not listen to our voice. What might he do to himself if we tell him that the boy is dead?!" + +\s5 +\v 19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead. He said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" They answered, "He is dead." +\v 20 Then David arose from the floor and washed himself, anointed himself, and changed his clothes. He went to the tabernacle of Yahweh and worshiped there, and then he came back to his own palace. When he asked for it, they set food before him, and he ate. +\s5 +\v 21 Then his servants said to him, "Why have you done this? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you got up and ate." +\v 22 David answered, "While the child was still alive I fasted and wept. I said, 'Who knows whether or not Yahweh will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' +\v 23 But now he is dead, so why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and slept with her. Later she gave birth to a son, and the child was named Solomon. Yahweh loved him +\v 25 and he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah, because Yahweh loved him. + + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Now Joab fought against Rabbah, the royal city of the people of Ammon, and he captured its fortress. +\v 27 So Joab sent messengers to David and said, "I have fought against Rabbah, and I have taken the city's water supply. +\v 28 Now therefore gather the rest of the army together and camp against the city and take it, because if I take the city, it will be named after me." + +\s5 +\v 29 So David gathered all the army together and went to Rabbah; he fought against the city and captured it. +\v 30 David took the crown from their king's head—it weighed a talent of gold, and there was a precious stone in it. The crown was placed on David's own head. Then he brought out the plunder of the city in large quantities. +\s5 +\v 31 He brought out the people who were in the city and forced them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes; he also made them work at brick kilns. David required all the cities of the people of Ammon to do this labor. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem. + + + + + + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 It came about after this that Amnon son of David, was very attracted to his beautiful half-sister Tamar, who was a full sister of Absalom, another of David's sons. +\v 2 Amnon was so frustrated that he became sick because of his sister Tamar. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. + +\s5 +\v 3 But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. +\v 4 Jonadab said to Amnon, "Why, son of the king, are you depressed every morning? Will you not tell me?" So Amnon answered him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister." + +\s5 +\v 5 Then Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, ask him, 'Would you please send my sister Tamar to give me something to eat and cook it before me, so that I may see it and eat it from her hand?'" +\v 6 So Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. When the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please send my sister Tamar to make some food for my sickness in front of me so that I may eat from her hand." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Then David sent word to Tamar at his palace, saying, "Go now to your brother Amnon's house and prepare food for him." +\v 8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house where he was lying down. She took dough and kneaded it and formed bread in his sight, and then she baked it. +\v 9 She took the pan and gave the bread to him, but he refused to eat. Then Amnon said to the others present, "Send everyone out, away from me." So everyone went out from him. + +\s5 +\v 10 So Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into my room that I may eat from your hand." So Tamar took the bread that she had made, and brought it into the room of Amnon her brother. +\v 11 When she had brought the food to him, he took hold of her and said to her, "Come, sleep with me, my sister." +\v 12 She answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me, for nothing like this should be done in Israel. Do not do this appalling thing! + +\s5 +\v 13 How could I be rid of my shame? What about you? You would be like one of the fools in Israel! Now, please speak to the king, for he would not keep me from you." +\v 14 However Amnon would not listen to her. Since he was stronger than Tamar, he seized her and he slept with her. +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then Amnon hated Tamar with extreme hatred. He hated her even more than he had desired her. Amnon said to her, "Get up and go." +\v 16 But she responded to him, "No! Because this great evil of making me leave is even worse than what you did to me!" But Amnon did not listen to her. +\v 17 Instead, he called his personal servant and said, "Take this woman away from me, and bolt the door after her." +\s5 +\v 18 Then his servant brought her out and bolted the door after her. Tamar was wearing a very decorated robe because the king's daughters who were virgins dressed that way. +\v 19 Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. She put her hands on her head and walked away, crying aloud as she went. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now keep quiet, my sister. He is your brother. Do not take this thing to heart." So Tamar remained alone in her brother Absalom's house. +\v 21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry. +\v 22 Absalom said nothing to Amnon, for Absalom hated him for what he had done to her and how he had disgraced his sister Tamar. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 It came about after two full years that Absalom had sheep shearers working at Baal Hazor, which is near Ephraim, and Absalom invited all the king's sons to visit there. +\v 24 Absalom went to the king and said, "Look now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please, may the king and his servants go with me, your servant." + +\s5 +\v 25 The king answered Absalom, "No, my son, all of us should not go because we would be a burden to you." Absalom encouraged the king, but he would not go, yet he did bless Absalom. +\v 26 Then Absalom said, "If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us." So the king said to him, "Why should Amnon go with you?" + +\s5 +\v 27 Absalom pressed David, and so he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him. +\v 28 Absalom commanded his servants saying, "Listen closely. When Amnon begins to be drunk with wine, and when I say to you, 'Attack Amnon,' then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and brave." +\v 29 So Absalom's servants did to Amnon as he had commanded them. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man mounted his mule and fled. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 So it came about, while they were on the road, that the news came to David saying, "Absalom has killed all the king's sons, and there is not one of them left." +\v 31 Then the king arose and tore his clothes, and lay on the floor; all his servants stood by with their clothes torn. + +\s5 +\v 32 Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered and said, "Let not my master believe that they have killed all the young men who are the king's sons, for Amnon only is dead. Absalom has planned this from the day that Amnon violated his sister Tamar. +\v 33 So therefore let not my master the king take this report to heart, so as to believe that all the king's sons are dead, for Amnon only is dead." + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 Absalom fled away. A servant keeping watch raised his eyes and saw many people coming on the road on the hillside west of him. +\v 35 Then Jonadab said to the king, "Look, the king's sons are coming. It is just as your servant said." +\v 36 So it came about when he finished speaking, the king's sons arrived and raised their voices and wept. The king and all his servants also wept bitterly. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 But Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day. +\v 38 So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, where he was for three years. +\v 39 The mind of King David longed to go out to see Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon and his death. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 Now Joab son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart desired to see Absalom. +\v 2 So Joab sent word to Tekoa and had a wise woman brought to him. He said to her, "Please pretend you are a mourner and put on mourning clothes. Please do not anoint yourself with oil, but be like a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead. +\v 3 Then go to the king and speak to him about what I will describe." So Joab told her the words she was to say to the king. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 When the woman from Tekoa spoke to the king, she lay facedown on the ground and said, "Help me, king." +\v 5 The king said to her, "What is wrong?" She answered, "The truth is that I am a widow, and my husband is dead. +\v 6 I, your servant, had two sons, and they fought together in the field, and there was no one to separate them. One struck the other and killed him. + +\s5 +\v 7 Now the whole clan has risen against your servant, and they say, 'Hand over the man who struck his brother, so that we may put him to death, to pay for the life of his brother whom he killed.' So they would also destroy the heir. Thus they will put out the burning coal that I have left, and they will leave for my husband neither name nor descendant on the surface of the earth." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 So the king said to the woman, "Go to your house, and I will command something to be done for you." +\v 9 The woman of Tekoa replied to the king, "My master, king, may the guilt be on me and on my father's family. The king and his throne are guiltless." + +\s5 +\v 10 The king replied, "Whoever says anything to you, bring him to me, and he will not touch you anymore." +\v 11 Then she said, "Please, may the king call to mind Yahweh your God, so that the avenger of blood will not destroy anyone further, so that they will not destroy my son." The king replied, "As Yahweh lives, not one hair of your son will fall to the ground." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then the woman said, "Please let your servant speak a further word to my master the king." He said, "Speak on." +\v 13 So the woman said, "Why then have you devised such a thing against the people of God? For in saying this thing, the king is like someone who is guilty, because the king has not brought back home again his banished son. +\v 14 For we all must die, and we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life; instead, he finds a way for those who were driven away to be restored. + +\s5 +\v 15 Now then, seeing that I have come to speak this thing to my master the king, it is because the people have made me afraid. So your servant said to herself, 'I will now speak to the king. It may be that the king will perform the request of his servant. +\v 16 For the king will listen to me, in order to hand over his servant out of the hand of the man who would destroy me and my son together, out of the inheritance of God.' +\v 17 Then your servant prayed, 'Yahweh, please let the word of my master the king give me relief, for as an angel of God, so is my master the king in telling good from evil.' May Yahweh your God be with you." +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then the king answered and said to the woman, "Please do not hide from me anything that I will ask you." The woman replied, "Let my master the king now speak." +\v 19 The king said, "Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this?" The woman answered and said, "As you live, my master the king, no one can escape to the right hand or to the left from anything that my master the king has spoken. It was your servant Joab who commanded me and told me to say these things that your servant has spoken. +\v 20 Your servant Joab has done this to change the course of what is happening. My master is wise, like the wisdom of an angel of God, and he knows everything that is happening in the land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 So the king said to Joab, "Look now, I will do this thing. Go then, and bring the young man Absalom back." +\v 22 So Joab lay facedown on the ground in honor and gratitude to the king. Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your eyes, my master, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant." +\s5 +\v 23 So Joab arose, went to Geshur, and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. +\v 24 The king said, "He may return to his own house, but he may not see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king's face. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Now in all Israel there was no one praised for his handsomeness more than Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head there was no blemish in him. +\v 26 When he cut the hair of his head at the end of every year, because it was heavy on him, he weighed his hair; it would weigh about two hundred shekels, which is measured by the weight of the king's standard. +\v 27 To Absalom were born three sons and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a beautiful woman. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, without seeing the king's face. +\v 29 Then Absalom sent word for Joab to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. So Absalom sent word a second time, but Joab still did not come. + +\s5 +\v 30 So Absalom said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire." So Absalom's servants set the field on fire. +\v 31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom at his house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?" + +\s5 +\v 32 Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent word to you saying, 'Come here so I may send you to the king to say, "Why did I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to still be there. Now therefore let me see the king's face, and if I am guilty, let him kill me."'" +\v 33 So Joab went to the king and told him. When the king called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed low to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 It came about after this that Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, with fifty men to run before him. +\v 2 Absalom would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. When any man had a dispute to come to the king for judgment, Absalom called to him and said, "From what city have you come?" Then the man would answer, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel." + +\s5 +\v 3 So Absalom would say to him, "Look, your case is good and right, but there is no one empowered by the king to hear your case." +\v 4 Absalom added, "I wish that I were made judge in the land, so that every man who had any dispute or cause might come to me, and I would bring him justice!" + +\s5 +\v 5 So it came about that when any man came to Absalom to honor him, Absalom would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. +\v 6 Absalom acted in this way to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 It came about at the end of four years that Absalom said to the king, "Please let me go and pay a vow that I have made to Yahweh in Hebron. +\v 8 For your servant made a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying,' If Yahweh will indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will worship Yahweh.'" + +\s5 +\v 9 So the king said to him, "Go in peace." So Absalom arose and went to Hebron. +\v 10 But then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you must say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron.'" + +\s5 +\v 11 With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, who were invited. They went in their innocence, not knowing anything that Absalom had planned. +\v 12 While Absalom offered sacrfices, he sent for Ahithophel from his hometown of Giloh. He was David's counselor. Absalom's conspiracy was strong, for the people following Absalom were constantly increasing. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 A messenger came to David saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are following after Absalom." +\v 14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise and let us flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Prepare to leave immediately, or he will quickly overtake us, and he will bring down disaster on us and attack the city with the edge of the sword." +\v 15 The king's servants said to the king, "Look, your servants are ready to do whatever our master the king decides." + +\s5 +\v 16 The king left and all his family after him, but the king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the palace. +\v 17 After the king went out and all the people after him, they stopped at the last house. +\v 18 All his army marched with him, and before him went all the Kerethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites—six hundred men who had followed him from Gath. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why will you come with us? Return and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and an exile. Return to your own place. +\v 20 Since you just left yesterday, why should I make you wander all over with us? I do not even know where I am going. So return and take your fellow countrymen back. May loyalty and faithfulness go with you." + +\s5 +\v 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, "As Yahweh lives, and as my master the king lives, surely in whatever place where my master the king goes, there also will your servant go, whether that means living or dying." +\v 22 So David said to Ittai, "Go ahead and continue with us." So Ittai the Gittite marched with the king, along with all his men and all the families who were with him. +\v 23 All the country wept with a loud voice as all the people passed by over the Kidron Valley, and as the king also himself crossed over. All the people traveled on the road toward the wilderness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Even Zadok with all the Levites, carrying the ark of the covenant of God, were present. They set the ark of God down, and then Abiathar joined them. They waited until all the people had passed by out of the city. +\v 25 The king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of Yahweh, he will bring me back here and show me again the ark and the place where he lives. +\v 26 But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' look, here am I, let him do to me whatever seems good to him." + +\s5 +\v 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan son of Abiathar. +\v 28 See, I will wait at the fords of the Arabah until word comes from you to inform me." +\v 29 So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back into Jerusalem, and they stayed there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 But David ascended barefoot and weeping up the Mount of Olives, and he had his head covered. Every man of the people who were with him covered his head, and they went up weeping as they walked. +\v 31 Someone told David saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." So David prayed, "O Yahweh, please turn Ahithophel's advice into foolishness." +\s5 +\v 32 It came about that when David arrived at the top of the road, where God used to be worshiped, Hushai the Arkite came to meet him with his coat torn and earth on his head. +\v 33 David said to him, "If you travel with me, then you will be a burden to me. +\v 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, king, as I have been your father's servant in time past, so will I now be your servant,' then you will confuse Ahithophel's advice for me. + +\s5 +\v 35 Will you not have the priests Zadok and Abiathar with you? So whatever you hear in the king's palace, you must tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. +\v 36 See that they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son. You must send to me by their hand everything that you hear." +\v 37 So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city as Absalom arrived and entered into Jerusalem. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 When David had gone a short distance over the summit of the hill, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys; on them were two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred bunches of figs, and a skin of wine. +\v 2 The king said to Ziba, "Why did you bring these things?" Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fig cakes are for your men to eat, and the wine is for anyone who is faint in the wilderness to drink." + +\s5 +\v 3 The king said, "Then where is your master's grandson?" Ziba replied to the king, "Look, he has stayed behind in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore my father's kingdom to me.'" +\v 4 Then the king said to Ziba, "Look, all that belonged to Mephibosheth now belongs to you." Ziba answered, "I bow in humility to you, my master, king. Let me find favor in your eyes." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 When King David approached Bahurim, there came out from there a man from the clan of Saul, whose name was Shimei son of Gera. He came out cursing as he walked. +\v 6 He threw stones at David and at all of the king's officials, in spite of the army and bodyguards who were on the king's right and left. + +\s5 +\v 7 Shimei called out in cursing, "Go away, get out of here, you villain, you man of blood! +\v 8 Yahweh has repaid all of you for the blood you shed within the family of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. Yahweh has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah, said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my master the king? Please let me go over and take off his head." +\v 10 But the king said, "What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? Perhaps he is cursing me because Yahweh has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then could say to him, 'Why are you cursing the king?'" +\s5 +\v 11 So David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look, my son, who was born from my body, wants to take my life. How much more may this Benjamite now desire my ruin? Leave him alone and let him curse, for Yahweh has commanded him to do it. +\v 12 Perhaps Yahweh will look at the misery unleashed on me, and repay me with good for his cursing me today." + +\s5 +\v 13 So David and his men traveled on the road, while Shimei went beside him up on the hillside, cursing and throwing dust and stones at him as he went. +\v 14 Then the king and all the people who were with him became weary, and he rested when they stopped for the night. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 As for Absalom and all the men of Israel who were with him, they came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. +\v 16 It came about when Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, had come to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" +\s5 +\v 17 Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with him?" +\v 18 Hushai said to Absalom, "No! Instead, the one whom Yahweh and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, that is the man to whom I will belong, and I will stay with him. + +\s5 +\v 19 Also, what man should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, I will serve in your presence." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice about what we should do." +\v 21 Ahithophel answered Absalom, "Go sleep with your father's slave wives whom he has left to keep the palace, and all Israel will hear that you have become a stench to your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong." + +\s5 +\v 22 So they spread for Absalom a tent on the top of the palace, and Absalom slept with his father's slave wives in the sight of all Israel. +\v 23 Now the advice of Ahithophel that he gave in those days was as if a man heard from the mouth of God himself. That was how all of Ahithophel's advice was viewed by both David and Absalom. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. +\v 2 I will come on him while he is weary and weak and will surprise him with fear. The people who are with him will flee, and I will attack only the king. +\v 3 I will bring back all the people to you, like a bride coming to her husband, and all the people will be at peace under you." +\v 4 What Ahithophel said pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Then Absalom said, "Now call Hushai the Arkite, too, and let us hear what he says." +\v 6 When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom explained to him what Ahithophel had said and then asked Hushai, "Should we do what Ahithophel has said? If not, tell us what you advise." +\v 7 So Hushai said to Absalom, "The advice that Ahithophel has given this time is not good." + +\s5 +\v 8 Hushai added, "You know your father and his men are strong warriors, and that they are bitter, and they are like a bear robbed of her cubs in a field. Your father is a man of war; he will not sleep with the army tonight. +\v 9 Look, right now he is probably hidden in some pit or in some other place. It will happen that when some of your men have been killed at the beginning of an attack, that whoever hears it will say, 'A slaughter has taken place among the soldiers who follow Absalom.' +\v 10 Then even the bravest soldiers, whose hearts are like the heart of a lion, will be afraid because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and that the men who are with him are very strong. + +\s5 +\v 11 So I advise you that all Israel should be gathered together to you, from Dan to Beersheba, as numerous as the sands that are by the sea, and that you go to battle in person. +\v 12 Then we will come on him wherever he may be found, and we will cover him as the dew falls on the ground. We will not leave even one of his men, or him himself, alive. + +\s5 +\v 13 If he retreats into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city and we will drag it into the river, until there is no longer even a small stone found there." +\v 14 Then Absalom and the men of Israel said, "Hushai the Arkite's advice is better than Ahithophel's." Yahweh had ordained the rejection of Ahithophel's good advice in order to bring destruction on Absalom. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel in such and such a way, but I have advised something else. +\v 16 Now then, go quickly and report to David; say to him, 'Do not camp tonight at the fords of the Arabah, but by all means cross over, or the king will be swallowed up along with all the people who are with him.'" + +\s5 +\v 17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at the spring of En Rogel. A female servant used to go and inform them what they needed to know, for they could not risk being seen going into the city. When the message came, then they were to go and tell King David. +\v 18 But a young man saw them this time and told Absalom. So Jonathan and Ahimaaz went away quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who had a well in his courtyard, into which they descended. + +\s5 +\v 19 The man's wife took the covering for the well and spread it over the well's opening, and tossed grain over it, so no one knew Jonathan and Ahimaaz were in the well. +\v 20 Absalom's men came to the woman of the house and said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" The woman told them, "They have crossed over the river." So after they had looked around and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 It came about after they had left that Jonathan and Ahimaaz came up out of the well. They went to report to King David; they said to him, "Get up and cross quickly over the water because Ahithophel has given such and such advice about you." +\v 22 Then David arose and all the people who were with him, and they crossed over the Jordan. By morning daylight not one of them had failed to cross over the Jordan. + +\s5 +\v 23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and left. He went home to his own city, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. In this way he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then David came to Mahanaim. As for Absalom, he crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. +\v 25 Absalom had set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether the Ishmaelite \f + \ft Scholars disagree about whether the word describing Jether should be "Ishmaelite" as it is in some ancient Greek versions, or "Israelite" as it is in the ancient Hebrew text. Some scholars believe that "Israelite" is a scribal error in the Hebrew. "Ishmaelite" is the word used in a parallel passage (See: 1CH 2:17), in both the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts. \f*, who had slept with Abigail, who was the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, the mother of Joab. +\v 26 Then Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 It came about when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, +\v 28 brought sleeping mats and blankets, bowls and pots, and wheat, barley flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, +\v 29 honey, butter, sheep, and milk curds, so that David and the people with him could eat. These men had said, "The people are hungry, weary, and thirsty in the wilderness." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 David counted the soldiers who were with him and appointed captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. +\v 2 Then David sent out the army, one-third under the command of Joab, another third under the command of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and still another third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the army, "I will certainly go out with you myself, too." + +\s5 +\v 3 But the men said, "You must not go to battle, for if we flee away they will not care about us, or if half of us die they will not care. But you are worth ten thousand of us! Therefore it is better that you be ready to help us from the city." +\v 4 So the king answered them, "I will do whatever seems best to you." The king stood by the city gate while all the army went out by hundreds and by thousands. + +\s5 +\v 5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, with Absalom." All the people heard that the king had given the captains this command about Absalom. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 So the army went out into the countryside against Israel; the battle spread into the forest of Ephraim. +\v 7 The army of Israel was defeated there before the soldiers of David; there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men. +\v 8 The battle spread throughout the whole countryside, and more men were consumed by the forest than by the sword. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Absalom happened to meet some of David's soldiers. Absalom was riding his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak tree, and his head was caught up in the tree branches. He was left dangling between the ground and the sky while the mule he was riding kept going. +\v 10 Someone saw this and told Joab, "Look, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!" +\v 11 Joab said to the man who told him about Absalom, "Look! You saw him! Why did you not strike him down to the ground? I would have given you ten silver shekels and a belt." +\s5 +\v 12 The man replied to Joab, "Even if I received a thousand silver shekels, still I would not have reached out my hand against the king's son, because we all heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, 'No one must touch the young man Absalom.' +\v 13 If I had risked my life by a falsehood (and there is nothing hidden from the king), you would have abandoned me." + +\s5 +\v 14 Then Joab said, "I will not wait for you." So Joab took three javelins in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was still alive and hanging from the oak. +\v 15 Then ten young men who carried Joab's armor surrounded Absalom, attacked him, and killed him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then Joab blew the trumpet, and the army returned from pursuing Israel, for Joab held back the army. +\v 17 They took Absalom and threw him into a large pit in the forest; they buried his body under a very large pile of stones, while all Israel fled, every man to his own home. + +\s5 +\v 18 Now Absalom, while still alive, had built for himself a large stone pillar in the King's Valley, for he said, "I have no son to carry along the memory of my name." He named the pillar after his own name, so it is called Absalom's Monument to this very day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, "Let me now run to the king with the good news, how Yahweh has rescued him from the hand of his enemies." +\v 20 Joab answered him, "You will not be the bearer of news today; you must do it another day. Today you will bear no news because the king's son is dead." + +\s5 +\v 21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed down to Joab, and ran. +\v 22 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said again to Joab, "Regardless of what may happen, please let me also run and follow the Cushite." Joab replied, "Why do you want to run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?" +\v 23 "Whatever happens," said Ahimaaz, "I will run." So Joab answered him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Now David was sitting between the inner and outer gates. The watchman had gone up to the roof of the gate to the wall and raised his eyes. As he looked, he saw a man approaching, running alone. +\v 25 The watchman shouted out and told the king. Then the king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." The runner came closer and neared the city. + +\s5 +\v 26 Then the watchman noticed another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper; he said, "Look, there is another man running alone." The king said, "He is also bringing news." +\v 27 So the watchman said, "I think the running of the man in front is like the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok." The king said, "He is a good man and is coming with good news." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, "All is well." He bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground and said, "Blessed be Yahweh your God! He has delivered the men who lifted up their hand against my master the king." +\v 29 So the king replied, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent me, the king's servant, to you, king, I saw a great disturbance, but I did not know what it was." +\v 30 Then the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So Ahimaaz turned aside, and stood still. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Immediately then the Cushite arrived and said, "There is good news for my master the king, for Yahweh has avenged you today from all who rose up against you." +\v 32 Then the king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" The Cushite answered, "The enemies of my master the king, and all who rise up against you to do harm to you, should be as that young man is." +\v 33 Then the king was deeply unnerved, and he went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he went he grieved, "My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! I wish I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 Joab was told, "Look, the king is weeping and mourning for Absalom." +\v 2 So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the army, for the army heard it said that day, "The king is mourning for his son." + +\s5 +\v 3 The soldiers had to sneak quietly into the city that day, like people who are ashamed sneak away when they run from battle. +\v 4 The king covered his face and cried in a loud voice, "My son Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son!" + +\s5 +\v 5 Then Joab entered into the house to the king and said to him, "You have shamed the faces of all your soldiers today, who have saved your life today, and the lives of your sons and of your daughters, and the lives of your wives, and the lives of your slave wives, +\v 6 because you love those who hate you, and you hate those who love you. For today you have shown that commanders and soldiers are nothing to you. Today I believe that if Absalom had lived, and we all had died, then that would have pleased you. + +\s5 +\v 7 Now therefore get up and go out and speak kindly to your soldiers, for I swear by Yahweh, if you do not go, not one man will remain with you tonight. That would be worse for you than all the disasters that have ever happened to you from your youth until now." +\v 8 So the king got up and sat in the city gate, and all the people were told, "Look, the king is sitting in the gate," and all the people came before the king. +\p So Israel fled, every man to his home. + +\s5 +\v 9 All the people were arguing with each other throughout all the tribes of Israel saying, "The king rescued us out of the hand of our enemies, and he saved us out of the hand of the Philistines, but now he has run out of the land because of Absalom. +\v 10 Absalom, whom we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 King David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests saying, "Speak to the elders of Judah saying, 'Why are you the last to bring the king back to his palace, since the talk of all Israel favors the king, to bring him back to his palace? +\v 12 You are my brothers, my flesh and bone. Why then are you the last to bring back the king?' +\s5 +\v 13 Then say to Amasa, 'Are you not my flesh and my bone? God do so to me, and more also, if you are not captain of my army from now on in the place of Joab.'" +\v 14 So he won the hearts of all the men of Judah as one man. They sent to the king saying, "Return, you and all your men." +\v 15 So the king returned and came to the Jordan. Now the men of Judah came to Gilgal to go to meet the king and then to bring the king across the Jordan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite, who was from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. +\v 17 There were one thousand men from Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of Saul, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants with him. They crossed through the Jordan in the presence of the king. +\v 18 They crossed to bring over the king's family and to do whatever he thought good. Shimei son of Gera bowed down before the king just before he began to cross the Jordan. + +\s5 +\v 19 Shimei said to the king, "Do not, my master, find me guilty or call to mind what your servant stubbornly did the day that my master the king left Jerusalem. Please, may the king not take it to heart. +\v 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. See, that is why I have come today as the first from all the family of Joseph to come down to meet my master the king." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 But Abishai son of Zeruiah answered and said, "Should not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed Yahweh's anointed?" +\v 22 Then David said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should today be adversaries to me? Will any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?" +\v 23 So the king said to Shimei, "You will not die." So the king promised him with an oath. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then Mephibosheth son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had not dressed his feet, or trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he came home in peace. +\v 25 So when he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?" + +\s5 +\v 26 He answered, "My master the king, my servant deceived me, for I said, 'I will saddle a donkey so I may ride on it and go with the king, because your servant is lame.' +\v 27 My servant Ziba has slandered me, your servant, to my master the king. But my master the king is like an angel of God. Therefore, do what is good in your eyes. +\v 28 For all my father's house were dead men before my master the king, but you set your servant among those who ate at your own table. What right therefore have I that I should still cry any more to the king?" + +\s5 +\v 29 Then the king said to him, "Why explain anything further? I have decided that you and Ziba will divide the fields." +\v 30 So Mephibosheth replied to the king, "Yes, let him take it all, since my master the king has come safely to his own home." +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Then Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim to cross over the Jordan with the king, and he accompanied the king over the Jordan. +\v 32 Now Barzillai was a very old man, eighty years old. He had furnished the king with provisions while he stayed at Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. +\v 33 The king said to Barzillai, "Come over with me, and I will provide for you to stay with me in Jerusalem." + +\s5 +\v 34 Barzillai replied to the king, "How many days are left in the years of my life, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? +\v 35 I am eighty years old. Can I distinguish between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? Why then should your servant be a burden to my master the king? +\v 36 Your servant would like to just go over the Jordan with the king. Why should the king repay me with such a reward? + +\s5 +\v 37 Please let your servant return back home, so I may die in my own city by the grave of my father and my mother. But see, here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my master the king, and do for him what seems good to you." + +\s5 +\v 38 The king answered, "Kimham will go over with me, and I will do for him what seems good to you, and whatever you desire from me, I do that for you." +\v 39 Then all the people crossed the Jordan, and the king crossed over, and the king kissed Barzillai and blessed him. Then Barzillai returned to his own home. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 So the king crossed over to Gilgal, and Kimham crossed over with him. All the army of Judah brought the king over, and also half the army of Israel. +\v 41 Soon all the men of Israel began to come to the king and say to the king, "Why have our brothers, the men of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king and his family over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?" + +\s5 +\v 42 So the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, "It is because the king is more closely related to us. Why then are you angry about this? Have we eaten anything that the king had to pay for? Has he given us any gifts?" +\v 43 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, "We have ten tribes related to the king, so we have even more right to David than you. Why then did you despise us? Was not our proposal to bring back our king the first to be heard?" But the words of the men of Judah were even more harsh than the words of the men of Israel. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 There also happened to be at the same place a troublemaker whose name was Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite. He blew the trumpet and said, "We have no part in David, neither have we any inheritance in the son of Jesse. Let every man go back to his home, Israel." +\v 2 So all the men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah followed closely their king, from the Jordan all the way to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 When David came to his palace at Jerusalem, he took the ten slave wives whom he had left to keep the palace, and he put them in a house under guard. He provided for their needs, but he did not sleep with them any longer. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living as if they were widows. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Then the king said to Amasa, "Call the men of Judah together within three days; you must be here, too." +\v 5 So Amasa went to call Judah, but he was delayed beyond the time that the king had allotted for him. + +\s5 +\v 6 So David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba son of Bikri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master's servants, my soldiers, and pursue after him, or he will find fortified cities and escape out of our sight." +\v 7 Then Joab's men went out after him, along with the Kerethites and the Pelethites and all the mighty warriors. They left Jerusalem to pursue Sheba son of Bikri. + +\s5 +\v 8 When they were at the great stone which is at Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was wearing the battle armor that he had put on, which included a belt around his waist with a sheathed sword fastened to it. As he walked forward, the sword fell out. + +\s5 +\v 9 So Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my cousin?" Joab affectionately took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. +\v 10 Amasa did not notice the dagger that was in Joab's left hand. Joab stabbed Amasa in the stomach and his bowels spilled out to the ground. Joab did not strike him again, and Amasa died. +\p So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba son of Bikri. + +\s5 +\v 11 Then one of Joab's men stood by Amasa, and the man said, "He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab." +\v 12 Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa off of the road and into a field. He threw a garment over him because he saw that everyone who came by him stood still. +\v 13 After Amasa was taken off the road, all the men followed on after Joab in pursuit of Sheba son of Bikri. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel of Beth Maacah, and through all the land of the Bikrites, who gathered together and also pursued Sheba. +\v 15 They caught up with him and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah. They built up a siege ramp against the city against the wall. All the army who were with Joab battered the wall to knock it down. +\v 16 Then a wise woman cried out of the city, "Listen, please listen, Joab! Come near me so I may speak with +you." + +\s5 +\v 17 So Joab came near to her, and the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Listen to the words of your servant." He answered, "I am listening." +\v 18 Then she spoke, "They used to say in old times, 'Surely seek advice at Abel,' and that advice would end the matter. +\v 19 We are a city that is one of the most peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the inheritance of Yahweh?" + +\s5 +\v 20 So Joab answered and said, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. +\v 21 That is not true. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim, named Sheba son of Bikri, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city." The woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you over the wall." +\v 22 Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew the trumpet and Joab's men left the city, every man to his home. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Now Joab was over all the army of Israel, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and over the Pelethites. +\v 24 Adoniram was over the men who did forced labor, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder. +\v 25 Sheva was scribe and Zadok and Abiathar were priests. +\v 26 Ira the Jairite was chief minister to David. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 There was a famine in David's time for three years in a row, and David sought the face of Yahweh. So Yahweh said, "This famine is on you because of Saul and his murderous family, because he put the Gibeonites to death." + +\s5 +\v 2 Now the Gibeonites were not from the people of Israel; they were from what remained of the Amorites. The people of Israel had sworn not to kill them, but Saul tried to kill them all anyway in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah. +\v 3 So King David called together the Gibeonites and said to them, "What should I do for you? How can I make atonement, so that you may bless the people of Yahweh, who inherit his goodness and promises?" + +\s5 +\v 4 The Gibeonites responded to him, "It is not a matter of silver or gold between us and Saul or his family. In the same way it is not for us to put to death any man in Israel." David replied, "What are you saying that I should do for you?" +\s5 +\v 5 They answered the king, "The man who tried to kill us all, who schemed against us, so that we are now destroyed and have no place within the borders of Israel— +\v 6 let seven men from his descendants be handed over to us, and we will hang them before Yahweh in Gibeah of Saul, the one chosen by Yahweh." So the king said, "I will give them to you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 But the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul, because of Yahweh's oath between them, between David and Jonathan son of Saul. +\v 8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah daughter of Aiah, sons whom she bore to Saul—the two sons were named Armoni and Mephibosheth; and David also took the five sons of Merab \f + \ft Some versions read: \fqa Michal,\fqa* but 2SA 6:23 says she had no children; or Michal may have been another name for Merab \f* daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. +\v 9 He handed them over into the hands of the Gibeonites. They hanged them on the mountain before Yahweh, and they died all seven together. They were put to death during the time of harvest, during the first days at the beginning of barley harvest. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the mountain beside the dead bodies, from the beginning of harvest until the rain poured down on them from the sky. She did not allow the birds of the sky to disturb the bodies by day or the wild animals by night. +\v 11 It was told to David what Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah, the slave wife of Saul, had done. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, after the Philistines had killed Saul in Gilboa. +\v 13 David took away from there the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son, and they gathered the bones of the seven men who had been hanged, as well. + +\s5 +\v 14 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. They performed all that the king commanded. After that God answered their prayers for the land. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then the Philistines went to war again with Israel. So David went down with his army and fought against the Philistines. David was overcome with battle fatigue. +\v 16 Ishbi-Benob, a descendant of the giants, whose bronze spear weighed three hundred shekels, and who was armed with a new sword, intended to kill David. +\v 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah rescued David, attacked the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, "You must not go to battle anymore with us, so that you do not put out the lamp of Israel." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 It came about after this that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob, when Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, who was one of the descendants of the Rephaim. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Gob \fqa* in the Hebrew text, some versions have \fqa Gezeth \fqa* or \fqa Gezer. \fqa* \f* +\v 19 It came about again in a battle with the Philistines at Gob, that Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. + +\s5 +\v 20 It came about in another battle at Gath that there was a man of great height who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number. He also was descended from the Rephaim. +\v 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him. +\v 22 These were descendants of the Rephaim of Gath, and they were killed by the hand of David and by the hand of his soldiers. + + + \s5 @@ -1559,167 +1559,167 @@ you." - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 Now these are the last words of David— -\q David son of Jesse, -\q the man who was highly honored, -\q the one anointed by the God of Jacob, -\q the sweet psalmist of Israel. -\q -\v 2 "The Spirit of Yahweh spoke by me, -\q and his word was on my tongue. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 The God of Israel spoke, -\q the Rock of Israel said to me, -\q 'The one who rules righteously over men, -\q who rules in the fear of God. -\q -\v 4 He will be like the morning light when the sun rises, -\q a morning without clouds, -\q when the tender grass springs up from the earth -\q through bright sunshine after rain. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Indeed, is my family not like this before God? -\q Has he not made an everlasting covenant with me, -\q ordered and sure in every way? -\q Does he not increase my salvation and fulfill my every desire? - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 But the worthless will all be like thorns to be thrown away, -\q because they cannot be gathered by one's hands. -\q -\v 7 The man who touches them -\q must use an iron tool or the shaft of a spear. -\q They must be burned up where they lie.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 These are the names of David's mighty men: Jeshbaal the Hachmonite was the leader of the mighty men. He killed eight hundred men on one occasion. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Jeshbaal \fqa* , some versions have \fqa Josheb-Basshebeth \fqa* , \fqa Jashobeam \fqa* , \fqa Ishbaal \fqa* , or \fqa Ishbosheth \fqa* . These all are probably forms of the same name. \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 After him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. He was with David when they taunted the Philistines who had gathered together to do battle, and when the men of Israel had retreated. -\v 10 Eleazar stood and fought the Philistines until his hand became weary and his hand stiffened to the grip of his sword. Yahweh brought about a great victory that day. The army returned after Eleazar, only to strip the bodies. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 After him was Shammah son of Agee, a Hararite. The Philistines gathered together where there was a field of lentils, and the army fled from them. -\v 12 But Shammah stood in the middle of the field and defended it. He killed the Philistines, and Yahweh brought about a great victory. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Three of the thirty soldiers went down to David at harvest time, to the cave of Adullam. The army of the Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. -\v 14 At that time David was in his stronghold, a cave, while the Philistines had established at Bethlehem. - -\s5 -\v 15 David was longing for water and said, "If only someone would give me water to drink from the well at Bethlehem, the well that is by the gate!" -\v 16 So these three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, the well at the gate. They took the water and brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to Yahweh. -\v 17 Then he said, "Yahweh, far be it from me, that I should do this. Should I drink the blood of men who have risked their lives?" So he refused to drink it. -\m These things were done by the three mighty. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Abishai, brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was captain over the three. He once fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them. He was often mentioned along with the three soldiers. -\v 19 Was he not even more famous than the three? He was made their captain. However, his fame did not equal the fame of the three most famous soldiers. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Benaiah from Kabzeel was the son of Jehoiada; he was a strong man who did mighty feats. He killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion while it was snowing. -\v 21 Then he killed a very large Egyptian man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah fought against him with only a staff. He seized the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and then killed him with his own spear. - -\s5 -\v 22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada did these feats, and he was named alongside the three mighty men. -\v 23 He was more highly regarded than the thirty soldiers in general, but he was not regarded quite as highly as the three mighty men. Yet David put him in charge of his bodyguard. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 The thirty included the following men: Asahel brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, -\v 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, -\v 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, -\v 27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Sibbekai \f + \ft Some LXX manuscripts have the name \fqa Sibbekai,\fqa* see also 2SA 21:18 and 1CH 11:29, the HEB has \fqa Mebunnai.\f* the Hushathite, -\v 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite; - -\s5 -\v 29 Heleb son of Baanah, the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites, -\v 30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the valleys of Gaash. -\v 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, -\v 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite; - -\s5 -\v 33 Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, -\v 34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, -\v 35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, -\v 36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani from the tribe of Gad, - -\s5 -\v 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearer to Joab son of Zeruiah, -\v 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, -\v 39 Uriah the Hittite—thirty-seven in all. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 Again the anger of Yahweh was ignited against Israel, and he moved David against them saying, "Go, count Israel and Judah." -\v 2 The king said to Joab the commander of the army, who was with him, "Go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count all the people, so that I may know the total number of men fit for battle." - -\s5 -\v 3 Joab said to the king, "May Yahweh your God multiply the number of people a hundred times, and may the eyes of my master the king see it take place. But why does my master the king want this?" -\v 4 Nevertheless, the king's word was final against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders went out from the king's presence to count the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 5 They crossed over the Jordan and encamped near Aroer, south of the city in the valley. Then they traveled on through Gad to Jazer. -\v 6 They came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi, then on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon. -\v 7 They reached the stronghold of Tyre and all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites. Then they went out to the Negev in Judah at Beersheba. - -\s5 -\v 8 When they had gone throughout all the land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. -\v 9 Then Joab reported the total of the count of the fighting men to the king. There were in Israel 800,000 brave men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000 men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then David's heart afflicted him after he had counted the men. So he said to Yahweh, "I have greatly sinned by doing this. Now, Yahweh, take away your servant's guilt, for I have acted very foolishly." - -\s5 -\v 11 When David rose up in the morning, the word of Yahweh came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying, -\v 12 "Go say to David: 'This is what Yahweh says: "I am giving you three choices. Choose one of them."'" - -\s5 -\v 13 So Gad went to David and said to him, "Will three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months from your enemies while they pursue you? Or will there be three days of plague in your land? Now decide what answer I should return to him who sent me." -\v 14 Then David said to Gad, "I am in deep trouble. Let us fall into Yahweh's hands rather than into the hand of man, for his merciful actions are very great." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 So Yahweh sent a plague on Israel from the morning to a fixed time, and seventy thousand people died from Dan to Beersheba. -\v 16 When the angel reached out with his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, Yahweh changed his mind because of the harm it would cause, and he said to the angel who was destroying people, "Enough! Now draw back your hand." At that time the angel of Yahweh was standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then David spoke to Yahweh when he saw the angel who had attacked the people, and said, "I have sinned, and I have acted perversely. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand punish me and my father's family!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then Gad came that day to David and said to him, "Go up and build an altar for Yahweh at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." -\v 19 So David went up as Gad instructed him to do, as Yahweh had commanded. -\v 20 Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants approaching. So Araunah went out and bowed to the king with his face to the ground. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then Araunah said, "Why has my master the king come to me, his servant?" David replied, "To buy your threshing floor, so I can build an altar for Yahweh, so that the plague may be removed from the people." -\v 22 Araunah said to David, "Take it as your own, my master the king. Do with it what is good in your sight. Look, here are oxen for the burnt offering and threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. -\v 23 All this, my king, I, Araunah, will give to you." Then he said to the king, "May Yahweh your God accept you." -\s5 -\v 24 The king said to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it at a price. I will not offer as a burnt offering to Yahweh anything that costs me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. -\v 25 David built an altar for Yahweh there and offered on it burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. So they pleaded with Yahweh on behalf of the land, and he caused the plague to be contained throughout Israel. - + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 Now these are the last words of David— +\q David son of Jesse, +\q the man who was highly honored, +\q the one anointed by the God of Jacob, +\q the sweet psalmist of Israel. +\q +\v 2 "The Spirit of Yahweh spoke by me, +\q and his word was on my tongue. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 The God of Israel spoke, +\q the Rock of Israel said to me, +\q 'The one who rules righteously over men, +\q who rules in the fear of God. +\q +\v 4 He will be like the morning light when the sun rises, +\q a morning without clouds, +\q when the tender grass springs up from the earth +\q through bright sunshine after rain. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Indeed, is my family not like this before God? +\q Has he not made an everlasting covenant with me, +\q ordered and sure in every way? +\q Does he not increase my salvation and fulfill my every desire? + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 But the worthless will all be like thorns to be thrown away, +\q because they cannot be gathered by one's hands. +\q +\v 7 The man who touches them +\q must use an iron tool or the shaft of a spear. +\q They must be burned up where they lie.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 These are the names of David's mighty men: Jeshbaal the Hachmonite was the leader of the mighty men. He killed eight hundred men on one occasion. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Jeshbaal \fqa* , some versions have \fqa Josheb-Basshebeth \fqa* , \fqa Jashobeam \fqa* , \fqa Ishbaal \fqa* , or \fqa Ishbosheth \fqa* . These all are probably forms of the same name. \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 After him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men. He was with David when they taunted the Philistines who had gathered together to do battle, and when the men of Israel had retreated. +\v 10 Eleazar stood and fought the Philistines until his hand became weary and his hand stiffened to the grip of his sword. Yahweh brought about a great victory that day. The army returned after Eleazar, only to strip the bodies. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 After him was Shammah son of Agee, a Hararite. The Philistines gathered together where there was a field of lentils, and the army fled from them. +\v 12 But Shammah stood in the middle of the field and defended it. He killed the Philistines, and Yahweh brought about a great victory. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Three of the thirty soldiers went down to David at harvest time, to the cave of Adullam. The army of the Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. +\v 14 At that time David was in his stronghold, a cave, while the Philistines had established at Bethlehem. + +\s5 +\v 15 David was longing for water and said, "If only someone would give me water to drink from the well at Bethlehem, the well that is by the gate!" +\v 16 So these three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, the well at the gate. They took the water and brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to Yahweh. +\v 17 Then he said, "Yahweh, far be it from me, that I should do this. Should I drink the blood of men who have risked their lives?" So he refused to drink it. +\m These things were done by the three mighty. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Abishai, brother of Joab and son of Zeruiah, was captain over the three. He once fought with his spear against three hundred men and killed them. He was often mentioned along with the three soldiers. +\v 19 Was he not even more famous than the three? He was made their captain. However, his fame did not equal the fame of the three most famous soldiers. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Benaiah from Kabzeel was the son of Jehoiada; he was a strong man who did mighty feats. He killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion while it was snowing. +\v 21 Then he killed a very large Egyptian man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah fought against him with only a staff. He seized the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and then killed him with his own spear. + +\s5 +\v 22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada did these feats, and he was named alongside the three mighty men. +\v 23 He was more highly regarded than the thirty soldiers in general, but he was not regarded quite as highly as the three mighty men. Yet David put him in charge of his bodyguard. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 The thirty included the following men: Asahel brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, +\v 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, +\v 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, +\v 27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Sibbekai \f + \ft Some LXX manuscripts have the name \fqa Sibbekai,\fqa* see also 2SA 21:18 and 1CH 11:29, the HEB has \fqa Mebunnai.\f* the Hushathite, +\v 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite; + +\s5 +\v 29 Heleb son of Baanah, the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah of the Benjamites, +\v 30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the valleys of Gaash. +\v 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, +\v 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan son of Shammah the Hararite; + +\s5 +\v 33 Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, +\v 34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, +\v 35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, +\v 36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, Bani from the tribe of Gad, + +\s5 +\v 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor bearer to Joab son of Zeruiah, +\v 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, +\v 39 Uriah the Hittite—thirty-seven in all. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 Again the anger of Yahweh was ignited against Israel, and he moved David against them saying, "Go, count Israel and Judah." +\v 2 The king said to Joab the commander of the army, who was with him, "Go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count all the people, so that I may know the total number of men fit for battle." + +\s5 +\v 3 Joab said to the king, "May Yahweh your God multiply the number of people a hundred times, and may the eyes of my master the king see it take place. But why does my master the king want this?" +\v 4 Nevertheless, the king's word was final against Joab and against the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders went out from the king's presence to count the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 5 They crossed over the Jordan and encamped near Aroer, south of the city in the valley. Then they traveled on through Gad to Jazer. +\v 6 They came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi, then on to Dan Jaan and around toward Sidon. +\v 7 They reached the stronghold of Tyre and all the cities of the Hivites and the Canaanites. Then they went out to the Negev in Judah at Beersheba. + +\s5 +\v 8 When they had gone throughout all the land, they came back to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. +\v 9 Then Joab reported the total of the count of the fighting men to the king. There were in Israel 800,000 brave men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000 men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then David's heart afflicted him after he had counted the men. So he said to Yahweh, "I have greatly sinned by doing this. Now, Yahweh, take away your servant's guilt, for I have acted very foolishly." + +\s5 +\v 11 When David rose up in the morning, the word of Yahweh came to the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying, +\v 12 "Go say to David: 'This is what Yahweh says: "I am giving you three choices. Choose one of them."'" + +\s5 +\v 13 So Gad went to David and said to him, "Will three years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months from your enemies while they pursue you? Or will there be three days of plague in your land? Now decide what answer I should return to him who sent me." +\v 14 Then David said to Gad, "I am in deep trouble. Let us fall into Yahweh's hands rather than into the hand of man, for his merciful actions are very great." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 So Yahweh sent a plague on Israel from the morning to a fixed time, and seventy thousand people died from Dan to Beersheba. +\v 16 When the angel reached out with his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, Yahweh changed his mind because of the harm it would cause, and he said to the angel who was destroying people, "Enough! Now draw back your hand." At that time the angel of Yahweh was standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then David spoke to Yahweh when he saw the angel who had attacked the people, and said, "I have sinned, and I have acted perversely. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand punish me and my father's family!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then Gad came that day to David and said to him, "Go up and build an altar for Yahweh at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." +\v 19 So David went up as Gad instructed him to do, as Yahweh had commanded. +\v 20 Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants approaching. So Araunah went out and bowed to the king with his face to the ground. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then Araunah said, "Why has my master the king come to me, his servant?" David replied, "To buy your threshing floor, so I can build an altar for Yahweh, so that the plague may be removed from the people." +\v 22 Araunah said to David, "Take it as your own, my master the king. Do with it what is good in your sight. Look, here are oxen for the burnt offering and threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. +\v 23 All this, my king, I, Araunah, will give to you." Then he said to the king, "May Yahweh your God accept you." +\s5 +\v 24 The king said to Araunah, "No, I insist on buying it at a price. I will not offer as a burnt offering to Yahweh anything that costs me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. +\v 25 David built an altar for Yahweh there and offered on it burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. So they pleaded with Yahweh on behalf of the land, and he caused the plague to be contained throughout Israel. + diff --git a/11-1KI.usfm b/11-1KI.usfm index 21172cad..99efe991 100644 --- a/11-1KI.usfm +++ b/11-1KI.usfm @@ -4,1536 +4,1536 @@ \toc1 The First Book of Kings \toc2 First Kings \toc3 1Ki -\mt First Kings -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 When King David was old and advanced in years, they covered him with blankets, but he could not keep warm. -\v 2 So his servants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin for our master the king. Let her serve the king and take care of him. Let her lie in his arms so that our master the king may keep warm." -\s5 -\v 3 So they searched for a beautiful girl within all the borders of Israel. They found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. -\v 4 The girl was very beautiful. She served the king and took care of him, but the king did not have sexual relations with her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 At that time, Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run ahead of him. -\v 6 His father had never troubled him, saying, "Why have you done this or that?" Adonijah was also a very handsome man, born next after Absalom. - -\s5 -\v 7 He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. They followed Adonijah and helped him. -\v 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David did not follow Adonijah. - -\s5 -\v 9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants. -\v 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, "Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and David our master does not know it? -\v 12 Now therefore let me give you advice, so that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. - -\s5 -\v 13 Go to King David; say to him, 'My master the king, did you not swear to your servant, saying, "Surely Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?" Why then is Adonijah reigning?' -\v 14 While you are there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 So Bathsheba went into the king's room. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. -\v 16 Bathsheba bowed and prostrated herself before the king. Then the king said, "What do you desire?" -\v 17 She said to him, "My master, you swore to your servant by Yahweh your God, saying, 'Surely Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.' - -\s5 -\v 18 Now, see, Adonijah is king, and you, my master the king, do not know it. -\v 19 He has sacrificed oxen, fatted calves, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. - -\s5 -\v 20 As for you, my master the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting for you to tell them who will sit on the throne after you, my master. -\v 21 Otherwise it will happen, when my master the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. -\v 23 The servants told the king, "Nathan the prophet is here." When he came in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. - -\s5 -\v 24 Nathan said, "My master the king, have you said, 'Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?' -\v 25 For he has gone down today and sacrificed oxen, fatted calves, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. They are eating and drinking before him, and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!' - -\s5 -\v 26 But as for me, your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he has not invited us. -\v 27 Has my master the king done this without telling us, your servants, who should sit on the throne after him?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Then King David answered and said, "Call Bathsheba back to me." She came into the king's presence and stood before the king. -\v 29 The king made an oath and said, "As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed me out of all trouble, -\v 30 as I vowed to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place,' I will do this today." -\v 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and prostrated herself before the king and said, "May my master King David live forever!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 King David said, "Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." So they came before the king. -\v 33 The king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your master, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. -\v 34 Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel and blow the trumpet and say, 'Long live King Solomon!' - -\s5 -\v 35 Then you will come up after him, and he will come and sit on my throne; for he will be king in my place. I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah." -\v 36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, "So let it be! May Yahweh, the God of my master the king, confirm it. -\v 37 As Yahweh has been with my master the king, so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my master King David." - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride upon King David's mule; they brought him to Gihon. -\v 39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" -\v 40 Then all the people went up after him, and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, "Why is there an uproar in the city?" -\v 42 While he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest came. Adonijah said, "Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news." - -\s5 -\v 43 Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, "Our master King David has made Solomon the king, -\v 44 and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Kerethites and the Pelethites. They have had Solomon ride on the king's mule. -\v 45 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. - -\s5 -\v 46 Also, Solomon is sitting on the throne of the kingdom. -\v 47 Moreover, the king's servants came to bless our master King David, saying, 'May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne.' Then the king bowed down on the bed. -\v 48 The king also said, 'Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who has given a person to sit on my throne this day, and that my own eyes should see it.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 49 Then all the guests of Adonijah were terrified. They stood up and each man went his way. -\v 50 Adonijah was afraid of Solomon and rose up, went, and took hold of the horns of the altar. -\v 51 Then it was told Solomon, saying, "See, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for he has laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.'" - -\s5 -\v 52 Solomon said, "If he will show himself a worthy man, not a hair of his will fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he will die." -\v 53 So King Solomon sent men, who brought Adonijah down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 As the day of David's death approached, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, -\v 2 "I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. -\v 3 Keep the commands of Yahweh your God to walk in his ways, to obey his statutes, his commandments, his decisions, and his covenant decrees, being careful to do what is written in the law of Moses, so you may prosper in all you do, wherever you go, -\v 4 so that Yahweh may fulfill his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons carefully watch their conduct, to walk before me faithfully with all their heart and with all their soul, you will never cease to have a man on the throne of Israel.' - -\s5 -\v 5 You know also what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner son of Ner, and to Amasa son of Jether, whom he killed. He shed the blood of war in peace and put the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the shoes on his feet. -\v 6 Deal with Joab by the wisdom you have learned, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace. - -\s5 -\v 7 However, show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother. - -\s5 -\v 8 Look, there is with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite of Bahurim, who cursed me with a violent curse on the day I went to Mahanaim. Shimei came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by Yahweh, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.' -\v 9 Now therefore do not let him go free from punishment. You are a wise man, and you will know what you ought to do to him. You will bring his gray head down to the grave with blood." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David. -\v 11 The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years. He had reigned for seven years in Hebron and for thirty-three years in Jerusalem. -\v 12 Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then Adonijah son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. She said, "Do you come peacefully?" He replied, "Peacefully." -\v 14 Then he said, "I have something to say to you." So she replied, "Speak." -\v 15 Adonijah said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel expected me to be king. But things changed, and the kingdom was given to my brother, for it was his from Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 16 Now I have one request of you, and do not turn away from my face." Bathsheba said to him, "Speak." -\v 17 He said, "Please speak to Solomon the king, for he will not turn away from your face, so that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife." -\v 18 Bathsheba said, "Very well, I will speak to the king." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat down on his throne and had a throne brought for the king's mother. She sat at his right hand. -\v 20 Then she said, "I wish to ask one small request of you, for you will not turn away from my face." The king answered her, "Ask, my mother, for I will not turn away from your face." -\v 21 She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife." - -\s5 -\v 22 King Solomon answered and said to his mother, "Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Why do you not ask the kingdom for him also, for he is my elder brother—for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah?" -\v 23 Then King Solomon swore by Yahweh, saying, "May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life. - -\s5 -\v 24 Now therefore as Yahweh lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house as he promised, surely Adonijah will be put to death today." -\v 25 So King Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and Benaiah found Adonijah and put him to death. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Then to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth, to your own fields. You are worthy of death, but I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord Yahweh before David my father and suffered in every way my father suffered." -\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa ... the ark of Yahweh ... \fqa* \f* -\v 27 So Solomon dismissed Abiathar from being priest to Yahweh, that he might fulfill the word of Yahweh, which he had spoken concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 The news came to Joab, for Joab had supported Adonijah, though he had not supported Absalom. So Joab fled to the tent of Yahweh and took hold of the horns of the altar. -\v 29 It was told King Solomon that Joab had fled to the tent of Yahweh and was now beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go, execute him." - -\s5 -\v 30 So Benaiah came to the tent of Yahweh and said to him, "The king says, 'Come out.'" Joab replied, "No, I will die here." So Benaiah returned to the king, saying, "Joab said he wanted to die at the altar." -\v 31 The king said to him, "Do as he has said. Kill him and bury him so that you may take away from me and from my father's house the blood that Joab shed without cause. - -\s5 -\v 32 May Yahweh return his blood on his own head, because he attacked two men more righteous and better than himself and killed them with the sword, Abner son of Ner, the captain of the army of Israel, and Amasa son of Jether, the captain of the army of Judah, without my father David knowing it. -\v 33 So may their blood return on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But to David and his descendants, and to his house, and to his throne, may there be peace forever from Yahweh." - -\s5 -\v 34 Then Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and attacked Joab and killed him. He was buried in his own house in the wilderness. -\v 35 The king put Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the army in his place, and he put Zadok the priest in Abiathar's place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, and do not go out from there to any other place. -\v 37 For on the day you go out, and pass over the Kidron Valley, know you for certain that you will surely die. Your blood will be on your own head." -\v 38 So Shimei said to the king, "What you say is good. As my master the king has said, so your servant will do." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for many days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 But at the end of three years, two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maacah, the king of Gath. So they told Shimei, saying, "See, your servants are in Gath." -\v 40 Then Shimei arose, saddled his donkey and went to Achish in Gath to seek his servants. He went and brought his servants back from Gath. - -\s5 -\v 41 When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned, -\v 42 the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, "Did I not make you swear by Yahweh and testify to you, saying, 'Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any other place, you will surely die'? Then you said to me, 'What you say is good.' - -\s5 -\v 43 Why then have you not kept your oath to Yahweh and the command that I gave you?" -\v 44 The king also said to Shimei, "You know in your heart all the wickedness that you did to my father David. Therefore Yahweh will return your wickedness on your own head. - -\s5 -\v 45 But King Solomon will be blessed and the throne of David will be established before Yahweh forever." -\v 46 Then the king gave a command to Benaiah son of Jehoiada. He went out and put Shimei to death. -\q So the rule was well established in Solomon's hand. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Solomon allied himself by marriage with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house, the house of Yahweh, and the wall around Jerusalem. -\v 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, because no house had yet been built for the name of Yahweh. -\v 3 Solomon showed his love for Yahweh by walking in the statutes of David his father, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place there. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. -\v 5 Yahweh appeared at Gibeon to Solomon in a dream by night; he said, "Ask! What should I give you?" - -\s5 -\v 6 So Solomon said, "You have shown great covenant faithfulness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you in trustworthiness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart. You have kept for him this great covenant faithfulness and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. - -\s5 -\v 7 Now Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king in the place of David my father, though I am only a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. -\v 8 Your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. -\v 9 So give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 This request of Solomon pleased the Lord. -\v 11 So God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice. -\v 12 See, now I will do all you asked of me when you gave me your request. I give you a wise and an understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and no one like you will rise up after you. - -\s5 -\v 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. -\v 14 If you will walk in my ways to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days." - -\s5 -\v 15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. -\v 17 One woman said, "Oh, my master, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child with her in the house. - -\s5 -\v 18 It happened on the third day after I gave birth that this woman also gave birth. We were together. There was no one else with us in the house, but only the two of us in the house. -\v 19 Then this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. -\v 20 So she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. - -\s5 -\v 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, he was dead. But when I had looked at him carefully in the morning, he was not my son, whom I had borne." -\v 22 Then the other woman said, "No, the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son." The first woman said, "No, the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son." This is how they spoke before the king. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Then the king said, "One of you says, 'This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,' and the other says, 'No, your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'" -\v 24 The king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword before the king. -\v 25 Then the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to this woman and half to the other." - -\s5 -\v 26 Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king, for her heart was full of compassion for her son, and she said, "Oh, my master, give her the living child, and by no means kill him." But the other woman said, "He shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide him." -\v 27 Then the king answered and said, "Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother." -\v 28 When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered, they feared the king, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him for giving judgments. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 King Solomon was king over all Israel. -\v 2 These were his officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest. -\v 3 Elihoreph and Ahijah sons of Shisha, were secretaries. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder. -\v 4 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the army. Zadok and Abiathar were priests. -\f + \ft Some versions treat \fqa Zadok and Abiathar were priests \fqa* as a later addition to the text. \f* - -\s5 -\v 5 Azariah son of Nathan was over the officers. -Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and the king's friend. -\v 6 Ahishar was over the household. -Adoniram son of Abda was over the men who were subjected to forced labor. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for one month in the year. -\v 8 These were their names: -Ben-Hur, in the hill country of Ephraim; -\v 9 Ben-Deker in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan; -\v 10 Ben-Hesed, in Arubboth (to him belonged Sokoh and all the land of Hepher); - -\s5 -\v 11 Ben-Abinadab, in all Naphoth Dor (he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife); -\v 12 Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth Shan that is beside Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth Shan to Abel Meholah as far as the other side of Jokmeam; -\v 13 Ben-Geber, in Ramoth Gilead (to him belonged the towns of Jair son of Manasseh, that are in Gilead, and the region of Argob belonged to him, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bronze gate bars); -\v 14 Ahinadab son of Iddo, in Mahanaim; - -\s5 -\v 15 Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he also married Basemath the daughter of Solomon as his wife); -\v 16 Baana son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth; -\v 17 Jehoshaphat son of Paruah, in Issachar; - -\s5 -\v 18 Shimei son of Ela, in Benjamin; -\v 19 and Geber son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan, and he was the only official who was in the land. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea. They were eating and drinking and were happy. -\v 21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. -\v 22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, -\v 23 ten fat oxen, twenty oxen out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl. - -\s5 -\v 24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River, from Tiphsah as far as to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River, and he had peace on all sides around him. -\v 25 Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. - -\s5 -\v 26 Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. -\v 27 Those officials provided food for King Solomon and for all who came to King Solomon's table, every man in his month. They let nothing be lacking. -\v 28 They also brought to the proper place barley and straw for the chariot horses and riding horses, each one bringing in what he was able. -\s5 -\p -\v 29 God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and wideness of understanding like the sand on the seashore. -\v 30 Solomon's wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. -\v 31 He was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol—and his fame reached all the surrounding nations. - -\s5 -\v 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were one thousand and five in number. -\v 33 He described the plants, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He explained also about beasts, birds, creeping things, and fish. -\v 34 People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon. They came from all kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon for he had heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father; for Hiram had always loved David. -\v 2 Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, -\v 3 "You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of Yahweh his God because of the wars that surrounded him, for during his lifetime Yahweh was putting his enemies under the soles of his feet. - -\s5 -\v 4 But now, Yahweh my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor disaster. -\v 5 So I intend to build a temple for the name of Yahweh my God, as Yahweh spoke to David my father, saying, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, will build the temple for my name.' - -\s5 -\v 6 Now therefore command that they cut cedars from Lebanon for me. My servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants so that you are paid fairly for everything you agreed to do. For you know there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, "May Yahweh be blessed today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people." -\v 8 Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I will provide all the wood of cedar and cypress that you desire. - -\s5 -\v 9 My servants will bring the trees down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place that you direct me. I will have them broken up there, and you will take them away. You will do what I desire by giving food for my household." - -\s5 -\v 10 So Hiram gave Solomon all the timber of cedar and fir that he desired. -\v 11 Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household and twenty measures of pure oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. -\v 12 Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 King Solomon conscripted labor out of all Israel. The forced laborers numbered thirty thousand men. -\v 14 He sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month in shifts. One month they were in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was over the men who were subjected to forced labor. - -\s5 -\v 15 Solomon had seventy thousand who carried burdens and eighty thousand who were stonecutters in the mountains, -\v 16 besides Solomon's 3,300 chief officers who were over the work and who supervised the workers. - -\s5 -\v 17 At the king's command they quarried large stones of high quality with which to lay the foundation of the temple. -\v 18 So Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the Gebalites did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stones to build the temple. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 So Solomon began to build the temple of Yahweh. This happened in the 480th year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month. -\v 2 The temple that King Solomon built for Yahweh was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. - -\s5 -\v 3 The portico in front of the temple's main hall was twenty cubits in length, equal to the width of the temple, and ten cubits deep in front of the temple. -\v 4 For the house he made windows with frames that made them more narrow at the outside than on the inside. - -\s5 -\v 5 Against the walls of the main chamber he built rooms around it, around both the outer room and the inner room. He built rooms all around the sides. -\v 6 The lowest story was five cubits wide, the middle was six cubits wide, and the third was seven cubits wide. For on the outside he made offsets in the wall of the house all around so that the beams would not be inserted in the walls of the house. - -\s5 -\v 7 The house was built of stones prepared at the quarry. No hammer, ax, or any iron tool was heard in the house while it was being built. -\v 8 On the south side of the temple there was an entrance at the ground level, then one went up by stairs to the middle level, and from the middle to the third level. - -\s5 -\v 9 So Solomon built the temple and finished it; he covered the house with beams and planks of cedar. -\v 10 He built the side rooms against the inner chambers of the temple, each side five cubits high; they were joined to the house with timbers of cedar. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 The word of Yahweh came to Solomon, saying, -\v 12 "Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in my statutes and do justice, keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will confirm my promise with you that I had made to David your father. -\v 13 I will live among the people of Israel and will not forsake them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 So Solomon built the house and finished it. -\v 15 Then he built the interior walls of the house with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood, and he covered the floor of the house with cypress boards. - -\s5 -\v 16 He built twenty cubits onto the rear of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the ceiling. He built this room to be the inner room, the most holy place. -\v 17 The main hall, that is, the holy place that was in front of the most holy place, was forty cubits long. -\v 18 There was cedar inside the house, carved in the shape of gourds and open flowers. All was cedar inside. No stonework was visible on the inside. - -\s5 -\v 19 Solomon prepared the inner room inside the house in order to place the ark of the covenant of Yahweh there. -\v 20 The inner room was twenty cubits in length, twenty cubits in width, and twenty cubits in height. Solomon overlaid the walls with pure gold and covered the altar with cedar wood. - -\s5 -\v 21 Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he placed chains of gold across the front of the inner room, and overlaid the front with gold. -\v 22 He overlaid the entire interior with gold until all the temple was finished. He also overlaid with gold the whole altar that belonged to the inner room. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Solomon made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high, for the inner room. -\v 24 One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long and its other wing was also five cubits long. So from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other there was a distance of ten cubits. -\v 25 The other cherub also had a wingspan ten cubits. Both the cherubim were of the same dimensions and shape. -\v 26 The height of one cherub was ten cubits and the other cherub was the same. - -\s5 -\v 27 Solomon placed the cherubim in the innermost room. The wings of the cherubim were stretched out so that the wing of one touched one wall and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. Their wings touched one another in the middle of the most holy place. -\v 28 Solomon overlaid the cherubim with gold. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 He carved all the walls of the house around about with figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, in the outer and inner rooms. -\v 30 Solomon overlaid the floor of the house with gold, in both the outer and inner rooms. - -\s5 -\v 31 Solomon made doors of olivewood for the entrance to the inner room. The lintel and doorposts had five indented sections. -\v 32 So he made two doors of olivewood, and he made on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. He overlaid them with gold and he spread the gold on the cherubim and palm trees. - -\s5 -\v 33 In this way, Solomon also made for the temple entrance doorposts of olive wood having four indented sections -\v 34 and two doors of cypress wood. The two leaves of the one door were folding and the two leaves of the other door were folding. -\v 35 He carved on them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and he evenly overlaid gold on the carved work. - -\s5 -\v 36 He built the inner court with three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 The foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid in the fourth year, in the month of Ziv. -\v 38 In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts and conforming to all its specifications. Solomon took seven years to build the temple. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Solomon took thirteen years to build his own palace. -\v 2 He built the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was one hundred cubits, its width was fifty cubits, and its height was thirty cubits. The palace was built with four rows of cedar pillars with cedar beams on the pillars. - -\s5 -\v 3 The house was roofed with cedar that rested on beams. Those beams were supported by pillars. There were forty-five beams, fifteen in a row. -\v 4 There were beams in three rows, and each window was opposite another window in three sets. -\v 5 All the doors and posts were made square with beams, and window was opposite window in three sets. - -\s5 -\v 6 There was a colonnade fifty cubits long and thirty cubits wide, with a portico in front and pillars and a roof. - -\s5 -\v 7 Solomon built the hall of the throne where he was to judge, the hall of justice. It was covered with cedar from floor to floor. -\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa It was covered with cedar from the floor to the rafters. \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\v 8 Solomon's house in which he was to live, in another courtyard within the palace grounds, was similarly designed. He also built a house like this for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had taken as a wife. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 These buildings were adorned with costly hewn stones, precisely measured and cut with a saw and smoothed on all sides. These stones were used from the foundation to the stones on top, and also on the outside to the great court. -\v 10 The foundation was constructed with very large, costly stones of eight and ten cubits in length. - -\s5 -\v 11 Above were costly hewn stones precisely cut to size, and cedar beams. -\v 12 The great courtyard surrounding the palace had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams like the inner court of the temple of Yahweh and the temple portico. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 King Solomon sent for Huram and brought him from Tyre. -\v 14 Huram was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali; his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill to do great work with bronze. He came to King Solomon to work with bronze for the king. - -\s5 -\v 15 Huram fashioned the two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference. -\v 16 He made two capitals of polished bronze to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of each capital was five cubits. -\v 17 Checker latticework and wreaths of chain work for the capitals decorated the top of the pillars, seven for each capital. - -\s5 -\v 18 So Huram made two rows of pomegranates around the top of each pillar to decorate their capitals. -\v 19 The capitals on the tops of the portico pillars were decorated with lilies, four cubits high. - -\s5 -\v 20 The capitals on these two pillars also included, close to their very top, two hundred pomegranates in rows all around. -\v 21 He raised up the pillars at the temple portico. The pillar on the right was named Jakin, and the pillar on the left was named Boaz. -\v 22 On the top of the pillars were decorations like lilies. The fashioning of the pillars was done in this way. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Huram made the round sea of cast metal, ten cubits from brim to brim. Its height was five cubits, and the sea was thirty cubits in circumference. -\v 24 Under the brim encircling the sea were gourds, ten in each cubit, cast in one piece with "The Sea," when that basin was cast. - -\s5 -\v 25 "The Sea" stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east. "The Sea" was set on top of them, and all their hindquarters were toward the inside. -\v 26 The sea was as thick as the width of a hand, and its brim was forged like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. The sea held two thousand baths of water. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Huram made the ten stands of bronze. Each stand was four cubits long and four cubits wide, and the height was three cubits. -\v 28 The work of the stands was like this. They had panels that stood between frames, -\v 29 and on the panels and on the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. Above and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of hammered work. - -\s5 -\v 30 Every stand had four bronze wheels and axles, and its four corners had supports beneath for the basin. The supports were cast with wreaths on the side of each one. -\v 31 The opening was round like a pedestal, a cubit and a half wide, and was within a crown that rose up a cubit. On the opening were engravings, and their panels were square, not round. - -\s5 -\v 32 The four wheels were underneath the panels, and the axles of the wheels and their housings were in the stand. The height of a wheel was a cubit and a half. -\v 33 The wheels were forged like chariot wheels. Their housings, rims, spokes, and hubs were all cast metal. - -\s5 -\v 34 There were four handles at the four corners of each stand, forged into the stand itself. -\v 35 In the top of the stands there was a round band half a cubit deep, and on the top of the stand its supports and panels were attached. - -\s5 -\v 36 On the surfaces of the supports and on the panels Huram engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees that covered the space available, and they were surrounded by wreaths. -\v 37 He made the ten stands in this manner. All of them were cast in the same molds, and they had one size, and the same shape. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 Huram made ten basins of bronze. One basin could hold forty baths of water. Each basin was four cubits across and there was one basin on each of ten stands. -\v 39 He made five stands on the south-facing side of the temple and five on the north-facing side of the temple. He set "The Sea" on the east corner, facing toward the south of the temple. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 Huram made the basins and the shovels and the sprinkling bowls. Then he finished all the work that he did for King Solomon in the temple of Yahweh: -\v 41 the two pillars, and the bowl-like capitals that were on top of the two pillars, and the two sets of decorative latticework to cover the two bowl like capitals that were on top of the pillars. - -\s5 -\v 42 He made the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of decorative latticework (two rows of pomegranates for each set of latticework to cover the two bowl-like capitals that were on the pillars); -\v 43 the ten stands, and the ten basins on the stands. - -\s5 -\v 44 He made the large basin called "The Sea" with its twelve oxen under it; -\v 45 also the pots, shovels, basins, and all the other implements. Huram made them out of polished bronze, for King Solomon, for the temple of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 46 The king had cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan. -\v 47 Solomon did not weigh all the utensils because there were too many to weigh, because the weight of the bronze could not be measured. - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 Solomon had made all the furnishings that were in the temple of Yahweh out of gold: the golden altar and the table on which the bread of the presence was to be placed; -\v 49 the lampstands, five on the right side and five on the left, in front of the inner room, were of pure gold, and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs were of gold. - -\s5 -\v 50 Solomon also had made the cups, lamp trimmers, basins, spoons, and incense burners, all of which were made of pure gold; he had sockets of gold made for the doors of the inner room (which was the most holy place), and for the doors of the main hall of the temple. - -\s5 -\p -\v 51 In this way, all the work that King Solomon directed for the house of Yahweh was finished. So Solomon brought in the things that were set apart by David, his father, and the silver, the gold, and the furnishings, and put them into the storerooms of the house of Yahweh. - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, all the heads of the -tribes, and the leaders of the families of the people of Israel, before himself in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh from the city of David, that is, Zion. -\v 2 All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the feast, in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month. - -\s5 -\v 3 All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. -\v 4 They brought up the ark of Yahweh, the tent of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tent. The priests and the Levites brought these things up. -\v 5 King Solomon and all the assembly of Israel came together before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted. - -\s5 -\v 6 The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the inner room of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim. -\v 7 For the cherubim spread out their wings to the place of the ark, and they covered the ark and the poles by which it was carried. -\v 8 The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner room, but they could not be seen from outside. They are there to this day. - -\s5 -\v 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses had put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt. -\v 10 It came about that when the priests came out of the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of Yahweh. -\v 11 The priests could not stand to serve because of the cloud, for the glory of Yahweh filled his house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then Solomon said, -\q "Yahweh has said that -\q2 he would live in thick darkness, -\q -\v 13 But I have built you -\q2 a lofty residence, -\q2 a place for you to live in forever." - -\s5 -\v 14 Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. -\v 15 He said, -"May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised, who spoke to David my father, and has fulfilled it with his own hands, saying, -\v 16 'Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, in order for my name to be there. However, I chose David to rule over my people Israel.' - -\s5 -\v 17 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 18 But Yahweh said to David my father, 'In that it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well for it to be in your heart. -\v 19 Nevertheless you will not build the house; instead, your son, one who will be born from your loins, will build the house for my name.' - -\s5 -\v 20 Yahweh has carried out the word that he had said, for I have arisen in the place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised. I have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 21 I have made a place for the ark there, in which is Yahweh's covenant, which he made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh, before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward the heavens. -\v 23 He said, "Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the heavens above or on the earth below, who keeps his covenant faithfulness with your servants who walk before you with all their heart; -\v 24 you who have kept with your servant David my father, what you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is today. - -\s5 -\v 25 Now then, Yahweh, God of Israel, carry out what you have promised to your servant David my father, when you said, 'You will not fail to have a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful to walk before me, as you have walked before me.' -\v 26 Now then, God of Israel, I pray that the promise you made to your servant David my father, will come true. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 But will God actually live on the earth? Look, the entire universe and heaven itself cannot contain you—how much less can this temple that I have built! -\v 28 Yet please respect this prayer of your servant and his request, Yahweh my God; listen to the cry and prayer that your servant prays before you today. - -\s5 -\v 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, to the place about which you have said, 'My name and my presence will be there'—in order to listen to the prayers that your servant will pray toward this place. -\v 30 So listen to the request of your servant and of your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, listen from the place where you live, from the heavens; and when you listen, forgive. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 If a man sins against his neighbor and is required to swear an oath, and if he comes and swears an oath before your altar in this house, -\v 32 listen from the heavens and act. Judge your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing what he has done upon his own head. Declare the innocent not guilty and give to him according to his righteousness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, if they turn back to you, confess your name, pray, and request forgiveness from you in this temple— -\v 34 then please listen in the heavens and forgive the sin of your people Israel; bring them back to the land that you gave to their ancestors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 When the skies are shut up and there is no rain because the people have sinned against you—if they pray toward this place, confess your name, and turn from their sin when you have afflicted them— -\v 36 then listen in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk. Send rain on your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 Suppose there is famine in the land, or suppose that there is disease, blight or mildew, locusts or caterpillars; or suppose that an enemy attacks the city gates in their land, or that there is any plague or sickness— -\v 38 and suppose then that prayers and requests are made by a person or by all your people Israel—each knowing the plague in his own heart as he spreads out his hands toward this temple. - -\s5 -\v 39 Then listen from heaven, the place where you live, forgive and act, and reward every person for all he does; you know his heart, because you and you only know the hearts of all human beings. -\v 40 Do this so that they may fear you all the days that they live on the land that you gave to our ancestors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 In addition, concerning the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel: When he comes from a distant country because of your name— -\v 42 for they will hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your raised arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, -\v 43 then please listen from heaven, the place where you live, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you. Do this so that all the people groups on earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel. Do this so they might know that this house I have built is called by your name. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 Suppose that your people go out to battle against an enemy, by whatever way you may send them, and suppose that they pray to you, Yahweh, toward the city that you have chosen, and toward the house that I have built for your name. -\v 45 Then listen in the heavens to their prayer and their request, and help their cause. - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 Suppose that they sin against you, since there is no one who does not sin, and suppose that you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that the enemy takes them away captive to their land, whether distant or near. -\v 47 Then suppose that they realize they are in the land where they have been exiled, and suppose that they repent and seek favor from you from the land of their captors. Suppose that they say, 'We have acted perversely and sinned. We have behaved wickedly.' -\s5 -\v 48 Suppose that they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who captured them, and suppose that they pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their ancestors, and toward the city that you chose, and toward the house that I have built for your name. - -\s5 -\v 49 Then from heaven, the place where you live, listen to their prayer and their request for help, and you will make matters right for them. -\v 50 Forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and make them objects of compassion before their conquerors, and cause their conquerors to have compassion on them. - -\s5 -\v 51 They are your people whom you have chosen, whom you rescued out of Egypt as if from the middle of a furnace where iron is forged. -\v 52 I pray that your eyes may be open to the request of your servant and to the requests of your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they cry to you. -\v 53 For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to belong to you and receive your promises, just as you explained by Moses your servant, when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, Lord Yahweh." -\s5 -\p -\v 54 So it was that when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and request to Yahweh, he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread out toward the heavens. -\v 55 He stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying, -\v 56 "May Yahweh be praised, who has given rest to his people Israel, keeping all his promises. Not one word has failed out of all Yahweh's good promises that he made with Moses his servant. - -\s5 -\v 57 May Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or forsake us, -\v 58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to live in all his ways and keep his commandments and his regulations and his statutes, which he commanded our fathers. - -\s5 -\v 59 Let these words I have spoken, by which I have made request before Yahweh, be near Yahweh our God day and night, so that he may help the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as every day will require; -\v 60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh, he is God, and there is no other God! -\v 61 Therefore let your heart be true to Yahweh our God, to walk in his statutes and keep his commandments, as on this day." - -\s5 -\p -\v 62 So the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to Yahweh. -\v 63 Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to Yahweh: twenty-two thousand oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 64 The same day the king set apart the middle of the courtyard in front of the temple of Yahweh, for there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar that was before Yahweh was too small to receive the burnt offering, the grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings. - -\s5 -\v 65 So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from Lebo Hamath to the brook of Egypt, before Yahweh our God for seven days and also for another seven days, a total of fourteen days. -\v 66 On the eighth day he sent the people away, and they blessed the king and went to their homes with joyful and glad hearts for all the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, his servant, and to Israel, his people. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 After Solomon had finished building the house of Yahweh and the king's palace, and after he had accomplished all that he wanted to do, -\v 2 Yahweh appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Yahweh said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your request that you have made before me. I have set apart this house, which you have built, to myself, to put my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. - -\s5 -\v 4 As for you, if you walk before me as David your father walked in integrity of heart and in uprightness, obeying all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my decrees, -\v 5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, 'A descendant of yours will never fail to be on the throne of Israel.' - -\s5 -\v 6 But if you turn away, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have placed before you, and if you go and worship other gods and bow down to them, -\v 7 then will I cut off Israel from off the ground that I have given them; and this house that I have set apart to my name, I will cast it out of my sight, and Israel will become an example to be mocked and an object of ridicule among all peoples. - -\s5 -\v 8 This temple will become a heap of ruins, and everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss. They will ask, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land and to this house?' -\v 9 Others will answer, 'Because they forsook Yahweh, their God, who had brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods and bowed down to them and worshiped them. That is why Yahweh has brought all this disaster on them.'" - -\s5 -\v 10 It came about at the end of twenty years that Solomon had finished building the two buildings, the temple of Yahweh and the king's palace. -\v 11 Now Hiram, the king of Tyre, had furnished Solomon with cedar and cypress trees, and with gold—all that Solomon desired—so King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. - -\s5 -\v 12 Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, but they did not please him. -\v 13 So Hiram said, "What cities are these which you have given me, my brother?" Hiram called them the Land of Kabul, which they are still called today. -\v 14 Hiram had sent to the king 120 talents of gold. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 This is the account of the forced labor which King Solomon imposed to build the temple of Yahweh and his own palace, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. -\v 16 Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and taken Gezer. He burned it and killed the Canaanites in the city. Then Pharaoh gave the city to his daughter, Solomon's wife, as a wedding gift. - -\s5 -\v 17 So Solomon rebuilt Gezer and Beth Horon the Lower, -\v 18 Baalath and Tamar \f +\ft \fqa Tamar \fqa* is also pronounded \fqa Tadmor. \f* in the wilderness in the land of Judah, -\v 19 and all the store cities that he possessed, and the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever he wished to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the lands under his rule. - -\s5 -\v 20 As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of the people of Israel, -\v 21 their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel were not able to totally destroy—Solomon made them into forced laborers, which they are to this day. - -\s5 -\v 22 However, Solomon made no forced laborers of the people of Israel. Instead, they became his soldiers and his servants, his officials, and his officers and commanders of his chariot forces and his horse riders. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 These were also the chief officers managing the supervisors who were over Solomon's works, 550 of them, who supervised the people who did the work. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Pharaoh's daughter moved from the city of David to the house that Solomon had built for her. Later, Solomon built the Millo. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Three times each year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built for Yahweh, burning incense with them on the altar that was before Yahweh. So he completed the temple and was now using it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 King Solomon built a fleet of ships in Ezion Geber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. -\v 27 Hiram sent servants to Solomon's fleet, sailors who were familiar with the sea, with Solomon's own servants. -\v 28 They went to Ophir with servants of Solomon. From there they brought back 420 talents of gold for King Solomon. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame concerning the name of Yahweh, she came to test him with hard questions. -\v 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very long caravan, with camels loaded with spices, much gold, and many precious gemstones. When she arrived, she told Solomon all that was in her heart. - -\s5 -\v 3 Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing she asked that the king did not answer. -\v 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all Solomon's wisdom, the palace that he had built, -\v 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the work of his servants and their clothing, also his cupbearers, and the manner in which he offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh, there was no more breath in her. - -\s5 -\v 6 She said to the king, "It is true, the report that I heard in my own land of your words and your wisdom. -\v 7 I did not believe what I heard until I came here, and now my eyes have seen it. Not half was told me about your wisdom and wealth! You have exceeded the fame that I heard about. - -\s5 -\v 8 How blessed are your wives, and how blessed are your servants who constantly stand before you, because they hear your wisdom. -\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa How blessed are your men. \fqa* Important ancient translations, however, have \fqa How blessed are your wives. \fqa* Many think it is probable that \fqa women \fqa* was misread as \fqa men \fqa* , because the Hebrew words are very similar. \f* -\v 9 May Yahweh your God be praised, who has taken pleasure in you, who placed you on the throne of Israel. Because Yahweh loved Israel forever, he has made you king, for you to do justice and righteousness!" - -\s5 -\v 10 She gave the king 120 talents of gold and a large amount of spices and precious stones. No greater amount of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon was ever given to him again. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 The fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, also brought from Ophir a large amount of almug wood and precious stones. -\v 12 The king made almug wood pillars for the temple of Yahweh and for the king's palace, and harps and lyres for the singers. No such quantity of almug wood has ever come or been seen again to this day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba everything she wished for, whatever she asked, in addition to what Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she returned to her own land with her servants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, -\v 15 besides the gold that the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors in the country also brought gold and silver to Solomon. - -\s5 -\v 16 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of gold went into each one. -\v 17 He also made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three minas of gold went into each shield; the king put them into the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. - -\s5 -\v 18 Then the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with the finest gold. -\v 19 There were six steps to the throne, and the back of it had a rounded top. There were armrests on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests. -\v 20 Twelve lions stood on the steps, one on each side of each of the six steps. There was no throne like it in any other kingdom. - -\s5 -\v 21 All King Solomon's drinking cups were gold, and all the drinking cups in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were silver, because silver was not considered valuable in Solomon's days. -\v 22 The king had at sea a fleet of oceangoing ships, along with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet brought gold, silver, and ivory, as well as apes and baboons. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom. -\v 24 All the earth sought the presence of Solomon in order to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. -\v 25 Those who visited brought tribute, vessels of silver and of gold, and clothes, armor, and spices, as well as horses and mules, year after year. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he stationed in the chariot cities and with himself in Jerusalem. -\v 27 The king had silver in Jerusalem, as much as the stones on the ground. He made cedar wood to be as abundant as the sycamore fig trees that are in the lowlands. - -\s5 -\v 28 Solomon owned horses that had been bought from Egypt and Kue. The king's merchants purchased them in herds, each herd at a price. -\v 29 Chariots were purchased out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver each, and horses for 150 shekels each. Many of these were then sold to all the kings of the Hittites and Aram. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women including the daughter of Pharaoh—women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. -\v 2 They were from the nations about which Yahweh said to the people of Israel, "You will not go among them to marry, neither will they come among you, for they will certainly turn your heart to their gods." In spite of this command, Solomon was affectionate toward these women in love. - -\s5 -\v 3 Solomon had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines. His wives turned his heart away. -\v 4 For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; his heart was not fully surrendered to Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father. - -\s5 -\v 5 For Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and he followed Molech, the disgusting idol of the Ammonites. -\v 6 Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did not fully follow Yahweh as David his father had done. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the disgusting idol of Moab, on a hill east of Jerusalem, and also for Molech, the disgusting idol of the people of Ammon. -\v 8 He also built high places for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods at them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from him, the God of Israel, even though he had appeared to him twice -\v 10 and commanded him about this very thing, that he should not go after other gods. But Solomon did not obey what Yahweh commanded. - -\s5 -\v 11 Therefore Yahweh said to Solomon, "Because you have done this and have not kept the covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. -\v 12 However, for David your father's sake, I will not do it in your lifetime, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. -\v 13 Yet I will not tear away all the kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for David my servant's sake, and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then Yahweh raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was from the royal family of Edom. -\v 15 When David was in Edom, Joab the captain of the army had gone up to bury the dead, every man who had been killed in Edom. -\v 16 Joab and all Israel remained there six months until he had killed every male in Edom. -\v 17 But Hadad was taken with other Edomites by his father's servants into Egypt, since Hadad was still a little child. - -\s5 -\v 18 They left Midian and came to Paran, from where they took men with them to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house and land and food. -\v 19 Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that Pharaoh gave him a wife, his own wife's sister, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. - -\s5 -\v 20 The sister of Tahpenes gave birth to Hadad's son. They named him Genubath. Tahpenes raised him in Pharaoh's palace. So Genubath lived in Pharaoh's palace among the children of Pharaoh. -\v 21 While he was in Egypt, Hadad heard that David had lain down with his ancestors and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Let me depart, so I may go to my own country." -\v 22 Then Pharaoh said to him, "But what have you lacked with me, that you now seek to go to your own country?" Hadad answered, "Nothing. Please let me go." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 God also raised up another adversary to Solomon, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. -\v 24 Rezon gathered men to himself and became captain over a small force, when David defeated the men of Zobah. Rezon's men went to Damascus and lived there, and Rezon controlled Damascus. -\v 25 He was an enemy of Israel all the days of Solomon, along with the trouble that Hadad caused. Rezon abhorred Israel and reigned over Aram. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Then Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, an official of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. -\v 27 He lifted up his hand against the king because Solomon had built up the place located at Millo and repaired the opening in the city wall of David his father. - -\s5 -\v 28 Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, so he gave him command over all the labor of the house of Joseph. -\v 29 At that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road. Now Ahijah had dressed in a new garment and the two men were alone in the field. -\v 30 Then Ahijah grabbed hold of the new garment that was on him and tore it into twelve pieces. - -\s5 -\v 31 He said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'Look, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and I will give ten tribes to you -\v 32 (but Solomon will have one tribe, for my servant David's sake and for Jerusalem's sake—the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), -\v 33 because they have forsaken me and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Molech the god of the people of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do what is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my decrees, as did David his father. - -\s5 -\v 34 However, I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon's hand. Instead, I have made him ruler all the days of his life, for David my servant's sake whom I chose, the one who kept my commandments and my statutes. -\v 35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and I will give it to you, ten tribes. -\v 36 I will give one tribe to Solomon's son, so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city in which I have chosen to put my name. - -\s5 -\v 37 I will take you, and you will rule to fulfill all that you desire, and you will be king over Israel. -\v 38 If you listen to all that I command you, and if you walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, then I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you. -\v 39 I will punish the descendants of David, but not forever.'" - -\s5 -\v 40 So Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam got up and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and he remained in Egypt until the death of Solomon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 As for the other matters concerning Solomon, all that he did and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the events of Solomon? -\v 42 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. -\v 43 He slept with his ancestors and he was buried in the city of David his father. Rehoboam his son became king in his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel was coming to Shechem to make him king. -\v 2 It happened that Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), for Jeroboam had settled down in Egypt. \f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa then Jeroboam returned from Egypt \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\v 3 So they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam, -\v 4 "Your father made our yoke heavy. Now make lighter the hard work of your father and make lighter the heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you." -\v 5 Rehoboam said to them, "Go away for three days, then come back to me." So the people went away. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he was alive, and he said, "How do you advise me to answer this people?" -\v 7 They spoke to him and said, "If you will be a servant today to these people and serve them, and answer them by saying good words to them, then they will always be your servants." - -\s5 -\v 8 But Rehoboam ignored the advice that the old men had given him and he consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. -\v 9 He said to them, "What advice do you give me that we may answer the people who spoke to me and said, 'Lighten the yoke that your father put on us'?" - -\s5 -\v 10 The young men who had grown up with Rehoboam spoke to him, saying, "Speak to these people who told you that your father Solomon made their yoke heavy but that you must make it lighter. You should say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. -\v 11 So now, although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had instructed when he said, "Come back to me on the third day." -\v 13 The king answered the people roughly and ignored the advice of the old men that they had given him. -\v 14 He spoke to them following the advice of the young men; he said, "My father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions." - -\s5 -\v 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events brought about by Yahweh, that he might carry out his word that he had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered him and said, -\q "What share do we have in David? -\q2 We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse! -\q Go to your tents, Israel. -\q2 Now see to your own house, David." -\p -So Israel went back to their tents. -\v 17 But as for the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam became king over them. - -\s5 -\v 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was over the forced laborers, but all Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam fled quickly in his chariot to Jerusalem. -\v 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. - -\s5 -\v 20 It happened that when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to their assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed the family of David, except only the tribe of Judah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin; there were 180,000 chosen men who were soldiers, to fight against the house of Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon. -\s5 -\v 22 But the word of God came to Shemaiah, the man of God; it said, -\v 23 "Speak to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people; say, -\v 24 'Yahweh says this: You must not attack or fight against your brothers the people of Israel. Each man must return to his home, for this thing has been made to happen by me.'" So they listened to the word of Yahweh and turned back and went their way, and they obeyed his word. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there. He went out from there and built Peniel. -\v 26 Jeroboam thought in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. -\v 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of Yahweh at Jerusalem, then the heart of these people will turn again to their master, to Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah." - -\s5 -\v 28 So King Jeroboam sought advice and made two calves of gold; he said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Look, these are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt." -\v 29 He set up one in Bethel and the other in Dan. -\v 30 So this act became a sin. The people went to one or the other, all the way to Dan. - -\s5 -\v 31 Jeroboam made houses on high places and he also made priests from among all the people, who were not among the sons of Levi. -\v 32 Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast that is in Judah, and he went up to the altar. He did so at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made, and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places he had made. - -\s5 -\v 33 Jeroboam went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month he had planned in his own mind; he ordained a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 A man of God came out of Judah by the word of Yahweh to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. -\v 2 He cried against the altar by the word of Yahweh: "Altar, altar! This is what Yahweh says, 'See, a son named Josiah will be born to the family of David, and on you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who now burn incense on you. On you they will burn human bones.'" -\v 3 Then the man of God gave a sign the same day, saying, "This is the sign that Yahweh has spoken: 'Look, the altar will be split apart, and the ashes on it will be poured out.'" - -\s5 -\v 4 When the king heard what the man of God said, that he had cried out against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam reached out with his hand from the altar, saying, "Seize him." Then the hand with which he had reached out against the man dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. -\v 5 (The altar was also split apart and the ashes poured out from the altar, as described by the sign that the man of God had given by the word of Yahweh.) - -\s5 -\v 6 King Jeroboam answered and said to the man of God, "Plead for the favor of Yahweh your God and pray for me, so that my hand may be restored to me again." So the man of God prayed to Yahweh, and the king's hand was restored to him again, and it became as it was before. -\v 7 The king said to the man of God, "Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward." - -\s5 -\v 8 The man of God said to the king, "Even if you give me half your possessions, I will not go with you, nor will I eat food or drink water in this place, -\v 9 because Yahweh commanded me by his word, 'You will eat no bread nor drink water, nor return by the way that you came.'" -\v 10 So the man of God left another way and did not return to his home by the way that he had come to Bethel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Now there was an old prophet living in Bethel, and one of his sons came and told him all the things that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. His sons also told him the words that the man of God had spoken to the king. -\v 12 Their father said to them, "Which way did he go?" Now his sons had seen the way the man of God from Judah had gone. -\v 13 So he said to his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." So they saddled the donkey and he rode off on it. - -\s5 -\v 14 The old prophet went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak tree; and he said to him, "Are you the man of God who came from Judah?" He answered, "I am." -\v 15 Then the old prophet said to him, "Come home with me and eat food." -\v 16 The man of God answered, "I may not return with you nor go in with you, neither will I eat food nor drink water with you in this place, -\v 17 because it was commanded to me by the word of Yahweh, 'You will eat no food nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.'" - -\s5 -\v 18 So the old prophet said to him, "I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of Yahweh, saying, 'Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat food and drink water.'" But he was lying to the man of God. -\v 19 So the man of God went back with the old prophet and ate food in his house and drank water. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 As they sat at the table, the word of Yahweh came to the prophet who had brought him back, -\v 21 and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, "Yahweh says, 'Because you have been disobedient to the word of Yahweh and have not kept the command that Yahweh your God gave you, -\v 22 but came back and have eaten food and drunk water in the place about which Yahweh told you to eat no food and drink no water, your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.'" - -\s5 -\v 23 After he had eaten food and after he had drunk, the prophet saddled the donkey of the man of God, the man who had come back with him. -\v 24 When the man of God was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left on the road. Then the donkey stood by it, and the lion also stood by the body. -\v 25 When men passed by and saw the body left on the road, and the lion standing by the body, they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 When the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard it, he said, "It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of Yahweh. Therefore Yahweh gave him to the lion, which tore him to pieces and killed him, just as the word of Yahweh warned him." -\v 27 So the old prophet spoke to his sons, saying, "Saddle my donkey," and they saddled it. -\v 28 He went and found the body left in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing by the body. The lion had not eaten the body, nor attacked the donkey. - -\s5 -\v 29 The prophet took up the body of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. He came to his own city to mourn and to bury him. -\v 30 He laid the body in his own grave, and they mourned over him, saying, "Woe, my brother!" - -\s5 -\v 31 Then after he had buried him, the old prophet spoke to his sons, saying, "When I am dead, bury me in the tomb in which the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones. -\v 32 For the message he declared by the word of Yahweh, against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses on the high places in the cities of Samaria, will certainly happen." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 After this Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but continued to appoint common priests for the high places from among all sorts of people. Any who would serve he consecrated as a priest. -\v 34 This matter became sin to the family of Jeroboam and caused his family to be destroyed and to be exterminated from the face of the earth. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became very sick. -\v 2 Jeroboam said to his wife, "Please arise and disguise yourself, so you will not be recognized as my wife, and go to Shiloh, because Ahijah the prophet is there; he is the one who spoke about me, saying that I would become king over these people. -\v 3 Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to Ahijah. He will tell you what will happen to the child." - -\s5 -\v 4 Jeroboam's wife did so; she left and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see; he lost his sight because of old age. -\v 5 Yahweh said to Ahijah, "Look, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to seek advice from you regarding her son, for he is sick. Say such and such to her, because when she comes, she will act as if she were some other woman." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be someone you are not? I have been sent to you with bad news. -\v 7 Go, tell Jeroboam that Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'I raised you from among the people to make you the leader over my people Israel. -\v 8 I tore the kingdom away from the family of David and gave it to you, yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, to do only what was right in my eyes. - -\s5 -\v 9 Instead, you have done evil, more than all who were before you. You have made other gods, and you have cast metal images to provoke me to anger, and have thrust me behind your back. -\v 10 Therefore, look, I will bring disaster on your family; I will cut off from you every male child in Israel, whether slave or free, and will completely remove your family, like someone who burns up dung until it is gone. - -\s5 -\v 11 Anyone who belongs to your family who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the heavens, for I, Yahweh, have said it.' -\v 12 So arise, wife of Jeroboam, and go back to your home; when your feet enter the city, the child Abijah will die. -\v 13 All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He is the only one from Jeroboam's family who will go into a grave, because only in him, out of Jeroboam's house, was anything good found in the sight of Yahweh, the God of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 14 Also, Yahweh will raise up a king of Israel who will cut off the family of Jeroboam on that day. Today is that day, right now. -\v 15 For Yahweh will attack Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and he will root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their ancestors. He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have made their Asherah poles and provoked Yahweh to anger. -\v 16 He will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, the sins that he has committed, and through which he has led Israel to sin." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 So Jeroboam's wife arose and left, and came to Tirzah. As she came to the threshold of her house, the child died. -\v 18 All Israel buried him and mourned for him, just as it was told to them by the word of Yahweh which he had spoken by his servant Ahijah the prophet. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 As for the other matters concerning Jeroboam, how he waged war and how he reigned, see, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. -\v 20 Jeroboam reigned twenty-two years and then slept with his ancestors, and Nadab his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Now Rehoboam son of Solomon was reigning in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his name. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman. -\v 22 Judah did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; they provoked him to jealousy with the sins that they committed, more than everything that their fathers had done. - -\s5 -\v 23 For they also built for themselves high places, stone pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. -\v 24 There were also cultic prostitutes in the land. They did the same despicable practices as the nations that Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. -\v 26 He took away the treasures in the house of Yahweh, and the treasures in the king's house. He took everything away; he also took all the shields of gold that Solomon had made. - -\s5 -\v 27 King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place and entrusted them into the hands of the commanders of the guard, who guarded the doors to the king's house. -\v 28 It happened that whenever the king entered the house of Yahweh, the guards would carry them; then they would bring them back into the guardhouse. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 As for the other matters concerning Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 30 There was constant warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. -\v 31 So Rehoboam slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman. Abijah his son became king in his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah began to reign over Judah. -\v 2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maacah. She was the daughter of Abishalom. -\v 3 He walked in all the sins that his father had committed before his time; his heart was not devoted to Yahweh his God as the heart of David, his ancestor, had been. - -\s5 -\v 4 Nevertheless, for David's sake, Yahweh his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up his son after him in order to strengthen Jerusalem. -\v 5 God did this because David had done what was right in his eyes; for all the days of his life, he had not turned away from anything that he commanded him, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. -\v 6 Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of Abijah's life. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 As for the other matters of Abijah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. -\v 8 Abijah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Asa his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah. -\v 10 He ruled forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother's name was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom. -\v 11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as David, his ancestor, had done. - -\s5 -\v 12 He expelled the cultic prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his ancestors had made. -\v 13 He also removed Maacah, his grandmother, from being queen, because she had made a disgusting figure out of an Asherah pole. Asa cut down the disgusting figure and burned it at the Kidron Valley. - -\s5 -\v 14 But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, Asa's heart was completely devoted to Yahweh all his days. -\v 15 He brought into the house of Yahweh the things that were set apart by his father, and his own things that had been set apart that were made of silver and gold, and vessels. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel, all their days. -\v 17 Baasha king of Israel, acted aggressively against Judah and built up Ramah, so that he might not allow anyone to leave or enter into the land of Asa king of Judah. - -\s5 -\v 18 Then Asa took all the silver and gold left in the storerooms in the house of Yahweh, and the storerooms of the king's palace. He put it into the hands of his servants and sent it to Ben Hadad son of Tabrimmon son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who lived in Damascus. He said, -\v 19 "Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Look, I have sent to you a gift of silver and gold. Break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, so that he may leave me alone." - -\s5 -\v 20 Ben Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies, and they attacked the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel of Beth Maacah, and all Chinnereth, together with all the land of Naphtali. -\v 21 It came about that when Baasha heard this, he stopped building up Ramah and went back to Tirzah. -\v 22 Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah. No one was exempted. They carried away the stones and timbers of Ramah with which Baasha had been building up the city. Then King Asa used that building material to build up Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 As for the other matters of Asa, all his might, all that he did, and the cities he built, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? But during his old age he was diseased in his feet. -\v 24 Then Asa slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David his father. Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Nadab son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah; he reigned over Israel two years. -\v 26 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of his father, and in his own sin, by which he led Israel to sin. - -\s5 -\v 27 Baasha son of Ahijah, of the family of Issachar, conspired against Nadab; Baasha killed him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. -\v 28 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha killed Nadab and became king in his place. - -\s5 -\v 29 As soon as he was king, Baasha killed all the family of Jeroboam. He left none of Jeroboam's descendants breathing; in this way he destroyed his royal line, just as Yahweh had spoken by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite, -\v 30 for the sins of Jeroboam which he committed and by which he led Israel to sin, because he provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 As for the other matters concerning Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 32 There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah and he reigned twenty-four years. -\v 34 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin by which he led Israel to sin. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, -\v 2 "Although I exalted you out of the dust and made you leader over my people Israel, you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, so as to provoke me to anger with their sins. - -\s5 -\v 3 See, I will completely sweep away Baasha and his family and I will make your family like the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat. -\v 4 The dogs will eat anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city, and the birds of the sky will eat anyone who dies in the fields." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 As for the other matters concerning Baasha, what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 6 Baasha slept with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah, and Elah his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\v 7 So by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani the word of Yahweh came against Baasha and his family, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of Yahweh, so as to provoke him to anger with the work of his hands, like the family of Jeroboam, and also because he had killed all of Jeroboam's family. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah; he reigned two years. -\v 9 His servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now Elah was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah. -\v 10 Zimri went in, attacked him and killed him, in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and became king in his place. - -\s5 -\v 11 When Zimri began to reign and was seated on his throne, he killed all the family of Baasha. He did not leave alive a single male belonging to Baasha's relatives or friends. -\v 12 So Zimri destroyed all the family of Baasha, according to the word of Yahweh which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, -\v 13 for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son that they committed, and by which they had led Israel to sin, so that they provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger with their idols. - -\s5 -\v 14 As for the other matters concerning Elah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned only for seven days in Tirzah. Now the army was camped by Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. -\v 16 The army camped there heard it said, "Zimri has plotted and has killed the king." So that day in the camp, all Israel declared Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel. -\v 17 Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. - -\s5 -\v 18 So when Zimri saw that the city had been taken, he went into the fortress attached to the king's palace and set fire to the building over him; in this way he died in the flames. -\v 19 This was for the sins that he had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, by walking in the way of Jeroboam and in the sin that he had committed, so as to lead Israel to sin. -\v 20 As for the other matters concerning Zimri, and the treason that he carried out, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. -\v 22 But the people who followed Omri were stronger than the people who followed Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri became king. - -\s5 -\v 23 Omri began to reign over Israel in the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. He reigned from Tirzah for six years. -\v 24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver. He built a city on the hill and called the name of the city Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the past owner of the hill. - -\s5 -\v 25 Omri did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and acted more wickedly than all who had been before him. -\v 26 For he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sins by which he led Israel to sin, to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to be angry with their worthless idols. - -\s5 -\v 27 As for the other matters concerning Omri which he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 28 So Omri slept with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria and Ahab his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri began to reign over Israel. Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. -\v 30 Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, more than all those who were before him. - -\s5 -\v 31 It was to Ahab a trivial thing to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, so he took as his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; he went and worshiped Baal and bowed down to him. -\v 32 He built an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. -\v 33 Ahab made an Asherah pole. Ahab did even more to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who had been before him. - -\s5 -\v 34 During Ahab's rule, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. Hiel laid the foundation of the city at the cost of the life of Abiram, his firstborn son; and Segub, his youngest son, lost his life while he was building the gates of the city, in keeping with the word of Yahweh which he spoke by Joshua son of Nun. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As Yahweh, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there will not be dew or rain these years unless I say so." - -\s5 -\v 2 The word of Yahweh came to Elijah, saying, -\v 3 "Leave from here and go eastward; hide yourself by the brook Kerith, east of the Jordan. -\v 4 It will happen that you will drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." - -\s5 -\v 5 So Elijah went and did as the word of Yahweh commanded. He went to live by the brook Kerith, east of the Jordan. -\v 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. -\v 7 But after a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The word of Yahweh came to him, saying, -\v 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there. Look, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." -\v 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city a widow was there gathering sticks. So he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a jar so that I may drink." - -\s5 -\v 11 As she was going to get water he called to her, and said, "Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand." -\v 12 She replied, "As Yahweh your God lives, I do not have any bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug. See, I am gathering two sticks so I may go in and cook it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die." -\v 13 Elijah said to her, "Do not fear. Go and do as you have said, but make me a little bread first and bring it out to me. Then afterward make some for you and for your son. - -\s5 -\v 14 For Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of meal will not empty, neither will the jug of oil stop flowing, until the day that Yahweh sends rain on the earth." -\v 15 So she did as Elijah had told her. She and Elijah, along with her household, ate for many days. -\v 16 The jar of meal did not empty, neither did the jug of oil stop flowing, just as the word of Yahweh had said, as he had spoken by Elijah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 After these things the woman's son, the woman who owned the house, fell sick. His sickness was so severe that there was no more breath left in him. -\v 18 So his mother said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Have you come to me to remind me of my sin and to kill my son?" - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Elijah replied to her, "Give me your son." He took the boy from her arms and carried him up into the room where he was staying, and he laid the boy on his own bed. -\v 20 He cried to Yahweh and said, "Yahweh my God, have you also brought disaster on the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?" -\v 21 Then Elijah stretched himself on the child three times; he cried out to Yahweh and said, "Yahweh my God, I beg you, please let this child's life return to him." - -\s5 -\v 22 Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah; the life of the child returned to him, and he revived. -\v 23 Elijah took the child and brought him out of his room down into the house; he handed the boy to his mother and said, "See, your son is alive." -\v 24 The woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of Yahweh in your mouth is true." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 So after many days the word of Yahweh came to Elijah, in the third year of the drought, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab and I will send rain on the land." -\v 2 Elijah went to show himself to Ahab; now the famine was severe in Samaria. - -\s5 -\v 3 Ahab called Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Now Obadiah honored Yahweh very much, -\v 4 for when Jezebel was killing the prophets of Yahweh, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water. - -\s5 -\v 5 Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the water springs and brooks. Perhaps we will find grass and save the horses and mules alive, so that we will not lose all the animals." -\v 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it and look for water. Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 As Obadiah was on the road, Elijah unexpectedly met him. Obadiah recognized him and lay facedown on the ground. He said, "Is it you, my master Elijah?" -\v 8 Elijah answered him, "It is I. Go tell your master, 'Look, Elijah is here.'" - -\s5 -\v 9 Obadiah replied, "How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, for him to kill me? -\v 10 As Yahweh your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent men to find you. Whenever a nation or kingdom says, 'Elijah is not here,' Ahab makes them take an oath swearing that they could not find you. -\v 11 Yet now you say, 'Go, tell your master that Elijah is here.' - -\s5 -\v 12 As soon as I am gone from you, the Spirit of Yahweh will carry you some place I do not know. Then when I go and tell Ahab, and when he cannot find you, he will kill me. Yet I, your servant, have worshiped Yahweh from my youth. -\v 13 Has it not been told to you, my master, what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of Yahweh, how I hid one hundred of Yahweh's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? - -\s5 -\v 14 Now you say to me, 'Go and tell your master that Elijah is here,' so that he will kill me." -\v 15 Then Elijah responded, "As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to Ahab today." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him what Elijah said. Then the king went to meet Elijah. -\v 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is it you? You are the one who brings trouble to Israel!" - -\s5 -\v 18 Elijah answered, "I have not brought trouble to Israel, but you and your father's family are the ones who have caused trouble by abandoning the commandments of Yahweh and by following the Baals. -\v 19 Now then, send word and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 So Ahab sent word to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. -\v 21 Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you keep changing your mind? If Yahweh is God, follow him. But if Baal is God, then follow him." Yet the people did not answer him a word. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I, I alone, am left as a prophet of Yahweh, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. -\v 23 So let them give us two bulls. Let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under it. -\v 24 Then you will call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh, and the God who answers by fire, then let him be God." So all the people answered and said, "This is good." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many people. Then call on the name of your god, but put no fire under the bull." -\v 26 They took the bull that was given to them and prepared it, and they called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "Baal, hear us." But there was no voice, nor anyone who answered. They danced around the altar they had made. - -\s5 -\v 27 At noon Elijah mocked them and said, "Shout out loudly! He is a god! Perhaps he is thinking, or is relieving himself, or he is traveling on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." -\v 28 So they shouted more loudly, and they cut themselves, as they usually did, with swords and spears, until their blood flowed out over themselves. -\v 29 Midday passed, and they were still raving until the time of offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no voice or anyone to answer; there was no one who paid any attention to their pleadings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me," and all the people came near to him. Then he repaired the altar of Yahweh that was lying in ruin. -\v 31 Elijah took twelve stones, each stone representing one of the tribes of the sons of Jacob—it was Jacob to whom the word of Yahweh came, saying, "Israel will be your name." -\v 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of Yahweh and he dug a trench around the altar large enough to contain two seahs of seeds. - -\s5 -\v 33 He arranged the wood for a fire, cut the bull in pieces, and laid the pieces of the bull on the wood. He said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." -\v 34 Then he said, "Do it a second time," and they did it a second time. Once more he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time. -\v 35 The water ran around the altar and filled the trench. - -\s5 -\v 36 It happened at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. -\v 37 Hear me, Yahweh, hear me, that these people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again to yourself." - -\s5 -\v 38 Then the fire of Yahweh fell and consumed the burnt offering, as well as the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. -\v 39 When all the people saw this, they lay facedown on the ground and said, "Yahweh, he is God! Yahweh, he is God!" -\v 40 So Elijah said to them, "Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them escape." So they took them, and Elijah brought the prophets of Baal down to the brook Kishon and killed them there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Elijah said to Ahab, "Get up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of much rain." -\v 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Then Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. - -\s5 -\v 43 He said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." His servant went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." So Elijah said, "Go again, seven times." -\v 44 At the seventh time the servant said, "Look, there is a cloud going up from the sea, as small as a man's hand." Elijah replied, "Go up and say to Ahab, 'Make ready your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'" - -\s5 -\v 45 It happened that in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode and went to Jezreel, -\v 46 but the hand of Yahweh was on Elijah. He tucked his robe in his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. -\v 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of those dead prophets by tomorrow about this time." -\v 3 When Elijah heard that, he arose and fled for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. - -\s5 -\v 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. He requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough, now, Yahweh; take away my life, for I am no better than my dead ancestors." -\v 5 So he lay down and slept under a broom tree. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." -\v 6 Elijah looked, and near his head was bread that had been baked on coals and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and then lay down again. - -\s5 -\v 7 The angel of Yahweh came again a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, because the journey will be too much for you." -\v 8 So he arose and ate and drank, and he traveled in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 He went to a cave there and stayed in it. Then the word of Yahweh came to him and said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" -\v 10 Elijah replied, "I have been very zealous for Yahweh, God of hosts, for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I, only I, am left and they are also trying to take my life." - -\s5 -\v 11 Yahweh replied, "Go out and stand on the mountain before me." Then Yahweh passed by, and a very strong wind struck the mountains and broke rocks into pieces before Yahweh, but Yahweh was not in the wind. Then after the wind, an earthquake came, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake. -\v 12 Then after the earthquake a fire came, but Yahweh was not in the fire. Then after the fire, a still small voice came. - -\s5 -\v 13 When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his cloak, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" -\v 14 Elijah replied, "I have been very zealous for Yahweh, God of hosts, because the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I, only I, am left and they are also trying to take my life." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then Yahweh said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you arrive you will anoint Hazael to be king over Aram, -\v 16 and you will anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king over Israel, and you will anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place. - -\s5 -\v 17 It will happen that Jehu will kill whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, and that Elisha will kill whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu. -\v 18 But I will leave for myself seven thousand people in Israel, whose knees have not bent down to Baal, and whose mouths have not kissed him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 So Elijah left from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he himself was plowing with the twelfth yoke. Elijah walked over to Elisha and draped his cloak on him. -\v 20 Then Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah; he said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." Then Elijah said to him, "Go back, but think about what I have done to you." - -\s5 -\v 21 So Elisha returned from Elijah and took the yoke of oxen, killed the animals, and cooked the meat with the wood from the ox yoke. Then he gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose, went after Elijah and served him. - - - +\mt First Kings +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 When King David was old and advanced in years, they covered him with blankets, but he could not keep warm. +\v 2 So his servants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin for our master the king. Let her serve the king and take care of him. Let her lie in his arms so that our master the king may keep warm." +\s5 +\v 3 So they searched for a beautiful girl within all the borders of Israel. They found Abishag the Shunammite and brought her to the king. +\v 4 The girl was very beautiful. She served the king and took care of him, but the king did not have sexual relations with her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 At that time, Adonijah son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." So he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen with fifty men to run ahead of him. +\v 6 His father had never troubled him, saying, "Why have you done this or that?" Adonijah was also a very handsome man, born next after Absalom. + +\s5 +\v 7 He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest. They followed Adonijah and helped him. +\v 8 But Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, Nathan the prophet, Shimei, Rei, and the mighty men who belonged to David did not follow Adonijah. + +\s5 +\v 9 Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En Rogel. He invited all his brothers, the king's sons, and all the men of Judah, the king's servants. +\v 10 But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, "Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and David our master does not know it? +\v 12 Now therefore let me give you advice, so that you may save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. + +\s5 +\v 13 Go to King David; say to him, 'My master the king, did you not swear to your servant, saying, "Surely Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?" Why then is Adonijah reigning?' +\v 14 While you are there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 So Bathsheba went into the king's room. The king was very old, and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king. +\v 16 Bathsheba bowed and prostrated herself before the king. Then the king said, "What do you desire?" +\v 17 She said to him, "My master, you swore to your servant by Yahweh your God, saying, 'Surely Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne.' + +\s5 +\v 18 Now, see, Adonijah is king, and you, my master the king, do not know it. +\v 19 He has sacrificed oxen, fatted calves, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the sons of the king, Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the army, but he has not invited Solomon your servant. + +\s5 +\v 20 As for you, my master the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting for you to tell them who will sit on the throne after you, my master. +\v 21 Otherwise it will happen, when my master the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be regarded as criminals." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 While she was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet came in. +\v 23 The servants told the king, "Nathan the prophet is here." When he came in before the king, he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. + +\s5 +\v 24 Nathan said, "My master the king, have you said, 'Adonijah will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne?' +\v 25 For he has gone down today and sacrificed oxen, fatted calves, and sheep in abundance, and has invited all the king's sons, the captains of the army, and Abiathar the priest. They are eating and drinking before him, and saying, 'Long live King Adonijah!' + +\s5 +\v 26 But as for me, your servant, Zadok the priest, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and your servant Solomon, he has not invited us. +\v 27 Has my master the king done this without telling us, your servants, who should sit on the throne after him?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Then King David answered and said, "Call Bathsheba back to me." She came into the king's presence and stood before the king. +\v 29 The king made an oath and said, "As Yahweh lives, who has redeemed me out of all trouble, +\v 30 as I vowed to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place,' I will do this today." +\v 31 Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the ground and prostrated herself before the king and said, "May my master King David live forever!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 King David said, "Call to me Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada." So they came before the king. +\v 33 The king said to them, "Take with you the servants of your master, and have Solomon my son ride on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. +\v 34 Let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel and blow the trumpet and say, 'Long live King Solomon!' + +\s5 +\v 35 Then you will come up after him, and he will come and sit on my throne; for he will be king in my place. I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah." +\v 36 Benaiah son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, "So let it be! May Yahweh, the God of my master the king, confirm it. +\v 37 As Yahweh has been with my master the king, so may he be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my master King David." + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Kerethites and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride upon King David's mule; they brought him to Gihon. +\v 39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil out of the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" +\v 40 Then all the people went up after him, and the people played the flutes and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth shook with their sound. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, "Why is there an uproar in the city?" +\v 42 While he was still speaking, Jonathan son of Abiathar the priest came. Adonijah said, "Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news." + +\s5 +\v 43 Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, "Our master King David has made Solomon the king, +\v 44 and the king has sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the Kerethites and the Pelethites. They have had Solomon ride on the king's mule. +\v 45 Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon, and have come up from there rejoicing, so that the city is in an uproar. This is the noise that you have heard. + +\s5 +\v 46 Also, Solomon is sitting on the throne of the kingdom. +\v 47 Moreover, the king's servants came to bless our master King David, saying, 'May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name, and make his throne greater than your throne.' Then the king bowed down on the bed. +\v 48 The king also said, 'Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who has given a person to sit on my throne this day, and that my own eyes should see it.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 49 Then all the guests of Adonijah were terrified. They stood up and each man went his way. +\v 50 Adonijah was afraid of Solomon and rose up, went, and took hold of the horns of the altar. +\v 51 Then it was told Solomon, saying, "See, Adonijah is afraid of King Solomon, for he has laid hold on the horns of the altar, saying, 'Let King Solomon swear to me first that he will not kill his servant with the sword.'" + +\s5 +\v 52 Solomon said, "If he will show himself a worthy man, not a hair of his will fall to the earth, but if wickedness is found in him, he will die." +\v 53 So King Solomon sent men, who brought Adonijah down from the altar. He came and bowed down to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, "Go to your house." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 As the day of David's death approached, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, +\v 2 "I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. +\v 3 Keep the commands of Yahweh your God to walk in his ways, to obey his statutes, his commandments, his decisions, and his covenant decrees, being careful to do what is written in the law of Moses, so you may prosper in all you do, wherever you go, +\v 4 so that Yahweh may fulfill his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons carefully watch their conduct, to walk before me faithfully with all their heart and with all their soul, you will never cease to have a man on the throne of Israel.' + +\s5 +\v 5 You know also what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner son of Ner, and to Amasa son of Jether, whom he killed. He shed the blood of war in peace and put the blood of war on the belt around his waist and on the shoes on his feet. +\v 6 Deal with Joab by the wisdom you have learned, but do not let his gray head go down to the grave in peace. + +\s5 +\v 7 However, show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, for they came to me when I fled from Absalom your brother. + +\s5 +\v 8 Look, there is with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite of Bahurim, who cursed me with a violent curse on the day I went to Mahanaim. Shimei came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by Yahweh, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.' +\v 9 Now therefore do not let him go free from punishment. You are a wise man, and you will know what you ought to do to him. You will bring his gray head down to the grave with blood." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David. +\v 11 The days that David reigned over Israel were forty years. He had reigned for seven years in Hebron and for thirty-three years in Jerusalem. +\v 12 Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then Adonijah son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. She said, "Do you come peacefully?" He replied, "Peacefully." +\v 14 Then he said, "I have something to say to you." So she replied, "Speak." +\v 15 Adonijah said, "You know that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel expected me to be king. But things changed, and the kingdom was given to my brother, for it was his from Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 16 Now I have one request of you, and do not turn away from my face." Bathsheba said to him, "Speak." +\v 17 He said, "Please speak to Solomon the king, for he will not turn away from your face, so that he may give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife." +\v 18 Bathsheba said, "Very well, I will speak to the king." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat down on his throne and had a throne brought for the king's mother. She sat at his right hand. +\v 20 Then she said, "I wish to ask one small request of you, for you will not turn away from my face." The king answered her, "Ask, my mother, for I will not turn away from your face." +\v 21 She said, "Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother as his wife." + +\s5 +\v 22 King Solomon answered and said to his mother, "Why do you ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? Why do you not ask the kingdom for him also, for he is my elder brother—for him, for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab son of Zeruiah?" +\v 23 Then King Solomon swore by Yahweh, saying, "May God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah has not spoken this word against his own life. + +\s5 +\v 24 Now therefore as Yahweh lives, who has established me and set me on the throne of David my father, and who has made me a house as he promised, surely Adonijah will be put to death today." +\v 25 So King Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and Benaiah found Adonijah and put him to death. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Then to Abiathar the priest the king said, "Go to Anathoth, to your own fields. You are worthy of death, but I will not at this time put you to death, because you carried the ark of the Lord Yahweh before David my father and suffered in every way my father suffered." +\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa ... the ark of Yahweh ... \fqa* \f* +\v 27 So Solomon dismissed Abiathar from being priest to Yahweh, that he might fulfill the word of Yahweh, which he had spoken concerning the house of Eli at Shiloh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 The news came to Joab, for Joab had supported Adonijah, though he had not supported Absalom. So Joab fled to the tent of Yahweh and took hold of the horns of the altar. +\v 29 It was told King Solomon that Joab had fled to the tent of Yahweh and was now beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go, execute him." + +\s5 +\v 30 So Benaiah came to the tent of Yahweh and said to him, "The king says, 'Come out.'" Joab replied, "No, I will die here." So Benaiah returned to the king, saying, "Joab said he wanted to die at the altar." +\v 31 The king said to him, "Do as he has said. Kill him and bury him so that you may take away from me and from my father's house the blood that Joab shed without cause. + +\s5 +\v 32 May Yahweh return his blood on his own head, because he attacked two men more righteous and better than himself and killed them with the sword, Abner son of Ner, the captain of the army of Israel, and Amasa son of Jether, the captain of the army of Judah, without my father David knowing it. +\v 33 So may their blood return on the head of Joab and on the head of his descendants forever. But to David and his descendants, and to his house, and to his throne, may there be peace forever from Yahweh." + +\s5 +\v 34 Then Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and attacked Joab and killed him. He was buried in his own house in the wilderness. +\v 35 The king put Benaiah son of Jehoiada over the army in his place, and he put Zadok the priest in Abiathar's place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, "Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, and do not go out from there to any other place. +\v 37 For on the day you go out, and pass over the Kidron Valley, know you for certain that you will surely die. Your blood will be on your own head." +\v 38 So Shimei said to the king, "What you say is good. As my master the king has said, so your servant will do." So Shimei lived in Jerusalem for many days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 But at the end of three years, two of the servants of Shimei ran away to Achish son of Maacah, the king of Gath. So they told Shimei, saying, "See, your servants are in Gath." +\v 40 Then Shimei arose, saddled his donkey and went to Achish in Gath to seek his servants. He went and brought his servants back from Gath. + +\s5 +\v 41 When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned, +\v 42 the king sent and called for Shimei and said to him, "Did I not make you swear by Yahweh and testify to you, saying, 'Know for certain that on the day you go out and go to any other place, you will surely die'? Then you said to me, 'What you say is good.' + +\s5 +\v 43 Why then have you not kept your oath to Yahweh and the command that I gave you?" +\v 44 The king also said to Shimei, "You know in your heart all the wickedness that you did to my father David. Therefore Yahweh will return your wickedness on your own head. + +\s5 +\v 45 But King Solomon will be blessed and the throne of David will be established before Yahweh forever." +\v 46 Then the king gave a command to Benaiah son of Jehoiada. He went out and put Shimei to death. +\q So the rule was well established in Solomon's hand. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Solomon allied himself by marriage with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house, the house of Yahweh, and the wall around Jerusalem. +\v 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, because no house had yet been built for the name of Yahweh. +\v 3 Solomon showed his love for Yahweh by walking in the statutes of David his father, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place there. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. +\v 5 Yahweh appeared at Gibeon to Solomon in a dream by night; he said, "Ask! What should I give you?" + +\s5 +\v 6 So Solomon said, "You have shown great covenant faithfulness to your servant, David my father, because he walked before you in trustworthiness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart. You have kept for him this great covenant faithfulness and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. + +\s5 +\v 7 Now Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king in the place of David my father, though I am only a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. +\v 8 Your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. +\v 9 So give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 This request of Solomon pleased the Lord. +\v 11 So God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice. +\v 12 See, now I will do all you asked of me when you gave me your request. I give you a wise and an understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and no one like you will rise up after you. + +\s5 +\v 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. +\v 14 If you will walk in my ways to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days." + +\s5 +\v 15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. +\v 17 One woman said, "Oh, my master, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child with her in the house. + +\s5 +\v 18 It happened on the third day after I gave birth that this woman also gave birth. We were together. There was no one else with us in the house, but only the two of us in the house. +\v 19 Then this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. +\v 20 So she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. + +\s5 +\v 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, he was dead. But when I had looked at him carefully in the morning, he was not my son, whom I had borne." +\v 22 Then the other woman said, "No, the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son." The first woman said, "No, the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son." This is how they spoke before the king. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Then the king said, "One of you says, 'This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,' and the other says, 'No, your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.'" +\v 24 The king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword before the king. +\v 25 Then the king said, "Divide the living child in two, and give half to this woman and half to the other." + +\s5 +\v 26 Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king, for her heart was full of compassion for her son, and she said, "Oh, my master, give her the living child, and by no means kill him." But the other woman said, "He shall be neither mine nor yours. Divide him." +\v 27 Then the king answered and said, "Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother." +\v 28 When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered, they feared the king, because they saw that the wisdom of God was in him for giving judgments. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 King Solomon was king over all Israel. +\v 2 These were his officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest. +\v 3 Elihoreph and Ahijah sons of Shisha, were secretaries. Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder. +\v 4 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the army. Zadok and Abiathar were priests. +\f + \ft Some versions treat \fqa Zadok and Abiathar were priests \fqa* as a later addition to the text. \f* + +\s5 +\v 5 Azariah son of Nathan was over the officers. +Zabud son of Nathan was a priest and the king's friend. +\v 6 Ahishar was over the household. +Adoniram son of Abda was over the men who were subjected to forced labor. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for one month in the year. +\v 8 These were their names: +Ben-Hur, in the hill country of Ephraim; +\v 9 Ben-Deker in Makaz, Shaalbim, Beth Shemesh, and Elon Beth Hanan; +\v 10 Ben-Hesed, in Arubboth (to him belonged Sokoh and all the land of Hepher); + +\s5 +\v 11 Ben-Abinadab, in all Naphoth Dor (he had Taphath the daughter of Solomon as his wife); +\v 12 Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth Shan that is beside Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth Shan to Abel Meholah as far as the other side of Jokmeam; +\v 13 Ben-Geber, in Ramoth Gilead (to him belonged the towns of Jair son of Manasseh, that are in Gilead, and the region of Argob belonged to him, which is in Bashan, sixty great cities with walls and bronze gate bars); +\v 14 Ahinadab son of Iddo, in Mahanaim; + +\s5 +\v 15 Ahimaaz, in Naphtali (he also married Basemath the daughter of Solomon as his wife); +\v 16 Baana son of Hushai, in Asher and Bealoth; +\v 17 Jehoshaphat son of Paruah, in Issachar; + +\s5 +\v 18 Shimei son of Ela, in Benjamin; +\v 19 and Geber son of Uri, in the land of Gilead, the country of Sihon king of the Amorites and of Og king of Bashan, and he was the only official who was in the land. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea. They were eating and drinking and were happy. +\v 21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. +\v 22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty cors of fine flour and sixty cors of meal, +\v 23 ten fat oxen, twenty oxen out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened fowl. + +\s5 +\v 24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River, from Tiphsah as far as to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River, and he had peace on all sides around him. +\v 25 Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. + +\s5 +\v 26 Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. +\v 27 Those officials provided food for King Solomon and for all who came to King Solomon's table, every man in his month. They let nothing be lacking. +\v 28 They also brought to the proper place barley and straw for the chariot horses and riding horses, each one bringing in what he was able. +\s5 +\p +\v 29 God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and wideness of understanding like the sand on the seashore. +\v 30 Solomon's wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. +\v 31 He was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol—and his fame reached all the surrounding nations. + +\s5 +\v 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were one thousand and five in number. +\v 33 He described the plants, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He explained also about beasts, birds, creeping things, and fish. +\v 34 People came from all the nations to hear the wisdom of Solomon. They came from all kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon for he had heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father; for Hiram had always loved David. +\v 2 Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, +\v 3 "You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of Yahweh his God because of the wars that surrounded him, for during his lifetime Yahweh was putting his enemies under the soles of his feet. + +\s5 +\v 4 But now, Yahweh my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor disaster. +\v 5 So I intend to build a temple for the name of Yahweh my God, as Yahweh spoke to David my father, saying, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, will build the temple for my name.' + +\s5 +\v 6 Now therefore command that they cut cedars from Lebanon for me. My servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants so that you are paid fairly for everything you agreed to do. For you know there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, "May Yahweh be blessed today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people." +\v 8 Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I will provide all the wood of cedar and cypress that you desire. + +\s5 +\v 9 My servants will bring the trees down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place that you direct me. I will have them broken up there, and you will take them away. You will do what I desire by giving food for my household." + +\s5 +\v 10 So Hiram gave Solomon all the timber of cedar and fir that he desired. +\v 11 Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household and twenty measures of pure oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. +\v 12 Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 King Solomon conscripted labor out of all Israel. The forced laborers numbered thirty thousand men. +\v 14 He sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month in shifts. One month they were in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was over the men who were subjected to forced labor. + +\s5 +\v 15 Solomon had seventy thousand who carried burdens and eighty thousand who were stonecutters in the mountains, +\v 16 besides Solomon's 3,300 chief officers who were over the work and who supervised the workers. + +\s5 +\v 17 At the king's command they quarried large stones of high quality with which to lay the foundation of the temple. +\v 18 So Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the Gebalites did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stones to build the temple. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 So Solomon began to build the temple of Yahweh. This happened in the 480th year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month. +\v 2 The temple that King Solomon built for Yahweh was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. + +\s5 +\v 3 The portico in front of the temple's main hall was twenty cubits in length, equal to the width of the temple, and ten cubits deep in front of the temple. +\v 4 For the house he made windows with frames that made them more narrow at the outside than on the inside. + +\s5 +\v 5 Against the walls of the main chamber he built rooms around it, around both the outer room and the inner room. He built rooms all around the sides. +\v 6 The lowest story was five cubits wide, the middle was six cubits wide, and the third was seven cubits wide. For on the outside he made offsets in the wall of the house all around so that the beams would not be inserted in the walls of the house. + +\s5 +\v 7 The house was built of stones prepared at the quarry. No hammer, ax, or any iron tool was heard in the house while it was being built. +\v 8 On the south side of the temple there was an entrance at the ground level, then one went up by stairs to the middle level, and from the middle to the third level. + +\s5 +\v 9 So Solomon built the temple and finished it; he covered the house with beams and planks of cedar. +\v 10 He built the side rooms against the inner chambers of the temple, each side five cubits high; they were joined to the house with timbers of cedar. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 The word of Yahweh came to Solomon, saying, +\v 12 "Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in my statutes and do justice, keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will confirm my promise with you that I had made to David your father. +\v 13 I will live among the people of Israel and will not forsake them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 So Solomon built the house and finished it. +\v 15 Then he built the interior walls of the house with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood, and he covered the floor of the house with cypress boards. + +\s5 +\v 16 He built twenty cubits onto the rear of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the ceiling. He built this room to be the inner room, the most holy place. +\v 17 The main hall, that is, the holy place that was in front of the most holy place, was forty cubits long. +\v 18 There was cedar inside the house, carved in the shape of gourds and open flowers. All was cedar inside. No stonework was visible on the inside. + +\s5 +\v 19 Solomon prepared the inner room inside the house in order to place the ark of the covenant of Yahweh there. +\v 20 The inner room was twenty cubits in length, twenty cubits in width, and twenty cubits in height. Solomon overlaid the walls with pure gold and covered the altar with cedar wood. + +\s5 +\v 21 Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he placed chains of gold across the front of the inner room, and overlaid the front with gold. +\v 22 He overlaid the entire interior with gold until all the temple was finished. He also overlaid with gold the whole altar that belonged to the inner room. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Solomon made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high, for the inner room. +\v 24 One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long and its other wing was also five cubits long. So from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other there was a distance of ten cubits. +\v 25 The other cherub also had a wingspan ten cubits. Both the cherubim were of the same dimensions and shape. +\v 26 The height of one cherub was ten cubits and the other cherub was the same. + +\s5 +\v 27 Solomon placed the cherubim in the innermost room. The wings of the cherubim were stretched out so that the wing of one touched one wall and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. Their wings touched one another in the middle of the most holy place. +\v 28 Solomon overlaid the cherubim with gold. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 He carved all the walls of the house around about with figures of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, in the outer and inner rooms. +\v 30 Solomon overlaid the floor of the house with gold, in both the outer and inner rooms. + +\s5 +\v 31 Solomon made doors of olivewood for the entrance to the inner room. The lintel and doorposts had five indented sections. +\v 32 So he made two doors of olivewood, and he made on them carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. He overlaid them with gold and he spread the gold on the cherubim and palm trees. + +\s5 +\v 33 In this way, Solomon also made for the temple entrance doorposts of olive wood having four indented sections +\v 34 and two doors of cypress wood. The two leaves of the one door were folding and the two leaves of the other door were folding. +\v 35 He carved on them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and he evenly overlaid gold on the carved work. + +\s5 +\v 36 He built the inner court with three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 The foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid in the fourth year, in the month of Ziv. +\v 38 In the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts and conforming to all its specifications. Solomon took seven years to build the temple. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Solomon took thirteen years to build his own palace. +\v 2 He built the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was one hundred cubits, its width was fifty cubits, and its height was thirty cubits. The palace was built with four rows of cedar pillars with cedar beams on the pillars. + +\s5 +\v 3 The house was roofed with cedar that rested on beams. Those beams were supported by pillars. There were forty-five beams, fifteen in a row. +\v 4 There were beams in three rows, and each window was opposite another window in three sets. +\v 5 All the doors and posts were made square with beams, and window was opposite window in three sets. + +\s5 +\v 6 There was a colonnade fifty cubits long and thirty cubits wide, with a portico in front and pillars and a roof. + +\s5 +\v 7 Solomon built the hall of the throne where he was to judge, the hall of justice. It was covered with cedar from floor to floor. +\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa It was covered with cedar from the floor to the rafters. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\v 8 Solomon's house in which he was to live, in another courtyard within the palace grounds, was similarly designed. He also built a house like this for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had taken as a wife. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 These buildings were adorned with costly hewn stones, precisely measured and cut with a saw and smoothed on all sides. These stones were used from the foundation to the stones on top, and also on the outside to the great court. +\v 10 The foundation was constructed with very large, costly stones of eight and ten cubits in length. + +\s5 +\v 11 Above were costly hewn stones precisely cut to size, and cedar beams. +\v 12 The great courtyard surrounding the palace had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams like the inner court of the temple of Yahweh and the temple portico. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 King Solomon sent for Huram and brought him from Tyre. +\v 14 Huram was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali; his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill to do great work with bronze. He came to King Solomon to work with bronze for the king. + +\s5 +\v 15 Huram fashioned the two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference. +\v 16 He made two capitals of polished bronze to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of each capital was five cubits. +\v 17 Checker latticework and wreaths of chain work for the capitals decorated the top of the pillars, seven for each capital. + +\s5 +\v 18 So Huram made two rows of pomegranates around the top of each pillar to decorate their capitals. +\v 19 The capitals on the tops of the portico pillars were decorated with lilies, four cubits high. + +\s5 +\v 20 The capitals on these two pillars also included, close to their very top, two hundred pomegranates in rows all around. +\v 21 He raised up the pillars at the temple portico. The pillar on the right was named Jakin, and the pillar on the left was named Boaz. +\v 22 On the top of the pillars were decorations like lilies. The fashioning of the pillars was done in this way. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Huram made the round sea of cast metal, ten cubits from brim to brim. Its height was five cubits, and the sea was thirty cubits in circumference. +\v 24 Under the brim encircling the sea were gourds, ten in each cubit, cast in one piece with "The Sea," when that basin was cast. + +\s5 +\v 25 "The Sea" stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, three looking toward the west, three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east. "The Sea" was set on top of them, and all their hindquarters were toward the inside. +\v 26 The sea was as thick as the width of a hand, and its brim was forged like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. The sea held two thousand baths of water. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Huram made the ten stands of bronze. Each stand was four cubits long and four cubits wide, and the height was three cubits. +\v 28 The work of the stands was like this. They had panels that stood between frames, +\v 29 and on the panels and on the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. Above and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of hammered work. + +\s5 +\v 30 Every stand had four bronze wheels and axles, and its four corners had supports beneath for the basin. The supports were cast with wreaths on the side of each one. +\v 31 The opening was round like a pedestal, a cubit and a half wide, and was within a crown that rose up a cubit. On the opening were engravings, and their panels were square, not round. + +\s5 +\v 32 The four wheels were underneath the panels, and the axles of the wheels and their housings were in the stand. The height of a wheel was a cubit and a half. +\v 33 The wheels were forged like chariot wheels. Their housings, rims, spokes, and hubs were all cast metal. + +\s5 +\v 34 There were four handles at the four corners of each stand, forged into the stand itself. +\v 35 In the top of the stands there was a round band half a cubit deep, and on the top of the stand its supports and panels were attached. + +\s5 +\v 36 On the surfaces of the supports and on the panels Huram engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees that covered the space available, and they were surrounded by wreaths. +\v 37 He made the ten stands in this manner. All of them were cast in the same molds, and they had one size, and the same shape. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 Huram made ten basins of bronze. One basin could hold forty baths of water. Each basin was four cubits across and there was one basin on each of ten stands. +\v 39 He made five stands on the south-facing side of the temple and five on the north-facing side of the temple. He set "The Sea" on the east corner, facing toward the south of the temple. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 Huram made the basins and the shovels and the sprinkling bowls. Then he finished all the work that he did for King Solomon in the temple of Yahweh: +\v 41 the two pillars, and the bowl-like capitals that were on top of the two pillars, and the two sets of decorative latticework to cover the two bowl like capitals that were on top of the pillars. + +\s5 +\v 42 He made the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of decorative latticework (two rows of pomegranates for each set of latticework to cover the two bowl-like capitals that were on the pillars); +\v 43 the ten stands, and the ten basins on the stands. + +\s5 +\v 44 He made the large basin called "The Sea" with its twelve oxen under it; +\v 45 also the pots, shovels, basins, and all the other implements. Huram made them out of polished bronze, for King Solomon, for the temple of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 46 The king had cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan. +\v 47 Solomon did not weigh all the utensils because there were too many to weigh, because the weight of the bronze could not be measured. + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 Solomon had made all the furnishings that were in the temple of Yahweh out of gold: the golden altar and the table on which the bread of the presence was to be placed; +\v 49 the lampstands, five on the right side and five on the left, in front of the inner room, were of pure gold, and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs were of gold. + +\s5 +\v 50 Solomon also had made the cups, lamp trimmers, basins, spoons, and incense burners, all of which were made of pure gold; he had sockets of gold made for the doors of the inner room (which was the most holy place), and for the doors of the main hall of the temple. + +\s5 +\p +\v 51 In this way, all the work that King Solomon directed for the house of Yahweh was finished. So Solomon brought in the things that were set apart by David, his father, and the silver, the gold, and the furnishings, and put them into the storerooms of the house of Yahweh. + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, all the heads of the +tribes, and the leaders of the families of the people of Israel, before himself in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh from the city of David, that is, Zion. +\v 2 All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon at the feast, in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month. + +\s5 +\v 3 All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. +\v 4 They brought up the ark of Yahweh, the tent of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tent. The priests and the Levites brought these things up. +\v 5 King Solomon and all the assembly of Israel came together before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted. + +\s5 +\v 6 The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the inner room of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim. +\v 7 For the cherubim spread out their wings to the place of the ark, and they covered the ark and the poles by which it was carried. +\v 8 The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner room, but they could not be seen from outside. They are there to this day. + +\s5 +\v 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses had put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt. +\v 10 It came about that when the priests came out of the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of Yahweh. +\v 11 The priests could not stand to serve because of the cloud, for the glory of Yahweh filled his house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then Solomon said, +\q "Yahweh has said that +\q2 he would live in thick darkness, +\q +\v 13 But I have built you +\q2 a lofty residence, +\q2 a place for you to live in forever." + +\s5 +\v 14 Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. +\v 15 He said, +"May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised, who spoke to David my father, and has fulfilled it with his own hands, saying, +\v 16 'Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, in order for my name to be there. However, I chose David to rule over my people Israel.' + +\s5 +\v 17 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 18 But Yahweh said to David my father, 'In that it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well for it to be in your heart. +\v 19 Nevertheless you will not build the house; instead, your son, one who will be born from your loins, will build the house for my name.' + +\s5 +\v 20 Yahweh has carried out the word that he had said, for I have arisen in the place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised. I have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 21 I have made a place for the ark there, in which is Yahweh's covenant, which he made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh, before all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward the heavens. +\v 23 He said, "Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the heavens above or on the earth below, who keeps his covenant faithfulness with your servants who walk before you with all their heart; +\v 24 you who have kept with your servant David my father, what you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is today. + +\s5 +\v 25 Now then, Yahweh, God of Israel, carry out what you have promised to your servant David my father, when you said, 'You will not fail to have a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful to walk before me, as you have walked before me.' +\v 26 Now then, God of Israel, I pray that the promise you made to your servant David my father, will come true. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 But will God actually live on the earth? Look, the entire universe and heaven itself cannot contain you—how much less can this temple that I have built! +\v 28 Yet please respect this prayer of your servant and his request, Yahweh my God; listen to the cry and prayer that your servant prays before you today. + +\s5 +\v 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, to the place about which you have said, 'My name and my presence will be there'—in order to listen to the prayers that your servant will pray toward this place. +\v 30 So listen to the request of your servant and of your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, listen from the place where you live, from the heavens; and when you listen, forgive. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 If a man sins against his neighbor and is required to swear an oath, and if he comes and swears an oath before your altar in this house, +\v 32 listen from the heavens and act. Judge your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing what he has done upon his own head. Declare the innocent not guilty and give to him according to his righteousness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, if they turn back to you, confess your name, pray, and request forgiveness from you in this temple— +\v 34 then please listen in the heavens and forgive the sin of your people Israel; bring them back to the land that you gave to their ancestors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 When the skies are shut up and there is no rain because the people have sinned against you—if they pray toward this place, confess your name, and turn from their sin when you have afflicted them— +\v 36 then listen in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk. Send rain on your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 Suppose there is famine in the land, or suppose that there is disease, blight or mildew, locusts or caterpillars; or suppose that an enemy attacks the city gates in their land, or that there is any plague or sickness— +\v 38 and suppose then that prayers and requests are made by a person or by all your people Israel—each knowing the plague in his own heart as he spreads out his hands toward this temple. + +\s5 +\v 39 Then listen from heaven, the place where you live, forgive and act, and reward every person for all he does; you know his heart, because you and you only know the hearts of all human beings. +\v 40 Do this so that they may fear you all the days that they live on the land that you gave to our ancestors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 In addition, concerning the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel: When he comes from a distant country because of your name— +\v 42 for they will hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your raised arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, +\v 43 then please listen from heaven, the place where you live, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you. Do this so that all the people groups on earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel. Do this so they might know that this house I have built is called by your name. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 Suppose that your people go out to battle against an enemy, by whatever way you may send them, and suppose that they pray to you, Yahweh, toward the city that you have chosen, and toward the house that I have built for your name. +\v 45 Then listen in the heavens to their prayer and their request, and help their cause. + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 Suppose that they sin against you, since there is no one who does not sin, and suppose that you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that the enemy takes them away captive to their land, whether distant or near. +\v 47 Then suppose that they realize they are in the land where they have been exiled, and suppose that they repent and seek favor from you from the land of their captors. Suppose that they say, 'We have acted perversely and sinned. We have behaved wickedly.' +\s5 +\v 48 Suppose that they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who captured them, and suppose that they pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their ancestors, and toward the city that you chose, and toward the house that I have built for your name. + +\s5 +\v 49 Then from heaven, the place where you live, listen to their prayer and their request for help, and you will make matters right for them. +\v 50 Forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and make them objects of compassion before their conquerors, and cause their conquerors to have compassion on them. + +\s5 +\v 51 They are your people whom you have chosen, whom you rescued out of Egypt as if from the middle of a furnace where iron is forged. +\v 52 I pray that your eyes may be open to the request of your servant and to the requests of your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they cry to you. +\v 53 For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to belong to you and receive your promises, just as you explained by Moses your servant, when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, Lord Yahweh." +\s5 +\p +\v 54 So it was that when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and request to Yahweh, he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread out toward the heavens. +\v 55 He stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying, +\v 56 "May Yahweh be praised, who has given rest to his people Israel, keeping all his promises. Not one word has failed out of all Yahweh's good promises that he made with Moses his servant. + +\s5 +\v 57 May Yahweh our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or forsake us, +\v 58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to live in all his ways and keep his commandments and his regulations and his statutes, which he commanded our fathers. + +\s5 +\v 59 Let these words I have spoken, by which I have made request before Yahweh, be near Yahweh our God day and night, so that he may help the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as every day will require; +\v 60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh, he is God, and there is no other God! +\v 61 Therefore let your heart be true to Yahweh our God, to walk in his statutes and keep his commandments, as on this day." + +\s5 +\p +\v 62 So the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to Yahweh. +\v 63 Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to Yahweh: twenty-two thousand oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people of Israel dedicated the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 64 The same day the king set apart the middle of the courtyard in front of the temple of Yahweh, for there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar that was before Yahweh was too small to receive the burnt offering, the grain offerings, and the fat of the fellowship offerings. + +\s5 +\v 65 So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great assembly, from Lebo Hamath to the brook of Egypt, before Yahweh our God for seven days and also for another seven days, a total of fourteen days. +\v 66 On the eighth day he sent the people away, and they blessed the king and went to their homes with joyful and glad hearts for all the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, his servant, and to Israel, his people. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 After Solomon had finished building the house of Yahweh and the king's palace, and after he had accomplished all that he wanted to do, +\v 2 Yahweh appeared to Solomon a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Yahweh said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your request that you have made before me. I have set apart this house, which you have built, to myself, to put my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. + +\s5 +\v 4 As for you, if you walk before me as David your father walked in integrity of heart and in uprightness, obeying all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my decrees, +\v 5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I promised David your father, saying, 'A descendant of yours will never fail to be on the throne of Israel.' + +\s5 +\v 6 But if you turn away, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments and my statutes that I have placed before you, and if you go and worship other gods and bow down to them, +\v 7 then will I cut off Israel from off the ground that I have given them; and this house that I have set apart to my name, I will cast it out of my sight, and Israel will become an example to be mocked and an object of ridicule among all peoples. + +\s5 +\v 8 This temple will become a heap of ruins, and everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss. They will ask, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land and to this house?' +\v 9 Others will answer, 'Because they forsook Yahweh, their God, who had brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods and bowed down to them and worshiped them. That is why Yahweh has brought all this disaster on them.'" + +\s5 +\v 10 It came about at the end of twenty years that Solomon had finished building the two buildings, the temple of Yahweh and the king's palace. +\v 11 Now Hiram, the king of Tyre, had furnished Solomon with cedar and cypress trees, and with gold—all that Solomon desired—so King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. + +\s5 +\v 12 Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, but they did not please him. +\v 13 So Hiram said, "What cities are these which you have given me, my brother?" Hiram called them the Land of Kabul, which they are still called today. +\v 14 Hiram had sent to the king 120 talents of gold. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 This is the account of the forced labor which King Solomon imposed to build the temple of Yahweh and his own palace, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. +\v 16 Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and taken Gezer. He burned it and killed the Canaanites in the city. Then Pharaoh gave the city to his daughter, Solomon's wife, as a wedding gift. + +\s5 +\v 17 So Solomon rebuilt Gezer and Beth Horon the Lower, +\v 18 Baalath and Tamar \f +\ft \fqa Tamar \fqa* is also pronounded \fqa Tadmor. \f* in the wilderness in the land of Judah, +\v 19 and all the store cities that he possessed, and the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever he wished to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the lands under his rule. + +\s5 +\v 20 As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of the people of Israel, +\v 21 their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel were not able to totally destroy—Solomon made them into forced laborers, which they are to this day. + +\s5 +\v 22 However, Solomon made no forced laborers of the people of Israel. Instead, they became his soldiers and his servants, his officials, and his officers and commanders of his chariot forces and his horse riders. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 These were also the chief officers managing the supervisors who were over Solomon's works, 550 of them, who supervised the people who did the work. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Pharaoh's daughter moved from the city of David to the house that Solomon had built for her. Later, Solomon built the Millo. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Three times each year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar that he built for Yahweh, burning incense with them on the altar that was before Yahweh. So he completed the temple and was now using it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 King Solomon built a fleet of ships in Ezion Geber, which is near Elath on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. +\v 27 Hiram sent servants to Solomon's fleet, sailors who were familiar with the sea, with Solomon's own servants. +\v 28 They went to Ophir with servants of Solomon. From there they brought back 420 talents of gold for King Solomon. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame concerning the name of Yahweh, she came to test him with hard questions. +\v 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very long caravan, with camels loaded with spices, much gold, and many precious gemstones. When she arrived, she told Solomon all that was in her heart. + +\s5 +\v 3 Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing she asked that the king did not answer. +\v 4 When the queen of Sheba saw all Solomon's wisdom, the palace that he had built, +\v 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the work of his servants and their clothing, also his cupbearers, and the manner in which he offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh, there was no more breath in her. + +\s5 +\v 6 She said to the king, "It is true, the report that I heard in my own land of your words and your wisdom. +\v 7 I did not believe what I heard until I came here, and now my eyes have seen it. Not half was told me about your wisdom and wealth! You have exceeded the fame that I heard about. + +\s5 +\v 8 How blessed are your wives, and how blessed are your servants who constantly stand before you, because they hear your wisdom. +\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa How blessed are your men. \fqa* Important ancient translations, however, have \fqa How blessed are your wives. \fqa* Many think it is probable that \fqa women \fqa* was misread as \fqa men \fqa* , because the Hebrew words are very similar. \f* +\v 9 May Yahweh your God be praised, who has taken pleasure in you, who placed you on the throne of Israel. Because Yahweh loved Israel forever, he has made you king, for you to do justice and righteousness!" + +\s5 +\v 10 She gave the king 120 talents of gold and a large amount of spices and precious stones. No greater amount of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon was ever given to him again. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 The fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, also brought from Ophir a large amount of almug wood and precious stones. +\v 12 The king made almug wood pillars for the temple of Yahweh and for the king's palace, and harps and lyres for the singers. No such quantity of almug wood has ever come or been seen again to this day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba everything she wished for, whatever she asked, in addition to what Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she returned to her own land with her servants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, +\v 15 besides the gold that the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors in the country also brought gold and silver to Solomon. + +\s5 +\v 16 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of gold went into each one. +\v 17 He also made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three minas of gold went into each shield; the king put them into the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. + +\s5 +\v 18 Then the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with the finest gold. +\v 19 There were six steps to the throne, and the back of it had a rounded top. There were armrests on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests. +\v 20 Twelve lions stood on the steps, one on each side of each of the six steps. There was no throne like it in any other kingdom. + +\s5 +\v 21 All King Solomon's drinking cups were gold, and all the drinking cups in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were silver, because silver was not considered valuable in Solomon's days. +\v 22 The king had at sea a fleet of oceangoing ships, along with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet brought gold, silver, and ivory, as well as apes and baboons. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom. +\v 24 All the earth sought the presence of Solomon in order to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. +\v 25 Those who visited brought tribute, vessels of silver and of gold, and clothes, armor, and spices, as well as horses and mules, year after year. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he stationed in the chariot cities and with himself in Jerusalem. +\v 27 The king had silver in Jerusalem, as much as the stones on the ground. He made cedar wood to be as abundant as the sycamore fig trees that are in the lowlands. + +\s5 +\v 28 Solomon owned horses that had been bought from Egypt and Kue. The king's merchants purchased them in herds, each herd at a price. +\v 29 Chariots were purchased out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver each, and horses for 150 shekels each. Many of these were then sold to all the kings of the Hittites and Aram. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women including the daughter of Pharaoh—women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. +\v 2 They were from the nations about which Yahweh said to the people of Israel, "You will not go among them to marry, neither will they come among you, for they will certainly turn your heart to their gods." In spite of this command, Solomon was affectionate toward these women in love. + +\s5 +\v 3 Solomon had seven hundred royal wives and three hundred concubines. His wives turned his heart away. +\v 4 For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; his heart was not fully surrendered to Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father. + +\s5 +\v 5 For Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and he followed Molech, the disgusting idol of the Ammonites. +\v 6 Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did not fully follow Yahweh as David his father had done. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the disgusting idol of Moab, on a hill east of Jerusalem, and also for Molech, the disgusting idol of the people of Ammon. +\v 8 He also built high places for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods at them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Yahweh was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from him, the God of Israel, even though he had appeared to him twice +\v 10 and commanded him about this very thing, that he should not go after other gods. But Solomon did not obey what Yahweh commanded. + +\s5 +\v 11 Therefore Yahweh said to Solomon, "Because you have done this and have not kept the covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and give it to your servant. +\v 12 However, for David your father's sake, I will not do it in your lifetime, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. +\v 13 Yet I will not tear away all the kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for David my servant's sake, and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then Yahweh raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was from the royal family of Edom. +\v 15 When David was in Edom, Joab the captain of the army had gone up to bury the dead, every man who had been killed in Edom. +\v 16 Joab and all Israel remained there six months until he had killed every male in Edom. +\v 17 But Hadad was taken with other Edomites by his father's servants into Egypt, since Hadad was still a little child. + +\s5 +\v 18 They left Midian and came to Paran, from where they took men with them to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house and land and food. +\v 19 Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that Pharaoh gave him a wife, his own wife's sister, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. + +\s5 +\v 20 The sister of Tahpenes gave birth to Hadad's son. They named him Genubath. Tahpenes raised him in Pharaoh's palace. So Genubath lived in Pharaoh's palace among the children of Pharaoh. +\v 21 While he was in Egypt, Hadad heard that David had lain down with his ancestors and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Let me depart, so I may go to my own country." +\v 22 Then Pharaoh said to him, "But what have you lacked with me, that you now seek to go to your own country?" Hadad answered, "Nothing. Please let me go." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 God also raised up another adversary to Solomon, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah. +\v 24 Rezon gathered men to himself and became captain over a small force, when David defeated the men of Zobah. Rezon's men went to Damascus and lived there, and Rezon controlled Damascus. +\v 25 He was an enemy of Israel all the days of Solomon, along with the trouble that Hadad caused. Rezon abhorred Israel and reigned over Aram. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Then Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, an official of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king. +\v 27 He lifted up his hand against the king because Solomon had built up the place located at Millo and repaired the opening in the city wall of David his father. + +\s5 +\v 28 Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor. Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, so he gave him command over all the labor of the house of Joseph. +\v 29 At that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road. Now Ahijah had dressed in a new garment and the two men were alone in the field. +\v 30 Then Ahijah grabbed hold of the new garment that was on him and tore it into twelve pieces. + +\s5 +\v 31 He said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'Look, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and I will give ten tribes to you +\v 32 (but Solomon will have one tribe, for my servant David's sake and for Jerusalem's sake—the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), +\v 33 because they have forsaken me and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Molech the god of the people of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do what is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my decrees, as did David his father. + +\s5 +\v 34 However, I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon's hand. Instead, I have made him ruler all the days of his life, for David my servant's sake whom I chose, the one who kept my commandments and my statutes. +\v 35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and I will give it to you, ten tribes. +\v 36 I will give one tribe to Solomon's son, so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city in which I have chosen to put my name. + +\s5 +\v 37 I will take you, and you will rule to fulfill all that you desire, and you will be king over Israel. +\v 38 If you listen to all that I command you, and if you walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, then I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you. +\v 39 I will punish the descendants of David, but not forever.'" + +\s5 +\v 40 So Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam got up and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and he remained in Egypt until the death of Solomon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 As for the other matters concerning Solomon, all that he did and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the events of Solomon? +\v 42 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. +\v 43 He slept with his ancestors and he was buried in the city of David his father. Rehoboam his son became king in his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel was coming to Shechem to make him king. +\v 2 It happened that Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), for Jeroboam had settled down in Egypt. \f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa then Jeroboam returned from Egypt \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\v 3 So they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam, +\v 4 "Your father made our yoke heavy. Now make lighter the hard work of your father and make lighter the heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you." +\v 5 Rehoboam said to them, "Go away for three days, then come back to me." So the people went away. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he was alive, and he said, "How do you advise me to answer this people?" +\v 7 They spoke to him and said, "If you will be a servant today to these people and serve them, and answer them by saying good words to them, then they will always be your servants." + +\s5 +\v 8 But Rehoboam ignored the advice that the old men had given him and he consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. +\v 9 He said to them, "What advice do you give me that we may answer the people who spoke to me and said, 'Lighten the yoke that your father put on us'?" + +\s5 +\v 10 The young men who had grown up with Rehoboam spoke to him, saying, "Speak to these people who told you that your father Solomon made their yoke heavy but that you must make it lighter. You should say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. +\v 11 So now, although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king had instructed when he said, "Come back to me on the third day." +\v 13 The king answered the people roughly and ignored the advice of the old men that they had given him. +\v 14 He spoke to them following the advice of the young men; he said, "My father burdened you with a heavy yoke, but I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions." + +\s5 +\v 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of events brought about by Yahweh, that he might carry out his word that he had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered him and said, +\q "What share do we have in David? +\q2 We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse! +\q Go to your tents, Israel. +\q2 Now see to your own house, David." +\p +So Israel went back to their tents. +\v 17 But as for the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam became king over them. + +\s5 +\v 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was over the forced laborers, but all Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam fled quickly in his chariot to Jerusalem. +\v 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. + +\s5 +\v 20 It happened that when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to their assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed the family of David, except only the tribe of Judah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin; there were 180,000 chosen men who were soldiers, to fight against the house of Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon. +\s5 +\v 22 But the word of God came to Shemaiah, the man of God; it said, +\v 23 "Speak to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people; say, +\v 24 'Yahweh says this: You must not attack or fight against your brothers the people of Israel. Each man must return to his home, for this thing has been made to happen by me.'" So they listened to the word of Yahweh and turned back and went their way, and they obeyed his word. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there. He went out from there and built Peniel. +\v 26 Jeroboam thought in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. +\v 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of Yahweh at Jerusalem, then the heart of these people will turn again to their master, to Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah." + +\s5 +\v 28 So King Jeroboam sought advice and made two calves of gold; he said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Look, these are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt." +\v 29 He set up one in Bethel and the other in Dan. +\v 30 So this act became a sin. The people went to one or the other, all the way to Dan. + +\s5 +\v 31 Jeroboam made houses on high places and he also made priests from among all the people, who were not among the sons of Levi. +\v 32 Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast that is in Judah, and he went up to the altar. He did so at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made, and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places he had made. + +\s5 +\v 33 Jeroboam went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month he had planned in his own mind; he ordained a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 A man of God came out of Judah by the word of Yahweh to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. +\v 2 He cried against the altar by the word of Yahweh: "Altar, altar! This is what Yahweh says, 'See, a son named Josiah will be born to the family of David, and on you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who now burn incense on you. On you they will burn human bones.'" +\v 3 Then the man of God gave a sign the same day, saying, "This is the sign that Yahweh has spoken: 'Look, the altar will be split apart, and the ashes on it will be poured out.'" + +\s5 +\v 4 When the king heard what the man of God said, that he had cried out against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam reached out with his hand from the altar, saying, "Seize him." Then the hand with which he had reached out against the man dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. +\v 5 (The altar was also split apart and the ashes poured out from the altar, as described by the sign that the man of God had given by the word of Yahweh.) + +\s5 +\v 6 King Jeroboam answered and said to the man of God, "Plead for the favor of Yahweh your God and pray for me, so that my hand may be restored to me again." So the man of God prayed to Yahweh, and the king's hand was restored to him again, and it became as it was before. +\v 7 The king said to the man of God, "Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward." + +\s5 +\v 8 The man of God said to the king, "Even if you give me half your possessions, I will not go with you, nor will I eat food or drink water in this place, +\v 9 because Yahweh commanded me by his word, 'You will eat no bread nor drink water, nor return by the way that you came.'" +\v 10 So the man of God left another way and did not return to his home by the way that he had come to Bethel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Now there was an old prophet living in Bethel, and one of his sons came and told him all the things that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. His sons also told him the words that the man of God had spoken to the king. +\v 12 Their father said to them, "Which way did he go?" Now his sons had seen the way the man of God from Judah had gone. +\v 13 So he said to his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." So they saddled the donkey and he rode off on it. + +\s5 +\v 14 The old prophet went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak tree; and he said to him, "Are you the man of God who came from Judah?" He answered, "I am." +\v 15 Then the old prophet said to him, "Come home with me and eat food." +\v 16 The man of God answered, "I may not return with you nor go in with you, neither will I eat food nor drink water with you in this place, +\v 17 because it was commanded to me by the word of Yahweh, 'You will eat no food nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.'" + +\s5 +\v 18 So the old prophet said to him, "I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of Yahweh, saying, 'Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat food and drink water.'" But he was lying to the man of God. +\v 19 So the man of God went back with the old prophet and ate food in his house and drank water. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 As they sat at the table, the word of Yahweh came to the prophet who had brought him back, +\v 21 and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, "Yahweh says, 'Because you have been disobedient to the word of Yahweh and have not kept the command that Yahweh your God gave you, +\v 22 but came back and have eaten food and drunk water in the place about which Yahweh told you to eat no food and drink no water, your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers.'" + +\s5 +\v 23 After he had eaten food and after he had drunk, the prophet saddled the donkey of the man of God, the man who had come back with him. +\v 24 When the man of God was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left on the road. Then the donkey stood by it, and the lion also stood by the body. +\v 25 When men passed by and saw the body left on the road, and the lion standing by the body, they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 When the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard it, he said, "It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of Yahweh. Therefore Yahweh gave him to the lion, which tore him to pieces and killed him, just as the word of Yahweh warned him." +\v 27 So the old prophet spoke to his sons, saying, "Saddle my donkey," and they saddled it. +\v 28 He went and found the body left in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing by the body. The lion had not eaten the body, nor attacked the donkey. + +\s5 +\v 29 The prophet took up the body of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. He came to his own city to mourn and to bury him. +\v 30 He laid the body in his own grave, and they mourned over him, saying, "Woe, my brother!" + +\s5 +\v 31 Then after he had buried him, the old prophet spoke to his sons, saying, "When I am dead, bury me in the tomb in which the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones. +\v 32 For the message he declared by the word of Yahweh, against the altar in Bethel and against all the houses on the high places in the cities of Samaria, will certainly happen." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 After this Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but continued to appoint common priests for the high places from among all sorts of people. Any who would serve he consecrated as a priest. +\v 34 This matter became sin to the family of Jeroboam and caused his family to be destroyed and to be exterminated from the face of the earth. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became very sick. +\v 2 Jeroboam said to his wife, "Please arise and disguise yourself, so you will not be recognized as my wife, and go to Shiloh, because Ahijah the prophet is there; he is the one who spoke about me, saying that I would become king over these people. +\v 3 Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to Ahijah. He will tell you what will happen to the child." + +\s5 +\v 4 Jeroboam's wife did so; she left and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see; he lost his sight because of old age. +\v 5 Yahweh said to Ahijah, "Look, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to seek advice from you regarding her son, for he is sick. Say such and such to her, because when she comes, she will act as if she were some other woman." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be someone you are not? I have been sent to you with bad news. +\v 7 Go, tell Jeroboam that Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'I raised you from among the people to make you the leader over my people Israel. +\v 8 I tore the kingdom away from the family of David and gave it to you, yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, to do only what was right in my eyes. + +\s5 +\v 9 Instead, you have done evil, more than all who were before you. You have made other gods, and you have cast metal images to provoke me to anger, and have thrust me behind your back. +\v 10 Therefore, look, I will bring disaster on your family; I will cut off from you every male child in Israel, whether slave or free, and will completely remove your family, like someone who burns up dung until it is gone. + +\s5 +\v 11 Anyone who belongs to your family who dies in the city will be eaten by dogs, and anyone who dies in the field will be eaten by the birds of the heavens, for I, Yahweh, have said it.' +\v 12 So arise, wife of Jeroboam, and go back to your home; when your feet enter the city, the child Abijah will die. +\v 13 All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He is the only one from Jeroboam's family who will go into a grave, because only in him, out of Jeroboam's house, was anything good found in the sight of Yahweh, the God of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 14 Also, Yahweh will raise up a king of Israel who will cut off the family of Jeroboam on that day. Today is that day, right now. +\v 15 For Yahweh will attack Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and he will root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their ancestors. He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have made their Asherah poles and provoked Yahweh to anger. +\v 16 He will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, the sins that he has committed, and through which he has led Israel to sin." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 So Jeroboam's wife arose and left, and came to Tirzah. As she came to the threshold of her house, the child died. +\v 18 All Israel buried him and mourned for him, just as it was told to them by the word of Yahweh which he had spoken by his servant Ahijah the prophet. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 As for the other matters concerning Jeroboam, how he waged war and how he reigned, see, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. +\v 20 Jeroboam reigned twenty-two years and then slept with his ancestors, and Nadab his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Now Rehoboam son of Solomon was reigning in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that Yahweh had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his name. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman. +\v 22 Judah did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; they provoked him to jealousy with the sins that they committed, more than everything that their fathers had done. + +\s5 +\v 23 For they also built for themselves high places, stone pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. +\v 24 There were also cultic prostitutes in the land. They did the same despicable practices as the nations that Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. +\v 26 He took away the treasures in the house of Yahweh, and the treasures in the king's house. He took everything away; he also took all the shields of gold that Solomon had made. + +\s5 +\v 27 King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place and entrusted them into the hands of the commanders of the guard, who guarded the doors to the king's house. +\v 28 It happened that whenever the king entered the house of Yahweh, the guards would carry them; then they would bring them back into the guardhouse. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 As for the other matters concerning Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 30 There was constant warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. +\v 31 So Rehoboam slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman. Abijah his son became king in his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah began to reign over Judah. +\v 2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maacah. She was the daughter of Abishalom. +\v 3 He walked in all the sins that his father had committed before his time; his heart was not devoted to Yahweh his God as the heart of David, his ancestor, had been. + +\s5 +\v 4 Nevertheless, for David's sake, Yahweh his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up his son after him in order to strengthen Jerusalem. +\v 5 God did this because David had done what was right in his eyes; for all the days of his life, he had not turned away from anything that he commanded him, except only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. +\v 6 Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of Abijah's life. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 As for the other matters of Abijah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. +\v 8 Abijah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Asa his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah. +\v 10 He ruled forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother's name was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom. +\v 11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as David, his ancestor, had done. + +\s5 +\v 12 He expelled the cultic prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his ancestors had made. +\v 13 He also removed Maacah, his grandmother, from being queen, because she had made a disgusting figure out of an Asherah pole. Asa cut down the disgusting figure and burned it at the Kidron Valley. + +\s5 +\v 14 But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, Asa's heart was completely devoted to Yahweh all his days. +\v 15 He brought into the house of Yahweh the things that were set apart by his father, and his own things that had been set apart that were made of silver and gold, and vessels. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel, all their days. +\v 17 Baasha king of Israel, acted aggressively against Judah and built up Ramah, so that he might not allow anyone to leave or enter into the land of Asa king of Judah. + +\s5 +\v 18 Then Asa took all the silver and gold left in the storerooms in the house of Yahweh, and the storerooms of the king's palace. He put it into the hands of his servants and sent it to Ben Hadad son of Tabrimmon son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who lived in Damascus. He said, +\v 19 "Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Look, I have sent to you a gift of silver and gold. Break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, so that he may leave me alone." + +\s5 +\v 20 Ben Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies, and they attacked the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel of Beth Maacah, and all Chinnereth, together with all the land of Naphtali. +\v 21 It came about that when Baasha heard this, he stopped building up Ramah and went back to Tirzah. +\v 22 Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah. No one was exempted. They carried away the stones and timbers of Ramah with which Baasha had been building up the city. Then King Asa used that building material to build up Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 As for the other matters of Asa, all his might, all that he did, and the cities he built, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? But during his old age he was diseased in his feet. +\v 24 Then Asa slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David his father. Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Nadab son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah; he reigned over Israel two years. +\v 26 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of his father, and in his own sin, by which he led Israel to sin. + +\s5 +\v 27 Baasha son of Ahijah, of the family of Issachar, conspired against Nadab; Baasha killed him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. +\v 28 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha killed Nadab and became king in his place. + +\s5 +\v 29 As soon as he was king, Baasha killed all the family of Jeroboam. He left none of Jeroboam's descendants breathing; in this way he destroyed his royal line, just as Yahweh had spoken by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite, +\v 30 for the sins of Jeroboam which he committed and by which he led Israel to sin, because he provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 As for the other matters concerning Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 32 There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah and he reigned twenty-four years. +\v 34 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin by which he led Israel to sin. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, +\v 2 "Although I exalted you out of the dust and made you leader over my people Israel, you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, so as to provoke me to anger with their sins. + +\s5 +\v 3 See, I will completely sweep away Baasha and his family and I will make your family like the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat. +\v 4 The dogs will eat anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city, and the birds of the sky will eat anyone who dies in the fields." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 As for the other matters concerning Baasha, what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 6 Baasha slept with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah, and Elah his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\v 7 So by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani the word of Yahweh came against Baasha and his family, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of Yahweh, so as to provoke him to anger with the work of his hands, like the family of Jeroboam, and also because he had killed all of Jeroboam's family. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah; he reigned two years. +\v 9 His servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now Elah was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah. +\v 10 Zimri went in, attacked him and killed him, in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and became king in his place. + +\s5 +\v 11 When Zimri began to reign and was seated on his throne, he killed all the family of Baasha. He did not leave alive a single male belonging to Baasha's relatives or friends. +\v 12 So Zimri destroyed all the family of Baasha, according to the word of Yahweh which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, +\v 13 for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son that they committed, and by which they had led Israel to sin, so that they provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger with their idols. + +\s5 +\v 14 As for the other matters concerning Elah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned only for seven days in Tirzah. Now the army was camped by Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. +\v 16 The army camped there heard it said, "Zimri has plotted and has killed the king." So that day in the camp, all Israel declared Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel. +\v 17 Omri went up from Gibbethon and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. + +\s5 +\v 18 So when Zimri saw that the city had been taken, he went into the fortress attached to the king's palace and set fire to the building over him; in this way he died in the flames. +\v 19 This was for the sins that he had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, by walking in the way of Jeroboam and in the sin that he had committed, so as to lead Israel to sin. +\v 20 As for the other matters concerning Zimri, and the treason that he carried out, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. +\v 22 But the people who followed Omri were stronger than the people who followed Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri became king. + +\s5 +\v 23 Omri began to reign over Israel in the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years. He reigned from Tirzah for six years. +\v 24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver. He built a city on the hill and called the name of the city Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the past owner of the hill. + +\s5 +\v 25 Omri did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and acted more wickedly than all who had been before him. +\v 26 For he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat and in his sins by which he led Israel to sin, to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to be angry with their worthless idols. + +\s5 +\v 27 As for the other matters concerning Omri which he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 28 So Omri slept with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria and Ahab his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri began to reign over Israel. Ahab son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. +\v 30 Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, more than all those who were before him. + +\s5 +\v 31 It was to Ahab a trivial thing to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, so he took as his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; he went and worshiped Baal and bowed down to him. +\v 32 He built an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. +\v 33 Ahab made an Asherah pole. Ahab did even more to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who had been before him. + +\s5 +\v 34 During Ahab's rule, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. Hiel laid the foundation of the city at the cost of the life of Abiram, his firstborn son; and Segub, his youngest son, lost his life while he was building the gates of the city, in keeping with the word of Yahweh which he spoke by Joshua son of Nun. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As Yahweh, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there will not be dew or rain these years unless I say so." + +\s5 +\v 2 The word of Yahweh came to Elijah, saying, +\v 3 "Leave from here and go eastward; hide yourself by the brook Kerith, east of the Jordan. +\v 4 It will happen that you will drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." + +\s5 +\v 5 So Elijah went and did as the word of Yahweh commanded. He went to live by the brook Kerith, east of the Jordan. +\v 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. +\v 7 But after a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The word of Yahweh came to him, saying, +\v 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there. Look, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." +\v 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city a widow was there gathering sticks. So he called to her and said, "Please bring me a little water in a jar so that I may drink." + +\s5 +\v 11 As she was going to get water he called to her, and said, "Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand." +\v 12 She replied, "As Yahweh your God lives, I do not have any bread, but only a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug. See, I am gathering two sticks so I may go in and cook it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die." +\v 13 Elijah said to her, "Do not fear. Go and do as you have said, but make me a little bread first and bring it out to me. Then afterward make some for you and for your son. + +\s5 +\v 14 For Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'The jar of meal will not empty, neither will the jug of oil stop flowing, until the day that Yahweh sends rain on the earth." +\v 15 So she did as Elijah had told her. She and Elijah, along with her household, ate for many days. +\v 16 The jar of meal did not empty, neither did the jug of oil stop flowing, just as the word of Yahweh had said, as he had spoken by Elijah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 After these things the woman's son, the woman who owned the house, fell sick. His sickness was so severe that there was no more breath left in him. +\v 18 So his mother said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Have you come to me to remind me of my sin and to kill my son?" + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Elijah replied to her, "Give me your son." He took the boy from her arms and carried him up into the room where he was staying, and he laid the boy on his own bed. +\v 20 He cried to Yahweh and said, "Yahweh my God, have you also brought disaster on the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?" +\v 21 Then Elijah stretched himself on the child three times; he cried out to Yahweh and said, "Yahweh my God, I beg you, please let this child's life return to him." + +\s5 +\v 22 Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah; the life of the child returned to him, and he revived. +\v 23 Elijah took the child and brought him out of his room down into the house; he handed the boy to his mother and said, "See, your son is alive." +\v 24 The woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of Yahweh in your mouth is true." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 So after many days the word of Yahweh came to Elijah, in the third year of the drought, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab and I will send rain on the land." +\v 2 Elijah went to show himself to Ahab; now the famine was severe in Samaria. + +\s5 +\v 3 Ahab called Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. Now Obadiah honored Yahweh very much, +\v 4 for when Jezebel was killing the prophets of Yahweh, Obadiah took one hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water. + +\s5 +\v 5 Ahab said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the water springs and brooks. Perhaps we will find grass and save the horses and mules alive, so that we will not lose all the animals." +\v 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it and look for water. Ahab went one way by himself and Obadiah went another way. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 As Obadiah was on the road, Elijah unexpectedly met him. Obadiah recognized him and lay facedown on the ground. He said, "Is it you, my master Elijah?" +\v 8 Elijah answered him, "It is I. Go tell your master, 'Look, Elijah is here.'" + +\s5 +\v 9 Obadiah replied, "How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, for him to kill me? +\v 10 As Yahweh your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent men to find you. Whenever a nation or kingdom says, 'Elijah is not here,' Ahab makes them take an oath swearing that they could not find you. +\v 11 Yet now you say, 'Go, tell your master that Elijah is here.' + +\s5 +\v 12 As soon as I am gone from you, the Spirit of Yahweh will carry you some place I do not know. Then when I go and tell Ahab, and when he cannot find you, he will kill me. Yet I, your servant, have worshiped Yahweh from my youth. +\v 13 Has it not been told to you, my master, what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of Yahweh, how I hid one hundred of Yahweh's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? + +\s5 +\v 14 Now you say to me, 'Go and tell your master that Elijah is here,' so that he will kill me." +\v 15 Then Elijah responded, "As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to Ahab today." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him what Elijah said. Then the king went to meet Elijah. +\v 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, "Is it you? You are the one who brings trouble to Israel!" + +\s5 +\v 18 Elijah answered, "I have not brought trouble to Israel, but you and your father's family are the ones who have caused trouble by abandoning the commandments of Yahweh and by following the Baals. +\v 19 Now then, send word and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 So Ahab sent word to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. +\v 21 Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you keep changing your mind? If Yahweh is God, follow him. But if Baal is God, then follow him." Yet the people did not answer him a word. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then Elijah said to the people, "I, I alone, am left as a prophet of Yahweh, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. +\v 23 So let them give us two bulls. Let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under it. +\v 24 Then you will call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh, and the God who answers by fire, then let him be God." So all the people answered and said, "This is good." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many people. Then call on the name of your god, but put no fire under the bull." +\v 26 They took the bull that was given to them and prepared it, and they called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "Baal, hear us." But there was no voice, nor anyone who answered. They danced around the altar they had made. + +\s5 +\v 27 At noon Elijah mocked them and said, "Shout out loudly! He is a god! Perhaps he is thinking, or is relieving himself, or he is traveling on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened." +\v 28 So they shouted more loudly, and they cut themselves, as they usually did, with swords and spears, until their blood flowed out over themselves. +\v 29 Midday passed, and they were still raving until the time of offering of the evening sacrifice, but there was no voice or anyone to answer; there was no one who paid any attention to their pleadings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me," and all the people came near to him. Then he repaired the altar of Yahweh that was lying in ruin. +\v 31 Elijah took twelve stones, each stone representing one of the tribes of the sons of Jacob—it was Jacob to whom the word of Yahweh came, saying, "Israel will be your name." +\v 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of Yahweh and he dug a trench around the altar large enough to contain two seahs of seeds. + +\s5 +\v 33 He arranged the wood for a fire, cut the bull in pieces, and laid the pieces of the bull on the wood. He said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." +\v 34 Then he said, "Do it a second time," and they did it a second time. Once more he said, "Do it a third time," and they did it a third time. +\v 35 The water ran around the altar and filled the trench. + +\s5 +\v 36 It happened at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. +\v 37 Hear me, Yahweh, hear me, that these people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again to yourself." + +\s5 +\v 38 Then the fire of Yahweh fell and consumed the burnt offering, as well as the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. +\v 39 When all the people saw this, they lay facedown on the ground and said, "Yahweh, he is God! Yahweh, he is God!" +\v 40 So Elijah said to them, "Take the prophets of Baal. Do not let one of them escape." So they took them, and Elijah brought the prophets of Baal down to the brook Kishon and killed them there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Elijah said to Ahab, "Get up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of much rain." +\v 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Then Elijah went up to the top of Carmel, bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. + +\s5 +\v 43 He said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." His servant went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." So Elijah said, "Go again, seven times." +\v 44 At the seventh time the servant said, "Look, there is a cloud going up from the sea, as small as a man's hand." Elijah replied, "Go up and say to Ahab, 'Make ready your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.'" + +\s5 +\v 45 It happened that in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab rode and went to Jezreel, +\v 46 but the hand of Yahweh was on Elijah. He tucked his robe in his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. +\v 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life like the life of one of those dead prophets by tomorrow about this time." +\v 3 When Elijah heard that, he arose and fled for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. + +\s5 +\v 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. He requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough, now, Yahweh; take away my life, for I am no better than my dead ancestors." +\v 5 So he lay down and slept under a broom tree. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." +\v 6 Elijah looked, and near his head was bread that had been baked on coals and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and then lay down again. + +\s5 +\v 7 The angel of Yahweh came again a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, because the journey will be too much for you." +\v 8 So he arose and ate and drank, and he traveled in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 He went to a cave there and stayed in it. Then the word of Yahweh came to him and said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" +\v 10 Elijah replied, "I have been very zealous for Yahweh, God of hosts, for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I, only I, am left and they are also trying to take my life." + +\s5 +\v 11 Yahweh replied, "Go out and stand on the mountain before me." Then Yahweh passed by, and a very strong wind struck the mountains and broke rocks into pieces before Yahweh, but Yahweh was not in the wind. Then after the wind, an earthquake came, but Yahweh was not in the earthquake. +\v 12 Then after the earthquake a fire came, but Yahweh was not in the fire. Then after the fire, a still small voice came. + +\s5 +\v 13 When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his cloak, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then a voice came to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" +\v 14 Elijah replied, "I have been very zealous for Yahweh, God of hosts, because the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I, only I, am left and they are also trying to take my life." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then Yahweh said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you arrive you will anoint Hazael to be king over Aram, +\v 16 and you will anoint Jehu son of Nimshi to be king over Israel, and you will anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place. + +\s5 +\v 17 It will happen that Jehu will kill whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, and that Elisha will kill whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu. +\v 18 But I will leave for myself seven thousand people in Israel, whose knees have not bent down to Baal, and whose mouths have not kissed him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 So Elijah left from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he himself was plowing with the twelfth yoke. Elijah walked over to Elisha and draped his cloak on him. +\v 20 Then Elisha left the oxen and ran after Elijah; he said, "Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." Then Elijah said to him, "Go back, but think about what I have done to you." + +\s5 +\v 21 So Elisha returned from Elijah and took the yoke of oxen, killed the animals, and cooked the meat with the wood from the ox yoke. Then he gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose, went after Elijah and served him. + + + \s5 @@ -1629,177 +1629,177 @@ So Israel went back to their tents. - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Now some time later, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, near the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria. -\v 2 Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard, so I can have it as a vegetable garden, because it is near my house. In exchange, I will give you a better vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will pay you its value in money." - -\s5 -\v 3 Naboth replied to Ahab, "May Yahweh forbid that I should give the inheritance of my ancestors to you." -\v 4 So Ahab went into his palace resentful and angry because of the answer Naboth the Jezreelite gave him when he said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors." He lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and refused to eat any food. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, "Why is your heart so sad, so that you eat no food?" -\v 6 He replied to her, "I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money, or if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard to be yours.' Then he answered me, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'" -\v 7 So Jezebel his wife replied to him, "Do you not still rule the kingdom of Israel? Get up and eat; let your heart be happy. I will obtain for you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." - -\s5 -\v 8 So Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and to the wealthy who sat with him in meetings, and who lived near Naboth. -\v 9 She wrote in the letters, saying, "Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth above the people. -\v 10 Also place two dishonest men with him and let them testify against him, saying, 'You cursed God and the king.'" Then take him out and stone him to death. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 So the men of his city, the elders and the wealthy who lived in Naboth's city, did as Jezebel had described to them, as was written in the letters that she had sent to them. -\v 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth above the people. -\v 13 The two dishonest men came in and sat before Naboth; they testified against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed both God and the king." Then they carried him out of the city and stoned him to death. -\v 14 Then the elders sent word to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned and is dead." - -\s5 -\v 15 So when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, because Naboth is not alive, but dead." -\v 16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite and take possession of it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, -\v 18 "Get up and go meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. He is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession of it. - -\s5 -\v 19 You must speak to him and say that Yahweh says, 'Have you killed and also taken possession?' Then you will tell him that Yahweh says, 'In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, the dogs will lick your blood, yes, your blood.'" -\v 20 Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, my enemy?" Elijah answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 21 Yahweh says this to you: 'See, I will bring disaster on you and will completely consume and cut off from you every male child and slave and free man in Israel. -\v 22 I will make your family like the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and like the family of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have led Israel to sin.' - -\s5 -\v 23 Yahweh has also spoken concerning Jezebel, saying, 'The dogs will eat Jezebel beside the wall of Jezreel.' -\v 24 Anyone who belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, the dogs will eat; and the birds of the sky will eat anyone who dies in the field." - -\s5 -\v 25 There was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, whom Jezebel his wife incited to sin. -\v 26 Ahab did disgusting deeds for the idols he followed, just as all that the Amorites had done, those whom Yahweh had removed before the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body and fasted, and lay in sackcloth and became very sad. -\v 28 Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, -\v 29 "Do you see how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the coming disaster in his days; it is in his son's day that I will bring disaster on his family." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 Three years passed without war between Aram and Israel. -\v 2 Then it came about that in the third year, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went down to the king of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now the king of Israel had said to his servants, "Do you know that Ramoth Gilead is ours, but that we are doing nothing to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?" -\v 4 So he said to Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to war at Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am like you, my people are like your people, and my horses are like your horses." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please seek direction from the word of Yahweh for what you should do first." -\v 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Should I go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or should I not?" They said, "Attack, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king." - -\s5 -\v 7 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here yet another prophet of Yahweh from whom we might seek advice?" -\v 8 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may seek advice from Yahweh to help, Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him because he does not prophesy anything good about me, but only hardships." But Jehoshaphat said, "May the king not say that." -\v 9 Then the king of Israel called an officer and commanded, "Bring Micaiah son of Imlah, right away." - -\s5 -\v 10 Now Ahab the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on a throne, clothed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. -\v 11 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, "Yahweh says this: 'With these you will push the Arameans until they are consumed.'" -\v 12 Then all the prophets prophesied the same, saying, "Attack Ramoth Gilead and win, for Yahweh has given it into the hand of the king." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now look, the words of the prophets declare good things to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like one of them and say good things." -\v 14 Micaiah replied, "As Yahweh lives, it is what Yahweh says to me that I will say." -\v 15 When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth Gilead for battle, or not?" Micaiah answered him, "Attack and win. Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king." - -\s5 -\v 16 Then the king said to him, "How many times must I require you to swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?" -\v 17 So Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel scattered to the mountains, like sheep who have no shepherd, and Yahweh said, 'These have no shepherd. Let every man return to his house in peace.'" - -\s5 -\v 18 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but only disaster?" -\v 19 Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven were standing by him on his right hand and on his left. -\v 20 Yahweh said, 'Who will entice Ahab, so that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One of them said this and another one said that. - - -\s5 -\v 21 Then a spirit came forward, stood before Yahweh, and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to him, 'How?' -\v 22 The spirit replied, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Yahweh replied, 'You will entice him, and you will also be successful. Go now and do so.' -\v 23 Now see, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and Yahweh has decreed disaster for you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, came up, slapped Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh take to go from me to speak to you?" -\v 25 Micaiah said, "Look, you will know that on that day, when you run into some inner room to hide." - -\s5 -\v 26 The king of Israel said to his servant, "Seize Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, my son. -\v 27 Say to him, 'The king says, Put this man in prison and feed him with only a little bread and only a little water, until I come safely.'" -\v 28 Then Micaiah said, "If you return safely, then Yahweh has not spoken by me." Then he added, "Listen to this, all you people." - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 So Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up to Ramoth Gilead. -\v 30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. - -\s5 -\v 31 Now the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, "Do not attack unimportant or important soldiers. Instead, attack only the king of Israel." -\v 32 It came about that when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat they said, "Surely that is the king of Israel." They turned to attack him, so Jehoshaphat cried out. -\v 33 It came about that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. - -\s5 -\v 34 But a certain man drew his bow at random and shot the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. Then Ahab said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded." - -\s5 -\v 35 The battle grew worse that day and the king was held up in his chariot facing the Arameans. He died in the evening. The blood ran out from his wound into the bottom of the chariot. -\v 36 Then about the time the sun was going down, a cry went up throughout the army, saying, "Every man should go back to his city; and every man should go back to his region!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 So King Ahab died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him in Samaria. -\v 38 They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (this was where the prostitutes bathed), just as the word of Yahweh had declared. - -\s5 -\v 39 As for the other matters concerning Ahab, all that he did, the ivory house that he built, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 40 So Ahab slept with his ancestors, and Ahaziah his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Then Jehoshaphat son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. -\v 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. - -\s5 -\v 43 He walked in the ways of Asa, his father; he did not turn away from them; he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. Yet the high places were not taken away. The people were still sacrificing and burning incense on the high places. -\v 44 Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 45 As for the other matters concerning Jehoshaphat, and the might that he showed, and how he waged war, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 46 He removed from the land the rest of the cultic prostitutes who had remained in the days of his father Asa. -\v 47 There was no king in Edom, but a deputy ruled there. - -\s5 -\v 48 Jehoshaphat built oceangoing ships; they were to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go because the ships were wrecked at Ezion Geber. -\v 49 Then Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my servants sail with your servants in the ships." But Jehoshaphat would not allow it. -\v 50 Jehoshaphat slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David, his ancestor; Jehoram his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 51 Ahaziah son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. -\v 52 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of his father, in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he led Israel to sin. -\v 53 He served Baal and worshiped him and so he provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done. - - + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Now some time later, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, near the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria. +\v 2 Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, "Give me your vineyard, so I can have it as a vegetable garden, because it is near my house. In exchange, I will give you a better vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will pay you its value in money." + +\s5 +\v 3 Naboth replied to Ahab, "May Yahweh forbid that I should give the inheritance of my ancestors to you." +\v 4 So Ahab went into his palace resentful and angry because of the answer Naboth the Jezreelite gave him when he said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my ancestors." He lay down on his bed, turned away his face, and refused to eat any food. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, "Why is your heart so sad, so that you eat no food?" +\v 6 He replied to her, "I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money, or if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard to be yours.' Then he answered me, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'" +\v 7 So Jezebel his wife replied to him, "Do you not still rule the kingdom of Israel? Get up and eat; let your heart be happy. I will obtain for you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite." + +\s5 +\v 8 So Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab's name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and to the wealthy who sat with him in meetings, and who lived near Naboth. +\v 9 She wrote in the letters, saying, "Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth above the people. +\v 10 Also place two dishonest men with him and let them testify against him, saying, 'You cursed God and the king.'" Then take him out and stone him to death. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 So the men of his city, the elders and the wealthy who lived in Naboth's city, did as Jezebel had described to them, as was written in the letters that she had sent to them. +\v 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth above the people. +\v 13 The two dishonest men came in and sat before Naboth; they testified against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed both God and the king." Then they carried him out of the city and stoned him to death. +\v 14 Then the elders sent word to Jezebel, saying, "Naboth has been stoned and is dead." + +\s5 +\v 15 So when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, because Naboth is not alive, but dead." +\v 16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite and take possession of it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, +\v 18 "Get up and go meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. He is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession of it. + +\s5 +\v 19 You must speak to him and say that Yahweh says, 'Have you killed and also taken possession?' Then you will tell him that Yahweh says, 'In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, the dogs will lick your blood, yes, your blood.'" +\v 20 Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, my enemy?" Elijah answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 21 Yahweh says this to you: 'See, I will bring disaster on you and will completely consume and cut off from you every male child and slave and free man in Israel. +\v 22 I will make your family like the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and like the family of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked me to anger and have led Israel to sin.' + +\s5 +\v 23 Yahweh has also spoken concerning Jezebel, saying, 'The dogs will eat Jezebel beside the wall of Jezreel.' +\v 24 Anyone who belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, the dogs will eat; and the birds of the sky will eat anyone who dies in the field." + +\s5 +\v 25 There was no one like Ahab, who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, whom Jezebel his wife incited to sin. +\v 26 Ahab did disgusting deeds for the idols he followed, just as all that the Amorites had done, those whom Yahweh had removed before the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body and fasted, and lay in sackcloth and became very sad. +\v 28 Then the word of Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, +\v 29 "Do you see how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the coming disaster in his days; it is in his son's day that I will bring disaster on his family." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 Three years passed without war between Aram and Israel. +\v 2 Then it came about that in the third year, Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went down to the king of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now the king of Israel had said to his servants, "Do you know that Ramoth Gilead is ours, but that we are doing nothing to take it from the hand of the king of Aram?" +\v 4 So he said to Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to war at Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am like you, my people are like your people, and my horses are like your horses." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please seek direction from the word of Yahweh for what you should do first." +\v 6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Should I go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or should I not?" They said, "Attack, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king." + +\s5 +\v 7 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here yet another prophet of Yahweh from whom we might seek advice?" +\v 8 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may seek advice from Yahweh to help, Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him because he does not prophesy anything good about me, but only hardships." But Jehoshaphat said, "May the king not say that." +\v 9 Then the king of Israel called an officer and commanded, "Bring Micaiah son of Imlah, right away." + +\s5 +\v 10 Now Ahab the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on a throne, clothed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. +\v 11 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, "Yahweh says this: 'With these you will push the Arameans until they are consumed.'" +\v 12 Then all the prophets prophesied the same, saying, "Attack Ramoth Gilead and win, for Yahweh has given it into the hand of the king." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now look, the words of the prophets declare good things to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like one of them and say good things." +\v 14 Micaiah replied, "As Yahweh lives, it is what Yahweh says to me that I will say." +\v 15 When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth Gilead for battle, or not?" Micaiah answered him, "Attack and win. Yahweh will give it into the hand of the king." + +\s5 +\v 16 Then the king said to him, "How many times must I require you to swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?" +\v 17 So Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel scattered to the mountains, like sheep who have no shepherd, and Yahweh said, 'These have no shepherd. Let every man return to his house in peace.'" + +\s5 +\v 18 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but only disaster?" +\v 19 Then Micaiah said, "Therefore hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven were standing by him on his right hand and on his left. +\v 20 Yahweh said, 'Who will entice Ahab, so that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One of them said this and another one said that. + + +\s5 +\v 21 Then a spirit came forward, stood before Yahweh, and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to him, 'How?' +\v 22 The spirit replied, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Yahweh replied, 'You will entice him, and you will also be successful. Go now and do so.' +\v 23 Now see, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and Yahweh has decreed disaster for you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, came up, slapped Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh take to go from me to speak to you?" +\v 25 Micaiah said, "Look, you will know that on that day, when you run into some inner room to hide." + +\s5 +\v 26 The king of Israel said to his servant, "Seize Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, my son. +\v 27 Say to him, 'The king says, Put this man in prison and feed him with only a little bread and only a little water, until I come safely.'" +\v 28 Then Micaiah said, "If you return safely, then Yahweh has not spoken by me." Then he added, "Listen to this, all you people." + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 So Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up to Ramoth Gilead. +\v 30 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into the battle. + +\s5 +\v 31 Now the king of Aram had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, saying, "Do not attack unimportant or important soldiers. Instead, attack only the king of Israel." +\v 32 It came about that when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat they said, "Surely that is the king of Israel." They turned to attack him, so Jehoshaphat cried out. +\v 33 It came about that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. + +\s5 +\v 34 But a certain man drew his bow at random and shot the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. Then Ahab said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded." + +\s5 +\v 35 The battle grew worse that day and the king was held up in his chariot facing the Arameans. He died in the evening. The blood ran out from his wound into the bottom of the chariot. +\v 36 Then about the time the sun was going down, a cry went up throughout the army, saying, "Every man should go back to his city; and every man should go back to his region!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 So King Ahab died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him in Samaria. +\v 38 They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (this was where the prostitutes bathed), just as the word of Yahweh had declared. + +\s5 +\v 39 As for the other matters concerning Ahab, all that he did, the ivory house that he built, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 40 So Ahab slept with his ancestors, and Ahaziah his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Then Jehoshaphat son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. +\v 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. + +\s5 +\v 43 He walked in the ways of Asa, his father; he did not turn away from them; he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. Yet the high places were not taken away. The people were still sacrificing and burning incense on the high places. +\v 44 Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 45 As for the other matters concerning Jehoshaphat, and the might that he showed, and how he waged war, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 46 He removed from the land the rest of the cultic prostitutes who had remained in the days of his father Asa. +\v 47 There was no king in Edom, but a deputy ruled there. + +\s5 +\v 48 Jehoshaphat built oceangoing ships; they were to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go because the ships were wrecked at Ezion Geber. +\v 49 Then Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my servants sail with your servants in the ships." But Jehoshaphat would not allow it. +\v 50 Jehoshaphat slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David, his ancestor; Jehoram his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 51 Ahaziah son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over Israel. +\v 52 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and walked in the way of his father, in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he led Israel to sin. +\v 53 He served Baal and worshiped him and so he provoked Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger, just as his father had done. + + diff --git a/12-2KI.usfm b/12-2KI.usfm index 2d397236..eb098e28 100644 --- a/12-2KI.usfm +++ b/12-2KI.usfm @@ -104,66 +104,66 @@ \v 23 Then Elisha went up from there to Bethel. As he was going up the road, young boys came out of the city and mocked him; they said to him, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" \v 24 Elisha looked behind him and saw them; he called on Yahweh to curse them. Then two female bears came out of the woods and injured forty-two of the boys. \v 25 Then Elisha went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria. - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Joram son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned twelve years. -\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, but not like his father and his mother; for he removed the sacred stone pillar of Baal that his father had made. -\v 3 Nevertheless he held on to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin; he did not turn away from them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Now Mesha king of Moab bred sheep. He had to give to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. -\v 5 But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. -\v 6 So King Joram left Samaria at that time to mobilize all Israel for war. - -\s5 -\v 7 He sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle?" Jehoshaphat replied, "I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." -\v 8 Then he said, "By which way should we attack?" Jehoshaphat answered, "By way of the wilderness of Edom." - -\s5 -\v 9 So the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom marched in a semicircle for seven days. There was no water found for their army, nor for their horses or other animals. -\v 10 So the king of Israel said, "What is this? Has Yahweh called three kings to give them into the hand of Moab?" - -\s5 -\v 11 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may consult Yahweh by him?" One of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah." -\v 12 Jehoshaphat said, "The word of Yahweh is with him." So the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom went down to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and mother." So the king of Israel said to him, "No, because Yahweh has called these three kings together to give them into the hand of Moab." -\v 14 Elisha replied, "As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not for the fact that I honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you, or even look at you. - -\s5 -\v 15 But now bring me a musician." Then it came to pass when the harpist played, the hand of Yahweh came upon Elisha. -\v 16 He said, "Yahweh says this, 'Make this dry river valley full of trenches.' -\v 17 For Yahweh says this, 'You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, but this river valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, you and your livestock and all your animals.' - -\s5 -\v 18 This is an easy thing in the sight of Yahweh. He will also give you victory over the Moabites. -\v 19 You will attack every fortified city and every good city, cut down every good tree, stop up all springs of water, and ruin every good piece of land with rocks." - -\s5 -\v 20 So in the morning about the time of offering the sacrifice, there came water from the direction of Edom; the country was filled with water. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all who were able to put on armor, and they stood at the border. -\v 22 They awakened early in the morning and the sun reflected on the water. When the Moabites saw the water opposite them, it looked as red as blood. -\v 23 They exclaimed, "This is blood! The kings have certainly been destroyed, and they have killed each other! So now, Moab, let us go plunder them!" - -\s5 -\v 24 When they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites surprised them and attacked the Moabites, who fled before them. The army of Israel drove the Moabites across the land, killing them. -\v 25 They destroyed the cities, and on every good piece of land every man threw a rock until it was covered up. They stopped up every spring of water and chopped down all the good trees. Only Kir Hareseth was left with its rocks in place. But the soldiers armed with slings surrounded and attacked it. - -\s5 -\v 26 When King Mesha of Moab saw that the battle was lost, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed. -\v 27 Then he took his oldest son, who should have reigned after him, and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall. So there was great anger against Israel, and the Israelite army left King Mesha and returned to their own land. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Joram son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned twelve years. +\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, but not like his father and his mother; for he removed the sacred stone pillar of Baal that his father had made. +\v 3 Nevertheless he held on to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin; he did not turn away from them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Now Mesha king of Moab bred sheep. He had to give to the king of Israel 100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams. +\v 5 But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. +\v 6 So King Joram left Samaria at that time to mobilize all Israel for war. + +\s5 +\v 7 He sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, "The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me against Moab to battle?" Jehoshaphat replied, "I will go. I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." +\v 8 Then he said, "By which way should we attack?" Jehoshaphat answered, "By way of the wilderness of Edom." + +\s5 +\v 9 So the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom marched in a semicircle for seven days. There was no water found for their army, nor for their horses or other animals. +\v 10 So the king of Israel said, "What is this? Has Yahweh called three kings to give them into the hand of Moab?" + +\s5 +\v 11 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may consult Yahweh by him?" One of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah." +\v 12 Jehoshaphat said, "The word of Yahweh is with him." So the king of Israel, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom went down to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and mother." So the king of Israel said to him, "No, because Yahweh has called these three kings together to give them into the hand of Moab." +\v 14 Elisha replied, "As Yahweh of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not for the fact that I honor the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you, or even look at you. + +\s5 +\v 15 But now bring me a musician." Then it came to pass when the harpist played, the hand of Yahweh came upon Elisha. +\v 16 He said, "Yahweh says this, 'Make this dry river valley full of trenches.' +\v 17 For Yahweh says this, 'You will not see wind, neither will you see rain, but this river valley will be filled with water, and you will drink, you and your livestock and all your animals.' + +\s5 +\v 18 This is an easy thing in the sight of Yahweh. He will also give you victory over the Moabites. +\v 19 You will attack every fortified city and every good city, cut down every good tree, stop up all springs of water, and ruin every good piece of land with rocks." + +\s5 +\v 20 So in the morning about the time of offering the sacrifice, there came water from the direction of Edom; the country was filled with water. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Now when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come to fight against them, they gathered themselves together, all who were able to put on armor, and they stood at the border. +\v 22 They awakened early in the morning and the sun reflected on the water. When the Moabites saw the water opposite them, it looked as red as blood. +\v 23 They exclaimed, "This is blood! The kings have certainly been destroyed, and they have killed each other! So now, Moab, let us go plunder them!" + +\s5 +\v 24 When they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites surprised them and attacked the Moabites, who fled before them. The army of Israel drove the Moabites across the land, killing them. +\v 25 They destroyed the cities, and on every good piece of land every man threw a rock until it was covered up. They stopped up every spring of water and chopped down all the good trees. Only Kir Hareseth was left with its rocks in place. But the soldiers armed with slings surrounded and attacked it. + +\s5 +\v 26 When King Mesha of Moab saw that the battle was lost, he took with him seven hundred swordsmen to break through to the king of Edom, but they failed. +\v 27 Then he took his oldest son, who should have reigned after him, and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall. So there was great anger against Israel, and the Israelite army left King Mesha and returned to their own land. + + + \s5 @@ -260,1411 +260,1411 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great and honorable man in his master's view, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Aram. He was also a strong, courageous man, but he was a leper. -\v 2 The Arameans had gone out raiding in bands and had taken a little girl from the land of Israel. She served Naaman's wife. - -\s5 -\v 3 The girl said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal my master of his leprosy." -\v 4 So Naaman went in and told the king what the little girl from the land of Israel had said. - -\s5 -\v 5 So the king of Aram said, "Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." Naaman left and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothes. -\v 6 He also took the letter to the king of Israel that said, "Now when this letter is brought to you, you will see that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, so that you may cure him of his leprosy." - -\s5 -\v 7 When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man wants me to cure a man of his leprosy? It seems he is seeking to start an argument with me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 So when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent word to the king saying, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." -\v 9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. -\v 10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and dip yourself into the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored; you will be clean." - -\s5 -\v 11 But Naaman was angry and went away and said, "Look, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place and heal my leprosy. -\v 12 Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Can I not bathe in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. - -\s5 -\v 13 Then Naaman's servants came near and spoke to him, "My father, if the prophet had commanded you do some difficult thing, would you not have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you to simply, 'Dip yourself and be clean?'" -\v 14 Then he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, obeying the instructions of the man of God. His flesh was restored again like the flesh of a little child, and he was healed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Naaman returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him. He said, "Look, now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So therefore, please take a gift from your servant." -\v 16 But Elisha replied, "As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing." Naaman urged Elisha to take a gift, but he refused. - -\s5 -\v 17 So Naaman said, "If not, then I ask you to let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on, your servant will offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to any god but Yahweh. -\v 18 In this one thing may Yahweh pardon your servant, that is, when my king goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Yahweh pardon your servant in this matter." -\v 19 Elisha said to him, "Go in peace." So Naaman left. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 He had traveled only a short distance, when Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said to himself, "Look, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean by not receiving from his hands gifts that he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him and receive something from him." -\v 21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he jumped down from his chariot to meet him and said, "Is everything alright?" -\v 22 Gehazi said, "Everything is alright. My master has sent me, saying, 'See, now there have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes.'" - -\s5 -\v 23 Naaman replied, "I am very happy to give you two talents." Naaman urged Gehazi and tied two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothes, and laid them on two of his servants, who carried the bags of silver before Gehazi. -\v 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the bags of silver from their hands and hid them in the house; he sent the men away, and they left. -\v 25 When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha said to him, "Where have you come from, Gehazi?" He answered, "Your servant went nowhere." - -\s5 -\v 26 Elisha said to Gehazi, "Was not my spirit with you when the man turned his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to accept money and clothes, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants? -\v 27 So the leprosy of Naaman will be on you and your descendants forever." So Gehazi went out from his presence, a leper as white as snow. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "The place where we live with you is too small for us all. -\v 2 Please let us go to the Jordan, and let every man cut down a tree there, and let us build us a place there where we may live." Elisha answered, "You may go ahead." -\v 3 One of them said, "Please go with your servants." Elisha answered, "I will go." - -\s5 -\v 4 So he went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down trees. -\v 5 But as one was chopping, the ax head fell into the water; he cried out and said, "Oh no, my master, it was borrowed!" - -\s5 -\v 6 So the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" The man showed Elisha the place. He then cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the iron float. -\v 7 Elisha said, "Pick it up." So the man reached out his hand and grabbed it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Now the king of Aram was waging war against Israel. He consulted with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place." -\v 9 So the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Be careful not to pass that place, for the Arameans are going down there." - -\s5 -\v 10 The king of Israel sent a message to the place about which the man of God had spoken and warned him. More than once or twice, when the king went there, he was on his guard. -\v 11 The king of Aram was enraged about these warnings, and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not tell me who among us is for the king of Israel?" - -\s5 -\v 12 So one of his servants said, "No, my master, king, for Elisha the prophet in Israel tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your own bedroom!" -\v 13 The king replied, "Go and see where Elisha is so I may send men and capture him." It was told him, "See, he is in Dothan." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 So the king sent to Dothan horses, chariots, and a large army. They came by night and surrounded the city. -\v 15 When the servant of the man of God had risen early and gone outside, behold, a large army with horses and chariots surrounded the city. His servant said to him, "Oh, my master! What will we do?" -\v 16 Elisha answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." - -\s5 -\v 17 Elisha prayed and said, "Yahweh, I beg that you will open his eyes that he may see." Then Yahweh opened the servant's eyes, and he saw. Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha! -\v 18 When the Arameans came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, "Strike these people blind, I ask you." So Yahweh made them blind, just as Elisha had asked. -\v 19 Then Elisha told the Arameans, "This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you are looking for." Then he led them to Samaria. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 It came about that when they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, "Yahweh, open the eyes of these men that they may see." Yahweh opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the middle of the city of Samaria. -\v 21 The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, "My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?" - -\s5 -\v 22 Elisha answered, "You must not kill them. Would you kill those whom you had taken captive with your sword and bow? Put bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master." -\v 23 So the king prepared much food for them, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went back to their master. Those bands of Aramean soldiers did not return for a long time into the land of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Later after this Ben Hadad king of Aram gathered all his army and attacked Samaria and besieged it. -\v 25 So there was a great famine in Samaria. Behold, they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. -\v 26 As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, "Help, my master, king." - -\s5 -\v 27 He said, "If Yahweh does not help you, how can I help you? Is there anything coming from the threshing floor or winepress?" -\v 28 The king continued, "What is troubling you?" She answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son so that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'" -\v 29 So we boiled my son and ate him, and I said to her on the next day, "Give your son that we may eat him, but she has hidden her son." - -\s5 -\v 30 So when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes (now he was passing by on the wall), and the people looked and saw that he had sackcloth underneath, against his skin. -\v 31 Then he said, "May God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on him today." - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a man from before him, but when the messenger came to Elisha, he said to the elders, "See how this son of -a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?" -\v 33 While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. The king had said, "Behold, this trouble comes from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\nb -\v 1 Elisha said, "Hear the word of Yahweh. This is what Yahweh says: 'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'" -\v 2 Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, "See, even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, can this thing happen?" Elisha replied, "See, you will watch it happen with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Now there were four men with leprosy right outside the city gate. They said one to another, "Why should we sit here until we die? -\v 4 If we say that we should go into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. But if we still sit here, we will still die. Now then, come, let us go to the army of the Arameans. If they keep us alive, we will live, and if they kill us, we will only die." - - -\s5 -\v 5 So they rose up at twilight to go into the Aramean camp; when they arrived at the outermost part of the camp, there was no one there. -\v 6 For the Lord had made the Aramean army hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses—the noise of another large army, and they said to each other, "The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to come against us." - -\s5 -\v 7 So the soldiers arose and fled in the twilight; they left their tents, their horses, their donkeys, and the camp as it was, and fled for their lives. -\v 8 When the men with leprosy came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried away silver and gold and clothes, and went and hid them. They came back and entered into another tent and carried plunder away from there also, and went and hid it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then they said each other, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping quiet about it. If we wait until daybreak, punishment will overtake us. Now then, come, let us go and tell the king's household." -\v 10 So they went and called the gatekeepers of the city. They told them, saying, "We went to the camp of the Arameans, but there was no one there, not the sound of anyone, but there were the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were." -\v 11 Then the gatekeepers shouted out the news, and then it was told inside the king's household. - -\s5 -\v 12 Then the king arose at night and said to his servants, "I will tell you now what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are hungry, so they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the fields. They are saying, 'When they come out of the city, we will take them alive, and get into the city.'" -\v 13 One of the king's servants answered and said, "I beg you, let some men take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city. They are like all the rest of the population of Israel who are left—most are now dead; let us send them and see." - -\s5 -\v 14 So they took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the army of the Arameans, saying, "Go and see." -\v 15 They went after them to the Jordan, and all the road was full of clothes and equipment that the Arameans had cast away in their hurry. So the messengers returned and told the king. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 The people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, just as the word of Yahweh had said. -\v 17 The king had ordered the captain on whose hand he had leaned to be in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him down in the gateway. He died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king had come down to him. - -\s5 -\v 18 So it happened as the man of God had said to the king, saying, "About this time in the gate of Samaria, two measures of barley will be available for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel." -\v 19 That captain had answered the man of God and said, "See, even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, can this thing happen?" Elisha had said, "See, you will watch it happen with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it." -\v 20 That is what exactly what happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gate, and he died. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 Now Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life. He said to her, "Arise, and go with your household, and stay wherever you can in another land, because Yahweh has called for a famine which will come on this land for seven years." -\v 2 So the woman arose and she obeyed the word of the man of God. She went with her household and lived in the land of the Philistines seven years. - -\s5 -\v 3 It came about at the end of seven years that the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to the king to beg him for her house and for her land. -\v 4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, "Please tell me all the great things that Elisha has done." - -\s5 -\v 5 Then as he was telling the king how Elisha had restored to life the child who was dead, the very woman whose son he had restored to life came to beg the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, "My master, king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life." -\v 6 When the king asked the woman about her son, she explained it to him. So the king ordered a certain officer for her, saying, "Give back to her all that was hers and all the harvests of her fields since the day that she left the land until now." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Elisha came to Damascus where Ben Hadad the king of Aram was sick. The king was told, "The man of God has come here." -\v 8 The king said to Hazael, "Take a gift in your hand and go meet the man of God, and consult with Yahweh through him, saying, 'Will I recover from this sickness?'" -\v 9 So Hazael went to meet him and took a gift with him of every kind of good thing of Damascus, carried by forty camels. So Hazael came and stood before Elisha and said, "Your son Ben Hadad king of Aram has sent me to you, saying, 'Will I recover from this sickness?'" - -\s5 -\v 10 Elisha said to him, "Go, say to Ben Hadad, 'You will surely recover,' but Yahweh has shown me that he will surely die." -\v 11 Then Elisha stared at Hazael until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept. -\v 12 Hazael asked, "Why do you weep, my master?" He answered, "Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set their strongholds on fire, and you will kill their young men with the sword, dash in pieces their little ones, and rip open their pregnant women." - -\s5 -\v 13 Hazael replied, "Who is your servant, that he should do this great thing? He is only a dog." Elisha answered, "Yahweh has shown me that you will be king over Aram." -\v 14 Then Hazael left Elisha and came to his master, who said to him, "What did Elisha say to you?" He answered, "He told me that you would certainly recover." -\v 15 Then the next day Hazael took the blanket and dipped it in water, and spread it on Ben Hadad's face so that he died. Then Hazael became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, Jehoram began to reign. He was the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. He began to reign when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah. -\v 17 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 18 Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab was doing; for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did what was evil in Yahweh's sight. -\v 19 However, because of his servant David, Yahweh did not want to destroy Judah, since he had told him that he would always give him descendants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 In Jehoram's days, Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and they set a king over themselves. -\v 21 Then Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded Jehoram, his chariot commanders rose up and attacked them during the night; but Jehoram's army ran away and went back to their homes. - -\s5 -\v 22 So Edom has been in rebellion against the rule of Judah to this present day. Libnah also revolted at the same time. -\v 23 As for the other matters concerning Jehoram, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 24 Jehoram died and rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. Then Ahaziah his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign. -\v 26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah; she was the daughter of Omri, king of Israel. -\v 27 Ahaziah walked in the ways of the house of Ahab; he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab was doing, for Ahaziah was a son-in-law to the house of Ahab. - -\s5 -\v 28 Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram. -\v 29 King Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Arameans had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, "Dress for travel, then take this little bottle of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth Gilead. -\v 2 When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi, and go in and make him arise up from among his companions, and conduct him to an inner chamber. -\v 3 Then take the bottle of oil and pour it on his head and say, 'Yahweh says this: "I have anointed you king over Israel."' Then open the door, and run off; do not delay." - -\s5 -\v 4 So the young man, the young prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead. -\v 5 When he arrived, behold, the captains of the army were sitting. So the young prophet said, "I have come on an errand to you, captain." Jehu replied, "To which of us?" The young prophet answered, "To you, captain." -\v 6 So Jehu arose and went into the house, and the prophet poured the oil on his head and said to Jehu, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: 'I have anointed you king over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. - -\s5 -\v 7 You must kill the family of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Yahweh, who were murdered by the hand of Jezebel. -\v 8 For the whole family of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male child, whether he is a slave or a free person. - -\s5 -\v 9 I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. -\v 10 The dogs will eat Jezebel in Jezreel, and there will be no one to bury her.'" Then the prophet opened the door and ran off. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, "Is everything alright? Why did this mad fellow come to you?" Jehu answered them, "You know the man and the kinds of things he says." -\v 12 They said, "That is a lie. Tell us." Jehu answered, "He said this and that to me, and he also said, 'This is what Yahweh says: I have anointed you as king over Israel.'" -\v 13 Then each of them quickly took off his outer garment and put it under Jehu at the top of the steps. They blew the trumpet and said, "Jehu is king." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 In this way Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. Now Joram had been defending Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Aram, -\v 15 but King Joram had gone back to Jezreel to be healed of the wounds that the Arameans had given him, when he had fought against Hazael king of Aram. -\p Jehu said to the servants of Joram, "If this is your opinion, then let no one escape and go out of the city, in order to go tell this news in Jezreel." -\v 16 So Jehu rode in a chariot to Jezreel; for Joram was resting there. Now Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 The watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came at a distance; he said, "I see a group of men coming." Joram said, "Take a horseman, and send him out to meet them; tell him to say, 'Are you coming in peace?'" -\v 18 So a man was sent on horseback to meet him; he said, "The king says this: 'Are coming in peace?'" So Jehu said, "What have you to do with peace? Turn and ride behind me." Then the watchman told the king, "The messenger has met them, but he is not coming back." - -\s5 -\v 19 Then he sent out a second man on horseback, who came to them and said, "The king says this: 'Are you coming in peace?'" Jehu answered, "What have you to do with peace? Turn and ride behind me." -\v 20 Again the watchman reported, "He has met them, but he is not coming back. For the way that the chariot is being driven is the way that Jehu son of Nimshi drives; he is driving wildly." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 So Joram said, "Get my chariot ready." They prepared his chariot, and Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his chariot, to meet Jehu. They found him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. -\v 22 When Joram saw Jehu, he said, "Are you coming in peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace is there, when the idolatrous acts of prostitution and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel are so many?" - -\s5 -\v 23 So Joram turned his chariot and fled and said to Ahaziah, "There is treachery, Ahaziah." -\v 24 Then Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between his shoulders; the arrow went through his heart, and he sank down in his chariot. - -\s5 -\v 25 Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, "Pick him up and throw him in the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. Think about how when you and I rode together after Ahab his father, Yahweh placed this prophecy against him: -\v 26 'Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares Yahweh—and I will surely make you pay for it on this field—declares Yahweh. Now then, pick him up and throw him on this field, according to the word of Yahweh." - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled up the road to Beth Haggan. But Jehu followed him, and said, "Kill him also in the chariot," and they shot him at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. Ahaziah fled to Megiddo and died there. -\v 28 His servants carried his body in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Now it was in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab that Ahaziah had begun to reign over Judah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out the window. -\v 31 As Jehu was entering the gate, she said to him, "Are you coming in peace, you Zimri, your master's murderer?" -\v 32 Jehu looked up at the window and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" Then two or three eunuchs looked out. - -\s5 -\v 33 So Jehu said, "Throw her down." So they threw Jezebel down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and the horses, and Jehu trampled her underfoot. -\v 34 When Jehu entered the palace, he ate and drank. Then he said, "See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter." - -\s5 -\v 35 They went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands. -\v 36 So they came back and told Jehu. He said, "This is the word of Yahweh which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 'In the land at Jezreel the dogs will eat the flesh of Jezebel, -\v 37 and the body of Jezebel will be like dung on the surface of the fields in the land at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, "This is Jezebel."'" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Now Ahab had seventy descendants in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, including the elders and the guardians of Ahab's descendants, saying, -\v 2 "Your master's descendants are with you, and you also have chariots and horses and a fortified city and armor. So then, as soon as this letter comes to you, -\v 3 select the best and most deserving of your master's descendants and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's royal line." - -\s5 -\v 4 But they were terrified and said among themselves, "See, the two kings could not stand before Jehu. So how can we stand?" -\v 5 Then the man who was in charge of the palace, and the man who was over the city, and the elders also, and they who raised the children, sent word back to Jehu, saying, "We are your servants. We will do everything that you command us. We will not make any man king. Do what is good in your eyes." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then Jehu wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, "If you are on my side, and if you will listen to my voice, you must take the heads of the men of your master's descendants, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time." Now the king's descendants, seventy in number, were with the important men of the city, who were bringing them up. -\v 7 So when the letter came to them, they took the king's sons and killed them, seventy persons, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel. - -\s5 -\v 8 A messenger came to Jehu, saying, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons." So he said, "Put them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning." -\v 9 In the morning Jehu went out and stood, and said to all the people, "You are innocent. See, I plotted against my master and killed him, but who killed all these? - -\s5 -\v 10 Now you should certainly realize that no part of Yahweh's word, the word that he spoke concerning the family of Ahab, will fall to the ground, for Yahweh has done what he spoke about through his servant Elijah." -\v 11 So Jehu killed all who remained in the family of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his important men, his close friends, and his priests, until none of them remained. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then Jehu arose and left; he went to Samaria. As he was arriving at Beth Eked of the shepherd, -\v 13 he met brothers of Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu said to them, "Who are you?" They answered, "We are brothers of Ahaziah, and we are going down to greet the children of the king and the children of Queen Jezebel." -\v 14 Jehu said to his own men, "Take them alive." So they took them alive and killed them at the well of Beth Eked, all forty-two men. He did not leave any of them alive. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 When Jehu had left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said to him, "Is your heart with me, as my heart is with yours?" Jehonadab answered, "It is." Jehu said, "If it is, give me your hand." So he gave Jehu his hand, and Jehu took Jehonadab up with him into the chariot. -\v 16 Jehu said, "Come with me and see my zeal for Yahweh." So he had Jonadab ride along with him in his chariot. -\v 17 When he came to Samaria, Jehu killed all who remained from Ahab's descendants in Samaria, until he had destroyed Ahab's royal line, just as was told them before by the word of Yahweh, which he had spoken to Elijah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. -\v 19 Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers, and all his priests. Let no one be left out, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Whoever does not come will not live." But Jehu did this deceitfully, with the intent to kill the worshipers of Baal. -\v 20 Jehu said, "Set a time to have an assembly for Baal." So they announced it. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then Jehu sent throughout all Israel and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. They came into the temple of Baal, and it was filled from one end to another. -\v 22 Jehu said to the man who kept the priest's wardrobe, "Bring out robes for all the worshipers of Baal." So the man brought out robes to them. - -\s5 -\v 23 So Jehu went with Jehonadab son of Recab into the house of Baal, and he said to the worshipers of Baal, "Search and make sure that there is no one here with you from the servants of Yahweh, but the worshipers of Baal alone." -\v 24 Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had chosen eighty men who were standing outside, and he told them, "If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escapes, whoever lets that man escape, his life will be taken for the life of the one who escaped." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 So then as soon as Jehu finished offering the burnt offering, he said to the guard and to the captains, "Go in and kill them. Let no one come out." So they killed them with the edge of the sword, and the guard and the captains threw them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal. -\v 26 They dragged out the stone pillars that were in the house of Baal, and they burned them. -\v 27 Then they broke down the pillar of Baal, and destroyed the house of Baal and made it a latrine, which it is to this day. -\v 28 That is how Jehu destroyed Baal worship from Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 But Jehu did not leave the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he made Israel sin—that is, the worship of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan. -\v 30 So Yahweh said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in executing what was right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." -\v 31 But Jehu took no care to walk in the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, by which he made Israel sin. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 In those days Yahweh began to cut off regions from Israel, and Hazael defeated the Israelites at the borders of Israel, -\v 33 from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the Valley of the Arnon, through Gilead to Bashan. - -\s5 -\v 34 As for the other matters concerning Jehu, and all that he did, and all his power, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 35 Jehu slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in Samaria. Then Jehoahaz his son became king in his place. -\v 36 The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Now when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she arose and killed all the royal children. -\v 2 But Jehosheba, a daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah, and hid him away from among the king's sons who were killed, along with his nurse; she put them into a bedroom. They hid him from Athaliah so that he was not killed. -\v 3 He remained with her six years, hidden in the house of Yahweh, while Athaliah reigned over the land. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent messages and brought the commanders of hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to himself, into the temple of Yahweh. He made a covenant with them, and he made them swear an oath in the house of Yahweh. Then he showed them the king's son. -\v 5 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must do. A third of you who come on the Sabbath will keep watch over the king's house, -\v 6 and a third will be at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guardhouse." - -\s5 -\v 7 The two other groups who are not serving on the Sabbath, you must keep the watch over the house of Yahweh for the king. -\v 8 You must surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever enters within your ranks, let him be killed. You must stay with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 So the commanders of hundreds obeyed everything Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one took his men, those who were to come in to serve on the Sabbath, and those who were to stop serving on that Sabbath; and they came to Jehoiada the priest. -\v 10 Then Jehoiada the priest gave the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields that belonged to King David and that were in the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 11 So the guards stood, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side, near the altar and the temple, surrounding the king. -\v 12 Then Jehoiada brought out the king's son Joash, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant decrees. Then they made him king and anointed him. They clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people in the house of Yahweh. -\v 14 She looked, and, behold, the king was standing by the pillar, as the custom was, and the captains and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and shouted, "Treason! Treason!" - - -\s5 -\v 15 Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds who were over the army, saying, "Bring her out between the ranks. Anyone who follows her, kill him with the sword." For the priest had said, "Do not let her be killed in the house of Yahweh." -\v 16 So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was killed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh and the king and people, that they should be Yahweh's people, and also between the king and the people. -\v 18 So all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and tore it down. They smashed Baal's altars and his idol figures to pieces, and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of those altars. Then Jehoida the priest appointed guards over the temple of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 19 Jehoida took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guard, and all the people of the land, and together they brought down the king from the house of Yahweh and they went into the king's house, entering by way of the gate of the guards. Joash took his place on the royal throne. -\v 20 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been killed with the sword at the king's house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign. - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 In the seventh year of Jehu, the reign of Joash began; he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. -\v 2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the time, because Jehoiada the priest was instructing him. -\v 3 But the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Joash said to the priests, "All the money that is brought in as sacred offerings into the house of Yahweh, that money for which each person is assessed—whether it is the money collected in the census, or the money received from personal vows, or the money brought in by people motivated by Yahweh in their hearts to give— -\v 5 the priests should receive the money from one of their treasurers and repair whatever damage is found in the temple." - -\s5 -\v 6 But by the twenty-third year of King Joash, the priests had not repaired anything in the temple. -\v 7 Then King Joash called for Jehoiada the priest and for the other priests; he said to them, "Why have you not repaired anything in the temple? Now take no more money from your taxpayers, but take what has been collected for repairs of the temple and give it to those who can make the repairs." -\v 8 So the priests consented to take no more money from the people and not repair the temple themselves. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Instead, Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of Yahweh. The priests who were guarding the temple entrance put into it all the money that was brought to the house of Yahweh. -\v 10 Whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, the king's scribe and the high priest would come and put the money in bags and then count it, the money found in the temple of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 11 They gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of men who took care of the temple of Yahweh. They paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the temple of Yahweh, -\v 12 and to the masons and the stonecutters, for buying timber and cutting stone to repair the temple of Yahweh, and for all that was needed to be paid to repair it. - -\s5 -\v 13 But the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh did not pay to make for it any silver cups, lamp trimmers, basins, trumpets, or any gold or silver furnishing. -\v 14 They gave this money to those who did the work of repairing the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 15 In addition, they did not require the money paid for repairs to be accounted for by the men who received it and paid it to the workmen, because these men were honest. -\v 16 But the money for the guilt offerings and the money for the sin offerings was not brought into the temple of Yahweh, because it belonged to the priests. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Hazael king of Aram attacked and fought against Gath, and took it. Hazael then turned to attack Jerusalem. -\v 18 Joash king of Judah took all the things that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had set apart, and what he had set apart, and all the gold that was found in the storerooms of the houses of Yahweh and of the king and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram. Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 As for the other matters concerning Joash, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 20 His servants arose and plotted together; they attacked Joash in Beth Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla. -\v 21 Jozabad \f + \ft Some ancient copies have \fqa Jozacar. \f* son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad son of Shomer, his servants, attacked him, and he died. They buried Joash with his ancestors in the city of David, and Amaziah, his son, became king in his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned seventeen years. -\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin; and Jehoahaz did not turn away from them. - -\s5 -\v 3 The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben Hadad son of Hazael. -\v 4 So Jehoahaz implored Yahweh, and Yahweh listened to him because he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram was oppressing them. -\v 5 So Yahweh gave Israel a rescuer, and they escaped from the hand of the Arameans, and the people of Israel began to live in their homes as they had before. - -\s5 -\v 6 Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin, and they continued in them; and the Asherah pole remained in Samaria. -\v 7 The Arameans left Jehoahaz with only fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the chaff at threshing time. - -\s5 -\v 8 As for the other matters concerning Jehoahaz, and all that he did and his power, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 9 So Jehoahaz slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in Samaria. Johoash his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began over Israel in Samaria; he reigned sixteen years. -\v 11 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not leave behind any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, -by which he had made Israel to sin, but he walked in them. - -\s5 -\v 12 As for the other matters concerning Jehoash, and all that he did, and his might by which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 13 Jehoash slept with his ancestors, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Now Elisha became sick with an illness by which he later died, so Jehoash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him. He said, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen are taking you away!" -\v 15 Elisha said to him, "Pick up a bow and some arrows," so Joash picked up a bow and some arrows. -\v 16 Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow," so he put his hand on it. Then Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands. - -\s5 -\v 17 Elisha said, "Open the window eastward," so he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot!", and he shot. Elisha said, "This is Yahweh's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you will attack the Arameans in Aphek until you have consumed them." -\v 18 Then Elisha said, "Take the arrows," so Joash took them. He said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground with them," and he struck the ground three times, then stopped. -\v 19 But the man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have hit the ground five or six times. Then you would have attacked Aram until you annihilated it, but now you will attack Aram only three times." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then Elisha died, and they buried him. Now groups of Moabites invaded the land at the beginning of the year. -\v 21 As they were burying a certain man, they saw a group of Moabites, so they threw the body into Elisha's grave. As soon as the man touched Elisha's bones, he revived and stood up on his feet. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. -\v 23 But Yahweh was gracious to Israel, and had compassion on them and concern for them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So Yahweh did not destroy them, and he still has not driven them away from his presence. - -\s5 -\v 24 Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben Hadad his son became king in his place. -\v 25 Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben Hadad son of Hazael the cities that had been taken from Jehoahaz his father by war. Jehoash attacked him three times, and he recovered those cities of Israel. - - - - -\c 14 -\s5 -\p -\v 1 In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign. -\v 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem. -\v 3 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, yet not like David his father. He did everything that Joash, his father, had done. - -\s5 -\v 4 But the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. -\v 5 It came about that as soon as his rule was well established, he killed the servants who had murdered his father, the king. - -\s5 -\v 6 Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death; instead, he acted according to what was written in the law, in The Book of Moses, as Yahweh had commanded, saying, "The fathers must not be put to death for their children, neither must the children be put to death for their parents. Instead, every person must be put to death for his own sin." -\v 7 He killed ten thousand soldiers of Edom in the Valley of Salt; he also took Sela in war and called it Joktheel, which is what it is called to this day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us meet each other face to face in battle." -\v 9 But Jehoash the king of Israel sent messengers back to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle that was in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,' but a wild beast in Lebanon walked by and trampled down the thistle. -\v 10 You have indeed attacked Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Take pride in your victory, but stay at home, for why should you cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel attacked and he and Amaziah king of Judah met each other face to face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. -\v 12 Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled home. - -\s5 -\v 13 Jehoash king of Israel, captured Amaziah, king of Judah son of Jehoash son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. He came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, four hundred cubits in distance. -\v 14 He took all the gold and silver, all the objects that were found in the house of Yahweh, and the valuable things in the king's palace, with hostages also, and returned to Samaria. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 As for the other matters concerning Jehoash, all that he did, his power, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 16 Then Jehoash slept with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and Jeroboam, his son, became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. -\v 18 As for the other matters concerning Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 19 They made a conspiracy against Amaziah in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. He fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there. - -\s5 -\v 20 They brought him back on horses, and he was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. -\v 21 All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. -\v 22 It was Azariah who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah, after King Amaziah slept with his ancestors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria; he reigned forty-one years. -\v 24 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not depart from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. -\v 25 He restored the border of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, following the commands of the word of Yahweh, the God of Israel, which he had spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath Hepher. - -\s5 -\v 26 For Yahweh saw the suffering of Israel, that it was very bitter for everyone, both slave and free, and that there was no rescuer for Israel. -\v 27 So Yahweh said that he would not blot out the name of Israel under heaven; instead, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 As for the other matters concerning Jeroboam, all that he did, his power, how he waged war and recovered Damascus and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 29 Jeroboam slept with his ancestors, with the kings of Israel, and Zechariah his son became king in his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. -\v 2 Azariah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jekoliah, and she was from Jerusalem. -\v 3 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as his father Amaziah had done. - -\s5 -\v 4 However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. -\v 5 Yahweh afflicted the king so that he was a leper to the day of his death and lived in a separate house. Jotham, the king's son, was over the household and ruled the people of the land. - -\s5 -\v 6 As for the other matters concerning Azariah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 7 So Azariah slept with his ancestors; they buried him with his ancestors in the city of David. Jotham, his son, became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria for six months. -\v 9 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. - -\s5 -\v 10 Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, attacked him in Ibleam, and killed him. Then he became king in his place. -\v 11 As for the other matters concerning Zechariah, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. -\v 12 This was the word of Yahweh that he spoke to Jehu, saying, "Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." That is what happened. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Shallum son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, and he reigned only one month in Samaria. -\v 14 Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria. There he attacked Shallum son of Jabesh, in Samaria. He killed him and became king in his place. - -\s5 -\v 15 As for the other matters concerning Shallum and the conspiracy that he formed, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. -\v 16 Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah and all who were there, and the borders around Tirzah, because they did not open up the city to him. So he attacked it, and he ripped open all the pregnant women in that village. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Tiphsah \fqa* , one ancient version and some modern versions read, -\fqa Tappuah. \f* - -\s5 -\v 17 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi began to reign over Israel; he reigned ten years in Samaria. -\v 18 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. For his whole life, he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, so that Pul's support might be with him to strengthen the kingdom of Israel in his hand. -\v 20 Menahem exacted this money from Israel by requiring each of the wealthy men to pay fifty shekels of silver to him to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land. - -\s5 -\v 21 As for the other matters concerning Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? -\v 22 So Menahem slept with his ancestors, and Pekahiah his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned two years. -\v 24 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not leave behind the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he had caused Israel to sin. - -\s5 -\v 25 Pekahiah had an officer named Pekah son of Remaliah, who conspired against him. Along with fifty men of Gilead, Pekah killed Pekahiah as well as Argob and Arieh in Samaria, in the citadel of the king's palace. Pekah killed Pekahiah and became king in his place. -\v 26 As for the other matters concerning Pekahiah, all that he did, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned twenty years. -\v 28 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee, and all the land of Naphtali. He carried away the people to Assyria. -\v 30 So Hoshea son of Elah formed a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked him and killed him. Then he became king in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah. -\v 31 As for the other matters concerning Pekah, all that he did, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham son of Azariah, king of Judah began to reign. -\v 33 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah; she was the daughter of Zadok. - -\s5 -\v 34 Jotham did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. He followed the example of all his father Azariah had done. -\v 35 However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. Jotham built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh. -\v 36 As for the other matters concerning Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? - -\s5 -\v 37 In those days Yahweh began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah. -\v 38 Jotham slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David, his ancestor. Then Ahaz, his son, became king in his place. - - - - -\c 16 -\s5 -\p -\v 1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah, began to reign. -\v 2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God, as David his ancestor had done. - -\s5 -\v 3 Instead, he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed, he made his son pass through the fire, following the detestable practices of the nations, which Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel. -\v 4 He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops, and under every green tree. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Then Rezin, king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to attack. They besieged Ahaz, but they could not conquer him. -\v 6 At that time, Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram and drove the men of Judah out of Elath. Then the Arameans came to Elath where they have lived to this day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel, who have attacked me." -\v 8 So Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Yahweh and among the treasures of the king's palace and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. -\v 9 Then the king of Assyria listened to him, and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, conquered it and carried off its people as prisoners to Kir. He also killed Rezin the king of Aram. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. At Damascus he saw an altar. He sent to Uriah the priest a model of the altar and its pattern and the design for all the workmanship needed. -\v 11 So Uriah the priest built an altar to be just like the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus. He finished it before King Ahaz arrived back from Damascus. -\v 12 When the king came from Damascus he saw the altar; the king approached the altar and made offerings on it. - -\s5 -\v 13 He made his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his fellowship offerings on the altar. -\v 14 The bronze altar that was before Yahweh—he brought it from the front of the temple, from between his altar and the temple of Yahweh and put it on the north side of his altar. - -\s5 -\v 15 Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, saying, "On the large altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, and the king's burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offerings. Sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the bronze altar will be for me to consult for guidance." -\v 16 Uriah the priest did just what King Ahaz commanded. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then King Ahaz removed the panels and the basins from the portable stands; he also took down the sea from off the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone pavement. -\v 18 He removed the covered walkway for the Sabbath that they had built at the temple, along with the king's entry outside the temple of Yahweh, because of the king of Assyria. - -\s5 -\v 19 As for the other matters concerning Ahaz and what he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 20 Ahaz slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. Hezekiah his son became king in his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, the reign of Hoshea son of Elah began. He ruled in Samaria over Israel for nine years. -\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him. -\v 3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his servant and brought him tribute. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then the king of Assyria realized that Hoshea had been plotting against him, for Hoshea had sent messengers to So king of Egypt; also, he offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. So the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison. -\v 5 Then the king of Assyria attacked throughout all the land, and attacked Samaria and besieged it for three years. -\v 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria. He put them in Halah, at the Habor River of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 This captivity happened because the people of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. The people had been worshiping other gods -\v 8 and walking in the practices of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel, and in the practices of the kings of Israel that they had done. - -\s5 -\v 9 The people of Israel did secretly—against Yahweh their God—things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their cities, from the watchtower to the fortress. -\v 10 They also set up stone pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. - -\s5 -\v 11 There they burned incense in all the high places, as the nations had done, those whom Yahweh had carried away before them. The Israelites performed wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger; -\v 12 they worshiped idols, about which Yahweh had said to them, "You will not do this thing." - -\s5 -\v 13 Yet Yahweh had testified to Israel and to Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, and be careful to keep all the law I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets." - -\s5 -\v 14 But they would not listen; instead they were very stubborn like their fathers who did not trust in Yahweh their God. -\v 15 They rejected his statutes and the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and the covenant decrees that he had given to them. They followed useless practices and they themselves became useless. They followed the pagan nations who were around them, those that Yahweh had commanded them not to imitate. - -\s5 -\v 16 They ignored all the commandments of Yahweh their God. They made cast metal figures of two calves to worship. They made an Asherah pole, and they worshiped all the stars of the heavens and Baal. -\v 17 They put their sons and daughters in the fire, used divination and enchantments, sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and provoked him to anger. -\v 18 Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. There was no one left but the tribe of Judah alone. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Even Judah did not keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, but instead followed in the same pagan practices that Israel was following. -\v 20 So Yahweh rejected all the descendants of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hand of those who would take the possession as spoil, until he had cast them out of his sight. - -\s5 -\v 21 He tore Israel from the royal line of David, and they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following Yahweh and made them commit a great sin. -\v 22 The people of Israel followed all the sins of Jeroboam and they did not depart from them, -\v 23 so Yahweh removed Israel from his sight, as he had said through all his servants the prophets that he would. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria, and it is this way to this present day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon and from Kuthah, and from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria in place of the people of Israel. They took over Samaria and lived in its cities. -\v 25 It happened at the beginning of their residence there that they did not honor Yahweh. So Yahweh sent lions among them which killed some of them. -\v 26 So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, "The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the practices required by the god of the land. So he has sent lions among them, and, see, the lions are killing people there because they do not know the practices required by the god of the land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, "Take one of the priests there whom you brought from there, and let him go and live there, and let him teach them the practices required by the god of the land." -\v 28 So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel; he taught them how they should honor Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 29 Every ethnic group made gods of their own, and put them in the high places that the Samaritans had made—every ethnic group in the cities where they lived. -\v 30 The people of Babylon made Succoth Benoth; the people of Kuthah made Nergal; the people of Hamath made Ashima; -\v 31 the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak. The Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelek and Anammelek, the gods of the Sepharvites. - -\s5 -\v 32 They also honored Yahweh, and appointed from among themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the temples at the high places. -\v 33 They honored Yahweh and also worshiped their own gods, in the customs of the nations from among whom they had been taken away. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 To this day they persist in their old customs. They neither honor Yahweh, nor do they follow the statutes, decrees, the law, or the commandments that Yahweh gave to the people of Jacob—whom he named Israel— -\v 35 and with whom Yahweh had made a covenant and commanded them, "You will not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor worship them, nor sacrifice to them. - -\s5 -\v 36 But Yahweh, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and a raised arm, is the one you must honor; it is to him that you will prostrate yourselves, and it is to him that you will sacrifice. -\v 37 The statutes and the decrees, the law and the commandments that he wrote for you, you will keep them forever. So you must not fear other gods, -\v 38 and the covenant that I have made with you, you will not forget; neither will you honor other gods. - -\s5 -\v 39 But Yahweh your God is who you will honor. He will rescue you from the might of your enemies." -\v 40 They would not listen, because they continued to do what they had done in the past. -\v 41 So these nations feared Yahweh and they also worshiped their carved figures, and their children did the same—as did their children's children. They continue to do what their ancestors did, up to this day. - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 Now in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz, king of Judah began to reign. -\v 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah; she was the daughter of Zechariah. -\v 3 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, following the example of all that David, his ancestor, had done. - -\s5 -\v 4 He removed the high places, destroyed the stone pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke to pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because in those days the people of Israel were burning incense to it; it was called "Nehushtan." -\v 5 Hezekiah trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel, so that after him there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among the kings who were before him. - -\s5 -\v 6 For he held on to Yahweh. He did not stop following him but kept his commandments, which Yahweh commanded Moses. -\v 7 So Yahweh was with Hezekiah, and wherever he went he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. -\v 8 He attacked the Philistines to Gaza and the borders around, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it. -\v 10 At the end of three years they took it, in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel; in this way Samaria was captured. - -\s5 -\v 11 So the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria and put them in Halah, and at the Habor River in Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. -\v 12 He did this because they did not obey the voice of Yahweh their God, but they violated the terms of his covenant, all that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded. They refused to listen to it or do it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. -\v 14 So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria, who was at Lachish, saying, "I have offended you. Withdraw from me. Whatever you put on me I will bear." The king of Assyria required Hezekiah king of Judah to pay three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. -\v 15 So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of Yahweh and in the treasuries of the king's -palace. - -\s5 -\v 16 Then Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of Yahweh and from the pillars that he had overlaid; he gave the gold to the king of Assyria. -\v 17 But the king of Assyria mobilized his great army, sending Tartan and Rabsaris and the chief commander from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They traveled up the roads and arrived outside Jerusalem. They approached the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the launderers' field, and stood by it. -\v 18 When they had called to King Hezekiah, Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, went out to meet them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 So the chief commander said to them to tell Hezekiah what the great king, the king of Assyria, said: "What is the source of your confidence? -\v 20 You speak only useless words, saying there are allies and strength for war. In whom are you trusting, that you should rebel against me? -\v 21 Look, you trust in the walking stick of this bruised reed of Egypt, but if a man leans on it, it will stick into his hand and pierce it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to anyone who trusts in him. - -\s5 -\v 22 But if you say to me, 'We are trusting in Yahweh our God,' is not he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, 'You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem'? -\v 23 Now therefore, I want to make you a good offer from my master the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able to find riders for them. - -\s5 -\v 24 How could you resist even one captain of the least of my master's servants? You have put your trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen! -\v 25 Have I traveled up here without Yahweh to fight against this place and destroy it? Yahweh said to me, 'Attack this land and destroy it.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah said to the chief commander, "Please speak to your servants in the Aramaic language, for we understand it. Do not speak with us in the language of Judah in the ears of the people who are on the wall." -\v 27 But the chief commander said to them, "Has my master sent me to your master and to you to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, who will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you?" - -\s5 -\v 28 Then the chief commander stood and shouted in a loud voice in the Jews' language, saying, "Listen to the word of the great king, the king of Assyria. -\v 29 The king says, 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to rescue you from my power. -\v 30 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, "Yahweh will surely rescue us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria."' -\s5 -\v 31 Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: 'Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and from his own fig tree, and drink from the water in his own cistern. -\v 32 You will do this until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, so that you may live and not die.' Do not listen to Hezekiah when he tries to persuade you, saying, 'Yahweh will rescue us.' - -\s5 -\v 33 Has any of the gods of the peoples rescued them out of the hand of the king of Assyria? -\v 34 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they rescued Samaria out of my hand? -\v 35 Among all the gods of the lands, is there any god who has rescued his land from my power? How could Yahweh save Jerusalem from my might?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 But the people remained silent and did not respond, for the king had commanded, "Do not answer him." -\v 37 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the household; Shebna the scribe; and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and reported to him the words of the chief commander. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 It came about that when King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Yahweh. -\v 2 He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, all covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet. - -\s5 -\v 3 They said to him, "Hezekiah says, 'This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, for the children have come to the time of birth, but there is no strength for them to be born. -\v 4 It may be that Yahweh your God will hear all the words of the chief commander, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Now lift up your prayer for the remnant that is still here.'" - -\s5 -\v 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, -\v 6 and Isaiah said to them, "Say to your master: 'Yahweh says, "Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have insulted me. -\v 7 Look, I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear a certain report and go back to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."'" - -\s5 -\v 8 Then the chief commander returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had gone away from Lachish. -\v 9 Then Sennacherib heard that Tirhakah king of Cush and Egypt had mobilized to fight against him, so he sent messengers again to Hezekiah with a message: - -\s5 -\v 10 "Say to Hezekiah king of Judah, 'Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, "Jerusalem will not be given over into the hand of the king of Assyria." -\v 11 See, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them completely. So will you be rescued? - -\s5 -\v 12 Have the gods of the nations rescued them, the nations that my fathers destroyed: Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden in Tel Assar? -\v 13 Where are the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the cities of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Hezekiah received this letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the house of Yahweh and spread it before him. -\v 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh and said, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, you who sit above the cherubim, you are God alone over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. - -\s5 -\v 16 Turn your ear, Yahweh, and listen. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see, and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. -\v 17 Truly, Yahweh, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands. -\v 18 They have put their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, just wood and stone. So the Assyrians have destroyed them. - -\s5 -\v 19 Now then, Yahweh our God, save us, I implore you, from his power, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Yahweh, are God alone." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah, saying, "Yahweh, the God of Israel says, 'Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you. -\v 21 This is the word that Yahweh has spoken about him: -\q "The virgin daughter of Zion -\q2 despises you and laughs you to scorn. -\q The daughter of Jerusalem -\q2 shakes her head at you. -\q -\v 22 Whom have you defied and insulted? -\q2 Against whom have you exalted your voice -\q and lifted up your eyes in pride? -\q2 Against the Holy One of Israel! - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 By your messengers -\q2 you have defied the Lord, -\q and have said, -\q2 'With the multitude of my chariots -\q I have gone up to the heights of the mountains, -\q2 to the highest elevations of Lebanon. -\q I will cut down the tall cedars -\q2 and the choice cypress trees there. -\q I will enter into its farthest parts, -\q2 its most fruitful forest. -\q -\v 24 I have dug wells -\q2 and have drunk foreign waters. -\q I dried up all the rivers of Egypt -\q2 under the soles of my feet.' - -\s5 -\p -\q -\v 25 Have you not heard how I -\q2 determined it long ago, -\q and worked it out in ancient times? -\q2 Now I am bringing it to pass. -\q You are here to reduce impregnable cities -\q2 into heaps of ruins. -\q -\v 26 Their inhabitants, of little strength, -\q2 are shattered and ashamed. -\q They are plants in the field, -\q2 green grass, -\q the grass on the roof or in the field, -\q2 burned before it has grown up. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 But I know your sitting down, -\q2 your going out, your coming in, -\q2 and your raging against me. -\q -\v 28 Because of your raging against me, -\q2 and because your arrogance has reached my ears, -\q I will put my hook in your nose, -\q2 and my bit in your mouth; -\q I will turn you back -\q2 the way you came." - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 This will be the sign for you: -\q This year you will eat what grows wild, -\q2 and in the second year what grows from that. -\q But in the third year you must plant and harvest, -\q2 plant vineyards and eat their fruit. -\q -\v 30 The remnant of the house of Judah that survives -\q2 will again take root and bear fruit. -\q -\v 31 For from Jerusalem a remnant will come out, -\q2 from Mount Zion survivors will come. -The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this. - -\s5 -\v 32 Therefore Yahweh says this about the king of Assyria: -\q "He will not come into this city -\q2 nor shoot an arrow here. -\q Neither will he come before it with shield -\q2 or build up a siege ramp against it. -\q -\v 33 The way by which he came -\q2 will be the same way he will leave; -\q2 he will not enter this city— -\q3 this is Yahweh's declaration." -\q -\v 34 For I will defend this city and rescue it, -\q2 for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 It came about that night that the angel of Yahweh went out and attacked the camp of the Assyrians, putting to death 185,000 soldiers. When the men arose early in the morning, dead bodies lay everywhere. -\v 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria left Israel and went home and stayed in Nineveh. -\v 37 Later, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisrok his god, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword. Then they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son became king in his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of dying. So Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet came to him, and said to him, "Yahweh says, 'Set your house in order; for you will die, and not live.'" -\v 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, saying, -\v 3 "Please, Yahweh, call to mind how I have faithfully walked before you with my whole heart, and how I have done what was good in your sight." Then Hezekiah wept loudly. - -\s5 -\v 4 Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle courtyard, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, -\v 5 "Turn back, and say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor, says: "I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears. I am about to heal you on the third day, and you will go up to the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake."'" -\v 7 So Isaiah said, "Take a lump of figs." They did so and put it on his boil, and he recovered. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What will be the sign that Yahweh will heal me, and that I should go up to the temple of Yahweh on the third day?" -\v 9 Isaiah replied, "This will be the sign for you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do the thing that he has spoken. Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?" - -\s5 -\v 10 Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, let the shadow go backward ten steps." -\v 11 So Isaiah the prophet cried out to Yahweh, and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, from where it had moved on the stairway of Ahaz. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. -\v 13 Hezekiah listened to those letters, and then showed the messengers all the palace and his valuable things, the silver, the gold, the spices and precious oil, and the storehouse of his weapons, and all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his kingdom, that Hezekiah did not show them. - -\s5 -\v 14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say to you? Where did they come from?" Hezekiah said, "They came from the distant country of Babylon." -\v 15 Isaiah asked, "What have they seen in your house?" Hezekiah answered, "They have seen everything in my house. There is nothing among my valuable things that I have not shown them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Listen to the word of Yahweh: -\v 17 'Look, the days are about to come when everything in your palace, the things that your ancestors stored away until this present day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says Yahweh. -\v 18 The sons born from you, whom you yourself have fathered—they will take them away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.'" - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of Yahweh that you have spoken is good." For he thought, "Will there not be peace and stability in my days?" -\v 20 As for the other matters concerning Hezekiah, and all his power, and how he constructed the pool and the conduit, and how he brought water into the city—are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 21 Hezekiah slept with his ancestors, and Manasseh his son became king in his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah. -\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, like the disgusting things of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel. -\v 3 For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he built altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and he bowed down to all the stars of heaven and worshiped them. - -\s5 -\v 4 Manasseh built pagan altars in the house of Yahweh, although Yahweh had commanded, "It is in Jerusalem that my name will be forever." -\v 5 He built altars for all the stars of heaven in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh. -\v 6 He put his son into the fire; he performed soothsaying and sorcery and consulted with those who talked with the dead and with those who talked with spirits. He practiced much evil in the sight of Yahweh and he provoked God to anger. - -\s5 -\v 7 The carved figure of Asherah that he had made, he placed it in the house of Yahweh. It was about this house that Yahweh had spoken to David and Solomon his son; he had said: "It is in this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, that I will put my name forever. -\v 8 I will not cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land that I gave to their ancestors, if they will only be careful to obey all that I have commanded them, and to follow all the law that my servant Moses commanded them." -\v 9 But the people did not listen, and Manasseh led them to do evil even more than the nations that Yahweh had destroyed before the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 So Yahweh spoke by his servants the prophets, saying, -\v 11 "Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these disgusting things, and has acted wickedly more than all that the Amorites who were before him did, and has also made Judah sin with his idols, -\v 12 therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: Look, I am about to bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. - -\s5 -\v 13 I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria, and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem clean, as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. -\v 14 I will throw off the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hand of their enemies. They will become victims and plunder for all their enemies, -\v 15 because they have done what is evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their ancestors came out of Egypt, to this day." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Moreover, Manasseh shed much innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another with death. This was in addition to the sin by which he made Judah to sin, when they did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. -\v 17 As for the other matters concerning Manasseh, all that he did, and the sin that he committed, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 18 Manasseh slept with his ancestors and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza. Amon his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth; she was the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. -\v 20 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had done. - -\s5 -\v 21 Amon followed in all the way that his father had walked in and worshiped the idols that his father worshiped, and bowed down to them. -\v 22 He abandoned Yahweh, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of Yahweh. -\v 23 The servants of Amon conspired against him and put the king to death in his own house. - -\s5 -\v 24 But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made Josiah his son king in his place. -\v 25 As for the other matters concerning Amon that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 26 The people buried him in his tomb in the garden of Uzza, and Josiah his son became king in his place. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah (she was the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath). -\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. He walked in all the way of David his ancestor, and he did not turn away either to the right or to the left. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 It came about that in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of Yahweh, saying, -\v 4 "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and tell him to count the money that has been brought into the house of Yahweh, which the temple guards have gathered from the people. -\v 5 Let it be given into the hand of the workmen who are in charge of the house of Yahweh, and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of Yahweh, for them to make repairs to damage in the temple. - -\s5 -\v 6 Let them give money to the carpenters, the builders, and the masons, and also to buy timber and cut stone to repair the temple." -\v 7 But no accounting was required for the money that was given to them, because they handled it faithfully. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh." So Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. -\v 9 Shaphan went and took the book to the king, and also reported to him, saying, "Your servants have spent the money that was found in the temple and they have given it into the hand of the workmen who supervise the care for the house of Yahweh." -\v 10 Then Shaphan the scribe said to the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." Then Shaphan read it to the king. - -\s5 -\v 11 It came about that when the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes. -\v 12 The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah, his own servant, saying, -\v 13 "Go and consult with Yahweh for me, and for the people and for all Judah, because of the words of this book that has been found. -For great is the anger of Yahweh that has been kindled against us because our ancestors have not listened to the words of this book so as to obey all that was written concerning us." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter), and they spoke with her. -\v 15 She said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'Tell the man who sent you to me, -\v 16 "This is what Yahweh says: 'See, I will bring disaster to this place and to its inhabitants, according to everything written in the book that the king of Judah has read. - -\s5 -\v 17 Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, so that they might provoke me to anger with all the deeds they have committed—therefore my anger has been kindled against this place, and it will not be extinguished.'" -\v 18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to ask Yahweh's will, this is what you will say to him: "Yahweh, the God of Israel says this: 'About the words that you heard, -\v 19 because your heart was tender, and because you have humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I said against this place and its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have listened to you—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 20 See, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.'"'" So the men took this message back to the king. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 So the king sent messengers who gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. -\v 2 Then the king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, prophets, and all the people, from small to great. He then read in their hearing all the words of the book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 3 The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book. So all the people agreed to stand by the covenant. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests under him, and the gatekeepers to bring out of the temple of Yahweh all the vessels that were made for Baal and Asherah, and for all the stars of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields in the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel. -\v 5 He got rid of the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had chosen to burn incense at the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon, to the planets, and to all the stars of heaven. - -\s5 -\v 6 He brought out the Asherah pole from the temple of Yahweh, outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley and burned it there. He beat it to dust and threw that dust onto the graves of the common people. -\v 7 He cleared out the rooms of the cultic prostitutes who were in the temple of Yahweh, where the women wove garments for Asherah. - -\s5 -\v 8 Josiah brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba. He destroyed the high places at the gates that were at the entrance to the gate of Joshua (the city governor), on the left side of the city gate. -\v 9 Although the priests of those high places were not allowed to serve at the altar of Yahweh in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread among their brothers. - -\s5 -\v 10 Josiah defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no one might put his son or his daughter into the fire as a sacrifice to Molech. -\v 11 He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun. They had been in an area at the entrance to the temple of Yahweh, near the room of Nathan-Melek, the chamberlain. Josiah burned the chariots of the sun. - -\s5 -\v 12 Josiah the king destroyed the altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the temple of Yahweh. Josiah smashed them into pieces and threw them into the Kidron Valley. -\v 13 The king ruined the high places east of Jerusalem, south of the mount of corruption that Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth, the detestable idol of the Sidonians; for Chemosh, the detestable idol of Moab; and for Molech, the detestable idol of the people of Ammon. -\v 14 He broke the stone pillars into pieces and cut down the Asherah poles and he filled those places with the bones of human beings. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Josiah also completely destroyed the altar that was at Bethel and the high place that Jeroboam son of Nebat (the one who made Israel to sin) had constructed. He also burned that altar and the high place and beat it to dust. He also burned the Asherah pole. -\v 16 As Josiah looked over the area, he noticed the graves that were on the hillside. He sent men to take the bones from the graves; then he burned them on the altar, which defiled it. This was according to the word of Yahweh which the man of God had spoken, the man who spoke of these things beforehand. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then he said, "What monument is that I see?" The men of the city told him, "That is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and spoke about these things that you have just done against the altar of Bethel." -\v 18 So Josiah said, "Let it alone. No one should move his bones." So they let his bones alone, along with the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria. - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Josiah removed all the houses on the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made, and that provoked Yahweh to anger. He did to them exactly what had been done at Bethel. -\v 20 He slaughtered all the priests of the high places on the altars and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Then the king commanded all the people, saying, "Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant." -\v 22 Such a Passover celebration had never been held from the days of the judges who ruled Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel or Judah. -\v 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover of Yahweh was celebrated in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Josiah also banished those who talked with the dead or with spirits. He also banished the fetishes, the idols, and all the disgusting things that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so as to confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of Yahweh. -\v 25 Before Josiah, there had been no king like him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, all his soul, and all his might, who followed all the law of Moses. Nor did any king like Josiah arise after him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 However, Yahweh did not turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, which had been kindled against Judah for all the pagan worship with which Manasseh had provoked him. -\v 27 So Yahweh said, "I will also remove Judah out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will throw away this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, 'My name will be there.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 As for the other matters concerning Josiah, everything that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 29 In his days, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, went to fight against the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. King Josiah went to meet Necho in battle, and Necho killed him at Megiddo. -\v 30 Josiah's servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own grave. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father's place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal; she was the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. -\v 32 Jehoahaz did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, like everything that his ancestors had done. -\v 33 Pharaoh Necho put him in chains at Riblah in the land of Hamath, so that he might not reign in Jerusalem. Then Necho fined Judah one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold. - -\s5 -\v 34 Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away to Egypt, and Jehoahaz died there. -\v 35 Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh. In order to meet the demand of Pharaoh, Jehoikim taxed the land and he forced each man among the people of the land to pay him the silver and gold according to their assessments. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah; she was the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. -\v 37 Jehoiakim did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, just as his ancestors had done. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 In Jehoiakim's days, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah; Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. Then Jehoiakim turned back and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. -\v 2 Yahweh sent against Jehoiakim bands of Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, and Ammonites; he sent them against Judah to destroy it. This was in conformity with the word of Yahweh that had been spoken through his servants the prophets. - -\s5 -\v 3 It was certainly at the mouth of Yahweh that this came on Judah, to remove them out of his sight, because of the sins of Manasseh, all that he did, -\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa It was certainly because of the wrath of Yahweh. \fqa* \f* -\v 4 and also because of the innocent blood that he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. Yahweh was not willing to pardon that. - -\s5 -\v 5 As for the other matters concerning Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? -\v 6 Jehoiakim slept with his ancestors, and Jehoiachin his son became king in his place. - -\s5 -\v 7 The king of Egypt did not attack any more out of his land, because the king of Babylon had conquered all the lands that had been controlled by the king of Egypt, from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign; he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother's name was Nehushta; she was the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. -\v 9 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did all that his father had done. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 At that time the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Jerusalem and besieged the city. -\v 11 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his soldiers were besieging it, -\v 12 and Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers. The king of Babylon captured him in the eighth year of his own reign. - -\s5 -\v 13 Nebuchadnezzar took out from there all the valuable things in the house of Yahweh, and those in the king's palace. He cut into pieces all the golden objects that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of Yahweh, as Yahweh had said would happen. -\v 14 He took into exile all Jerusalem, all the leaders, and all the fighting men, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. No one was left except the poorest people in the land. - -\s5 -\v 15 Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin into exile at Babylon, as well as the king's mother, wives, officers, and the chief men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. -\v 16 All the fighting men, seven thousand in number, and one thousand craftsmen and blacksmiths, all of them fit for fighting—the king of Babylon brought these men into exile at Babylon. -\v 17 The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's father's brother, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal; she was the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah. -\v 19 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did all that Jehoiakim had done. -\v 20 Through Yahweh's anger, all these events happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until he drove them out of his presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\nb -\v 1 It happened that in the ninth year of the reign of King Zedekiah, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem. He camped opposite it, and they built a siege wall around it. -\v 2 So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign. -\v 3 On the ninth day of the fourth month of that year, the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then the city was broken into, and all the fighting men fled at night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king's garden, although the Chaldeans were all around the city. The king went in the direction of the Arabah. -\v 5 But the army of Chaldeans pursued King Zedekiah and overtook him in the plains of the Jordan River valley near Jericho. All his army was scattered away from him. - -\s5 -\v 6 They captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they passed sentence on him. -\v 7 As for Zedekiah's sons, they slaughtered them before his eyes. Then he put out his eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and brought him to Babylon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, a servant of the king of Babylon and commander of his bodyguards, came to Jerusalem. -\v 9 He burned the house of Yahweh, the king's palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; also every important building in the city he burned. -\v 10 As for all the walls around Jerusalem, all the army of the Babylonians who were under the commander of the bodyguard destroyed them. -\s5 -\v 11 As for the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the remainder of the population—Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguard, took them away into exile. -\v 12 But the commander of the bodyguard did leave some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 As for the bronze pillars that were in the house of Yahweh, and the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of Yahweh, the Chaldeans broke them into pieces and carried the bronze back to Babylon. -\v 14 The pots, shovels, lamp trimmers, spoons, and all the utensils of bronze with which the priests had served in the temple—the Chaldeans took them all away. -\v 15 The pots for removing ashes and the bowls that were made of gold, and those made of silver—the captain of the king's guard took them away as well. - -\s5 -\v 16 The two pillars, the sea, and the stands that Solomon had made for the house of Yahweh contained more bronze than could be weighed. -\v 17 The height of the first pillar was eighteen cubits, and a capital of bronze was on top of it. The capital was three cubits high, with latticework and pomegranates all around on the capital, all made of bronze. The other pillar and its latticework were the same as the first. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 The commander of the bodyguard took Seraiah the chief priest, together with Zephaniah, the second priest, and the three gatekeepers. -\v 19 From the city he took prisoner an officer who was in charge of soldiers, and five men of those who advised the king, who were still in the city. He also took prisoner the king's army officer responsible for drafting men into the army, along with sixty important men from the land who were in the city. - -\s5 -\v 20 Then Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguard, took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. -\v 21 The king of Babylon put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. In this way, Judah went out of its land into exile. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 As for the people who remained in the land of Judah, those whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he put Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, in charge of them. -\v 23 Now when all the commanders of the soldiers, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah. These men were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maakathite—they and their men. -\v 24 Gedaliah made an oath to them and to their men, and said to them, "Do not be afraid of the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you." - -\s5 -\v 25 But it happened that in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, from the royal family, came with ten men and attacked Gedaliah. Gedaliah died, along with the men of Judah and the Babylonians who were with him at Mizpah. -\v 26 Then all the people, from the least to the greatest, and the commanders of the soldiers, arose and went to Egypt, because they were afraid of the Babylonians. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 It happened later in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Awel-Marduk king of Babylon released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. This happened in the year that Awel-Marduk began to reign. - -\s5 -\v 28 He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat more honorable than that of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. -\v 29 Awel-Marduk removed Jehoiachin's prison clothes, and Jehoiachin ate regularly at the king's table for the rest of his life. -\v 30 A regular food allowance was given to him every day for the rest of his life. - + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great and honorable man in his master's view, because by him Yahweh had given victory to Aram. He was also a strong, courageous man, but he was a leper. +\v 2 The Arameans had gone out raiding in bands and had taken a little girl from the land of Israel. She served Naaman's wife. + +\s5 +\v 3 The girl said to her mistress, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal my master of his leprosy." +\v 4 So Naaman went in and told the king what the little girl from the land of Israel had said. + +\s5 +\v 5 So the king of Aram said, "Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel." Naaman left and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothes. +\v 6 He also took the letter to the king of Israel that said, "Now when this letter is brought to you, you will see that I have sent Naaman my servant to you, so that you may cure him of his leprosy." + +\s5 +\v 7 When the king of Israel had read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man wants me to cure a man of his leprosy? It seems he is seeking to start an argument with me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 So when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent word to the king saying, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." +\v 9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. +\v 10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and dip yourself into the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored; you will be clean." + +\s5 +\v 11 But Naaman was angry and went away and said, "Look, I thought he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of Yahweh his God, and wave his hand over the place and heal my leprosy. +\v 12 Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Can I not bathe in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. + +\s5 +\v 13 Then Naaman's servants came near and spoke to him, "My father, if the prophet had commanded you do some difficult thing, would you not have done it? How much rather then, when he says to you to simply, 'Dip yourself and be clean?'" +\v 14 Then he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, obeying the instructions of the man of God. His flesh was restored again like the flesh of a little child, and he was healed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Naaman returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came and stood before him. He said, "Look, now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel. So therefore, please take a gift from your servant." +\v 16 But Elisha replied, "As Yahweh lives, before whom I stand, I will receive nothing." Naaman urged Elisha to take a gift, but he refused. + +\s5 +\v 17 So Naaman said, "If not, then I ask you to let there be given to your servant two mule loads of earth, for from now on, your servant will offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice to any god but Yahweh. +\v 18 In this one thing may Yahweh pardon your servant, that is, when my king goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, may Yahweh pardon your servant in this matter." +\v 19 Elisha said to him, "Go in peace." So Naaman left. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 He had traveled only a short distance, when Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God said to himself, "Look, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean by not receiving from his hands gifts that he brought. As Yahweh lives, I will run after him and receive something from him." +\v 21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he jumped down from his chariot to meet him and said, "Is everything alright?" +\v 22 Gehazi said, "Everything is alright. My master has sent me, saying, 'See, now there have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes.'" + +\s5 +\v 23 Naaman replied, "I am very happy to give you two talents." Naaman urged Gehazi and tied two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothes, and laid them on two of his servants, who carried the bags of silver before Gehazi. +\v 24 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the bags of silver from their hands and hid them in the house; he sent the men away, and they left. +\v 25 When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha said to him, "Where have you come from, Gehazi?" He answered, "Your servant went nowhere." + +\s5 +\v 26 Elisha said to Gehazi, "Was not my spirit with you when the man turned his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to accept money and clothes, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants? +\v 27 So the leprosy of Naaman will be on you and your descendants forever." So Gehazi went out from his presence, a leper as white as snow. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 The sons of the prophets said to Elisha, "The place where we live with you is too small for us all. +\v 2 Please let us go to the Jordan, and let every man cut down a tree there, and let us build us a place there where we may live." Elisha answered, "You may go ahead." +\v 3 One of them said, "Please go with your servants." Elisha answered, "I will go." + +\s5 +\v 4 So he went with them, and when they came to the Jordan, they began to cut down trees. +\v 5 But as one was chopping, the ax head fell into the water; he cried out and said, "Oh no, my master, it was borrowed!" + +\s5 +\v 6 So the man of God said, "Where did it fall?" The man showed Elisha the place. He then cut off a stick, threw it in the water, and made the iron float. +\v 7 Elisha said, "Pick it up." So the man reached out his hand and grabbed it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Now the king of Aram was waging war against Israel. He consulted with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place." +\v 9 So the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Be careful not to pass that place, for the Arameans are going down there." + +\s5 +\v 10 The king of Israel sent a message to the place about which the man of God had spoken and warned him. More than once or twice, when the king went there, he was on his guard. +\v 11 The king of Aram was enraged about these warnings, and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not tell me who among us is for the king of Israel?" + +\s5 +\v 12 So one of his servants said, "No, my master, king, for Elisha the prophet in Israel tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your own bedroom!" +\v 13 The king replied, "Go and see where Elisha is so I may send men and capture him." It was told him, "See, he is in Dothan." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 So the king sent to Dothan horses, chariots, and a large army. They came by night and surrounded the city. +\v 15 When the servant of the man of God had risen early and gone outside, behold, a large army with horses and chariots surrounded the city. His servant said to him, "Oh, my master! What will we do?" +\v 16 Elisha answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." + +\s5 +\v 17 Elisha prayed and said, "Yahweh, I beg that you will open his eyes that he may see." Then Yahweh opened the servant's eyes, and he saw. Behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha! +\v 18 When the Arameans came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh and said, "Strike these people blind, I ask you." So Yahweh made them blind, just as Elisha had asked. +\v 19 Then Elisha told the Arameans, "This is not the way, neither is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you are looking for." Then he led them to Samaria. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 It came about that when they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, "Yahweh, open the eyes of these men that they may see." Yahweh opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the middle of the city of Samaria. +\v 21 The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, "My father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?" + +\s5 +\v 22 Elisha answered, "You must not kill them. Would you kill those whom you had taken captive with your sword and bow? Put bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master." +\v 23 So the king prepared much food for them, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went back to their master. Those bands of Aramean soldiers did not return for a long time into the land of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Later after this Ben Hadad king of Aram gathered all his army and attacked Samaria and besieged it. +\v 25 So there was a great famine in Samaria. Behold, they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. +\v 26 As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, "Help, my master, king." + +\s5 +\v 27 He said, "If Yahweh does not help you, how can I help you? Is there anything coming from the threshing floor or winepress?" +\v 28 The king continued, "What is troubling you?" She answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son so that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.'" +\v 29 So we boiled my son and ate him, and I said to her on the next day, "Give your son that we may eat him, but she has hidden her son." + +\s5 +\v 30 So when the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes (now he was passing by on the wall), and the people looked and saw that he had sackcloth underneath, against his skin. +\v 31 Then he said, "May God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on him today." + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a man from before him, but when the messenger came to Elisha, he said to the elders, "See how this son of +a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?" +\v 33 While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. The king had said, "Behold, this trouble comes from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\nb +\v 1 Elisha said, "Hear the word of Yahweh. This is what Yahweh says: 'Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.'" +\v 2 Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, "See, even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, can this thing happen?" Elisha replied, "See, you will watch it happen with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Now there were four men with leprosy right outside the city gate. They said one to another, "Why should we sit here until we die? +\v 4 If we say that we should go into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. But if we still sit here, we will still die. Now then, come, let us go to the army of the Arameans. If they keep us alive, we will live, and if they kill us, we will only die." + + +\s5 +\v 5 So they rose up at twilight to go into the Aramean camp; when they arrived at the outermost part of the camp, there was no one there. +\v 6 For the Lord had made the Aramean army hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses—the noise of another large army, and they said to each other, "The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to come against us." + +\s5 +\v 7 So the soldiers arose and fled in the twilight; they left their tents, their horses, their donkeys, and the camp as it was, and fled for their lives. +\v 8 When the men with leprosy came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried away silver and gold and clothes, and went and hid them. They came back and entered into another tent and carried plunder away from there also, and went and hid it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then they said each other, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping quiet about it. If we wait until daybreak, punishment will overtake us. Now then, come, let us go and tell the king's household." +\v 10 So they went and called the gatekeepers of the city. They told them, saying, "We went to the camp of the Arameans, but there was no one there, not the sound of anyone, but there were the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were." +\v 11 Then the gatekeepers shouted out the news, and then it was told inside the king's household. + +\s5 +\v 12 Then the king arose at night and said to his servants, "I will tell you now what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are hungry, so they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the fields. They are saying, 'When they come out of the city, we will take them alive, and get into the city.'" +\v 13 One of the king's servants answered and said, "I beg you, let some men take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city. They are like all the rest of the population of Israel who are left—most are now dead; let us send them and see." + +\s5 +\v 14 So they took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the army of the Arameans, saying, "Go and see." +\v 15 They went after them to the Jordan, and all the road was full of clothes and equipment that the Arameans had cast away in their hurry. So the messengers returned and told the king. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 The people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, just as the word of Yahweh had said. +\v 17 The king had ordered the captain on whose hand he had leaned to be in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him down in the gateway. He died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king had come down to him. + +\s5 +\v 18 So it happened as the man of God had said to the king, saying, "About this time in the gate of Samaria, two measures of barley will be available for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel." +\v 19 That captain had answered the man of God and said, "See, even if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, can this thing happen?" Elisha had said, "See, you will watch it happen with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it." +\v 20 That is what exactly what happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gate, and he died. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 Now Elisha had spoken to the woman whose son he had restored to life. He said to her, "Arise, and go with your household, and stay wherever you can in another land, because Yahweh has called for a famine which will come on this land for seven years." +\v 2 So the woman arose and she obeyed the word of the man of God. She went with her household and lived in the land of the Philistines seven years. + +\s5 +\v 3 It came about at the end of seven years that the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to the king to beg him for her house and for her land. +\v 4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, "Please tell me all the great things that Elisha has done." + +\s5 +\v 5 Then as he was telling the king how Elisha had restored to life the child who was dead, the very woman whose son he had restored to life came to beg the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, "My master, king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life." +\v 6 When the king asked the woman about her son, she explained it to him. So the king ordered a certain officer for her, saying, "Give back to her all that was hers and all the harvests of her fields since the day that she left the land until now." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Elisha came to Damascus where Ben Hadad the king of Aram was sick. The king was told, "The man of God has come here." +\v 8 The king said to Hazael, "Take a gift in your hand and go meet the man of God, and consult with Yahweh through him, saying, 'Will I recover from this sickness?'" +\v 9 So Hazael went to meet him and took a gift with him of every kind of good thing of Damascus, carried by forty camels. So Hazael came and stood before Elisha and said, "Your son Ben Hadad king of Aram has sent me to you, saying, 'Will I recover from this sickness?'" + +\s5 +\v 10 Elisha said to him, "Go, say to Ben Hadad, 'You will surely recover,' but Yahweh has shown me that he will surely die." +\v 11 Then Elisha stared at Hazael until he was ashamed, and the man of God wept. +\v 12 Hazael asked, "Why do you weep, my master?" He answered, "Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel. You will set their strongholds on fire, and you will kill their young men with the sword, dash in pieces their little ones, and rip open their pregnant women." + +\s5 +\v 13 Hazael replied, "Who is your servant, that he should do this great thing? He is only a dog." Elisha answered, "Yahweh has shown me that you will be king over Aram." +\v 14 Then Hazael left Elisha and came to his master, who said to him, "What did Elisha say to you?" He answered, "He told me that you would certainly recover." +\v 15 Then the next day Hazael took the blanket and dipped it in water, and spread it on Ben Hadad's face so that he died. Then Hazael became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, Jehoram began to reign. He was the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah. He began to reign when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah. +\v 17 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 18 Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab was doing; for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did what was evil in Yahweh's sight. +\v 19 However, because of his servant David, Yahweh did not want to destroy Judah, since he had told him that he would always give him descendants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 In Jehoram's days, Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and they set a king over themselves. +\v 21 Then Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded Jehoram, his chariot commanders rose up and attacked them during the night; but Jehoram's army ran away and went back to their homes. + +\s5 +\v 22 So Edom has been in rebellion against the rule of Judah to this present day. Libnah also revolted at the same time. +\v 23 As for the other matters concerning Jehoram, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 24 Jehoram died and rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. Then Ahaziah his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 In the twelfth year of Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, began to reign. +\v 26 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah; she was the daughter of Omri, king of Israel. +\v 27 Ahaziah walked in the ways of the house of Ahab; he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab was doing, for Ahaziah was a son-in-law to the house of Ahab. + +\s5 +\v 28 Ahaziah went with Joram son of Ahab, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram. +\v 29 King Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Arameans had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Aram. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, "Dress for travel, then take this little bottle of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth Gilead. +\v 2 When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi, and go in and make him arise up from among his companions, and conduct him to an inner chamber. +\v 3 Then take the bottle of oil and pour it on his head and say, 'Yahweh says this: "I have anointed you king over Israel."' Then open the door, and run off; do not delay." + +\s5 +\v 4 So the young man, the young prophet, went to Ramoth Gilead. +\v 5 When he arrived, behold, the captains of the army were sitting. So the young prophet said, "I have come on an errand to you, captain." Jehu replied, "To which of us?" The young prophet answered, "To you, captain." +\v 6 So Jehu arose and went into the house, and the prophet poured the oil on his head and said to Jehu, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: 'I have anointed you king over the people of Yahweh, over Israel. + +\s5 +\v 7 You must kill the family of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Yahweh, who were murdered by the hand of Jezebel. +\v 8 For the whole family of Ahab will perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male child, whether he is a slave or a free person. + +\s5 +\v 9 I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. +\v 10 The dogs will eat Jezebel in Jezreel, and there will be no one to bury her.'" Then the prophet opened the door and ran off. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, "Is everything alright? Why did this mad fellow come to you?" Jehu answered them, "You know the man and the kinds of things he says." +\v 12 They said, "That is a lie. Tell us." Jehu answered, "He said this and that to me, and he also said, 'This is what Yahweh says: I have anointed you as king over Israel.'" +\v 13 Then each of them quickly took off his outer garment and put it under Jehu at the top of the steps. They blew the trumpet and said, "Jehu is king." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 In this way Jehu son of Jehoshaphat son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. Now Joram had been defending Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Aram, +\v 15 but King Joram had gone back to Jezreel to be healed of the wounds that the Arameans had given him, when he had fought against Hazael king of Aram. +\p Jehu said to the servants of Joram, "If this is your opinion, then let no one escape and go out of the city, in order to go tell this news in Jezreel." +\v 16 So Jehu rode in a chariot to Jezreel; for Joram was resting there. Now Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to see Joram. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 The watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came at a distance; he said, "I see a group of men coming." Joram said, "Take a horseman, and send him out to meet them; tell him to say, 'Are you coming in peace?'" +\v 18 So a man was sent on horseback to meet him; he said, "The king says this: 'Are coming in peace?'" So Jehu said, "What have you to do with peace? Turn and ride behind me." Then the watchman told the king, "The messenger has met them, but he is not coming back." + +\s5 +\v 19 Then he sent out a second man on horseback, who came to them and said, "The king says this: 'Are you coming in peace?'" Jehu answered, "What have you to do with peace? Turn and ride behind me." +\v 20 Again the watchman reported, "He has met them, but he is not coming back. For the way that the chariot is being driven is the way that Jehu son of Nimshi drives; he is driving wildly." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 So Joram said, "Get my chariot ready." They prepared his chariot, and Joram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah rode out, each in his chariot, to meet Jehu. They found him at the property of Naboth the Jezreelite. +\v 22 When Joram saw Jehu, he said, "Are you coming in peace, Jehu?" He answered, "What peace is there, when the idolatrous acts of prostitution and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel are so many?" + +\s5 +\v 23 So Joram turned his chariot and fled and said to Ahaziah, "There is treachery, Ahaziah." +\v 24 Then Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between his shoulders; the arrow went through his heart, and he sank down in his chariot. + +\s5 +\v 25 Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, "Pick him up and throw him in the field of Naboth the Jezreelite. Think about how when you and I rode together after Ahab his father, Yahweh placed this prophecy against him: +\v 26 'Yesterday I saw the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons—declares Yahweh—and I will surely make you pay for it on this field—declares Yahweh. Now then, pick him up and throw him on this field, according to the word of Yahweh." + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 When Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled up the road to Beth Haggan. But Jehu followed him, and said, "Kill him also in the chariot," and they shot him at the ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. Ahaziah fled to Megiddo and died there. +\v 28 His servants carried his body in a chariot to Jerusalem and buried him in his tomb with his fathers in the city of David. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Now it was in the eleventh year of Joram son of Ahab that Ahaziah had begun to reign over Judah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes, arranged her hair, and looked out the window. +\v 31 As Jehu was entering the gate, she said to him, "Are you coming in peace, you Zimri, your master's murderer?" +\v 32 Jehu looked up at the window and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" Then two or three eunuchs looked out. + +\s5 +\v 33 So Jehu said, "Throw her down." So they threw Jezebel down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and the horses, and Jehu trampled her underfoot. +\v 34 When Jehu entered the palace, he ate and drank. Then he said, "See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king's daughter." + +\s5 +\v 35 They went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands. +\v 36 So they came back and told Jehu. He said, "This is the word of Yahweh which he spoke by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 'In the land at Jezreel the dogs will eat the flesh of Jezebel, +\v 37 and the body of Jezebel will be like dung on the surface of the fields in the land at Jezreel, so that no one will be able to say, "This is Jezebel."'" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Now Ahab had seventy descendants in Samaria. Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, including the elders and the guardians of Ahab's descendants, saying, +\v 2 "Your master's descendants are with you, and you also have chariots and horses and a fortified city and armor. So then, as soon as this letter comes to you, +\v 3 select the best and most deserving of your master's descendants and set him on his father's throne, and fight for your master's royal line." + +\s5 +\v 4 But they were terrified and said among themselves, "See, the two kings could not stand before Jehu. So how can we stand?" +\v 5 Then the man who was in charge of the palace, and the man who was over the city, and the elders also, and they who raised the children, sent word back to Jehu, saying, "We are your servants. We will do everything that you command us. We will not make any man king. Do what is good in your eyes." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then Jehu wrote a letter the second time to them, saying, "If you are on my side, and if you will listen to my voice, you must take the heads of the men of your master's descendants, and come to me to Jezreel by tomorrow this time." Now the king's descendants, seventy in number, were with the important men of the city, who were bringing them up. +\v 7 So when the letter came to them, they took the king's sons and killed them, seventy persons, put their heads in baskets, and sent them to Jehu in Jezreel. + +\s5 +\v 8 A messenger came to Jehu, saying, "They have brought the heads of the king's sons." So he said, "Put them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until the morning." +\v 9 In the morning Jehu went out and stood, and said to all the people, "You are innocent. See, I plotted against my master and killed him, but who killed all these? + +\s5 +\v 10 Now you should certainly realize that no part of Yahweh's word, the word that he spoke concerning the family of Ahab, will fall to the ground, for Yahweh has done what he spoke about through his servant Elijah." +\v 11 So Jehu killed all who remained in the family of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his important men, his close friends, and his priests, until none of them remained. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then Jehu arose and left; he went to Samaria. As he was arriving at Beth Eked of the shepherd, +\v 13 he met brothers of Ahaziah king of Judah. Jehu said to them, "Who are you?" They answered, "We are brothers of Ahaziah, and we are going down to greet the children of the king and the children of Queen Jezebel." +\v 14 Jehu said to his own men, "Take them alive." So they took them alive and killed them at the well of Beth Eked, all forty-two men. He did not leave any of them alive. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 When Jehu had left there, he met Jehonadab son of Recab coming to meet him. Jehu greeted him and said to him, "Is your heart with me, as my heart is with yours?" Jehonadab answered, "It is." Jehu said, "If it is, give me your hand." So he gave Jehu his hand, and Jehu took Jehonadab up with him into the chariot. +\v 16 Jehu said, "Come with me and see my zeal for Yahweh." So he had Jonadab ride along with him in his chariot. +\v 17 When he came to Samaria, Jehu killed all who remained from Ahab's descendants in Samaria, until he had destroyed Ahab's royal line, just as was told them before by the word of Yahweh, which he had spoken to Elijah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then Jehu gathered all the people together and said to them, "Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. +\v 19 Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers, and all his priests. Let no one be left out, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Whoever does not come will not live." But Jehu did this deceitfully, with the intent to kill the worshipers of Baal. +\v 20 Jehu said, "Set a time to have an assembly for Baal." So they announced it. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then Jehu sent throughout all Israel and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. They came into the temple of Baal, and it was filled from one end to another. +\v 22 Jehu said to the man who kept the priest's wardrobe, "Bring out robes for all the worshipers of Baal." So the man brought out robes to them. + +\s5 +\v 23 So Jehu went with Jehonadab son of Recab into the house of Baal, and he said to the worshipers of Baal, "Search and make sure that there is no one here with you from the servants of Yahweh, but the worshipers of Baal alone." +\v 24 Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had chosen eighty men who were standing outside, and he told them, "If any of the men whom I bring into your hands escapes, whoever lets that man escape, his life will be taken for the life of the one who escaped." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 So then as soon as Jehu finished offering the burnt offering, he said to the guard and to the captains, "Go in and kill them. Let no one come out." So they killed them with the edge of the sword, and the guard and the captains threw them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal. +\v 26 They dragged out the stone pillars that were in the house of Baal, and they burned them. +\v 27 Then they broke down the pillar of Baal, and destroyed the house of Baal and made it a latrine, which it is to this day. +\v 28 That is how Jehu destroyed Baal worship from Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 But Jehu did not leave the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he made Israel sin—that is, the worship of the golden calves in Bethel and Dan. +\v 30 So Yahweh said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in executing what was right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." +\v 31 But Jehu took no care to walk in the law of Yahweh, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, by which he made Israel sin. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 In those days Yahweh began to cut off regions from Israel, and Hazael defeated the Israelites at the borders of Israel, +\v 33 from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the Valley of the Arnon, through Gilead to Bashan. + +\s5 +\v 34 As for the other matters concerning Jehu, and all that he did, and all his power, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 35 Jehu slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in Samaria. Then Jehoahaz his son became king in his place. +\v 36 The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Now when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she arose and killed all the royal children. +\v 2 But Jehosheba, a daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah, and hid him away from among the king's sons who were killed, along with his nurse; she put them into a bedroom. They hid him from Athaliah so that he was not killed. +\v 3 He remained with her six years, hidden in the house of Yahweh, while Athaliah reigned over the land. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 In the seventh year, Jehoiada sent messages and brought the commanders of hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to himself, into the temple of Yahweh. He made a covenant with them, and he made them swear an oath in the house of Yahweh. Then he showed them the king's son. +\v 5 He commanded them, saying, "This is what you must do. A third of you who come on the Sabbath will keep watch over the king's house, +\v 6 and a third will be at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guardhouse." + +\s5 +\v 7 The two other groups who are not serving on the Sabbath, you must keep the watch over the house of Yahweh for the king. +\v 8 You must surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever enters within your ranks, let him be killed. You must stay with the king when he goes out, and when he comes in. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 So the commanders of hundreds obeyed everything Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one took his men, those who were to come in to serve on the Sabbath, and those who were to stop serving on that Sabbath; and they came to Jehoiada the priest. +\v 10 Then Jehoiada the priest gave the commanders of hundreds the spears and shields that belonged to King David and that were in the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 11 So the guards stood, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side, near the altar and the temple, surrounding the king. +\v 12 Then Jehoiada brought out the king's son Joash, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant decrees. Then they made him king and anointed him. They clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people in the house of Yahweh. +\v 14 She looked, and, behold, the king was standing by the pillar, as the custom was, and the captains and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and shouted, "Treason! Treason!" + + +\s5 +\v 15 Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds who were over the army, saying, "Bring her out between the ranks. Anyone who follows her, kill him with the sword." For the priest had said, "Do not let her be killed in the house of Yahweh." +\v 16 So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was killed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between Yahweh and the king and people, that they should be Yahweh's people, and also between the king and the people. +\v 18 So all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and tore it down. They smashed Baal's altars and his idol figures to pieces, and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of those altars. Then Jehoida the priest appointed guards over the temple of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 19 Jehoida took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guard, and all the people of the land, and together they brought down the king from the house of Yahweh and they went into the king's house, entering by way of the gate of the guards. Joash took his place on the royal throne. +\v 20 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been killed with the sword at the king's house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign. + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 In the seventh year of Jehu, the reign of Joash began; he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. +\v 2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the time, because Jehoiada the priest was instructing him. +\v 3 But the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Joash said to the priests, "All the money that is brought in as sacred offerings into the house of Yahweh, that money for which each person is assessed—whether it is the money collected in the census, or the money received from personal vows, or the money brought in by people motivated by Yahweh in their hearts to give— +\v 5 the priests should receive the money from one of their treasurers and repair whatever damage is found in the temple." + +\s5 +\v 6 But by the twenty-third year of King Joash, the priests had not repaired anything in the temple. +\v 7 Then King Joash called for Jehoiada the priest and for the other priests; he said to them, "Why have you not repaired anything in the temple? Now take no more money from your taxpayers, but take what has been collected for repairs of the temple and give it to those who can make the repairs." +\v 8 So the priests consented to take no more money from the people and not repair the temple themselves. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Instead, Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of Yahweh. The priests who were guarding the temple entrance put into it all the money that was brought to the house of Yahweh. +\v 10 Whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, the king's scribe and the high priest would come and put the money in bags and then count it, the money found in the temple of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 11 They gave the money that was weighed out into the hands of men who took care of the temple of Yahweh. They paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the temple of Yahweh, +\v 12 and to the masons and the stonecutters, for buying timber and cutting stone to repair the temple of Yahweh, and for all that was needed to be paid to repair it. + +\s5 +\v 13 But the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh did not pay to make for it any silver cups, lamp trimmers, basins, trumpets, or any gold or silver furnishing. +\v 14 They gave this money to those who did the work of repairing the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 15 In addition, they did not require the money paid for repairs to be accounted for by the men who received it and paid it to the workmen, because these men were honest. +\v 16 But the money for the guilt offerings and the money for the sin offerings was not brought into the temple of Yahweh, because it belonged to the priests. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Hazael king of Aram attacked and fought against Gath, and took it. Hazael then turned to attack Jerusalem. +\v 18 Joash king of Judah took all the things that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had set apart, and what he had set apart, and all the gold that was found in the storerooms of the houses of Yahweh and of the king and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram. Then Hazael went away from Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 As for the other matters concerning Joash, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 20 His servants arose and plotted together; they attacked Joash in Beth Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla. +\v 21 Jozabad \f + \ft Some ancient copies have \fqa Jozacar. \f* son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad son of Shomer, his servants, attacked him, and he died. They buried Joash with his ancestors in the city of David, and Amaziah, his son, became king in his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 In the twenty-third year of Joash son of Ahaziah king of Judah, Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned seventeen years. +\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh and followed the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin; and Jehoahaz did not turn away from them. + +\s5 +\v 3 The anger of Yahweh burned against Israel, and he gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram and into the hand of Ben Hadad son of Hazael. +\v 4 So Jehoahaz implored Yahweh, and Yahweh listened to him because he saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram was oppressing them. +\v 5 So Yahweh gave Israel a rescuer, and they escaped from the hand of the Arameans, and the people of Israel began to live in their homes as they had before. + +\s5 +\v 6 Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who caused Israel to sin, and they continued in them; and the Asherah pole remained in Samaria. +\v 7 The Arameans left Jehoahaz with only fifty horsemen, ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the chaff at threshing time. + +\s5 +\v 8 As for the other matters concerning Jehoahaz, and all that he did and his power, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 9 So Jehoahaz slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in Samaria. Johoash his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, the reign of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began over Israel in Samaria; he reigned sixteen years. +\v 11 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not leave behind any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, +by which he had made Israel to sin, but he walked in them. + +\s5 +\v 12 As for the other matters concerning Jehoash, and all that he did, and his might by which he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 13 Jehoash slept with his ancestors, and Jeroboam sat on his throne. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Now Elisha became sick with an illness by which he later died, so Jehoash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him. He said, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen are taking you away!" +\v 15 Elisha said to him, "Pick up a bow and some arrows," so Joash picked up a bow and some arrows. +\v 16 Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow," so he put his hand on it. Then Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands. + +\s5 +\v 17 Elisha said, "Open the window eastward," so he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot!", and he shot. Elisha said, "This is Yahweh's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram, for you will attack the Arameans in Aphek until you have consumed them." +\v 18 Then Elisha said, "Take the arrows," so Joash took them. He said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground with them," and he struck the ground three times, then stopped. +\v 19 But the man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have hit the ground five or six times. Then you would have attacked Aram until you annihilated it, but now you will attack Aram only three times." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then Elisha died, and they buried him. Now groups of Moabites invaded the land at the beginning of the year. +\v 21 As they were burying a certain man, they saw a group of Moabites, so they threw the body into Elisha's grave. As soon as the man touched Elisha's bones, he revived and stood up on his feet. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Hazael king of Aram oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. +\v 23 But Yahweh was gracious to Israel, and had compassion on them and concern for them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So Yahweh did not destroy them, and he still has not driven them away from his presence. + +\s5 +\v 24 Hazael king of Aram died, and Ben Hadad his son became king in his place. +\v 25 Jehoash son of Jehoahaz took back from Ben Hadad son of Hazael the cities that had been taken from Jehoahaz his father by war. Jehoash attacked him three times, and he recovered those cities of Israel. + + + + +\c 14 +\s5 +\p +\v 1 In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign. +\v 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem. +\v 3 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, yet not like David his father. He did everything that Joash, his father, had done. + +\s5 +\v 4 But the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. +\v 5 It came about that as soon as his rule was well established, he killed the servants who had murdered his father, the king. + +\s5 +\v 6 Yet he did not put the sons of the murderers to death; instead, he acted according to what was written in the law, in The Book of Moses, as Yahweh had commanded, saying, "The fathers must not be put to death for their children, neither must the children be put to death for their parents. Instead, every person must be put to death for his own sin." +\v 7 He killed ten thousand soldiers of Edom in the Valley of Salt; he also took Sela in war and called it Joktheel, which is what it is called to this day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us meet each other face to face in battle." +\v 9 But Jehoash the king of Israel sent messengers back to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle that was in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,' but a wild beast in Lebanon walked by and trampled down the thistle. +\v 10 You have indeed attacked Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Take pride in your victory, but stay at home, for why should you cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel attacked and he and Amaziah king of Judah met each other face to face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. +\v 12 Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled home. + +\s5 +\v 13 Jehoash king of Israel, captured Amaziah, king of Judah son of Jehoash son of Ahaziah, at Beth Shemesh. He came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, four hundred cubits in distance. +\v 14 He took all the gold and silver, all the objects that were found in the house of Yahweh, and the valuable things in the king's palace, with hostages also, and returned to Samaria. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 As for the other matters concerning Jehoash, all that he did, his power, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 16 Then Jehoash slept with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and Jeroboam, his son, became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. +\v 18 As for the other matters concerning Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 19 They made a conspiracy against Amaziah in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. He fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there. + +\s5 +\v 20 They brought him back on horses, and he was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. +\v 21 All the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. +\v 22 It was Azariah who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah, after King Amaziah slept with his ancestors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel began to reign in Samaria; he reigned forty-one years. +\v 24 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not depart from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. +\v 25 He restored the border of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah, following the commands of the word of Yahweh, the God of Israel, which he had spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath Hepher. + +\s5 +\v 26 For Yahweh saw the suffering of Israel, that it was very bitter for everyone, both slave and free, and that there was no rescuer for Israel. +\v 27 So Yahweh said that he would not blot out the name of Israel under heaven; instead, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 As for the other matters concerning Jeroboam, all that he did, his power, how he waged war and recovered Damascus and Hamath, which had belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 29 Jeroboam slept with his ancestors, with the kings of Israel, and Zechariah his son became king in his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. +\v 2 Azariah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jekoliah, and she was from Jerusalem. +\v 3 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as his father Amaziah had done. + +\s5 +\v 4 However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. +\v 5 Yahweh afflicted the king so that he was a leper to the day of his death and lived in a separate house. Jotham, the king's son, was over the household and ruled the people of the land. + +\s5 +\v 6 As for the other matters concerning Azariah, all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 7 So Azariah slept with his ancestors; they buried him with his ancestors in the city of David. Jotham, his son, became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria for six months. +\v 9 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as his fathers had done. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. + +\s5 +\v 10 Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah, attacked him in Ibleam, and killed him. Then he became king in his place. +\v 11 As for the other matters concerning Zechariah, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. +\v 12 This was the word of Yahweh that he spoke to Jehu, saying, "Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation." That is what happened. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Shallum son of Jabesh began to reign in the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, and he reigned only one month in Samaria. +\v 14 Menahem son of Gadi went up from Tirzah to Samaria. There he attacked Shallum son of Jabesh, in Samaria. He killed him and became king in his place. + +\s5 +\v 15 As for the other matters concerning Shallum and the conspiracy that he formed, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. +\v 16 Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah and all who were there, and the borders around Tirzah, because they did not open up the city to him. So he attacked it, and he ripped open all the pregnant women in that village. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Tiphsah \fqa* , one ancient version and some modern versions read, +\fqa Tappuah. \f* + +\s5 +\v 17 In the thirty-ninth year of Azariah king of Judah, Menahem son of Gadi began to reign over Israel; he reigned ten years in Samaria. +\v 18 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. For his whole life, he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, so that Pul's support might be with him to strengthen the kingdom of Israel in his hand. +\v 20 Menahem exacted this money from Israel by requiring each of the wealthy men to pay fifty shekels of silver to him to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back and did not stay there in the land. + +\s5 +\v 21 As for the other matters concerning Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel? +\v 22 So Menahem slept with his ancestors, and Pekahiah his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 In the fiftieth year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekahiah son of Menahem began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned two years. +\v 24 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not leave behind the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, by which he had caused Israel to sin. + +\s5 +\v 25 Pekahiah had an officer named Pekah son of Remaliah, who conspired against him. Along with fifty men of Gilead, Pekah killed Pekahiah as well as Argob and Arieh in Samaria, in the citadel of the king's palace. Pekah killed Pekahiah and became king in his place. +\v 26 As for the other matters concerning Pekahiah, all that he did, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 In the fifty-second year of Azariah king of Judah, Pekah son of Remaliah began to reign over Israel in Samaria; he reigned twenty years. +\v 28 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, Galilee, and all the land of Naphtali. He carried away the people to Assyria. +\v 30 So Hoshea son of Elah formed a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah. He attacked him and killed him. Then he became king in his place, in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah. +\v 31 As for the other matters concerning Pekah, all that he did, they are written in the book of the events of the kings of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham son of Azariah, king of Judah began to reign. +\v 33 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah; she was the daughter of Zadok. + +\s5 +\v 34 Jotham did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. He followed the example of all his father Azariah had done. +\v 35 However, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. Jotham built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh. +\v 36 As for the other matters concerning Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? + +\s5 +\v 37 In those days Yahweh began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah. +\v 38 Jotham slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David, his ancestor. Then Ahaz, his son, became king in his place. + + + + +\c 16 +\s5 +\p +\v 1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah son of Remaliah, Ahaz son of Jotham king of Judah, began to reign. +\v 2 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of Yahweh his God, as David his ancestor had done. + +\s5 +\v 3 Instead, he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed, he made his son pass through the fire, following the detestable practices of the nations, which Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel. +\v 4 He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places, on the hilltops, and under every green tree. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Then Rezin, king of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem to attack. They besieged Ahaz, but they could not conquer him. +\v 6 At that time, Rezin king of Aram recovered Elath for Aram and drove the men of Judah out of Elath. Then the Arameans came to Elath where they have lived to this day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, saying, "I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hand of the king of Aram and from the hand of the king of Israel, who have attacked me." +\v 8 So Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of Yahweh and among the treasures of the king's palace and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. +\v 9 Then the king of Assyria listened to him, and the king of Assyria went up against Damascus, conquered it and carried off its people as prisoners to Kir. He also killed Rezin the king of Aram. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. At Damascus he saw an altar. He sent to Uriah the priest a model of the altar and its pattern and the design for all the workmanship needed. +\v 11 So Uriah the priest built an altar to be just like the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus. He finished it before King Ahaz arrived back from Damascus. +\v 12 When the king came from Damascus he saw the altar; the king approached the altar and made offerings on it. + +\s5 +\v 13 He made his burnt offering and his grain offering, poured out his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his fellowship offerings on the altar. +\v 14 The bronze altar that was before Yahweh—he brought it from the front of the temple, from between his altar and the temple of Yahweh and put it on the north side of his altar. + +\s5 +\v 15 Then King Ahaz commanded Uriah the priest, saying, "On the large altar burn the morning burnt offering and the evening grain offering, and the king's burnt offering and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their grain offering and their drink offerings. Sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice. But the bronze altar will be for me to consult for guidance." +\v 16 Uriah the priest did just what King Ahaz commanded. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then King Ahaz removed the panels and the basins from the portable stands; he also took down the sea from off the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone pavement. +\v 18 He removed the covered walkway for the Sabbath that they had built at the temple, along with the king's entry outside the temple of Yahweh, because of the king of Assyria. + +\s5 +\v 19 As for the other matters concerning Ahaz and what he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 20 Ahaz slept with his ancestors and was buried with his ancestors in the city of David. Hezekiah his son became king in his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, the reign of Hoshea son of Elah began. He ruled in Samaria over Israel for nine years. +\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him. +\v 3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his servant and brought him tribute. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then the king of Assyria realized that Hoshea had been plotting against him, for Hoshea had sent messengers to So king of Egypt; also, he offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. So the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison. +\v 5 Then the king of Assyria attacked throughout all the land, and attacked Samaria and besieged it for three years. +\v 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria took Samaria and carried Israel away to Assyria. He put them in Halah, at the Habor River of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 This captivity happened because the people of Israel had sinned against Yahweh their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. The people had been worshiping other gods +\v 8 and walking in the practices of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel, and in the practices of the kings of Israel that they had done. + +\s5 +\v 9 The people of Israel did secretly—against Yahweh their God—things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their cities, from the watchtower to the fortress. +\v 10 They also set up stone pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. + +\s5 +\v 11 There they burned incense in all the high places, as the nations had done, those whom Yahweh had carried away before them. The Israelites performed wicked things to provoke Yahweh to anger; +\v 12 they worshiped idols, about which Yahweh had said to them, "You will not do this thing." + +\s5 +\v 13 Yet Yahweh had testified to Israel and to Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, and be careful to keep all the law I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets." + +\s5 +\v 14 But they would not listen; instead they were very stubborn like their fathers who did not trust in Yahweh their God. +\v 15 They rejected his statutes and the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and the covenant decrees that he had given to them. They followed useless practices and they themselves became useless. They followed the pagan nations who were around them, those that Yahweh had commanded them not to imitate. + +\s5 +\v 16 They ignored all the commandments of Yahweh their God. They made cast metal figures of two calves to worship. They made an Asherah pole, and they worshiped all the stars of the heavens and Baal. +\v 17 They put their sons and daughters in the fire, used divination and enchantments, sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and provoked him to anger. +\v 18 Therefore Yahweh was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. There was no one left but the tribe of Judah alone. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Even Judah did not keep the commandments of Yahweh their God, but instead followed in the same pagan practices that Israel was following. +\v 20 So Yahweh rejected all the descendants of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hand of those who would take the possession as spoil, until he had cast them out of his sight. + +\s5 +\v 21 He tore Israel from the royal line of David, and they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following Yahweh and made them commit a great sin. +\v 22 The people of Israel followed all the sins of Jeroboam and they did not depart from them, +\v 23 so Yahweh removed Israel from his sight, as he had said through all his servants the prophets that he would. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria, and it is this way to this present day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon and from Kuthah, and from Avva, and from Hamath and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria in place of the people of Israel. They took over Samaria and lived in its cities. +\v 25 It happened at the beginning of their residence there that they did not honor Yahweh. So Yahweh sent lions among them which killed some of them. +\v 26 So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, "The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the practices required by the god of the land. So he has sent lions among them, and, see, the lions are killing people there because they do not know the practices required by the god of the land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Then the king of Assyria commanded, saying, "Take one of the priests there whom you brought from there, and let him go and live there, and let him teach them the practices required by the god of the land." +\v 28 So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel; he taught them how they should honor Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 29 Every ethnic group made gods of their own, and put them in the high places that the Samaritans had made—every ethnic group in the cities where they lived. +\v 30 The people of Babylon made Succoth Benoth; the people of Kuthah made Nergal; the people of Hamath made Ashima; +\v 31 the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak. The Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelek and Anammelek, the gods of the Sepharvites. + +\s5 +\v 32 They also honored Yahweh, and appointed from among themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the temples at the high places. +\v 33 They honored Yahweh and also worshiped their own gods, in the customs of the nations from among whom they had been taken away. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 To this day they persist in their old customs. They neither honor Yahweh, nor do they follow the statutes, decrees, the law, or the commandments that Yahweh gave to the people of Jacob—whom he named Israel— +\v 35 and with whom Yahweh had made a covenant and commanded them, "You will not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor worship them, nor sacrifice to them. + +\s5 +\v 36 But Yahweh, who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and a raised arm, is the one you must honor; it is to him that you will prostrate yourselves, and it is to him that you will sacrifice. +\v 37 The statutes and the decrees, the law and the commandments that he wrote for you, you will keep them forever. So you must not fear other gods, +\v 38 and the covenant that I have made with you, you will not forget; neither will you honor other gods. + +\s5 +\v 39 But Yahweh your God is who you will honor. He will rescue you from the might of your enemies." +\v 40 They would not listen, because they continued to do what they had done in the past. +\v 41 So these nations feared Yahweh and they also worshiped their carved figures, and their children did the same—as did their children's children. They continue to do what their ancestors did, up to this day. + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 Now in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz, king of Judah began to reign. +\v 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah; she was the daughter of Zechariah. +\v 3 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, following the example of all that David, his ancestor, had done. + +\s5 +\v 4 He removed the high places, destroyed the stone pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke to pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because in those days the people of Israel were burning incense to it; it was called "Nehushtan." +\v 5 Hezekiah trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel, so that after him there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among the kings who were before him. + +\s5 +\v 6 For he held on to Yahweh. He did not stop following him but kept his commandments, which Yahweh commanded Moses. +\v 7 So Yahweh was with Hezekiah, and wherever he went he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. +\v 8 He attacked the Philistines to Gaza and the borders around, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it. +\v 10 At the end of three years they took it, in the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel; in this way Samaria was captured. + +\s5 +\v 11 So the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria and put them in Halah, and at the Habor River in Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. +\v 12 He did this because they did not obey the voice of Yahweh their God, but they violated the terms of his covenant, all that Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded. They refused to listen to it or do it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. +\v 14 So Hezekiah king of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria, who was at Lachish, saying, "I have offended you. Withdraw from me. Whatever you put on me I will bear." The king of Assyria required Hezekiah king of Judah to pay three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. +\v 15 So Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of Yahweh and in the treasuries of the king's +palace. + +\s5 +\v 16 Then Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of Yahweh and from the pillars that he had overlaid; he gave the gold to the king of Assyria. +\v 17 But the king of Assyria mobilized his great army, sending Tartan and Rabsaris and the chief commander from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They traveled up the roads and arrived outside Jerusalem. They approached the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway of the launderers' field, and stood by it. +\v 18 When they had called to King Hezekiah, Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, went out to meet them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 So the chief commander said to them to tell Hezekiah what the great king, the king of Assyria, said: "What is the source of your confidence? +\v 20 You speak only useless words, saying there are allies and strength for war. In whom are you trusting, that you should rebel against me? +\v 21 Look, you trust in the walking stick of this bruised reed of Egypt, but if a man leans on it, it will stick into his hand and pierce it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to anyone who trusts in him. + +\s5 +\v 22 But if you say to me, 'We are trusting in Yahweh our God,' is not he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, 'You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem'? +\v 23 Now therefore, I want to make you a good offer from my master the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able to find riders for them. + +\s5 +\v 24 How could you resist even one captain of the least of my master's servants? You have put your trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen! +\v 25 Have I traveled up here without Yahweh to fight against this place and destroy it? Yahweh said to me, 'Attack this land and destroy it.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah said to the chief commander, "Please speak to your servants in the Aramaic language, for we understand it. Do not speak with us in the language of Judah in the ears of the people who are on the wall." +\v 27 But the chief commander said to them, "Has my master sent me to your master and to you to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, who will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you?" + +\s5 +\v 28 Then the chief commander stood and shouted in a loud voice in the Jews' language, saying, "Listen to the word of the great king, the king of Assyria. +\v 29 The king says, 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to rescue you from my power. +\v 30 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, "Yahweh will surely rescue us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria."' +\s5 +\v 31 Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: 'Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and from his own fig tree, and drink from the water in his own cistern. +\v 32 You will do this until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, so that you may live and not die.' Do not listen to Hezekiah when he tries to persuade you, saying, 'Yahweh will rescue us.' + +\s5 +\v 33 Has any of the gods of the peoples rescued them out of the hand of the king of Assyria? +\v 34 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they rescued Samaria out of my hand? +\v 35 Among all the gods of the lands, is there any god who has rescued his land from my power? How could Yahweh save Jerusalem from my might?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 But the people remained silent and did not respond, for the king had commanded, "Do not answer him." +\v 37 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the household; Shebna the scribe; and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and reported to him the words of the chief commander. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 It came about that when King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Yahweh. +\v 2 He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, all covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet. + +\s5 +\v 3 They said to him, "Hezekiah says, 'This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, for the children have come to the time of birth, but there is no strength for them to be born. +\v 4 It may be that Yahweh your God will hear all the words of the chief commander, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Now lift up your prayer for the remnant that is still here.'" + +\s5 +\v 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, +\v 6 and Isaiah said to them, "Say to your master: 'Yahweh says, "Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have insulted me. +\v 7 Look, I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear a certain report and go back to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."'" + +\s5 +\v 8 Then the chief commander returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had gone away from Lachish. +\v 9 Then Sennacherib heard that Tirhakah king of Cush and Egypt had mobilized to fight against him, so he sent messengers again to Hezekiah with a message: + +\s5 +\v 10 "Say to Hezekiah king of Judah, 'Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, "Jerusalem will not be given over into the hand of the king of Assyria." +\v 11 See, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them completely. So will you be rescued? + +\s5 +\v 12 Have the gods of the nations rescued them, the nations that my fathers destroyed: Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden in Tel Assar? +\v 13 Where are the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the cities of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Hezekiah received this letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the house of Yahweh and spread it before him. +\v 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh and said, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, you who sit above the cherubim, you are God alone over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. + +\s5 +\v 16 Turn your ear, Yahweh, and listen. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see, and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. +\v 17 Truly, Yahweh, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands. +\v 18 They have put their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, just wood and stone. So the Assyrians have destroyed them. + +\s5 +\v 19 Now then, Yahweh our God, save us, I implore you, from his power, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Yahweh, are God alone." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah, saying, "Yahweh, the God of Israel says, 'Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you. +\v 21 This is the word that Yahweh has spoken about him: +\q "The virgin daughter of Zion +\q2 despises you and laughs you to scorn. +\q The daughter of Jerusalem +\q2 shakes her head at you. +\q +\v 22 Whom have you defied and insulted? +\q2 Against whom have you exalted your voice +\q and lifted up your eyes in pride? +\q2 Against the Holy One of Israel! + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 By your messengers +\q2 you have defied the Lord, +\q and have said, +\q2 'With the multitude of my chariots +\q I have gone up to the heights of the mountains, +\q2 to the highest elevations of Lebanon. +\q I will cut down the tall cedars +\q2 and the choice cypress trees there. +\q I will enter into its farthest parts, +\q2 its most fruitful forest. +\q +\v 24 I have dug wells +\q2 and have drunk foreign waters. +\q I dried up all the rivers of Egypt +\q2 under the soles of my feet.' + +\s5 +\p +\q +\v 25 Have you not heard how I +\q2 determined it long ago, +\q and worked it out in ancient times? +\q2 Now I am bringing it to pass. +\q You are here to reduce impregnable cities +\q2 into heaps of ruins. +\q +\v 26 Their inhabitants, of little strength, +\q2 are shattered and ashamed. +\q They are plants in the field, +\q2 green grass, +\q the grass on the roof or in the field, +\q2 burned before it has grown up. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 But I know your sitting down, +\q2 your going out, your coming in, +\q2 and your raging against me. +\q +\v 28 Because of your raging against me, +\q2 and because your arrogance has reached my ears, +\q I will put my hook in your nose, +\q2 and my bit in your mouth; +\q I will turn you back +\q2 the way you came." + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 This will be the sign for you: +\q This year you will eat what grows wild, +\q2 and in the second year what grows from that. +\q But in the third year you must plant and harvest, +\q2 plant vineyards and eat their fruit. +\q +\v 30 The remnant of the house of Judah that survives +\q2 will again take root and bear fruit. +\q +\v 31 For from Jerusalem a remnant will come out, +\q2 from Mount Zion survivors will come. +The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this. + +\s5 +\v 32 Therefore Yahweh says this about the king of Assyria: +\q "He will not come into this city +\q2 nor shoot an arrow here. +\q Neither will he come before it with shield +\q2 or build up a siege ramp against it. +\q +\v 33 The way by which he came +\q2 will be the same way he will leave; +\q2 he will not enter this city— +\q3 this is Yahweh's declaration." +\q +\v 34 For I will defend this city and rescue it, +\q2 for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 It came about that night that the angel of Yahweh went out and attacked the camp of the Assyrians, putting to death 185,000 soldiers. When the men arose early in the morning, dead bodies lay everywhere. +\v 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria left Israel and went home and stayed in Nineveh. +\v 37 Later, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisrok his god, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword. Then they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son became king in his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of dying. So Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet came to him, and said to him, "Yahweh says, 'Set your house in order; for you will die, and not live.'" +\v 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh, saying, +\v 3 "Please, Yahweh, call to mind how I have faithfully walked before you with my whole heart, and how I have done what was good in your sight." Then Hezekiah wept loudly. + +\s5 +\v 4 Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle courtyard, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, +\v 5 "Turn back, and say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor, says: "I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears. I am about to heal you on the third day, and you will go up to the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake."'" +\v 7 So Isaiah said, "Take a lump of figs." They did so and put it on his boil, and he recovered. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What will be the sign that Yahweh will heal me, and that I should go up to the temple of Yahweh on the third day?" +\v 9 Isaiah replied, "This will be the sign for you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do the thing that he has spoken. Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?" + +\s5 +\v 10 Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to go forward ten steps. No, let the shadow go backward ten steps." +\v 11 So Isaiah the prophet cried out to Yahweh, and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, from where it had moved on the stairway of Ahaz. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. +\v 13 Hezekiah listened to those letters, and then showed the messengers all the palace and his valuable things, the silver, the gold, the spices and precious oil, and the storehouse of his weapons, and all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his kingdom, that Hezekiah did not show them. + +\s5 +\v 14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say to you? Where did they come from?" Hezekiah said, "They came from the distant country of Babylon." +\v 15 Isaiah asked, "What have they seen in your house?" Hezekiah answered, "They have seen everything in my house. There is nothing among my valuable things that I have not shown them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Listen to the word of Yahweh: +\v 17 'Look, the days are about to come when everything in your palace, the things that your ancestors stored away until this present day, will be carried to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says Yahweh. +\v 18 The sons born from you, whom you yourself have fathered—they will take them away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.'" + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of Yahweh that you have spoken is good." For he thought, "Will there not be peace and stability in my days?" +\v 20 As for the other matters concerning Hezekiah, and all his power, and how he constructed the pool and the conduit, and how he brought water into the city—are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 21 Hezekiah slept with his ancestors, and Manasseh his son became king in his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah. +\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, like the disgusting things of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out before the people of Israel. +\v 3 For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he built altars for Baal, made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and he bowed down to all the stars of heaven and worshiped them. + +\s5 +\v 4 Manasseh built pagan altars in the house of Yahweh, although Yahweh had commanded, "It is in Jerusalem that my name will be forever." +\v 5 He built altars for all the stars of heaven in the two courtyards of the house of Yahweh. +\v 6 He put his son into the fire; he performed soothsaying and sorcery and consulted with those who talked with the dead and with those who talked with spirits. He practiced much evil in the sight of Yahweh and he provoked God to anger. + +\s5 +\v 7 The carved figure of Asherah that he had made, he placed it in the house of Yahweh. It was about this house that Yahweh had spoken to David and Solomon his son; he had said: "It is in this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel, that I will put my name forever. +\v 8 I will not cause the feet of Israel to wander any more out of the land that I gave to their ancestors, if they will only be careful to obey all that I have commanded them, and to follow all the law that my servant Moses commanded them." +\v 9 But the people did not listen, and Manasseh led them to do evil even more than the nations that Yahweh had destroyed before the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 So Yahweh spoke by his servants the prophets, saying, +\v 11 "Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these disgusting things, and has acted wickedly more than all that the Amorites who were before him did, and has also made Judah sin with his idols, +\v 12 therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: Look, I am about to bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. + +\s5 +\v 13 I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria, and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem clean, as a man wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. +\v 14 I will throw off the remnant of my inheritance and give them into the hand of their enemies. They will become victims and plunder for all their enemies, +\v 15 because they have done what is evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their ancestors came out of Egypt, to this day." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Moreover, Manasseh shed much innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another with death. This was in addition to the sin by which he made Judah to sin, when they did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. +\v 17 As for the other matters concerning Manasseh, all that he did, and the sin that he committed, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 18 Manasseh slept with his ancestors and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza. Amon his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth; she was the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. +\v 20 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had done. + +\s5 +\v 21 Amon followed in all the way that his father had walked in and worshiped the idols that his father worshiped, and bowed down to them. +\v 22 He abandoned Yahweh, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of Yahweh. +\v 23 The servants of Amon conspired against him and put the king to death in his own house. + +\s5 +\v 24 But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made Josiah his son king in his place. +\v 25 As for the other matters concerning Amon that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 26 The people buried him in his tomb in the garden of Uzza, and Josiah his son became king in his place. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah (she was the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath). +\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. He walked in all the way of David his ancestor, and he did not turn away either to the right or to the left. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 It came about that in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of Yahweh, saying, +\v 4 "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and tell him to count the money that has been brought into the house of Yahweh, which the temple guards have gathered from the people. +\v 5 Let it be given into the hand of the workmen who are in charge of the house of Yahweh, and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of Yahweh, for them to make repairs to damage in the temple. + +\s5 +\v 6 Let them give money to the carpenters, the builders, and the masons, and also to buy timber and cut stone to repair the temple." +\v 7 But no accounting was required for the money that was given to them, because they handled it faithfully. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh." So Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. +\v 9 Shaphan went and took the book to the king, and also reported to him, saying, "Your servants have spent the money that was found in the temple and they have given it into the hand of the workmen who supervise the care for the house of Yahweh." +\v 10 Then Shaphan the scribe said to the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." Then Shaphan read it to the king. + +\s5 +\v 11 It came about that when the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes. +\v 12 The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah, his own servant, saying, +\v 13 "Go and consult with Yahweh for me, and for the people and for all Judah, because of the words of this book that has been found. +For great is the anger of Yahweh that has been kindled against us because our ancestors have not listened to the words of this book so as to obey all that was written concerning us." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter), and they spoke with her. +\v 15 She said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'Tell the man who sent you to me, +\v 16 "This is what Yahweh says: 'See, I will bring disaster to this place and to its inhabitants, according to everything written in the book that the king of Judah has read. + +\s5 +\v 17 Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, so that they might provoke me to anger with all the deeds they have committed—therefore my anger has been kindled against this place, and it will not be extinguished.'" +\v 18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to ask Yahweh's will, this is what you will say to him: "Yahweh, the God of Israel says this: 'About the words that you heard, +\v 19 because your heart was tender, and because you have humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I said against this place and its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have listened to you—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 20 See, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.'"'" So the men took this message back to the king. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 So the king sent messengers who gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. +\v 2 Then the king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, prophets, and all the people, from small to great. He then read in their hearing all the words of the book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 3 The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book. So all the people agreed to stand by the covenant. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests under him, and the gatekeepers to bring out of the temple of Yahweh all the vessels that were made for Baal and Asherah, and for all the stars of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields in the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel. +\v 5 He got rid of the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had chosen to burn incense at the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon, to the planets, and to all the stars of heaven. + +\s5 +\v 6 He brought out the Asherah pole from the temple of Yahweh, outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley and burned it there. He beat it to dust and threw that dust onto the graves of the common people. +\v 7 He cleared out the rooms of the cultic prostitutes who were in the temple of Yahweh, where the women wove garments for Asherah. + +\s5 +\v 8 Josiah brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba. He destroyed the high places at the gates that were at the entrance to the gate of Joshua (the city governor), on the left side of the city gate. +\v 9 Although the priests of those high places were not allowed to serve at the altar of Yahweh in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread among their brothers. + +\s5 +\v 10 Josiah defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no one might put his son or his daughter into the fire as a sacrifice to Molech. +\v 11 He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun. They had been in an area at the entrance to the temple of Yahweh, near the room of Nathan-Melek, the chamberlain. Josiah burned the chariots of the sun. + +\s5 +\v 12 Josiah the king destroyed the altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the temple of Yahweh. Josiah smashed them into pieces and threw them into the Kidron Valley. +\v 13 The king ruined the high places east of Jerusalem, south of the mount of corruption that Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth, the detestable idol of the Sidonians; for Chemosh, the detestable idol of Moab; and for Molech, the detestable idol of the people of Ammon. +\v 14 He broke the stone pillars into pieces and cut down the Asherah poles and he filled those places with the bones of human beings. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Josiah also completely destroyed the altar that was at Bethel and the high place that Jeroboam son of Nebat (the one who made Israel to sin) had constructed. He also burned that altar and the high place and beat it to dust. He also burned the Asherah pole. +\v 16 As Josiah looked over the area, he noticed the graves that were on the hillside. He sent men to take the bones from the graves; then he burned them on the altar, which defiled it. This was according to the word of Yahweh which the man of God had spoken, the man who spoke of these things beforehand. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then he said, "What monument is that I see?" The men of the city told him, "That is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and spoke about these things that you have just done against the altar of Bethel." +\v 18 So Josiah said, "Let it alone. No one should move his bones." So they let his bones alone, along with the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria. + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Josiah removed all the houses on the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made, and that provoked Yahweh to anger. He did to them exactly what had been done at Bethel. +\v 20 He slaughtered all the priests of the high places on the altars and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Then the king commanded all the people, saying, "Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant." +\v 22 Such a Passover celebration had never been held from the days of the judges who ruled Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel or Judah. +\v 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover of Yahweh was celebrated in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Josiah also banished those who talked with the dead or with spirits. He also banished the fetishes, the idols, and all the disgusting things that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so as to confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of Yahweh. +\v 25 Before Josiah, there had been no king like him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, all his soul, and all his might, who followed all the law of Moses. Nor did any king like Josiah arise after him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 However, Yahweh did not turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, which had been kindled against Judah for all the pagan worship with which Manasseh had provoked him. +\v 27 So Yahweh said, "I will also remove Judah out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will throw away this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, 'My name will be there.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 As for the other matters concerning Josiah, everything that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 29 In his days, Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt, went to fight against the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. King Josiah went to meet Necho in battle, and Necho killed him at Megiddo. +\v 30 Josiah's servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own grave. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father's place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal; she was the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. +\v 32 Jehoahaz did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, like everything that his ancestors had done. +\v 33 Pharaoh Necho put him in chains at Riblah in the land of Hamath, so that he might not reign in Jerusalem. Then Necho fined Judah one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold. + +\s5 +\v 34 Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away to Egypt, and Jehoahaz died there. +\v 35 Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh. In order to meet the demand of Pharaoh, Jehoikim taxed the land and he forced each man among the people of the land to pay him the silver and gold according to their assessments. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah; she was the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. +\v 37 Jehoiakim did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, just as his ancestors had done. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 In Jehoiakim's days, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Judah; Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. Then Jehoiakim turned back and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. +\v 2 Yahweh sent against Jehoiakim bands of Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites, and Ammonites; he sent them against Judah to destroy it. This was in conformity with the word of Yahweh that had been spoken through his servants the prophets. + +\s5 +\v 3 It was certainly at the mouth of Yahweh that this came on Judah, to remove them out of his sight, because of the sins of Manasseh, all that he did, +\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa It was certainly because of the wrath of Yahweh. \fqa* \f* +\v 4 and also because of the innocent blood that he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. Yahweh was not willing to pardon that. + +\s5 +\v 5 As for the other matters concerning Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the events of the kings of Judah? +\v 6 Jehoiakim slept with his ancestors, and Jehoiachin his son became king in his place. + +\s5 +\v 7 The king of Egypt did not attack any more out of his land, because the king of Babylon had conquered all the lands that had been controlled by the king of Egypt, from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign; he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother's name was Nehushta; she was the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. +\v 9 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did all that his father had done. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 At that time the army of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked Jerusalem and besieged the city. +\v 11 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his soldiers were besieging it, +\v 12 and Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers. The king of Babylon captured him in the eighth year of his own reign. + +\s5 +\v 13 Nebuchadnezzar took out from there all the valuable things in the house of Yahweh, and those in the king's palace. He cut into pieces all the golden objects that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of Yahweh, as Yahweh had said would happen. +\v 14 He took into exile all Jerusalem, all the leaders, and all the fighting men, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. No one was left except the poorest people in the land. + +\s5 +\v 15 Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin into exile at Babylon, as well as the king's mother, wives, officers, and the chief men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. +\v 16 All the fighting men, seven thousand in number, and one thousand craftsmen and blacksmiths, all of them fit for fighting—the king of Babylon brought these men into exile at Babylon. +\v 17 The king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's father's brother, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal; she was the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah. +\v 19 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did all that Jehoiakim had done. +\v 20 Through Yahweh's anger, all these events happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until he drove them out of his presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\nb +\v 1 It happened that in the ninth year of the reign of King Zedekiah, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem. He camped opposite it, and they built a siege wall around it. +\v 2 So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign. +\v 3 On the ninth day of the fourth month of that year, the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then the city was broken into, and all the fighting men fled at night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king's garden, although the Chaldeans were all around the city. The king went in the direction of the Arabah. +\v 5 But the army of Chaldeans pursued King Zedekiah and overtook him in the plains of the Jordan River valley near Jericho. All his army was scattered away from him. + +\s5 +\v 6 They captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they passed sentence on him. +\v 7 As for Zedekiah's sons, they slaughtered them before his eyes. Then he put out his eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and brought him to Babylon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan, a servant of the king of Babylon and commander of his bodyguards, came to Jerusalem. +\v 9 He burned the house of Yahweh, the king's palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; also every important building in the city he burned. +\v 10 As for all the walls around Jerusalem, all the army of the Babylonians who were under the commander of the bodyguard destroyed them. +\s5 +\v 11 As for the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the remainder of the population—Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguard, took them away into exile. +\v 12 But the commander of the bodyguard did leave some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 As for the bronze pillars that were in the house of Yahweh, and the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of Yahweh, the Chaldeans broke them into pieces and carried the bronze back to Babylon. +\v 14 The pots, shovels, lamp trimmers, spoons, and all the utensils of bronze with which the priests had served in the temple—the Chaldeans took them all away. +\v 15 The pots for removing ashes and the bowls that were made of gold, and those made of silver—the captain of the king's guard took them away as well. + +\s5 +\v 16 The two pillars, the sea, and the stands that Solomon had made for the house of Yahweh contained more bronze than could be weighed. +\v 17 The height of the first pillar was eighteen cubits, and a capital of bronze was on top of it. The capital was three cubits high, with latticework and pomegranates all around on the capital, all made of bronze. The other pillar and its latticework were the same as the first. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 The commander of the bodyguard took Seraiah the chief priest, together with Zephaniah, the second priest, and the three gatekeepers. +\v 19 From the city he took prisoner an officer who was in charge of soldiers, and five men of those who advised the king, who were still in the city. He also took prisoner the king's army officer responsible for drafting men into the army, along with sixty important men from the land who were in the city. + +\s5 +\v 20 Then Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguard, took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. +\v 21 The king of Babylon put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. In this way, Judah went out of its land into exile. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 As for the people who remained in the land of Judah, those whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he put Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, in charge of them. +\v 23 Now when all the commanders of the soldiers, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah. These men were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maakathite—they and their men. +\v 24 Gedaliah made an oath to them and to their men, and said to them, "Do not be afraid of the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you." + +\s5 +\v 25 But it happened that in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, from the royal family, came with ten men and attacked Gedaliah. Gedaliah died, along with the men of Judah and the Babylonians who were with him at Mizpah. +\v 26 Then all the people, from the least to the greatest, and the commanders of the soldiers, arose and went to Egypt, because they were afraid of the Babylonians. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 It happened later in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Awel-Marduk king of Babylon released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. This happened in the year that Awel-Marduk began to reign. + +\s5 +\v 28 He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat more honorable than that of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. +\v 29 Awel-Marduk removed Jehoiachin's prison clothes, and Jehoiachin ate regularly at the king's table for the rest of his life. +\v 30 A regular food allowance was given to him every day for the rest of his life. + diff --git a/13-1CH.usfm b/13-1CH.usfm index 374f12ed..4a0cd2f5 100644 --- a/13-1CH.usfm +++ b/13-1CH.usfm @@ -4,273 +4,273 @@ \toc1 The First Book of the Chronicles \toc2 First Chronicles \toc3 1Ch -\mt First Chronicles -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh, -\v 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, -\v 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech. -\v 4 The sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. -\f + \ft Some versions omit \fqa The sons of ... \fqa* , but others include this expression. \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek, and Tiras. -\v 6 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. -\f + \ft Some versions have \fqa Diphath \fqa* instead of \fqa Riphath \fqa* . However, \fqa Diphath \fqa* was probably a mispelling. Many ancient copies correct it to \fqa Riphath \fqa* in order to make it agree with the same name in Gen. 10:2. \f* -\v 7 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The sons of Ham were Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. -\v 9 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. -\v 10 Cush became the father of Nimrod, who was the first conqueror on the earth. - -\s5 -\v 11 Egypt became the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, -\v 12 Pathrusites, Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites. - -\s5 -\v 13 Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and of the Hittites. -\v 14 He also became the ancestor of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, -\v 15 Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, -\v 16 Arvadites, Zemarites, and the Hamathites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 The sons of Shem were Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshek. -\v 18 Arphaxad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber. -\v 19 Eber had two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother's name was Joktan. - -\s5 -\v 20 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, -\v 21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, -\v 22 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, -\v 23 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were descendants of Joktan. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah, -\v 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu, -\v 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah, -\v 27 Abram, who was Abraham. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael. -\v 29 These are their sons: the firstborn of Ishmael was Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, -\v 30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, -\v 31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were Ishmael's sons. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. -The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. -\v 33 Midian's sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were Keturah's descendants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel. -\p -\v 35 The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. -\v 36 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek. -\v 37 The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 The sons of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. -\v 39 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam, and Timna was Lotan's sister. -\v 40 The sons of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. - -\s5 -\v 41 The son of Anah was Dishon. The sons of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. -\v 42 The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: Bela son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. -\v 44 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. -\v 45 When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. - -\s5 -\v 46 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the land of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith. -\v 47 When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. -\v 48 When Samlah died, Shaul of Rehoboth on the river reigned in his place. - -\s5 -\v 49 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor reigned in his place. -\v 50 When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred daughter of Me-Zahab. - -\s5 -\v 51 Hadad died. -\p The chiefs in Edom were Chief Timna, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth, -\v 52 Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, -\v 53 Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, -\v 54 Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 These were Israel's sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, -\v 2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Judah's sons were Er, Onan, and Shelah, who were born to him by Shua's daughter, a Canaanite woman. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh, and Yahweh killed him. -\v 4 Tamar, his daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Perez's sons were Hezron and Hamul. -\v 6 Zerah's sons were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda, five in all. -\v 7 Karmi's son was Achar, who brought trouble on Israel when he stole what was reserved for God. -\f + \ft Some versions have \fqa Achan \fqa* instead of \fqa Achar \fqa* . \f* -\v 8 Ethan's son was Azariah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Hezron's sons were Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb. -\v 10 Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, a leader among Judah's descendants. -\v 11 Nahshon became the father of Salmon, and Salmon became the father of Boaz. -\v 12 Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse. - -\s5 -\v 13 Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, -\v 14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, -\v 15 Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh. - -\s5 -\v 16 Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three of them. -\v 17 Abigail bore Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Caleb son of Hezron became the father of children by Azubah, his wife, and by Jerioth. His sons were Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. -\v 19 Azubah died, and then Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur. -\v 20 Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Later Hezron (when he was sixty years old) married the daughter of Makir, the father of Gilead. She bore him Segub. -\v 22 Segub became the father of Jair, who controlled twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead. - -\s5 -\v 23 Geshur and Aram took Havvoth Jair and Kenath, as well as sixty surrounding towns. All these inhabitants were descendants of Makir, the father of Gilead. -\v 24 After the death of Hezron, Caleb slept with Ephrathah, the wife of his father Hezron. She bore him Ashhur, the father of Tekoa. -\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa After Hezron's death in Caleb Ephrathah, his wife Abijah bore him a son, Ashhur, the father of Tekoa. \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, were Ram the firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. -\v 26 Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah. She was the mother of Onam. -\v 27 The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel, were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker. -\v 28 The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur. - -\s5 -\v 29 The name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid. -\v 30 The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim, but Seled died without children. -\v 31 The son of Appaim was Ishi. The son of Ishi was Sheshan. The son of Sheshan was Ahlai. -\v 32 The sons of Jada, the brother of Shammai, were Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children. -\v 33 The sons of Jonathan were Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel. - -\s5 -\v 34 Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha. -\v 35 Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as his wife. She bore him Attai. - -\s5 -\v 36 Attai became the father of Nathan, and Nathan became the father of Zabad. -\v 37 Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed. -\v 38 Obed became the father of Jehu, and Jehu became the father of Azariah. - -\s5 -\v 39 Azariah became the father of Helez, and Helez became the father of Eleasah. -\v 40 Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum. -\v 41 Shallum became the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah became the father of Elishama. - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 The sons of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel, were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph. His second son, Mareshah, was the father of Hebron. -\v 43 The sons of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema. -\v 44 Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam. Rekem became the father of Shammai. - -\s5 -\v 45 The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth Zur. -\v 46 Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran became the father of Gazez. -\v 47 The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph. - -\s5 -\v 48 Maakah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. -\v 49 She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Makbenah and the father of Gibea. The daughter of Caleb was Aksah. These were the descendants of Caleb. - -\s5 -\p -\v 50 These were the sons of Hur, his firstborn by Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim, -\v 51 Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader. - -\s5 -\v 52 Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim had descendants: Haroeh, half of the Manahathites, -\v 53 and the clans of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. The Zorathites and Eshtaolites descended from these. - -\s5 -\v 54 The clans of Salma were the following: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites—the Zorites, -\v 55 the clans of the scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These were the Kenites who descended from Hammath, the ancestor of the Rekabites. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now these are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam from Jezreel; the second was Daniel, by Abigail from Carmel; -\v 2 the third was Absalom, whose mother was Maakah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. The fourth was Adonijah son of Haggith; -\v 3 the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; the sixth was Ithream by Eglah his wife. -\m -\s5 -\v 4 These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. He then ruled thirty-three years in Jerusalem. -\v 5 These four sons, by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel, were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. -\f + \ft Some versions have \fqa Bathseba \fqa* or \fqa Bathshua \fqa* instead of \fqa Bathsheba \fqa* . \f* -\s5 -\v 6 David's other nine sons were: Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, -\v 7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, -\v 8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. -\v 9 These were David's sons, not including the sons by his concubines. Tamar was their sister. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Solomon's son was Rehoboam. Rehoboam's son was Abijah. Abijah's son was Asa. Asa's son was Jehoshaphat. -\v 11 Jehoshaphat's son was Jehoram. Jehoram's son was Ahaziah. Ahaziah's son was Joash. -\v 12 Joash's son was Amaziah. Amaziah's son was Azariah. Azariah's son was Jotham. - -\s5 -\v 13 Jotham's son was Ahaz. Ahaz's son was Hezekiah. Hezekiah's son was Manasseh. -\v 14 Manasseh's son was Amon. Amon's son was Josiah. - -\s5 -\v 15 Josiah's sons were his firstborn Johanan, his second son Jehoiakim, his third son Zedekiah, and his fourth son Shallum. -\v 16 Jehoiakim's sons were Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. - -\s5 -\v 17 The sons of Jehoiachin, the captive, were Shealtiel, -\v 18 Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. - -\s5 -\v 19 Pedaiah's sons were Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel's sons were Meshullam and Hananiah; Shelomith was their sister. -\v 20 His other five sons were Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-Hesed. -\v 21 Hananiah's sons were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah. His son was Rephaiah, and further descendants were Arnan, Obadiah, and Shekaniah. - -\s5 -\v 22 Shekaniah's son was Shemaiah. Shemaiah's sons were Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat. -\v 23 Neariah's three sons were Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam. -\v 24 Elioenai's seven sons were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani. - - - +\mt First Chronicles +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Adam, Seth, Enosh, +\v 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, +\v 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech. +\v 4 The sons of Noah were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. +\f + \ft Some versions omit \fqa The sons of ... \fqa* , but others include this expression. \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 The sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshek, and Tiras. +\v 6 The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. +\f + \ft Some versions have \fqa Diphath \fqa* instead of \fqa Riphath \fqa* . However, \fqa Diphath \fqa* was probably a mispelling. Many ancient copies correct it to \fqa Riphath \fqa* in order to make it agree with the same name in Gen. 10:2. \f* +\v 7 The sons of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The sons of Ham were Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. +\v 9 The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabta, Raamah, and Sabteka. The sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan. +\v 10 Cush became the father of Nimrod, who was the first conqueror on the earth. + +\s5 +\v 11 Egypt became the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, +\v 12 Pathrusites, Kasluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites. + +\s5 +\v 13 Canaan became the father of Sidon, his firstborn, and of the Hittites. +\v 14 He also became the ancestor of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, +\v 15 Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, +\v 16 Arvadites, Zemarites, and the Hamathites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 The sons of Shem were Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud, Aram, Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshek. +\v 18 Arphaxad became the father of Shelah, and Shelah became the father of Eber. +\v 19 Eber had two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother's name was Joktan. + +\s5 +\v 20 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, +\v 21 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, +\v 22 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, +\v 23 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab; all these were descendants of Joktan. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah, +\v 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu, +\v 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah, +\v 27 Abram, who was Abraham. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael. +\v 29 These are their sons: the firstborn of Ishmael was Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, +\v 30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, +\v 31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were Ishmael's sons. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 The sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. +The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. +\v 33 Midian's sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were Keturah's descendants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 Abraham became the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel. +\p +\v 35 The sons of Esau were Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. +\v 36 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek. +\v 37 The sons of Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 The sons of Seir were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. +\v 39 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam, and Timna was Lotan's sister. +\v 40 The sons of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. + +\s5 +\v 41 The son of Anah was Dishon. The sons of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. +\v 42 The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: Bela son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. +\v 44 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. +\v 45 When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. + +\s5 +\v 46 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the land of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith. +\v 47 When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. +\v 48 When Samlah died, Shaul of Rehoboth on the river reigned in his place. + +\s5 +\v 49 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor reigned in his place. +\v 50 When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred daughter of Me-Zahab. + +\s5 +\v 51 Hadad died. +\p The chiefs in Edom were Chief Timna, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth, +\v 52 Chief Oholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon, +\v 53 Chief Kenaz, Chief Teman, Chief Mibzar, +\v 54 Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 These were Israel's sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, +\v 2 Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Judah's sons were Er, Onan, and Shelah, who were born to him by Shua's daughter, a Canaanite woman. Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of Yahweh, and Yahweh killed him. +\v 4 Tamar, his daughter-in-law, bore him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Perez's sons were Hezron and Hamul. +\v 6 Zerah's sons were Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Kalkol, and Darda, five in all. +\v 7 Karmi's son was Achar, who brought trouble on Israel when he stole what was reserved for God. +\f + \ft Some versions have \fqa Achan \fqa* instead of \fqa Achar \fqa* . \f* +\v 8 Ethan's son was Azariah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Hezron's sons were Jerahmeel, Ram, and Caleb. +\v 10 Ram became the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, a leader among Judah's descendants. +\v 11 Nahshon became the father of Salmon, and Salmon became the father of Boaz. +\v 12 Boaz became the father of Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse. + +\s5 +\v 13 Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, +\v 14 Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, +\v 15 Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh. + +\s5 +\v 16 Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. The sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, three of them. +\v 17 Abigail bore Amasa, whose father was Jether the Ishmaelite. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Caleb son of Hezron became the father of children by Azubah, his wife, and by Jerioth. His sons were Jesher, Shobab, and Ardon. +\v 19 Azubah died, and then Caleb married Ephrath, who bore him Hur. +\v 20 Hur became the father of Uri, and Uri became the father of Bezalel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Later Hezron (when he was sixty years old) married the daughter of Makir, the father of Gilead. She bore him Segub. +\v 22 Segub became the father of Jair, who controlled twenty-three cities in the land of Gilead. + +\s5 +\v 23 Geshur and Aram took Havvoth Jair and Kenath, as well as sixty surrounding towns. All these inhabitants were descendants of Makir, the father of Gilead. +\v 24 After the death of Hezron, Caleb slept with Ephrathah, the wife of his father Hezron. She bore him Ashhur, the father of Tekoa. +\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa After Hezron's death in Caleb Ephrathah, his wife Abijah bore him a son, Ashhur, the father of Tekoa. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 The sons of Jerahmeel, the firstborn of Hezron, were Ram the firstborn, Bunah, Oren, Ozem, and Ahijah. +\v 26 Jerahmeel had another wife, whose name was Atarah. She was the mother of Onam. +\v 27 The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel, were Maaz, Jamin, and Eker. +\v 28 The sons of Onam were Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai were Nadab and Abishur. + +\s5 +\v 29 The name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid. +\v 30 The sons of Nadab were Seled and Appaim, but Seled died without children. +\v 31 The son of Appaim was Ishi. The son of Ishi was Sheshan. The son of Sheshan was Ahlai. +\v 32 The sons of Jada, the brother of Shammai, were Jether and Jonathan. Jether died without children. +\v 33 The sons of Jonathan were Peleth and Zaza. These were the descendants of Jerahmeel. + +\s5 +\v 34 Now Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha. +\v 35 Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant as his wife. She bore him Attai. + +\s5 +\v 36 Attai became the father of Nathan, and Nathan became the father of Zabad. +\v 37 Zabad became the father of Ephlal, and Ephlal became the father of Obed. +\v 38 Obed became the father of Jehu, and Jehu became the father of Azariah. + +\s5 +\v 39 Azariah became the father of Helez, and Helez became the father of Eleasah. +\v 40 Eleasah became the father of Sismai, and Sismai became the father of Shallum. +\v 41 Shallum became the father of Jekamiah, and Jekamiah became the father of Elishama. + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 The sons of Caleb, the brother of Jerahmeel, were Mesha his firstborn, who was the father of Ziph. His second son, Mareshah, was the father of Hebron. +\v 43 The sons of Hebron were Korah, Tappuah, Rekem, and Shema. +\v 44 Shema became the father of Raham, the father of Jorkeam. Rekem became the father of Shammai. + +\s5 +\v 45 The son of Shammai was Maon, and Maon was the father of Beth Zur. +\v 46 Ephah, Caleb's concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran became the father of Gazez. +\v 47 The sons of Jahdai were Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph. + +\s5 +\v 48 Maakah, Caleb's concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. +\v 49 She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Makbenah and the father of Gibea. The daughter of Caleb was Aksah. These were the descendants of Caleb. + +\s5 +\p +\v 50 These were the sons of Hur, his firstborn by Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim, +\v 51 Salma the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth Gader. + +\s5 +\v 52 Shobal the father of Kiriath Jearim had descendants: Haroeh, half of the Manahathites, +\v 53 and the clans of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites. The Zorathites and Eshtaolites descended from these. + +\s5 +\v 54 The clans of Salma were the following: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites—the Zorites, +\v 55 the clans of the scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These were the Kenites who descended from Hammath, the ancestor of the Rekabites. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now these are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam from Jezreel; the second was Daniel, by Abigail from Carmel; +\v 2 the third was Absalom, whose mother was Maakah, daughter of Talmai king of Geshur. The fourth was Adonijah son of Haggith; +\v 3 the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; the sixth was Ithream by Eglah his wife. +\m +\s5 +\v 4 These six were born to David in Hebron, where he reigned seven years and six months. He then ruled thirty-three years in Jerusalem. +\v 5 These four sons, by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel, were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. +\f + \ft Some versions have \fqa Bathseba \fqa* or \fqa Bathshua \fqa* instead of \fqa Bathsheba \fqa* . \f* +\s5 +\v 6 David's other nine sons were: Ibhar, Elishua, Eliphelet, +\v 7 Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, +\v 8 Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet. +\v 9 These were David's sons, not including the sons by his concubines. Tamar was their sister. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Solomon's son was Rehoboam. Rehoboam's son was Abijah. Abijah's son was Asa. Asa's son was Jehoshaphat. +\v 11 Jehoshaphat's son was Jehoram. Jehoram's son was Ahaziah. Ahaziah's son was Joash. +\v 12 Joash's son was Amaziah. Amaziah's son was Azariah. Azariah's son was Jotham. + +\s5 +\v 13 Jotham's son was Ahaz. Ahaz's son was Hezekiah. Hezekiah's son was Manasseh. +\v 14 Manasseh's son was Amon. Amon's son was Josiah. + +\s5 +\v 15 Josiah's sons were his firstborn Johanan, his second son Jehoiakim, his third son Zedekiah, and his fourth son Shallum. +\v 16 Jehoiakim's sons were Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. + +\s5 +\v 17 The sons of Jehoiachin, the captive, were Shealtiel, +\v 18 Malkiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. + +\s5 +\v 19 Pedaiah's sons were Zerubbabel and Shimei. Zerubbabel's sons were Meshullam and Hananiah; Shelomith was their sister. +\v 20 His other five sons were Hashubah, Ohel, Berekiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-Hesed. +\v 21 Hananiah's sons were Pelatiah and Jeshaiah. His son was Rephaiah, and further descendants were Arnan, Obadiah, and Shekaniah. + +\s5 +\v 22 Shekaniah's son was Shemaiah. Shemaiah's sons were Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat. +\v 23 Neariah's three sons were Elioenai, Hizkiah, and Azrikam. +\v 24 Elioenai's seven sons were Hodaviah, Eliashib, Pelaiah, Akkub, Johanan, Delaiah, and Anani. + + + \s5 @@ -353,455 +353,455 @@ The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan. - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—now Reuben was Israel's firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel because Reuben had defiled his father's couch. So he is not recorded as being the oldest son. -\v 2 Judah was the strongest of his brothers, and the leader would come from him. But the birthright was Joseph's— -\v 3 the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi. - -\s5 -\v 4 The descendants of Joel were these: Joel's son was Shemaiah. Shemaiah's son was Gog. Gog's son was Shimei. -\v 5 Shimei's son was Micah. Micah's son was Reaiah. Reaiah's son was Baal. -\v 6 Baal's son was Beerah, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took into exile. Beerah was a leader in the tribe of Reuben. - -\s5 -\v 7 Beerah's relatives according to their clans, listed according to their genealogical records: Jeiel the leader, Zechariah, and -\v 8 Bela son of Azaz son of Shema son of Joel. They lived in Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal Meon, -\v 9 and eastward to the start of the wilderness that extends to the Euphrates River. This was because they had many cattle in the land of Gilead. - -\s5 -\v 10 In the days of Saul, the tribe of Reuben attacked the Hagrites and defeated them. They lived in the Hagrites' tents throughout all the land east of Gilead. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 The members of the tribe of Gad lived near them, in the land of Bashan as far as Salekah. -\v 12 Joel was their leader; Shapham was second; and Janai and Shaphat in Bashan. -\v 13 Their relatives, by their fathers' families, were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jakan, Zia, and Eber—seven in all. - -\s5 -\v 14 These persons named above were the descendants of Abihail, and Abihail was the son of Huri. Huri was the son of Jaroah. Jaroah was the son of Gilead. Gilead was the son of Michael. Michael was the son of Jeshishai. Jeshishai was the son of Jahdo. Jahdo was the son of Buz. -\v 15 Ahi son of Abdiel son of Guni, was head of their fathers' family. - -\s5 -\v 16 They lived in Gilead, in Bashan, in its towns, and in all the pasturelands of Sharon as far as its borders. -\v 17 All these were listed by genealogical records in the days of Jotham king of Judah and of Jeroboam king of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 soldiers trained for war, who carried shield and sword, and who drew the bow. -\v 19 They attacked the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. - -\s5 -\v 20 They received divine help against them. In this way, the Hagrites and all who were with them were defeated. This was because the Israelites cried out to God in the battle, and he responded to them, because they put their trust in him. -\v 21 They captured their animals, including fifty thousand camels, 250,000 sheep, two thousand donkeys, and 100,000 men. -\v 22 Many fell because the battle was from God. They lived in their land until the captivity. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The half tribe of Manasseh lived in the land of Bashan as far as Baal Hermon and Senir (that is, Mount Hermon). -\v 24 These were the heads of their fathers' houses: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty men, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 But they were unfaithful to their ancestors' God. Instead, they worshiped the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. -\v 26 The God of Israel stirred up Pul king of Assyria (also called Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria). He took into exile the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. He brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and to the river of Gozan, where they remain to this day. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. -\v 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. -\v 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. - -\s5 -\v 4 Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, and Phinehas became the father of Abishua. -\v 5 Abishua became the father of Bukki, and Bukki became the father of Uzzi. -\v 6 Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth. - -\s5 -\v 7 Meraioth became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub. -\v 8 Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz. -\v 9 Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah, and Azariah became the father of Johanan. - -\s5 -\v 10 Johanan became the father of Azariah, who served in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem. -\v 11 Azariah became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub. -\v 12 Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Shallum. - -\s5 -\v 13 Shallum became the father of Hilkiah, and Hilkiah became the father of Azariah. -\v 14 Azariah became the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah became the father of Jozadak. -\v 15 Jozadak went into captivity when Yahweh exiled Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. -\v 17 The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei. -\v 18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. - -\s5 -\v 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers. -\v 20 The descendants of Gershon: His son was Libni. Libni's son was Jahath. His son was Zimmah. -\v 21 His son was Joah. His son was Iddo. His son was Zerah. His son was Jeatherai. - -\s5 -\v 22 The descendants of Kohath: His son was Amminadab. His son was Korah. His son was Assir. -\v 23 His son was Elkanah. His son was Ebiasaph. His son was Assir. -\v 24 His son was Tahath. His son was Uriel. His son was Uzziah. His son was Shaul. - -\s5 -\v 25 The sons of Elkanah were Amasai, Ahimoth, -\v 26 And a son named Elkanah; Zophai his son, Nahath his son, -\v 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son. \f + \ft The LXX adds to the list \fqa Samuel his son. \f* - -\s5 -\v 28 The sons of Samuel were the firstborn, Joel, and Abijah, the second-born. -\v 29 The son of Merari was Mahli. His son was Libni. His son was Shimei. His son was Uzzah. -\v 30 His son was Shimea. His son was Haggiah. His son was Asaiah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 These are the names of the men whom David put in charge of music in the house of Yahweh, after the ark came to rest there. -\v 32 They served by singing before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem. They fulfilled their duties according to the instructions given to them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 These were those who served with their sons. From the clans of the Kohathites came Heman the musician. Here were his ancestors, going back in time: Heman was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Samuel. -\v 34 Samuel was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Jeroham. Jeroham was the son of Eliel. Eliel was the son of Toah. -\v 35 Toah was the son of Zuph. Zuph was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Mahath. Mahath was the son of Amasai. Amasai was son of Elkanah. -\s5 -\v 36 Amasai was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Azariah. Azariah was the son of Zephaniah. -\v 37 Zephaniah was the son of Tahath. Tahath was the son of Assir. Assir was the son of Ebiasaph. Ebiasaph was the son of Korah. -\v 38 Korah was the son of Izhar. Izhar was the son of Kohath. Kohath was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Israel. -\p -\s5 -\v 39 Heman's colleague was Asaph, who stood at his right hand. Asaph was the son of Berekiah. Berekiah was the son of Shimea. -\v 40 Shimea was the son of Michael. Michael was the son of Baaseiah. Baaseiah was the son of Malkijah. -\v 41 Malkijah was the son of Ethni. Ethni was the son of Zerah. Zerah was the son of Adaiah. -\v 42 Adaiah was the son of Ethan. Ethan was the son of Zimmah. Zimmah was the son of Shimei. -\v 43 Shimei was the son of Jahath. Jahath was the son of Gershon. Gershon was the son of Levi. - -\s5 -\v 44 At Heman's left hand were his colleagues the sons of Merari. They included Ethan son of Kishi. Kishi was the son of Abdi. Abdi was the son of Malluk. -\v 45 Malluk was the son of Hashabiah. Hashabiah was the son of Amaziah. Amaziah was the son of Hilkiah. -\v 46 Hilkiah was the son of Amzi. Amzi was the son of Bani. Bani was the son of Shemer. -\v 47 Shemer was the son of Mahli. Mahli was the son of Mushi. Mushi was the son of Merari. Merari was the son of Levi. - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 Their associates, the Levites, were assigned to do all the work for the tabernacle, the house of God. - -\s5 -\v 49 Aaron and his sons made the offerings on the altar for burnt offerings; and the offering on the incense altar for all the work on the most holy place. These offerings made atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. - -\s5 -\v 50 Aaron's descendants are reckoned as follows: Aaron's son was Eleazar. Eleazar's son was Phinehas. Phinehas's son was Abishua. -\v 51 Abishua's son was Bukki. Bukki's son was Uzzi. Uzzi's son was Zerahiah. -\v 52 Zerahiah's son was Meraioth. Meraioth's son was Amariah. Amariah's son was Ahitub. -\v 53 Ahitub's son was Zadok. Zadok's son was Ahimaaz. - -\s5 -\v 54 These are the locations where Aaron's descendents were assigned to live, that is, for the descendants of Aaron who were from the clans of the Kohathites (the first lot was theirs). -\v 55 To them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah and its pasturelands, -\v 56 but the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 57 To the descendants of Aaron they gave: Hebron (a city of refuge), and Libnah with its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands, -\v 58 Hilen with its pasturelands, and Debir with its pasturelands. - -\s5 -\v 59 They also gave to the descendants of Aaron: Ashan with its pasturelands, Juttah,\f + \ft \fqa Juttah \fqa* is not in the MT but is included in the Syriac version; see JOS 21:16. \f* and Beth Shemesh with its pasturelands; -\v 60 and from the tribe of Benjamin they were given Geba with its pasturelands, Alemeth with its pasturelands, and Anathoth with its pasturelands. All their cities numbered thirteen. -\q These towns were distributed among the clans of the Kohathite, thirteen in all. - -\s5 -\p -\v 61 To the rest of clans of the Kohathites were allotted ten cities from the half tribe of Manasseh. -\v 62 To Gershon's descendants in their various clans were given thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan. - -\s5 -\v 63 To Merari's descendants they gave twelve cities, clan by clan, from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. -\v 64 So the people of Israel gave these cities with their pasturelands to the Levites. -\v 65 They assigned by lot the towns mentioned earlier from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. - -\s5 -\p -\v 66 Some of the clans of the Kohathites were given cities from the territory of the tribe of Ephraim. -\v 67 They gave them: Shechem (a city of refuge) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, -\v 68 Jokmeam with its pasturelands, Beth Horon with its pasturelands, -\v 69 Aijalon with its pasturelands, and Gath Rimmon with its pasturelands. - -\s5 -\v 70 The half tribe of Manasseh gave the Kohathites Aner with its pasturelands and Bileam with its pasturelands. These became the possessions of the rest of the Kohathite clans. - -\s5 -\p -\v 71 To Gershon's descendants out of the clans of the half tribe of Manasseh, they gave Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands and Ashtaroth with its pasturelands. -\v 72 The tribe of Issachar gave to Gershon's descendants Kedesh with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands, -\v 73 Ramoth with its pasturelands, and Anem with its pasturelands. - -\s5 -\v 74 Issachar received from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands, -\v 75 Hukok with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands. -\v 76 They received from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, Hammon with its pasturelands, and Kiriathaim with its pasturelands. - -\s5 -\p -\v 77 The rest of Merari's descendants received from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah,\f + \ft The names \fqa Jokneam \fqa* and \fqa Kartah \fqa* are not found in the MT but are in the LXX. Compare the list in JOS 21:34. \f* and Rimmono with its pasturelands and Tabor with its pasturelands; -\v 78 and from the tribe of Reuben, across the Jordan on the east side of Jericho, they received Bezer in the desert, Jahzah, -\v 79 Kedemoth and its pasturelands, and Mephaath and its pasturelands. - -\s5 -\v 80 The Levites received from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, -\v 81 Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Issachar's four sons were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. -\v 2 The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel. They were the heads of their fathers' houses, from the descendants of Tola and they were listed as mighty warriors among their generation. They numbered 22,600 in the days of David. -\v 3 Uzzi's son was Izrahiah. His sons were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishijah, all five of them were clan leaders. - - -\s5 -\v 4 Along with them they had thirty-six thousand troops for battle, according to the lists belonging to their ancestors' clans, for they had many wives and sons. -\v 5 Their relatives were fighting men from all the clans of Issachar, and they numbered in all, eighty-seven thousand fighting men, as listed in their genealogy. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Benjamin's three sons were Bela, Beker, and Jediael. -\v 7 Bela's five sons were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri. They were soldiers and heads of fathers' houses. Their people numbered 22,034 fighting men, according to the lists belonging to their ancestors' clans. - -\s5 -\v 8 Beker's sons were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were his sons. -\v 9 The lists of their clans numbered 20,200 heads of their fathers' houses and fighting men. -\v 10 The son of Jediael was Bilhan. Bilhan's sons were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Kenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. - -\s5 -\v 11 All these were sons of Jediael. Listed in their clan lists were 17,200 heads of houses and fighting men fit for military service. -\v 12 (The Shuppites and the Huppites were sons of Ir, and the Hushites were sons of Aher.) - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Naphtali's sons were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. These were Bilhah's grandsons. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Manasseh had a male child named Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore. She also gave birth to Makir, Gilead's father. -\v 15 Makir took a wife from the Huppites and Shuppites. A sister's name was Maakah. Another of Manasseh's descendants was Zelophehad, who had only daughters. -\v 16 Maakah wife of Makir, bore a son and she called him Peresh. His brother's name was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. - -\s5 -\v 17 Ulam's son was Bedan. These were the descendants of Gilead son of Makir son of Manasseh. -\v 18 Gilead's sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. -\v 19 The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 The descendants of Ephraim were as follows: Ephraim's son was Shuthelah. Shuthelah's son was Bered. Bered's son was Tahath. Tahath's son was Eleadah. Eleadah's son was Tahath. -\v 21 Tahath's son was Zabad. Zabad's son was Shuthelah. (Ezer and Elead were killed by men of Gath, natives in the land, when they went to steal their cattle. -\v 22 Ephraim their father mourned for them many days, and his brothers came to comfort him. - -\s5 -\v 23 He slept with his wife. She conceived and bore a son. Ephraim called him Beriah, because tragedy had come to his family.) -\v 24 His daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah. - -\s5 -\v 25 His son was Rephah. Rephah's son was Resheph. Resheph's son was Telah. Telah's son was Tahan. -\v 26 Tahan's son was Ladan. Ladan's son was Ammihud. Ammihud's son was Elishama. -\v 27 Elishama's son was Nun. Nun's son was Joshua. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Their possessions and residences were Bethel and its surrounding villages. They extended eastward to Naaran and westward to Gezer and its villages, and to Shechem and its villages to Ayyah and its villages. -\v 29 On the border with Manasseh were Beth Shan and its villages, Taanach and its villages, Megiddo and its villages, and Dor and its villages. In these towns the descendants of Joseph son of Israel lived. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Asher's sons were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Serah was their sister. -\v 31 Beriah's sons were Heber and Malkiel, who was the father of Birzaith. -\v 32 Heber's sons were Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham. Shua was their sister. - -\s5 -\v 33 Japhlet's sons were Pasak, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were Japhlet's children. -\v 34 Shomer, Japhlet's brother, had these sons: Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram. -\v 35 Shemer's brother, Helem, had these sons: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. - -\s5 -\v 36 Zophah's sons were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, -\v 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. -\v 38 Jether's sons were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara. - -\s5 -\v 39 Ulla's sons were Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. -\v 40 All these were descendants of Asher. They were ancestors of the clans, heads of fathers' houses, distinguished men, fighting men, and chief among the leaders. There were twenty-six thousand men listed who were fit for military service, according to their numbered lists. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 Benjamin's five sons were Bela his firstborn, Ashbel, Aharah, -\v 2 Nohah, and Rapha. -\v 3 Bela's sons were Addar, Gera, Abihud, -\v 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, -\v 5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. - -\s5 -\v 6 These were the descendants of Ehud who were heads of fathers' houses for the inhabitants of Geba, who were compelled to move to Manahath: -\v 7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. The last, Gera, led them in their move. He was the father of Uzza and Ahihud. - -\s5 -\v 8 Shaharaim became the father of children in the land of Moab, after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. -\v 9 By his wife Hodesh, Shaharaim became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam, -\v 10 Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers' houses. -\v 11 He had already become the father of Abitub and Elpaal by Hushim. - -\s5 -\v 12 Elpaal's sons were Eber, Misham, and Shemed (who built Ono and Lod with its surrounding villages). -\v 13 There were also Beriah and Shema. They were heads of the fathers' houses of those living in Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath. - -\s5 -\v 14 Beriah had these sons: Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, -\v 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, -\v 16 Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah. -\v 17-18 Elpaal had these sons: Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab. - -\s5 -\v 19-21 Shimei had these sons: Jakim, Zikri, Zabdi, Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath. - -\s5 -\v 22-25 Shashak had these sons: Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, Abdon, Zikri, Hanan, Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, Iphdeiah, and Penuel. - -\s5 -\v 26-27 Jeroham had these sons: Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zikri. -\v 28 These were heads of fathers' houses and chief men who lived in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 The father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maakah, lived in Gibeon. -\v 30 His firstborn was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, -\v 31 Gedor, Ahio, and Zeker. - -\s5 -\v 32 Another of Jeiel's sons was Mikloth, who became the father of Shimeah. They also lived near their relatives in Jerusalem. -\v 33 Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. -\v 34 The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal. Merib-Baal was the father of Micah. - -\s5 -\v 35 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melek, Tarea, and Ahaz. -\v 36 Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza. -\v 37 Moza was the father of Binea. Binea was the father of Raphah. Raphah was the father of Eleasah. Eleasah was the father of Azel. - -\s5 -\v 38 Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were sons of Azel. -\v 39 The sons of Eshek, his brother, were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. -\v 40 Ulam's sons were fighting men and archers. They had many sons and grandsons, a total of 150. All these belonged to the descendants of Benjamin. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 So all Israel was recorded in genealogies. They were recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. As for Judah, they were carried away in exile to Babylon because of their sin. -\v 2 The first to resettle in their cities were some Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants. -\v 3 Some descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 4 The settlers included Uthai son of Ammihud son of Omri son of Imri son of Bani, one of the descendants of Perez son of Judah. -\v 5 Among the Shelanites were Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. -\v 6 Among the descendants of Zerah was Jeuel. Their descendants numbered 690. - -\s5 -\v 7 Among the descendants of Benjamin were Sallu son of Meshullam son of Hodaviah son of Hassenuah. -\v 8 There were also Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi son of Mikri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah son of Reuel son of Ibnijah. -\v 9 Their relatives written in the genealogical lists numbered 956. All these men were heads of fathers' houses for their fathers' houses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The priests were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jakin. -\v 11 There was also Azariah son of Hilkiah son of Meshullam son of Zadok son of Meraioth son of Ahitub, the one in charge of the house of God. - -\s5 -\v 12 There was Adaiah son of Jeroham son of Pashhur son of Malkijah. There was also Maasai son of Adiel son of Jahzerah son of Meshullam son of Meshillemith son of Immer. -\v 13 Their relatives, who were leaders for their fathers' houses, numbered 1,760. They were very capable men in the work in the house of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Among the Levites, there was Shemaiah son of Hasshub son of Azrikam son of Hashabiah, among the descendants of Merari. -\v 15 There were also Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mika son of Zikri son of Asaph. -\v 16 There were also Obadiah son of Shemaiah son of Galal son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 The doorkeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their descendants. Shallum was their leader. -\v 18 Previously they stood guard at the king's gate on the east side for the camp of Levi's descendants. -\v 19 Shallum son of Kore son of Ebiasaph, \f +\ft Ebiasaph is the same person referred to as \fqa Asaph \fqa* in 1CH 26:1. \f* son of Korah, and his relatives from the house of his father, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the guard service. They guarded the door to the tent, as their ancestors had guarded the camp of Yahweh, and they also had guarded the entrance. -\s5 -\v 20 Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of them in the past, and Yahweh had been with him. -\v 21 Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was guard of the entrance to the temple, the "tent of meeting." - -\s5 -\v 22 All those who were chosen as gatekeepers at the entrances numbered 212. Their names were recorded in the people's records in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had placed them into their positions of trust. -\v 23 So they and their children guarded the gates of the house of Yahweh, the tabernacle. -\v 24 The gatekeepers were posted on all four sides, toward the east, west, north, and south. - -\s5 -\v 25 Their brothers, who lived in their villages, came in for seven-day rotations, in turn. -\v 26 But the four leaders of the gatekeepers, who were Levites, were assigned to guard the rooms and storerooms in the house of God. -\v 27 They would spend the night in their posts all around the house of God, for they were responsible for guarding it. They would open it each morning. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Some of them were in charge of the temple's equipment; they counted the articles when they were brought in and when they were taken out. -\v 29 Some of them also were assigned to take care of the holy things, the equipment, and the supplies, including the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense, and the spices. - -\s5 -\v 30 Some of the priests' sons mixed the spices. -\v 31 Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was in charge of preparing bread for the offerings. -\v 32 Some of their brothers, descendants of the Kohathites, were in charge of the bread of the presence, to prepare it every Sabbath. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 The singers and heads of the Levites' fathers' houses lived in rooms at the sanctuary when they were free from work, because they had to carry out their assigned tasks day and night. -\v 34 These were leaders of fathers' houses among the Levites, as listed in their genealogical records, chief men. They lived in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 The father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maakah, lived in Gibeon. -\v 36 His firstborn son was Abdon, then his sons Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, -\v 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. - -\s5 -\v 38 Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They also lived near their brothers in Jerusalem. -\v 39 Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. -\v 40 The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal. Merib-Baal was the father of Micah. - -\s5 -\v 41 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melek, Tahrea, and -Ahaz. -\v 42 Ahaz was the father of Jadah. Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza. -\v 43 Moza was the father of Binea. Binea was the father of Rephaiah. Rephaiah was the father of Eleasah. Eleasah was the father of Azel. -\v 44 Azel's six sons were Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were Azel's sons. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel—now Reuben was Israel's firstborn, but his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel because Reuben had defiled his father's couch. So he is not recorded as being the oldest son. +\v 2 Judah was the strongest of his brothers, and the leader would come from him. But the birthright was Joseph's— +\v 3 the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi. + +\s5 +\v 4 The descendants of Joel were these: Joel's son was Shemaiah. Shemaiah's son was Gog. Gog's son was Shimei. +\v 5 Shimei's son was Micah. Micah's son was Reaiah. Reaiah's son was Baal. +\v 6 Baal's son was Beerah, whom Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took into exile. Beerah was a leader in the tribe of Reuben. + +\s5 +\v 7 Beerah's relatives according to their clans, listed according to their genealogical records: Jeiel the leader, Zechariah, and +\v 8 Bela son of Azaz son of Shema son of Joel. They lived in Aroer, as far as Nebo and Baal Meon, +\v 9 and eastward to the start of the wilderness that extends to the Euphrates River. This was because they had many cattle in the land of Gilead. + +\s5 +\v 10 In the days of Saul, the tribe of Reuben attacked the Hagrites and defeated them. They lived in the Hagrites' tents throughout all the land east of Gilead. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 The members of the tribe of Gad lived near them, in the land of Bashan as far as Salekah. +\v 12 Joel was their leader; Shapham was second; and Janai and Shaphat in Bashan. +\v 13 Their relatives, by their fathers' families, were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jakan, Zia, and Eber—seven in all. + +\s5 +\v 14 These persons named above were the descendants of Abihail, and Abihail was the son of Huri. Huri was the son of Jaroah. Jaroah was the son of Gilead. Gilead was the son of Michael. Michael was the son of Jeshishai. Jeshishai was the son of Jahdo. Jahdo was the son of Buz. +\v 15 Ahi son of Abdiel son of Guni, was head of their fathers' family. + +\s5 +\v 16 They lived in Gilead, in Bashan, in its towns, and in all the pasturelands of Sharon as far as its borders. +\v 17 All these were listed by genealogical records in the days of Jotham king of Judah and of Jeroboam king of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 soldiers trained for war, who carried shield and sword, and who drew the bow. +\v 19 They attacked the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. + +\s5 +\v 20 They received divine help against them. In this way, the Hagrites and all who were with them were defeated. This was because the Israelites cried out to God in the battle, and he responded to them, because they put their trust in him. +\v 21 They captured their animals, including fifty thousand camels, 250,000 sheep, two thousand donkeys, and 100,000 men. +\v 22 Many fell because the battle was from God. They lived in their land until the captivity. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The half tribe of Manasseh lived in the land of Bashan as far as Baal Hermon and Senir (that is, Mount Hermon). +\v 24 These were the heads of their fathers' houses: Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah, and Jahdiel. They were mighty men, famous men, heads of their fathers' houses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 But they were unfaithful to their ancestors' God. Instead, they worshiped the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. +\v 26 The God of Israel stirred up Pul king of Assyria (also called Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria). He took into exile the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. He brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and to the river of Gozan, where they remain to this day. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. +\v 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. +\v 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. + +\s5 +\v 4 Eleazar became the father of Phinehas, and Phinehas became the father of Abishua. +\v 5 Abishua became the father of Bukki, and Bukki became the father of Uzzi. +\v 6 Uzzi became the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah became the father of Meraioth. + +\s5 +\v 7 Meraioth became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub. +\v 8 Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Ahimaaz. +\v 9 Ahimaaz became the father of Azariah, and Azariah became the father of Johanan. + +\s5 +\v 10 Johanan became the father of Azariah, who served in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem. +\v 11 Azariah became the father of Amariah, and Amariah became the father of Ahitub. +\v 12 Ahitub became the father of Zadok, and Zadok became the father of Shallum. + +\s5 +\v 13 Shallum became the father of Hilkiah, and Hilkiah became the father of Azariah. +\v 14 Azariah became the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah became the father of Jozadak. +\v 15 Jozadak went into captivity when Yahweh exiled Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. +\v 17 The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei. +\v 18 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. + +\s5 +\v 19 The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites listed according to their fathers. +\v 20 The descendants of Gershon: His son was Libni. Libni's son was Jahath. His son was Zimmah. +\v 21 His son was Joah. His son was Iddo. His son was Zerah. His son was Jeatherai. + +\s5 +\v 22 The descendants of Kohath: His son was Amminadab. His son was Korah. His son was Assir. +\v 23 His son was Elkanah. His son was Ebiasaph. His son was Assir. +\v 24 His son was Tahath. His son was Uriel. His son was Uzziah. His son was Shaul. + +\s5 +\v 25 The sons of Elkanah were Amasai, Ahimoth, +\v 26 And a son named Elkanah; Zophai his son, Nahath his son, +\v 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, and Elkanah his son. \f + \ft The LXX adds to the list \fqa Samuel his son. \f* + +\s5 +\v 28 The sons of Samuel were the firstborn, Joel, and Abijah, the second-born. +\v 29 The son of Merari was Mahli. His son was Libni. His son was Shimei. His son was Uzzah. +\v 30 His son was Shimea. His son was Haggiah. His son was Asaiah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 These are the names of the men whom David put in charge of music in the house of Yahweh, after the ark came to rest there. +\v 32 They served by singing before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem. They fulfilled their duties according to the instructions given to them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 These were those who served with their sons. From the clans of the Kohathites came Heman the musician. Here were his ancestors, going back in time: Heman was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Samuel. +\v 34 Samuel was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Jeroham. Jeroham was the son of Eliel. Eliel was the son of Toah. +\v 35 Toah was the son of Zuph. Zuph was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Mahath. Mahath was the son of Amasai. Amasai was son of Elkanah. +\s5 +\v 36 Amasai was the son of Elkanah. Elkanah was the son of Joel. Joel was the son of Azariah. Azariah was the son of Zephaniah. +\v 37 Zephaniah was the son of Tahath. Tahath was the son of Assir. Assir was the son of Ebiasaph. Ebiasaph was the son of Korah. +\v 38 Korah was the son of Izhar. Izhar was the son of Kohath. Kohath was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Israel. +\p +\s5 +\v 39 Heman's colleague was Asaph, who stood at his right hand. Asaph was the son of Berekiah. Berekiah was the son of Shimea. +\v 40 Shimea was the son of Michael. Michael was the son of Baaseiah. Baaseiah was the son of Malkijah. +\v 41 Malkijah was the son of Ethni. Ethni was the son of Zerah. Zerah was the son of Adaiah. +\v 42 Adaiah was the son of Ethan. Ethan was the son of Zimmah. Zimmah was the son of Shimei. +\v 43 Shimei was the son of Jahath. Jahath was the son of Gershon. Gershon was the son of Levi. + +\s5 +\v 44 At Heman's left hand were his colleagues the sons of Merari. They included Ethan son of Kishi. Kishi was the son of Abdi. Abdi was the son of Malluk. +\v 45 Malluk was the son of Hashabiah. Hashabiah was the son of Amaziah. Amaziah was the son of Hilkiah. +\v 46 Hilkiah was the son of Amzi. Amzi was the son of Bani. Bani was the son of Shemer. +\v 47 Shemer was the son of Mahli. Mahli was the son of Mushi. Mushi was the son of Merari. Merari was the son of Levi. + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 Their associates, the Levites, were assigned to do all the work for the tabernacle, the house of God. + +\s5 +\v 49 Aaron and his sons made the offerings on the altar for burnt offerings; and the offering on the incense altar for all the work on the most holy place. These offerings made atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. + +\s5 +\v 50 Aaron's descendants are reckoned as follows: Aaron's son was Eleazar. Eleazar's son was Phinehas. Phinehas's son was Abishua. +\v 51 Abishua's son was Bukki. Bukki's son was Uzzi. Uzzi's son was Zerahiah. +\v 52 Zerahiah's son was Meraioth. Meraioth's son was Amariah. Amariah's son was Ahitub. +\v 53 Ahitub's son was Zadok. Zadok's son was Ahimaaz. + +\s5 +\v 54 These are the locations where Aaron's descendents were assigned to live, that is, for the descendants of Aaron who were from the clans of the Kohathites (the first lot was theirs). +\v 55 To them they gave Hebron in the land of Judah and its pasturelands, +\v 56 but the fields of the city and its villages they gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 57 To the descendants of Aaron they gave: Hebron (a city of refuge), and Libnah with its pasturelands, Jattir, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands, +\v 58 Hilen with its pasturelands, and Debir with its pasturelands. + +\s5 +\v 59 They also gave to the descendants of Aaron: Ashan with its pasturelands, Juttah,\f + \ft \fqa Juttah \fqa* is not in the MT but is included in the Syriac version; see JOS 21:16. \f* and Beth Shemesh with its pasturelands; +\v 60 and from the tribe of Benjamin they were given Geba with its pasturelands, Alemeth with its pasturelands, and Anathoth with its pasturelands. All their cities numbered thirteen. +\q These towns were distributed among the clans of the Kohathite, thirteen in all. + +\s5 +\p +\v 61 To the rest of clans of the Kohathites were allotted ten cities from the half tribe of Manasseh. +\v 62 To Gershon's descendants in their various clans were given thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan. + +\s5 +\v 63 To Merari's descendants they gave twelve cities, clan by clan, from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. +\v 64 So the people of Israel gave these cities with their pasturelands to the Levites. +\v 65 They assigned by lot the towns mentioned earlier from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin. + +\s5 +\p +\v 66 Some of the clans of the Kohathites were given cities from the territory of the tribe of Ephraim. +\v 67 They gave them: Shechem (a city of refuge) with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, +\v 68 Jokmeam with its pasturelands, Beth Horon with its pasturelands, +\v 69 Aijalon with its pasturelands, and Gath Rimmon with its pasturelands. + +\s5 +\v 70 The half tribe of Manasseh gave the Kohathites Aner with its pasturelands and Bileam with its pasturelands. These became the possessions of the rest of the Kohathite clans. + +\s5 +\p +\v 71 To Gershon's descendants out of the clans of the half tribe of Manasseh, they gave Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands and Ashtaroth with its pasturelands. +\v 72 The tribe of Issachar gave to Gershon's descendants Kedesh with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands, +\v 73 Ramoth with its pasturelands, and Anem with its pasturelands. + +\s5 +\v 74 Issachar received from the tribe of Asher: Mashal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands, +\v 75 Hukok with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands. +\v 76 They received from the tribe of Naphtali: Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, Hammon with its pasturelands, and Kiriathaim with its pasturelands. + +\s5 +\p +\v 77 The rest of Merari's descendants received from the tribe of Zebulun: Jokneam, Kartah,\f + \ft The names \fqa Jokneam \fqa* and \fqa Kartah \fqa* are not found in the MT but are in the LXX. Compare the list in JOS 21:34. \f* and Rimmono with its pasturelands and Tabor with its pasturelands; +\v 78 and from the tribe of Reuben, across the Jordan on the east side of Jericho, they received Bezer in the desert, Jahzah, +\v 79 Kedemoth and its pasturelands, and Mephaath and its pasturelands. + +\s5 +\v 80 The Levites received from the tribe of Gad: Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, +\v 81 Heshbon with its pasturelands, and Jazer with its pasturelands. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Issachar's four sons were Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron. +\v 2 The sons of Tola were Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Samuel. They were the heads of their fathers' houses, from the descendants of Tola and they were listed as mighty warriors among their generation. They numbered 22,600 in the days of David. +\v 3 Uzzi's son was Izrahiah. His sons were Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Ishijah, all five of them were clan leaders. + + +\s5 +\v 4 Along with them they had thirty-six thousand troops for battle, according to the lists belonging to their ancestors' clans, for they had many wives and sons. +\v 5 Their relatives were fighting men from all the clans of Issachar, and they numbered in all, eighty-seven thousand fighting men, as listed in their genealogy. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Benjamin's three sons were Bela, Beker, and Jediael. +\v 7 Bela's five sons were Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri. They were soldiers and heads of fathers' houses. Their people numbered 22,034 fighting men, according to the lists belonging to their ancestors' clans. + +\s5 +\v 8 Beker's sons were Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were his sons. +\v 9 The lists of their clans numbered 20,200 heads of their fathers' houses and fighting men. +\v 10 The son of Jediael was Bilhan. Bilhan's sons were Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Kenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar. + +\s5 +\v 11 All these were sons of Jediael. Listed in their clan lists were 17,200 heads of houses and fighting men fit for military service. +\v 12 (The Shuppites and the Huppites were sons of Ir, and the Hushites were sons of Aher.) + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Naphtali's sons were Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. These were Bilhah's grandsons. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Manasseh had a male child named Asriel, whom his Aramean concubine bore. She also gave birth to Makir, Gilead's father. +\v 15 Makir took a wife from the Huppites and Shuppites. A sister's name was Maakah. Another of Manasseh's descendants was Zelophehad, who had only daughters. +\v 16 Maakah wife of Makir, bore a son and she called him Peresh. His brother's name was Sheresh, and his sons were Ulam and Rakem. + +\s5 +\v 17 Ulam's son was Bedan. These were the descendants of Gilead son of Makir son of Manasseh. +\v 18 Gilead's sister Hammoleketh bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah. +\v 19 The sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 The descendants of Ephraim were as follows: Ephraim's son was Shuthelah. Shuthelah's son was Bered. Bered's son was Tahath. Tahath's son was Eleadah. Eleadah's son was Tahath. +\v 21 Tahath's son was Zabad. Zabad's son was Shuthelah. (Ezer and Elead were killed by men of Gath, natives in the land, when they went to steal their cattle. +\v 22 Ephraim their father mourned for them many days, and his brothers came to comfort him. + +\s5 +\v 23 He slept with his wife. She conceived and bore a son. Ephraim called him Beriah, because tragedy had come to his family.) +\v 24 His daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah. + +\s5 +\v 25 His son was Rephah. Rephah's son was Resheph. Resheph's son was Telah. Telah's son was Tahan. +\v 26 Tahan's son was Ladan. Ladan's son was Ammihud. Ammihud's son was Elishama. +\v 27 Elishama's son was Nun. Nun's son was Joshua. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Their possessions and residences were Bethel and its surrounding villages. They extended eastward to Naaran and westward to Gezer and its villages, and to Shechem and its villages to Ayyah and its villages. +\v 29 On the border with Manasseh were Beth Shan and its villages, Taanach and its villages, Megiddo and its villages, and Dor and its villages. In these towns the descendants of Joseph son of Israel lived. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Asher's sons were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Serah was their sister. +\v 31 Beriah's sons were Heber and Malkiel, who was the father of Birzaith. +\v 32 Heber's sons were Japhlet, Shomer, and Hotham. Shua was their sister. + +\s5 +\v 33 Japhlet's sons were Pasak, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These were Japhlet's children. +\v 34 Shomer, Japhlet's brother, had these sons: Rohgah, Hubbah, and Aram. +\v 35 Shemer's brother, Helem, had these sons: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal. + +\s5 +\v 36 Zophah's sons were Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, +\v 37 Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera. +\v 38 Jether's sons were Jephunneh, Pispah, and Ara. + +\s5 +\v 39 Ulla's sons were Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia. +\v 40 All these were descendants of Asher. They were ancestors of the clans, heads of fathers' houses, distinguished men, fighting men, and chief among the leaders. There were twenty-six thousand men listed who were fit for military service, according to their numbered lists. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 Benjamin's five sons were Bela his firstborn, Ashbel, Aharah, +\v 2 Nohah, and Rapha. +\v 3 Bela's sons were Addar, Gera, Abihud, +\v 4 Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, +\v 5 Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. + +\s5 +\v 6 These were the descendants of Ehud who were heads of fathers' houses for the inhabitants of Geba, who were compelled to move to Manahath: +\v 7 Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. The last, Gera, led them in their move. He was the father of Uzza and Ahihud. + +\s5 +\v 8 Shaharaim became the father of children in the land of Moab, after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. +\v 9 By his wife Hodesh, Shaharaim became the father of Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malkam, +\v 10 Jeuz, Sakia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of fathers' houses. +\v 11 He had already become the father of Abitub and Elpaal by Hushim. + +\s5 +\v 12 Elpaal's sons were Eber, Misham, and Shemed (who built Ono and Lod with its surrounding villages). +\v 13 There were also Beriah and Shema. They were heads of the fathers' houses of those living in Aijalon, who drove out the inhabitants of Gath. + +\s5 +\v 14 Beriah had these sons: Ahio, Shashak, Jeremoth, +\v 15 Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, +\v 16 Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were the sons of Beriah. +\v 17-18 Elpaal had these sons: Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab. + +\s5 +\v 19-21 Shimei had these sons: Jakim, Zikri, Zabdi, Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath. + +\s5 +\v 22-25 Shashak had these sons: Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, Abdon, Zikri, Hanan, Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, Iphdeiah, and Penuel. + +\s5 +\v 26-27 Jeroham had these sons: Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zikri. +\v 28 These were heads of fathers' houses and chief men who lived in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 The father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maakah, lived in Gibeon. +\v 30 His firstborn was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, +\v 31 Gedor, Ahio, and Zeker. + +\s5 +\v 32 Another of Jeiel's sons was Mikloth, who became the father of Shimeah. They also lived near their relatives in Jerusalem. +\v 33 Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. +\v 34 The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal. Merib-Baal was the father of Micah. + +\s5 +\v 35 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melek, Tarea, and Ahaz. +\v 36 Ahaz became the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza. +\v 37 Moza was the father of Binea. Binea was the father of Raphah. Raphah was the father of Eleasah. Eleasah was the father of Azel. + +\s5 +\v 38 Azel had six sons: Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were sons of Azel. +\v 39 The sons of Eshek, his brother, were Ulam his firstborn, Jeush the second, and Eliphelet the third. +\v 40 Ulam's sons were fighting men and archers. They had many sons and grandsons, a total of 150. All these belonged to the descendants of Benjamin. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 So all Israel was recorded in genealogies. They were recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. As for Judah, they were carried away in exile to Babylon because of their sin. +\v 2 The first to resettle in their cities were some Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants. +\v 3 Some descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 4 The settlers included Uthai son of Ammihud son of Omri son of Imri son of Bani, one of the descendants of Perez son of Judah. +\v 5 Among the Shelanites were Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. +\v 6 Among the descendants of Zerah was Jeuel. Their descendants numbered 690. + +\s5 +\v 7 Among the descendants of Benjamin were Sallu son of Meshullam son of Hodaviah son of Hassenuah. +\v 8 There were also Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi son of Mikri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah son of Reuel son of Ibnijah. +\v 9 Their relatives written in the genealogical lists numbered 956. All these men were heads of fathers' houses for their fathers' houses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The priests were Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jakin. +\v 11 There was also Azariah son of Hilkiah son of Meshullam son of Zadok son of Meraioth son of Ahitub, the one in charge of the house of God. + +\s5 +\v 12 There was Adaiah son of Jeroham son of Pashhur son of Malkijah. There was also Maasai son of Adiel son of Jahzerah son of Meshullam son of Meshillemith son of Immer. +\v 13 Their relatives, who were leaders for their fathers' houses, numbered 1,760. They were very capable men in the work in the house of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Among the Levites, there was Shemaiah son of Hasshub son of Azrikam son of Hashabiah, among the descendants of Merari. +\v 15 There were also Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mika son of Zikri son of Asaph. +\v 16 There were also Obadiah son of Shemaiah son of Galal son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 The doorkeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their descendants. Shallum was their leader. +\v 18 Previously they stood guard at the king's gate on the east side for the camp of Levi's descendants. +\v 19 Shallum son of Kore son of Ebiasaph, \f +\ft Ebiasaph is the same person referred to as \fqa Asaph \fqa* in 1CH 26:1. \f* son of Korah, and his relatives from the house of his father, the Korahites, were in charge of the work of the guard service. They guarded the door to the tent, as their ancestors had guarded the camp of Yahweh, and they also had guarded the entrance. +\s5 +\v 20 Phinehas son of Eleazar had been in charge of them in the past, and Yahweh had been with him. +\v 21 Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was guard of the entrance to the temple, the "tent of meeting." + +\s5 +\v 22 All those who were chosen as gatekeepers at the entrances numbered 212. Their names were recorded in the people's records in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had placed them into their positions of trust. +\v 23 So they and their children guarded the gates of the house of Yahweh, the tabernacle. +\v 24 The gatekeepers were posted on all four sides, toward the east, west, north, and south. + +\s5 +\v 25 Their brothers, who lived in their villages, came in for seven-day rotations, in turn. +\v 26 But the four leaders of the gatekeepers, who were Levites, were assigned to guard the rooms and storerooms in the house of God. +\v 27 They would spend the night in their posts all around the house of God, for they were responsible for guarding it. They would open it each morning. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Some of them were in charge of the temple's equipment; they counted the articles when they were brought in and when they were taken out. +\v 29 Some of them also were assigned to take care of the holy things, the equipment, and the supplies, including the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the frankincense, and the spices. + +\s5 +\v 30 Some of the priests' sons mixed the spices. +\v 31 Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was in charge of preparing bread for the offerings. +\v 32 Some of their brothers, descendants of the Kohathites, were in charge of the bread of the presence, to prepare it every Sabbath. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 The singers and heads of the Levites' fathers' houses lived in rooms at the sanctuary when they were free from work, because they had to carry out their assigned tasks day and night. +\v 34 These were leaders of fathers' houses among the Levites, as listed in their genealogical records, chief men. They lived in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 The father of Gibeon, Jeiel, whose wife's name was Maakah, lived in Gibeon. +\v 36 His firstborn son was Abdon, then his sons Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, +\v 37 Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth. + +\s5 +\v 38 Mikloth was the father of Shimeam. They also lived near their brothers in Jerusalem. +\v 39 Ner was the father of Kish. Kish was the father of Saul. Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal. +\v 40 The son of Jonathan was Merib-Baal. Merib-Baal was the father of Micah. + +\s5 +\v 41 The sons of Micah were Pithon, Melek, Tahrea, and +Ahaz. +\v 42 Ahaz was the father of Jadah. Jadah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza. +\v 43 Moza was the father of Binea. Binea was the father of Rephaiah. Rephaiah was the father of Eleasah. Eleasah was the father of Azel. +\v 44 Azel's six sons were Azrikam, Bokeru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. These were Azel's sons. + + + \s5 @@ -838,181 +838,181 @@ Ahaz. - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Then all Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Look, we are your flesh and bone. -\v 2 In the recent past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led the Israelite army. Yahweh your God said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become a ruler over my people Israel.'" -\v 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them before Yahweh. They anointed David king over Israel. In this way, the word of Yahweh that had been declared by Samuel came true. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). Now the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. -\v 5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You will not come in here." But David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. -\v 6 David had said, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites first will become chief and commander." So Joab son of Zeruiah attacked first, so he was made the chief. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then David began to live in the stronghold. So they called it the city of David. -\v 8 He fortified the city around from the Millo and back to the surrounding wall. Joab fortified the rest of the city. -\v 9 David became greater and greater because Yahweh of hosts was with him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 These were the leaders David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, obeying the word of Yahweh concerning Israel. -\v 11 This is a list of David's mighty men: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, was commander of the officers \f + \ft The Hebrew could also read \fqa of the thirty \fqa* or \fqa of the three. \f*. He killed three hundred men with his spear on one occasion. - -\s5 -\v 12 After him was Eleazar son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. -\v 13 He was with David at Pas Dammim, and there the Philistines assembled together for battle, where there was a barley field and the army fled from the Philistines. -\v 14 They stood in the middle of the field. They defended it and cut down the Philistines and Yahweh rescued them with a great victory. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then three of the thirty leaders went down to the rock to David, to the cave of Adullam. The army of the Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. -\v 16 At that time David was in his stronghold, a cave, while the Philistines had established their camp at Bethlehem. -\v 17 David was longing for water and said, "If only someone would give me water to drink from the well at Bethlehem, the well that is by the gate!" - -\s5 -\v 18 So these three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, the well at the gate. They took the water and brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to Yahweh. -\v 19 Then he said, "May it be that I should never do this! Should I drink the blood of these men who have risked their lives?" Because they had put their lives at risk, David refused to drink it. These were the deeds of the three mighty men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Abishai brother of Joab was captain over the Three. He once used his spear against three hundred and killed them. He is mentioned along with the Three. -\v 21 Of the Three, he was given double honor and became their captain, even though he was not one of them. -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave warrior from Kabzeel, who did great deeds. He killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion on a day when the snow was falling. -\v 23 He even killed an Egyptian, a man five cubits tall. The Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam, but he went down to him with only a staff. He seized the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. - -\s5 -\v 24 Benaiah son of Jehoiada did these feats, and he was named alongside the three mighty men. -\v 25 He was more highly regarded than the thirty soldiers in general, but he was not regarded quite as highly as the three mighty men. Yet David put him in charge of his bodyguard. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 The mighty men were Asahel brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem, -\v 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, -\v 28 Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, -\v 29 Sibbekai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, - -\s5 -\v 30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, -\v 31 Ithai son of Ribai of Gibeah of Benjamin's descendants, Benaiah the Pirathonite, -\v 32 Hurai of the valleys of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, -\v 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, - -\s5 -\v 34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite, -\v 35 Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur, -\v 36 Hepher the Mekerathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, -\v 37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai, - -\s5 -\v 38 Joel brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri, -\v 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah), -\v 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, -\v 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai, - -\s5 -\v 42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite (a chief of the Reubenites) and thirty with him, -\v 43 Hanan son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, -\v 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel sons of Hotham the Aroerite, - -\s5 -\v 45 Jediael son of Shimri, Joha (his brother the Tizite), -\v 46 Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, -\v 47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 These were the men who came to David to Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish. They were among the soldiers, his helpers in battle. -\v 2 They were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow. They were Benjamites, Saul's fellow tribesmen. - -\s5 -\v 3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, both sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite. There were Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth. There were also Berakah, Jehu the Anathothite, -\v 4 Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a soldier among the thirty (and in command of the thirty); Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, - -\s5 -\v 5 Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, -\v 6 the Korahites Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, and -\v 7 Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham of Gedor. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were fighting men, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear; whose faces were as fierce as the faces of lions. They were as swift as gazelles on the mountains. - -\s5 -\v 9 There were Ezer the leader, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, -\v 10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, -\v 11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, -\v 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, -\v 13 Jeremiah the tenth, Makbannai the eleventh. - -\s5 -\v 14 These sons of Gad were leaders of the army. The least led a hundred, and the greatest led a thousand. -\v 15 They crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it overflowed its banks, and chased away all those living in the valleys, both toward the east and toward the west. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Some of the men of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. -\v 17 David went out to meet them and addressed them: "If you have come in peace to me to help me, you may join me. But if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, may the God of our ancestors see and rebuke you, since I have done no wrong." - -\s5 -\v 18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty. Amasai said, "We are yours, David. We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace, may peace be to whoever helps you. May peace be to your helpers, for your God is helping you." Then David received them and made them commanders over his men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Some from Manasseh also deserted to David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle. Yet they did not help the Philistines, because the Philistine lords consulted with each other and sent David away. They said, "He will desert to his master Saul at the risk of our lives." -\v 20 When he went to Ziklag, the men of Manasseh who joined him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains over thousands of Manasseh. - -\s5 -\v 21 They helped David fight against the roving bands, for they were fighting men. Later they became commanders in the army. -\v 22 Day after day, men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 This is the record of the armed soldiers for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, which carried out Yahweh's word. -\v 24 From Judah those who carried shield and spear were 6,800, armed for war. -\v 25 From the Simeonites there were 7,100 fighting men. - -\s5 -\v 26 From the Levites there were 4,600 fighting men. -\v 27 Jehoiada was the leader of Aaron's descendants, and with him were 3,700. -\v 28 With Zadok, a young, strong, and courageous man, were twenty-two leaders from his father's family. - -\s5 -\v 29 From Benjamin, Saul's tribe, were three thousand. Most of them had remained loyal to Saul until this time. -\v 30 From the Ephraimites there were 20,800 fighting men, men who were famous in their fathers' houses. -\v 31 From the half tribe of Manasseh there were eighteen thousand famous men who came to make David king. - -\s5 -\v 32 From Issachar, there were two hundred leaders who had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. All their relatives were under their command. -\v 33 From Zebulun there were fifty thousand fighting men, prepared for battle, with all the weapons of war, and ready to give undivided loyalty. - -\s5 -\v 34 From Naphtali there were one thousand officers, and with them thirty-seven thousand men with shields and spears. -\v 35 From the Danites there were 28,600 men prepared for battle. - -\s5 -\v 36 From Asher there were forty thousand men prepared for battle. -\v 37 From the other side of the Jordan, from the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 men armed with all kinds of weapons for battle. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 All these soldiers, equipped for battle, came to Hebron with firm intentions to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of Israel were in agreement to make David king also. -\v 39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had sent them with provisions. -\v 40 In addition, those who were near to them, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen, and cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep, for Israel was celebrating. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Then all Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "Look, we are your flesh and bone. +\v 2 In the recent past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led the Israelite army. Yahweh your God said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become a ruler over my people Israel.'" +\v 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them before Yahweh. They anointed David king over Israel. In this way, the word of Yahweh that had been declared by Samuel came true. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). Now the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. +\v 5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You will not come in here." But David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. +\v 6 David had said, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites first will become chief and commander." So Joab son of Zeruiah attacked first, so he was made the chief. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then David began to live in the stronghold. So they called it the city of David. +\v 8 He fortified the city around from the Millo and back to the surrounding wall. Joab fortified the rest of the city. +\v 9 David became greater and greater because Yahweh of hosts was with him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 These were the leaders David had, who showed themselves strong with him in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, obeying the word of Yahweh concerning Israel. +\v 11 This is a list of David's mighty men: Jashobeam, the son of a Hachmonite, was commander of the officers \f + \ft The Hebrew could also read \fqa of the thirty \fqa* or \fqa of the three. \f*. He killed three hundred men with his spear on one occasion. + +\s5 +\v 12 After him was Eleazar son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. +\v 13 He was with David at Pas Dammim, and there the Philistines assembled together for battle, where there was a barley field and the army fled from the Philistines. +\v 14 They stood in the middle of the field. They defended it and cut down the Philistines and Yahweh rescued them with a great victory. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then three of the thirty leaders went down to the rock to David, to the cave of Adullam. The army of the Philistines was camped in the Valley of Rephaim. +\v 16 At that time David was in his stronghold, a cave, while the Philistines had established their camp at Bethlehem. +\v 17 David was longing for water and said, "If only someone would give me water to drink from the well at Bethlehem, the well that is by the gate!" + +\s5 +\v 18 So these three mighty men broke through the army of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, the well at the gate. They took the water and brought it to David, but he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out to Yahweh. +\v 19 Then he said, "May it be that I should never do this! Should I drink the blood of these men who have risked their lives?" Because they had put their lives at risk, David refused to drink it. These were the deeds of the three mighty men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Abishai brother of Joab was captain over the Three. He once used his spear against three hundred and killed them. He is mentioned along with the Three. +\v 21 Of the Three, he was given double honor and became their captain, even though he was not one of them. +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a brave warrior from Kabzeel, who did great deeds. He killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down into a pit and killed a lion on a day when the snow was falling. +\v 23 He even killed an Egyptian, a man five cubits tall. The Egyptian had a spear like a weaver's beam, but he went down to him with only a staff. He seized the spear out of the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. + +\s5 +\v 24 Benaiah son of Jehoiada did these feats, and he was named alongside the three mighty men. +\v 25 He was more highly regarded than the thirty soldiers in general, but he was not regarded quite as highly as the three mighty men. Yet David put him in charge of his bodyguard. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 The mighty men were Asahel brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo of Bethlehem, +\v 27 Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite, +\v 28 Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Anathothite, +\v 29 Sibbekai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite, + +\s5 +\v 30 Maharai the Netophathite, Heled son of Baanah the Netophathite, +\v 31 Ithai son of Ribai of Gibeah of Benjamin's descendants, Benaiah the Pirathonite, +\v 32 Hurai of the valleys of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite, +\v 33 Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite, + +\s5 +\v 34 the sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan son of Shagee the Hararite, +\v 35 Ahiam son of Sakar the Hararite, Eliphal son of Ur, +\v 36 Hepher the Mekerathite, Ahijah the Pelonite, +\v 37 Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai son of Ezbai, + +\s5 +\v 38 Joel brother of Nathan, Mibhar son of Hagri, +\v 39 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite (the armor bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah), +\v 40 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, +\v 41 Uriah the Hittite, Zabad son of Ahlai, + +\s5 +\v 42 Adina son of Shiza the Reubenite (a chief of the Reubenites) and thirty with him, +\v 43 Hanan son of Maacah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite, +\v 44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel sons of Hotham the Aroerite, + +\s5 +\v 45 Jediael son of Shimri, Joha (his brother the Tizite), +\v 46 Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite, +\v 47 Eliel, Obed, and Jaasiel the Mezobaite. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 These were the men who came to David to Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish. They were among the soldiers, his helpers in battle. +\v 2 They were armed with bows and could use both the right hand and the left in slinging stones and in shooting arrows from the bow. They were Benjamites, Saul's fellow tribesmen. + +\s5 +\v 3 The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, both sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite. There were Jeziel and Pelet, sons of Azmaveth. There were also Berakah, Jehu the Anathothite, +\v 4 Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a soldier among the thirty (and in command of the thirty); Jeremiah, Jahaziel, Johanan, Jozabad the Gederathite, + +\s5 +\v 5 Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite, +\v 6 the Korahites Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, Jashobeam, and +\v 7 Joelah and Zebadiah, sons of Jeroham of Gedor. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness. They were fighting men, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear; whose faces were as fierce as the faces of lions. They were as swift as gazelles on the mountains. + +\s5 +\v 9 There were Ezer the leader, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third, +\v 10 Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, +\v 11 Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, +\v 12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, +\v 13 Jeremiah the tenth, Makbannai the eleventh. + +\s5 +\v 14 These sons of Gad were leaders of the army. The least led a hundred, and the greatest led a thousand. +\v 15 They crossed the Jordan in the first month, when it overflowed its banks, and chased away all those living in the valleys, both toward the east and toward the west. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Some of the men of Benjamin and Judah came to the stronghold to David. +\v 17 David went out to meet them and addressed them: "If you have come in peace to me to help me, you may join me. But if you have come to betray me to my adversaries, may the God of our ancestors see and rebuke you, since I have done no wrong." + +\s5 +\v 18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, who was chief of the thirty. Amasai said, "We are yours, David. We are on your side, son of Jesse. Peace, may peace be to whoever helps you. May peace be to your helpers, for your God is helping you." Then David received them and made them commanders over his men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Some from Manasseh also deserted to David when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle. Yet they did not help the Philistines, because the Philistine lords consulted with each other and sent David away. They said, "He will desert to his master Saul at the risk of our lives." +\v 20 When he went to Ziklag, the men of Manasseh who joined him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains over thousands of Manasseh. + +\s5 +\v 21 They helped David fight against the roving bands, for they were fighting men. Later they became commanders in the army. +\v 22 Day after day, men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 This is the record of the armed soldiers for war, who came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, which carried out Yahweh's word. +\v 24 From Judah those who carried shield and spear were 6,800, armed for war. +\v 25 From the Simeonites there were 7,100 fighting men. + +\s5 +\v 26 From the Levites there were 4,600 fighting men. +\v 27 Jehoiada was the leader of Aaron's descendants, and with him were 3,700. +\v 28 With Zadok, a young, strong, and courageous man, were twenty-two leaders from his father's family. + +\s5 +\v 29 From Benjamin, Saul's tribe, were three thousand. Most of them had remained loyal to Saul until this time. +\v 30 From the Ephraimites there were 20,800 fighting men, men who were famous in their fathers' houses. +\v 31 From the half tribe of Manasseh there were eighteen thousand famous men who came to make David king. + +\s5 +\v 32 From Issachar, there were two hundred leaders who had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. All their relatives were under their command. +\v 33 From Zebulun there were fifty thousand fighting men, prepared for battle, with all the weapons of war, and ready to give undivided loyalty. + +\s5 +\v 34 From Naphtali there were one thousand officers, and with them thirty-seven thousand men with shields and spears. +\v 35 From the Danites there were 28,600 men prepared for battle. + +\s5 +\v 36 From Asher there were forty thousand men prepared for battle. +\v 37 From the other side of the Jordan, from the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, there were 120,000 men armed with all kinds of weapons for battle. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 All these soldiers, equipped for battle, came to Hebron with firm intentions to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of Israel were in agreement to make David king also. +\v 39 They were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their relatives had sent them with provisions. +\v 40 In addition, those who were near to them, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen, and cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep, for Israel was celebrating. + + + \s5 @@ -1142,209 +1142,209 @@ Ahaz. - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 They brought in the ark of God and put it in the middle of the tent that David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. -\v 2 When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh. -\v 3 He distributed to every Israelite, both to men and women, a loaf of bread, and a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 David appointed certain Levites to serve before the ark of Yahweh, and to celebrate, thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 5 These Levites were Asaph the leader, and second to him Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel. These were to play with stringed instruments and with harps. Asaph was to sound the cymbals, sounding loudly. -\v 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the horns regularly, before the ark of the covenant of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Then on that day David first appointed Asaph and his brothers to sing this song of thanksgiving to Yahweh. -\q -\v 8 Give thanks to Yahweh, call on his name; -\q make known his deeds among the nations. -\q -\v 9 Sing to him, sing praises to him; -\q speak of all his marvelous deeds. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Boast in his holy name; -\q let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. -\q -\v 11 Seek Yahweh and his strength; -\q seek his presence continually. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Recall the marvelous things he has done, -\q his miracles and the decrees from his mouth, -\q -\v 13 you descendants of Israel his servant, -\q you people of Jacob, his chosen ones. -\q -\v 14 He is Yahweh, our God. -\q His decrees are on all the earth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Keep his covenant in mind forever, -\q the word that he commanded for a thousand generations. -\q -\v 16 He calls to mind the covenant that he made with Abraham, -\q and his oath to Isaac. -\q -\v 17 This is what he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, -\q and to Israel as an everlasting covenant. -\q -\v 18 He said, "I will give you the land of Canaan -\q as your share of your inheritance." - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 When they were only few in number, -\q so very few, and they were strangers in the land, -\q -\v 20 they wandered from nation to nation, -\q from one kingdom to another. -\q -\v 21 He did not allow anyone to oppress them; -\q he punished kings for their sakes. -\q -\v 22 he said, "Do not touch my anointed ones, -\q and do not harm my prophets." - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Sing to Yahweh, all the earth; -\q announce his salvation day after day. -\q -\v 24 Declare his glory among the nations, -\q his marvelous deeds among all the nations. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 For Yahweh is great and is to be praised greatly, -\q and he is to be feared above all other gods. -\q -\v 26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, -\q but it is Yahweh who made the heavens. -\q -\v 27 Splendor and majesty are in his presence. -\q Strength and joy are in his place. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Ascribe to Yahweh, you clans of peoples, -\q ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength! -\q -\v 29 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory his name deserves. -\q Bring an offering and come before him. -\q Bow down to Yahweh in the splendor of holiness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 Tremble before him, all the earth. -\q The world also is established; it cannot be shaken. -\q -\v 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; -\q let them say among the nations, "Yahweh reigns." - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 Let the sea roar, and that which fills it shout with joy. -\q Let the fields be joyful, and all that is in them. -\q -\v 33 Then let the trees in the forest shout for joy before Yahweh, -\q for he is coming to judge the earth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, -\q for his covenant faithfulness endures forever. -\q -\v 35 Then say, "Save us, God of our salvation. -\q Gather us together and rescue us from the other nations, -\q so that we may give thanks to your holy name -\q and glory in your praises." - -\s5 -\q -\v 36 May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised -\q from everlasting to everlasting. -\m All the people said, "Amen" and praised Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, to serve continually before the ark, as every day's work required. -\v 38 Obed Edom with those sixty-eight relatives were included. Obed Edom son of Jeduthun, along with Hosah, were to be gatekeepers. -\v 39 Zadok the priest and his fellow priests were to serve before the tabernacle of Yahweh at the high place in Gibeon. - -\s5 -\v 40 They were to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar for burnt offerings continually morning and evening, according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which he gave as a command to Israel. -\v 41 Heman and Jeduthun were with them, together with the rest who were chosen by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his covenant faithfulness endures forever. - -\s5 -\v 42 Heman and Jeduthun were in charge of those who played trumpets, cymbals, and the other instruments for the sacred music. The sons of Jeduthun guarded the gate. -\v 43 Then all the people returned to their homes, and David returned to bless his own household. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 It happened that after the king had settled in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is staying under a tent." -\v 2 Then Nathan said to David, "Go, do what is in your heart, for God is with you." - -\s5 -\v 3 But that same night the word of God came to Nathan, saying, -\v 4 "Go and tell David my servant, 'This is what Yahweh says: You will not build me a house in which to live. -\v 5 For I have not lived in a house from the day that I brought up Israel to this present day. Instead, I have been living in a tent, a tabernacle, in various places. -\v 6 In all places I have moved among all Israel, did I ever say anything to any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'" - -\s5 -\v 7 "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, so that you would be ruler over my people Israel. -\v 8 I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth. - -\s5 -\v 9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them there, so that they may live in their own place and be troubled no more. No longer will wicked people oppress them, as they did before, -\v 10 as they were doing from the days that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Then I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that I, Yahweh, will build you a house. - -\s5 -\v 11 It will come about that when your days are fulfilled for you to go to your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, and for one of your own descendants, I will establish his kingdom. -\v 12 He will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. - -\s5 -\v 13 I will be a father to him, and he will be my son. I will not take my covenant faithfulness away from him, as I took it from Saul, who ruled before you. -\v 14 I will set him over my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.'" -\v 15 Nathan spoke to David and reported to him all these words, and he told him about the entire vision. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh; he said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this point? -\v 17 For this was a small thing in your sight, God. You have spoken of your servant's family for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, Yahweh God. -\v 18 What more can I, David, say to you? You have honored your servant. You have given your servant special recognition. - -\s5 -\v 19 Yahweh, for your servant's sake, and to fulfill your own purpose, you have done this great thing to reveal all your great deeds. -\v 20 Yahweh, there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, just as we have always heard. - -\v 21 For what nation on earth is like your people Israel, whom you, God, rescued from Egypt as a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself by great and awesome deeds? You drove out nations from before your people, whom you rescued from Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 22 You made Israel your own people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God. -\v 23 So now, Yahweh, may the promise that you made concerning your servant and his family be established forever. Do as you have spoken. -\v 24 May your name be established forever and be great, so the people will say, 'Yahweh of hosts is the God of Israel,' while the house of me, David, your servant is established before you. - -\s5 -\v 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. That is why I, your servant, have found courage to pray to you. -\v 26 Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have made this good promise to your servant: -\v 27 Now it has pleased you to bless your servant's house, that it may continue forever before you. You, Yahweh, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 They brought in the ark of God and put it in the middle of the tent that David had set up for it. Then they offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. +\v 2 When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh. +\v 3 He distributed to every Israelite, both to men and women, a loaf of bread, and a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 David appointed certain Levites to serve before the ark of Yahweh, and to celebrate, thank and praise Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 5 These Levites were Asaph the leader, and second to him Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed Edom, and Jeiel. These were to play with stringed instruments and with harps. Asaph was to sound the cymbals, sounding loudly. +\v 6 Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the horns regularly, before the ark of the covenant of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Then on that day David first appointed Asaph and his brothers to sing this song of thanksgiving to Yahweh. +\q +\v 8 Give thanks to Yahweh, call on his name; +\q make known his deeds among the nations. +\q +\v 9 Sing to him, sing praises to him; +\q speak of all his marvelous deeds. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Boast in his holy name; +\q let the heart of those who seek Yahweh rejoice. +\q +\v 11 Seek Yahweh and his strength; +\q seek his presence continually. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Recall the marvelous things he has done, +\q his miracles and the decrees from his mouth, +\q +\v 13 you descendants of Israel his servant, +\q you people of Jacob, his chosen ones. +\q +\v 14 He is Yahweh, our God. +\q His decrees are on all the earth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Keep his covenant in mind forever, +\q the word that he commanded for a thousand generations. +\q +\v 16 He calls to mind the covenant that he made with Abraham, +\q and his oath to Isaac. +\q +\v 17 This is what he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, +\q and to Israel as an everlasting covenant. +\q +\v 18 He said, "I will give you the land of Canaan +\q as your share of your inheritance." + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 When they were only few in number, +\q so very few, and they were strangers in the land, +\q +\v 20 they wandered from nation to nation, +\q from one kingdom to another. +\q +\v 21 He did not allow anyone to oppress them; +\q he punished kings for their sakes. +\q +\v 22 he said, "Do not touch my anointed ones, +\q and do not harm my prophets." + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Sing to Yahweh, all the earth; +\q announce his salvation day after day. +\q +\v 24 Declare his glory among the nations, +\q his marvelous deeds among all the nations. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 For Yahweh is great and is to be praised greatly, +\q and he is to be feared above all other gods. +\q +\v 26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, +\q but it is Yahweh who made the heavens. +\q +\v 27 Splendor and majesty are in his presence. +\q Strength and joy are in his place. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Ascribe to Yahweh, you clans of peoples, +\q ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength! +\q +\v 29 Ascribe to Yahweh the glory his name deserves. +\q Bring an offering and come before him. +\q Bow down to Yahweh in the splendor of holiness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 Tremble before him, all the earth. +\q The world also is established; it cannot be shaken. +\q +\v 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; +\q let them say among the nations, "Yahweh reigns." + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 Let the sea roar, and that which fills it shout with joy. +\q Let the fields be joyful, and all that is in them. +\q +\v 33 Then let the trees in the forest shout for joy before Yahweh, +\q for he is coming to judge the earth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, +\q for his covenant faithfulness endures forever. +\q +\v 35 Then say, "Save us, God of our salvation. +\q Gather us together and rescue us from the other nations, +\q so that we may give thanks to your holy name +\q and glory in your praises." + +\s5 +\q +\v 36 May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised +\q from everlasting to everlasting. +\m All the people said, "Amen" and praised Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, to serve continually before the ark, as every day's work required. +\v 38 Obed Edom with those sixty-eight relatives were included. Obed Edom son of Jeduthun, along with Hosah, were to be gatekeepers. +\v 39 Zadok the priest and his fellow priests were to serve before the tabernacle of Yahweh at the high place in Gibeon. + +\s5 +\v 40 They were to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar for burnt offerings continually morning and evening, according to all that is written in the law of Yahweh, which he gave as a command to Israel. +\v 41 Heman and Jeduthun were with them, together with the rest who were chosen by name, to give thanks to Yahweh, because his covenant faithfulness endures forever. + +\s5 +\v 42 Heman and Jeduthun were in charge of those who played trumpets, cymbals, and the other instruments for the sacred music. The sons of Jeduthun guarded the gate. +\v 43 Then all the people returned to their homes, and David returned to bless his own household. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 It happened that after the king had settled in his house, he said to Nathan the prophet, "Look, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Yahweh is staying under a tent." +\v 2 Then Nathan said to David, "Go, do what is in your heart, for God is with you." + +\s5 +\v 3 But that same night the word of God came to Nathan, saying, +\v 4 "Go and tell David my servant, 'This is what Yahweh says: You will not build me a house in which to live. +\v 5 For I have not lived in a house from the day that I brought up Israel to this present day. Instead, I have been living in a tent, a tabernacle, in various places. +\v 6 In all places I have moved among all Israel, did I ever say anything to any of Israel's leaders whom I appointed to shepherd my people, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"'" + +\s5 +\v 7 "Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what Yahweh of hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, so that you would be ruler over my people Israel. +\v 8 I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and I will make you a name, like the name of the great ones who are on the earth. + +\s5 +\v 9 I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them there, so that they may live in their own place and be troubled no more. No longer will wicked people oppress them, as they did before, +\v 10 as they were doing from the days that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Then I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that I, Yahweh, will build you a house. + +\s5 +\v 11 It will come about that when your days are fulfilled for you to go to your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, and for one of your own descendants, I will establish his kingdom. +\v 12 He will build me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. + +\s5 +\v 13 I will be a father to him, and he will be my son. I will not take my covenant faithfulness away from him, as I took it from Saul, who ruled before you. +\v 14 I will set him over my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.'" +\v 15 Nathan spoke to David and reported to him all these words, and he told him about the entire vision. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then David the king went in and sat before Yahweh; he said, "Who am I, Yahweh God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this point? +\v 17 For this was a small thing in your sight, God. You have spoken of your servant's family for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, Yahweh God. +\v 18 What more can I, David, say to you? You have honored your servant. You have given your servant special recognition. + +\s5 +\v 19 Yahweh, for your servant's sake, and to fulfill your own purpose, you have done this great thing to reveal all your great deeds. +\v 20 Yahweh, there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, just as we have always heard. + +\v 21 For what nation on earth is like your people Israel, whom you, God, rescued from Egypt as a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself by great and awesome deeds? You drove out nations from before your people, whom you rescued from Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 22 You made Israel your own people forever, and you, Yahweh, became their God. +\v 23 So now, Yahweh, may the promise that you made concerning your servant and his family be established forever. Do as you have spoken. +\v 24 May your name be established forever and be great, so the people will say, 'Yahweh of hosts is the God of Israel,' while the house of me, David, your servant is established before you. + +\s5 +\v 25 For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house. That is why I, your servant, have found courage to pray to you. +\v 26 Now, Yahweh, you are God, and have made this good promise to your servant: +\v 27 Now it has pleased you to bless your servant's house, that it may continue forever before you. You, Yahweh, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever." + + + \s5 @@ -1388,140 +1388,140 @@ Ahaz. - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 It came about later that Nahash, king of the people of Ammon, died, and that his son became king in his place. -\v 2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. David's servants entered the land of the Ammonites and went to Hanun, in order to console him. -\v 3 But the Ammonite princes said to Hanun, "Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you? Do not his servants come to you to explore and examine the land in order to overthrow it?" - -\s5 -\v 4 So Hanun seized David's servants, shaved them, cut off their garments to the waist, up to their buttocks, and sent them away. -\v 5 When they explained this to David, he sent to meet with them, for the men were deeply ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire Aramean chariots and horsemen from Naharaim, Maacah, and Zobah. -\v 7 They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah and his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. Then the Ammonites gathered themselves together from their cities and came out to battle. - -\s5 -\v 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and his entire army to meet them. -\v 9 The people of Ammon came out and lined up for battle at the city gate, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the field. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 When Joab saw the battle lines facing him both in front and behind, he chose some of Israel's best fighters and arranged them against the Arameans. -\v 11 As for the rest of the army, he gave it into the command of Abishai his brother, and he put them into battle lines against the army of Ammon. - -\s5 -\v 12 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you, Abishai, must rescue me. But if the army of Ammon is too strong for you, then I will come and rescue you. -\v 13 Be strong, and let us show ourselves to be strong for our people and for the cities of our God, for Yahweh will do what is good in his eyes." - -\s5 -\v 14 So Joab and the soldiers of his army advanced to the battle against the Arameans, who were forced to flee before the army of Israel. -\v 15 When the army of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Joab's brother Abishai and went back into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went back to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When the Arameans saw that they were being defeated by Israel, they sent for reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River, with Shophak the commander of Hadadezer's army. -\v 17 When David was told this, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and came upon them. He arranged the army for battle against the Arameans, and they fought him. - -\s5 -\v 18 The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed seven thousand Aramean charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophak, the commander of the army. -\v 19 When all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served them. So the people of Aram were no longer willing to help the Ammonites. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 It came about in the springtime, at the time when kings normally go to war, that Joab led the army into battle and devastated the land of the Ammonites. He went and besieged Rabbah. David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and defeated it. - -\s5 -\v 2 David took the crown of their king from off his head, and he found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones. The crown was set on David's head, and he brought out the plunder of the city in large quantities. -\v 3 He brought out the people who were in the city and forced them to work with saws and iron picks and axes. David required all the cities of the people of Ammon to do this labor. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 It came about after this that there was a battle at Gezer with the Philistines. Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued. -\v 5 It came about again in a battle with the Philistines at Gob, that Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed Lahmi brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. - -\s5 -\v 6 It came about in another battle at Gath that there was a man of great height who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He also was descended from the Rephaim. -\v 7 When he mocked the army of Israel, Jehonadab son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him. -\v 8 These were descendants of the Rephaim of Gath, and they were killed by the hand of David and by the hand of his soldiers. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 An adversary arose against Israel and incited David to count Israel. -\v 2 David said to Joab and to the commanders of the army, "Go, count the people of Israel from Beersheba to Dan and report back to me, that I may know their number." -\v 3 Joab said, "May Yahweh make his army a hundred times greater than it is. But my master the king, do they not all serve my master? Why does my master want this? Why bring guilt on Israel?" - -\s5 -\v 4 But the king's word was enforced against Joab. So Joab left and went throughout all Israel. Then he came back to Jerusalem. -\v 5 Then Joab reported the total of the count of the fighting men to David. There were in Israel 1,100,000 men who drew the sword. Judah alone had 470,000 soldiers. - -\s5 -\v 6 But Levi and Benjamin were not counted among them, for the king's command had disgusted Joab. -\v 7 God was offended by this action, so he attacked Israel. -\v 8 David said to God, "I have greatly sinned by doing this. Now take away your servant's guilt, for I have acted very foolishly." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Yahweh told Gad, David's prophet, -\v 10 "Go say to David, 'This is what Yahweh says: I am giving you three choices. Choose one of them.'" - - -\s5 -\v 11 So Gad went to David and said to him, "Yahweh says this, 'Choose one of these: -\v 12 either three years of famine, three months being pursued by your enemies and being caught by their swords, or else three days of Yahweh's sword, that is, a plague in the land, with the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the land of Israel.' Now then, decide what answer I should take to the one who sent me." - -\s5 -\v 13 Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress! Let me fall into the hand of Yahweh rather than into the hand of man, for his merciful actions are very great." -\v 14 So Yahweh sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand people died. -\v 15 God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was about to destroy it, Yahweh watched and changed his mind about the harm. He said to the destroying angel, "Enough! Now draw back your hand." At that time the angel of Yahweh was standing at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. - -\s5 -\v 16 David looked up and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand raised over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, lay facedown on the ground. -\v 17 David said to God, "Is it not I that commanded that the army be numbered? I did this wicked thing. But these sheep, what have they done? Yahweh my God! Let your hand strike me and my family, but do not let the plague remain on your people." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 So the angel of Yahweh commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up and build an altar for Yahweh at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. -\v 19 So David went up as Gad instructed him to do in the name of Yahweh. -\v 20 While Ornan was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel. He and his four sons with him hid themselves. - - -\s5 -\v 21 When David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David. He left the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face to the ground. -\v 22 Then David said to Ornan, "Sell me this threshing floor, so I can build an altar for Yahweh. I will pay the full price, so that the plague may be removed from the people." - -\s5 -\v 23 Ornan said to David, "Take it as your own, my master the king. Do with it what is good in your sight. Look, I will give you oxen for burnt offerings, threshing sledges for wood, and wheat for the grain offering; I will give it all to you." -\v 24 King David said to Ornan, "No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and offer it as a burnt offering to Yahweh if it costs me nothing." - -\s5 -\v 25 So David paid six hundred shekels of gold for the place. -\v 26 David built an altar for Yahweh there and offered on it burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on Yahweh, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar for burnt offerings. -\v 27 Then Yahweh gave an order to the angel, and the angel put his sword back into its sheath. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 When David saw that Yahweh had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he performed the sacrifice there at that same time. -\v 29 Now at that time, Yahweh's tabernacle, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar for burnt offerings, were at the high place at Gibeon. -\v 30 However, David could not go there to ask for God's direction, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of Yahweh. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 It came about later that Nahash, king of the people of Ammon, died, and that his son became king in his place. +\v 2 David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me." So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. David's servants entered the land of the Ammonites and went to Hanun, in order to console him. +\v 3 But the Ammonite princes said to Hanun, "Do you think that David is honoring your father because he has sent men to comfort you? Do not his servants come to you to explore and examine the land in order to overthrow it?" + +\s5 +\v 4 So Hanun seized David's servants, shaved them, cut off their garments to the waist, up to their buttocks, and sent them away. +\v 5 When they explained this to David, he sent to meet with them, for the men were deeply ashamed. The king said, "Stay at Jericho until your beards have grown back, and then return." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire Aramean chariots and horsemen from Naharaim, Maacah, and Zobah. +\v 7 They hired thirty-two thousand chariots and the king of Maacah and his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. Then the Ammonites gathered themselves together from their cities and came out to battle. + +\s5 +\v 8 When David heard of it, he sent Joab and his entire army to meet them. +\v 9 The people of Ammon came out and lined up for battle at the city gate, while the kings who had come were by themselves in the field. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 When Joab saw the battle lines facing him both in front and behind, he chose some of Israel's best fighters and arranged them against the Arameans. +\v 11 As for the rest of the army, he gave it into the command of Abishai his brother, and he put them into battle lines against the army of Ammon. + +\s5 +\v 12 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you, Abishai, must rescue me. But if the army of Ammon is too strong for you, then I will come and rescue you. +\v 13 Be strong, and let us show ourselves to be strong for our people and for the cities of our God, for Yahweh will do what is good in his eyes." + +\s5 +\v 14 So Joab and the soldiers of his army advanced to the battle against the Arameans, who were forced to flee before the army of Israel. +\v 15 When the army of Ammon saw that the Arameans had fled, they also fled from Joab's brother Abishai and went back into the city. Then Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went back to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When the Arameans saw that they were being defeated by Israel, they sent for reinforcements from beyond the Euphrates River, with Shophak the commander of Hadadezer's army. +\v 17 When David was told this, he gathered all Israel together, crossed the Jordan, and came upon them. He arranged the army for battle against the Arameans, and they fought him. + +\s5 +\v 18 The Arameans fled from Israel, and David killed seven thousand Aramean charioteers and forty thousand foot soldiers. He also killed Shophak, the commander of the army. +\v 19 When all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with David and served them. So the people of Aram were no longer willing to help the Ammonites. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 It came about in the springtime, at the time when kings normally go to war, that Joab led the army into battle and devastated the land of the Ammonites. He went and besieged Rabbah. David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and defeated it. + +\s5 +\v 2 David took the crown of their king from off his head, and he found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones. The crown was set on David's head, and he brought out the plunder of the city in large quantities. +\v 3 He brought out the people who were in the city and forced them to work with saws and iron picks and axes. David required all the cities of the people of Ammon to do this labor. Then David and all the army returned to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 It came about after this that there was a battle at Gezer with the Philistines. Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Sippai, one of the descendants of the Rephaim, and the Philistines were subdued. +\v 5 It came about again in a battle with the Philistines at Gob, that Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed Lahmi brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. + +\s5 +\v 6 It came about in another battle at Gath that there was a man of great height who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. He also was descended from the Rephaim. +\v 7 When he mocked the army of Israel, Jehonadab son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him. +\v 8 These were descendants of the Rephaim of Gath, and they were killed by the hand of David and by the hand of his soldiers. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 An adversary arose against Israel and incited David to count Israel. +\v 2 David said to Joab and to the commanders of the army, "Go, count the people of Israel from Beersheba to Dan and report back to me, that I may know their number." +\v 3 Joab said, "May Yahweh make his army a hundred times greater than it is. But my master the king, do they not all serve my master? Why does my master want this? Why bring guilt on Israel?" + +\s5 +\v 4 But the king's word was enforced against Joab. So Joab left and went throughout all Israel. Then he came back to Jerusalem. +\v 5 Then Joab reported the total of the count of the fighting men to David. There were in Israel 1,100,000 men who drew the sword. Judah alone had 470,000 soldiers. + +\s5 +\v 6 But Levi and Benjamin were not counted among them, for the king's command had disgusted Joab. +\v 7 God was offended by this action, so he attacked Israel. +\v 8 David said to God, "I have greatly sinned by doing this. Now take away your servant's guilt, for I have acted very foolishly." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Yahweh told Gad, David's prophet, +\v 10 "Go say to David, 'This is what Yahweh says: I am giving you three choices. Choose one of them.'" + + +\s5 +\v 11 So Gad went to David and said to him, "Yahweh says this, 'Choose one of these: +\v 12 either three years of famine, three months being pursued by your enemies and being caught by their swords, or else three days of Yahweh's sword, that is, a plague in the land, with the angel of Yahweh destroying throughout all the land of Israel.' Now then, decide what answer I should take to the one who sent me." + +\s5 +\v 13 Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress! Let me fall into the hand of Yahweh rather than into the hand of man, for his merciful actions are very great." +\v 14 So Yahweh sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand people died. +\v 15 God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was about to destroy it, Yahweh watched and changed his mind about the harm. He said to the destroying angel, "Enough! Now draw back your hand." At that time the angel of Yahweh was standing at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. + +\s5 +\v 16 David looked up and saw the angel of Yahweh standing between earth and heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand raised over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, lay facedown on the ground. +\v 17 David said to God, "Is it not I that commanded that the army be numbered? I did this wicked thing. But these sheep, what have they done? Yahweh my God! Let your hand strike me and my family, but do not let the plague remain on your people." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 So the angel of Yahweh commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up and build an altar for Yahweh at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. +\v 19 So David went up as Gad instructed him to do in the name of Yahweh. +\v 20 While Ornan was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel. He and his four sons with him hid themselves. + + +\s5 +\v 21 When David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David. He left the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face to the ground. +\v 22 Then David said to Ornan, "Sell me this threshing floor, so I can build an altar for Yahweh. I will pay the full price, so that the plague may be removed from the people." + +\s5 +\v 23 Ornan said to David, "Take it as your own, my master the king. Do with it what is good in your sight. Look, I will give you oxen for burnt offerings, threshing sledges for wood, and wheat for the grain offering; I will give it all to you." +\v 24 King David said to Ornan, "No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and offer it as a burnt offering to Yahweh if it costs me nothing." + +\s5 +\v 25 So David paid six hundred shekels of gold for the place. +\v 26 David built an altar for Yahweh there and offered on it burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on Yahweh, who answered him with fire from heaven on the altar for burnt offerings. +\v 27 Then Yahweh gave an order to the angel, and the angel put his sword back into its sheath. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 When David saw that Yahweh had answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he performed the sacrifice there at that same time. +\v 29 Now at that time, Yahweh's tabernacle, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar for burnt offerings, were at the high place at Gibeon. +\v 30 However, David could not go there to ask for God's direction, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of Yahweh. + + + \s5 @@ -1690,63 +1690,63 @@ Ahaz. \v 31 These men who were the head of each father's house and each of their younger brothers, cast lots in the presence of King David, and Zadok and Ahimelech, along with the leaders of the families of the priests and Levites. They cast lots just as Aaron's descendants had done. - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 David and the leaders of the army selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service: - -\v 2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, \f +\ft this is the same person referred to in 1CH 25:14 as Jesarelah \f* the sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision. -\v 3 From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, \f + \ft this is a variant of Izri, found in 1CH 25:11, and refers to the same person \f* Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six in all, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who played the harp for giving thanks and praising Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 4 From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, \f +\ft this is the same person referred to in 1CH 25:18 as Azarel \f* Shubael, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. -\v 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's prophet. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters in order to honor him. - -\s5 -\v 6 All these were under the direction of their fathers. They were musicians in Yahweh's house, with cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God's house. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king's supervision. -\v 7 They and their brothers who were skilled and trained to make music to Yahweh numbered 288. -\v 8 They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the same for the young as well as the old, the teacher as well as the student. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Now regarding Asaph's sons: The first lot fell to Joseph's family; the second fell to Gedaliah's family, twelve persons in number; -\v 10 the third fell to Zaccur, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 11 the fourth fell to Izri, \f + \ft this is a variant of Zeri, found in 1CH 25:3, and refers to the same person \f* his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 12 the fifth fell to Nethaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; - -\s5 -\v 13 the sixth fell to Bukkiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 14 the seventh fell to Jesarelah, \f +\ft this is the same person referred to in 1CH 25:2 as Asharelah \f* his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 15 the eighth fell to Jeshaiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 16 the ninth fell to Mattaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; - -\s5 -\v 17 the tenth fell to Shimei, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 18 the eleventh fell to Azarel, \f +\ft this is the same person referred to in 1CH 25:4 as Uzziel \f* his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 19 the twelfth fell to Hashabiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 20 the thirteenth fell to Shubael, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; - -\s5 -\v 21 the fourteenth fell to Mattithiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 22 the fifteenth fell to Jerimoth, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 23 the sixteenth fell to Hananiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 24 the seventeenth fell to Joshbekashah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; - -\s5 -\v 25 the eighteenth fell to Hanani, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 26 the nineteenth fell to Mallothi, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 27 the twentieth fell to Eliathah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 28 the twenty-first fell to Hothir, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; - -\s5 -\v 29 the twenty-second fell to Giddalti, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 30 the twenty-third fell to Mahazioth, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; -\v 31 the twenty-fourth fell to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 David and the leaders of the army selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with harps, with stringed instruments, and with cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service: + +\v 2 From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, \f +\ft this is the same person referred to in 1CH 25:14 as Jesarelah \f* the sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the king's supervision. +\v 3 From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, \f + \ft this is a variant of Izri, found in 1CH 25:11, and refers to the same person \f* Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six in all, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who played the harp for giving thanks and praising Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 4 From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, \f +\ft this is the same person referred to in 1CH 25:18 as Azarel \f* Shubael, and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. +\v 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king's prophet. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters in order to honor him. + +\s5 +\v 6 All these were under the direction of their fathers. They were musicians in Yahweh's house, with cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God's house. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king's supervision. +\v 7 They and their brothers who were skilled and trained to make music to Yahweh numbered 288. +\v 8 They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the same for the young as well as the old, the teacher as well as the student. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Now regarding Asaph's sons: The first lot fell to Joseph's family; the second fell to Gedaliah's family, twelve persons in number; +\v 10 the third fell to Zaccur, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 11 the fourth fell to Izri, \f + \ft this is a variant of Zeri, found in 1CH 25:3, and refers to the same person \f* his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 12 the fifth fell to Nethaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; + +\s5 +\v 13 the sixth fell to Bukkiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 14 the seventh fell to Jesarelah, \f +\ft this is the same person referred to in 1CH 25:2 as Asharelah \f* his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 15 the eighth fell to Jeshaiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 16 the ninth fell to Mattaniah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; + +\s5 +\v 17 the tenth fell to Shimei, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 18 the eleventh fell to Azarel, \f +\ft this is the same person referred to in 1CH 25:4 as Uzziel \f* his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 19 the twelfth fell to Hashabiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 20 the thirteenth fell to Shubael, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; + +\s5 +\v 21 the fourteenth fell to Mattithiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 22 the fifteenth fell to Jerimoth, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 23 the sixteenth fell to Hananiah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 24 the seventeenth fell to Joshbekashah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; + +\s5 +\v 25 the eighteenth fell to Hanani, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 26 the nineteenth fell to Mallothi, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 27 the twentieth fell to Eliathah, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 28 the twenty-first fell to Hothir, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; + +\s5 +\v 29 the twenty-second fell to Giddalti, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 30 the twenty-third fell to Mahazioth, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number; +\v 31 the twenty-fourth fell to Romamti-Ezer, his sons and his relatives, twelve persons in number. + + + \s5 @@ -1812,73 +1812,73 @@ Ahaz. - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 This is the list of the Israelite family leaders, commanders of thousands and hundreds, as well as army officers who served the king in various ways. Each military division served month by month throughout the year. Each division had twenty-four thousand men. -\v 2 Over the division for the first month was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 3 He was among the descendants of Perez and in charge of all the army officers for the first month. - -\s5 -\v 4 Over the division for the second month was Dodai, from the clan descended from Ahoah. Mikloth was second in rank. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 5 The commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a priest and leader. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 6 This is the Benaiah who was the leader of the thirty, and over the thirty. Ammizabad his son was in his division. - -\s5 -\v 7 The commander for the fourth month was Asahel brother of Joab. Zebadiah his son became commander after him. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 8 The commander for the fifth month was Shamhuth, a descendant of Izrah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 9 The commander for the sixth month was Ira son of Ikkesh, from Tekoa. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. - -\s5 -\v 10 The commander for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, from the people of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 11 The commander for the eighth month was Sibbekai the Hushathite, from the clan descended from Zerah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 12 The commander for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, from the tribe of Benjamin. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. - -\s5 -\v 13 The commander for the tenth month was Maharai from the city of Netophah, from the clan descended from Zerah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 14 The commander for the eleventh month was Benaiah from the city of Pirathon, from the tribe of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. -\v 15 The commander for the twelfth month was Heldai from the city of Netophah, from the clan descended from Othniel. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel: For the tribe of Reuben, Eliezer son of Zichri was the leader. For the tribe of Simeon, Shephatiah son of Maacah was the leader. -\v 17 For the tribe of Levi, Hashabiah son of Kemuel was the leader, and Zadok led Aaron's descendants. -\v 18 For the tribe of Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers, was the leader. For the tribe of Issachar, Omri son of Michael was the leader. - -\s5 -\v 19 For the tribe of Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah was the leader. For the tribe of Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel was the leader. -\v 20 For the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Azaziah was the leader. For the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah was the leader. -\v 21 For the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah was the leader. For the tribe of Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner was the leader. -\v 22 For the tribe of Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham was the leader. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 23 David did not count those twenty years old or younger, because Yahweh had promised to increase Israel like the stars of heaven. -\v 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men, but did not finish. Wrath fell on Israel for this. This number was not written down in the Chronicles of King David. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king's treasuries. Jonathan son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the fortified towers. -\v 26 Ezri son of Kelub was over the farmers, those who plowed the land. -\v 27 Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the grapes and the wine cellars. - -\s5 -\v 28 Over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands was Baal-Hanan from Geder, and over the storehouses of oil was Joash. -\v 29 Over the herds that were pastured in Sharon was Shitrai from Sharon, and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat son of Adlai. - -\s5 -\v 30 Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite, and over the female donkeys was Jehdeiah from Meronoth. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. -\v 31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these officials were in charge of the property of King David. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 Jonathan, David's uncle, was an advisor, since he was a wise man and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni cared for the king's sons. -\v 33 Ahithophel was the king's advisor, and Hushai from the Arkite people was the king's private advisor. -\v 34 Ahithophel's position was taken by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, and by Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 This is the list of the Israelite family leaders, commanders of thousands and hundreds, as well as army officers who served the king in various ways. Each military division served month by month throughout the year. Each division had twenty-four thousand men. +\v 2 Over the division for the first month was Jashobeam son of Zabdiel. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 3 He was among the descendants of Perez and in charge of all the army officers for the first month. + +\s5 +\v 4 Over the division for the second month was Dodai, from the clan descended from Ahoah. Mikloth was second in rank. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 5 The commander of the army for the third month was Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a priest and leader. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 6 This is the Benaiah who was the leader of the thirty, and over the thirty. Ammizabad his son was in his division. + +\s5 +\v 7 The commander for the fourth month was Asahel brother of Joab. Zebadiah his son became commander after him. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 8 The commander for the fifth month was Shamhuth, a descendant of Izrah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 9 The commander for the sixth month was Ira son of Ikkesh, from Tekoa. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. + +\s5 +\v 10 The commander for the seventh month was Helez the Pelonite, from the people of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 11 The commander for the eighth month was Sibbekai the Hushathite, from the clan descended from Zerah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 12 The commander for the ninth month was Abiezer the Anathothite, from the tribe of Benjamin. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. + +\s5 +\v 13 The commander for the tenth month was Maharai from the city of Netophah, from the clan descended from Zerah. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 14 The commander for the eleventh month was Benaiah from the city of Pirathon, from the tribe of Ephraim. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. +\v 15 The commander for the twelfth month was Heldai from the city of Netophah, from the clan descended from Othniel. In his division were twenty-four thousand men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel: For the tribe of Reuben, Eliezer son of Zichri was the leader. For the tribe of Simeon, Shephatiah son of Maacah was the leader. +\v 17 For the tribe of Levi, Hashabiah son of Kemuel was the leader, and Zadok led Aaron's descendants. +\v 18 For the tribe of Judah, Elihu, one of David's brothers, was the leader. For the tribe of Issachar, Omri son of Michael was the leader. + +\s5 +\v 19 For the tribe of Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah was the leader. For the tribe of Naphtali, Jerimoth son of Azriel was the leader. +\v 20 For the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Azaziah was the leader. For the half tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah was the leader. +\v 21 For the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo son of Zechariah was the leader. For the tribe of Benjamin, Jaasiel son of Abner was the leader. +\v 22 For the tribe of Dan, Azarel son of Jeroham was the leader. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 23 David did not count those twenty years old or younger, because Yahweh had promised to increase Israel like the stars of heaven. +\v 24 Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men, but did not finish. Wrath fell on Israel for this. This number was not written down in the Chronicles of King David. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the king's treasuries. Jonathan son of Uzziah was over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the fortified towers. +\v 26 Ezri son of Kelub was over the farmers, those who plowed the land. +\v 27 Shimei the Ramathite was over the vineyards, and Zabdi the Shiphmite was over the grapes and the wine cellars. + +\s5 +\v 28 Over the olive trees and the sycamore trees that were in the lowlands was Baal-Hanan from Geder, and over the storehouses of oil was Joash. +\v 29 Over the herds that were pastured in Sharon was Shitrai from Sharon, and over the herds that were in the valleys was Shaphat son of Adlai. + +\s5 +\v 30 Over the camels was Obil the Ishmaelite, and over the female donkeys was Jehdeiah from Meronoth. Over the flocks was Jaziz the Hagrite. +\v 31 Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these officials were in charge of the property of King David. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 Jonathan, David's uncle, was an advisor, since he was a wise man and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni cared for the king's sons. +\v 33 Ahithophel was the king's advisor, and Hushai from the Arkite people was the king's private advisor. +\v 34 Ahithophel's position was taken by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, and by Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king's army. + + + \s5 @@ -1932,70 +1932,70 @@ all the commandments of Yahweh your God. Do this so that you may possess this go - - -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 King David said to the whole assembly, "Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced, and the task is great. For the temple is not for people but for Yahweh God. -\v 2 So I have done my best to provide for the temple of my God. I am giving gold for the things to be made of gold, silver for the things to be made of silver, bronze for the things to be made of bronze, iron for the things to be made of iron, and wood for the things to be made of wood. I am also giving onyx stones, stones to be set, stones for inlaid work of various colors—all kinds of precious stones—and marble stone in abundance. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now, because of my delight in the house of my God, I am giving my personal treasure of gold and silver for it. I am doing this in addition to all that I have prepared for this holy temple: -\v 4 three thousand talents of gold from Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, in order to overlay the walls of the buildings. -\v 5 I am donating gold for the things to be made of gold, and silver for the things to be made of silver, and things for all kinds of work to be done by craftsmen. Who else wants to make a contribution to Yahweh today and give himself to him?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then freewill offerings were made by the leaders of their ancestors' families, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and by the officials over the king's work. -\v 7 They gave for the service of God's house five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron. - -\s5 -\v 8 Those who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of Yahweh's house, under the supervision of Jehiel, a descendant of Gershon. -\v 9 The people rejoiced because of these freewilll offerings, because they had contributed wholeheartedly to Yahweh. King David also rejoiced greatly. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 David blessed Yahweh in front of all the assembly. He said, "May you be praised, Yahweh, God of Israel our ancestor, forever and ever. -\v 11 Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as ruler over all. - -\s5 -\v 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all people. In your hand is power and might. You possess the strength and might to make people great and to give strength to anyone. -\v 13 Now then, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name. - -\s5 -\v 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly these things? Indeed, all things come from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours. -\v 15 For we are strangers and travelers before you, as all our ancestors were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope of remaining on earth. - -\s5 -\v 16 Yahweh our God, all this wealth that we have collected in order to build a temple to honor your holy name—it comes from you and belongs to you. -\v 17 I know also, my God, that you examine the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things, and now I look with joy as your people who are present here willingly offer gifts to you. - -\s5 -\v 18 Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel—our ancestors—keep this forever in the thoughts of the minds of your people. Direct their hearts toward you. -\v 19 Give to Solomon my son a wholehearted desire to keep your commandments, your covenant decrees, and your statutes, and to carry out all these plans to build the palace for which I have made provision." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 David said to all the assembly, "Now bless Yahweh your God." All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, bowed their heads and worshiped Yahweh and prostrated themselves before the king. -\v 21 On the next day, they made sacrifices to Yahweh and offered burnt offerings to him. They offered a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. - -\s5 -\v 22 On that day, they ate and drank before Yahweh with great celebration. -\p They made Solomon, David's son, king a second time, and anointed him with Yahweh's authority to be ruler. They also anointed Zadok to be priest. -\v 23 Then Solomon sat on Yahweh's throne as king instead of David his father. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. - -\s5 -\v 24 All the leaders, soldiers, and King David's sons gave allegiance to King Solomon. -\v 25 Yahweh greatly honored Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater power than he had ever given to any king before him in Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. -\v 27 David had been king of Israel for forty years. He ruled for seven years in Hebron and for thirty-three years in Jerusalem. -\v 28 He died at a good old age, after enjoying a long life, wealth and honor. Solomon his son succeeded him. - -\s5 -\v 29 King David's accomplishments are written in the history of Samuel the prophet, in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the prophet. -\v 30 Recorded there are the deeds of his rule, his accomplishments and the events that affected him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the other lands. - + + +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 King David said to the whole assembly, "Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced, and the task is great. For the temple is not for people but for Yahweh God. +\v 2 So I have done my best to provide for the temple of my God. I am giving gold for the things to be made of gold, silver for the things to be made of silver, bronze for the things to be made of bronze, iron for the things to be made of iron, and wood for the things to be made of wood. I am also giving onyx stones, stones to be set, stones for inlaid work of various colors—all kinds of precious stones—and marble stone in abundance. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now, because of my delight in the house of my God, I am giving my personal treasure of gold and silver for it. I am doing this in addition to all that I have prepared for this holy temple: +\v 4 three thousand talents of gold from Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, in order to overlay the walls of the buildings. +\v 5 I am donating gold for the things to be made of gold, and silver for the things to be made of silver, and things for all kinds of work to be done by craftsmen. Who else wants to make a contribution to Yahweh today and give himself to him?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then freewill offerings were made by the leaders of their ancestors' families, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and by the officials over the king's work. +\v 7 They gave for the service of God's house five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron. + +\s5 +\v 8 Those who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of Yahweh's house, under the supervision of Jehiel, a descendant of Gershon. +\v 9 The people rejoiced because of these freewilll offerings, because they had contributed wholeheartedly to Yahweh. King David also rejoiced greatly. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 David blessed Yahweh in front of all the assembly. He said, "May you be praised, Yahweh, God of Israel our ancestor, forever and ever. +\v 11 Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. For all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, Yahweh, and you are exalted as ruler over all. + +\s5 +\v 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all people. In your hand is power and might. You possess the strength and might to make people great and to give strength to anyone. +\v 13 Now then, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name. + +\s5 +\v 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly these things? Indeed, all things come from you, and we have simply given back to you what is yours. +\v 15 For we are strangers and travelers before you, as all our ancestors were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope of remaining on earth. + +\s5 +\v 16 Yahweh our God, all this wealth that we have collected in order to build a temple to honor your holy name—it comes from you and belongs to you. +\v 17 I know also, my God, that you examine the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things, and now I look with joy as your people who are present here willingly offer gifts to you. + +\s5 +\v 18 Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel—our ancestors—keep this forever in the thoughts of the minds of your people. Direct their hearts toward you. +\v 19 Give to Solomon my son a wholehearted desire to keep your commandments, your covenant decrees, and your statutes, and to carry out all these plans to build the palace for which I have made provision." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 David said to all the assembly, "Now bless Yahweh your God." All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, bowed their heads and worshiped Yahweh and prostrated themselves before the king. +\v 21 On the next day, they made sacrifices to Yahweh and offered burnt offerings to him. They offered a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. + +\s5 +\v 22 On that day, they ate and drank before Yahweh with great celebration. +\p They made Solomon, David's son, king a second time, and anointed him with Yahweh's authority to be ruler. They also anointed Zadok to be priest. +\v 23 Then Solomon sat on Yahweh's throne as king instead of David his father. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. + +\s5 +\v 24 All the leaders, soldiers, and King David's sons gave allegiance to King Solomon. +\v 25 Yahweh greatly honored Solomon before all Israel and bestowed on him greater power than he had ever given to any king before him in Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 David son of Jesse reigned over all Israel. +\v 27 David had been king of Israel for forty years. He ruled for seven years in Hebron and for thirty-three years in Jerusalem. +\v 28 He died at a good old age, after enjoying a long life, wealth and honor. Solomon his son succeeded him. + +\s5 +\v 29 King David's accomplishments are written in the history of Samuel the prophet, in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the history of Gad the prophet. +\v 30 Recorded there are the deeds of his rule, his accomplishments and the events that affected him, Israel, and all the kingdoms of the other lands. + diff --git a/14-2CH.usfm b/14-2CH.usfm index b020bc6f..05642a60 100644 --- a/14-2CH.usfm +++ b/14-2CH.usfm @@ -4,127 +4,127 @@ \toc1 The Second Book of the Chronicles \toc2 Second Chronicles \toc3 2Ch -\mt Second Chronicles \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Solomon son of David, was strengthened in his rule, and Yahweh his God was with him and made him very powerful. - -\s5 -\v 2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers' houses. -\v 3 So Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for there was the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of Yahweh, had made in the wilderness. -\v 4 But David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place that he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. -\v 5 In addition, the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur was there before the tabernacle of Yahweh; Solomon and the assembly went to it. -\f + \ft Some older versions have, \fqa the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, he placed there before the tabernacle of Yahweh \fqa* , where \fqa he \fqa* refers to David. \f* - -\s5 -\v 6 Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before Yahweh, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it. -\p -\v 7 God appeared to Solomon that night and said to him, "Ask! What should I give you?" - -\s5 -\v 8 Solomon said to God, "You have shown great covenant faithfulness to David my father, and have made me king in his place. -\v 9 Now, Yahweh God, let your promise to David my father be carried out, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. -\v 10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people, for who can judge your people, who are so many in number?" -\v 11 God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and because you have not asked for riches, wealth, or honor, nor for the life of those who hate you, nor for long life for yourself, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you might rule my people, over whom I have made you king, and this is what I will do. - -\s5 -\v 12 I will now give you wisdom and knowledge. I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor, as none of the kings had before you, and none after you will have." -\v 13 So Solomon came to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting; he reigned over Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen, and he had 1,400 chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with himself, the king in Jerusalem. -\v 15 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as the stones, and he made cedar wood as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowlands. - -\s5 -\v 16 As for the importation of horses from Egypt and Kue for Solomon, his merchants bought them from Kue at a price. -\v 17 They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for 150 shekels. They also exported them to the kings of the Hittites and the Arameans. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Now Solomon commanded the building of a house for Yahweh's name and the building of a palace for his kingdom. -\v 2 Solomon assigned seventy thousand men to carry loads, and eighty thousand men as stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 men to supervise them. -\v 3 Solomon sent a message to Hiram, the king of Tyre, saying, "As you did with David my father, sending him cedar logs to build a house to live in, do the same with me. - -\s5 -\v 4 See, I am about to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to set it apart to him, to burn incense of sweet spices before him, to set out the bread of the presence, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and on the new moons, and on the appointed feasts for Yahweh our God. This is forever, for Israel. -\v 5 The house that I will build will be very large, for our God is greater than all other gods. -\s5 -\v 6 But who is able to build God a house, since the entire universe and even heaven itself cannot contain him? Who am I to build him a house, except to burn sacrifices before him? -\v 7 So send me a man who is skilled at work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue wool, a man who knows how to make all kinds of engraved wood. He will be with the skilled men who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided. - -\s5 -\v 8 Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum trees from Lebanon,for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. See, my servants will be with your servants, -\v 9 in order to prepare for me timber in abundance, for the house which I am about to build will be great and marvelous. -\v 10 See, I will give to your servants, the men who will cut the timber, twenty thousand cors of ground wheat, twenty thousand cors of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil." -\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa twenty thousand cors of wheat as food \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Hiram, the king of Tyre, answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon: "Because Yahweh loves his people, he has made you king over them." -\v 12 In addition, Hiram said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, gifted with prudence and understanding, who will build a house for Yahweh and a palace for himself. - -\s5 -\v 13 Now I have sent a skillful man, Huram-Abi, who is gifted with understanding. -\v 14 He is the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan. His father was a man from Tyre. He is skilled at work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and in timber, and in purple, blue, and crimson wool, and fine linen. He is also skilled in making any kind of engraving and in making any kind of design. Let a place be made for him among your skilled workers, and with those of my master, David, your father. - -\s5 -\v 15 Now then, the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, of which my master has spoken, let him send these things to his servants. -\v 16 We will cut wood from Lebanon, as much wood as you need. We will take it to you as rafts by sea to Joppa, and you will carry it up to Jerusalem." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Solomon counted all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, following the method that David, his father, had counted them. They were found to be 153,600. -\v 18 He assigned seventy thousand of them to carry loads, eighty thousand to be stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 to be supervisors to put the people to work. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Then Solomon began to build the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh had appeared to David his father. He prepared the place that David had planned for it, at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. -\v 2 He began to build on the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. -\v 3 Now these are the dimensions of the foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God. Using the old style cubit, the length was sixty cubits, and the width was twenty cubits. - -\s5 -\v 4 The length of the portico at the front of the house was twenty cubits, matching the building's width. Its height was also twenty cubits, and Solomon overlaid its interior with pure gold. -\v 5 He fashioned the ceiling of the main hall with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold, and which he carved with palm trees and chains. - -\s5 -\v 6 He decorated the house with precious stones; the gold was gold from Parvaim. -\v 7 He also overlaid its beams, thresholds, walls, and doors with gold; he carved cherubs on its walls. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 He built the most holy place. Its length matched the house's width, twenty cubits, and its width was also twenty cubits. He overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. -\v 9 The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid its high surfaces with gold. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 He made two images of cherubs for the most holy place; craftsmen overlaid them with gold. -\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa two wooden images of cherubs \fqa* . \f* -\v 11 The wings of the cherubs were twenty cubits long all together; the wing of one cherub was five cubits long, reaching to the wall of the room; the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. -\v 12 The wing of the other cherub was also five cubits, reaching to the wall of the room; its other wing was also five cubits, touching the wing of the first cherub. - -\s5 -\v 13 The wings of these cherubs spread a total of twenty cubits. The cherubs stood on their feet, with their faces toward the main hall. -\v 14 He made the curtain of blue, purple, and crimson wool and fine linen, and he fashioned cherubs on it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Solomon also made two pillars, each thirty-five cubits high, for in front of the house; the capitals that were on the top of them were five cubits high. -\v 16 He made chains for the pillars and put them on top of them; he also made one hundred pomegranates and joined them to the chains. -\v 17 He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; he named the pillar on the right Jakin, and the pillar on the left Boaz. - - - +\mt Second Chronicles \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Solomon son of David, was strengthened in his rule, and Yahweh his God was with him and made him very powerful. + +\s5 +\v 2 Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every prince in all Israel, the heads of the fathers' houses. +\v 3 So Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for there was the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of Yahweh, had made in the wilderness. +\v 4 But David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place that he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. +\v 5 In addition, the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur was there before the tabernacle of Yahweh; Solomon and the assembly went to it. +\f + \ft Some older versions have, \fqa the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri son of Hur, he placed there before the tabernacle of Yahweh \fqa* , where \fqa he \fqa* refers to David. \f* + +\s5 +\v 6 Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before Yahweh, which was at the tent of meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it. +\p +\v 7 God appeared to Solomon that night and said to him, "Ask! What should I give you?" + +\s5 +\v 8 Solomon said to God, "You have shown great covenant faithfulness to David my father, and have made me king in his place. +\v 9 Now, Yahweh God, let your promise to David my father be carried out, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. +\v 10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people, for who can judge your people, who are so many in number?" +\v 11 God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and because you have not asked for riches, wealth, or honor, nor for the life of those who hate you, nor for long life for yourself, but you have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself, so that you might rule my people, over whom I have made you king, and this is what I will do. + +\s5 +\v 12 I will now give you wisdom and knowledge. I will also give you riches, wealth, and honor, as none of the kings had before you, and none after you will have." +\v 13 So Solomon came to Jerusalem from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting; he reigned over Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen, and he had 1,400 chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the chariot cities, and with himself, the king in Jerusalem. +\v 15 The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as the stones, and he made cedar wood as common as the sycamore trees that are in the lowlands. + +\s5 +\v 16 As for the importation of horses from Egypt and Kue for Solomon, his merchants bought them from Kue at a price. +\v 17 They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for 150 shekels. They also exported them to the kings of the Hittites and the Arameans. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Now Solomon commanded the building of a house for Yahweh's name and the building of a palace for his kingdom. +\v 2 Solomon assigned seventy thousand men to carry loads, and eighty thousand men as stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 men to supervise them. +\v 3 Solomon sent a message to Hiram, the king of Tyre, saying, "As you did with David my father, sending him cedar logs to build a house to live in, do the same with me. + +\s5 +\v 4 See, I am about to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to set it apart to him, to burn incense of sweet spices before him, to set out the bread of the presence, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and on the new moons, and on the appointed feasts for Yahweh our God. This is forever, for Israel. +\v 5 The house that I will build will be very large, for our God is greater than all other gods. +\s5 +\v 6 But who is able to build God a house, since the entire universe and even heaven itself cannot contain him? Who am I to build him a house, except to burn sacrifices before him? +\v 7 So send me a man who is skilled at work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue wool, a man who knows how to make all kinds of engraved wood. He will be with the skilled men who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided. + +\s5 +\v 8 Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum trees from Lebanon,for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. See, my servants will be with your servants, +\v 9 in order to prepare for me timber in abundance, for the house which I am about to build will be great and marvelous. +\v 10 See, I will give to your servants, the men who will cut the timber, twenty thousand cors of ground wheat, twenty thousand cors of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil." +\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa twenty thousand cors of wheat as food \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Hiram, the king of Tyre, answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon: "Because Yahweh loves his people, he has made you king over them." +\v 12 In addition, Hiram said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, gifted with prudence and understanding, who will build a house for Yahweh and a palace for himself. + +\s5 +\v 13 Now I have sent a skillful man, Huram-Abi, who is gifted with understanding. +\v 14 He is the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan. His father was a man from Tyre. He is skilled at work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and in timber, and in purple, blue, and crimson wool, and fine linen. He is also skilled in making any kind of engraving and in making any kind of design. Let a place be made for him among your skilled workers, and with those of my master, David, your father. + +\s5 +\v 15 Now then, the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, of which my master has spoken, let him send these things to his servants. +\v 16 We will cut wood from Lebanon, as much wood as you need. We will take it to you as rafts by sea to Joppa, and you will carry it up to Jerusalem." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Solomon counted all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, following the method that David, his father, had counted them. They were found to be 153,600. +\v 18 He assigned seventy thousand of them to carry loads, eighty thousand to be stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 to be supervisors to put the people to work. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Then Solomon began to build the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh had appeared to David his father. He prepared the place that David had planned for it, at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. +\v 2 He began to build on the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. +\v 3 Now these are the dimensions of the foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God. Using the old style cubit, the length was sixty cubits, and the width was twenty cubits. + +\s5 +\v 4 The length of the portico at the front of the house was twenty cubits, matching the building's width. Its height was also twenty cubits, and Solomon overlaid its interior with pure gold. +\v 5 He fashioned the ceiling of the main hall with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold, and which he carved with palm trees and chains. + +\s5 +\v 6 He decorated the house with precious stones; the gold was gold from Parvaim. +\v 7 He also overlaid its beams, thresholds, walls, and doors with gold; he carved cherubs on its walls. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 He built the most holy place. Its length matched the house's width, twenty cubits, and its width was also twenty cubits. He overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents. +\v 9 The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid its high surfaces with gold. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 He made two images of cherubs for the most holy place; craftsmen overlaid them with gold. +\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa two wooden images of cherubs \fqa* . \f* +\v 11 The wings of the cherubs were twenty cubits long all together; the wing of one cherub was five cubits long, reaching to the wall of the room; the other wing was likewise five cubits, reaching to the wing of the other cherub. +\v 12 The wing of the other cherub was also five cubits, reaching to the wall of the room; its other wing was also five cubits, touching the wing of the first cherub. + +\s5 +\v 13 The wings of these cherubs spread a total of twenty cubits. The cherubs stood on their feet, with their faces toward the main hall. +\v 14 He made the curtain of blue, purple, and crimson wool and fine linen, and he fashioned cherubs on it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Solomon also made two pillars, each thirty-five cubits high, for in front of the house; the capitals that were on the top of them were five cubits high. +\v 16 He made chains for the pillars and put them on top of them; he also made one hundred pomegranates and joined them to the chains. +\v 17 He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; he named the pillar on the right Jakin, and the pillar on the left Boaz. + + + \s5 @@ -171,1412 +171,1412 @@ \v 21 and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of gold, pure gold. \s5 -\v 22 Also the lamp trimmers, basins, spoons, and incense burners were all made of pure gold. As for the entrance into the house, its inner doors into the most holy place and the doors of the house, that is, of the temple, were made of gold. -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 When all the work that Solomon did for the house of Yahweh was completed, Solomon brought in the things that David, his father, had set apart for this purpose, including the silver, the gold, and all the furnishings—he placed them into the treasuries of the house of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the families of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh from the city of David, that is, Zion. -\v 3 All the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month. - -\s5 -\v 4 All the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. -\v 5 They brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tent. The priests who were of the tribe of Levi brought these things up. -\v 6 King Solomon and all the assembly of Israel came together before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted. - -\s5 -\v 7 The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the inner room of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim. -\v 8 For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, and they covered the ark and the poles by which it was carried. - -\s5 -\v 9 The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner room, but they could not be seen from outside. They are there to this day. -\v 10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 It came about that the priests came out of the holy place. All the priests who were present had consecrated themselves to Yahweh, not ordering themselves according to their divisions. -\v 12 Also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and brothers, clothed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood at the east end of the altar. With them were 120 priests blowing trumpets. - -\s5 -\v 13 It came about that the trumpeters and singers made music together, making one sound to be heard for praising and thanking Yahweh. They raised their voices with the trumpets and cymbals and other instruments, and they praised Yahweh. They sang, "For he is good, for his covenant loyalty endures forever." Then the house, the house of Yahweh, was filled with a cloud. -\v 14 The priests could not stand in order to serve because of the cloud, for the glory of Yahweh filled his house. - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 Then Solomon said, "Yahweh has said that he would live in thick darkness, -\v 2 but I have built you a lofty residence, a place for you to live in forever." -\v 3 Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 He said, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised, who spoke to David my father, and has fulfilled it with his own hands, saying, -\v 5 'Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, in order for my name to be there. Neither did I choose any man to be prince over my people Israel. -\v 6 However, I have chosen Jerusalem, so that my name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.' - -\s5 -\v 7 Now it was in the heart of David my father, to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 8 But Yahweh said to David my father, 'In that it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well for it to be in your heart. -\v 9 Nevertheless, you must not build the house; instead, your son, one who will come from your loins, will build the house for my name.' - -\s5 -\v 10 Yahweh has carried out the word that he had said, for I have arisen in the place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised. I have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 11 I have placed the ark there, in which is Yahweh's covenant, which he made with the people of Israel." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands. -\v 13 For he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. He had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it and knelt down before all the assembly of Israel, and then he spread out his hands toward the heavens. - - -\s5 -\v 14 He said, "Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the heavens or on the earth, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with your servants who walk before you with all their heart; -\v 15 you who have kept with your servant David my father, what you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is today. - -\s5 -\v 16 Now then, Yahweh, God of Israel, carry out what you have promised to your servant David my father, when you said, 'You will not fail to have a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful to walk in my law, as you have walked before me.' -\v 17 Now then, God of Israel, I pray that the promise you made to your servant David will come true. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 But will God actually live with mankind on the earth? Look, the entire universe and heaven itself cannot contain you—how much less can this temple that I have built! -\v 19 Yet please respect this prayer of your servant and his request, Yahweh my God; listen to the cry and prayer that your servant prays before you. -\v 20 May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, the place where you promised to put your name. May you listen to the prayer your servant prays toward this place. - -\s5 -\v 21 So listen to the requests of your servant and of your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, listen from the place where you live, from the heavens; and when you listen, forgive. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 If a man sins against his neighbor and is required to swear an oath, and if he comes and swears an oath before your altar in this house, -\v 23 listen from the heavens and act. Judge your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing what he has done upon his own head. Declare the innocent not guilty and give to him according to his righteousness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, if they turn back to you, confess your name, pray, and request forgiveness before you in this temple— -\v 25 then please listen from the heavens and forgive the sin of your people Israel; bring them back to the land that you gave to them and to their ancestors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 When the skies are shut up and there is no rain because the people have sinned against you—if they pray toward this place, confess your name, and turn from their sin when you have afflicted them— -\v 27 then listen in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you direct them to the good way in which they should walk. Send rain on your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Suppose there is famine in the land, or suppose that there is disease, blight or mildew, locusts or caterpillars; or suppose that its enemies attack the city gates in their land, or that there is any plague or sickness— -\v 29 and suppose then that prayers and requests are made by a person or by all your people Israel—each knowing the plague and sorrow in his own heart as he spreads out his hands toward this temple. -\v 30 Then listen from heaven, the place where you live; forgive, and reward every person for all his ways; you know his heart, because you and you only know the hearts of human beings. -\v 31 Do this so that they may fear you, so that they may walk in your ways all the days that they live on the land that you gave to our ancestors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel, but who—because of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—comes and prays toward this house, -\v 33 then please listen from heaven, the place where you live, and do all that the foreigner asks of you, so that all the people of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and that they might know that this house I have built is called by your name. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 Suppose that your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you may send them, and suppose that they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen, and toward the house that I have built for your name. -\v 35 Then listen from the heavens to their prayer, their request, and help their cause. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Suppose they sin against you—since there is no one who does not sin—and suppose that you are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, so that the enemy carries them away and takes them as captives to their land, whether distant or near. -\v 37 Then suppose they realize they are in the land where they have been exiled, and suppose that they repent and seek favor from you in the land of their captivity. Suppose that they say, 'We have acted perversely and sinned. We have behaved wickedly.' -\v 38 Suppose that they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they took them as captives, and suppose that they pray toward their land, which you gave to their ancestors, and toward the city that you chose, and toward the house that I have built for your name. -\v 39 Then listen from the heavens, the place where you live, to their prayer and to their requests, and help their cause. Forgive your people, who have sinned against you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 Now, my God, I beg you, let your eyes be open, and let your ears be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. -\v 41 Now then arise, Yahweh God, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, Yahweh God, be clothed with salvation, and let your saints rejoice in your goodness. -\v 42 Yahweh God, do not turn the face of your anointed away from you. Keep in mind your acts of covenant loyalty for David, your servant." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glory of Yahweh filled the house. -\v 2 The priests could not enter the house of Yahweh, because his glory filled his house. -\v 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of Yahweh over the house, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the stone pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to Yahweh. They said, "For he is good, for his covenant loyalty endures forever." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 So the king and all the people offered sacrifices to Yahweh. -\v 5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen and 120,000 sheep and goats. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. -\v 6 The priests stood, each standing where they serve; the Levites also with instruments of music of Yahweh, which David the king had made to give thanks to Yahweh in the song, "For his covenant faithfulness endures for ever." All the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. - -\s5 -\v 7 Solomon set apart the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of Yahweh. There he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar that he had made was not able to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 So Solomon held the festival at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo Hamath to the brook of Egypt. -\v 9 On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they kept the dedication of the altar for seven days, and the feast for seven days. -\v 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent the people away to their homes with glad and joyful hearts because of the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, Solomon, and Israel, his people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of Yahweh and his own house. Everything that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Yahweh and in his own house, he successfully carried out. -\v 12 Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and I have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. - -\s5 -\v 13 Suppose that I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send disease among my people, -\v 14 then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. -\v 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers that are made in this place. - -\s5 -\v 16 For I have now chosen and set apart this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there every day. -\v 17 As for you, if you walk before me as David your father walked, obeying all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my decrees, -\v 18 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I said in a covenant with David your father, when I said, 'A descendant of yours will never fail to be ruler in Israel.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 But if you turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have placed before you, and if you go worship other gods and bow down to them, -\v 20 then I will uproot them from out of my ground that I have given them. This house that I have set apart for my name, I will cast away from before me, and I will make it a proverb and a joke among all the peoples. - -\s5 -\v 21 Even though this temple is so lofty now, everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss. They will ask, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land and to this house?' -\v 22 Others will answer, 'Because they forsook Yahweh, their God, who had brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods and bowed down to them and worshiped them. That is why Yahweh has brought all this disaster on them.'" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 It came about at the end of twenty years, during which Solomon had built the house of Yahweh and his own house, -\v 2 that Solomon rebuilt the towns that Hiram had given to him, and he settled the people of Israel in them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Solomon attacked Hamathzobah and defeated it. -\v 4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath. - -\s5 -\v 5 Also he built Beth Horon the Upper and Beth Horon the Lower, cities fortified with walls, gates, and bars. -\v 6 He built Baalath and all the store cities that he possessed, and all the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever he wished to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the lands under his rule. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who did not belong to Israel, -\v 8 their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed—Solomon made them into forced laborers, which they are to this day. - -\s5 -\v 9 However, Solomon made no forced laborers of the people of Israel. Instead, they became his soldiers, his commanders, his officers, and commanders of his chariot forces and his horsemen. -\v 10 These were also the chief officers managing the supervisors who belonged to King Solomon, 250 of them, who supervised the people who did the work. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, "My wife must not live in the house of David king of Israel, because wherever the ark of Yahweh has come is holy." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on his altar that he had built in front of the portico. -\v 13 He offered sacrifices just as the daily schedule required; he offered them, following the directions found in the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbath days, the new moons, and on the set festivals three times every year: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Shelters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 In keeping with the decrees of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests to their work, and the Levites to their positions, in order to praise God and to serve before the priests, as the daily schedule required. He also appointed the gatekeepers by their divisions to every gate, for David, the man of God, had also commanded this. -\v 15 These people did not deviate from the commands of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the storerooms. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 All the work ordered by Solomon was completed, from the day the foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid until it was finished. The house of Yahweh was completed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and then to Elath on the coast, in the land of Edom. -\v 18 Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own officers, men who knew the sea, and with the servants of Solomon they went to Ophir and they took from there 450 talents of gold and brought it to King Solomon. - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. She came with a very long caravan, with camels loaded with spices, much gold, and many precious gemstones. When she had come to Solomon, she told him all that was in her heart. -\v 2 Solomon answered her all her questions; nothing was too difficult for Solomon; there was no question that he did not answer. - -\s5 -\v 3 When the queen of Sheba saw Solomon's wisdom and the palace that he had built, -\v 4 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the work of his servants and their clothing, also his cupbearers and their clothing, and the burnt offerings he made at \f + \ft Some scholars suggest an alternative reading of the phrase \fqa the burnt offerings he made at \fqa* to say, \fqa the ascent by which he went up to.\f* the house of Yahweh, and there was no more breath in her. - -\s5 -\v 5 She said to the king, "It is true, the report that I heard in my own land of your words and your wisdom. -\v 6 I did not believe what I heard until I came here, and now my eyes have seen it. Not half was told me about your wisdom and wealth! You have exceeded the fame that I heard about. - -\s5 -\v 7 How blessed are your people, and how blessed are your servants who constantly stand before you, because they hear your wisdom. -\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa How blessed are your wives \fqa* , assuming that the text should read as in 1 Kings 10:8. \f* -\v 8 Blessed be Yahweh your God, who has taken pleasure in you, who placed you on his throne, to be king for Yahweh your God. Because your God loved Israel, in order to establish them forever, he had made you king over them, for you to do justice and righteousness!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 She gave the king 120 talents of gold and a large amount of spices and precious stones. No greater amount of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon was ever given to him again. - -\s5 -\v 10 The servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum wood and precious stones. -\v 11 With the algum wood, the king made steps for the house of Yahweh and for his house, as well as harps and lyres for the musicians. No wood like this had been seen before in the land of Judah. -\v 12 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba everything she desired and whatever she asked for; he gave her more than what she had brought to the king. So she left and went back to her own land, she and her servants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, -\v 14 besides the gold that the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors in the country also brought gold and silver to Solomon. - -\s5 -\v 15 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of gold went into each one. -\v 16 He also made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three minas of gold went into each shield; the king put them into the House of the Forest of Lebanon. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with the finest gold. -\v 18 There were six steps to the throne, and a footstool was attached to the throne. On each side of the throne there were armrests with two lions standing beside each of them. - -\s5 -\v 19 Twelve lions stood on the steps, one on each side of each of the six steps. There was no throne like it in any other kingdom. -\v 20 All King Solomon's drinking cups were gold, and all the drinking cups in the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were silver because silver was not considered valuable in Solomon's days. -\v 21 The king had at sea a fleet of oceangoing ships, along with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet brought gold, silver, and ivory, as well as apes and baboons. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom. -\v 23 All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon in order to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. -\v 24 Those who visited brought tribute, vessels of silver and of gold, clothes, armor, and spices, as well as horses and mules, year after year. - -\s5 -\v 25 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with himself in Jerusalem. -\v 26 He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 27 The king had silver in Jerusalem, as much as the stones on the ground. He made cedar wood to be as abundant as the sycamore fig trees that are in the lowlands. -\v 28 They brought horses for Solomon from Egypt and from all the lands. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 As for the other matters concerning Solomon, first and last, are they not written in The History of Nathan the Prophet, in The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in The Visions of Iddo the Seer (which also had information about Jeroboam son of Nebat)? -\v 30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. -\v 31 He slept with his ancestors and the people buried him in the city of David his father. Rehoboam, his son, became king in his place. -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel was coming to Shechem to make him king. -\v 2 When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard this (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 3 So they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all Israel came; they spoke to Rehoboam and said, -\v 4 "Your father made our yoke difficult. Now therefore, make your father's hard work easier, and lighten the heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you." -\v 5 Rehoboam said to them, "Come again to me after three days." So the people left. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he was alive; he said, "How would you advise me to bring an answer to these people?" -\v 7 They spoke to him and said, "If you are good to this people and please them, and say good words to them, then they will always be your servants." - -\s5 -\v 8 But Rehoboam ignored the advice of the old men that they had given him, and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. -\v 9 He said to them, "What advice do you give me, so that we may answer the people who spoke to me and said, 'Lighten the yoke that your father put on us'?" - -\s5 -\v 10 The young men who had grown up with Rehoboam spoke to him, saying, "This is how you should speak to the people who told you that your father Solomon made their yoke heavy, but that you must make it lighter. This is what you should say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. -\v 11 So now, although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king said, "Come back to me on the third day." -\v 13 Rehoboam spoke to them harshly, ignoring the advice of the old men. -\v 14 He spoke to them following the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions." -\m - -\s5 -\v 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn in events brought about by God, that Yahweh might carry out his word that Ahijah the Shilonite had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered him and said, "What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse! Each of you should go back to his tent, Israel. Now see to your own house, David." So all Israel returned to their tents. - -\s5 -\v 17 But as for the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. -\v 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was over the forced laborers, but the people of Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam fled quickly in his chariot to Jerusalem. -\v 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were soldiers, to fight against Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. - -\s5 -\v 2 But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, -\v 3 "Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, -\v 4 'Yahweh says this, "You must not attack or make war against your brothers. Everyone must return to his own house, for I have caused this to happen."'" So they obeyed the words of Yahweh and turned back from attacking Jeroboam. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities in Judah for defense. -\v 6 He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, -\v 7 Beth Zur, Soko, Adullam, -\v 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, -\v 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, -\v 10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These are fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. - -\s5 -\v 11 He fortified the fortresses and put commanders in them, with stores of food, oil, and wine. -\v 12 He put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin belonged to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel went over to him from within their borders. -\v 14 For the Levites left their pasturelands and property in order to come to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had driven them away, so that they could no longer perform priestly duties for Yahweh. -\v 15 Jeroboam appointed for himself priests for the high places and the goat and calf idols he had made. - -\s5 -\v 16 People from all the tribes of Israel came after them, those who set their hearts to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel; they came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of their fathers. -\v 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong during three years, and they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Rehoboam took a wife for himself: Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth, David's son, and of Abihail, the daughter of Eliab, Jesse's son. -\v 19 She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. - -\s5 -\v 20 After Mahalath, Rehoboam took Maacah, Absalom's daughter; she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. -\v 21 Rehoboam loved Maacah, Absalom's daughter, more than all his other wives and his concubines (he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters). - -\s5 -\v 22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maacah to be chief, a leader among his brothers; he had the thought of making him king. -\v 23 Rehoboam ruled wisely; he scattered all his sons throughout all the land of Judah and Benjamin to every fortified city. He also gave them food in abundance and looked for many wives for them. - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 It came about, when Rehoboam's reign was established and he was strong, that he abandoned the law of Yahweh—and all Israel with him. - -\s5 -\v 2 It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, that Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem, because the people had been unfaithful to Yahweh. -\v 3 He came with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. Soldiers without number came with him from Egypt: Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites. -\v 4 He captured the fortified cities that belonged to Judah and came to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 5 Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah said to them, "This is what Yahweh says: You have forsaken me, so I have also given you over into Shishak's hand." -\v 6 Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "Yahweh is righteous." - -\s5 -\v 7 When Yahweh saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, saying, "They have humbled themselves. I will not ruin them; I will rescue them to some extent, and my anger will not pour out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak's hand. -\v 8 Nevertheless, they will be his servants, so that they may understand what it is to serve me and to serve the rulers of the other countries." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 So Shishak, king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures in the house of Yahweh, and the treasures in the king's house. He took everything away; he also took the shields of gold that Solomon had made. -\v 10 King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place and entrusted them into the hands of the commanders of the guard, who guarded the doors to the king's house. - -\s5 -\v 11 It happened that whenever the king entered the house of Yahweh, the guards would carry them; then they would bring them back into the guardhouse. -\v 12 When Rehoboam humbled himself, Yahweh's anger turned away from him, so as not to destroy him completely; besides, there was still some good to be found in Judah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 So King Rehoboam made his kingship strong in Jerusalem, and thus he reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that Yahweh had chosen from all the tribes of Israel so that he might put his name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman. -\v 14 He did what was evil, because he did not fix his heart to seek Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 As for the other matters concerning Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the writings of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, which also have records of genealogies and the constant wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam? -\v 16 Rehoboam slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David; Abijah his son became king in his place. - - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah. -\v 2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem; his mother's name was Macaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. -\v 3 Abijah went into battle with an army of strong, courageous soldiers, 400,000 chosen men. Jeroboam placed battle lines against him with 800,000 chosen men, strong, courageous soldiers. - -\s5 -\v 4 Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, "Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel! -\v 5 Do you not know that Yahweh, the God of Israel, gave the rule over Israel to David forever, to him and to his sons by a formal covenant? - -\s5 -\v 6 Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master. -\v 7 Worthless men, base fellows, gathered to him. They came against Rehoboam son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and inexperienced and could not withstand them. - -\s5 -\v 8 So now you plan to resist the kingdom of Yahweh that is held within the hand of the descendants of David, because you are a large army, and you have the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods. -\v 9 But did you not drive out the priests of Yahweh, the descendants of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own in the same way as the people of other lands do? Whoever comes to serve as a priest, sacrificing a young bullock and seven rams, he becomes a priest of what are not gods. - -\s5 -\v 10 But as for us, Yahweh is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests, descendants of Aaron, serving Yahweh, and the Levites, who are at their work. -\v 11 Every morning and evening they burn for Yahweh burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also arrange the bread of the presence on the pure table; they also tend the lampstand of gold with its lamps, for them to burn every evening. We keep the commandments of Yahweh, our God, but you have forsaken him. - -\s5 -\v 12 See, God is with us at our head, and his priests are here with the trumpets to sound an alarm against you. People of Israel, do not fight against Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 But Jeroboam prepared an ambush behind them; his army was in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. -\v 14 When Judah looked back, behold, the fighting was both in front of them and behind them. They cried out to Yahweh, and the priests blew the trumpets. -\v 15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout; as they shouted, it came about that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. - -\s5 -\v 16 The people of Israel fled before Judah, and God gave them into the hand of Judah. -\v 17 Abijah and his army killed them with great slaughter; 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell dead. -\v 18 In this way, the people of Israel were subdued at that time; the people of Judah won because they relied on Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. - -\s5 -\v 19 Abijah pursued Jeroboam; he took cities from him: Bethel with its villages, Jeshanah with its villages, and Ephron with its villages. -\v 20 Jeroboam never recovered power again during the days of Abijah; Yahweh struck him, and he died. -\v 21 But Abijah became powerful; he took fourteen wives for himself and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. -\v 22 The rest of Abijah's deeds, his behavior, and words are written in the history of the prophet Iddo. - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 Abijah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Asa, his son, became king in his place. In his days the land was quiet ten years. -\v 2 Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of Yahweh his God, -\v 3 for he took away the foreign altars and the high places. He broke down the stone pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. -\v 4 He commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and to carry out the law and the commandments. - - -\s5 -\v 5 Also he took away the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. The kingdom had rest under him. -\v 6 He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Yahweh had given him peace. - -\s5 -\v 7 For Asa said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is still ours because we have sought Yahweh our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side." So they built and succeeded. -\v 8 Asa had an army that carried shields and spears; from Judah he had 300,000 men, and from Benjamin, 280,000 men who carried shields and drew bows. All of these were mighty men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of one million soldiers and three hundred chariots; he came to Mareshah. -\v 10 Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle lines in order in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. -\v 11 Asa cried to Yahweh, his God, and said, "Yahweh, there is no one but you to help one who has no strength when he is facing many. Help us, Yahweh our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast number. Yahweh, you are our God; do not let man defeat you." - -\s5 -\v 12 So Yahweh struck the Cushites before Asa and Judah; the Cushites fled. -\v 13 Asa and the soldiers with him pursued them to Gerar. So many Cushites fell that they could not recover, for they were completely destroyed before Yahweh and his army. The army carried away very much plunder. - -\s5 -\v 14 The army destroyed all the villages around Gerar, for terror of Yahweh had come on the inhabitants. The army plundered all the villages, and there was much booty in them. -\v 15 The army also destroyed the tent settlements of the shepherding nomads; they carried away sheep in abundance, as well as camels, and then they returned to Jerusalem. - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. -\v 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: Yahweh is with you, while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now for a long period, Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without the law. -\v 4 But when in their distress they turned to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. -\v 5 In those times there was no peace for him who traveled away, nor for him who traveled to here; instead, great troubles were on all the inhabitants of the lands. - -\s5 -\v 6 They were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city, for God troubled them with all kinds of suffering. -\v 7 But be strong, and do not let your hands be weak, for your work will be rewarded." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 When Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and drove away the disgusting things from all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and from the cities that he had captured from the hill country of Ephraim, and he rebuilt Yahweh's altar, which was in front of the portico of Yahweh's house. -\v 9 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who stayed with them—people from of Ephraim and Manasseh, and from Simeon. For they came from Israel to him in great numbers, when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him. - -\s5 -\v 10 So they gathered together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of Asa's reign. -\v 11 They sacrificed to Yahweh in that day some of the plunder that they had brought: seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep and goats. - -\s5 -\v 12 They entered into a covenant to seek Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and with all their soul. -\v 13 They agreed that whoever refused to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether the person was small or great, whether man or woman. - -\s5 -\v 14 They swore to Yahweh with a loud voice, with shouting, and with trumpets and horns. -\v 15 All Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart, and they sought God with their whole desire, and he was found by them. Yahweh gave them peace all around them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 He also removed Maacah, his grandmother, from being queen, because she had made a disgusting figure out of an Asherah pole. Asa cut down the disgusting figure, ground it to dust and burned it at the brook Kidron. -\v 17 But the high places were not taken out of Israel. Nevertheless, Asa's heart was completely devoted all his days. - -\s5 -\v 18 He brought into the house of God the silver and gold and the utensils that he and his father had dedicated for that purpose. -\v 19 There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign. - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, Baasha, king of Israel, acted aggressively against Judah and built up Ramah, so that he might not allow anyone to leave or enter into the land of Asa, king of Judah. - -\s5 -\v 2 Then Asa brought the silver and gold out of the storerooms in the house of Yahweh and of the king's house, and sent it to Ben Hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus. He said, -\v 3 "Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Look, I have sent to you silver and gold. Break your covenant with Baasha, king of Israel, so that he may leave me alone." - -\s5 -\v 4 Ben Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali. -\v 5 It came about that when Baasha heard this, he stopped building up Ramah, and let his work cease. -\v 6 Then Asa the king took all Judah with him. They carried away the stones and timbers of Ramah with which Baasha had been building up the city. Then King Asa used that building material to build up Geba and Mizpah. - - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 At that time Hanani the seer went to Asa, king of Judah, and said to him, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram, and have not relied on Yahweh your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. -\v 8 Were not the Cushites and the Libyans a huge army, with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on Yahweh, he gave you victory over them. - -\s5 -\v 9 For the eyes of Yahweh run everywhere throughout the whole earth, so that he might show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect toward him. But you have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, you will have war." -\v 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer; he put him into prison, for he was angry with him over this matter. At the same time, Asa oppressed some of the people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Behold, the deeds of Asa, from first to last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. -\v 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was very severe, he did not seek help from Yahweh, but only from the physicians. - -\s5 -\v 13 So Asa slept with his ancestors, dying in the forty-first year of his reign. -\v 14 They buried him in his own tomb, which he had dug out for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that was filled with sweet odors and various kinds of spices prepared by skilled perfumers. Then they made a very great fire in his honor. - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king in his place. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel. -\v 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had captured. - -\s5 -\v 3 Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and did not seek the Baals. -\f + \ft Some ancient copies do not have \fqa David \fqa* , and some modern versions leave it out. \f* -\v 4 Instead, he relied on the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, not after the behavior of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 5 So Yahweh established the rule in his hand; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat. He had riches and honor in abundance. -\v 6 His heart was committed to Yahweh's ways. He also removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. -\v 8 With them were Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah; and with them were the priests Elishama and Jehoram. -\v 9 They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Terror of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. -\v 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver as tribute. Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams, and 7,700 goats. - -\s5 -\v 12 Jehoshaphat became very powerful. He built fortresses and store cities in Judah. -\v 13 He had many supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers—strong, mighty men—in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 14 These were their divisions listed by the name of their fathers' houses: From Judah, the commanders of thousands; Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 fighting men; -\v 15 next to him Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000 men; -\v 16 next to him Amasiah son of Zichri, who willingly offered to serve Yahweh; and with him 200,000 fighting men. - -\s5 -\v 17 From Benjamin: Eliada a powerful man of courage, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields; -\v 18 next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 ready prepared for war. -\v 19 These were those who served the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; he allied himself with Ahab by having one of his family marry his daughter. -\v 2 After some years, he went down to Ahab in Samaria. Ahab killed many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him. Ahab also persuaded him to attack Ramoth Gilead with him. -\v 3 Ahab, king of Israel, said to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat answered him, "I am like you, and my people are like your people. We will be with you in the war." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please first seek the word of Yahweh for your answer." -\v 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Should we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or should I not?" They said, "Attack, for God will give it into the hand of the king." - -\s5 -\v 6 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here still another prophet of Yahweh with whom we might seek advice?" -\v 7 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may seek the advice of Yahweh, Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil." But Jehoshaphat said, "The king should not say that." -\v 8 Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, "Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah." - -\s5 -\v 9 Now Ahab the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on a throne, clothed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. -\v 10 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, "Yahweh says this: With these you will push the Arameans until they are consumed." -\v 11 All the prophets prophesied the same, saying, "Attack Ramoth Gilead and win, for Yahweh has given it into the hand of the king." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now look, the words of the prophets declare good things to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like the word of one of them and say good things." -\v 13 Micaiah replied, "As Yahweh lives, it is what God says that I will say." -\v 14 When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth Gilead for battle, or not?" Micaiah answered him, "Attack and be victorious! For it will be a great victory." - -\s5 -\v 15 Then the king said to him, "How many times must I require you to swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?" -\v 16 So Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep who have no shepherd, and Yahweh said, 'These have no shepherd. Let every man return to his house in peace.'" - -\s5 -\v 17 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but only disaster?" -\v 18 Then Micaiah said, "Therefore all of you should hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven were standing on his right hand and on his left. - -\s5 -\v 19 Yahweh said, 'Who will entice Ahab, king of Israel, so that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One said this and another that. - -\s5 -\v 20 Then a spirit came forward and it stood before Yahweh and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to him, 'How?' -\v 21 The spirit replied, 'I will go out and I will become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Yahweh replied, 'You will entice him, and you will also be successful. Go now and do so.' - -\s5 -\v 22 Now see, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and Yahweh has decreed disaster for you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, came up, slapped Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh take to go from me to speak to you?" -\v 24 Micaiah said, "Look, you will know that on that day, when you run into some inner room to hide." - -\s5 -\v 25 The king of Israel said to some servants, "You people seize Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, my son. -\v 26 You people will say to him, 'The king says: Put this man in prison and feed him with only a little bread and only a little water, until I return safely.'" -\v 27 Then Micaiah said, "If you return safely, then Yahweh has not spoken by me." Then he added, "Listen to this, all you people." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 So Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up against Ramoth Gilead. -\v 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into the battle. -\v 30 Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Do not attack the unimportant or the important soldiers. Instead, attack only the king of Israel." - -\s5 -\v 31 It came about that when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat they said, "That is the king of Israel." They turned around to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him. God turned them away from him. -\v 32 It came about that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. - -\s5 -\v 33 But a certain man drew his bow at random and shot the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. Then Ahab said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded." -\v 34 The battle grew worse that day, and the king of Israel was held up in his chariot facing the Arameans until the evening. About the time that the sun was going down, he died. -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah safely returned to his house in Jerusalem. -\v 2 Then Jehu son of Hanani, the seer, went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you be helping the wicked? Should you be loving those who hate Yahweh? For this deed, anger from Yahweh is on you. -\v 3 However, there is some good to be found in you, in that you have taken the Asherah poles out of the land, and you have fixed your heart to seek God." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers. -\v 5 He placed judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. - -\s5 -\v 6 He said to the judges, "Consider what you should do, because you are not judging for man, but for Yahweh; he is with you in the act of judging. -\v 7 Now then, let the fear of Yahweh be upon you. Be careful when you judge, for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor is there any favoritism or bribe taking." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and the priests, and some of the heads of the ancestral houses of Israel, for carrying out judgment for Yahweh, and for the sake of disputes. They lived in Jerusalem. -\v 9 He instructed them, saying, "You must serve in reverence for Yahweh, faithfully, and with your whole heart. - -\s5 -\v 10 Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, whether concerning bloodshed, whether about laws and commands, statutes or decrees, you must warn them, so they do not become guilty before Yahweh, or anger will come toward you and toward your brothers. You shall do this and you will not be guilty. - -\s5 -\v 11 See, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all the matters of Yahweh. Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, is in charge of all the matters of the king. Also, the Levites will be officers serving you. Be strong and obey your instructions, and may Yahweh be with those who are good." -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 It came about after this, that the people of Moab and Ammon, and with them some Meunites came against Jehoshaphat to do battle. -\f + \ft The reading \fqa some Meunites \fqa* represents a correction to the Hebrew text, which reads, \fqa some Ammonites \fqa* . It is thought that \fqa Meunites \fqa* was original, and that a copyist changed it to \fqa some Ammonites \fqa* . But this last reading makes no sense, because Ammonites have already been mentioned in this verse. However, different versions deal with this problem in different ways. \f* -\v 2 Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A large multitude is coming against you from beyond the Dead Sea, from Edom. See, they are in Hazezon Tamar," that is, Engedi. - \f + \ft Instead of \fqa Edom \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read, \fqa Aram \fqa* . \f* -\s5 -\v 3 Jehoshaphat became afraid and set himself to seek Yahweh. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. -\v 4 Judah gathered together to seek Yahweh; they came to seek Yahweh from all the cities of Judah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, at the house of Yahweh, in front of the new courtyard. -\v 6 He said, "Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven? Are you not the ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so no one is able to resist you. -\v 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham? - -\s5 -\v 8 They lived in it and built you a holy place in it for your name, saying, -\v 9 'If disaster comes on us—the sword, judgment, or disease, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you (for your name is in this house), and we will cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear us and save us.' -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa judgment \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa flood \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\v 10 See now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir whom you would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt; instead, Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. -\v 11 See how they are rewarding us; they are coming to drive us out of your land that you have given us to inherit. -\s5 -\v 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power against this great army that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." -\v 13 All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, wives, and children. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then in the middle of the assembly, the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, the Levite, one of the sons of Asaph. -\v 15 Jahaziel said, "Listen, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Yahweh says to you, 'Do not fear; do not be discouraged because of this great army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. - -\s5 -\v 16 You must go down against them tomorrow. See, they are coming up by way of the pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. -\v 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand in your positions, stand still, and see the rescue of Yahweh with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear nor be discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you.'" - -\s5 -\v 18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping him. -\v 19 The Levites, those of the descendants of the Kohathites and Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Early in the morning they arose and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Trust in Yahweh your God, and you will be supported. Trust in his prophets, and you will succeed." -\v 21 After he consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to Yahweh and who praised him for his majestic splendor as they went out before the army, saying, "Give thanks to Yahweh, for his covenant faithfulness endures forever." - -\s5 -\v 22 When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set men in ambush against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who were coming against Judah. They were defeated. -\v 23 For the people of Ammon and Moab rose to fight the inhabitants of Mount Seir, in order to completely kill them and destroy them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Mount Seir, they all helped to destroy each other. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked out on the army. Behold, they were dead, fallen to the ground; none had escaped. - -\s5 -\v 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take plunder from them, they found among them abundant goods, clothing, and valuable articles, which they took for themselves, more than they could carry away. It took them three days to carry off the plunder, there was so much of it. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa among them \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa cattle \fqa* . Instead of \fqa clothing \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa dead bodies \fqa* .\f* -\v 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah. There they praised Yahweh, so the name of that place is the "Valley of Berakah" to this day. - -\s5 -\v 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in their lead, to go again to Jerusalem with joy, for Yahweh had made them rejoice over their enemies. -\v 28 They came to Jerusalem and to the house of Yahweh with lyres, harps, and trumpets. - -\s5 -\v 29 The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the nations when they heard that Yahweh had fought against Israel's enemies. -\v 30 So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him peace all around him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. -\v 32 He walked in the ways of Asa, his father; he did not turn away from them; he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. -\v 33 However, the high places were not taken away. The people still had not directed their hearts to the God of their ancestors. - -\s5 -\v 34 As for the other matters concerning Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu son of Hanani, which is recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 After this Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, allied himself with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who committed much wickedness. -\v 36 He allied himself with him to build ships to go to Tarshish. They built the ships at Ezion Geber. -\v 37 Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat; he said, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your projects." The ships were wrecked so that they were not able to sail. - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Jehoshaphat slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David; Jehoram, his son, became king in his place. -\v 2 Jehoram had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah. All these were sons of Jehoshaphat, king of Israel. -\v 3 Their father had given them large gifts of silver, gold, and other precious things, and also fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the throne to Jehoram, because he was his firstborn. - -\s5 -\v 4 Now when Jehoram had risen up over his father's kingdom and had firmly established himself as king, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also various other leaders of Israel. -\v 5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 6 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab was doing, for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. -\v 7 However, Yahweh did not wish to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David; he had promised that he would always give life to him and his descendants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 In Jehoram's days, Edom revolted from the control of Judah, and they set a king over themselves. -\v 9 Then Jehoram crossed over with his commanders and all his chariots. It was night when he rose up and fought against the Edomites who had surrounded him and his chariot commanders. -\v 10 So Edom has been in rebellion from the control of Judah to this present day. Libnah also revolted at the same time from his control, because Jehoram had forsaken Yahweh, the God of his ancestors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 In addition, Jehoram had also built high places in the mountains of Judah and he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to live like prostitutes, and he led Judah astray. - -\s5 -\v 12 A letter from the prophet Elijah came to Jehoram. It said, "This is what Yahweh, the God of David, your ancestor, says: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat, your father, nor in the ways of Asa, king of Judah, -\v 13 but have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to act like a prostitute, as the house of Ahab did—and because you have also killed your brothers in your father's family with the sword, men who were better than yourself— -\v 14 see, Yahweh will strike with a great plague your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions. -\v 15 You yourself will have much sickness because of a disease in your intestines, until your intestines fall out because of the sickness, day after day." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Yahweh stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians who were near the Cushites. -\v 17 They attacked Judah, invaded it, and carried away all the wealth that was found in the king's house. They also carried away his sons and his wives. No son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 After all this, Yahweh struck him in his intestines with an incurable disease. -\v 19 It came about in due time, at the end of two years, that his intestines fell out because of his sickness, and that he died of severe disease. His people made no fire in his honor as they had done for his ancestors. -\v 20 He had begun to reign when he was thirty-two years old; he reigned in Jerusalem for eight years, and he died unlamented. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the royal tombs. - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son, king in his place, for the band of men that came with the Arabians into the camp had killed all his older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, became king. -\v 2 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah; she was the daughter of Omri. -\v 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab for his mother was his advisor in doing wicked things. - -\s5 -\v 4 Ahaziah did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab was doing, for they were his advisors after the death of his father, to his destruction. -\v 5 He also followed their advice; he went with Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram. - -\s5 -\v 6 Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael, king of Aram. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Now the destruction of Ahaziah was brought about by God through Ahaziah's visit to Joram. When he had arrived, he went with Jehoram to attack Jehu son of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had chosen to destroy the house of Ahab. -\v 8 It came about, when Jehu was carrying out God's judgment on the house of Ahab, that he found the leaders of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers serving Ahaziah. Jehu killed them. - -\s5 -\v 9 Jehu looked for Ahaziah; they caught him hiding in Samaria, brought him to Jehu, and killed him. Then they buried him, for they said, "He is a son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart." So the house of Ahaziah had no more power to rule the kingdom. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Now when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she arose and killed all the royal children in the house of Judah. -\v 11 But Jehosheba, \f + \ft \fqa Jehosheba \fqa* may be spelled \fqa Jehoshaba \fqa* in some versions. \f* a daughter of the king, secretly took Joash son of Ahaziah away from the king's sons who were about to be killed. She put him and his nurse into a bedroom. So Jehosheba, a daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that Athaliah did not kill him. -\v 12 He was with them, hidden in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land. -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 In the seventh year, Jehoiada showed his strength and entered into a covenant with the commanders of hundreds, Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri. -\v 2 They went about in Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, as well as the heads of the ancestral houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. -\v 3 All the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them, "See, the king's son will reign, as Yahweh has said concerning the descendants of David. - -\s5 -\v 4 This is what you must do: A third of you priests and Levites who come to serve on the Sabbath will be guards at the doors. -\v 5 Another third will be at the king's house, and the other third will be at the Foundation Gate. All the people will be in the courtyard of the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 6 Allow no one to come into the house of Yahweh, except for the priests and the Levites who are serving. They may enter because they are consecrated. But all the other people must obey the commands of Yahweh. -\v 7 The Levites must surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be killed. Stay with the king when he comes in and when he goes out." - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 So the Levites and all Judah served in every way in the manner in which Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one took his men, those who were to come in to serve on the Sabbath, and those who were to leave off serving on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed any of their divisions. -\v 9 Then Jehoiada the priest brought to the commanders spears and small and large shields that had been King David's that were in the house of God. - -\s5 -\v 10 Jehoiada placed all the soldiers, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, surrounding the king. -\v 11 Then they brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant decrees. Then they made him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him. Then they said, "Long live the king." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people in the house of Yahweh, -\v 13 and she looked, and, behold, the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the commanders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers were playing musical instruments and leading the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and shouted, "Treason! Treason!" - -\s5 -\v 14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the commanders of hundreds who were over the army and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks; anyone who follows her, let him be killed with the sword." For the priest had said, "Do not kill her in the house of Yahweh." -\v 15 So they seized her as she went into the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king's house, and there they killed her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh's people. -\v 17 So all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down. They smashed Baal's altars and his images to pieces, and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of those altars. - -\s5 -\v 18 Jehoiada appointed officers for the house of Yahweh under the hand of the priests, who were Levites, whom David had assigned to the house of Yahweh, to offer the burnt offerings to Yahweh, as it was written in the law of Moses, together with rejoicing and singing, as David had given direction. -\v 19 Jehoiada set guards at the gates of the house of Yahweh, so that no one that was unclean in any way should enter. - -\s5 -\v 20 Jehoiada took with him the commanders of hundreds, the noblemen, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land. He brought down the king from the house of Yahweh; the people came through the Upper Gate to the king's house and sat the king on the throne of the kingdom. -\f + \ft Some modern versions have, \fqa they brought down the king \fqa* . \f* -\v 21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. As for Athaliah, they had killed her with the sword. -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. -\v 2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days of Jehoiada, the priest. -\v 3 Jehoiada took for him two wives, and he became the father of sons and daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 It came about after this, that Joash decided to restore the house of Yahweh. -\v 5 He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and he said to them, "Go out every year to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God. Make sure that you start right away." The Levites did nothing at first. - -\s5 -\v 6 So the king called for Jehoiada the high priest and said to him, "Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax levied by Moses the servant of Yahweh and by the assembly of Israel for the tent of the covenant decrees?" -\v 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God and had given all the holy things of the house of Yahweh to the Baals. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest and placed it outside at the entrance to the house of Yahweh. -\v 9 Then they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, for the people to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God levied on Israel in the wilderness. -\v 10 All the leaders and all the people rejoiced and brought money in and put it into the chest until they finished filling it. - -\s5 -\v 11 It happened that whenever the chest was brought to the king's officials by the hand of the Levites, and whenever they saw that there was much money in it, the king's scribe and the high priest's official would come, empty the chest, and take it and carry it back to its place. They did this day after day, gathering large amounts of money. -\v 12 The king and Jehoiada gave the money to those who did the work of serving in the house of Yahweh. These men hired stonemasons and carpenters to restore the house of Yahweh, and also those who worked in iron and bronze. - -\s5 -\v 13 So the workmen labored, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands; they set up the house of God in its original design and strengthened it. -\v 14 When they finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada. This money was used to make furnishings for the house of Yahweh, utensils with which to serve and make offerings—spoons and utensils of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh continually for all the days of Jehoiada. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and then he died; he was 130 years old when he died. -\v 16 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, toward God, and to God's house. - -\s5 -\v 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada, the leaders of Judah came and did honor to the king. Then the king listened to them. -\v 18 They forsook the house of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped the Asherah gods and the idols. God's anger came on Judah and Jerusalem for this wrongdoing of theirs. -\v 19 Yet he sent prophets to them to bring them again to himself, Yahweh; the prophets testified against the people, but they refused to listen. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 The Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada, the priest; Zechariah stood above the people and said to them, "God says this: Why do you transgress the commandments of Yahweh, so that you cannot prosper? Since you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you." -\v 21 But they plotted against him; at the king's command, they stoned him with stones in the courtyard of the house of Yahweh. -\v 22 In this manner, Joash, the king, ignored the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had done to him. Instead, he killed Jehoiada's son. When Zechariah was dying, he said, "May Yahweh see this and call you to account." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 It came about at the end of the year, that the army of Aram came up against Joash. They came to Judah and Jerusalem; they killed all the leaders of the people and sent all the plunder from them to the king of Damascus. -\v 24 Although the army of the Arameans had come with only a few soldiers, Yahweh gave them victory over a very great army, because Judah had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. In this way the Arameans brought judgment on Joash. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 By the time that the Arameans had gone, Joash had been severely wounded. His own servants plotted against him because of the murder of the sons of Jehoiada, the priest. They killed him in his bed, and he died; they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. -\v 26 These were the persons who plotted against him: Zabad son of Shimeath, an Ammonite woman; and Jehozabad son of Shimrith, a Moabite woman. - -\s5 -\v 27 Now the accounts about his sons, the important prophecies that were spoken about him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, see, they are written in the commentary on the book of the kings. Amaziah his son became king in his place. -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem. -\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, but not with a whole heart. - -\s5 -\v 3 It came about that as soon as his rule was well established, he killed the servants who had murdered his father, the king. -\v 4 But he did not put the children of the murderers to death, but acted according to what was written in the law, in the book of Moses, as Yahweh had commanded, "The fathers must not die for the children, nor must the children die for the fathers. Instead, every person must die for his own sin." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Moreover, Amaziah gathered Judah together, and registered them by their ancestors' houses, under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—all of Judah and Benjamin. He numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them to be 300,000 chosen men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield. -\v 6 He hired also 100,000 fighting men from Israel for one hundred talents of silver. - -\s5 -\v 7 But a man of God came to him and said, "King, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for Yahweh is not with Israel—none of the people of Ephraim. -\v 8 But even if you do go and are courageous and strong in battle, God will throw you down before the enemy, for God has power to help, and power to throw down." - -\s5 -\v 9 Amaziah said to the man of God, "But what will we do about the one hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?" The man of God answered, "Yahweh is able to give you much more than that." -\v 10 So Amaziah separated the army that had come to him from Ephraim; he sent them home again. So their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger. - -\s5 -\v 11 Amaziah took courage and led his people to go out to the Valley of Salt; there he defeated ten thousand men of Seir. -\v 12 The army of Judah carried away alive another ten thousand. They took them to the top of the cliff and threw them down from there, so that they were all broken in pieces. - -\s5 -\v 13 But the men of the army which Amaziah sent back, so that they should not go with him to battle, attacked the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth Horon. They struck down three thousand of the people and took much plunder. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Now it came about, after that Amaziah had returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, and set them up to be his own gods. He bowed down before them and burned incense to them. -\v 15 So Yahweh's anger was kindled against Amaziah. He sent a prophet to him, who said, "Why have you sought after the gods of a people who did not even save their own people from your hand?" -\s5 -\v 16 It came about that as the prophet was speaking with him, the king said to him, "Have we made you an advisor to the king? Stop! Why should you be killed?" Then the prophet stopped and said, "I know that God has decided to destroy you because you have done this deed and have not listened to my advice." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted with advisors and sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us meet each other face to face in battle." - -\s5 -\v 18 But Jehoash the king of Israel sent messengers back to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle that was in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,' but a wild beast in Lebanon walked by and trampled down the thistle. -\v 19 You have said, 'See, I have struck down Edom,' and your heart has lifted you up. Take pride in your victory, but stay at home, for why should you cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 But Amaziah would not listen, because this event was from God, so he might hand over the people of Judah into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought advice from the gods of Edom. -\v 21 So Jehoash, king of Israel, attacked; he and Amaziah, king of Judah, met each other face to face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. -\v 22 Judah was struck down before Israel, and every man fled home. - -\s5 -\v 23 Jehoash, king of Israel, captured Amaziah son of Jehoash son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, at Beth Shemesh. He brought him to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, four hundred cubits in distance. -\v 24 He took all the gold and silver, all the objects that were found in the house of God with Obed Edom, and the valuable things in the king's house, with hostages also, and returned to Samaria. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. -\v 26 As for the other matters concerning Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? - -\s5 -\v 27 Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following Yahweh, they began to make a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. He fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there. -\v 28 They brought him back on horses and buried him with his ancestors in the city of Judah. -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. -\v 2 It was he who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah. After that the king slept with his ancestors. -\v 3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign. He reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 4 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, following the example of his father, Amaziah, in everything. -\v 5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who gave him instructions for obeying God. As long as he sought Yahweh, God made him prosper. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Uzziah went out and fought against the Philistines. He broke down the city walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod; he built cities in the country of Ashdod and among the Philistines. -\v 7 God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians who lived in Gurbaal, and against the Meunites. -\v 8 The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread, even to the entrance of Egypt, because he was becoming more powerful. - -\s5 -\v 9 In addition, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. -\v 10 He built watchtowers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had much cattle, in the lowlands as well as in the plains. He had farmers and vine growers in the hill country and in the fruitful fields, for he loved farming. - -\s5 -\v 11 In addition, Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war in groups which were organized by their number that were counted by Jeiel, the scribe, and Maaseiah, the officer, under the authority of Hananiah, one of the king's commanders. -\v 12 The whole number of the leaders of the families who led the mighty men was 2,600. -\v 13 Under their hand was an army of 307,500 men that made war with mighty power to help the king against the enemy. - -\s5 -\v 14 Uzziah prepared for them—for all the army—shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging. -\v 15 In Jerusalem he built machines that were designed by skillful men to be on the towers and on the battlements to shoot arrows and large stones. His fame spread to distant lands, for he was greatly helped and so he became very powerful. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 But when Uzziah had become powerful, his heart was lifted up so that he acted corruptly; he trespassed against Yahweh, his God, for he went into the house of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense. -\v 17 Azariah, the priest, went in after him, and with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were brave men. -\v 18 They resisted Uzziah, the king, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the holy place, for you have been unfaithful and you will not be honored by Yahweh God." - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Uzziah became angry. He was holding a censer in his hand to burn incense. While he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense. -\v 20 Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and, behold, he had become leprous on his forehead. They quickly drove him out of there. Indeed, he hurried to go out, because Yahweh had struck him. - -\s5 -\v 21 Uzziah, the king, was a leper to the day of his death and lived in a separate house since he was a leper, for he was cut off from the house of Yahweh. Jotham, his son, was over the king's house and ruled the people of the land. - -\s5 -\v 22 The other matters concerning Uzziah, from first to last, were recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. -\v 23 So Uzziah slept with his ancestors; they buried him with his ancestors in a burial ground that belonged to the kings, for they said, "He is a leper." Jotham, his son, became king in his place. - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah; she was the daughter of Zadok. -\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, following the example of his father, Uzziah, in everything. He also refrained from going into the temple of Yahweh. But the people were still behaving in evil ways. - -\s5 -\v 3 He built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh, and on the hill of Ophel he built much. -\v 4 Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. - -\s5 -\v 5 He fought also with the king of the people of Ammon and defeated them. In that same year, the people of Ammon gave him one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand measures of wheat, ten thousand measures of barley. The people of Ammon gave him the same in the second and third years. - -\s5 -\v 6 So Jotham became powerful because he walked firmly before Yahweh his God. -\v 7 As for the other matters concerning Jotham, all his wars, and his ways, see, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. - -\s5 -\v 8 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. -\v 9 Jotham slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Ahaz, his son, became king in his place. - - - -\s5 -\c 28 -\p -\v 1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as David his ancestor had done. -\v 2 Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel; he also made cast metal figures for the Baals. - -\s5 -\v 3 In addition, he burned incense in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and put his children into fire, according to the idolatrous practices of the people that Yahweh forced out of their land before the people of Israel. -\v 4 He sacrificed and burned incense at the high places and on the hills and under every green tree. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Therefore Yahweh the God of Ahaz gave him into the hand of the king of Aram. The Arameans defeated him and carried away from him a great crowd of prisoners, bringing them to Damascus. Ahaz was also given into the hand of the king of Israel who defeated him in a great slaughter. -\v 6 For Pekah son of Remaliah in one day killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah and all of them were powerful men, because they had forsaken Yahweh the God of their ancestors. - -\s5 -\v 7 Zicri, a powerful man from Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son, Azrikam, the official over the palace, and Elkanah, who was next to the king. -\v 8 The army of Israel took captive from their relatives 200,000 wives, sons, and daughters. They also took much plunder, which they carried back to Samaria. - -\s5 -\v 9 But a prophet of Yahweh was there, his name was Oded. He went out to meet the army coming into Samaria. He said to them, "Because Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, was angry with Judah, he gave them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reached up to heaven. -\v 10 Now you intend to keep the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem as your slaves. But are you not guilty of sins of your own against Yahweh your God? -\v 11 Now then, listen to me: Send the prisoners back, those whom you have taken of your own brothers, for Yahweh's fierce wrath is on you." - -\s5 -\v 12 Then certain leaders of the people of Ephraim—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came back from the war. -\v 13 They said to them, "You must not bring the prisoners here, for you intend something that will bring on us sin against Yahweh, to add to our sins and trespasses, for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel." - -\s5 -\v 14 So the armed men left the prisoners and the plunder before the leaders and all the assembly. -\v 15 The men who were assigned by name got up and took the prisoners, and clothed all who were naked among them with the plunder. They clothed them and gave them sandals. They gave them food to eat and drink. They treated their wounds and put the weak ones on donkeys. They took them back to their families in Jericho, (called the City of Palms). Then they returned to Samaria. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 At that time King Ahaz sent messengers to the kings of Assyria to ask them to help him. -\v 17 For once again the Edomites had come and attacked Judah, carrying prisoners away. -\v 18 The Philistines also invaded the cities of the lowlands and of the Negev of Judah. They took Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soko with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and also Gimzo with its villages. They went to live in those places. - -\s5 -\v 19 For Yahweh brought Judah low because of Ahaz, king of Israel; for he had acted wickedly in Judah and had sinned against Yahweh very heavily. -\v 20 Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, came to him and troubled him instead of strengthening him. -\v 21 For Ahaz plundered the house of Yahweh and the houses of the king and the leaders, to give the valuable things to the kings of Assyria. But doing this did not benefit him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 This same King Ahaz sinned even more against Yahweh in his time of suffering. -\v 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, gods that had defeated him. He said, "Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them, so that they might help me." But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. - -\s5 -\v 24 Ahaz gathered together the furnishings of the house of God and cut them to pieces. He shut the doors of the house of Yahweh and he made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem. -\v 25 In every city of Judah he made high places to burn sacrifices to other gods. He provoked Yahweh, the God of his ancestors, to anger. - -\s5 -\v 26 Now the rest of his deeds, and all his ways, first and last, see, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. -\v 27 Ahaz slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, but they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. Hezekiah, his son, became king in his place. -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah; she was the daughter of Zechariah. -\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as David his father had done. - -\s5 -\v 3 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, Hezekiah opened the doors of the house of Yahweh and repaired them. -\v 4 He brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the courtyard on the east side. -\v 5 He said to them, "Listen to me, you Levites! Consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, and carry away the filthiness from the holy place. - -\s5 -\v 6 For our ancestors trespassed and did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh our God; they forsook him, turned away their faces from the place where Yahweh lives, and turned their backs on it. -\v 7 Also they shut up the doors of the porch and put out the lamps; they did not burn incense or offer burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 8 Therefore the wrath of Yahweh had fallen on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them to be an object of terror, of horror, and of scorn, as you can see with your own eyes. -\v 9 This is why our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity for this. - -\s5 -\v 10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Yahweh, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger may turn away from us. -\v 11 My sons, do not be lazy now, for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before him, to worship him, and that you should be his servants and burn incense." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then the Levites arose: Mahath son of Amasai, and Joel son of Azariah, of the people of the Kohathites; and of the people of Merari, Kish son of Abdi, and Azariah son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah son of Zimmah, and Eden son of Joah; -\v 13 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; -\v 14 of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. - -\s5 -\v 15 They gathered their brothers, they consecrated themselves, and they went in, as the king commanded, following the words of Yahweh, to cleanse the house of Yahweh. -\v 16 The priests went in to the inner part of the house of Yahweh to cleanse it; they brought out all the filth that they found in the temple of Yahweh into the courtyard of the house. The Levites took it to carry it out to the brook Kidron. -\v 17 Now they began the consecreation on the first day of the first month. By the eighth day of the month they reached the porch of Yahweh. Then for eight more days they consecrated the house of Yahweh. On the sixteenth day of the first month they finished. - -\s5 -\v 18 Then they went to Hezekiah, the king, inside the palace and said, "We have cleansed all the house of Yahweh, the altar for burnt offerings with all its implements, and the table of the bread of the presence, with all its implements. -\v 19 So we have prepared and we have consecrated all the items that King Ahaz removed when he acted unfaithfully during his reign. See, they are in front of the altar of Yahweh." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early in the morning and gathered the leaders of the city; he went up to the house of Yahweh. -\v 21 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. He commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 22 So they killed the bulls, and the priests received the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. Then they killed the rams and sprinkled their blood on the altar; and they also killed the lambs and sprinkled their blood on the altar. -\v 23 They brought the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly; they laid their hands on them. -\v 24 The priests killed them, and they made a sin offering with their blood on the altar to make atonement for all Israel, for the king had commanded that a burnt offering and a sin offering should be made for all Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Hezekiah placed the Levites in the house of Yahweh with cymbals, harps, and lyres, arranging them by the command of David, Gad, the king's seer, and Nathan, the prophet, for the command was from Yahweh by means of his prophets. -\v 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. - -\s5 -\v 27 Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of Yahweh began also, with the trumpets, together with the instruments of David, king of Israel. -\v 28 All the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters played; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 When they had finished the offerings, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped. -\v 30 Moreover, Hezekiah, the king, and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David and of Asaph, the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Then Hezekiah said, "Now you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh. Come here and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Yahweh." The assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who had a willing heart brought burnt offerings. - -\s5 -\v 32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred male lambs. All these were for a burnt offering to Yahweh. -\v 33 The consecrated offerings were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. - -\s5 -\v 34 But the priests were too few to skin all the burnt offerings, so their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was done, and until the priests could consecrate themselves, for the Levites had been more careful to consecrate themselves than the priests. - -\s5 -\v 35 In addition, there were very many burnt offerings; they were performed with the fat of the fellowship offerings, and there were drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of Yahweh was set in order. -\v 36 Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people also, because of what God had prepared for the people, for the work had been done quickly. -\s5 -\c 30 -\p -\v 1 Hezekiah sent messengers to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem, to celebrate the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 2 For the king, his leaders, and all the assembly in Jerusalem had consulted together, deciding to celebrate the Passover in the second month. -\v 3 They could not celebrate at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves for the celebration and the people had not gathered together in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 4 This proposal seemed right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly. -\v 5 So they agreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come to celebrate the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem. For they had not observed it with large numbers of people according to what was written. -\s5 -\v 6 So couriers went with the letters from the king and his leaders throughout all Israel and Judah, by the command of the king. They said, "You people of Israel, turn back to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he may turn back to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. - -\s5 -\v 7 Do not be like your ancestors or your brothers, who trespassed against Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. -\v 8 Now do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were; instead, give yourselves to Yahweh and come into his holy place, which he has consecrated forever, and worship Yahweh your God, so that his fierce anger may turn away from you. -\v 9 For if you turn back to Yahweh, your brothers and children will find compassion before those who led them away as prisoners, and they will come back into this land. For Yahweh your God, is gracious and merciful, and will not turn his face away from you, if you return to him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 So the couriers passed from city to city throughout the regions of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the way to Zebulun, but the people laughed at them and mocked them. -\v 11 However, certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. -\v 12 The hand of God also came on Judah, to give them one heart, to carry out the command of the king and leaders by the word of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Many people, a very great assembly, gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month. -\v 14 They rose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense; they threw them into the brook Kidron. -\v 15 Then they killed the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed, so they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 16 They stood in their place by their divisions, following the directions given in the law of Moses, the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites. -\v 17 For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites slaughtered the Passover lambs for everyone who was not purified and could not consecrate their sacrifice to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 18 For a great many of the people, many of them from Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover meal, against the written instructions. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, "May the good Yahweh pardon everyone -\v 19 who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his ancestors, even though he is not purified by the purification standards of the holy place." -\v 20 So Yahweh listened to Hezekiah and healed the people. - -\s5 -\v 21 The people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem kept the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy. The Levites and the priests praised Yahweh day after day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh. -\v 22 Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who understood the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the festival for the seven days, offering sacrifices of fellowship offerings, and making confession to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The whole assembly then decided to celebrate for another seven days, and they did so with joy. -\v 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep as an offering; and the leaders gave to the assembly one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep and goats. A large number of priests consecrated themselves. - -\s5 -\v 25 All the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the people who came together from Israel, as well as the foreigners who came from the land of Israel and those who lived in Judah—they all rejoiced. -\v 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, there had not been anything like it in Jerusalem. -\v 27 Then the priests, the Levites, rose and blessed the people. Their voice was heard, and their prayer went up to heaven, the holy place where God lives. -\s5 -\c 31 -\p -\v 1 Now when all this was finished, all the people of Israel who were there went out to the cities of Judah and broke to pieces the stone pillars and they cut down the Asherah poles, and they broke down the high places and the altars in all of Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned, every one to his own possession and his own city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Hezekiah assigned the divisions of the priests and the Levites organized by their divisions, each man assigned to his work, both the priests and the Levites. He assigned them to make the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to serve, to give thanks, and to praise at the gates of Yahweh's temple. -\v 3 He also assigned the king's portion for the burnt offerings from his own possessions, that is, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbath days, the new moons, and the fixed festivals, as it was written in the law of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 4 Moreover, he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion for the priests and the Levites, so that they might concentrate on obeying the law of Yahweh. -\v 5 As soon as the command was sent out, the people of Israel generously gave the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and from all their harvest of the field. They brought in a tithe of everything, which was a great quantity. - -\s5 -\v 6 The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the holy things that were set apart to Yahweh their God, and they piled them up in heaps. -\v 7 It was in the third month when they began piling up their contribution in heaps, and they finished in the seventh month. -\v 8 When Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed Yahweh and his people Israel. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps. -\v 10 Azariah, the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, "Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of Yahweh, we have eaten and had enough, and have -plenty left over, for Yahweh has blessed his people. What was left over is this large amount here." -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Hezekiah commanded storerooms to be prepared in the house of Yahweh, and they prepared them. -\v 12 Then they faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes and the things that belonged to Yahweh. Konaniah the Levite was the manager in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second to him. -\v 13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were managers under the hand of Konaniah and Shimei his brother, by appointment of Hezekiah, the king, and Azariah, the official over the house of God. - -\s5 -\v 14 Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the free will offerings of God, in charge of distributing the offerings to Yahweh and the most holy offerings. -\v 15 Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests. They filled offices of trust, in order to give these offerings to their brothers division by division, to both the important and the unimportant. - -\s5 -\v 16 They also gave to those males three years old and up, who were listed in the records of their ancestors who entered the house of Yahweh, as required by the daily schedule, to do the work in their offices and their divisions. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa males three years old and up \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa males thirty years old and up \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\v 17 They distributed to the priests according to the records of their ancestors, and the same to the Levites twenty years old and more, according to their offices and their divisions. -\v 18 They included all their little ones, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, through the whole community, for they were faithful in keeping themselves holy. -\v 19 For the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who were in the fields of the villages belonging to their cities, or in every city, there were men assigned by name to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all who were listed in the records of their ancestors as being among the Levites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He accomplished what was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh, his God. -\v 21 In every project that he began in the service of the house of God, the law, and the commandments, to seek his God, he performed it with all his heart, and he succeeded. -\s5 -\c 32 -\p -\v 1 After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came and entered Judah. He camped to attack the fortified cities, which he intended to capture for himself. - -\s5 -\v 2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to fight against Jerusalem, -\v 3 he consulted with his leaders and his powerful men to stop up the waters of the springs that were outside the city; they helped him do so. -\v 4 So many people gathered together and stopped up all the springs and the stream that was flowing through the middle of the land. They said, "Why should the kings of Assyria come and find a lot of water?" - -\s5 -\v 5 Hezekiah took courage and built up all the wall that was broken down. He built the towers higher, and also the other wall outside. He also strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and he made large amounts of weapons and shields. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa He built the towers higher \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions have, \fqa he built towers on it \fqa* , that is, on the wall. \f* - -\s5 -\v 6 He placed military commanders over the people. He gathered them together to him in the broad place at the city gate and spoke encouragingly to them. He said, -\v 7 "Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and all the army that is with him, for someone is with us who is greater than those with him. -\v 8 With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is Yahweh, our God, to help us, and to fight our battles." Then the people comforted themselves with the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 After this, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent his servants to Jerusalem (now he was in front of Lachish, and all his army was with him), to Hezekiah, king of Judah, and to all of Judah who were in Jerusalem. He said, -\v 10 "This is what Sennacherib, king of Assyria, says: What are you relying on in order to endure a siege in Jerusalem? - -\s5 -\v 11 Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst, when he tells you, 'Yahweh our God will rescue us from the hand of the king of Assyria'? -\v 12 Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, 'On one altar you must worship, and on it you must burn your sacrifices'? - -\s5 -\v 13 Do you not know what I and my ancestors have done to all the people groups of other lands? Were the gods of the people groups of the lands able in any way to rescue their land from my power? -\v 14 Among all the gods of those nations that my ancestors completely destroyed, was there any god who could rescue his people out of my hand? Why should your God be able to rescue you from my power? -\v 15 Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you in this way. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to rescue his people out of my hand, or out of the hand of my ancestors. How much less will your God rescue you from my hand?" - -\s5 -\v 16 Sennacherib's servants spoke even more against Yahweh God and against his servant Hezekiah. -\v 17 Sennacherib also wrote letters in order to mock Yahweh, the God of Israel, and to speak against him. He said, "As the gods of the nations of the lands have not rescued their people out of my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not rescue his people out of my hand." - -\s5 -\v 18 They cried out in the language of the Jews to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them and trouble them, in order that they might capture the city. -\v 19 They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken of the gods of the other peoples of the earth, which are merely the work of men's hands. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Hezekiah, the king, and Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, prayed because of this matter and he cried out to heaven. -\v 21 Yahweh sent an angel, who killed the fighting men, the commanders, and the officers of the king in the camp. So Sennacherib returned shame-faced to his own land. When he had gone into the house of his god, some of his own children killed him there with the sword. - -\s5 -\v 22 In this way, Yahweh saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and gave them rest on every side. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa gave them rest on every side \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions have \fqa guided them on every side \fqa* . The original reading is uncertain. \f* -\v 23 Many were bringing offerings to Yahweh in Jerusalem, and precious gifts to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was lifted up in the eyes of all nations from that time forward. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of dying. He prayed to Yahweh, who spoke to him and gave him a sign that he would be healed. -\v 25 But Hezekiah did not pay back Yahweh for the help given to him, for his heart was lifted up. So anger came on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem. -\v 26 Nevertheless, Hezekiah later humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that Yahweh's anger did not come on them during Hezekiah's days. -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Hezekiah had very many riches and much honor. He provided himself with storerooms for silver, gold, precious stones, and for spices, as well as for shields and for all kinds of valuable objects. -\v 28 He also had storehouses for the harvest of grain, new wine, and oil, and stalls for all kinds of animals. He also had flocks in their pens. -\v 29 In addition, he provided himself with cities and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very much wealth. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa cities \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa donkeys \fqa* , and some other modern versions leave out the word entirely. \f* - -\s5 -\v 30 It was this same Hezekiah who also stopped up the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and who brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. Hezekiah succeeded in all his projects. -\v 31 However, in the matter of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to ask questions of those who knew, about the miraculous sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him, and to know all that was in his heart. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 As for the other matters concerning Hezekiah, including his actions of covenant loyalty, you can see that they are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. -\v 33 Hezekiah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him on the hill of the tombs of the descendants of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. Manasseh his son became king in his place. +\v 22 Also the lamp trimmers, basins, spoons, and incense burners were all made of pure gold. As for the entrance into the house, its inner doors into the most holy place and the doors of the house, that is, of the temple, were made of gold. +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 When all the work that Solomon did for the house of Yahweh was completed, Solomon brought in the things that David, his father, had set apart for this purpose, including the silver, the gold, and all the furnishings—he placed them into the treasuries of the house of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the families of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh from the city of David, that is, Zion. +\v 3 All the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month. + +\s5 +\v 4 All the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. +\v 5 They brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tent. The priests who were of the tribe of Levi brought these things up. +\v 6 King Solomon and all the assembly of Israel came together before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted. + +\s5 +\v 7 The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the inner room of the house, to the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim. +\v 8 For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, and they covered the ark and the poles by which it was carried. + +\s5 +\v 9 The poles were so long that their ends were seen from the holy place in front of the inner room, but they could not be seen from outside. They are there to this day. +\v 10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 It came about that the priests came out of the holy place. All the priests who were present had consecrated themselves to Yahweh, not ordering themselves according to their divisions. +\v 12 Also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and brothers, clothed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood at the east end of the altar. With them were 120 priests blowing trumpets. + +\s5 +\v 13 It came about that the trumpeters and singers made music together, making one sound to be heard for praising and thanking Yahweh. They raised their voices with the trumpets and cymbals and other instruments, and they praised Yahweh. They sang, "For he is good, for his covenant loyalty endures forever." Then the house, the house of Yahweh, was filled with a cloud. +\v 14 The priests could not stand in order to serve because of the cloud, for the glory of Yahweh filled his house. + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 Then Solomon said, "Yahweh has said that he would live in thick darkness, +\v 2 but I have built you a lofty residence, a place for you to live in forever." +\v 3 Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 He said, "May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised, who spoke to David my father, and has fulfilled it with his own hands, saying, +\v 5 'Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, in order for my name to be there. Neither did I choose any man to be prince over my people Israel. +\v 6 However, I have chosen Jerusalem, so that my name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.' + +\s5 +\v 7 Now it was in the heart of David my father, to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 8 But Yahweh said to David my father, 'In that it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well for it to be in your heart. +\v 9 Nevertheless, you must not build the house; instead, your son, one who will come from your loins, will build the house for my name.' + +\s5 +\v 10 Yahweh has carried out the word that he had said, for I have arisen in the place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised. I have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 11 I have placed the ark there, in which is Yahweh's covenant, which he made with the people of Israel." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands. +\v 13 For he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. He had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it and knelt down before all the assembly of Israel, and then he spread out his hands toward the heavens. + + +\s5 +\v 14 He said, "Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no God like you in the heavens or on the earth, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with your servants who walk before you with all their heart; +\v 15 you who have kept with your servant David my father, what you promised him. Yes, you spoke with your mouth and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is today. + +\s5 +\v 16 Now then, Yahweh, God of Israel, carry out what you have promised to your servant David my father, when you said, 'You will not fail to have a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful to walk in my law, as you have walked before me.' +\v 17 Now then, God of Israel, I pray that the promise you made to your servant David will come true. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 But will God actually live with mankind on the earth? Look, the entire universe and heaven itself cannot contain you—how much less can this temple that I have built! +\v 19 Yet please respect this prayer of your servant and his request, Yahweh my God; listen to the cry and prayer that your servant prays before you. +\v 20 May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, the place where you promised to put your name. May you listen to the prayer your servant prays toward this place. + +\s5 +\v 21 So listen to the requests of your servant and of your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, listen from the place where you live, from the heavens; and when you listen, forgive. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 If a man sins against his neighbor and is required to swear an oath, and if he comes and swears an oath before your altar in this house, +\v 23 listen from the heavens and act. Judge your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing what he has done upon his own head. Declare the innocent not guilty and give to him according to his righteousness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 When your people Israel are defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you, if they turn back to you, confess your name, pray, and request forgiveness before you in this temple— +\v 25 then please listen from the heavens and forgive the sin of your people Israel; bring them back to the land that you gave to them and to their ancestors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 When the skies are shut up and there is no rain because the people have sinned against you—if they pray toward this place, confess your name, and turn from their sin when you have afflicted them— +\v 27 then listen in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Israel, when you direct them to the good way in which they should walk. Send rain on your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Suppose there is famine in the land, or suppose that there is disease, blight or mildew, locusts or caterpillars; or suppose that its enemies attack the city gates in their land, or that there is any plague or sickness— +\v 29 and suppose then that prayers and requests are made by a person or by all your people Israel—each knowing the plague and sorrow in his own heart as he spreads out his hands toward this temple. +\v 30 Then listen from heaven, the place where you live; forgive, and reward every person for all his ways; you know his heart, because you and you only know the hearts of human beings. +\v 31 Do this so that they may fear you, so that they may walk in your ways all the days that they live on the land that you gave to our ancestors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel, but who—because of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm—comes and prays toward this house, +\v 33 then please listen from heaven, the place where you live, and do all that the foreigner asks of you, so that all the people of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and that they might know that this house I have built is called by your name. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 Suppose that your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you may send them, and suppose that they pray to you toward this city that you have chosen, and toward the house that I have built for your name. +\v 35 Then listen from the heavens to their prayer, their request, and help their cause. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Suppose they sin against you—since there is no one who does not sin—and suppose that you are angry with them and hand them over to the enemy, so that the enemy carries them away and takes them as captives to their land, whether distant or near. +\v 37 Then suppose they realize they are in the land where they have been exiled, and suppose that they repent and seek favor from you in the land of their captivity. Suppose that they say, 'We have acted perversely and sinned. We have behaved wickedly.' +\v 38 Suppose that they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they took them as captives, and suppose that they pray toward their land, which you gave to their ancestors, and toward the city that you chose, and toward the house that I have built for your name. +\v 39 Then listen from the heavens, the place where you live, to their prayer and to their requests, and help their cause. Forgive your people, who have sinned against you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 Now, my God, I beg you, let your eyes be open, and let your ears be attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. +\v 41 Now then arise, Yahweh God, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength. Let your priests, Yahweh God, be clothed with salvation, and let your saints rejoice in your goodness. +\v 42 Yahweh God, do not turn the face of your anointed away from you. Keep in mind your acts of covenant loyalty for David, your servant." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glory of Yahweh filled the house. +\v 2 The priests could not enter the house of Yahweh, because his glory filled his house. +\v 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of Yahweh over the house, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the stone pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to Yahweh. They said, "For he is good, for his covenant loyalty endures forever." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 So the king and all the people offered sacrifices to Yahweh. +\v 5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen and 120,000 sheep and goats. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. +\v 6 The priests stood, each standing where they serve; the Levites also with instruments of music of Yahweh, which David the king had made to give thanks to Yahweh in the song, "For his covenant faithfulness endures for ever." All the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. + +\s5 +\v 7 Solomon set apart the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of Yahweh. There he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar that he had made was not able to hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 So Solomon held the festival at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo Hamath to the brook of Egypt. +\v 9 On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they kept the dedication of the altar for seven days, and the feast for seven days. +\v 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sent the people away to their homes with glad and joyful hearts because of the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, Solomon, and Israel, his people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of Yahweh and his own house. Everything that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of Yahweh and in his own house, he successfully carried out. +\v 12 Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and I have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. + +\s5 +\v 13 Suppose that I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send disease among my people, +\v 14 then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. +\v 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers that are made in this place. + +\s5 +\v 16 For I have now chosen and set apart this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there every day. +\v 17 As for you, if you walk before me as David your father walked, obeying all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my decrees, +\v 18 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I said in a covenant with David your father, when I said, 'A descendant of yours will never fail to be ruler in Israel.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 But if you turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have placed before you, and if you go worship other gods and bow down to them, +\v 20 then I will uproot them from out of my ground that I have given them. This house that I have set apart for my name, I will cast away from before me, and I will make it a proverb and a joke among all the peoples. + +\s5 +\v 21 Even though this temple is so lofty now, everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss. They will ask, 'Why has Yahweh done this to this land and to this house?' +\v 22 Others will answer, 'Because they forsook Yahweh, their God, who had brought their ancestors out of the land of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods and bowed down to them and worshiped them. That is why Yahweh has brought all this disaster on them.'" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 It came about at the end of twenty years, during which Solomon had built the house of Yahweh and his own house, +\v 2 that Solomon rebuilt the towns that Hiram had given to him, and he settled the people of Israel in them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Solomon attacked Hamathzobah and defeated it. +\v 4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath. + +\s5 +\v 5 Also he built Beth Horon the Upper and Beth Horon the Lower, cities fortified with walls, gates, and bars. +\v 6 He built Baalath and all the store cities that he possessed, and all the cities for his chariots and the cities for his horsemen, and whatever he wished to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the lands under his rule. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 As for all the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who did not belong to Israel, +\v 8 their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed—Solomon made them into forced laborers, which they are to this day. + +\s5 +\v 9 However, Solomon made no forced laborers of the people of Israel. Instead, they became his soldiers, his commanders, his officers, and commanders of his chariot forces and his horsemen. +\v 10 These were also the chief officers managing the supervisors who belonged to King Solomon, 250 of them, who supervised the people who did the work. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Solomon brought the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, "My wife must not live in the house of David king of Israel, because wherever the ark of Yahweh has come is holy." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to Yahweh on his altar that he had built in front of the portico. +\v 13 He offered sacrifices just as the daily schedule required; he offered them, following the directions found in the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbath days, the new moons, and on the set festivals three times every year: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Shelters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 In keeping with the decrees of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests to their work, and the Levites to their positions, in order to praise God and to serve before the priests, as the daily schedule required. He also appointed the gatekeepers by their divisions to every gate, for David, the man of God, had also commanded this. +\v 15 These people did not deviate from the commands of the king to the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the storerooms. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 All the work ordered by Solomon was completed, from the day the foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid until it was finished. The house of Yahweh was completed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and then to Elath on the coast, in the land of Edom. +\v 18 Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own officers, men who knew the sea, and with the servants of Solomon they went to Ophir and they took from there 450 talents of gold and brought it to King Solomon. + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. She came with a very long caravan, with camels loaded with spices, much gold, and many precious gemstones. When she had come to Solomon, she told him all that was in her heart. +\v 2 Solomon answered her all her questions; nothing was too difficult for Solomon; there was no question that he did not answer. + +\s5 +\v 3 When the queen of Sheba saw Solomon's wisdom and the palace that he had built, +\v 4 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the work of his servants and their clothing, also his cupbearers and their clothing, and the burnt offerings he made at \f + \ft Some scholars suggest an alternative reading of the phrase \fqa the burnt offerings he made at \fqa* to say, \fqa the ascent by which he went up to.\f* the house of Yahweh, and there was no more breath in her. + +\s5 +\v 5 She said to the king, "It is true, the report that I heard in my own land of your words and your wisdom. +\v 6 I did not believe what I heard until I came here, and now my eyes have seen it. Not half was told me about your wisdom and wealth! You have exceeded the fame that I heard about. + +\s5 +\v 7 How blessed are your people, and how blessed are your servants who constantly stand before you, because they hear your wisdom. +\f + \ft Some versions have, \fqa How blessed are your wives \fqa* , assuming that the text should read as in 1 Kings 10:8. \f* +\v 8 Blessed be Yahweh your God, who has taken pleasure in you, who placed you on his throne, to be king for Yahweh your God. Because your God loved Israel, in order to establish them forever, he had made you king over them, for you to do justice and righteousness!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 She gave the king 120 talents of gold and a large amount of spices and precious stones. No greater amount of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon was ever given to him again. + +\s5 +\v 10 The servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, also brought algum wood and precious stones. +\v 11 With the algum wood, the king made steps for the house of Yahweh and for his house, as well as harps and lyres for the musicians. No wood like this had been seen before in the land of Judah. +\v 12 King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba everything she desired and whatever she asked for; he gave her more than what she had brought to the king. So she left and went back to her own land, she and her servants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold, +\v 14 besides the gold that the traders and merchants brought. All the kings of Arabia and the governors in the country also brought gold and silver to Solomon. + +\s5 +\v 15 King Solomon made two hundred large shields of beaten gold. Six hundred shekels of gold went into each one. +\v 16 He also made three hundred shields of beaten gold. Three minas of gold went into each shield; the king put them into the House of the Forest of Lebanon. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with the finest gold. +\v 18 There were six steps to the throne, and a footstool was attached to the throne. On each side of the throne there were armrests with two lions standing beside each of them. + +\s5 +\v 19 Twelve lions stood on the steps, one on each side of each of the six steps. There was no throne like it in any other kingdom. +\v 20 All King Solomon's drinking cups were gold, and all the drinking cups in the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were silver because silver was not considered valuable in Solomon's days. +\v 21 The king had at sea a fleet of oceangoing ships, along with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years the fleet brought gold, silver, and ivory, as well as apes and baboons. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the world in riches and in wisdom. +\v 23 All the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon in order to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. +\v 24 Those who visited brought tribute, vessels of silver and of gold, clothes, armor, and spices, as well as horses and mules, year after year. + +\s5 +\v 25 Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he stationed in the chariot cities and with himself in Jerusalem. +\v 26 He ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 27 The king had silver in Jerusalem, as much as the stones on the ground. He made cedar wood to be as abundant as the sycamore fig trees that are in the lowlands. +\v 28 They brought horses for Solomon from Egypt and from all the lands. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 As for the other matters concerning Solomon, first and last, are they not written in The History of Nathan the Prophet, in The Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in The Visions of Iddo the Seer (which also had information about Jeroboam son of Nebat)? +\v 30 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. +\v 31 He slept with his ancestors and the people buried him in the city of David his father. Rehoboam, his son, became king in his place. +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel was coming to Shechem to make him king. +\v 2 When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard this (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 3 So they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all Israel came; they spoke to Rehoboam and said, +\v 4 "Your father made our yoke difficult. Now therefore, make your father's hard work easier, and lighten the heavy yoke that he put on us, and we will serve you." +\v 5 Rehoboam said to them, "Come again to me after three days." So the people left. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 King Rehoboam consulted with the old men who had stood before Solomon his father while he was alive; he said, "How would you advise me to bring an answer to these people?" +\v 7 They spoke to him and said, "If you are good to this people and please them, and say good words to them, then they will always be your servants." + +\s5 +\v 8 But Rehoboam ignored the advice of the old men that they had given him, and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. +\v 9 He said to them, "What advice do you give me, so that we may answer the people who spoke to me and said, 'Lighten the yoke that your father put on us'?" + +\s5 +\v 10 The young men who had grown up with Rehoboam spoke to him, saying, "This is how you should speak to the people who told you that your father Solomon made their yoke heavy, but that you must make it lighter. This is what you should say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist. +\v 11 So now, although my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king said, "Come back to me on the third day." +\v 13 Rehoboam spoke to them harshly, ignoring the advice of the old men. +\v 14 He spoke to them following the advice of the young men, saying, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father punished you with whips, but I will punish you with scorpions." +\m + +\s5 +\v 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn in events brought about by God, that Yahweh might carry out his word that Ahijah the Shilonite had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered him and said, "What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse! Each of you should go back to his tent, Israel. Now see to your own house, David." So all Israel returned to their tents. + +\s5 +\v 17 But as for the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. +\v 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, who was over the forced laborers, but the people of Israel stoned him to death with stones. King Rehoboam fled quickly in his chariot to Jerusalem. +\v 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were soldiers, to fight against Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. + +\s5 +\v 2 But the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, +\v 3 "Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, +\v 4 'Yahweh says this, "You must not attack or make war against your brothers. Everyone must return to his own house, for I have caused this to happen."'" So they obeyed the words of Yahweh and turned back from attacking Jeroboam. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities in Judah for defense. +\v 6 He built Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, +\v 7 Beth Zur, Soko, Adullam, +\v 8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, +\v 9 Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, +\v 10 Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These are fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. + +\s5 +\v 11 He fortified the fortresses and put commanders in them, with stores of food, oil, and wine. +\v 12 He put shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin belonged to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel went over to him from within their borders. +\v 14 For the Levites left their pasturelands and property in order to come to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had driven them away, so that they could no longer perform priestly duties for Yahweh. +\v 15 Jeroboam appointed for himself priests for the high places and the goat and calf idols he had made. + +\s5 +\v 16 People from all the tribes of Israel came after them, those who set their hearts to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel; they came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of their fathers. +\v 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam son of Solomon strong during three years, and they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Rehoboam took a wife for himself: Mahalath, the daughter of Jerimoth, David's son, and of Abihail, the daughter of Eliab, Jesse's son. +\v 19 She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. + +\s5 +\v 20 After Mahalath, Rehoboam took Maacah, Absalom's daughter; she bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. +\v 21 Rehoboam loved Maacah, Absalom's daughter, more than all his other wives and his concubines (he took eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and became the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters). + +\s5 +\v 22 Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maacah to be chief, a leader among his brothers; he had the thought of making him king. +\v 23 Rehoboam ruled wisely; he scattered all his sons throughout all the land of Judah and Benjamin to every fortified city. He also gave them food in abundance and looked for many wives for them. + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 It came about, when Rehoboam's reign was established and he was strong, that he abandoned the law of Yahweh—and all Israel with him. + +\s5 +\v 2 It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, that Shishak, king of Egypt, came up against Jerusalem, because the people had been unfaithful to Yahweh. +\v 3 He came with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen. Soldiers without number came with him from Egypt: Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites. +\v 4 He captured the fortified cities that belonged to Judah and came to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 5 Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah said to them, "This is what Yahweh says: You have forsaken me, so I have also given you over into Shishak's hand." +\v 6 Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, "Yahweh is righteous." + +\s5 +\v 7 When Yahweh saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of Yahweh came to Shemaiah, saying, "They have humbled themselves. I will not ruin them; I will rescue them to some extent, and my anger will not pour out on Jerusalem by means of Shishak's hand. +\v 8 Nevertheless, they will be his servants, so that they may understand what it is to serve me and to serve the rulers of the other countries." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 So Shishak, king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem and took away the treasures in the house of Yahweh, and the treasures in the king's house. He took everything away; he also took the shields of gold that Solomon had made. +\v 10 King Rehoboam made shields of bronze in their place and entrusted them into the hands of the commanders of the guard, who guarded the doors to the king's house. + +\s5 +\v 11 It happened that whenever the king entered the house of Yahweh, the guards would carry them; then they would bring them back into the guardhouse. +\v 12 When Rehoboam humbled himself, Yahweh's anger turned away from him, so as not to destroy him completely; besides, there was still some good to be found in Judah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 So King Rehoboam made his kingship strong in Jerusalem, and thus he reigned. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city that Yahweh had chosen from all the tribes of Israel so that he might put his name there. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite woman. +\v 14 He did what was evil, because he did not fix his heart to seek Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 As for the other matters concerning Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the writings of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, which also have records of genealogies and the constant wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam? +\v 16 Rehoboam slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David; Abijah his son became king in his place. + + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, Abijah began to reign over Judah. +\v 2 He ruled for three years in Jerusalem; his mother's name was Macaiah, the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. +\v 3 Abijah went into battle with an army of strong, courageous soldiers, 400,000 chosen men. Jeroboam placed battle lines against him with 800,000 chosen men, strong, courageous soldiers. + +\s5 +\v 4 Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, "Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel! +\v 5 Do you not know that Yahweh, the God of Israel, gave the rule over Israel to David forever, to him and to his sons by a formal covenant? + +\s5 +\v 6 Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon son of David, rose up and rebelled against his master. +\v 7 Worthless men, base fellows, gathered to him. They came against Rehoboam son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and inexperienced and could not withstand them. + +\s5 +\v 8 So now you plan to resist the kingdom of Yahweh that is held within the hand of the descendants of David, because you are a large army, and you have the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods. +\v 9 But did you not drive out the priests of Yahweh, the descendants of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own in the same way as the people of other lands do? Whoever comes to serve as a priest, sacrificing a young bullock and seven rams, he becomes a priest of what are not gods. + +\s5 +\v 10 But as for us, Yahweh is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests, descendants of Aaron, serving Yahweh, and the Levites, who are at their work. +\v 11 Every morning and evening they burn for Yahweh burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also arrange the bread of the presence on the pure table; they also tend the lampstand of gold with its lamps, for them to burn every evening. We keep the commandments of Yahweh, our God, but you have forsaken him. + +\s5 +\v 12 See, God is with us at our head, and his priests are here with the trumpets to sound an alarm against you. People of Israel, do not fight against Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, for you will not succeed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 But Jeroboam prepared an ambush behind them; his army was in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. +\v 14 When Judah looked back, behold, the fighting was both in front of them and behind them. They cried out to Yahweh, and the priests blew the trumpets. +\v 15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout; as they shouted, it came about that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. + +\s5 +\v 16 The people of Israel fled before Judah, and God gave them into the hand of Judah. +\v 17 Abijah and his army killed them with great slaughter; 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell dead. +\v 18 In this way, the people of Israel were subdued at that time; the people of Judah won because they relied on Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. + +\s5 +\v 19 Abijah pursued Jeroboam; he took cities from him: Bethel with its villages, Jeshanah with its villages, and Ephron with its villages. +\v 20 Jeroboam never recovered power again during the days of Abijah; Yahweh struck him, and he died. +\v 21 But Abijah became powerful; he took fourteen wives for himself and became the father of twenty-two sons and sixteen daughters. +\v 22 The rest of Abijah's deeds, his behavior, and words are written in the history of the prophet Iddo. + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 Abijah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Asa, his son, became king in his place. In his days the land was quiet ten years. +\v 2 Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of Yahweh his God, +\v 3 for he took away the foreign altars and the high places. He broke down the stone pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. +\v 4 He commanded Judah to seek Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and to carry out the law and the commandments. + + +\s5 +\v 5 Also he took away the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. The kingdom had rest under him. +\v 6 He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land was quiet, and he had no war in those years, because Yahweh had given him peace. + +\s5 +\v 7 For Asa said to Judah, "Let us build these cities and make walls around them, and towers, gates, and bars; the land is still ours because we have sought Yahweh our God. We have sought him, and he has given us peace on every side." So they built and succeeded. +\v 8 Asa had an army that carried shields and spears; from Judah he had 300,000 men, and from Benjamin, 280,000 men who carried shields and drew bows. All of these were mighty men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of one million soldiers and three hundred chariots; he came to Mareshah. +\v 10 Then Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle lines in order in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. +\v 11 Asa cried to Yahweh, his God, and said, "Yahweh, there is no one but you to help one who has no strength when he is facing many. Help us, Yahweh our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast number. Yahweh, you are our God; do not let man defeat you." + +\s5 +\v 12 So Yahweh struck the Cushites before Asa and Judah; the Cushites fled. +\v 13 Asa and the soldiers with him pursued them to Gerar. So many Cushites fell that they could not recover, for they were completely destroyed before Yahweh and his army. The army carried away very much plunder. + +\s5 +\v 14 The army destroyed all the villages around Gerar, for terror of Yahweh had come on the inhabitants. The army plundered all the villages, and there was much booty in them. +\v 15 The army also destroyed the tent settlements of the shepherding nomads; they carried away sheep in abundance, as well as camels, and then they returned to Jerusalem. + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. +\v 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: Yahweh is with you, while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now for a long period, Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without the law. +\v 4 But when in their distress they turned to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. +\v 5 In those times there was no peace for him who traveled away, nor for him who traveled to here; instead, great troubles were on all the inhabitants of the lands. + +\s5 +\v 6 They were broken in pieces, nation against nation, and city against city, for God troubled them with all kinds of suffering. +\v 7 But be strong, and do not let your hands be weak, for your work will be rewarded." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 When Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and drove away the disgusting things from all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and from the cities that he had captured from the hill country of Ephraim, and he rebuilt Yahweh's altar, which was in front of the portico of Yahweh's house. +\v 9 He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those who stayed with them—people from of Ephraim and Manasseh, and from Simeon. For they came from Israel to him in great numbers, when they saw that Yahweh his God was with him. + +\s5 +\v 10 So they gathered together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of Asa's reign. +\v 11 They sacrificed to Yahweh in that day some of the plunder that they had brought: seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep and goats. + +\s5 +\v 12 They entered into a covenant to seek Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and with all their soul. +\v 13 They agreed that whoever refused to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, should be put to death, whether the person was small or great, whether man or woman. + +\s5 +\v 14 They swore to Yahweh with a loud voice, with shouting, and with trumpets and horns. +\v 15 All Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart, and they sought God with their whole desire, and he was found by them. Yahweh gave them peace all around them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 He also removed Maacah, his grandmother, from being queen, because she had made a disgusting figure out of an Asherah pole. Asa cut down the disgusting figure, ground it to dust and burned it at the brook Kidron. +\v 17 But the high places were not taken out of Israel. Nevertheless, Asa's heart was completely devoted all his days. + +\s5 +\v 18 He brought into the house of God the silver and gold and the utensils that he and his father had dedicated for that purpose. +\v 19 There was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa's reign. + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, Baasha, king of Israel, acted aggressively against Judah and built up Ramah, so that he might not allow anyone to leave or enter into the land of Asa, king of Judah. + +\s5 +\v 2 Then Asa brought the silver and gold out of the storerooms in the house of Yahweh and of the king's house, and sent it to Ben Hadad king of Aram, who lived in Damascus. He said, +\v 3 "Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Look, I have sent to you silver and gold. Break your covenant with Baasha, king of Israel, so that he may leave me alone." + +\s5 +\v 4 Ben Hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali. +\v 5 It came about that when Baasha heard this, he stopped building up Ramah, and let his work cease. +\v 6 Then Asa the king took all Judah with him. They carried away the stones and timbers of Ramah with which Baasha had been building up the city. Then King Asa used that building material to build up Geba and Mizpah. + + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 At that time Hanani the seer went to Asa, king of Judah, and said to him, "Because you have relied on the king of Aram, and have not relied on Yahweh your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. +\v 8 Were not the Cushites and the Libyans a huge army, with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on Yahweh, he gave you victory over them. + +\s5 +\v 9 For the eyes of Yahweh run everywhere throughout the whole earth, so that he might show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect toward him. But you have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, you will have war." +\v 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer; he put him into prison, for he was angry with him over this matter. At the same time, Asa oppressed some of the people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Behold, the deeds of Asa, from first to last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. +\v 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was very severe, he did not seek help from Yahweh, but only from the physicians. + +\s5 +\v 13 So Asa slept with his ancestors, dying in the forty-first year of his reign. +\v 14 They buried him in his own tomb, which he had dug out for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that was filled with sweet odors and various kinds of spices prepared by skilled perfumers. Then they made a very great fire in his honor. + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king in his place. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel. +\v 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had captured. + +\s5 +\v 3 Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and did not seek the Baals. +\f + \ft Some ancient copies do not have \fqa David \fqa* , and some modern versions leave it out. \f* +\v 4 Instead, he relied on the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, not after the behavior of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 5 So Yahweh established the rule in his hand; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat. He had riches and honor in abundance. +\v 6 His heart was committed to Yahweh's ways. He also removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. +\v 8 With them were Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah; and with them were the priests Elishama and Jehoram. +\v 9 They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Terror of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. +\v 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver as tribute. Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams, and 7,700 goats. + +\s5 +\v 12 Jehoshaphat became very powerful. He built fortresses and store cities in Judah. +\v 13 He had many supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers—strong, mighty men—in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 14 These were their divisions listed by the name of their fathers' houses: From Judah, the commanders of thousands; Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 fighting men; +\v 15 next to him Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000 men; +\v 16 next to him Amasiah son of Zichri, who willingly offered to serve Yahweh; and with him 200,000 fighting men. + +\s5 +\v 17 From Benjamin: Eliada a powerful man of courage, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields; +\v 18 next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 ready prepared for war. +\v 19 These were those who served the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; he allied himself with Ahab by having one of his family marry his daughter. +\v 2 After some years, he went down to Ahab in Samaria. Ahab killed many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him. Ahab also persuaded him to attack Ramoth Gilead with him. +\v 3 Ahab, king of Israel, said to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat answered him, "I am like you, and my people are like your people. We will be with you in the war." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please first seek the word of Yahweh for your answer." +\v 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Should we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or should I not?" They said, "Attack, for God will give it into the hand of the king." + +\s5 +\v 6 But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not here still another prophet of Yahweh with whom we might seek advice?" +\v 7 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man by whom we may seek the advice of Yahweh, Micaiah son of Imlah, but I hate him because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil." But Jehoshaphat said, "The king should not say that." +\v 8 Then the king of Israel called an officer and said, "Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah." + +\s5 +\v 9 Now Ahab the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on a throne, clothed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. +\v 10 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, "Yahweh says this: With these you will push the Arameans until they are consumed." +\v 11 All the prophets prophesied the same, saying, "Attack Ramoth Gilead and win, for Yahweh has given it into the hand of the king." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now look, the words of the prophets declare good things to the king with one mouth. Please let your word be like the word of one of them and say good things." +\v 13 Micaiah replied, "As Yahweh lives, it is what God says that I will say." +\v 14 When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth Gilead for battle, or not?" Micaiah answered him, "Attack and be victorious! For it will be a great victory." + +\s5 +\v 15 Then the king said to him, "How many times must I require you to swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of Yahweh?" +\v 16 So Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep who have no shepherd, and Yahweh said, 'These have no shepherd. Let every man return to his house in peace.'" + +\s5 +\v 17 So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but only disaster?" +\v 18 Then Micaiah said, "Therefore all of you should hear the word of Yahweh: I saw Yahweh sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven were standing on his right hand and on his left. + +\s5 +\v 19 Yahweh said, 'Who will entice Ahab, king of Israel, so that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One said this and another that. + +\s5 +\v 20 Then a spirit came forward and it stood before Yahweh and said, 'I will entice him.' Yahweh said to him, 'How?' +\v 21 The spirit replied, 'I will go out and I will become a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' Yahweh replied, 'You will entice him, and you will also be successful. Go now and do so.' + +\s5 +\v 22 Now see, Yahweh has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and Yahweh has decreed disaster for you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, came up, slapped Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh take to go from me to speak to you?" +\v 24 Micaiah said, "Look, you will know that on that day, when you run into some inner room to hide." + +\s5 +\v 25 The king of Israel said to some servants, "You people seize Micaiah and take him to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash, my son. +\v 26 You people will say to him, 'The king says: Put this man in prison and feed him with only a little bread and only a little water, until I return safely.'" +\v 27 Then Micaiah said, "If you return safely, then Yahweh has not spoken by me." Then he added, "Listen to this, all you people." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 So Ahab, the king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, went up against Ramoth Gilead. +\v 29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into the battle, but you put on your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into the battle. +\v 30 Now the king of Aram had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Do not attack the unimportant or the important soldiers. Instead, attack only the king of Israel." + +\s5 +\v 31 It came about that when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat they said, "That is the king of Israel." They turned around to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and Yahweh helped him. God turned them away from him. +\v 32 It came about that when the commanders of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. + +\s5 +\v 33 But a certain man drew his bow at random and shot the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. Then Ahab said to the driver of his chariot, "Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded." +\v 34 The battle grew worse that day, and the king of Israel was held up in his chariot facing the Arameans until the evening. About the time that the sun was going down, he died. +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah safely returned to his house in Jerusalem. +\v 2 Then Jehu son of Hanani, the seer, went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you be helping the wicked? Should you be loving those who hate Yahweh? For this deed, anger from Yahweh is on you. +\v 3 However, there is some good to be found in you, in that you have taken the Asherah poles out of the land, and you have fixed your heart to seek God." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers. +\v 5 He placed judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. + +\s5 +\v 6 He said to the judges, "Consider what you should do, because you are not judging for man, but for Yahweh; he is with you in the act of judging. +\v 7 Now then, let the fear of Yahweh be upon you. Be careful when you judge, for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor is there any favoritism or bribe taking." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and the priests, and some of the heads of the ancestral houses of Israel, for carrying out judgment for Yahweh, and for the sake of disputes. They lived in Jerusalem. +\v 9 He instructed them, saying, "You must serve in reverence for Yahweh, faithfully, and with your whole heart. + +\s5 +\v 10 Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, whether concerning bloodshed, whether about laws and commands, statutes or decrees, you must warn them, so they do not become guilty before Yahweh, or anger will come toward you and toward your brothers. You shall do this and you will not be guilty. + +\s5 +\v 11 See, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all the matters of Yahweh. Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, is in charge of all the matters of the king. Also, the Levites will be officers serving you. Be strong and obey your instructions, and may Yahweh be with those who are good." +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 It came about after this, that the people of Moab and Ammon, and with them some Meunites came against Jehoshaphat to do battle. +\f + \ft The reading \fqa some Meunites \fqa* represents a correction to the Hebrew text, which reads, \fqa some Ammonites \fqa* . It is thought that \fqa Meunites \fqa* was original, and that a copyist changed it to \fqa some Ammonites \fqa* . But this last reading makes no sense, because Ammonites have already been mentioned in this verse. However, different versions deal with this problem in different ways. \f* +\v 2 Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A large multitude is coming against you from beyond the Dead Sea, from Edom. See, they are in Hazezon Tamar," that is, Engedi. + \f + \ft Instead of \fqa Edom \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read, \fqa Aram \fqa* . \f* +\s5 +\v 3 Jehoshaphat became afraid and set himself to seek Yahweh. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. +\v 4 Judah gathered together to seek Yahweh; they came to seek Yahweh from all the cities of Judah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, at the house of Yahweh, in front of the new courtyard. +\v 6 He said, "Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, are you not God in heaven? Are you not the ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so no one is able to resist you. +\v 7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham? + +\s5 +\v 8 They lived in it and built you a holy place in it for your name, saying, +\v 9 'If disaster comes on us—the sword, judgment, or disease, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you (for your name is in this house), and we will cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear us and save us.' +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa judgment \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa flood \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\v 10 See now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir whom you would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt; instead, Israel turned away from them and did not destroy them. +\v 11 See how they are rewarding us; they are coming to drive us out of your land that you have given us to inherit. +\s5 +\v 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power against this great army that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." +\v 13 All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, wives, and children. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then in the middle of the assembly, the Spirit of Yahweh came on Jahaziel, son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, the Levite, one of the sons of Asaph. +\v 15 Jahaziel said, "Listen, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what Yahweh says to you, 'Do not fear; do not be discouraged because of this great army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. + +\s5 +\v 16 You must go down against them tomorrow. See, they are coming up by way of the pass of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. +\v 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand in your positions, stand still, and see the rescue of Yahweh with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear nor be discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for Yahweh is with you.'" + +\s5 +\v 18 Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Yahweh, worshiping him. +\v 19 The Levites, those of the descendants of the Kohathites and Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Early in the morning they arose and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Trust in Yahweh your God, and you will be supported. Trust in his prophets, and you will succeed." +\v 21 After he consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to Yahweh and who praised him for his majestic splendor as they went out before the army, saying, "Give thanks to Yahweh, for his covenant faithfulness endures forever." + +\s5 +\v 22 When they began to sing and to praise, Yahweh set men in ambush against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who were coming against Judah. They were defeated. +\v 23 For the people of Ammon and Moab rose to fight the inhabitants of Mount Seir, in order to completely kill them and destroy them. When they had finished with the inhabitants of Mount Seir, they all helped to destroy each other. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 When Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked out on the army. Behold, they were dead, fallen to the ground; none had escaped. + +\s5 +\v 25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take plunder from them, they found among them abundant goods, clothing, and valuable articles, which they took for themselves, more than they could carry away. It took them three days to carry off the plunder, there was so much of it. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa among them \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa cattle \fqa* . Instead of \fqa clothing \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa dead bodies \fqa* .\f* +\v 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah. There they praised Yahweh, so the name of that place is the "Valley of Berakah" to this day. + +\s5 +\v 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in their lead, to go again to Jerusalem with joy, for Yahweh had made them rejoice over their enemies. +\v 28 They came to Jerusalem and to the house of Yahweh with lyres, harps, and trumpets. + +\s5 +\v 29 The terror of God was on all the kingdoms of the nations when they heard that Yahweh had fought against Israel's enemies. +\v 30 So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was quiet, for his God gave him peace all around him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. +\v 32 He walked in the ways of Asa, his father; he did not turn away from them; he did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh. +\v 33 However, the high places were not taken away. The people still had not directed their hearts to the God of their ancestors. + +\s5 +\v 34 As for the other matters concerning Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu son of Hanani, which is recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 After this Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, allied himself with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who committed much wickedness. +\v 36 He allied himself with him to build ships to go to Tarshish. They built the ships at Ezion Geber. +\v 37 Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah, prophesied against Jehoshaphat; he said, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, Yahweh has destroyed your projects." The ships were wrecked so that they were not able to sail. + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Jehoshaphat slept with his ancestors and was buried with them in the city of David; Jehoram, his son, became king in his place. +\v 2 Jehoram had brothers, sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azariahu, Michael, and Shephatiah. All these were sons of Jehoshaphat, king of Israel. +\v 3 Their father had given them large gifts of silver, gold, and other precious things, and also fortified cities in Judah, but he gave the throne to Jehoram, because he was his firstborn. + +\s5 +\v 4 Now when Jehoram had risen up over his father's kingdom and had firmly established himself as king, he killed all his brothers with the sword, and also various other leaders of Israel. +\v 5 Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for eight years in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 6 He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab was doing, for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. +\v 7 However, Yahweh did not wish to destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David; he had promised that he would always give life to him and his descendants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 In Jehoram's days, Edom revolted from the control of Judah, and they set a king over themselves. +\v 9 Then Jehoram crossed over with his commanders and all his chariots. It was night when he rose up and fought against the Edomites who had surrounded him and his chariot commanders. +\v 10 So Edom has been in rebellion from the control of Judah to this present day. Libnah also revolted at the same time from his control, because Jehoram had forsaken Yahweh, the God of his ancestors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 In addition, Jehoram had also built high places in the mountains of Judah and he made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to live like prostitutes, and he led Judah astray. + +\s5 +\v 12 A letter from the prophet Elijah came to Jehoram. It said, "This is what Yahweh, the God of David, your ancestor, says: Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat, your father, nor in the ways of Asa, king of Judah, +\v 13 but have walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to act like a prostitute, as the house of Ahab did—and because you have also killed your brothers in your father's family with the sword, men who were better than yourself— +\v 14 see, Yahweh will strike with a great plague your people, your children, your wives, and all your possessions. +\v 15 You yourself will have much sickness because of a disease in your intestines, until your intestines fall out because of the sickness, day after day." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Yahweh stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines and of the Arabians who were near the Cushites. +\v 17 They attacked Judah, invaded it, and carried away all the wealth that was found in the king's house. They also carried away his sons and his wives. No son was left to him except Jehoahaz, his youngest son. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 After all this, Yahweh struck him in his intestines with an incurable disease. +\v 19 It came about in due time, at the end of two years, that his intestines fell out because of his sickness, and that he died of severe disease. His people made no fire in his honor as they had done for his ancestors. +\v 20 He had begun to reign when he was thirty-two years old; he reigned in Jerusalem for eight years, and he died unlamented. They buried him in the city of David, but not in the royal tombs. + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 The inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah, Jehoram's youngest son, king in his place, for the band of men that came with the Arabians into the camp had killed all his older sons. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, became king. +\v 2 Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; he reigned for one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Athaliah; she was the daughter of Omri. +\v 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab for his mother was his advisor in doing wicked things. + +\s5 +\v 4 Ahaziah did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh, as the house of Ahab was doing, for they were his advisors after the death of his father, to his destruction. +\v 5 He also followed their advice; he went with Joram son of Ahab, king of Israel, to fight against Hazael, king of Aram, at Ramoth Gilead. The Arameans wounded Joram. + +\s5 +\v 6 Joram returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that they had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael, king of Aram. So Ahaziah son of Jehoram, king of Judah, went down to Jezreel to see Joram son of Ahab, because Joram had been wounded. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Now the destruction of Ahaziah was brought about by God through Ahaziah's visit to Joram. When he had arrived, he went with Jehoram to attack Jehu son of Nimshi, whom Yahweh had chosen to destroy the house of Ahab. +\v 8 It came about, when Jehu was carrying out God's judgment on the house of Ahab, that he found the leaders of Judah and the sons of Ahaziah's brothers serving Ahaziah. Jehu killed them. + +\s5 +\v 9 Jehu looked for Ahaziah; they caught him hiding in Samaria, brought him to Jehu, and killed him. Then they buried him, for they said, "He is a son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Yahweh with all his heart." So the house of Ahaziah had no more power to rule the kingdom. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Now when Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she arose and killed all the royal children in the house of Judah. +\v 11 But Jehosheba, \f + \ft \fqa Jehosheba \fqa* may be spelled \fqa Jehoshaba \fqa* in some versions. \f* a daughter of the king, secretly took Joash son of Ahaziah away from the king's sons who were about to be killed. She put him and his nurse into a bedroom. So Jehosheba, a daughter of King Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest (for she was the sister of Ahaziah), hid him from Athaliah, so that Athaliah did not kill him. +\v 12 He was with them, hidden in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land. +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 In the seventh year, Jehoiada showed his strength and entered into a covenant with the commanders of hundreds, Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri. +\v 2 They went about in Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, as well as the heads of the ancestral houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. +\v 3 All the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them, "See, the king's son will reign, as Yahweh has said concerning the descendants of David. + +\s5 +\v 4 This is what you must do: A third of you priests and Levites who come to serve on the Sabbath will be guards at the doors. +\v 5 Another third will be at the king's house, and the other third will be at the Foundation Gate. All the people will be in the courtyard of the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 6 Allow no one to come into the house of Yahweh, except for the priests and the Levites who are serving. They may enter because they are consecrated. But all the other people must obey the commands of Yahweh. +\v 7 The Levites must surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be killed. Stay with the king when he comes in and when he goes out." + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 So the Levites and all Judah served in every way in the manner in which Jehoiada the priest commanded. Each one took his men, those who were to come in to serve on the Sabbath, and those who were to leave off serving on the Sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest had not dismissed any of their divisions. +\v 9 Then Jehoiada the priest brought to the commanders spears and small and large shields that had been King David's that were in the house of God. + +\s5 +\v 10 Jehoiada placed all the soldiers, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, surrounding the king. +\v 11 Then they brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, and gave him the covenant decrees. Then they made him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him. Then they said, "Long live the king." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people in the house of Yahweh, +\v 13 and she looked, and, behold, the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the commanders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers were playing musical instruments and leading the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and shouted, "Treason! Treason!" + +\s5 +\v 14 Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the commanders of hundreds who were over the army and said to them, "Bring her out between the ranks; anyone who follows her, let him be killed with the sword." For the priest had said, "Do not kill her in the house of Yahweh." +\v 15 So they seized her as she went into the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king's house, and there they killed her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh's people. +\v 17 So all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down. They smashed Baal's altars and his images to pieces, and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of those altars. + +\s5 +\v 18 Jehoiada appointed officers for the house of Yahweh under the hand of the priests, who were Levites, whom David had assigned to the house of Yahweh, to offer the burnt offerings to Yahweh, as it was written in the law of Moses, together with rejoicing and singing, as David had given direction. +\v 19 Jehoiada set guards at the gates of the house of Yahweh, so that no one that was unclean in any way should enter. + +\s5 +\v 20 Jehoiada took with him the commanders of hundreds, the noblemen, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land. He brought down the king from the house of Yahweh; the people came through the Upper Gate to the king's house and sat the king on the throne of the kingdom. +\f + \ft Some modern versions have, \fqa they brought down the king \fqa* . \f* +\v 21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. As for Athaliah, they had killed her with the sword. +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. +\v 2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh all the days of Jehoiada, the priest. +\v 3 Jehoiada took for him two wives, and he became the father of sons and daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 It came about after this, that Joash decided to restore the house of Yahweh. +\v 5 He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and he said to them, "Go out every year to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God. Make sure that you start right away." The Levites did nothing at first. + +\s5 +\v 6 So the king called for Jehoiada the high priest and said to him, "Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax levied by Moses the servant of Yahweh and by the assembly of Israel for the tent of the covenant decrees?" +\v 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God and had given all the holy things of the house of Yahweh to the Baals. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest and placed it outside at the entrance to the house of Yahweh. +\v 9 Then they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, for the people to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God levied on Israel in the wilderness. +\v 10 All the leaders and all the people rejoiced and brought money in and put it into the chest until they finished filling it. + +\s5 +\v 11 It happened that whenever the chest was brought to the king's officials by the hand of the Levites, and whenever they saw that there was much money in it, the king's scribe and the high priest's official would come, empty the chest, and take it and carry it back to its place. They did this day after day, gathering large amounts of money. +\v 12 The king and Jehoiada gave the money to those who did the work of serving in the house of Yahweh. These men hired stonemasons and carpenters to restore the house of Yahweh, and also those who worked in iron and bronze. + +\s5 +\v 13 So the workmen labored, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands; they set up the house of God in its original design and strengthened it. +\v 14 When they finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada. This money was used to make furnishings for the house of Yahweh, utensils with which to serve and make offerings—spoons and utensils of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in the house of Yahweh continually for all the days of Jehoiada. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and then he died; he was 130 years old when he died. +\v 16 They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, toward God, and to God's house. + +\s5 +\v 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada, the leaders of Judah came and did honor to the king. Then the king listened to them. +\v 18 They forsook the house of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped the Asherah gods and the idols. God's anger came on Judah and Jerusalem for this wrongdoing of theirs. +\v 19 Yet he sent prophets to them to bring them again to himself, Yahweh; the prophets testified against the people, but they refused to listen. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 The Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada, the priest; Zechariah stood above the people and said to them, "God says this: Why do you transgress the commandments of Yahweh, so that you cannot prosper? Since you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you." +\v 21 But they plotted against him; at the king's command, they stoned him with stones in the courtyard of the house of Yahweh. +\v 22 In this manner, Joash, the king, ignored the kindness that Jehoiada, Zechariah's father, had done to him. Instead, he killed Jehoiada's son. When Zechariah was dying, he said, "May Yahweh see this and call you to account." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 It came about at the end of the year, that the army of Aram came up against Joash. They came to Judah and Jerusalem; they killed all the leaders of the people and sent all the plunder from them to the king of Damascus. +\v 24 Although the army of the Arameans had come with only a few soldiers, Yahweh gave them victory over a very great army, because Judah had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. In this way the Arameans brought judgment on Joash. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 By the time that the Arameans had gone, Joash had been severely wounded. His own servants plotted against him because of the murder of the sons of Jehoiada, the priest. They killed him in his bed, and he died; they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. +\v 26 These were the persons who plotted against him: Zabad son of Shimeath, an Ammonite woman; and Jehozabad son of Shimrith, a Moabite woman. + +\s5 +\v 27 Now the accounts about his sons, the important prophecies that were spoken about him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, see, they are written in the commentary on the book of the kings. Amaziah his son became king in his place. +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem. +\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, but not with a whole heart. + +\s5 +\v 3 It came about that as soon as his rule was well established, he killed the servants who had murdered his father, the king. +\v 4 But he did not put the children of the murderers to death, but acted according to what was written in the law, in the book of Moses, as Yahweh had commanded, "The fathers must not die for the children, nor must the children die for the fathers. Instead, every person must die for his own sin." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Moreover, Amaziah gathered Judah together, and registered them by their ancestors' houses, under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—all of Judah and Benjamin. He numbered them from twenty years old and upward, and found them to be 300,000 chosen men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield. +\v 6 He hired also 100,000 fighting men from Israel for one hundred talents of silver. + +\s5 +\v 7 But a man of God came to him and said, "King, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for Yahweh is not with Israel—none of the people of Ephraim. +\v 8 But even if you do go and are courageous and strong in battle, God will throw you down before the enemy, for God has power to help, and power to throw down." + +\s5 +\v 9 Amaziah said to the man of God, "But what will we do about the one hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?" The man of God answered, "Yahweh is able to give you much more than that." +\v 10 So Amaziah separated the army that had come to him from Ephraim; he sent them home again. So their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger. + +\s5 +\v 11 Amaziah took courage and led his people to go out to the Valley of Salt; there he defeated ten thousand men of Seir. +\v 12 The army of Judah carried away alive another ten thousand. They took them to the top of the cliff and threw them down from there, so that they were all broken in pieces. + +\s5 +\v 13 But the men of the army which Amaziah sent back, so that they should not go with him to battle, attacked the cities of Judah from Samaria to Beth Horon. They struck down three thousand of the people and took much plunder. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Now it came about, after that Amaziah had returned from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the people of Seir, and set them up to be his own gods. He bowed down before them and burned incense to them. +\v 15 So Yahweh's anger was kindled against Amaziah. He sent a prophet to him, who said, "Why have you sought after the gods of a people who did not even save their own people from your hand?" +\s5 +\v 16 It came about that as the prophet was speaking with him, the king said to him, "Have we made you an advisor to the king? Stop! Why should you be killed?" Then the prophet stopped and said, "I know that God has decided to destroy you because you have done this deed and have not listened to my advice." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted with advisors and sent messengers to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us meet each other face to face in battle." + +\s5 +\v 18 But Jehoash the king of Israel sent messengers back to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle that was in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, 'Give your daughter to my son for a wife,' but a wild beast in Lebanon walked by and trampled down the thistle. +\v 19 You have said, 'See, I have struck down Edom,' and your heart has lifted you up. Take pride in your victory, but stay at home, for why should you cause yourself trouble and fall, both you and Judah with you?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 But Amaziah would not listen, because this event was from God, so he might hand over the people of Judah into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought advice from the gods of Edom. +\v 21 So Jehoash, king of Israel, attacked; he and Amaziah, king of Judah, met each other face to face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. +\v 22 Judah was struck down before Israel, and every man fled home. + +\s5 +\v 23 Jehoash, king of Israel, captured Amaziah son of Jehoash son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, at Beth Shemesh. He brought him to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, four hundred cubits in distance. +\v 24 He took all the gold and silver, all the objects that were found in the house of God with Obed Edom, and the valuable things in the king's house, with hostages also, and returned to Samaria. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Amaziah son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. +\v 26 As for the other matters concerning Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? + +\s5 +\v 27 Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following Yahweh, they began to make a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. He fled to Lachish, but they sent men after him to Lachish and killed him there. +\v 28 They brought him back on horses and buried him with his ancestors in the city of Judah. +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. +\v 2 It was he who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah. After that the king slept with his ancestors. +\v 3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign. He reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 4 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, following the example of his father, Amaziah, in everything. +\v 5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who gave him instructions for obeying God. As long as he sought Yahweh, God made him prosper. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Uzziah went out and fought against the Philistines. He broke down the city walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod; he built cities in the country of Ashdod and among the Philistines. +\v 7 God helped him against the Philistines, against the Arabians who lived in Gurbaal, and against the Meunites. +\v 8 The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread, even to the entrance of Egypt, because he was becoming more powerful. + +\s5 +\v 9 In addition, Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, at the Valley Gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them. +\v 10 He built watchtowers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, for he had much cattle, in the lowlands as well as in the plains. He had farmers and vine growers in the hill country and in the fruitful fields, for he loved farming. + +\s5 +\v 11 In addition, Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war in groups which were organized by their number that were counted by Jeiel, the scribe, and Maaseiah, the officer, under the authority of Hananiah, one of the king's commanders. +\v 12 The whole number of the leaders of the families who led the mighty men was 2,600. +\v 13 Under their hand was an army of 307,500 men that made war with mighty power to help the king against the enemy. + +\s5 +\v 14 Uzziah prepared for them—for all the army—shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging. +\v 15 In Jerusalem he built machines that were designed by skillful men to be on the towers and on the battlements to shoot arrows and large stones. His fame spread to distant lands, for he was greatly helped and so he became very powerful. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 But when Uzziah had become powerful, his heart was lifted up so that he acted corruptly; he trespassed against Yahweh, his God, for he went into the house of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense. +\v 17 Azariah, the priest, went in after him, and with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were brave men. +\v 18 They resisted Uzziah, the king, and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the holy place, for you have been unfaithful and you will not be honored by Yahweh God." + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Uzziah became angry. He was holding a censer in his hand to burn incense. While he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense. +\v 20 Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and, behold, he had become leprous on his forehead. They quickly drove him out of there. Indeed, he hurried to go out, because Yahweh had struck him. + +\s5 +\v 21 Uzziah, the king, was a leper to the day of his death and lived in a separate house since he was a leper, for he was cut off from the house of Yahweh. Jotham, his son, was over the king's house and ruled the people of the land. + +\s5 +\v 22 The other matters concerning Uzziah, from first to last, were recorded by the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz. +\v 23 So Uzziah slept with his ancestors; they buried him with his ancestors in a burial ground that belonged to the kings, for they said, "He is a leper." Jotham, his son, became king in his place. + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah; she was the daughter of Zadok. +\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, following the example of his father, Uzziah, in everything. He also refrained from going into the temple of Yahweh. But the people were still behaving in evil ways. + +\s5 +\v 3 He built the upper gate of the house of Yahweh, and on the hill of Ophel he built much. +\v 4 Moreover he built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. + +\s5 +\v 5 He fought also with the king of the people of Ammon and defeated them. In that same year, the people of Ammon gave him one hundred talents of silver, ten thousand measures of wheat, ten thousand measures of barley. The people of Ammon gave him the same in the second and third years. + +\s5 +\v 6 So Jotham became powerful because he walked firmly before Yahweh his God. +\v 7 As for the other matters concerning Jotham, all his wars, and his ways, see, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. + +\s5 +\v 8 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; he reigned for sixteen years in Jerusalem. +\v 9 Jotham slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city of David. Ahaz, his son, became king in his place. + + + +\s5 +\c 28 +\p +\v 1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. He did not do what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, as David his ancestor had done. +\v 2 Instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel; he also made cast metal figures for the Baals. + +\s5 +\v 3 In addition, he burned incense in the Valley of Ben Hinnom and put his children into fire, according to the idolatrous practices of the people that Yahweh forced out of their land before the people of Israel. +\v 4 He sacrificed and burned incense at the high places and on the hills and under every green tree. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Therefore Yahweh the God of Ahaz gave him into the hand of the king of Aram. The Arameans defeated him and carried away from him a great crowd of prisoners, bringing them to Damascus. Ahaz was also given into the hand of the king of Israel who defeated him in a great slaughter. +\v 6 For Pekah son of Remaliah in one day killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah and all of them were powerful men, because they had forsaken Yahweh the God of their ancestors. + +\s5 +\v 7 Zicri, a powerful man from Ephraim, killed Maaseiah the king's son, Azrikam, the official over the palace, and Elkanah, who was next to the king. +\v 8 The army of Israel took captive from their relatives 200,000 wives, sons, and daughters. They also took much plunder, which they carried back to Samaria. + +\s5 +\v 9 But a prophet of Yahweh was there, his name was Oded. He went out to meet the army coming into Samaria. He said to them, "Because Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, was angry with Judah, he gave them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reached up to heaven. +\v 10 Now you intend to keep the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem as your slaves. But are you not guilty of sins of your own against Yahweh your God? +\v 11 Now then, listen to me: Send the prisoners back, those whom you have taken of your own brothers, for Yahweh's fierce wrath is on you." + +\s5 +\v 12 Then certain leaders of the people of Ephraim—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came back from the war. +\v 13 They said to them, "You must not bring the prisoners here, for you intend something that will bring on us sin against Yahweh, to add to our sins and trespasses, for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel." + +\s5 +\v 14 So the armed men left the prisoners and the plunder before the leaders and all the assembly. +\v 15 The men who were assigned by name got up and took the prisoners, and clothed all who were naked among them with the plunder. They clothed them and gave them sandals. They gave them food to eat and drink. They treated their wounds and put the weak ones on donkeys. They took them back to their families in Jericho, (called the City of Palms). Then they returned to Samaria. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 At that time King Ahaz sent messengers to the kings of Assyria to ask them to help him. +\v 17 For once again the Edomites had come and attacked Judah, carrying prisoners away. +\v 18 The Philistines also invaded the cities of the lowlands and of the Negev of Judah. They took Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Soko with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and also Gimzo with its villages. They went to live in those places. + +\s5 +\v 19 For Yahweh brought Judah low because of Ahaz, king of Israel; for he had acted wickedly in Judah and had sinned against Yahweh very heavily. +\v 20 Tiglath-Pileser, king of Assyria, came to him and troubled him instead of strengthening him. +\v 21 For Ahaz plundered the house of Yahweh and the houses of the king and the leaders, to give the valuable things to the kings of Assyria. But doing this did not benefit him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 This same King Ahaz sinned even more against Yahweh in his time of suffering. +\v 23 For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, gods that had defeated him. He said, "Because the gods of the kings of Aram helped them, I will sacrifice to them, so that they might help me." But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. + +\s5 +\v 24 Ahaz gathered together the furnishings of the house of God and cut them to pieces. He shut the doors of the house of Yahweh and he made for himself altars in every corner of Jerusalem. +\v 25 In every city of Judah he made high places to burn sacrifices to other gods. He provoked Yahweh, the God of his ancestors, to anger. + +\s5 +\v 26 Now the rest of his deeds, and all his ways, first and last, see, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. +\v 27 Ahaz slept with his ancestors, and they buried him in the city, in Jerusalem, but they did not bring him into the tombs of the kings of Israel. Hezekiah, his son, became king in his place. +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old; he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abijah; she was the daughter of Zechariah. +\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, just as David his father had done. + +\s5 +\v 3 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, Hezekiah opened the doors of the house of Yahweh and repaired them. +\v 4 He brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the courtyard on the east side. +\v 5 He said to them, "Listen to me, you Levites! Consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of Yahweh, the God of your ancestors, and carry away the filthiness from the holy place. + +\s5 +\v 6 For our ancestors trespassed and did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh our God; they forsook him, turned away their faces from the place where Yahweh lives, and turned their backs on it. +\v 7 Also they shut up the doors of the porch and put out the lamps; they did not burn incense or offer burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 8 Therefore the wrath of Yahweh had fallen on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them to be an object of terror, of horror, and of scorn, as you can see with your own eyes. +\v 9 This is why our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity for this. + +\s5 +\v 10 Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Yahweh, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger may turn away from us. +\v 11 My sons, do not be lazy now, for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before him, to worship him, and that you should be his servants and burn incense." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then the Levites arose: Mahath son of Amasai, and Joel son of Azariah, of the people of the Kohathites; and of the people of Merari, Kish son of Abdi, and Azariah son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah son of Zimmah, and Eden son of Joah; +\v 13 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; +\v 14 of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. + +\s5 +\v 15 They gathered their brothers, they consecrated themselves, and they went in, as the king commanded, following the words of Yahweh, to cleanse the house of Yahweh. +\v 16 The priests went in to the inner part of the house of Yahweh to cleanse it; they brought out all the filth that they found in the temple of Yahweh into the courtyard of the house. The Levites took it to carry it out to the brook Kidron. +\v 17 Now they began the consecreation on the first day of the first month. By the eighth day of the month they reached the porch of Yahweh. Then for eight more days they consecrated the house of Yahweh. On the sixteenth day of the first month they finished. + +\s5 +\v 18 Then they went to Hezekiah, the king, inside the palace and said, "We have cleansed all the house of Yahweh, the altar for burnt offerings with all its implements, and the table of the bread of the presence, with all its implements. +\v 19 So we have prepared and we have consecrated all the items that King Ahaz removed when he acted unfaithfully during his reign. See, they are in front of the altar of Yahweh." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early in the morning and gathered the leaders of the city; he went up to the house of Yahweh. +\v 21 They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. He commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 22 So they killed the bulls, and the priests received the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. Then they killed the rams and sprinkled their blood on the altar; and they also killed the lambs and sprinkled their blood on the altar. +\v 23 They brought the male goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly; they laid their hands on them. +\v 24 The priests killed them, and they made a sin offering with their blood on the altar to make atonement for all Israel, for the king had commanded that a burnt offering and a sin offering should be made for all Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Hezekiah placed the Levites in the house of Yahweh with cymbals, harps, and lyres, arranging them by the command of David, Gad, the king's seer, and Nathan, the prophet, for the command was from Yahweh by means of his prophets. +\v 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. + +\s5 +\v 27 Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of Yahweh began also, with the trumpets, together with the instruments of David, king of Israel. +\v 28 All the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters played; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 When they had finished the offerings, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped. +\v 30 Moreover, Hezekiah, the king, and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praises to Yahweh with the words of David and of Asaph, the seer. They sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Then Hezekiah said, "Now you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh. Come here and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Yahweh." The assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who had a willing heart brought burnt offerings. + +\s5 +\v 32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was seventy bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred male lambs. All these were for a burnt offering to Yahweh. +\v 33 The consecrated offerings were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. + +\s5 +\v 34 But the priests were too few to skin all the burnt offerings, so their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was done, and until the priests could consecrate themselves, for the Levites had been more careful to consecrate themselves than the priests. + +\s5 +\v 35 In addition, there were very many burnt offerings; they were performed with the fat of the fellowship offerings, and there were drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of Yahweh was set in order. +\v 36 Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people also, because of what God had prepared for the people, for the work had been done quickly. +\s5 +\c 30 +\p +\v 1 Hezekiah sent messengers to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Yahweh in Jerusalem, to celebrate the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 2 For the king, his leaders, and all the assembly in Jerusalem had consulted together, deciding to celebrate the Passover in the second month. +\v 3 They could not celebrate at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves for the celebration and the people had not gathered together in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 4 This proposal seemed right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly. +\v 5 So they agreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come to celebrate the Passover to Yahweh, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem. For they had not observed it with large numbers of people according to what was written. +\s5 +\v 6 So couriers went with the letters from the king and his leaders throughout all Israel and Judah, by the command of the king. They said, "You people of Israel, turn back to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he may turn back to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. + +\s5 +\v 7 Do not be like your ancestors or your brothers, who trespassed against Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. +\v 8 Now do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were; instead, give yourselves to Yahweh and come into his holy place, which he has consecrated forever, and worship Yahweh your God, so that his fierce anger may turn away from you. +\v 9 For if you turn back to Yahweh, your brothers and children will find compassion before those who led them away as prisoners, and they will come back into this land. For Yahweh your God, is gracious and merciful, and will not turn his face away from you, if you return to him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 So the couriers passed from city to city throughout the regions of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the way to Zebulun, but the people laughed at them and mocked them. +\v 11 However, certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. +\v 12 The hand of God also came on Judah, to give them one heart, to carry out the command of the king and leaders by the word of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Many people, a very great assembly, gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month. +\v 14 They rose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense; they threw them into the brook Kidron. +\v 15 Then they killed the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed, so they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 16 They stood in their place by their divisions, following the directions given in the law of Moses, the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites. +\v 17 For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites slaughtered the Passover lambs for everyone who was not purified and could not consecrate their sacrifice to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 18 For a great many of the people, many of them from Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover meal, against the written instructions. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, "May the good Yahweh pardon everyone +\v 19 who sets his heart to seek God, Yahweh, the God of his ancestors, even though he is not purified by the purification standards of the holy place." +\v 20 So Yahweh listened to Hezekiah and healed the people. + +\s5 +\v 21 The people of Israel who were present in Jerusalem kept the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy. The Levites and the priests praised Yahweh day after day, singing with loud instruments to Yahweh. +\v 22 Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who understood the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the festival for the seven days, offering sacrifices of fellowship offerings, and making confession to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The whole assembly then decided to celebrate for another seven days, and they did so with joy. +\v 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep as an offering; and the leaders gave to the assembly one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep and goats. A large number of priests consecrated themselves. + +\s5 +\v 25 All the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the people who came together from Israel, as well as the foreigners who came from the land of Israel and those who lived in Judah—they all rejoiced. +\v 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon son of David, king of Israel, there had not been anything like it in Jerusalem. +\v 27 Then the priests, the Levites, rose and blessed the people. Their voice was heard, and their prayer went up to heaven, the holy place where God lives. +\s5 +\c 31 +\p +\v 1 Now when all this was finished, all the people of Israel who were there went out to the cities of Judah and broke to pieces the stone pillars and they cut down the Asherah poles, and they broke down the high places and the altars in all of Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned, every one to his own possession and his own city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Hezekiah assigned the divisions of the priests and the Levites organized by their divisions, each man assigned to his work, both the priests and the Levites. He assigned them to make the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to serve, to give thanks, and to praise at the gates of Yahweh's temple. +\v 3 He also assigned the king's portion for the burnt offerings from his own possessions, that is, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbath days, the new moons, and the fixed festivals, as it was written in the law of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 4 Moreover, he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion for the priests and the Levites, so that they might concentrate on obeying the law of Yahweh. +\v 5 As soon as the command was sent out, the people of Israel generously gave the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and from all their harvest of the field. They brought in a tithe of everything, which was a great quantity. + +\s5 +\v 6 The people of Israel and Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the holy things that were set apart to Yahweh their God, and they piled them up in heaps. +\v 7 It was in the third month when they began piling up their contribution in heaps, and they finished in the seventh month. +\v 8 When Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed Yahweh and his people Israel. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps. +\v 10 Azariah, the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, "Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of Yahweh, we have eaten and had enough, and have +plenty left over, for Yahweh has blessed his people. What was left over is this large amount here." +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Hezekiah commanded storerooms to be prepared in the house of Yahweh, and they prepared them. +\v 12 Then they faithfully brought in the offerings, the tithes and the things that belonged to Yahweh. Konaniah the Levite was the manager in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second to him. +\v 13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were managers under the hand of Konaniah and Shimei his brother, by appointment of Hezekiah, the king, and Azariah, the official over the house of God. + +\s5 +\v 14 Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the free will offerings of God, in charge of distributing the offerings to Yahweh and the most holy offerings. +\v 15 Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests. They filled offices of trust, in order to give these offerings to their brothers division by division, to both the important and the unimportant. + +\s5 +\v 16 They also gave to those males three years old and up, who were listed in the records of their ancestors who entered the house of Yahweh, as required by the daily schedule, to do the work in their offices and their divisions. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa males three years old and up \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa males thirty years old and up \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\v 17 They distributed to the priests according to the records of their ancestors, and the same to the Levites twenty years old and more, according to their offices and their divisions. +\v 18 They included all their little ones, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, through the whole community, for they were faithful in keeping themselves holy. +\v 19 For the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who were in the fields of the villages belonging to their cities, or in every city, there were men assigned by name to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all who were listed in the records of their ancestors as being among the Levites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He accomplished what was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh, his God. +\v 21 In every project that he began in the service of the house of God, the law, and the commandments, to seek his God, he performed it with all his heart, and he succeeded. +\s5 +\c 32 +\p +\v 1 After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came and entered Judah. He camped to attack the fortified cities, which he intended to capture for himself. + +\s5 +\v 2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to fight against Jerusalem, +\v 3 he consulted with his leaders and his powerful men to stop up the waters of the springs that were outside the city; they helped him do so. +\v 4 So many people gathered together and stopped up all the springs and the stream that was flowing through the middle of the land. They said, "Why should the kings of Assyria come and find a lot of water?" + +\s5 +\v 5 Hezekiah took courage and built up all the wall that was broken down. He built the towers higher, and also the other wall outside. He also strengthened the Millo in the city of David, and he made large amounts of weapons and shields. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa He built the towers higher \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions have, \fqa he built towers on it \fqa* , that is, on the wall. \f* + +\s5 +\v 6 He placed military commanders over the people. He gathered them together to him in the broad place at the city gate and spoke encouragingly to them. He said, +\v 7 "Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and all the army that is with him, for someone is with us who is greater than those with him. +\v 8 With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is Yahweh, our God, to help us, and to fight our battles." Then the people comforted themselves with the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 After this, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent his servants to Jerusalem (now he was in front of Lachish, and all his army was with him), to Hezekiah, king of Judah, and to all of Judah who were in Jerusalem. He said, +\v 10 "This is what Sennacherib, king of Assyria, says: What are you relying on in order to endure a siege in Jerusalem? + +\s5 +\v 11 Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst, when he tells you, 'Yahweh our God will rescue us from the hand of the king of Assyria'? +\v 12 Has not this same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, 'On one altar you must worship, and on it you must burn your sacrifices'? + +\s5 +\v 13 Do you not know what I and my ancestors have done to all the people groups of other lands? Were the gods of the people groups of the lands able in any way to rescue their land from my power? +\v 14 Among all the gods of those nations that my ancestors completely destroyed, was there any god who could rescue his people out of my hand? Why should your God be able to rescue you from my power? +\v 15 Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you in this way. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to rescue his people out of my hand, or out of the hand of my ancestors. How much less will your God rescue you from my hand?" + +\s5 +\v 16 Sennacherib's servants spoke even more against Yahweh God and against his servant Hezekiah. +\v 17 Sennacherib also wrote letters in order to mock Yahweh, the God of Israel, and to speak against him. He said, "As the gods of the nations of the lands have not rescued their people out of my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not rescue his people out of my hand." + +\s5 +\v 18 They cried out in the language of the Jews to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them and trouble them, in order that they might capture the city. +\v 19 They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken of the gods of the other peoples of the earth, which are merely the work of men's hands. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Hezekiah, the king, and Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, prayed because of this matter and he cried out to heaven. +\v 21 Yahweh sent an angel, who killed the fighting men, the commanders, and the officers of the king in the camp. So Sennacherib returned shame-faced to his own land. When he had gone into the house of his god, some of his own children killed him there with the sword. + +\s5 +\v 22 In this way, Yahweh saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and gave them rest on every side. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa gave them rest on every side \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions have \fqa guided them on every side \fqa* . The original reading is uncertain. \f* +\v 23 Many were bringing offerings to Yahweh in Jerusalem, and precious gifts to Hezekiah king of Judah, so that he was lifted up in the eyes of all nations from that time forward. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of dying. He prayed to Yahweh, who spoke to him and gave him a sign that he would be healed. +\v 25 But Hezekiah did not pay back Yahweh for the help given to him, for his heart was lifted up. So anger came on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem. +\v 26 Nevertheless, Hezekiah later humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that Yahweh's anger did not come on them during Hezekiah's days. +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Hezekiah had very many riches and much honor. He provided himself with storerooms for silver, gold, precious stones, and for spices, as well as for shields and for all kinds of valuable objects. +\v 28 He also had storehouses for the harvest of grain, new wine, and oil, and stalls for all kinds of animals. He also had flocks in their pens. +\v 29 In addition, he provided himself with cities and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very much wealth. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa cities \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa donkeys \fqa* , and some other modern versions leave out the word entirely. \f* + +\s5 +\v 30 It was this same Hezekiah who also stopped up the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and who brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. Hezekiah succeeded in all his projects. +\v 31 However, in the matter of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to ask questions of those who knew, about the miraculous sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him, and to know all that was in his heart. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 As for the other matters concerning Hezekiah, including his actions of covenant loyalty, you can see that they are written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. +\v 33 Hezekiah slept with his ancestors, and they buried him on the hill of the tombs of the descendants of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. Manasseh his son became king in his place. \s5 @@ -1634,186 +1634,186 @@ it and raised the wall up to a very great height. He put courageous commanders i -\s5 -\c 34 -\p -\v 1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. -\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, and walked in the ways of David his ancestor, and did not turn away either to the right or to the left. -\v 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek after the God of David, his ancestor. In the twelfth year, he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, and the carved figures and the cast metal figures. - -\s5 -\v 4 The people broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; he cut apart the incense altars that were above them. He broke the Asherah poles and the carved figures, and the cast metal figures in pieces until they were dust. He scattered the dust on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. -\v 5 He burned the bones of their priests on their altars. In this way, he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 6 He did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, all the way to Naphtali, and in the ruins that surrounded them. -\v 7 He broke down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and the carved images into powder, and cut apart all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, after Josiah had cleansed the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah, the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz the secretary, to repair the house of Yahweh his God. -\v 9 They went to Hilkiah, the high priest, and entrusted to him the money that had been brought into the house of God, that the Levites, the guards of the doors, had gathered from Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the remnant of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and from the inhabitants of Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 10 They entrusted the money to the men who supervised the work on the temple of Yahweh. These men paid the workers who repaired and restored the temple. -\v 11 They paid it to the carpenters and builders to buy cut stone and timber for braces, and to make beams for the structures that some kings of Judah had let fall apart. - -\s5 -\v 12 The men did the work faithfully. Their supervisors Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, from the sons of the Kohathites. Other Levites, all of whom were very good musicians, closely directed the workmen. -\v 13 These Levites were in charge of those who carried building material and all other men who worked in any way. There were also Levites who were secretaries, administrators, and gate guards. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 When they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of Yahweh that had been given through Moses. -\v 15 Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh." Hilkiah brought the book to Shaphan. -\v 16 Shaphan took the book to the king, and also reported to him, saying, "Your servants are doing everything that has been entrusted to them. - -\s5 -\v 17 They have emptied out the money that was found in the house of Yahweh, and they gave it into the hand of the supervisors and to the workmen." -\v 18 Shaphan the scribe told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." Then Shaphan read in it to the king. -\v 19 It came about that when the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes. - -\s5 -\v 20 The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah, his own servant, saying, -\v 21 "Go and ask Yahweh's will for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, because of the words of the book that has been found. For it is great, the anger of Yahweh that has been poured out on us. It is great, because our ancestors have not listened to the words of this book so as to obey all that was written in it." -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa that has been poured out on us \fqa* , some versions have, \fqa that has been kindled against us \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 So Hilkiah, and those whom the king had commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (she lived in Jerusalem in the Second District), and they spoke with her in this way. - -\s5 -\v 23 She said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, -\v 24 'This is what Yahweh says: See, I am about to bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that have been written in the book that they have read before the king of Judah. -\v 25 This will happen because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, and they have provoked me to anger by all that their hands have made, therefore, my anger will be poured out on this place, and it will not be extinguished.' -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa will be poured out on this place \fqa* , some versions have, \fqa will be kindled against this place \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\v 26 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to ask Yahweh what he should do, this is what you will say to him, 'Yahweh, the God of Israel says this: About the words that you heard, -\v 27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and because you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have listened to you—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\v 28 see, I will gather you to your ancestors. You will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see any of the disaster I will bring on this place and its inhabitants.'" The men took this message back to the king. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Then the king sent messengers and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. -\v 30 Then the king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, Levites, and all the people, from great to small. He then read in their hearing all the words of the book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 31 The king stood in his place and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to obey the words of the covenant that were written in this book. -\v 32 He caused all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand by the covenant. The inhabitants of Jerusalem acted in obedience to the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. - -\s5 -\v 33 Josiah took away all the disgusting things from the lands that belonged to the people of Israel. He made everyone in Israel worship Yahweh, their God. For all of his days, they did not turn away from following Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. -\s5 -\c 35 -\p -\v 1 Josiah kept a Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem, and they killed the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month. -\v 2 He placed the priests in their positions and encouraged them in the service of the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 3 He said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were set apart to Yahweh, "Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David, king of Israel built. Do not carry it around on your shoulders any longer. Now worship Yahweh your God, and serve his people Israel. -\v 4 Organize yourselves by the name of your ancestral houses and your divisions, following the written instructions of David, king of Israel, and those of Solomon, his son. - -\s5 -\v 5 Stand in the holy place, taking your position with your divisions within the ancestral houses of your brothers, the descendants of the people, and taking your places with your divisions within the ancestral houses of the Levites. -\v 6 Kill the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves, prepare the lambs for your brothers, to do according to the word of Yahweh that was given by the hand of Moses." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Josiah gave to all the people thirty thousand lambs and kids from flocks for the Passover offerings to all who were present. He also gave three thousand bulls; these were from the king's possessions. -\v 8 His leaders gave a free will offering to the people, priests, and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the officials in charge of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover offerings 2,600 small cattle and three hundred oxen. -\v 9 Also Konaniah, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings five thousand small cattle and five hundred oxen. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their places, with the Levites by their divisions, in response to the king's command. -\v 11 They killed the Passover lambs, and the priests sprinkled the blood that they received from the Levites' hand, and the Levites skinned the lambs. -\v 12 They removed the burnt offerings, in order to distribute them to the divisions of the ancestral houses of the people, to offer them to Yahweh, as it is written in The Book of Moses. They did the same with the bulls. - -\s5 -\v 13 They roasted the Passover lambs with fire following the instructions. As for the consecrated offerings, they boiled them in pots, cauldrons, and pans, and they quickly carried them to all the people. -\v 14 They later prepared offerings for themselves and for the priests, because the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were occupied in offering the burnt offerings and the fat until nightfall, so the Levites prepared the offerings for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. - -\s5 -\v 15 The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were in their place, as directed by David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer, and the guards were at every gate. They did not have to leave their post, because their brothers the Levites made preparations for them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So, at that time the entire service of Yahweh was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, as King Josiah commanded. -\v 17 The people of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and then the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. - -\s5 -\v 18 Such a Passover celebration had never been held in Israel from the days of the prophet Samuel, nor had any of the other kings of Israel ever celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did, along with the priests, Levites, and all the people of Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. -\v 19 This Passover was kept in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 After all this, after Josiah had set the temple in order, Necho, king of Egypt, went up to fight against Carchemish at the Euphrates River, and Josiah went to fight against him. -\v 21 But Necho sent ambassadors to him, saying, "What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am making war. God has commanded me to hurry, so refrain from interfering with God, who is with me, or he might destroy you." - -\s5 -\v 22 However, Josiah refused to turn away from him. He disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Necho that had come from the mouth of God; so he went to fight in the Valley of Megiddo. - -\s5 -\v 23 Archers shot King Josiah, and the king said to his servants, "Take me away, for I am badly wounded." -\v 24 So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in his extra chariot. They took him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. - -\s5 -\v 25 Jeremiah lamented for Josiah; all the male and female singers lament about Josiah to this day. These songs became customary in Israel; behold, they are written in the songs of lament. - -\s5 -\v 26 As for the other matters concerning Josiah, and his good deeds done in obedience to what is written in the law of Yahweh— -\v 27 and his deeds, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. -\c 36 -\s5 -\p -\v 1 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's place in Jerusalem. -\v 2 Jehoahaz \f + \ft \fqa Jehoahaz \fqa* is written in HEB \fqa Joahaz \fqa*, but refers to the same person. \f* was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 3 The king of Egypt removed him at Jerusalem, and fined the land one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold. -\v 4 The king of Egypt made Eliakim, who was the brother of Jehoahaz, king over Judah and Jerusalem (and changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim). Then Necho took Eliakim's brother Jehoahaz and brought him to Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God. -\v 6 Then Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacked him and bound him in chains to lead him away to Babylon. -\v 7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried some of the objects in the house of Yahweh to Babylon, and put them in his palace at Babylon. - -\s5 -\v 8 As for the other matters concerning Jehoiakim, the disgusting things that he did, and what was found against him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. Then Jehoiachin, his son, became king in his place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. -\v 10 In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar sent men and brought him to Babylon, with the valuable things from the house of Yahweh, and made Zedekiah, his relative, king over Judah and Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. -\v 12 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 13 Zedekiah also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear loyalty to him by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 14 Moreover, all the leaders of the priests and the people were horribly unfaithful, and they followed the disgusting practices of the nations. They polluted the house of Yahweh which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 15 Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them by his messengers again and again, because he had compassion on his people and on the place where he lives. -\v 16 But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Yahweh arose against his people, until there was no help for it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 So God brought on them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and had no compassion on young men or virgins, old men or the gray-haired. God gave them all into his hand. - -\s5 -\v 18 All the furnishings of the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king and his officials—all these he took to Babylon. -\v 19 They burned down the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces, and destroyed all the beautiful things in it. - -\s5 -\v 20 The king carried away to Babylon those who had escaped the sword. They became servants for him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia. -\v 21 This happened to fulfill the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land should have enjoyed its Sabbath rests. It observed its Sabbath for as long as it lay abandoned, in order to pass seventy years in this way. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Now in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, so that the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah might be carried out, Yahweh motivated the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing. He said, -\v 23 "This is what Cyrus, king of Persia, says: Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has commanded me to build a house for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you from all his people, may Yahweh your God, be with you. Let him go up to the land." +\s5 +\c 34 +\p +\v 1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. +\v 2 He did what was right in the eyes of Yahweh, and walked in the ways of David his ancestor, and did not turn away either to the right or to the left. +\v 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek after the God of David, his ancestor. In the twelfth year, he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, and the carved figures and the cast metal figures. + +\s5 +\v 4 The people broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; he cut apart the incense altars that were above them. He broke the Asherah poles and the carved figures, and the cast metal figures in pieces until they were dust. He scattered the dust on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. +\v 5 He burned the bones of their priests on their altars. In this way, he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 6 He did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, all the way to Naphtali, and in the ruins that surrounded them. +\v 7 He broke down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and the carved images into powder, and cut apart all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, after Josiah had cleansed the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah, the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz the secretary, to repair the house of Yahweh his God. +\v 9 They went to Hilkiah, the high priest, and entrusted to him the money that had been brought into the house of God, that the Levites, the guards of the doors, had gathered from Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the remnant of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and from the inhabitants of Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 10 They entrusted the money to the men who supervised the work on the temple of Yahweh. These men paid the workers who repaired and restored the temple. +\v 11 They paid it to the carpenters and builders to buy cut stone and timber for braces, and to make beams for the structures that some kings of Judah had let fall apart. + +\s5 +\v 12 The men did the work faithfully. Their supervisors Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, from the sons of the Kohathites. Other Levites, all of whom were very good musicians, closely directed the workmen. +\v 13 These Levites were in charge of those who carried building material and all other men who worked in any way. There were also Levites who were secretaries, administrators, and gate guards. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 When they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Yahweh, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of Yahweh that had been given through Moses. +\v 15 Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of Yahweh." Hilkiah brought the book to Shaphan. +\v 16 Shaphan took the book to the king, and also reported to him, saying, "Your servants are doing everything that has been entrusted to them. + +\s5 +\v 17 They have emptied out the money that was found in the house of Yahweh, and they gave it into the hand of the supervisors and to the workmen." +\v 18 Shaphan the scribe told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." Then Shaphan read in it to the king. +\v 19 It came about that when the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes. + +\s5 +\v 20 The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah, his own servant, saying, +\v 21 "Go and ask Yahweh's will for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, because of the words of the book that has been found. For it is great, the anger of Yahweh that has been poured out on us. It is great, because our ancestors have not listened to the words of this book so as to obey all that was written in it." +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa that has been poured out on us \fqa* , some versions have, \fqa that has been kindled against us \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 So Hilkiah, and those whom the king had commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (she lived in Jerusalem in the Second District), and they spoke with her in this way. + +\s5 +\v 23 She said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, +\v 24 'This is what Yahweh says: See, I am about to bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that have been written in the book that they have read before the king of Judah. +\v 25 This will happen because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, and they have provoked me to anger by all that their hands have made, therefore, my anger will be poured out on this place, and it will not be extinguished.' +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa will be poured out on this place \fqa* , some versions have, \fqa will be kindled against this place \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\v 26 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to ask Yahweh what he should do, this is what you will say to him, 'Yahweh, the God of Israel says this: About the words that you heard, +\v 27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its inhabitants, and because you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have listened to you—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\v 28 see, I will gather you to your ancestors. You will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see any of the disaster I will bring on this place and its inhabitants.'" The men took this message back to the king. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Then the king sent messengers and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. +\v 30 Then the king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, Levites, and all the people, from great to small. He then read in their hearing all the words of the book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 31 The king stood in his place and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, his regulations, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to obey the words of the covenant that were written in this book. +\v 32 He caused all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand by the covenant. The inhabitants of Jerusalem acted in obedience to the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. + +\s5 +\v 33 Josiah took away all the disgusting things from the lands that belonged to the people of Israel. He made everyone in Israel worship Yahweh, their God. For all of his days, they did not turn away from following Yahweh, the God of their ancestors. +\s5 +\c 35 +\p +\v 1 Josiah kept a Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem, and they killed the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month. +\v 2 He placed the priests in their positions and encouraged them in the service of the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 3 He said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were set apart to Yahweh, "Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David, king of Israel built. Do not carry it around on your shoulders any longer. Now worship Yahweh your God, and serve his people Israel. +\v 4 Organize yourselves by the name of your ancestral houses and your divisions, following the written instructions of David, king of Israel, and those of Solomon, his son. + +\s5 +\v 5 Stand in the holy place, taking your position with your divisions within the ancestral houses of your brothers, the descendants of the people, and taking your places with your divisions within the ancestral houses of the Levites. +\v 6 Kill the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves, prepare the lambs for your brothers, to do according to the word of Yahweh that was given by the hand of Moses." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Josiah gave to all the people thirty thousand lambs and kids from flocks for the Passover offerings to all who were present. He also gave three thousand bulls; these were from the king's possessions. +\v 8 His leaders gave a free will offering to the people, priests, and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the officials in charge of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover offerings 2,600 small cattle and three hundred oxen. +\v 9 Also Konaniah, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings five thousand small cattle and five hundred oxen. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their places, with the Levites by their divisions, in response to the king's command. +\v 11 They killed the Passover lambs, and the priests sprinkled the blood that they received from the Levites' hand, and the Levites skinned the lambs. +\v 12 They removed the burnt offerings, in order to distribute them to the divisions of the ancestral houses of the people, to offer them to Yahweh, as it is written in The Book of Moses. They did the same with the bulls. + +\s5 +\v 13 They roasted the Passover lambs with fire following the instructions. As for the consecrated offerings, they boiled them in pots, cauldrons, and pans, and they quickly carried them to all the people. +\v 14 They later prepared offerings for themselves and for the priests, because the priests, the descendants of Aaron, were occupied in offering the burnt offerings and the fat until nightfall, so the Levites prepared the offerings for themselves and for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. + +\s5 +\v 15 The singers, the descendants of Asaph, were in their place, as directed by David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer, and the guards were at every gate. They did not have to leave their post, because their brothers the Levites made preparations for them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So, at that time the entire service of Yahweh was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, as King Josiah commanded. +\v 17 The people of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and then the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. + +\s5 +\v 18 Such a Passover celebration had never been held in Israel from the days of the prophet Samuel, nor had any of the other kings of Israel ever celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did, along with the priests, Levites, and all the people of Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. +\v 19 This Passover was kept in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 After all this, after Josiah had set the temple in order, Necho, king of Egypt, went up to fight against Carchemish at the Euphrates River, and Josiah went to fight against him. +\v 21 But Necho sent ambassadors to him, saying, "What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am making war. God has commanded me to hurry, so refrain from interfering with God, who is with me, or he might destroy you." + +\s5 +\v 22 However, Josiah refused to turn away from him. He disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Necho that had come from the mouth of God; so he went to fight in the Valley of Megiddo. + +\s5 +\v 23 Archers shot King Josiah, and the king said to his servants, "Take me away, for I am badly wounded." +\v 24 So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in his extra chariot. They took him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. + +\s5 +\v 25 Jeremiah lamented for Josiah; all the male and female singers lament about Josiah to this day. These songs became customary in Israel; behold, they are written in the songs of lament. + +\s5 +\v 26 As for the other matters concerning Josiah, and his good deeds done in obedience to what is written in the law of Yahweh— +\v 27 and his deeds, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. +\c 36 +\s5 +\p +\v 1 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's place in Jerusalem. +\v 2 Jehoahaz \f + \ft \fqa Jehoahaz \fqa* is written in HEB \fqa Joahaz \fqa*, but refers to the same person. \f* was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 3 The king of Egypt removed him at Jerusalem, and fined the land one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold. +\v 4 The king of Egypt made Eliakim, who was the brother of Jehoahaz, king over Judah and Jerusalem (and changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim). Then Necho took Eliakim's brother Jehoahaz and brought him to Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God. +\v 6 Then Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacked him and bound him in chains to lead him away to Babylon. +\v 7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried some of the objects in the house of Yahweh to Babylon, and put them in his palace at Babylon. + +\s5 +\v 8 As for the other matters concerning Jehoiakim, the disgusting things that he did, and what was found against him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. Then Jehoiachin, his son, became king in his place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh. +\v 10 In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar sent men and brought him to Babylon, with the valuable things from the house of Yahweh, and made Zedekiah, his relative, king over Judah and Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. +\v 12 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 13 Zedekiah also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear loyalty to him by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 14 Moreover, all the leaders of the priests and the people were horribly unfaithful, and they followed the disgusting practices of the nations. They polluted the house of Yahweh which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 15 Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them by his messengers again and again, because he had compassion on his people and on the place where he lives. +\v 16 But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Yahweh arose against his people, until there was no help for it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 So God brought on them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and had no compassion on young men or virgins, old men or the gray-haired. God gave them all into his hand. + +\s5 +\v 18 All the furnishings of the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of Yahweh, and the treasures of the king and his officials—all these he took to Babylon. +\v 19 They burned down the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces, and destroyed all the beautiful things in it. + +\s5 +\v 20 The king carried away to Babylon those who had escaped the sword. They became servants for him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia. +\v 21 This happened to fulfill the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land should have enjoyed its Sabbath rests. It observed its Sabbath for as long as it lay abandoned, in order to pass seventy years in this way. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Now in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, so that the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah might be carried out, Yahweh motivated the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing. He said, +\v 23 "This is what Cyrus, king of Persia, says: Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has commanded me to build a house for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you from all his people, may Yahweh your God, be with you. Let him go up to the land." diff --git a/15-EZR.usfm b/15-EZR.usfm index 7ebdf72d..ae8052bf 100644 --- a/15-EZR.usfm +++ b/15-EZR.usfm @@ -4,590 +4,590 @@ \toc1 The Book of Ezra \toc2 Ezra \toc3 Ezr -\mt Ezra \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, Yahweh fulfilled his word that came from the mouth of Jeremiah, and stirred Cyrus's spirit. Cyrus' voice went out over his entire kingdom. This is what was written and spoken: -\v 2 "Cyrus, king of Persia, says: Yahweh, God of Heaven, gave me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he appointed me to build for him a house in Jerusalem in Judea. - -\s5 -\v 3 Whoever is from his people (may his God be with him) may go up to Jerusalem and build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. -\v 4 People of any part of the kingdom where survivors of that land are living should provide them with silver and gold, possessions and animals, as well as a freewill offering for God's house in Jerusalem." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Then the heads of the ancestors' clans of Judah and Benjamin, the priests and Levites, and everyone whose spirit God stirred to go and build his house arose. -\v 6 Those around them supported their work with silver and gold objects, possessions, animals, valuables, and freewill offerings. - -\s5 -\v 7 Cyrus king of Persia also released the objects belonging to Yahweh's house that Nebuchadnezzar had brought from Jerusalem and put in his own gods' houses. -\v 8 Cyrus put them into the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out for Sheshbazzar, Judea's leader. - -\s5 -\v 9 This was their number: thirty gold basins, one thousand silver basins, twenty-nine other basins, -\v 10 thirty gold bowls, 410 small silver bowls, and one thousand additional objects. -\v 11 There were 5,400 gold and silver items in all. Sheshbazzar brought all of them when the exiles went from Babylon to Jerusalem. - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 These are the people in the province who went up from the captivity of King Nebuchadnezzar, who had exiled them in Babylon, the people who returned to each of their cities of Jerusalem and in Judea. -\v 2 They came with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. -\p -\p This is the record of the men of the people of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 3 The descendants of Parosh: 2,172. -\v 4 The descendants of Shephatiah: 372. -\v 5 The descendants of Arah: 775. -\v 6 The descendants of Pahath-Moab, through Jeshua and Joab: 2,812. - -\s5 -\v 7 The descendants of Elam: 1,254. -\v 8 The descendants of Zattu: 945. -\v 9 The descendants of Zakkai: 760. -\v 10 The descendants of Bani: 642. - -\s5 -\v 11 The descendants of Bebai: 623. -\v 12 The descendants of Azgad: 1,222. -\v 13 The descendants of Adonikam: 666. -\v 14 The descendants of Bigvai: 2,056. - -\s5 -\v 15 The descendants of Adin: 454. -\v 16 The men of Ater, through Hezekiah: ninety-eight. -\v 17 The descendants of Bezai: 323. -\v 18 The descendants of Jorah: 112. - -\s5 -\v 19 The men of Hashum: 223. -\v 20 The men of Gibbar: ninety-five. -\v 21 The men of Bethlehem: 123. -\v 22 The men of Netophah: fifty-six. - -\s5 -\v 23 The men of Anathoth: 128. -\v 24 The men of Azmaveth: forty-two. -\v 25 The men of Kiriath Arim, Kephirah, and Beeroth: 743. -\v 26 The men of Ramah and Geba: 621. - -\s5 -\v 27 The men of Michmas: 122. -\v 28 The men of Bethel and Ai: 223. -\v 29 The men of Nebo: fifty-two. -\v 30 The men of Magbish: 156. - -\s5 -\v 31 The men of the other Elam: 1,254. -\v 32 The men of Harim: 320. -\v 33 The men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: 725. - -\s5 -\v 34 The men of Jericho: 345. -\v 35 The men of Senaah: 3,630. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 The priests: descendants of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua: 973. -\v 37 Immer's descendants: 1,052. -\v 38 Pashhur's descendants: 1,247. -\v 39 Harim's descendants: 1,017. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 The Levites: descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, descendants of Hodaviah: seventy-four. -\v 41 The temple singers, descendants of Asaph: 128. -\v 42 The descendants of the gatekeepers: descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai: 139 total. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 Those who were assigned to serve in the temple: descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, -\v 44 Keros, Siaha, Padon, -\v 45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, -\v 46 Hagab, Shalmai, and Hanan. - -\s5 -\v 47 The descendants of Giddel: Gahar, Reaiah, -\v 48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, -\v 49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai, -\v 50 Asnah, Meunim, and Nephusim. - -\s5 -\v 51 The descendants of Bakbuk: Hakupha, Harhur, -\v 52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, -\v 53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah, -\v 54 Neziah, and Hatipha. - -\s5 -\p -\v 55 The descendants of Solomon's servants: descendants of Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, -\v 56 Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, -\v 57 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim, and Ami. -\v 58 There were 392 total descendants of those assigned to serve in the temple and descendants of Solomon's servants. - -\s5 -\p -\v 59 Those who left Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer—but were not able to prove their ancestry from Israel -\v 60 —included 652 descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda. - -\s5 -\v 61 Also, from the priest's descendants: the descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who took his wife from the daughters of Barzillai of Gilead and was called by their name). -\v 62 They searched for their genealogical records, but could not find them, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. -\v 63 So the governor told them they must not eat any of the holy sacrifices until a priest with Urim and Thummim approved. - -\s5 -\p -\v 64 The whole group totaled 42,360, -\v 65 not including their servants and their maidservants (these were 7,337) and their male and female temple singers (two hundred). - -\s5 -\v 66 Their horses: 736. -Their mules: 245. -\v 67 Their camels: 435. -Their donkeys: 6,720. - -\s5 -\p -\v 68 When they went to Yahweh's house in Jerusalem, the chief patriarchs offered freewill gifts to build the house. -\v 69 They gave according to their ability to the work fund: sixty-one thousand gold darics, five thousand silver minas, and one hundred priestly tunics. - -\s5 -\p -\v 70 So the priests and Levites, the people, the temple singers and gatekeepers, and those assigned to serve in the temple inhabited their cities. All the people in Israel were in their cities. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 It was the seventh month after the people of Israel came back to their cities, when they gathered together as one man in Jerusalem. -\v 2 Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and his brothers rose up and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then they established the altar on its stand, for dread was on them because of the people of the land. They offered burnt offerings to Yahweh at dawn and evening. -\v 4 They also observed the Festival of Shelters as it is written and offered burnt offerings day by day according to the decree, each day's duty on its day. -\v 5 Accordingly, there were daily burnt offerings and monthly ones and offerings for all the fixed feasts of Yahweh, along with all the freewill offerings. - -\s5 -\v 6 They began to offer up burnt offerings to Yahweh on the first day of the seventh month, although the temple had not been founded. -\v 7 So they gave silver to the stoneworkers and craftsmen, and they gave food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so they would bring cedar trees by sea from Lebanon to Joppa, as authorized for them by Cyrus, king of Persia. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then in the second month of the second year after they came to the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, the rest of the priests, the Levites, and those who came from captivity back to Jerusalem began the work. They assigned the Levites twenty years old and older to oversee the work of Yahweh's house. -\v 9 Jeshua and his sons and brothers, and Kadmiel and his sons, who were descendants of Hodaviah), and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers-all of them were Levites-joined together in supervising those working on the house of God. \f + \ft There are some textual issues here regarding the phrase \fqa the sons of Judah \fqa* or \fqa the descendants of Hodviah \fqa* and other matters. \f* - -\s5 -\v 10 The builders laid a foundation for Yahweh's temple. This enabled the priests to stand in their garments with trumpets, and the Levites, sons of Asaph, to praise Yahweh with cymbals, just as the hand of David, king of Israel had commanded. -\v 11 They sang with praise and thankfulness to Yahweh, "He is good! His covenant faithfulness to Israel endures forever." All the people cried out with a great shout of joy in praise of Yahweh because the temple's foundations had been laid. - -\s5 -\v 12 But many of the priests, Levites, chief patriarchs, and old people who had seen the first house, when this house's foundations were laid before their eyes, wept loudly. But many had shouts of joy with gladness and an excited sound. -\v 13 As a result, people were not able to distinguish the joyful and glad sounds from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people were crying out with great joy, and the sound was heard from far away. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Now some enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people who had been exiled were now building a temple for Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 2 So they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of their ancestors' clans. They said to them, "Let us build with you, for, like you, we seek your God and have sacrificed to him since the days when Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, brought us to this place." - -\s5 -\v 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the heads of their ancestors' clans said, "It is not you, but we who must build the house of our God, for it is we who will build for Yahweh, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded." - -\s5 -\v 4 So the people of the land made the Judeans' hands weak; they made the Judeans afraid to build. -\v 5 They also bribed counselors to frustrate their plans. They did this during all of Cyrus' days and into the reign of Darius king of Persia. -\v 6 Then at the beginning of Ahasuerus' \f + \ft Also known as \fqa Xerxes. \f* reign they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 It was during the days of Artaxerxes that Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their companions wrote to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated. -\v 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote this way to Artaxerxes about Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions, who were judges and other officers in the government, the Persians, men from Erech and Babylon, and the men from Susa (that is, the Elamites)—they wrote a letter— -\v 10 and they were joined by the people whom the great and noble Ashurbanipal forced to settle in Samaria, along with the rest who were in the Province Beyond the River. -\s5 -\p -\v 11 This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes: "Your servants, men of the Province Beyond the River, write this: -\v 12 Let the king know that the Jews who went from you have come against us in Jerusalem to build a rebellious city. They have completed the walls and repaired the foundations. - -\s5 -\v 13 Now let the king know that if this city is built and the wall is completed, they will not give any tribute and taxes, but they will harm the kings. - -\s5 -\v 14 Surely because we have eaten the palace salt, it is not fitting for us to see any dishonor happen to the king. It is because of this that we are informing the king -\v 15 to search your father's record and to verify that this is a rebellious city that will harm kings and provinces. It has caused many problems to the kings and provinces. It has been a center for rebellion from long ago. It was for this reason that the city was destroyed. -\v 16 We are informing the king that if this city and wall are built, then there will be nothing remaining for you in the Province Beyond the River." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 So the king sent out a reply to Rehum and Shimshai and their companions in Samaria and the rest who were in the Province Beyond the River: "May peace be yours. -\v 18 The letter that you sent me has been translated and read to me. -\v 19 So I ordered an investigation and discovered that in previous days they had rebelled and revolted against kings. - -\s5 -\v 20 Mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and had power over everything in the Province Beyond the River. Tribute and taxes were paid to them. -\v 21 Now, make a decree for these men to stop and not build this city until I make a decree. -\v 22 Be careful not to neglect this. Why allow this threat to grow and cause more loss for the royal interests? - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 When King Artaxerxes' decree was read before Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions, they went out quickly to Jerusalem and forced the Jews to stop building. -\v 24 So the work on the house of God in Jerusalem stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Then Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo the prophet prophesied in the name of the God of Israel to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. -\v 2 Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God in Jerusalem with the prophets who encouraged them. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Tattenai the governor of the Province Beyond the River, Shethar-Bozenai, and his associates came and said to them, "Who gave you a decree to build this house and complete these walls?" -\v 4 They also said, "What are the names of the men building this building?" -\v 5 But God's eye was on the Jewish elders and their enemies did not stop them. They were waiting for a letter to be sent to the king and for a decree to be returned to them concerning this. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 This is a copy of the letter of Tattenai, governor of the Province Beyond the River, and Shethar-Bozenai and his accociates in the Province Beyond the River, which they sent to Darius the king. -\v 7 They sent a report, writing this to King Darius, "May all peace be yours. - -\s5 -\v 8 Let the king know that we went to Judah to the house of the great God. It is being built with large stones and timbers set in the walls. This work is being done thoroughly and is going forward well in their hands. -\v 9 We asked the elders, 'Who gave you a decree to build this house and these walls?' -\v 10 We also asked them their names so you might know the name of each man who led them. - -\s5 -\v 11 They replied and said, 'We are servants of the one who is the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding this house that had been built many years ago when the great king of Israel built it and completed it. - -\s5 -\v 12 However, when our ancestors enraged the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and took the people into exile in Babylon. -\v 13 Nevertheless, in the first year when Cyrus was king of Babylon, Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild the house of God. - -\s5 -\v 14 King Cyrus also returned the gold and silver objects belonging to the house of God that Nebuchadnezzar had brought from the temple in Jerusalem to the temple in Babylon. He restored them to Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. -\v 15 He said to him, "Take these objects. Go and put them in the temple in Jerusalem. Let the house of God be rebuilt there." - -\s5 -\v 16 Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation for the house of God in Jerusalem; and it is being constructed, but is not yet complete.' - -\s5 -\v 17 Now if it pleases the king, may it be investigated in the house of archives in Babylon if a judgment from King Cyrus exists there to build this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send his decision to us. - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 So King Darius ordered an investigation in the house of archives in Babylon. -\v 2 In the fortified city of Ecbatana in Media a scroll was found; this was its record: - -\s5 -\v 3 "In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus issued a decree about the house of God in Jerusalem: 'Let the house be rebuilt as a place for sacrifice, let its foundations be laid, let its height be sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits, -\v 4 with three rows of large stones and a row of new timber, and let the cost be paid by the king's house. -\v 5 Now bring back the gold and silver objects belonging to the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar brought to Babylon from the temple in Jerusalem and send them back to the temple in Jerusalem. You are to put them in the house of God.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Now Tattenai, the governor of the Province Beyond the River, Shethar-Bozenai, and associates who are in the Province Beyond the River, keep away! -\v 7 Leave the work of this house of God alone. The governor and Jewish elders will build this house of God at that place. - -\s5 -\v 8 I am ordering that you must do this for these Jewish elders who build this house of God: Funds from the king's tribute beyond the River will be used to pay these men so they do not have to stop their work. -\v 9 Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, or lambs for the burnt offerings to the God of Heaven, grain, salt, wine, or oil according to the command of the priests in Jerusalem—give these things to them every day without fail. -\v 10 Do this so they will bring the offering in to the God of Heaven and pray for me, the king, and my sons. - -\s5 -\v 11 I am ordering that if anyone violates this decree, a beam must be pulled from his house and he must be impaled on it. His house must then be turned into a rubbish heap because of this. -\v 12 May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree, or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, am ordering this. Let it be done with diligence!" - -\s5 -\v 13 Then because of the decree sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the Province Beyond the River, and Shethar-Bozenai and his associates, did everything that King Darius had ordered. -\v 14 So the Jewish elders built and prospered under the teaching of Haggaithe prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They completed their buildings according to the decree of the God of Israel and by the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes the king of Persia. -\v 15 The house was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of King Darius' reign. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 The Israelite people, priests, Levites, and the rest of the captives celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. -\v 17 They offered one hundred bulls, one hundred rams, and four hundred lambs for the dedication of God's house. Twelve male goats were also offered as a sin offering for all Israel, one for each tribe in Israel. -\v 18 They also assigned the priests and Levites to work divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it was written in The Book of Moses. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 So those who had been in exile celebrated the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. -\v 20 The priests and Levites all purified themselves and slaughtered the Passover sacrifices for all those who had been in exile, including themselves. - -\s5 -\v 21 The Israelite people who ate some of the Passover meat were those who had returned from exile and had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the people of the land and sought Yahweh, the God of Israel. -\v 22 They joyfully celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days, for Yahweh had brought them joy and turned the heart of Assyria's king to strengthen their hands in the work of his house, the house of the God of Israel. - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Now after this, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra came up from Babylon. Ezra's ancestors were Seraiah, Azariah, Hilkiah, -\v 2 Shallum, Zadok, Ahitub, -\v 3 Amariah, Azariah, Meraioth, -\v 4 Zerahiah, Uzzi, Bukki, -\v 5 Abishua, Phinehas, Eleazar, who was son of Aaron the high priest. - -\s5 -\v 6 Ezra came up from Babylon and he was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses that Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given. The king gave him anything he asked since the hand of Yahweh was with him. -\v 7 Some of the descendants of Israel and the priests, Levites, temple singers, gatekeepers, and those assigned to serve in the temple also went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. - -\s5 -\v 8 He arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the same year. -\v 9 He left Babylon on the first day of the first month. It was on the first day of the fifth month that he arrived in Jerusalem, since the good hand of God was with him. -\v 10 Ezra had established his heart to study, carry out, and teach the statutes and decrees of the law of Yahweh. - - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 This was the decree that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest and scribe of Yahweh's commandments and statutes for Israel: -\v 12 "The King of kings Artaxerxes, to the priest Ezra, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven: -\v 13 I am ordering that anyone from Israel in my kingdom along with their priests and Levites who desires to go to Jerusalem, may go with you. - -\s5 -\v 14 I, the king, and my seven counselors, send you all out to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem according to God's law, which is in your hand. -\v 15 You are to bring the silver and gold that they have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem. -\v 16 Freely give all the silver and gold that all of Babylon has given along with what is freely offered by the people and the priests for the house of God in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 17 So buy in full the oxen, rams and lambs, and grain and drink offerings. Offer them on the altar that is in the house of your God in Jerusalem. -\v 18 Do with the rest of the silver and gold whatever seems good to you and your brothers, to please your God. - -\s5 -\v 19 Place the objects that were freely given to you before him for the service of the house of your God in Jerusalem. -\v 20 Anything else that is needed for the house of your God that you require, take its cost from my treasury. - -\s5 -\v 21 I, King Artaxerxes, make a decree to all the treasurers in the Province Beyond the River, that anything that Ezra asks from you should be given in full, -\v 22 up to one hundred silver talents, one hundred cors of grain, one hundred baths of wine, and one hundred baths of oil, also salt without limit. -\v 23 Anything that comes from the decree of the God of Heaven, do it with devotion for his house. For why should his wrath come upon the kingdom of me and my sons? - -\s5 -\v 24 We are informing them about you not to impose any tribute or taxes on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, or on the people assigned to the service of the temple and servants of the house of this God. - -\s5 -\v 25 Ezra, with the wisdom that God has given you, you must appoint judges and discerning men to serve all the people in the Province Beyond the River, and to serve anyone who knows the law of your God. You must also teach those who do not know the law. -\v 26 Punish anyone who does not fully obey God's law or the king's law, whether by death, banishment, confiscation of their goods, or imprisonment. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Praise Yahweh, our ancestors' God, who placed all this into the king's heart to glorify Yahweh's house in Jerusalem, -\v 28 and who extended covenant faithfulness to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. I have been strengthened by the hand of Yahweh my God, and I gathered leaders from Israel to go with me. - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 These are the leaders of their ancestors' families who left Babylon with me during the reign of King Artaxerxes. -\v 2 Of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom. -Of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel. -Of the descendants of David, Hattush, -\v 3 who was of the descendants of Shecaniah, who was from the descendants of Parosh; and Zechariah, and with him there were 150 males listed in the record of his genealogy. - -\s5 -\v 4 Of the descendants of Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah and with him were two hundred males. -\v 5 Of the descendants of Zattu, Ben Jahaziel and with him were three hundred males. -\v 6 Of the descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan and with him were listed fifty males. -\v 7 Of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah and with him were listed seventy males. - -\s5 -\v 8 Of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael and with him were listed eighty males. -\v 9 Of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel and with him were listed 218 males. -\v 10 Of the descendants of Bani,\f + \ft The name \fqa Bani \fqa* was missing in the MT was restored from the LXX. \f* Shelomith son of Josiphiah and with him were listed 160 males. -\v 11 Of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai and with him were listed twenty-eight males. - -\s5 -\v 12 Of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan son of Hakkatan and with him were listed 110 males. -\v 13 Those of the descendants of Adonikam came later. These were their names: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah and with them came sixty males. -\v 14 Of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zaccur and with him were listed seventy males. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 I gathered the travelers at the canal that goes to Ahava, and we camped there three days. I examined the people and priests, but could not find any descendants of Levi there. -\v 16 So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, and Elnathan and Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam—who were leaders—and for Joiarib and Elnathan—who were teachers. - -\s5 -\v 17 Next I sent them to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his relatives, the temple servants living in Kasiphia, that is, to send to us servants for the house of God. - -\s5 -\v 18 So they sent us by our God's good hand a man named Sherebiah, a prudent man. He was a descendant of Mahli son of Levi son of Israel. He came with eighteen sons and brothers. - -\v 19 With him came Hashabiah. There also were Jeshaiah, one of the sons of Merari, with his brothers and their sons, twenty men in all. -\v 20 Of those assigned to serve in the temple, whom David and his officials gave to serve the Levites: 220, each of them assigned by name. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Then I proclaimed a fast at the Ahava Canal to humble ourselves before God, to seek a straight path from him for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. -\v 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for an army or horsemen to protect us against enemies along the way, since we had said to the king, 'The hand of our God is on all who seek him for good, but his might and wrath are on all who forget him.' -\v 23 So we fasted and sought God about this, and we pled to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Next I selected twelve men from the priestly officials: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers. -\v 25 I weighed out for them silver, gold, and the objects and offerings for the house of God that the king, his counselors and officials, and all Israel had freely offered. - -\s5 -\v 26 So I weighed into their hand 650 talents of silver, one hundred talents of silver objects, one hundred talents of gold, -\v 27 twenty gold bowls that were together valued at one thousand darics, and two well-polished bronze vessels as precious as gold. - -\s5 -\v 28 Then I said to them, "You are consecrated to Yahweh, and these objects also, and the silver and gold are a freewill offering to Yahweh, the God of your ancestors. -\v 29 Watch over them and keep them until you weigh them out before the priestly officials, Levites, and leaders of the ancestors' clans of Israel in Jerusalem in the rooms of God's house." -\v 30 The priests and the Levites accepted the weighed silver, gold, and the objects in order to take them to Jerusalem, to our God's house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 We went out from the Ahava Canal on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us; he protected us from the hand of the enemy and the ones who wished to ambush us along the road. -\v 32 So we entered Jerusalem and stayed there for three days. - -\s5 -\v 33 Then on the fourth day the silver, gold, and objects were weighed out in our God's house into the hand of Meremoth son of Uriah the priest, and with him were Eleazar son of Phinehas, Jozabad son of Jeshua, and Noadiah son of Binnui the Levite. -\v 34 The number and weight of everything was determined. All the weight was written down at that time. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 The ones who came back from the captivity, the people of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all of Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats as a sin offering. All were a burnt offering for Yahweh. -\v 36 Then they gave the king's decrees to the king's high officials and the governors in the Province Beyond the River, and they helped the people and the house of God. - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 When these things were done, the officials approached me and said, "The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the other lands and their abominations: Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. -\v 2 For they have taken some of their daughters and sons, and have mixed the holy people with the people of other lands, and the officials and leaders have been first in this faithlessness." - -\s5 -\v 3 When I heard this, I tore apart my clothing and robe and pulled out hair from my head and beard, and I sat down, devastated. -\v 4 All those who trembled at the words of the God of Israel about this faithlessness gathered to me while I was sitting ashamed until the evening offering. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 But at the evening offering I arose from my position of humiliation in my torn clothes and robe, and knelt down and spread my hands to Yahweh my God. -\v 6 I said, "My God, I am ashamed and disgraced to raise my face to you, for our iniquities increase over our head, and our guilt grows to the heavens. - -\s5 -\v 7 From the days of our ancestors until now we have been in great guilt. In our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests were given into the hand of kings of this world, to the sword, to captivity, and to plunder and ashamed faces, as we are today. - -\s5 -\v 8 Yet now for a short time, mercy from Yahweh our God has come to leave us a few survivors and to give us a foothold in his holy place. This was for our God to enlighten our eyes and to give us a little relief in our slavery. -\v 9 For we are slaves, but our God has not forgotten us but has extended covenant faithfulness to us. He has done this in the sight of the king of Persia in order to give us new strength, so we could rebuild our God's house and raise its ruins. He did this so that he could give us a wall of safety in Judah and Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 10 But now, our God, what can we say after this? We have forgotten your commands, -\v 11 the commands that you gave to your servants the prophets, when you said, "This land that you are entering to possess is an unclean land. It is contaminated by the people of the lands with their abominations. They have filled it from one end to the other with their uncleanness. -\v 12 So now, do not give your daughters to their sons; do not take their daughters for your sons, and do not seek their ongoing peace and welfare, so that you will be strong and eat the good of the land, so you will cause your children to possess it for all time." - -\s5 -\v 13 Yet after everything that came on us for our evil practices and our great guilt—since you, our God, have held back what our iniquities deserve and left us survivors— -\v 14 should we again break your commandments and make mixed marriages with these abominable people? Will you not be angry and annihilate us so there will be no one left, no one to escape? - -\s5 -\v 15 Yahweh, God of Israel, you are righteous, for we have remained as a few survivors at this day. Look! We are here before you in our guilt, for there is no one who can stand before you because of this. - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 As Ezra prayed and confessed, he wept and threw himself down before God's house. A very great assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered to him, for the people were weeping very greatly. -\v 2 Shekaniah son of Jehiel of the descendants of Elam said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God and have married foreign women from the people of the other lands. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. - -\s5 -\v 3 So now let us make a covenant with our God to send out all the women and their children according to the Lord's instructions and the instructions of those who tremble at the commandments of our God, and let it be done according to the law. -\v 4 Arise, for this thing is for you to carry out, and we are with you. Be strong and do this." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 So Ezra rose and made the priestly officials, the Levites, and all of Israel promise to act in this way. So they all took a solemn oath. -\v 6 Then Ezra rose from before God's house and went to the rooms of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. He did not eat any bread or drink any water, since he was mourning concerning the faithlessness of those who had been in captivity. - -\s5 -\v 7 So they sent word in Judah and Jerusalem to all the people back from exile to assemble in Jerusalem. -\v 8 Anyone who did not come in three days according to the instructions from the officials and elders forfeited all of his possessions and would be excluded from the great assembly of the people who had come back from exile. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled in Jerusalem in three days. It was the ninth month and the twentieth day of the month. All the people stood in the square before God's house and trembled because of the word and the rain. -\v 10 Ezra the priest arose and said, "You yourselves have committed treason. You lived with foreign women so as to increase Israel's guilt. - -\s5 -\v 11 But now give praise to Yahweh, your ancestors' God, and do his will. Separate from the people of the land and from the foreign women." - -\s5 -\v 12 All the assembly answered in a loud voice, "We will do as you have said. -\v 13 However, there are many people, and it is the rainy season. We have no strength to stand outside, and this is not only one or two days of work, since we have greatly transgressed in this matter. - -\s5 -\v 14 So let our officials represent all the assembly. Let all who have allowed foreign women to live in our cities come at the time that will be fixed with the city elders and the city judges until the raging wrath of our God goes away from us." -\v 15 Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So the people who returned from exile did this. Ezra the priest selected men, the leaders in their ancestors' clans and houses—all of them by name, and they looked into the matter on the first day of the tenth month. -\v 17 By the first day of the first month they had finished discovering which men had lived with foreign women. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Among the descendants of the priests there were those who had lived with foreign women. Among the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers there were Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. -\v 19 So they determined to send their wives away. Since they were guilty, they offered a ram from the flock for their guilt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Among the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. -\v 21 Among the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. -\v 22 Among the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. - -\s5 -\v 23 Among the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah—that is, Kelita, Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. -\v 24 Among the singers: Eliashib. -Among the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri. -\v 25 Among the rest of the Israelites—among the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah. -\f + \ft Instead of the second occurrence of \fqa Malchijah \fqa* , some modern versions substitute \fqa Hashabiah \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\v 26 Among the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. -\v 27 Among the descendants of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. -\v 28 Among the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. -\v 29 Among the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluk, Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal Jeremoth. \f + \ft Instead of \fqa Bani \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa Bigvai \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\v 30 Among the descendants of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh. -\v 31 Among the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, -\v 32 Benjamin, Malluk, and Shemariah. - -\s5 -\v 33 Among the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. -\v 34 Among the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, -\v 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Keluhi, -\v 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, - -\s5 -\v 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu. -\v 38 Among the descendants of Binnui: Shimei, -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Among the descendants of Binnui: Shimei \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa Bani, Binnui, Shimei \fqa* . \f* -\v 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, -\v 40 Maknadebai, Shashai, Sharai, -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Maknadebai \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa Among the descendants of Zaccai \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\v 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, -\v 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. -\v 43 Among the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. -\v 44 All of these had taken foreign wives and had children with some of them. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa and had children with some of them \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa but sent them away with their children \fqa* . \f* +\mt Ezra \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, Yahweh fulfilled his word that came from the mouth of Jeremiah, and stirred Cyrus's spirit. Cyrus' voice went out over his entire kingdom. This is what was written and spoken: +\v 2 "Cyrus, king of Persia, says: Yahweh, God of Heaven, gave me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he appointed me to build for him a house in Jerusalem in Judea. + +\s5 +\v 3 Whoever is from his people (may his God be with him) may go up to Jerusalem and build a house for Yahweh, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. +\v 4 People of any part of the kingdom where survivors of that land are living should provide them with silver and gold, possessions and animals, as well as a freewill offering for God's house in Jerusalem." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Then the heads of the ancestors' clans of Judah and Benjamin, the priests and Levites, and everyone whose spirit God stirred to go and build his house arose. +\v 6 Those around them supported their work with silver and gold objects, possessions, animals, valuables, and freewill offerings. + +\s5 +\v 7 Cyrus king of Persia also released the objects belonging to Yahweh's house that Nebuchadnezzar had brought from Jerusalem and put in his own gods' houses. +\v 8 Cyrus put them into the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out for Sheshbazzar, Judea's leader. + +\s5 +\v 9 This was their number: thirty gold basins, one thousand silver basins, twenty-nine other basins, +\v 10 thirty gold bowls, 410 small silver bowls, and one thousand additional objects. +\v 11 There were 5,400 gold and silver items in all. Sheshbazzar brought all of them when the exiles went from Babylon to Jerusalem. + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 These are the people in the province who went up from the captivity of King Nebuchadnezzar, who had exiled them in Babylon, the people who returned to each of their cities of Jerusalem and in Judea. +\v 2 They came with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. +\p +\p This is the record of the men of the people of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 3 The descendants of Parosh: 2,172. +\v 4 The descendants of Shephatiah: 372. +\v 5 The descendants of Arah: 775. +\v 6 The descendants of Pahath-Moab, through Jeshua and Joab: 2,812. + +\s5 +\v 7 The descendants of Elam: 1,254. +\v 8 The descendants of Zattu: 945. +\v 9 The descendants of Zakkai: 760. +\v 10 The descendants of Bani: 642. + +\s5 +\v 11 The descendants of Bebai: 623. +\v 12 The descendants of Azgad: 1,222. +\v 13 The descendants of Adonikam: 666. +\v 14 The descendants of Bigvai: 2,056. + +\s5 +\v 15 The descendants of Adin: 454. +\v 16 The men of Ater, through Hezekiah: ninety-eight. +\v 17 The descendants of Bezai: 323. +\v 18 The descendants of Jorah: 112. + +\s5 +\v 19 The men of Hashum: 223. +\v 20 The men of Gibbar: ninety-five. +\v 21 The men of Bethlehem: 123. +\v 22 The men of Netophah: fifty-six. + +\s5 +\v 23 The men of Anathoth: 128. +\v 24 The men of Azmaveth: forty-two. +\v 25 The men of Kiriath Arim, Kephirah, and Beeroth: 743. +\v 26 The men of Ramah and Geba: 621. + +\s5 +\v 27 The men of Michmas: 122. +\v 28 The men of Bethel and Ai: 223. +\v 29 The men of Nebo: fifty-two. +\v 30 The men of Magbish: 156. + +\s5 +\v 31 The men of the other Elam: 1,254. +\v 32 The men of Harim: 320. +\v 33 The men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: 725. + +\s5 +\v 34 The men of Jericho: 345. +\v 35 The men of Senaah: 3,630. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 The priests: descendants of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua: 973. +\v 37 Immer's descendants: 1,052. +\v 38 Pashhur's descendants: 1,247. +\v 39 Harim's descendants: 1,017. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 The Levites: descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, descendants of Hodaviah: seventy-four. +\v 41 The temple singers, descendants of Asaph: 128. +\v 42 The descendants of the gatekeepers: descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai: 139 total. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 Those who were assigned to serve in the temple: descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, +\v 44 Keros, Siaha, Padon, +\v 45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, +\v 46 Hagab, Shalmai, and Hanan. + +\s5 +\v 47 The descendants of Giddel: Gahar, Reaiah, +\v 48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, +\v 49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai, +\v 50 Asnah, Meunim, and Nephusim. + +\s5 +\v 51 The descendants of Bakbuk: Hakupha, Harhur, +\v 52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, +\v 53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah, +\v 54 Neziah, and Hatipha. + +\s5 +\p +\v 55 The descendants of Solomon's servants: descendants of Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, +\v 56 Jaalah, Darkon, Giddel, +\v 57 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim, and Ami. +\v 58 There were 392 total descendants of those assigned to serve in the temple and descendants of Solomon's servants. + +\s5 +\p +\v 59 Those who left Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer—but were not able to prove their ancestry from Israel +\v 60 —included 652 descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda. + +\s5 +\v 61 Also, from the priest's descendants: the descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who took his wife from the daughters of Barzillai of Gilead and was called by their name). +\v 62 They searched for their genealogical records, but could not find them, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. +\v 63 So the governor told them they must not eat any of the holy sacrifices until a priest with Urim and Thummim approved. + +\s5 +\p +\v 64 The whole group totaled 42,360, +\v 65 not including their servants and their maidservants (these were 7,337) and their male and female temple singers (two hundred). + +\s5 +\v 66 Their horses: 736. +Their mules: 245. +\v 67 Their camels: 435. +Their donkeys: 6,720. + +\s5 +\p +\v 68 When they went to Yahweh's house in Jerusalem, the chief patriarchs offered freewill gifts to build the house. +\v 69 They gave according to their ability to the work fund: sixty-one thousand gold darics, five thousand silver minas, and one hundred priestly tunics. + +\s5 +\p +\v 70 So the priests and Levites, the people, the temple singers and gatekeepers, and those assigned to serve in the temple inhabited their cities. All the people in Israel were in their cities. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 It was the seventh month after the people of Israel came back to their cities, when they gathered together as one man in Jerusalem. +\v 2 Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and his brothers rose up and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then they established the altar on its stand, for dread was on them because of the people of the land. They offered burnt offerings to Yahweh at dawn and evening. +\v 4 They also observed the Festival of Shelters as it is written and offered burnt offerings day by day according to the decree, each day's duty on its day. +\v 5 Accordingly, there were daily burnt offerings and monthly ones and offerings for all the fixed feasts of Yahweh, along with all the freewill offerings. + +\s5 +\v 6 They began to offer up burnt offerings to Yahweh on the first day of the seventh month, although the temple had not been founded. +\v 7 So they gave silver to the stoneworkers and craftsmen, and they gave food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre, so they would bring cedar trees by sea from Lebanon to Joppa, as authorized for them by Cyrus, king of Persia. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then in the second month of the second year after they came to the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, the rest of the priests, the Levites, and those who came from captivity back to Jerusalem began the work. They assigned the Levites twenty years old and older to oversee the work of Yahweh's house. +\v 9 Jeshua and his sons and brothers, and Kadmiel and his sons, who were descendants of Hodaviah), and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers-all of them were Levites-joined together in supervising those working on the house of God. \f + \ft There are some textual issues here regarding the phrase \fqa the sons of Judah \fqa* or \fqa the descendants of Hodviah \fqa* and other matters. \f* + +\s5 +\v 10 The builders laid a foundation for Yahweh's temple. This enabled the priests to stand in their garments with trumpets, and the Levites, sons of Asaph, to praise Yahweh with cymbals, just as the hand of David, king of Israel had commanded. +\v 11 They sang with praise and thankfulness to Yahweh, "He is good! His covenant faithfulness to Israel endures forever." All the people cried out with a great shout of joy in praise of Yahweh because the temple's foundations had been laid. + +\s5 +\v 12 But many of the priests, Levites, chief patriarchs, and old people who had seen the first house, when this house's foundations were laid before their eyes, wept loudly. But many had shouts of joy with gladness and an excited sound. +\v 13 As a result, people were not able to distinguish the joyful and glad sounds from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people were crying out with great joy, and the sound was heard from far away. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Now some enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people who had been exiled were now building a temple for Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 2 So they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of their ancestors' clans. They said to them, "Let us build with you, for, like you, we seek your God and have sacrificed to him since the days when Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, brought us to this place." + +\s5 +\v 3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the heads of their ancestors' clans said, "It is not you, but we who must build the house of our God, for it is we who will build for Yahweh, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded." + +\s5 +\v 4 So the people of the land made the Judeans' hands weak; they made the Judeans afraid to build. +\v 5 They also bribed counselors to frustrate their plans. They did this during all of Cyrus' days and into the reign of Darius king of Persia. +\v 6 Then at the beginning of Ahasuerus' \f + \ft Also known as \fqa Xerxes. \f* reign they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 It was during the days of Artaxerxes that Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their companions wrote to Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated. +\v 8 Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote this way to Artaxerxes about Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions, who were judges and other officers in the government, the Persians, men from Erech and Babylon, and the men from Susa (that is, the Elamites)—they wrote a letter— +\v 10 and they were joined by the people whom the great and noble Ashurbanipal forced to settle in Samaria, along with the rest who were in the Province Beyond the River. +\s5 +\p +\v 11 This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes: "Your servants, men of the Province Beyond the River, write this: +\v 12 Let the king know that the Jews who went from you have come against us in Jerusalem to build a rebellious city. They have completed the walls and repaired the foundations. + +\s5 +\v 13 Now let the king know that if this city is built and the wall is completed, they will not give any tribute and taxes, but they will harm the kings. + +\s5 +\v 14 Surely because we have eaten the palace salt, it is not fitting for us to see any dishonor happen to the king. It is because of this that we are informing the king +\v 15 to search your father's record and to verify that this is a rebellious city that will harm kings and provinces. It has caused many problems to the kings and provinces. It has been a center for rebellion from long ago. It was for this reason that the city was destroyed. +\v 16 We are informing the king that if this city and wall are built, then there will be nothing remaining for you in the Province Beyond the River." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 So the king sent out a reply to Rehum and Shimshai and their companions in Samaria and the rest who were in the Province Beyond the River: "May peace be yours. +\v 18 The letter that you sent me has been translated and read to me. +\v 19 So I ordered an investigation and discovered that in previous days they had rebelled and revolted against kings. + +\s5 +\v 20 Mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and had power over everything in the Province Beyond the River. Tribute and taxes were paid to them. +\v 21 Now, make a decree for these men to stop and not build this city until I make a decree. +\v 22 Be careful not to neglect this. Why allow this threat to grow and cause more loss for the royal interests? + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 When King Artaxerxes' decree was read before Rehum, Shimshai, and their companions, they went out quickly to Jerusalem and forced the Jews to stop building. +\v 24 So the work on the house of God in Jerusalem stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Then Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo the prophet prophesied in the name of the God of Israel to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. +\v 2 Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God in Jerusalem with the prophets who encouraged them. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Tattenai the governor of the Province Beyond the River, Shethar-Bozenai, and his associates came and said to them, "Who gave you a decree to build this house and complete these walls?" +\v 4 They also said, "What are the names of the men building this building?" +\v 5 But God's eye was on the Jewish elders and their enemies did not stop them. They were waiting for a letter to be sent to the king and for a decree to be returned to them concerning this. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 This is a copy of the letter of Tattenai, governor of the Province Beyond the River, and Shethar-Bozenai and his accociates in the Province Beyond the River, which they sent to Darius the king. +\v 7 They sent a report, writing this to King Darius, "May all peace be yours. + +\s5 +\v 8 Let the king know that we went to Judah to the house of the great God. It is being built with large stones and timbers set in the walls. This work is being done thoroughly and is going forward well in their hands. +\v 9 We asked the elders, 'Who gave you a decree to build this house and these walls?' +\v 10 We also asked them their names so you might know the name of each man who led them. + +\s5 +\v 11 They replied and said, 'We are servants of the one who is the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding this house that had been built many years ago when the great king of Israel built it and completed it. + +\s5 +\v 12 However, when our ancestors enraged the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and took the people into exile in Babylon. +\v 13 Nevertheless, in the first year when Cyrus was king of Babylon, Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild the house of God. + +\s5 +\v 14 King Cyrus also returned the gold and silver objects belonging to the house of God that Nebuchadnezzar had brought from the temple in Jerusalem to the temple in Babylon. He restored them to Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. +\v 15 He said to him, "Take these objects. Go and put them in the temple in Jerusalem. Let the house of God be rebuilt there." + +\s5 +\v 16 Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation for the house of God in Jerusalem; and it is being constructed, but is not yet complete.' + +\s5 +\v 17 Now if it pleases the king, may it be investigated in the house of archives in Babylon if a judgment from King Cyrus exists there to build this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send his decision to us. + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 So King Darius ordered an investigation in the house of archives in Babylon. +\v 2 In the fortified city of Ecbatana in Media a scroll was found; this was its record: + +\s5 +\v 3 "In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus issued a decree about the house of God in Jerusalem: 'Let the house be rebuilt as a place for sacrifice, let its foundations be laid, let its height be sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits, +\v 4 with three rows of large stones and a row of new timber, and let the cost be paid by the king's house. +\v 5 Now bring back the gold and silver objects belonging to the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar brought to Babylon from the temple in Jerusalem and send them back to the temple in Jerusalem. You are to put them in the house of God.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Now Tattenai, the governor of the Province Beyond the River, Shethar-Bozenai, and associates who are in the Province Beyond the River, keep away! +\v 7 Leave the work of this house of God alone. The governor and Jewish elders will build this house of God at that place. + +\s5 +\v 8 I am ordering that you must do this for these Jewish elders who build this house of God: Funds from the king's tribute beyond the River will be used to pay these men so they do not have to stop their work. +\v 9 Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, or lambs for the burnt offerings to the God of Heaven, grain, salt, wine, or oil according to the command of the priests in Jerusalem—give these things to them every day without fail. +\v 10 Do this so they will bring the offering in to the God of Heaven and pray for me, the king, and my sons. + +\s5 +\v 11 I am ordering that if anyone violates this decree, a beam must be pulled from his house and he must be impaled on it. His house must then be turned into a rubbish heap because of this. +\v 12 May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree, or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, am ordering this. Let it be done with diligence!" + +\s5 +\v 13 Then because of the decree sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the Province Beyond the River, and Shethar-Bozenai and his associates, did everything that King Darius had ordered. +\v 14 So the Jewish elders built and prospered under the teaching of Haggaithe prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo. They completed their buildings according to the decree of the God of Israel and by the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes the king of Persia. +\v 15 The house was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of King Darius' reign. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 The Israelite people, priests, Levites, and the rest of the captives celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. +\v 17 They offered one hundred bulls, one hundred rams, and four hundred lambs for the dedication of God's house. Twelve male goats were also offered as a sin offering for all Israel, one for each tribe in Israel. +\v 18 They also assigned the priests and Levites to work divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it was written in The Book of Moses. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 So those who had been in exile celebrated the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. +\v 20 The priests and Levites all purified themselves and slaughtered the Passover sacrifices for all those who had been in exile, including themselves. + +\s5 +\v 21 The Israelite people who ate some of the Passover meat were those who had returned from exile and had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the people of the land and sought Yahweh, the God of Israel. +\v 22 They joyfully celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days, for Yahweh had brought them joy and turned the heart of Assyria's king to strengthen their hands in the work of his house, the house of the God of Israel. + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Now after this, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra came up from Babylon. Ezra's ancestors were Seraiah, Azariah, Hilkiah, +\v 2 Shallum, Zadok, Ahitub, +\v 3 Amariah, Azariah, Meraioth, +\v 4 Zerahiah, Uzzi, Bukki, +\v 5 Abishua, Phinehas, Eleazar, who was son of Aaron the high priest. + +\s5 +\v 6 Ezra came up from Babylon and he was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses that Yahweh, the God of Israel, had given. The king gave him anything he asked since the hand of Yahweh was with him. +\v 7 Some of the descendants of Israel and the priests, Levites, temple singers, gatekeepers, and those assigned to serve in the temple also went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. + +\s5 +\v 8 He arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the same year. +\v 9 He left Babylon on the first day of the first month. It was on the first day of the fifth month that he arrived in Jerusalem, since the good hand of God was with him. +\v 10 Ezra had established his heart to study, carry out, and teach the statutes and decrees of the law of Yahweh. + + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 This was the decree that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest and scribe of Yahweh's commandments and statutes for Israel: +\v 12 "The King of kings Artaxerxes, to the priest Ezra, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven: +\v 13 I am ordering that anyone from Israel in my kingdom along with their priests and Levites who desires to go to Jerusalem, may go with you. + +\s5 +\v 14 I, the king, and my seven counselors, send you all out to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem according to God's law, which is in your hand. +\v 15 You are to bring the silver and gold that they have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem. +\v 16 Freely give all the silver and gold that all of Babylon has given along with what is freely offered by the people and the priests for the house of God in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 17 So buy in full the oxen, rams and lambs, and grain and drink offerings. Offer them on the altar that is in the house of your God in Jerusalem. +\v 18 Do with the rest of the silver and gold whatever seems good to you and your brothers, to please your God. + +\s5 +\v 19 Place the objects that were freely given to you before him for the service of the house of your God in Jerusalem. +\v 20 Anything else that is needed for the house of your God that you require, take its cost from my treasury. + +\s5 +\v 21 I, King Artaxerxes, make a decree to all the treasurers in the Province Beyond the River, that anything that Ezra asks from you should be given in full, +\v 22 up to one hundred silver talents, one hundred cors of grain, one hundred baths of wine, and one hundred baths of oil, also salt without limit. +\v 23 Anything that comes from the decree of the God of Heaven, do it with devotion for his house. For why should his wrath come upon the kingdom of me and my sons? + +\s5 +\v 24 We are informing them about you not to impose any tribute or taxes on any of the priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, or on the people assigned to the service of the temple and servants of the house of this God. + +\s5 +\v 25 Ezra, with the wisdom that God has given you, you must appoint judges and discerning men to serve all the people in the Province Beyond the River, and to serve anyone who knows the law of your God. You must also teach those who do not know the law. +\v 26 Punish anyone who does not fully obey God's law or the king's law, whether by death, banishment, confiscation of their goods, or imprisonment. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Praise Yahweh, our ancestors' God, who placed all this into the king's heart to glorify Yahweh's house in Jerusalem, +\v 28 and who extended covenant faithfulness to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. I have been strengthened by the hand of Yahweh my God, and I gathered leaders from Israel to go with me. + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 These are the leaders of their ancestors' families who left Babylon with me during the reign of King Artaxerxes. +\v 2 Of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom. +Of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel. +Of the descendants of David, Hattush, +\v 3 who was of the descendants of Shecaniah, who was from the descendants of Parosh; and Zechariah, and with him there were 150 males listed in the record of his genealogy. + +\s5 +\v 4 Of the descendants of Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah and with him were two hundred males. +\v 5 Of the descendants of Zattu, Ben Jahaziel and with him were three hundred males. +\v 6 Of the descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan and with him were listed fifty males. +\v 7 Of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah and with him were listed seventy males. + +\s5 +\v 8 Of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael and with him were listed eighty males. +\v 9 Of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel and with him were listed 218 males. +\v 10 Of the descendants of Bani,\f + \ft The name \fqa Bani \fqa* was missing in the MT was restored from the LXX. \f* Shelomith son of Josiphiah and with him were listed 160 males. +\v 11 Of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai and with him were listed twenty-eight males. + +\s5 +\v 12 Of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan son of Hakkatan and with him were listed 110 males. +\v 13 Those of the descendants of Adonikam came later. These were their names: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah and with them came sixty males. +\v 14 Of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zaccur and with him were listed seventy males. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 I gathered the travelers at the canal that goes to Ahava, and we camped there three days. I examined the people and priests, but could not find any descendants of Levi there. +\v 16 So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, and Elnathan and Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam—who were leaders—and for Joiarib and Elnathan—who were teachers. + +\s5 +\v 17 Next I sent them to Iddo, the leader in Kasiphia. I told them what to say to Iddo and his relatives, the temple servants living in Kasiphia, that is, to send to us servants for the house of God. + +\s5 +\v 18 So they sent us by our God's good hand a man named Sherebiah, a prudent man. He was a descendant of Mahli son of Levi son of Israel. He came with eighteen sons and brothers. + +\v 19 With him came Hashabiah. There also were Jeshaiah, one of the sons of Merari, with his brothers and their sons, twenty men in all. +\v 20 Of those assigned to serve in the temple, whom David and his officials gave to serve the Levites: 220, each of them assigned by name. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Then I proclaimed a fast at the Ahava Canal to humble ourselves before God, to seek a straight path from him for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. +\v 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for an army or horsemen to protect us against enemies along the way, since we had said to the king, 'The hand of our God is on all who seek him for good, but his might and wrath are on all who forget him.' +\v 23 So we fasted and sought God about this, and we pled to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Next I selected twelve men from the priestly officials: Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers. +\v 25 I weighed out for them silver, gold, and the objects and offerings for the house of God that the king, his counselors and officials, and all Israel had freely offered. + +\s5 +\v 26 So I weighed into their hand 650 talents of silver, one hundred talents of silver objects, one hundred talents of gold, +\v 27 twenty gold bowls that were together valued at one thousand darics, and two well-polished bronze vessels as precious as gold. + +\s5 +\v 28 Then I said to them, "You are consecrated to Yahweh, and these objects also, and the silver and gold are a freewill offering to Yahweh, the God of your ancestors. +\v 29 Watch over them and keep them until you weigh them out before the priestly officials, Levites, and leaders of the ancestors' clans of Israel in Jerusalem in the rooms of God's house." +\v 30 The priests and the Levites accepted the weighed silver, gold, and the objects in order to take them to Jerusalem, to our God's house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 We went out from the Ahava Canal on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us; he protected us from the hand of the enemy and the ones who wished to ambush us along the road. +\v 32 So we entered Jerusalem and stayed there for three days. + +\s5 +\v 33 Then on the fourth day the silver, gold, and objects were weighed out in our God's house into the hand of Meremoth son of Uriah the priest, and with him were Eleazar son of Phinehas, Jozabad son of Jeshua, and Noadiah son of Binnui the Levite. +\v 34 The number and weight of everything was determined. All the weight was written down at that time. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 The ones who came back from the captivity, the people of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all of Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats as a sin offering. All were a burnt offering for Yahweh. +\v 36 Then they gave the king's decrees to the king's high officials and the governors in the Province Beyond the River, and they helped the people and the house of God. + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 When these things were done, the officials approached me and said, "The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the other lands and their abominations: Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. +\v 2 For they have taken some of their daughters and sons, and have mixed the holy people with the people of other lands, and the officials and leaders have been first in this faithlessness." + +\s5 +\v 3 When I heard this, I tore apart my clothing and robe and pulled out hair from my head and beard, and I sat down, devastated. +\v 4 All those who trembled at the words of the God of Israel about this faithlessness gathered to me while I was sitting ashamed until the evening offering. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 But at the evening offering I arose from my position of humiliation in my torn clothes and robe, and knelt down and spread my hands to Yahweh my God. +\v 6 I said, "My God, I am ashamed and disgraced to raise my face to you, for our iniquities increase over our head, and our guilt grows to the heavens. + +\s5 +\v 7 From the days of our ancestors until now we have been in great guilt. In our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests were given into the hand of kings of this world, to the sword, to captivity, and to plunder and ashamed faces, as we are today. + +\s5 +\v 8 Yet now for a short time, mercy from Yahweh our God has come to leave us a few survivors and to give us a foothold in his holy place. This was for our God to enlighten our eyes and to give us a little relief in our slavery. +\v 9 For we are slaves, but our God has not forgotten us but has extended covenant faithfulness to us. He has done this in the sight of the king of Persia in order to give us new strength, so we could rebuild our God's house and raise its ruins. He did this so that he could give us a wall of safety in Judah and Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 10 But now, our God, what can we say after this? We have forgotten your commands, +\v 11 the commands that you gave to your servants the prophets, when you said, "This land that you are entering to possess is an unclean land. It is contaminated by the people of the lands with their abominations. They have filled it from one end to the other with their uncleanness. +\v 12 So now, do not give your daughters to their sons; do not take their daughters for your sons, and do not seek their ongoing peace and welfare, so that you will be strong and eat the good of the land, so you will cause your children to possess it for all time." + +\s5 +\v 13 Yet after everything that came on us for our evil practices and our great guilt—since you, our God, have held back what our iniquities deserve and left us survivors— +\v 14 should we again break your commandments and make mixed marriages with these abominable people? Will you not be angry and annihilate us so there will be no one left, no one to escape? + +\s5 +\v 15 Yahweh, God of Israel, you are righteous, for we have remained as a few survivors at this day. Look! We are here before you in our guilt, for there is no one who can stand before you because of this. + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 As Ezra prayed and confessed, he wept and threw himself down before God's house. A very great assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered to him, for the people were weeping very greatly. +\v 2 Shekaniah son of Jehiel of the descendants of Elam said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God and have married foreign women from the people of the other lands. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. + +\s5 +\v 3 So now let us make a covenant with our God to send out all the women and their children according to the Lord's instructions and the instructions of those who tremble at the commandments of our God, and let it be done according to the law. +\v 4 Arise, for this thing is for you to carry out, and we are with you. Be strong and do this." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 So Ezra rose and made the priestly officials, the Levites, and all of Israel promise to act in this way. So they all took a solemn oath. +\v 6 Then Ezra rose from before God's house and went to the rooms of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. He did not eat any bread or drink any water, since he was mourning concerning the faithlessness of those who had been in captivity. + +\s5 +\v 7 So they sent word in Judah and Jerusalem to all the people back from exile to assemble in Jerusalem. +\v 8 Anyone who did not come in three days according to the instructions from the officials and elders forfeited all of his possessions and would be excluded from the great assembly of the people who had come back from exile. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled in Jerusalem in three days. It was the ninth month and the twentieth day of the month. All the people stood in the square before God's house and trembled because of the word and the rain. +\v 10 Ezra the priest arose and said, "You yourselves have committed treason. You lived with foreign women so as to increase Israel's guilt. + +\s5 +\v 11 But now give praise to Yahweh, your ancestors' God, and do his will. Separate from the people of the land and from the foreign women." + +\s5 +\v 12 All the assembly answered in a loud voice, "We will do as you have said. +\v 13 However, there are many people, and it is the rainy season. We have no strength to stand outside, and this is not only one or two days of work, since we have greatly transgressed in this matter. + +\s5 +\v 14 So let our officials represent all the assembly. Let all who have allowed foreign women to live in our cities come at the time that will be fixed with the city elders and the city judges until the raging wrath of our God goes away from us." +\v 15 Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So the people who returned from exile did this. Ezra the priest selected men, the leaders in their ancestors' clans and houses—all of them by name, and they looked into the matter on the first day of the tenth month. +\v 17 By the first day of the first month they had finished discovering which men had lived with foreign women. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Among the descendants of the priests there were those who had lived with foreign women. Among the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers there were Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. +\v 19 So they determined to send their wives away. Since they were guilty, they offered a ram from the flock for their guilt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Among the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. +\v 21 Among the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. +\v 22 Among the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. + +\s5 +\v 23 Among the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah—that is, Kelita, Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. +\v 24 Among the singers: Eliashib. +Among the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri. +\v 25 Among the rest of the Israelites—among the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah. +\f + \ft Instead of the second occurrence of \fqa Malchijah \fqa* , some modern versions substitute \fqa Hashabiah \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\v 26 Among the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. +\v 27 Among the descendants of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. +\v 28 Among the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. +\v 29 Among the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluk, Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal Jeremoth. \f + \ft Instead of \fqa Bani \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa Bigvai \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\v 30 Among the descendants of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh. +\v 31 Among the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, +\v 32 Benjamin, Malluk, and Shemariah. + +\s5 +\v 33 Among the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. +\v 34 Among the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, +\v 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Keluhi, +\v 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, + +\s5 +\v 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu. +\v 38 Among the descendants of Binnui: Shimei, +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Among the descendants of Binnui: Shimei \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa Bani, Binnui, Shimei \fqa* . \f* +\v 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, +\v 40 Maknadebai, Shashai, Sharai, +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Maknadebai \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa Among the descendants of Zaccai \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\v 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, +\v 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. +\v 43 Among the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. +\v 44 All of these had taken foreign wives and had children with some of them. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa and had children with some of them \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa but sent them away with their children \fqa* . \f* diff --git a/16-NEH.usfm b/16-NEH.usfm index 468b9131..500d41fa 100644 --- a/16-NEH.usfm +++ b/16-NEH.usfm @@ -31,120 +31,120 @@ \v 10 Now they are your servants and your people, whom you have rescued by your great power and by your strong hand. \v 11 Yahweh, I beg you, listen now to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to honor your name. Now give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." \p I served as cupbearer to the king. - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, he selected wine, and I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never before been sad in his presence. -\v 2 But the king said to me, "Why is your face so sad? You do not appear to be ill. This must be sadness of heart." Then I became very much afraid. - -\s5 -\v 3 I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad? The city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire." - -\s5 -\v 4 Then the king said to me, "What do you want me to do?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. -\v 5 I replied to the king, "If it seems good to the king, and if your servant has done well in your sight, you could send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it." -\v 6 The king replied to me (and the queen was also sitting beside him), "How long shall you be away and when will you return?" The king was glad to send me when I gave him the dates. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors in the Province Beyond the River so that they may permit me to pass through their territories on my way to Judah. -\v 8 May there also be a letter for Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, so that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress next to the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house in which I will live." -\p So because the good hand of God was on me, the king granted me my requests. -\s5 -\p -\v 9 I came to the governors in the Province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. -\v 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, they were greatly displeased that someone had come who was seeking to help the people of Israel. -\s5 -\v 11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. -\v 12 I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me, other than the one I was riding. - -\s5 -\v 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate, toward the Jackal's Well and to the Dung Gate, and inspected the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken open, and the wooden gates were destroyed by fire. -\v 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool. The place was too narrow for the animal I was riding to pass through. -\s5 -\v 15 So I went up that night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. -\v 16 The rulers did not know where I went or what I did, and I had not yet informed the Jews, nor the priests, nor the nobles, nor the rulers, nor the rest who did the work. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so we will no longer be in disgrace." -\v 18 I told them that the good hand of my God was on me and also about the king's words that he had spoken to me. They said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work. - -\s5 -\v 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arabian heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us, and they said, "What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?" -\v 20 Then I answered them, "The God of heaven will give us success. We are his servants and we will arise and build. But you have no share, no right, and no historic claim in Jerusalem." - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brother priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors in place. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and as far as the Tower of Hananel. -\v 2 Next to him the men of Jericho worked, and next to them Zaccur son of Imri worked. - -\s5 -\v 3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They made beams for it, and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. -\v 4 Meremoth repaired the next section. He is the son of Uriah son of Hakkoz. Next to them Meshullam repaired. He is the son of Berechiah son of Meshezabel. Next to them Zadok repaired. He is the son of Baana. -\v 5 Next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their leaders refused to do the work ordered by their supervisors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They made beams for it, and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. -\v 7 Next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, who were men from Gibeon and Mizpah, made repairs on the portion where the governor of the Province Beyond the River lived. - -\s5 -\v 8 Next to him Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired, and next to him was Hananiah, a maker of perfumes. They rebuilt Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. -\v 9 Next to them Rephaiah son of Hur repaired. He was the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem. -\v 10 Next to them Jedaiah son of Harumaph repaired next to his house. Next to him Hattush son of Hashabneiah repaired. - -\s5 -\v 11 Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section along with the Tower of the Ovens. -\v 12 Next to them Shallum son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, along with his daughters. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. They repaired a thousand cubits as far as the Dung Gate. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Malchijah son of Recab, the ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem, repaired the Dung Gate. He built it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. -\p -\v 15 Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah, rebuilt the Fountain Gate. He built it, and put a cover on it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. He also rebuilt the wall of the Pool of Siloam by the king's garden, as far as the stairs leading down from the city of David. - -\s5 -\v 16 Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, repaired to the place across from the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and to the house of the mighty men. -\v 17 After him the Levites repaired, including Rehum son of Bani and next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district. -\s5 -\v 18 After him their countrymen repaired, including Binnui son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah. -\v 19 Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section that faced the ascent to the armory at the corner of the wall. - -\s5 -\v 20 After him Baruch son of Zabbai devotedly repaired another section, from the corner of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. -\v 21 After him Meremoth son of Uriah son of Hakkoz repaired another section, from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. - -\s5 -\v 22 Next to him the priests, the men from the area around Jerusalem, repaired. -\v 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their own house. After them Azariah son of Maaseiah son of Ananiah repaired next to his own house. -\v 24 After him Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the corner of the wall. - -\s5 -\v 25 Palal son of Uzai repaired over against the corner of the wall and the tower that extends upward from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah son of Parosh repaired. -\v 26 Now the temple servants living in Ophel repaired to the point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. -\v 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section that was opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 The priests repaired above the Horse Gate, each opposite his own house. -\v 29 After them Zadok son of Immer repaired the section opposite his own house. Then after him Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate, repaired. -\v 30 After him Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam son of Berechiah repaired opposite his living chambers. - -\s5 -\v 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired to the house of the temple servants and the merchants that was opposite the Appointment Gate and the upper living chambers on the corner. -\v 32 The goldsmiths and the merchants repaired between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, he selected wine, and I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never before been sad in his presence. +\v 2 But the king said to me, "Why is your face so sad? You do not appear to be ill. This must be sadness of heart." Then I became very much afraid. + +\s5 +\v 3 I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should not my face be sad? The city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire." + +\s5 +\v 4 Then the king said to me, "What do you want me to do?" So I prayed to the God of heaven. +\v 5 I replied to the king, "If it seems good to the king, and if your servant has done well in your sight, you could send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it." +\v 6 The king replied to me (and the queen was also sitting beside him), "How long shall you be away and when will you return?" The king was glad to send me when I gave him the dates. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors in the Province Beyond the River so that they may permit me to pass through their territories on my way to Judah. +\v 8 May there also be a letter for Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, so that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress next to the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house in which I will live." +\p So because the good hand of God was on me, the king granted me my requests. +\s5 +\p +\v 9 I came to the governors in the Province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen. +\v 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, they were greatly displeased that someone had come who was seeking to help the people of Israel. +\s5 +\v 11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. +\v 12 I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me, other than the one I was riding. + +\s5 +\v 13 I went out by night by the Valley Gate, toward the Jackal's Well and to the Dung Gate, and inspected the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken open, and the wooden gates were destroyed by fire. +\v 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool. The place was too narrow for the animal I was riding to pass through. +\s5 +\v 15 So I went up that night by the valley and inspected the wall, and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. +\v 16 The rulers did not know where I went or what I did, and I had not yet informed the Jews, nor the priests, nor the nobles, nor the rulers, nor the rest who did the work. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so we will no longer be in disgrace." +\v 18 I told them that the good hand of my God was on me and also about the king's words that he had spoken to me. They said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work. + +\s5 +\v 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arabian heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us, and they said, "What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king?" +\v 20 Then I answered them, "The God of heaven will give us success. We are his servants and we will arise and build. But you have no share, no right, and no historic claim in Jerusalem." + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brother priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors in place. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and as far as the Tower of Hananel. +\v 2 Next to him the men of Jericho worked, and next to them Zaccur son of Imri worked. + +\s5 +\v 3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They made beams for it, and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. +\v 4 Meremoth repaired the next section. He is the son of Uriah son of Hakkoz. Next to them Meshullam repaired. He is the son of Berechiah son of Meshezabel. Next to them Zadok repaired. He is the son of Baana. +\v 5 Next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their leaders refused to do the work ordered by their supervisors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They made beams for it, and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. +\v 7 Next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, who were men from Gibeon and Mizpah, made repairs on the portion where the governor of the Province Beyond the River lived. + +\s5 +\v 8 Next to him Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired, and next to him was Hananiah, a maker of perfumes. They rebuilt Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. +\v 9 Next to them Rephaiah son of Hur repaired. He was the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem. +\v 10 Next to them Jedaiah son of Harumaph repaired next to his house. Next to him Hattush son of Hashabneiah repaired. + +\s5 +\v 11 Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section along with the Tower of the Ovens. +\v 12 Next to them Shallum son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, along with his daughters. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. They repaired a thousand cubits as far as the Dung Gate. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Malchijah son of Recab, the ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem, repaired the Dung Gate. He built it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. +\p +\v 15 Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah, rebuilt the Fountain Gate. He built it, and put a cover on it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. He also rebuilt the wall of the Pool of Siloam by the king's garden, as far as the stairs leading down from the city of David. + +\s5 +\v 16 Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, repaired to the place across from the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and to the house of the mighty men. +\v 17 After him the Levites repaired, including Rehum son of Bani and next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district. +\s5 +\v 18 After him their countrymen repaired, including Binnui son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah. +\v 19 Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section that faced the ascent to the armory at the corner of the wall. + +\s5 +\v 20 After him Baruch son of Zabbai devotedly repaired another section, from the corner of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. +\v 21 After him Meremoth son of Uriah son of Hakkoz repaired another section, from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. + +\s5 +\v 22 Next to him the priests, the men from the area around Jerusalem, repaired. +\v 23 After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their own house. After them Azariah son of Maaseiah son of Ananiah repaired next to his own house. +\v 24 After him Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the corner of the wall. + +\s5 +\v 25 Palal son of Uzai repaired over against the corner of the wall and the tower that extends upward from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah son of Parosh repaired. +\v 26 Now the temple servants living in Ophel repaired to the point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. +\v 27 After him the Tekoites repaired another section that was opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 The priests repaired above the Horse Gate, each opposite his own house. +\v 29 After them Zadok son of Immer repaired the section opposite his own house. Then after him Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate, repaired. +\v 30 After him Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam son of Berechiah repaired opposite his living chambers. + +\s5 +\v 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired to the house of the temple servants and the merchants that was opposite the Appointment Gate and the upper living chambers on the corner. +\v 32 The goldsmiths and the merchants repaired between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate. + + + \s5 @@ -281,143 +281,143 @@ \v 18 For there were many in Judah who were bound by an oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah. His son Jehohanan had taken as his wife the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah. \v 19 They also spoke to me about his good deeds and reported my words back to him. \p Letters were sent to me from Tobiah to frighten me. - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 When the wall was finished and I had set up the doors in place, and the gatekeepers and singers and Levites had been appointed, -\v 2 I gave my brother Hanani charge over Jerusalem, along with Hananiah who had oversight of the fortress, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. -\s5 -\v 3 I said to them, "Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are on guard, you may shut the doors and bar them. Appoint guards from those who live in Jerusalem, some at the place of their guard station, and some in front of their own homes." -\v 4 Now the city was wide and large, but there were few people within it, and no houses had yet been rebuilt. -\s5 -\p -\v 5 My God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, the officials, and the people to enroll them by their families. I found the book of the genealogy of those who returned at the first and found the following written in it. - -\s5 -\v 6 "These are the people of the province who went up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon took into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, each to his city. -\v 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. -\p The number of the men of the people of Israel included the following. - -\s5 -\v 8 The descendants of Parosh, 2,172. -\v 9 The descendants of Shephatiah, 372. -\v 10 The descendants of Arah, 652. - -\s5 -\v 11 The descendants of Pahath-Moab, through the descendants of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. -\v 12 The descendants of Elam, 1,254. -\v 13 The descendants of Zattu, 845. -\v 14 The descendants of Zakkai, 760. - -\s5 -\v 15 The descendants of Binnui, 648. -\v 16 The descendants of Bebai, 628. -\v 17 The descendants of Azgad, 2,322. -\v 18 The descendants of Adonikam, 667. - -\s5 -\v 19 The descendants of Bigvai, 2,067. -\v 20 The descendants of Adin, 655. -\v 21 The descendants of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98. -\v 22 The descendants of Hashum, 328. - -\s5 -\v 23 The descendants of Bezai, 324. -\v 24 The descendants of Hariph, 112. -\v 25 The descendants of Gibeon, 95. -\v 26 The men from Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. - -\s5 -\v 27 The men from Anathoth, 128. -\v 28 The men of Beth Azmaveth, 42. -\v 29 The men of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth, 743. -\v 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. - -\s5 -\v 31 The men of Michmas, 122. -\v 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. -\v 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52. -\v 34 The people of the other Elam, 1,254. - -\s5 -\v 35 The men of Harim, 320. -\v 36 The men of Jericho, 345. -\v 37 The men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. -\v 38 The men of Senaah, 3,930. - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 The priests: The descendants of Jedaiah (of the house of Jeshua), 973. -\v 40 The descendants of Immer, 1,052. -\v 41 The descendants of Pashhur, 1,247. -\v 42 The descendants of Harim, 1,017. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 The Levites: The descendants of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of Binnui, and of Hodevah, 74. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa of Binnui, and of Hodevah \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa the descendants of Hodevah \fqa* . \f* -\v 44 The singers: The descendants of Asaph, 148. -\v 45 The gatekeepers of the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, the descendants of Shobai, 138. - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 The temple servants: The descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth, -\v 47 the descendants of Keros, the descendants of Sia, the descendants of Padon, -\v 48 the descendants of Lebana, the descendants of Hagaba, the descendants of Shalmai, -\v 49 the descendants of Hanan, the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar. - -\s5 -\v 50 The descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda, -\v 51 the descendants of Gazzam, the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah, -\v 52 the descendants of Besai, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephushesim. - -\s5 -\v 53 The descendants of Bakbuk, the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur, -\v 54 the descendants of Bazluth, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha, -\v 55 the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah, -\v 56 the descendants of Neziah, the descendants of Hatipha. - -\s5 -\p -\v 57 The descendants of Solomon's servants: the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth, the descendants of Perida, -\v 58 the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel, -\v 59 the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the descendants of Amon. -\v 60 All the temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon's servants, were 392. - -\s5 -\p -\v 61 These were the people who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer. But they could not prove that they or their ancestors' families were descendants from Israel: -\v 62 the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642. -\v 63 Those who were from the priests: the descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who took his wife from the daughters of Barzillai of Gilead and was called by their name). - -\s5 -\v 64 These sought their records among those enrolled by their genealogy, but they could not be found, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. -\v 65 Then the governor said to them that they should not be allowed to eat the priests' share of food from the sacrifices until there rose up a priest with Urim and Thummim. - -\s5 -\p -\v 66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, -\v 67 besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were 7,337. They had 245 singing men and women. - -\s5 -\v 68 Their horses were 736 in number, their mules, 245, -\v 69 their camels, 435, and their donkeys, 6,720. - -\s5 -\p -\v 70 Some from among the heads of ancestors' families gave gifts for the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, 50 basins, and 530 priestly garments. -\f + \ft The Hebrew text has \fqa thirty priestly garments \fqa* , but it is difficult to understand. Most modern versions have \fqa 530 priestly garments \fqa* . However, some recommend reading \fqa thirty priestly garments and five hundred minas of silver \fqa* . \f* -\v 71 Some of the heads of ancestors' families gave into the treasury for the work twenty thousand darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. -\v 72 The rest of the people gave twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priestly garments. -\s5 -\p -\v 73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities. -\p By the seventh month the people of Israel were settled in their cities." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 When the wall was finished and I had set up the doors in place, and the gatekeepers and singers and Levites had been appointed, +\v 2 I gave my brother Hanani charge over Jerusalem, along with Hananiah who had oversight of the fortress, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. +\s5 +\v 3 I said to them, "Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are on guard, you may shut the doors and bar them. Appoint guards from those who live in Jerusalem, some at the place of their guard station, and some in front of their own homes." +\v 4 Now the city was wide and large, but there were few people within it, and no houses had yet been rebuilt. +\s5 +\p +\v 5 My God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, the officials, and the people to enroll them by their families. I found the book of the genealogy of those who returned at the first and found the following written in it. + +\s5 +\v 6 "These are the people of the province who went up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon took into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, each to his city. +\v 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. +\p The number of the men of the people of Israel included the following. + +\s5 +\v 8 The descendants of Parosh, 2,172. +\v 9 The descendants of Shephatiah, 372. +\v 10 The descendants of Arah, 652. + +\s5 +\v 11 The descendants of Pahath-Moab, through the descendants of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. +\v 12 The descendants of Elam, 1,254. +\v 13 The descendants of Zattu, 845. +\v 14 The descendants of Zakkai, 760. + +\s5 +\v 15 The descendants of Binnui, 648. +\v 16 The descendants of Bebai, 628. +\v 17 The descendants of Azgad, 2,322. +\v 18 The descendants of Adonikam, 667. + +\s5 +\v 19 The descendants of Bigvai, 2,067. +\v 20 The descendants of Adin, 655. +\v 21 The descendants of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98. +\v 22 The descendants of Hashum, 328. + +\s5 +\v 23 The descendants of Bezai, 324. +\v 24 The descendants of Hariph, 112. +\v 25 The descendants of Gibeon, 95. +\v 26 The men from Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. + +\s5 +\v 27 The men from Anathoth, 128. +\v 28 The men of Beth Azmaveth, 42. +\v 29 The men of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth, 743. +\v 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. + +\s5 +\v 31 The men of Michmas, 122. +\v 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. +\v 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52. +\v 34 The people of the other Elam, 1,254. + +\s5 +\v 35 The men of Harim, 320. +\v 36 The men of Jericho, 345. +\v 37 The men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. +\v 38 The men of Senaah, 3,930. + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 The priests: The descendants of Jedaiah (of the house of Jeshua), 973. +\v 40 The descendants of Immer, 1,052. +\v 41 The descendants of Pashhur, 1,247. +\v 42 The descendants of Harim, 1,017. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 The Levites: The descendants of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of Binnui, and of Hodevah, 74. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa of Binnui, and of Hodevah \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa the descendants of Hodevah \fqa* . \f* +\v 44 The singers: The descendants of Asaph, 148. +\v 45 The gatekeepers of the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, the descendants of Shobai, 138. + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 The temple servants: The descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth, +\v 47 the descendants of Keros, the descendants of Sia, the descendants of Padon, +\v 48 the descendants of Lebana, the descendants of Hagaba, the descendants of Shalmai, +\v 49 the descendants of Hanan, the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar. + +\s5 +\v 50 The descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda, +\v 51 the descendants of Gazzam, the descendants of Uzza, the descendants of Paseah, +\v 52 the descendants of Besai, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephushesim. + +\s5 +\v 53 The descendants of Bakbuk, the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur, +\v 54 the descendants of Bazluth, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha, +\v 55 the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah, +\v 56 the descendants of Neziah, the descendants of Hatipha. + +\s5 +\p +\v 57 The descendants of Solomon's servants: the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth, the descendants of Perida, +\v 58 the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel, +\v 59 the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the descendants of Amon. +\v 60 All the temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon's servants, were 392. + +\s5 +\p +\v 61 These were the people who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer. But they could not prove that they or their ancestors' families were descendants from Israel: +\v 62 the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642. +\v 63 Those who were from the priests: the descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who took his wife from the daughters of Barzillai of Gilead and was called by their name). + +\s5 +\v 64 These sought their records among those enrolled by their genealogy, but they could not be found, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. +\v 65 Then the governor said to them that they should not be allowed to eat the priests' share of food from the sacrifices until there rose up a priest with Urim and Thummim. + +\s5 +\p +\v 66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, +\v 67 besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were 7,337. They had 245 singing men and women. + +\s5 +\v 68 Their horses were 736 in number, their mules, 245, +\v 69 their camels, 435, and their donkeys, 6,720. + +\s5 +\p +\v 70 Some from among the heads of ancestors' families gave gifts for the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, 50 basins, and 530 priestly garments. +\f + \ft The Hebrew text has \fqa thirty priestly garments \fqa* , but it is difficult to understand. Most modern versions have \fqa 530 priestly garments \fqa* . However, some recommend reading \fqa thirty priestly garments and five hundred minas of silver \fqa* . \f* +\v 71 Some of the heads of ancestors' families gave into the treasury for the work twenty thousand darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. +\v 72 The rest of the people gave twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priestly garments. +\s5 +\p +\v 73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities. +\p By the seventh month the people of Israel were settled in their cities." + + + \s5 \c 8 \p @@ -542,242 +542,242 @@ -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 On the sealed documents were -Nehemiah, the governor, son of Hakaliah -and Zedekiah, -\v 2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, -\v 3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, - -\s5 -\v 4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk, -\v 5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, -\v 6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, -\v 7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, -\v 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. -These were the priests. - -\s5 -\v 9 The Levites were: - Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the family of Henadad, Kadmiel, -\v 10 and their fellow Levites, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, -\v 11 Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah, -\v 12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, -\v 13 Hodiah, Bani, and Beninu. -\v 14 The leaders of the people were: -Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, - -\s5 -\v 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, -\v 16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, -\v 17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, -\v 18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, -\v 19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, -\v 20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, -\v 21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, - -\s5 -\v 22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, -\v 23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, -\v 24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, -\v 25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, -\v 26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, -\v 27 Malluk, Harim, and Baanah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 As for the rest of the people, who were priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the neighboring lands and pledged themselves to the law of God, including their wives, their sons and their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, -\v 29 they joined together with their brothers, their nobles, and bound themselves with both a curse and an oath to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and obey all the commandments of Yahweh our Lord and his decrees and his statutes. - -\s5 -\v 30 We promised that we would not give our daughters to the people of the land or take their daughters for our sons. -\v 31 We also promised that if the people of the land bring goods or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will let our fields rest, and we will cancel all debts contracted by other Jews. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 We accepted the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God, -\v 33 to provide for the bread of the presence, and for the regular grain offering, the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, the new moon festivals and appointed feasts, and for the holy offerings, and for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, as well as for all the work of the house of our God. - -\s5 -\v 34 The priests, the Levites, and the people cast lots for the wood offering. The lots would select which of our families would bring wood into the house of our God at the appointed times each year, to be burned on the altar of Yahweh our God, as it is written in the law. -\v 35 We promised to bring to the house of Yahweh the firstfruits grown from our soil, and the firstfruits of every tree each year. -\v 36 As it is written in the law, we promised to bring to the house of God and to the priests who serve there, the firstborn of our sons and of our herds and flocks. - -\s5 -\v 37 We will bring the first of our dough and our grain offerings, and the fruit of every tree, and the new wine and the oil we will bring to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God. We will bring to the Levites the tithes from our soil because the Levites collect the tithes in all the towns where we work. -\v 38 A priest, a descendant of Aaron, must be with the Levites when they receive the tithes. The Levites must bring a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God to the storerooms of the treasury. - -\s5 -\v 39 For the people of Israel and the descendants of Levi are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the priests who are serving, and the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. -\p We will not neglect the house of our God. -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 The leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, and the other nine remained in other towns. -\v 2 Then the people blessed all those who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 These are the provincial officials who lived in Jerusalem. However, in the towns of Judah everyone lived on his own land, including some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants. -\v 4 In Jerusalem lived some of the descendants of Judah and some of the descendants of Benjamin. -\p -The people from Judah included: Athaiah son of Uzziah son of Zechariah son of Amariah son of Shephatiah son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez. - -\s5 -\v 5 There was Maaseiah son of Baruch son of Kol-Hozeh son of Hazaiah son of Adaiah son of Joiarib son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. -\v 6 All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468. They were outstanding men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 These are the descendants of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam son of Joed son of Pedaiah son of Kolaiah son of Maaseiah son of Ithiel son of Jeshaiah, -\v 8 and those following him, Gabbai and Sallai, 928 men. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa those following him \fqa* , which some Hebrew copies and some other ancient versions have, but other ancient copies read \fqa his brothers \fqa* . \f* -\v 9 Joel son of Zichri was their overseer, and Judah son of Hassenuah was second in command over the city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 From the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib, Jakin, -\v 11 Seraiah son of Hilkiah son of Meshullam son of Zadok son of Meraioth son of Ahitub, the chief official of the house of God, -\v 12 and their associates who did the work for the house, 822 men, along with Adaiah son of Jeroham son of Pelaliah son of Amzi son of Zechariah son of Pashhur son of Malchijah. - -\s5 -\v 13 His brothers were heads of clans, 242 men; and Amashsai son of Azarel son of Ahzai son of Meshillemoth son of Immer, -\v 14 and their brothers, 128 courageous fighting men; their overseer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub son of Azrikam son of Hashabiah son of Bunni, -\v 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were from the leaders of the Levites and were in charge of the outside work of the house of God. - -\s5 -\v 17 There was Mattaniah son of Mika son of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph, who was the director who began the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers, and Abda son of Shammua son of Galal son of Jeduthun. -\v 18 All the Levites in the holy city numbered 284. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 The gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their associates, who kept watch at the gates, 172 men. -\v 20 The remainder of Israel and of the priests and the Levites were in all the towns of Judah. Everyone lived on his own inherited property. -\v 21 The temple workers lived in Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 The chief officer over the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani son of Hashabiah son of Mattaniah son of Mika, of the descendants of Asaph, singers over the work in the house of God. -\v 23 They were under orders from the king, and firm orders were given for the singers as every day required. -\v 24 Then Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was at the king's side in all matters concerning the people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 As for the villages and their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its villages, and in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and its villages, -\v 26 and in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth Pelet, -\v 27 Hazar Shual, and Beersheba and its villages. - -\s5 -\v 28 Some of the people of Judah lived in Ziklag, Mekonah and its villages, -\v 29 Enrimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, -\v 30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, and in Lachish its fields and Azekah and its villages. So they lived from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom. - -\s5 -\v 31 The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Mikmash and Aija, at Bethel and its villages, -\v 32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, -\v 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, -\v 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, -\v 35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. -\v 36 Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were assigned to the people of Benjamin. -\c 12 -\s5 -\p -\v 1 These were the priests and Levites who came up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, -\v 2 Amariah, Malluk, Hattush, -\v 3 Shecaniah, Rehum, and Meremoth. - -\s5 -\v 4 There were Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, -\v 5 Mijamin, Moadiah, Bilgah, -\v 6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, -\v 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was in charge of the thanksgiving songs, along with his associates. -\v 9 Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them during the service. - -\s5 -\v 10 Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, Eliashib was the father of Joiada, -\v 11 Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 In the days of Joiakim these were the priests, the leaders of the families: Meraiah was the leader of Seraiah, Hananiah was the leader of Jeremiah, -\v 13 Meshullam was the leader of Ezra, Jehohanan was the leader of Amariah, -\v 14 Jonathan was the leader of Malluk, and Joseph was the leader of Shebaniah. -\f + \ft Many modern versions, including the ULB and UDB, have \fqa Malluk \fqa* as a correction for \fqa Malluki \fqa* in the Hebrew text. The correct form of this name appears in Neh. 12:2. \f* - -\s5 -\v 15 Adna was the leader of Harim, Helkai the leader of Meremoth, -\v 16 Zechariah was the leader of Iddo, Meshullam was the leader of Ginnethon, and -\v 17 Zichri was the leader of Abijah. ... of Miniamin. Piltai was the leader of Moadiah. -\f + \ft The expression \fqa ... of Miniamin \fqa* is incomplete, because no leader of that family is named in the Hebrew text. \f* -\v 18 Shammua was the leader of Bilgah, Jehonathan was the leader of Shemaiah, -\v 19 Mattenai was the leader of Joiarib, Uzzi was the leader of Jedaiah, -\v 20 Kallai was the leader of Sallu, Eber was the leader of Amok, -\v 21 Hashabiah was the leader of Hilkiah, and Nethanel was the leader of Jedaiah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 In the days of Eliashib, the Levites Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua were recorded as the heads of families, and the priests were recorded during the reign of Darius the Persian. -\v 23 The descendants of Levi, their leaders of families were recorded in the book of the annals up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib. - -\s5 -\v 24 The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, with their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and to give thanks, responding section by section, in obedience to the command of David, the man of God. -\v 25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at the storerooms by the gates. -\v 26 They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest and scribe. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the people sought out the Levites wherever they lived, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with joy, with thanksgivings and singing with cymbals, harps, and with lyres. -\v 28 The fellowship of singers gathered together from the district around Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites. - -\s5 -\v 29 They also came from Beth Gilgal and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. -\v 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves, and then they purified the people, the gates, and the wall. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Then I had the leaders of Judah go up to the top of the wall, and I appointed two large choirs who gave thanks. One went to the right on the wall toward the Dung Gate. - -\s5 -\v 32 Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, -\v 33 and after them went Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, -\v 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, -\v 35 and some of the priests' sons with trumpets, and Zechariah son of Jonathan son of Shemaiah son of Mattaniah son of Micaiah son of Zaccur son of Asaph. - -\s5 -\v 36 There also were Zechariah's relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. Ezra the scribe was in front of them. -\v 37 By the Fountain Gate they went straight up on the stairs of the city of David, by the stairway to the wall above David's palace, to the Water Gate on the east. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 The other choir of those who gave thanks went in the other direction. I followed them on the wall with half the people, above the Tower of Ovens, to the Broad Wall, -\v 39 and above the Gate of Ephraim, and by the Old Gate, and by the Fish Gate and the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate, and they stopped at the Gate of the Guard. - -\s5 -\v 40 So both choirs of those who gave thanks took their place in the house of God, and I also took my place with half of the officials with me. -\v 41 Then the priests took their place: Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with the trumpets, -\v 42 and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer, and the singers made themselves heard and Jezrahiah was their leader. - -\s5 -\v 43 They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy. Also the women and the children rejoiced. So the joy of Jerusalem could be heard far away. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 On that day men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the law for the priests and for the Levites. Each was assigned to work the fields near the towns. For Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who were standing before them. -\v 45 They performed the service of their God, and the service of purification, and so did the singers and the gatekeepers, in keeping with the command of David and of Solomon his son. - -\s5 -\v 46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors of singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. -\v 47 In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah, all Israel gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers. They set aside the portion that was for the Levites, and the Levites set aside a portion for the descendants of Aaron. +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 On the sealed documents were +Nehemiah, the governor, son of Hakaliah +and Zedekiah, +\v 2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, +\v 3 Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, + +\s5 +\v 4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluk, +\v 5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, +\v 6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch, +\v 7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, +\v 8 Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. +These were the priests. + +\s5 +\v 9 The Levites were: + Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the family of Henadad, Kadmiel, +\v 10 and their fellow Levites, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, +\v 11 Mika, Rehob, Hashabiah, +\v 12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, +\v 13 Hodiah, Bani, and Beninu. +\v 14 The leaders of the people were: +Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani, + +\s5 +\v 15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, +\v 16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, +\v 17 Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, +\v 18 Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, +\v 19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, +\v 20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, +\v 21 Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, + +\s5 +\v 22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, +\v 23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, +\v 24 Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, +\v 25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, +\v 26 Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, +\v 27 Malluk, Harim, and Baanah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 As for the rest of the people, who were priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the neighboring lands and pledged themselves to the law of God, including their wives, their sons and their daughters, all who have knowledge and understanding, +\v 29 they joined together with their brothers, their nobles, and bound themselves with both a curse and an oath to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and obey all the commandments of Yahweh our Lord and his decrees and his statutes. + +\s5 +\v 30 We promised that we would not give our daughters to the people of the land or take their daughters for our sons. +\v 31 We also promised that if the people of the land bring goods or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will let our fields rest, and we will cancel all debts contracted by other Jews. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 We accepted the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God, +\v 33 to provide for the bread of the presence, and for the regular grain offering, the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, the new moon festivals and appointed feasts, and for the holy offerings, and for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, as well as for all the work of the house of our God. + +\s5 +\v 34 The priests, the Levites, and the people cast lots for the wood offering. The lots would select which of our families would bring wood into the house of our God at the appointed times each year, to be burned on the altar of Yahweh our God, as it is written in the law. +\v 35 We promised to bring to the house of Yahweh the firstfruits grown from our soil, and the firstfruits of every tree each year. +\v 36 As it is written in the law, we promised to bring to the house of God and to the priests who serve there, the firstborn of our sons and of our herds and flocks. + +\s5 +\v 37 We will bring the first of our dough and our grain offerings, and the fruit of every tree, and the new wine and the oil we will bring to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God. We will bring to the Levites the tithes from our soil because the Levites collect the tithes in all the towns where we work. +\v 38 A priest, a descendant of Aaron, must be with the Levites when they receive the tithes. The Levites must bring a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God to the storerooms of the treasury. + +\s5 +\v 39 For the people of Israel and the descendants of Levi are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the priests who are serving, and the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. +\p We will not neglect the house of our God. +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 The leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, and the other nine remained in other towns. +\v 2 Then the people blessed all those who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 These are the provincial officials who lived in Jerusalem. However, in the towns of Judah everyone lived on his own land, including some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants. +\v 4 In Jerusalem lived some of the descendants of Judah and some of the descendants of Benjamin. +\p +The people from Judah included: Athaiah son of Uzziah son of Zechariah son of Amariah son of Shephatiah son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez. + +\s5 +\v 5 There was Maaseiah son of Baruch son of Kol-Hozeh son of Hazaiah son of Adaiah son of Joiarib son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. +\v 6 All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were 468. They were outstanding men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 These are the descendants of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam son of Joed son of Pedaiah son of Kolaiah son of Maaseiah son of Ithiel son of Jeshaiah, +\v 8 and those following him, Gabbai and Sallai, 928 men. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa those following him \fqa* , which some Hebrew copies and some other ancient versions have, but other ancient copies read \fqa his brothers \fqa* . \f* +\v 9 Joel son of Zichri was their overseer, and Judah son of Hassenuah was second in command over the city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 From the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib, Jakin, +\v 11 Seraiah son of Hilkiah son of Meshullam son of Zadok son of Meraioth son of Ahitub, the chief official of the house of God, +\v 12 and their associates who did the work for the house, 822 men, along with Adaiah son of Jeroham son of Pelaliah son of Amzi son of Zechariah son of Pashhur son of Malchijah. + +\s5 +\v 13 His brothers were heads of clans, 242 men; and Amashsai son of Azarel son of Ahzai son of Meshillemoth son of Immer, +\v 14 and their brothers, 128 courageous fighting men; their overseer was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub son of Azrikam son of Hashabiah son of Bunni, +\v 16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, who were from the leaders of the Levites and were in charge of the outside work of the house of God. + +\s5 +\v 17 There was Mattaniah son of Mika son of Zabdi, a descendant of Asaph, who was the director who began the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers, and Abda son of Shammua son of Galal son of Jeduthun. +\v 18 All the Levites in the holy city numbered 284. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 The gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their associates, who kept watch at the gates, 172 men. +\v 20 The remainder of Israel and of the priests and the Levites were in all the towns of Judah. Everyone lived on his own inherited property. +\v 21 The temple workers lived in Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were in charge of them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 The chief officer over the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani son of Hashabiah son of Mattaniah son of Mika, of the descendants of Asaph, singers over the work in the house of God. +\v 23 They were under orders from the king, and firm orders were given for the singers as every day required. +\v 24 Then Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was at the king's side in all matters concerning the people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 As for the villages and their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its villages, and in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and its villages, +\v 26 and in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth Pelet, +\v 27 Hazar Shual, and Beersheba and its villages. + +\s5 +\v 28 Some of the people of Judah lived in Ziklag, Mekonah and its villages, +\v 29 Enrimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth, +\v 30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, and in Lachish its fields and Azekah and its villages. So they lived from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom. + +\s5 +\v 31 The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Mikmash and Aija, at Bethel and its villages, +\v 32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, +\v 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, +\v 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, +\v 35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. +\v 36 Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were assigned to the people of Benjamin. +\c 12 +\s5 +\p +\v 1 These were the priests and Levites who came up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, +\v 2 Amariah, Malluk, Hattush, +\v 3 Shecaniah, Rehum, and Meremoth. + +\s5 +\v 4 There were Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, +\v 5 Mijamin, Moadiah, Bilgah, +\v 6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, +\v 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their associates in the days of Jeshua. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was in charge of the thanksgiving songs, along with his associates. +\v 9 Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them during the service. + +\s5 +\v 10 Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, Eliashib was the father of Joiada, +\v 11 Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 In the days of Joiakim these were the priests, the leaders of the families: Meraiah was the leader of Seraiah, Hananiah was the leader of Jeremiah, +\v 13 Meshullam was the leader of Ezra, Jehohanan was the leader of Amariah, +\v 14 Jonathan was the leader of Malluk, and Joseph was the leader of Shebaniah. +\f + \ft Many modern versions, including the ULB and UDB, have \fqa Malluk \fqa* as a correction for \fqa Malluki \fqa* in the Hebrew text. The correct form of this name appears in Neh. 12:2. \f* + +\s5 +\v 15 Adna was the leader of Harim, Helkai the leader of Meremoth, +\v 16 Zechariah was the leader of Iddo, Meshullam was the leader of Ginnethon, and +\v 17 Zichri was the leader of Abijah. ... of Miniamin. Piltai was the leader of Moadiah. +\f + \ft The expression \fqa ... of Miniamin \fqa* is incomplete, because no leader of that family is named in the Hebrew text. \f* +\v 18 Shammua was the leader of Bilgah, Jehonathan was the leader of Shemaiah, +\v 19 Mattenai was the leader of Joiarib, Uzzi was the leader of Jedaiah, +\v 20 Kallai was the leader of Sallu, Eber was the leader of Amok, +\v 21 Hashabiah was the leader of Hilkiah, and Nethanel was the leader of Jedaiah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 In the days of Eliashib, the Levites Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua were recorded as the heads of families, and the priests were recorded during the reign of Darius the Persian. +\v 23 The descendants of Levi, their leaders of families were recorded in the book of the annals up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib. + +\s5 +\v 24 The leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, with their associates, who stood opposite them to give praise and to give thanks, responding section by section, in obedience to the command of David, the man of God. +\v 25 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at the storerooms by the gates. +\v 26 They served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest and scribe. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the people sought out the Levites wherever they lived, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with joy, with thanksgivings and singing with cymbals, harps, and with lyres. +\v 28 The fellowship of singers gathered together from the district around Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites. + +\s5 +\v 29 They also came from Beth Gilgal and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built for themselves villages around Jerusalem. +\v 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves, and then they purified the people, the gates, and the wall. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Then I had the leaders of Judah go up to the top of the wall, and I appointed two large choirs who gave thanks. One went to the right on the wall toward the Dung Gate. + +\s5 +\v 32 Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, +\v 33 and after them went Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, +\v 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, +\v 35 and some of the priests' sons with trumpets, and Zechariah son of Jonathan son of Shemaiah son of Mattaniah son of Micaiah son of Zaccur son of Asaph. + +\s5 +\v 36 There also were Zechariah's relatives, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. Ezra the scribe was in front of them. +\v 37 By the Fountain Gate they went straight up on the stairs of the city of David, by the stairway to the wall above David's palace, to the Water Gate on the east. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 The other choir of those who gave thanks went in the other direction. I followed them on the wall with half the people, above the Tower of Ovens, to the Broad Wall, +\v 39 and above the Gate of Ephraim, and by the Old Gate, and by the Fish Gate and the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate, and they stopped at the Gate of the Guard. + +\s5 +\v 40 So both choirs of those who gave thanks took their place in the house of God, and I also took my place with half of the officials with me. +\v 41 Then the priests took their place: Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with the trumpets, +\v 42 and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer, and the singers made themselves heard and Jezrahiah was their leader. + +\s5 +\v 43 They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy. Also the women and the children rejoiced. So the joy of Jerusalem could be heard far away. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 On that day men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the law for the priests and for the Levites. Each was assigned to work the fields near the towns. For Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who were standing before them. +\v 45 They performed the service of their God, and the service of purification, and so did the singers and the gatekeepers, in keeping with the command of David and of Solomon his son. + +\s5 +\v 46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors of singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. +\v 47 In the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah, all Israel gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers. They set aside the portion that was for the Levites, and the Levites set aside a portion for the descendants of Aaron. \s5 \c 13 \p diff --git a/17-EST.usfm b/17-EST.usfm index 64381f66..8269fef7 100644 --- a/17-EST.usfm +++ b/17-EST.usfm @@ -4,378 +4,378 @@ \toc1 The Book of Esther \toc2 Esther \toc3 Est -\mt Esther -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 In the days of Ahasuerus \f + \ft \fqa Ahasuerus \fqa* is also known as \fqa Xerxes.\f* (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India as far as Cush, over 127 provinces), -\v 2 in those days King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the fortress of Susa. - -\s5 -\v 3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a feast to all his officials and his servants. The army of Persia and Media, the noblemen, and governors of the provinces were in his presence. -\v 4 He displayed the wealth of the splendor of his kingdom and the honor of the glory of his greatness for many days, for 180 days. - -\s5 -\v 5 When these days were completed, the king gave a feast lasting seven days. It was for all the people in the fortress of Susa, from the greatest to the least significant. It was held in the courtyard of the garden of the king's palace. -\v 6 The courtyard of the garden was decorated with curtains of white cotton and violet, with cords of fine linen and purple, hung on silver rings from pillars of marble. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored paving stones. - -\s5 -\v 7 Drinks were served in golden cups. Each cup was unique and there was much royal wine that came because of the king's generosity. -\v 8 The drinking was carried out in keeping with the decree, "There must be no compulsion." The king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do for them whatever each guest desired. -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Also, Queen Vashti gave a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus. -\v 10 On the seventh day, when the king's heart was feeling happy because of the wine, he told Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Karkas (the seven officials who served before him), -\v 11 to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for her features were stunning. -\s5 -\v 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king that had been brought to her by the officials. Then the king became very angry; his rage burned within him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 So the king conferred with the men who were known to be wise, who understood the times (for this was the king's procedure toward all who were expert in law and judgment). -\v 14 Now the ones close to him were Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memukan, seven princes of Persia and Media. They had access to the king, and they held the highest offices within the kingdom. -\v 15 "In compliance with the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus, which was brought to her by the officials?" - -\s5 -\v 16 Memukan said in the presence of the king and the officials, "Not only against the king has Vashti the queen done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. -\v 17 For the matter of the queen will become known to all women. It will cause them to treat their husbands with contempt. They will say, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought before him, but she refused.' -\v 18 Before the end of this very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the matter of the queen will say the same thing to all the king's officials. There will be much contempt and anger. - -\s5 -\v 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal decree be sent out from him, and let it be written in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti may no longer come before him. Let the king give her position as queen to another who is better than she. -\v 20 When the king's decree is proclaimed throughout all his vast kingdom, all the wives will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least significant." - -\s5 -\v 21 The king and his noblemen were pleased with this advice, and the king did as Memukan proposed. -\v 22 He sent out letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own writing, and to each people in their own language. He ordered that every man should be master of his own household. This decree was given in the language of each people in the empire. - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus subsided, he thought about Vashti and what she had done. He also thought about the decree that he had made against her. -\v 2 Then the king's young men who served him said, "Let a search be made on the king's behalf for beautiful young virgins. -\s5 -\v 3 Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, to gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in the fortress in Susa. Let them be put under the care of Hegai, the king's official, who is in charge of the women, and let him give them their cosmetics. -\v 4 Let the young girl who pleases the king become queen in the place of Vashti." This advice pleased the king, and he did so. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 There was a certain Jew in the fortress of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair son of Shimei son of Kish, who was a Benjamite. -\v 6 He had been taken away from Jerusalem with the exiles along with those taken with Jehoiachin, king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia carried away. - -\s5 -\v 7 He was caring for Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, because she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely in appearance. Mordecai took her as his own daughter. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 When the king's order and decree were proclaimed, many young women were brought to the fortress of Susa. They were put under Hegai's care. Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put under the care of Hegai, the overseer of the women. -\v 9 The young girl pleased him, and she found favor with him. Immediately he provided her with cosmetics and her portion of food. He assigned to her seven servant girls from the king's palace, and he moved her and the servant girls to the best place in the house of the women. - -\s5 -\v 10 Esther had not told anyone who her people or relatives were, for Mordecai had instructed her not to tell. -\v 11 Every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the courtyard outside the house of the women, to learn about Esther's welfare, and about what would be done with her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 When the turn came for each girl to go to King Ahasuerus—complying with the regulations for the women, each girl had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments, six months with oil of myrrh, and six with perfumes and cosmetics— -\v 13 when a young woman went to the king, whatever she desired was given to her from the house of the women, for her to take to the palace. - -\s5 -\v 14 In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second house of the women, and to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's official, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king again unless he had taken great pleasure in her and called for her again. - -\s5 -\v 15 Now when the time came for Esther (daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter) to go in to the king, she did not ask for anything but what Hegai the king's official, who was in charge of the women, suggested. Now Esther received the favor of all who saw her. -\p -\v 16 Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into the royal residence on the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. - -\s5 -\v 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women and she received acceptance and favor before him, more than all the other virgins. So he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. -\v 18 The king gave a great feast for all his officials and his servants, "Esther's feast," and he granted relief from taxation to the provinces. He also gave gifts with royal generosity. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Now when the virgins had been gathered together a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. -\v 20 Esther had not yet told anyone about her relatives or her people, as Mordecai had instructed her. She continued to follow Mordecai's advice, as she had done when she was raised by him. -\v 21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, two of the king's officials, Bigthana and Teresh, who guarded the doorway, became angry and sought to do harm to King Ahasuerus. - -\s5 -\v 22 When the matter was revealed to Mordecai, he told Queen Esther, and Esther spoke to the king in the name of Mordecai. -\v 23 The report was investigated and confirmed, and both the men were hanged from a gallows. This account was written in The Book of The Chronicles in the presence of the king. - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 After these things, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and placed his seat of authority above all the officials who were with him. -\v 2 All the king's servants who were at the king's gate always knelt and prostrated themselves to Haman, as the king had ordered them to do. But Mordecai neither knelt nor prostrated himself. -\s5 -\v 3 Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?" -\v 4 They spoke with him day after day, but he refused to comply with their demands. So they spoke with Haman to see if the matter about Mordecai would remain like that, for he had told them that he was a Jew. -\s5 -\v 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai did not kneel and bow down to him, Haman was filled with rage. -\v 6 He had contempt for the idea of killing only Mordecai, for the king's servants had told him who Mordecai's people were. Haman wanted to exterminate all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were in the entire kingdom of Ahasuerus. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 In the first month (which is the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, the Pur—that is the lot—was thrown before Haman, to select a day and month. They cast the lot over and over until the lot fell on the twelfth month (which is the month of Adar). - -\s5 -\v 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and distributed among all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so it is not suitable for the king to let them stay. -\v 9 If it please the king, give a command to kill them, and I will weigh out ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king's business, for them to put it into the king's treasury." - -\s5 -\v 10 Then the king took the signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. -\v 11 The king said to Haman, "I will see that the money is given back to you and your people. You will do with it whatever you wish." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then the king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree containing all that Haman had commanded was written to the king's provincial governors, those who were over all the provinces, to the governors of all the various peoples, and to the officials of all the people, to every province in their own writing, and to every people in their own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and was sealed with his ring. -\v 13 Documents were hand-delivered by couriers to all the king's provinces, to annihilate, kill, and destroy all Jews, from young to old, children and women, in one day—on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (which is the month of Adar)—and to plunder their possessions. - -\s5 -\v 14 A copy of the letter was made law in every province. In every province it was made known to all the people that they should prepare for this day. -\v 15 The couriers went out and hurried to distribute the king's order. The decree was also distributed within the fortress of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in turmoil. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went out into the middle of the city, and cried out with a loud and a bitter cry. -\v 2 He went up only as far as the king's gate, because no one was allowed to go through it clothed in sackcloth. -\v 3 In every province, wherever the king's command and decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and lamenting. Many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 When Esther's young women and her servants came and told her, the queen was in great distress. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai (so he could take off his sackcloth), but he would not accept them. -\v 5 Then Esther called for Hathak, one of the king's officials who had been assigned to serve her. She ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what had happened and what it meant. - -\s5 -\v 6 So Hathak went to Mordecai in the city square in front of the king's gate. -\v 7 Mordecai reported to him all that had happened to him, and the total amount of the silver that Haman had promised to weigh out and put into the king's treasuries in order to put the Jews to death. -\v 8 He also gave him a copy of the decree that was issued in Susa for the Jews' destruction. He did this so that Hathak could show it to Esther, and that he should give her the responsibility of going to the king to beg for his favor, and to plead with him on behalf of her people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 So Hathak went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. -\v 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathak and told him to go back to Mordecai. -\v 11 She said, "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner courtyard without being summoned, there is only one law: That he must be put to death—except for anyone to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. I have not been called to come to the king these thirty days." -\v 12 So Hathak reported Esther's words to Mordecai. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Mordecai sent back this message: "You must not think that in the king's palace, you will escape any more than all the other Jews. -\v 14 If you remain silent at this time, relief and rescue will rise up for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows whether you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?" - -\s5 -\v 15 Then Esther sent this message to Mordecai, -\v 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who live in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My young girls and I will fast in the same way. Then I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish." -\v 17 Mordecai went and did all that Esther told him to do. - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 After three days, Esther put on her royal clothes and went to stand in the inner courtyard of the king's palace, in front of the king's house. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance to the house. -\v 2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she received approval in his eyes. He held out to her the golden scepter in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then the king said to her, "What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? Up to half of my kingdom, it will be given to you." -\v 4 Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, to do what Esther has said." So the king and Haman went to the feast that Esther had prepared. -\v 6 When the wine was being served at the feast, the king said to Esther, "What is your petition? It will be granted you. What is your request? Up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted." - -\s5 -\v 7 Esther answered, "My petition and my request is this, -\v 8 if I have found favor in the eyes of the king and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to honor my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for you tomorrow and I will answer the king's question." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Haman went out that day joyful and glad at heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king's gate, that Mordecai neither rose up nor trembled before him with any fear, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. -\v 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went to his own house. He sent for his friends and gathered them together, with Zeresh his wife. -\v 11 Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his many sons, all the promotions by which the king honored him, and how he had advanced above all the officials and the servants of the king. -\s5 -\v 12 Haman said, "Queen Esther invited no one else but me to come with the king to the feast she prepared. Even tomorrow I am again invited by her along with the king. -\v 13 But all this is worth nothing to me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." - -\s5 -\v 14 Then Zeresh his wife said to Haman and all his friends, "Let them make a gallows fifty cubits high. In the morning speak to the king for them to hang Mordecai on it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast." This pleased Haman and he had the gallows constructed. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 That night the king could not sleep. He commanded servants to bring the records of the events of his reign, and they were being read aloud to the king. -\v 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officials who guarded the entrance, who had tried to harm King Ahasuerus. -\v 3 The king asked, "What was done to give honor or recognition to Mordecai for doing this?" Then the king's young men who served him said, "Nothing was done for him." - -\s5 -\v 4 The king said, "Who is in the courtyard?" Now Haman had entered the outer courtyard of the king's house to speak to him about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he set up for him. -\v 5 The king's servants said to him, "Haman is standing in the courtyard." The king said, "Let him come in." -\v 6 When Haman entered, the king said to him, "What should be done for the man whom the king takes pleasure in honoring?" Now Haman said in his heart, "Whom would the king take pleasure in honoring more than me?" - -\s5 -\v 7 Haman said to the king, "For the man whom the king takes pleasure in honoring, -\v 8 let royal robes be brought, robes that the king has worn, and a horse that the king has ridden and on whose head is the royal crest. -\v 9 Then let the robes and the horse be given to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king takes pleasure in honoring, and let them lead him on the horse through the city streets. Let them proclaim before him, 'This is what is done to the one whom the king takes pleasure in honoring!'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then the king said to Haman, "Hurry, take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king's gate. Do not fail in a single matter of what you have said." -\v 11 Then Haman took the robe and the horse. He dressed Mordecai and led him on the horse through the city streets. He proclaimed before him, "This is what is done for a man whom the king takes pleasure in honoring!" - -\s5 -\v 12 Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning, with his head covered. -\v 13 Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that happened to him. Then his men who were known for their wisdom, and Zeresh his wife, said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is Jewish, you will not overcome him, but you will certainly fall before him." -\v 14 While they were talking with him, the king's officials arrived. They hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 So the king and Haman went to feast with Queen Esther. -\v 2 On this second day, while they were serving wine, the king said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It will be granted to you. What is your request? Up to half of the kingdom, and it will be granted." - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Queen Esther replied, "If I have found favor in your eyes, king, and if it pleases you, let my life be given to me—this is my petition, and I request this also for my people. -\v 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated. If we had only been sold into slavery, as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, for no such distress as this would justify disturbing the king." -\v 5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, "Who is he? Where is this person to be found who has filled his heart to do such a thing?" - -\s5 -\v 6 Esther said, "The hostile man, that enemy, is this evil Haman!" Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. -\v 7 The king got up in a rage from the wine-drinking at the feast and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther. He saw that disaster was being decided against him by the king. -\s5 -\v 8 Then the king returned from the palace garden into the room where the wine had been served. Haman had just fallen on the couch where Esther was. The king said, "Will he assault the queen in my presence in my own house?" As soon as this sentence came out of the king's mouth, the servants covered Haman's face. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Harbona, one of the officials who served the king, said, "A gallows fifty cubits tall stands beside Haman's house. He set it up for Mordecai, the one who spoke up to protect the king." The king said, "Hang him on it." -\v 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's rage died down. - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, and Mordecai began to serve before the king, for Esther told the king how Mordecai was related to her. -\v 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had taken back from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther designated Mordecai to be in charge of Haman's estate. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Then Esther spoke again to the king. She lay facedown on the ground and wept as she pleaded with him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, to the scheme that he had devised against the Jews. -\v 4 Then the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, she arose and stood before the king. - -\s5 -\v 5 She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in your eyes, if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in your eyes, let a decree be written to revoke the letters written by Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the letters that he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king's provinces. -\v 6 For how could I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How could I endure watching the destruction of my relatives?" - -\s5 -\v 7 King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Look, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he was going to attack the Jews. -\v 8 Write another decree for the Jews in the name of the king and seal it with the king's ring. For the decree that has already been written in the king's name and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then the king's scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month. A decree was written containing all that Mordecai was commanding concerning the Jews. It was written to the provincial governors, the governors and officials of the provinces that were located from India to Cush, 127 provinces, to every province written in their own writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing and language. - -\s5 -\v 10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's signet ring. He sent the documents by couriers riding on the fast horses that were used in the king's service, bred from the royal stud. -\v 11 The king gave to the Jews who were in every city permission to gather together and to make a stand to protect their lives: To annihiliate, to kill, and to destroy any armed force from any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, or to plunder their possessions. -\v 12 This was to be in effect in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. - -\s5 -\v 13 A copy of the decree was to be issued as a law and publicly displayed to all the peoples. The Jews were to be ready on that day to take vengeance on their enemies. -\v 14 So the couriers rode on the royal horses that were used in the king's service. They went without delay. The king's decree was also issued from the palace in Susa. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then Mordecai left the king's presence wearing royal clothes of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. -\v 16 The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor. -\v 17 In every province and in every city, wherever the king's decree reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. Many from among the variety of peoples of the land became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen on them. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, when the king's law and decree were about to be carried out, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain power over them, it was reversed. The Jews gained power over those who hated them. -\v 2 The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, to lay hands on those who tried to bring disaster on them. No one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all the peoples. - -\s5 -\v 3 All the officials of the provinces, the provincial governors, the governors, and the king's administrators, helped the Jews because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. -\v 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai was becoming great. -\v 5 The Jews attacked their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. -\s5 -\v 6 In the fortress of Susa itself the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. -\v 7 They killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, -\v 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, -\v 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, Vaizatha, -\v 10 and the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not take any plunder. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 That day the number of those killed in the fortress of Susa, was reported to the king. -\v 12 The king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed five hundred men in the fortress of Susa, including the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be granted you. What is your request? It will be granted to you." - -\s5 -\v 13 Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be permitted to carry out this day's decree tomorrow also, and let the bodies of Haman's ten sons be hanged on gallows." -\v 14 So the king commanded that this be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman. - -\s5 -\v 15 The Jews who were in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and killed three hundred more men in Susa, but laid no hands on the plunder. -\v 16 The rest of the Jews who were in the king's provinces came together to defend their lives, and they got relief from their enemies and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them, but they did not lay their hands on the valuables of those they killed. -\s5 -\p -\v 17 This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. On the fourteenth day they rested and made that a day of feasting and gladness. -\v 18 But the Jews who were in Susa assembled together on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days. On the fifteenth day they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness. -\v 19 That is why the Jews of the villages, who make their homes in the rural towns, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of gladness and feasting, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, -\v 21 obligating them to keep the fourteenth and the fifteenth day of Adar every year. -\v 22 These were the days when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and the month when their sorrow turned to joy, and mourning into a day of celebration. They were to make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending gifts of food to one another, and gifts to the poor. - -\s5 -\v 23 So the Jews continued the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. -\v 24 At that time Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and he threw Pur (that is, he threw lots), to crush and destroy them. -\v 25 But when the matter came before the king, he gave orders by letters that the wicked plan Haman developed against the Jews should come back on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Because of everything that was written in this letter, and everything that they had seen and that had happened to them, -\v 27 the Jews accepted a new custom and duty. This custom would be for themselves, their descendants, and everyone who joined them. It would be that they would celebrate these two days every year. They would celebrate them in a certain way and at the same time each year. -\v 28 These days were to be celebrated and observed in every generation, every family, every province, and every city. These Jews and their descendants would never cease to faithfully observe these days of Purim, so that they should never forget them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Queen Esther daughter of Abihail and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority and confirmed this second letter about Purim. - -\s5 -\v 30 Letters were sent to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, wishing the Jews safety and truth. -\v 31 These letters confirmed the days of Purim at their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther obligated the Jews. The Jews accepted this obligation for themselves and their descendants, just as also they accepted times of fasting and lamenting. -\v 32 The command of Esther confirmed these regulations regarding Purim, and it was written in the book. - - - +\mt Esther +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 In the days of Ahasuerus \f + \ft \fqa Ahasuerus \fqa* is also known as \fqa Xerxes.\f* (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India as far as Cush, over 127 provinces), +\v 2 in those days King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the fortress of Susa. + +\s5 +\v 3 In the third year of his reign, he gave a feast to all his officials and his servants. The army of Persia and Media, the noblemen, and governors of the provinces were in his presence. +\v 4 He displayed the wealth of the splendor of his kingdom and the honor of the glory of his greatness for many days, for 180 days. + +\s5 +\v 5 When these days were completed, the king gave a feast lasting seven days. It was for all the people in the fortress of Susa, from the greatest to the least significant. It was held in the courtyard of the garden of the king's palace. +\v 6 The courtyard of the garden was decorated with curtains of white cotton and violet, with cords of fine linen and purple, hung on silver rings from pillars of marble. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and colored paving stones. + +\s5 +\v 7 Drinks were served in golden cups. Each cup was unique and there was much royal wine that came because of the king's generosity. +\v 8 The drinking was carried out in keeping with the decree, "There must be no compulsion." The king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do for them whatever each guest desired. +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Also, Queen Vashti gave a feast for the women in the royal palace of King Ahasuerus. +\v 10 On the seventh day, when the king's heart was feeling happy because of the wine, he told Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Karkas (the seven officials who served before him), +\v 11 to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for her features were stunning. +\s5 +\v 12 But Queen Vashti refused to come at the word of the king that had been brought to her by the officials. Then the king became very angry; his rage burned within him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 So the king conferred with the men who were known to be wise, who understood the times (for this was the king's procedure toward all who were expert in law and judgment). +\v 14 Now the ones close to him were Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memukan, seven princes of Persia and Media. They had access to the king, and they held the highest offices within the kingdom. +\v 15 "In compliance with the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus, which was brought to her by the officials?" + +\s5 +\v 16 Memukan said in the presence of the king and the officials, "Not only against the king has Vashti the queen done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the people who are in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus. +\v 17 For the matter of the queen will become known to all women. It will cause them to treat their husbands with contempt. They will say, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought before him, but she refused.' +\v 18 Before the end of this very day the noble women of Persia and Media who have heard of the matter of the queen will say the same thing to all the king's officials. There will be much contempt and anger. + +\s5 +\v 19 If it pleases the king, let a royal decree be sent out from him, and let it be written in the laws of the Persians and the Medes, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti may no longer come before him. Let the king give her position as queen to another who is better than she. +\v 20 When the king's decree is proclaimed throughout all his vast kingdom, all the wives will honor their husbands, from the greatest to the least significant." + +\s5 +\v 21 The king and his noblemen were pleased with this advice, and the king did as Memukan proposed. +\v 22 He sent out letters to all the royal provinces, to each province in its own writing, and to each people in their own language. He ordered that every man should be master of his own household. This decree was given in the language of each people in the empire. + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 After these things, when the anger of King Ahasuerus subsided, he thought about Vashti and what she had done. He also thought about the decree that he had made against her. +\v 2 Then the king's young men who served him said, "Let a search be made on the king's behalf for beautiful young virgins. +\s5 +\v 3 Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, to gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in the fortress in Susa. Let them be put under the care of Hegai, the king's official, who is in charge of the women, and let him give them their cosmetics. +\v 4 Let the young girl who pleases the king become queen in the place of Vashti." This advice pleased the king, and he did so. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 There was a certain Jew in the fortress of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair son of Shimei son of Kish, who was a Benjamite. +\v 6 He had been taken away from Jerusalem with the exiles along with those taken with Jehoiachin, king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia carried away. + +\s5 +\v 7 He was caring for Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, because she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely in appearance. Mordecai took her as his own daughter. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 When the king's order and decree were proclaimed, many young women were brought to the fortress of Susa. They were put under Hegai's care. Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put under the care of Hegai, the overseer of the women. +\v 9 The young girl pleased him, and she found favor with him. Immediately he provided her with cosmetics and her portion of food. He assigned to her seven servant girls from the king's palace, and he moved her and the servant girls to the best place in the house of the women. + +\s5 +\v 10 Esther had not told anyone who her people or relatives were, for Mordecai had instructed her not to tell. +\v 11 Every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the courtyard outside the house of the women, to learn about Esther's welfare, and about what would be done with her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 When the turn came for each girl to go to King Ahasuerus—complying with the regulations for the women, each girl had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments, six months with oil of myrrh, and six with perfumes and cosmetics— +\v 13 when a young woman went to the king, whatever she desired was given to her from the house of the women, for her to take to the palace. + +\s5 +\v 14 In the evening she would go in, and in the morning she would return to the second house of the women, and to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's official, who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king again unless he had taken great pleasure in her and called for her again. + +\s5 +\v 15 Now when the time came for Esther (daughter of Abihail, the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter) to go in to the king, she did not ask for anything but what Hegai the king's official, who was in charge of the women, suggested. Now Esther received the favor of all who saw her. +\p +\v 16 Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into the royal residence on the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. + +\s5 +\v 17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women and she received acceptance and favor before him, more than all the other virgins. So he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. +\v 18 The king gave a great feast for all his officials and his servants, "Esther's feast," and he granted relief from taxation to the provinces. He also gave gifts with royal generosity. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Now when the virgins had been gathered together a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. +\v 20 Esther had not yet told anyone about her relatives or her people, as Mordecai had instructed her. She continued to follow Mordecai's advice, as she had done when she was raised by him. +\v 21 In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, two of the king's officials, Bigthana and Teresh, who guarded the doorway, became angry and sought to do harm to King Ahasuerus. + +\s5 +\v 22 When the matter was revealed to Mordecai, he told Queen Esther, and Esther spoke to the king in the name of Mordecai. +\v 23 The report was investigated and confirmed, and both the men were hanged from a gallows. This account was written in The Book of The Chronicles in the presence of the king. + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 After these things, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and placed his seat of authority above all the officials who were with him. +\v 2 All the king's servants who were at the king's gate always knelt and prostrated themselves to Haman, as the king had ordered them to do. But Mordecai neither knelt nor prostrated himself. +\s5 +\v 3 Then the king's servants who were at the king's gate said to Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?" +\v 4 They spoke with him day after day, but he refused to comply with their demands. So they spoke with Haman to see if the matter about Mordecai would remain like that, for he had told them that he was a Jew. +\s5 +\v 5 When Haman saw that Mordecai did not kneel and bow down to him, Haman was filled with rage. +\v 6 He had contempt for the idea of killing only Mordecai, for the king's servants had told him who Mordecai's people were. Haman wanted to exterminate all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, who were in the entire kingdom of Ahasuerus. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 In the first month (which is the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, the Pur—that is the lot—was thrown before Haman, to select a day and month. They cast the lot over and over until the lot fell on the twelfth month (which is the month of Adar). + +\s5 +\v 8 Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and distributed among all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of other people, and they do not keep the king's laws, so it is not suitable for the king to let them stay. +\v 9 If it please the king, give a command to kill them, and I will weigh out ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king's business, for them to put it into the king's treasury." + +\s5 +\v 10 Then the king took the signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. +\v 11 The king said to Haman, "I will see that the money is given back to you and your people. You will do with it whatever you wish." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then the king's scribes were summoned on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree containing all that Haman had commanded was written to the king's provincial governors, those who were over all the provinces, to the governors of all the various peoples, and to the officials of all the people, to every province in their own writing, and to every people in their own language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus and was sealed with his ring. +\v 13 Documents were hand-delivered by couriers to all the king's provinces, to annihilate, kill, and destroy all Jews, from young to old, children and women, in one day—on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (which is the month of Adar)—and to plunder their possessions. + +\s5 +\v 14 A copy of the letter was made law in every province. In every province it was made known to all the people that they should prepare for this day. +\v 15 The couriers went out and hurried to distribute the king's order. The decree was also distributed within the fortress of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in turmoil. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went out into the middle of the city, and cried out with a loud and a bitter cry. +\v 2 He went up only as far as the king's gate, because no one was allowed to go through it clothed in sackcloth. +\v 3 In every province, wherever the king's command and decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and lamenting. Many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 When Esther's young women and her servants came and told her, the queen was in great distress. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai (so he could take off his sackcloth), but he would not accept them. +\v 5 Then Esther called for Hathak, one of the king's officials who had been assigned to serve her. She ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what had happened and what it meant. + +\s5 +\v 6 So Hathak went to Mordecai in the city square in front of the king's gate. +\v 7 Mordecai reported to him all that had happened to him, and the total amount of the silver that Haman had promised to weigh out and put into the king's treasuries in order to put the Jews to death. +\v 8 He also gave him a copy of the decree that was issued in Susa for the Jews' destruction. He did this so that Hathak could show it to Esther, and that he should give her the responsibility of going to the king to beg for his favor, and to plead with him on behalf of her people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 So Hathak went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. +\v 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathak and told him to go back to Mordecai. +\v 11 She said, "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner courtyard without being summoned, there is only one law: That he must be put to death—except for anyone to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. I have not been called to come to the king these thirty days." +\v 12 So Hathak reported Esther's words to Mordecai. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Mordecai sent back this message: "You must not think that in the king's palace, you will escape any more than all the other Jews. +\v 14 If you remain silent at this time, relief and rescue will rise up for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows whether you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?" + +\s5 +\v 15 Then Esther sent this message to Mordecai, +\v 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who live in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My young girls and I will fast in the same way. Then I will go to the king, even though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish." +\v 17 Mordecai went and did all that Esther told him to do. + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 After three days, Esther put on her royal clothes and went to stand in the inner courtyard of the king's palace, in front of the king's house. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance to the house. +\v 2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she received approval in his eyes. He held out to her the golden scepter in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then the king said to her, "What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? Up to half of my kingdom, it will be given to you." +\v 4 Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, to do what Esther has said." So the king and Haman went to the feast that Esther had prepared. +\v 6 When the wine was being served at the feast, the king said to Esther, "What is your petition? It will be granted you. What is your request? Up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted." + +\s5 +\v 7 Esther answered, "My petition and my request is this, +\v 8 if I have found favor in the eyes of the king and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to honor my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for you tomorrow and I will answer the king's question." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Haman went out that day joyful and glad at heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king's gate, that Mordecai neither rose up nor trembled before him with any fear, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. +\v 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went to his own house. He sent for his friends and gathered them together, with Zeresh his wife. +\v 11 Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his many sons, all the promotions by which the king honored him, and how he had advanced above all the officials and the servants of the king. +\s5 +\v 12 Haman said, "Queen Esther invited no one else but me to come with the king to the feast she prepared. Even tomorrow I am again invited by her along with the king. +\v 13 But all this is worth nothing to me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." + +\s5 +\v 14 Then Zeresh his wife said to Haman and all his friends, "Let them make a gallows fifty cubits high. In the morning speak to the king for them to hang Mordecai on it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast." This pleased Haman and he had the gallows constructed. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 That night the king could not sleep. He commanded servants to bring the records of the events of his reign, and they were being read aloud to the king. +\v 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officials who guarded the entrance, who had tried to harm King Ahasuerus. +\v 3 The king asked, "What was done to give honor or recognition to Mordecai for doing this?" Then the king's young men who served him said, "Nothing was done for him." + +\s5 +\v 4 The king said, "Who is in the courtyard?" Now Haman had entered the outer courtyard of the king's house to speak to him about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he set up for him. +\v 5 The king's servants said to him, "Haman is standing in the courtyard." The king said, "Let him come in." +\v 6 When Haman entered, the king said to him, "What should be done for the man whom the king takes pleasure in honoring?" Now Haman said in his heart, "Whom would the king take pleasure in honoring more than me?" + +\s5 +\v 7 Haman said to the king, "For the man whom the king takes pleasure in honoring, +\v 8 let royal robes be brought, robes that the king has worn, and a horse that the king has ridden and on whose head is the royal crest. +\v 9 Then let the robes and the horse be given to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king takes pleasure in honoring, and let them lead him on the horse through the city streets. Let them proclaim before him, 'This is what is done to the one whom the king takes pleasure in honoring!'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then the king said to Haman, "Hurry, take the robes and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king's gate. Do not fail in a single matter of what you have said." +\v 11 Then Haman took the robe and the horse. He dressed Mordecai and led him on the horse through the city streets. He proclaimed before him, "This is what is done for a man whom the king takes pleasure in honoring!" + +\s5 +\v 12 Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning, with his head covered. +\v 13 Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that happened to him. Then his men who were known for their wisdom, and Zeresh his wife, said to him, "If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is Jewish, you will not overcome him, but you will certainly fall before him." +\v 14 While they were talking with him, the king's officials arrived. They hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 So the king and Haman went to feast with Queen Esther. +\v 2 On this second day, while they were serving wine, the king said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It will be granted to you. What is your request? Up to half of the kingdom, and it will be granted." + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Queen Esther replied, "If I have found favor in your eyes, king, and if it pleases you, let my life be given to me—this is my petition, and I request this also for my people. +\v 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated. If we had only been sold into slavery, as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, for no such distress as this would justify disturbing the king." +\v 5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, "Who is he? Where is this person to be found who has filled his heart to do such a thing?" + +\s5 +\v 6 Esther said, "The hostile man, that enemy, is this evil Haman!" Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. +\v 7 The king got up in a rage from the wine-drinking at the feast and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther. He saw that disaster was being decided against him by the king. +\s5 +\v 8 Then the king returned from the palace garden into the room where the wine had been served. Haman had just fallen on the couch where Esther was. The king said, "Will he assault the queen in my presence in my own house?" As soon as this sentence came out of the king's mouth, the servants covered Haman's face. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Harbona, one of the officials who served the king, said, "A gallows fifty cubits tall stands beside Haman's house. He set it up for Mordecai, the one who spoke up to protect the king." The king said, "Hang him on it." +\v 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's rage died down. + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the property of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, and Mordecai began to serve before the king, for Esther told the king how Mordecai was related to her. +\v 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had taken back from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther designated Mordecai to be in charge of Haman's estate. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Then Esther spoke again to the king. She lay facedown on the ground and wept as she pleaded with him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, to the scheme that he had devised against the Jews. +\v 4 Then the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, she arose and stood before the king. + +\s5 +\v 5 She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in your eyes, if the thing seems right before the king, and I am pleasing in your eyes, let a decree be written to revoke the letters written by Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the letters that he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king's provinces. +\v 6 For how could I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How could I endure watching the destruction of my relatives?" + +\s5 +\v 7 King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Look, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows, because he was going to attack the Jews. +\v 8 Write another decree for the Jews in the name of the king and seal it with the king's ring. For the decree that has already been written in the king's name and sealed with the king's ring cannot be revoked." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then the king's scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month of Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month. A decree was written containing all that Mordecai was commanding concerning the Jews. It was written to the provincial governors, the governors and officials of the provinces that were located from India to Cush, 127 provinces, to every province written in their own writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing and language. + +\s5 +\v 10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's signet ring. He sent the documents by couriers riding on the fast horses that were used in the king's service, bred from the royal stud. +\v 11 The king gave to the Jews who were in every city permission to gather together and to make a stand to protect their lives: To annihiliate, to kill, and to destroy any armed force from any people or province that might attack them, children and women included, or to plunder their possessions. +\v 12 This was to be in effect in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. + +\s5 +\v 13 A copy of the decree was to be issued as a law and publicly displayed to all the peoples. The Jews were to be ready on that day to take vengeance on their enemies. +\v 14 So the couriers rode on the royal horses that were used in the king's service. They went without delay. The king's decree was also issued from the palace in Susa. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then Mordecai left the king's presence wearing royal clothes of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. +\v 16 The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor. +\v 17 In every province and in every city, wherever the king's decree reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. Many from among the variety of peoples of the land became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had fallen on them. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, when the king's law and decree were about to be carried out, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain power over them, it was reversed. The Jews gained power over those who hated them. +\v 2 The Jews assembled in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, to lay hands on those who tried to bring disaster on them. No one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all the peoples. + +\s5 +\v 3 All the officials of the provinces, the provincial governors, the governors, and the king's administrators, helped the Jews because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. +\v 4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai was becoming great. +\v 5 The Jews attacked their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them. +\s5 +\v 6 In the fortress of Susa itself the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. +\v 7 They killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, +\v 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, +\v 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, Vaizatha, +\v 10 and the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not take any plunder. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 That day the number of those killed in the fortress of Susa, was reported to the king. +\v 12 The king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed five hundred men in the fortress of Susa, including the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be granted you. What is your request? It will be granted to you." + +\s5 +\v 13 Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be permitted to carry out this day's decree tomorrow also, and let the bodies of Haman's ten sons be hanged on gallows." +\v 14 So the king commanded that this be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and they hanged the ten sons of Haman. + +\s5 +\v 15 The Jews who were in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and killed three hundred more men in Susa, but laid no hands on the plunder. +\v 16 The rest of the Jews who were in the king's provinces came together to defend their lives, and they got relief from their enemies and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them, but they did not lay their hands on the valuables of those they killed. +\s5 +\p +\v 17 This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. On the fourteenth day they rested and made that a day of feasting and gladness. +\v 18 But the Jews who were in Susa assembled together on the thirteenth and the fourteenth days. On the fifteenth day they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness. +\v 19 That is why the Jews of the villages, who make their homes in the rural towns, observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a day of gladness and feasting, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, +\v 21 obligating them to keep the fourteenth and the fifteenth day of Adar every year. +\v 22 These were the days when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and the month when their sorrow turned to joy, and mourning into a day of celebration. They were to make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending gifts of food to one another, and gifts to the poor. + +\s5 +\v 23 So the Jews continued the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. +\v 24 At that time Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and he threw Pur (that is, he threw lots), to crush and destroy them. +\v 25 But when the matter came before the king, he gave orders by letters that the wicked plan Haman developed against the Jews should come back on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Therefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Because of everything that was written in this letter, and everything that they had seen and that had happened to them, +\v 27 the Jews accepted a new custom and duty. This custom would be for themselves, their descendants, and everyone who joined them. It would be that they would celebrate these two days every year. They would celebrate them in a certain way and at the same time each year. +\v 28 These days were to be celebrated and observed in every generation, every family, every province, and every city. These Jews and their descendants would never cease to faithfully observe these days of Purim, so that they should never forget them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Queen Esther daughter of Abihail and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority and confirmed this second letter about Purim. + +\s5 +\v 30 Letters were sent to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, wishing the Jews safety and truth. +\v 31 These letters confirmed the days of Purim at their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther obligated the Jews. The Jews accepted this obligation for themselves and their descendants, just as also they accepted times of fasting and lamenting. +\v 32 The command of Esther confirmed these regulations regarding Purim, and it was written in the book. + + + \s5 diff --git a/18-JOB.usfm b/18-JOB.usfm index f08e68e6..7c52acd3 100644 --- a/18-JOB.usfm +++ b/18-JOB.usfm @@ -4,192 +4,192 @@ \toc1 The Book of Job \toc2 Job \toc3 Job -\mt Job \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and Job was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned from evil. -\v 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. -\v 3 He possessed seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pairs of oxen, and five hundred donkeys and a great many servants. He was the man who was the greatest of all the people of the East. - -\s5 -\v 4 On each son's assigned day, he would give a feast in his house. They would send and call for their three sisters to eat and drink with them. -\v 5 When the days of the feast were over, Job would send for them and he would consecrate them. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings for each of his children, for he would say, "It may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Job always did this. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then it was the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh. Satan also came with them. -\v 7 Yahweh said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, "From wandering on the earth, from going back and forth on it." -\v 8 Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns from evil." - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, "Does Job fear God without reason? -\v 10 Have you not put a barrier around him, around his house, and around all that is his from every side? You have blessed the deeds of his hands, and his cattle have burst forth in the land. -\v 11 But now stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and see if he does not curse you to your face." -\v 12 Yahweh said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him himself do not stretch out your hand." Then Satan went away from the presence of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 It came about that on a certain day, his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house. -\v 14 A messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside them. -\v 15 Then the Sabeans fell on them and took them away. As for the servants, they have struck them with the edge of the sword. I alone have escaped to tell you." - -\s5 -\v 16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants. I alone have escaped to tell you." -\v 17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups, attacked the camels, and have taken them away. As for the servants, they have struck them with the edge of the sword. I alone have escaped to tell you." - -\s5 -\v 18 While he was yet speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house. -\v 19 A strong wind came from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house. It fell on the young people, and they died. I alone have escaped to tell you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then Job rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, lay facedown on the ground, and worshiped God. -\v 21 He said, "I was naked when I came out of my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I will return there. It is Yahweh who gave, and it is Yahweh who has taken away. May the name of Yahweh be blessed." -\v 22 In all this matter, Job did not sin, nor did he accuse God of wrongdoing. - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Then it was the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh. Satan also came with them to present himself before Yahweh. -\v 2 Yahweh said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, "From wandering on the earth, from going back and forth on it." - -\s5 -\v 3 Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. He still holds fast to his integrity, although you misled me against him, to destroy him without cause." - -\s5 - -\s5 -\v 4 Satan answered Yahweh and said, "Skin for skin, indeed; a man will give all he has for his life. -\v 5 But stretch out your hand now and touch his bones and his flesh, and see if he does not curse you to your face." -\v 6 Yahweh said to Satan, "See, he is in your hand; it is only his life that you must spare." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Then Satan went away from the presence of Yahweh. He struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his feet to his head. -\v 8 Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself with, and he sat down in the middle of ashes. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die." -\v 10 But he said to her, "You talk as a foolish woman talks. Should we receive the good from God and not receive the bad?" In all this matter, Job did not sin with his lips. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come on him, each of them came from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They set a time to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. - -\s5 -\v 12 When they lifted up their eyes at a distance, they did not recognize him. They raised their voices and wept; each tore his robe and threw dust into the air and upon his own head. -\v 13 Then they sat with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights. No one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great. - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born. -\q -\v 2 He said, -\q -\v 3 "May the day on which I was born perish, -\q the night that said, 'A boy has been conceived.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 May that day be dark; -\q may not God from above call it to mind, -\q neither may the sun shine on it. -\q -\v 5 May darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. -\q May a cloud live over it; -\q may everything that makes the day black truly terrify it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 As for that night, may thick darkness seize it. -\q May it not rejoice among the days of the year; -\q may it not come into the number of the months. -\q -\v 7 See, may that night be barren; -\q may no joyful voice come into it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 May they curse that day, -\q those who know how to wake up Leviathan. -\q -\v 9 May the stars of that day's dawn be dark. -\q May that day look for light, but find none; -\q neither may it see the eyelids of the dawn, -\q -\v 10 because it did not shut up the doors of my mother's womb, -\q and because it did not hide trouble from my eyes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Why did I not die when I came out from the womb? -\q Why did I not give up my spirit when my mother bore me? -\q -\v 12 Why did her knees welcome me? -\q Why did her breasts receive me so that I should suck? - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 For now I would have been lying down quietly. -\q I would have slept and been at rest -\q -\v 14 with kings and counselors of the earth, -\q who built up tombs for themselves that are now in ruins. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Or I would have been lying with princes who once had gold, -\q who had filled their houses with silver. -\q -\v 16 Or perhaps I would have been stillborn, -\q like infants that never see the light. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 There the wicked cease from trouble; -\q there the weary are at rest. -\q -\v 18 There the prisoners are at ease together; -\q they do not hear the voice of the slave driver. -\q -\v 19 Both small and great people are there; -\q the servant is free from his master there. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Why is light given to him who is in misery? -\q Why is life given to the one who is bitter in soul, -\q -\v 21 to one who longs for death without it coming; -\q to one who digs for death more than for hidden treasure? -\q -\v 22 Why is light given to one who rejoices very much -\q and is glad when he finds the grave? - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, -\q a man whom God has hedged in? -\q -\v 24 For my sighing happens instead of eating; -\q my groaning is poured out like water. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 For the thing that I feared has come on me; -\q what I was afraid of has come to me. -\q -\v 26 I am not at ease, I am not quiet, and I have no rest; -\q trouble comes instead." - - - +\mt Job \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and Job was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned from evil. +\v 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. +\v 3 He possessed seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pairs of oxen, and five hundred donkeys and a great many servants. He was the man who was the greatest of all the people of the East. + +\s5 +\v 4 On each son's assigned day, he would give a feast in his house. They would send and call for their three sisters to eat and drink with them. +\v 5 When the days of the feast were over, Job would send for them and he would consecrate them. He would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings for each of his children, for he would say, "It may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Job always did this. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then it was the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh. Satan also came with them. +\v 7 Yahweh said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, "From wandering on the earth, from going back and forth on it." +\v 8 Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns from evil." + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, "Does Job fear God without reason? +\v 10 Have you not put a barrier around him, around his house, and around all that is his from every side? You have blessed the deeds of his hands, and his cattle have burst forth in the land. +\v 11 But now stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and see if he does not curse you to your face." +\v 12 Yahweh said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him himself do not stretch out your hand." Then Satan went away from the presence of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 It came about that on a certain day, his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house. +\v 14 A messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding beside them. +\v 15 Then the Sabeans fell on them and took them away. As for the servants, they have struck them with the edge of the sword. I alone have escaped to tell you." + +\s5 +\v 16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants. I alone have escaped to tell you." +\v 17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups, attacked the camels, and have taken them away. As for the servants, they have struck them with the edge of the sword. I alone have escaped to tell you." + +\s5 +\v 18 While he was yet speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house. +\v 19 A strong wind came from the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house. It fell on the young people, and they died. I alone have escaped to tell you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then Job rose, tore his robe, shaved his head, lay facedown on the ground, and worshiped God. +\v 21 He said, "I was naked when I came out of my mother's womb, and I will be naked when I will return there. It is Yahweh who gave, and it is Yahweh who has taken away. May the name of Yahweh be blessed." +\v 22 In all this matter, Job did not sin, nor did he accuse God of wrongdoing. + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Then it was the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Yahweh. Satan also came with them to present himself before Yahweh. +\v 2 Yahweh said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Then Satan answered Yahweh and said, "From wandering on the earth, from going back and forth on it." + +\s5 +\v 3 Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. He still holds fast to his integrity, although you misled me against him, to destroy him without cause." + +\s5 + +\s5 +\v 4 Satan answered Yahweh and said, "Skin for skin, indeed; a man will give all he has for his life. +\v 5 But stretch out your hand now and touch his bones and his flesh, and see if he does not curse you to your face." +\v 6 Yahweh said to Satan, "See, he is in your hand; it is only his life that you must spare." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Then Satan went away from the presence of Yahweh. He struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his feet to his head. +\v 8 Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself with, and he sat down in the middle of ashes. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die." +\v 10 But he said to her, "You talk as a foolish woman talks. Should we receive the good from God and not receive the bad?" In all this matter, Job did not sin with his lips. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come on him, each of them came from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They set a time to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. + +\s5 +\v 12 When they lifted up their eyes at a distance, they did not recognize him. They raised their voices and wept; each tore his robe and threw dust into the air and upon his own head. +\v 13 Then they sat with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights. No one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great. + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born. +\q +\v 2 He said, +\q +\v 3 "May the day on which I was born perish, +\q the night that said, 'A boy has been conceived.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 May that day be dark; +\q may not God from above call it to mind, +\q neither may the sun shine on it. +\q +\v 5 May darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. +\q May a cloud live over it; +\q may everything that makes the day black truly terrify it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 As for that night, may thick darkness seize it. +\q May it not rejoice among the days of the year; +\q may it not come into the number of the months. +\q +\v 7 See, may that night be barren; +\q may no joyful voice come into it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 May they curse that day, +\q those who know how to wake up Leviathan. +\q +\v 9 May the stars of that day's dawn be dark. +\q May that day look for light, but find none; +\q neither may it see the eyelids of the dawn, +\q +\v 10 because it did not shut up the doors of my mother's womb, +\q and because it did not hide trouble from my eyes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Why did I not die when I came out from the womb? +\q Why did I not give up my spirit when my mother bore me? +\q +\v 12 Why did her knees welcome me? +\q Why did her breasts receive me so that I should suck? + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 For now I would have been lying down quietly. +\q I would have slept and been at rest +\q +\v 14 with kings and counselors of the earth, +\q who built up tombs for themselves that are now in ruins. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Or I would have been lying with princes who once had gold, +\q who had filled their houses with silver. +\q +\v 16 Or perhaps I would have been stillborn, +\q like infants that never see the light. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 There the wicked cease from trouble; +\q there the weary are at rest. +\q +\v 18 There the prisoners are at ease together; +\q they do not hear the voice of the slave driver. +\q +\v 19 Both small and great people are there; +\q the servant is free from his master there. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Why is light given to him who is in misery? +\q Why is life given to the one who is bitter in soul, +\q +\v 21 to one who longs for death without it coming; +\q to one who digs for death more than for hidden treasure? +\q +\v 22 Why is light given to one who rejoices very much +\q and is glad when he finds the grave? + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, +\q a man whom God has hedged in? +\q +\v 24 For my sighing happens instead of eating; +\q my groaning is poured out like water. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 For the thing that I feared has come on me; +\q what I was afraid of has come to me. +\q +\v 26 I am not at ease, I am not quiet, and I have no rest; +\q trouble comes instead." + + + \s5 @@ -276,828 +276,828 @@ \q They die; they die without wisdom. - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\m -\q -\v 1 Call out now; is there anyone who will answer you? -\q To which of the holy ones will you turn? -\q -\v 2 For anger kills the foolish man; -\q jealousy kills the silly one. -\q -\v 3 I have seen a foolish person taking root, -\q but suddenly I cursed his home. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 His children are far from safety; -\q they are crushed in the city gate. -\q There is no one to rescue them. -\q -\v 5 The hungry eat up their harvest; -\q they even take it from among the thorns. -\q The thirsty pant for their wealth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 For difficulties do not come out from the soil; -\q neither does trouble sprout from the ground. -\q -\v 7 Instead, mankind is born for trouble, -\q just as sparks fly upward. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 But as for me, I would turn to God himself; -\q to him I would commit my cause— -\q -\v 9 he who does great and unsearchable things, -\q marvelous things without number. -\q -\v 10 He gives rain on the earth, -\q and sends water on the fields. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 He does this in order to set up on high those who are low; -\q to raise to safety those who mourn. -\q -\v 12 He breaks the plans of the crafty people, -\q so that their hands cannot achieve success. -\q -\v 13 He traps wise people in their own crafty actions; -\q the plans of twisted people are hurried to their end. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 They encounter darkness in the daytime, -\q and grope at noonday as if it were night. -\q -\v 15 But he saves the poor person from the sword in their mouths -\q and the needy person from the hand of mighty people. -\q -\v 16 So the poor person has hope, -\q and injustice shuts her own mouth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 See, blessed is the man whom God corrects; -\q therefore, do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. -\q -\v 18 For he wounds and then binds up; -\q he wounds and then his hands heal. -\q -\v 19 He will rescue you out of six troubles; -\q indeed, in seven troubles, no evil will touch you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 In famine he will ransom you from death, -\q and in war from the hands of the sword. -\q -\v 21 You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue; -\q and you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes. -\q -\v 22 You will laugh at destruction and famine, -\q and you will not be afraid of beasts of the earth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 For you will have a covenant with the stones in your field, -\q and the beasts of the field will be at peace with you. -\q -\v 24 You will know that your tent is in safety; -\q you will visit your sheepfold and you will not miss anything. -\q -\v 25 You will also know that your seed will be great, -\q that your offspring will be like the grass on the ground. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 You will come to your grave at a full age, -\q like a stack of grain sheaves that goes up at its time. -\q -\v 27 See, we have examined this matter; it is like this; -\q listen to it, and know it for yourself." - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; -\q if only all my calamity were laid in the balance! -\q -\v 3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. -\q That is why my words were reckless. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, -\q my spirit drinks up the poison; -\q the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against me. -\q -\v 5 Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass? -\q Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder? -\q -\v 6 Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? -\q Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 I refuse to touch them; -\q they are like disgusting food to me. -\q -\v 8 Oh, that I might have my request; -\q oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for: -\q -\v 9 that it would please God to crush me once, -\q that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life! - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 May this still be my consolation— -\q even if I exult in pain that does not lessen: -\q that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. -\q -\v 11 What is my strength, that I should try to wait? -\q What is my end, that I should prolong my life? - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Is my strength the strength of stones? -\q Or is my flesh made of bronze? -\q -\v 13 Is it not true that I have no help in myself, -\q and that wisdom has been driven out of me? - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; -\q even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty. -\q -\v 15 But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, -\q as channels of water that pass away to nothing, -\q -\v 16 which are darkened because of ice over them, -\q and because of the snow that hides itself in them. -\q -\v 17 When they thaw out, they vanish; -\q when it is hot, they melt out of their place. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; -\q they wander into barren land and then perish. -\q -\v 19 Caravans from Tema looked there, -\q while companies of Sheba hoped in them. -\q -\v 20 They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. -\q They went there, but they were deceived. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 For now you friends are nothing to me; -\q you see my dreadful situation and are afraid. -\q -\v 22 Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?' -\q Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?' -\q -\v 23 Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?' -\q Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; -\q make me understand where I have been wrong. -\q -\v 25 How painful are truthful words! -\q But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me? - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Do you plan to ignore - my words, -\q treating the words of a desperate man like the wind? -\q -\v 27 Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, -\q and haggle over your friend like merchandise. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Now, therefore, please look at me, -\q for surely I would not lie to your face. -\q -\v 29 Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; -\q Indeed, relent, for my cause is just. -\q -\v 30 Is there evil on my tongue? -\q Cannot my mouth detect malicious things? - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\m -\q -\v 1 Does not man have hard labor on earth? -\q Are not his days like the days of a hired man? -\q -\v 2 Like a slave earnestly desires the shadows of evening, -\q like a hired man looks for his wages— -\q -\v 3 so I have been made to endure months of misery; -\q I have been given trouble-filled nights. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 When I lie down, I say to myself, -\q 'When will I get up and when will the night be gone?' -\q I am full of tossing to and fro until the day's dawning. -\q -\v 5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; -\q the sores in my skin harden up and then dissolve and run afresh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; -\q they pass without hope. -\q -\v 7 God, call to mind that my life is only a breath; -\q my eye will no more see good. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 The eye of God, who sees me, will see me no more; -\q God's eyes will be on me, but I will not exist. -\q -\v 9 As a cloud is consumed and vanishes away, -\q so he who goes down to Sheol will come up no more. -\q -\v 10 He will return no more to his house; -\q neither will his place know him again. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; -\q I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; -\q I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. -\q -\v 12 Am I the sea or a sea monster -\q that you place a guard over me? - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 When I say, 'My bed will comfort me, -\q and my couch will ease my complaint,' -\q -\v 14 then you scare me with dreams -\q and terrify me through visions, -\q -\v 15 so that I would choose strangling -\q and death rather than preserving these bones of mine. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 I loathe my life; I would not wish to always be alive; -\q let me alone for my days are useless. -\q -\v 17 What is man that you should pay attention to him, -\q that you should set your mind on him, -\q -\v 18 that you should observe him every morning -\q and test him every moment? - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 How long will it be before you look away from me, -\q before you let me alone long enough for me to swallow down my own saliva? -\q -\v 20 Even if I have sinned, what would that do to you, you who watch men? -\q Why have you made a target of me, -\q so that I am a burden for you? - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? -\q For now will I lie down in the dust; -\q you will seek me carefully, but I will not exist." - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "How long will you say these things? -\q How long will the words of your mouth be -a mighty wind? -\q -\v 3 Does God pervert justice? -\q Does the Almighty pervert righteousness? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Your children have sinned against him; -\q we know this, for he gave them into the hand of their sins. -\q -\v 5 But suppose you diligently sought God -\q and presented your request to the Almighty. - -\s5 - -\q -\v 6 If you are pure and upright, -\q then he would surely stir himself on your behalf -\q and restore you to your rightful place. -\q -\v 7 Even though your beginning was small, -\q still your final condition would be much greater. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Please ask the former generations, -\q and give your attention to what our ancestors learned. -\q -\v 9 (We were only born yesterday and know nothing -\q because our days on earth are a shadow). -\q -\v 10 Will they not teach you and tell you? -\q Will they not speak words from their hearts? - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Can papyrus grow without a marsh? -\q Can reeds grow without water? -\q -\v 12 While they are still green and not cut down, -\q they wither before any other plant. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 So also are the paths of all who forget God; -\q the hope of the godless will perish. -\q -\v 14 His confidence will break apart, -\q and his trust is as weak as a spider's web. -\q -\v 15 He leans on his house, but it will not support him; -\q he takes hold of it, but it does not stand. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Under the sun he is green, -\q and his shoots go out over his entire garden. -\q -\v 17 His roots are wrapped about the heaps of stone; -\q they look for good places among the rocks. -\q -\v 18 But if this person is destroyed out of his place, -\q then that place will deny him and say, 'I never saw you.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 See, this is the "joy" of such a person's behavior; -\q other plants will sprout out of the same soil in his place. -\q -\v 20 See, God will not cast away an innocent man; -\q neither will he take the hand of evildoers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, -\q your lips with shouting. -\q -\v 22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame; -\q the tent of the wicked will be no more." - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "I truly know that this is so. -\q But how can a person be in the right with God? -\q -\v 3 If he wants to argue with God, -\q he cannot answer him once in a thousand times. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; -\q who has ever hardened himself against him and succeeded?— -\q -\v 5 he who removes the mountains without warning anyone -\q when he overturns them in his anger— -\q -\v 6 he who shakes the earth out of its place -\q and sets its supports trembling. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 It is the same God who tells the sun not to rise, and it does not, -\q and who covers up the stars, -\q -\v 8 who by himself stretches out the heavens -\q and tramples down the waves of the sea, -\q -\v 9 who makes the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, -\q and the constellations of the south. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 He does great and unsearchable things, -\q and wonderful things that cannot be counted. -\q -\v 11 See, he goes by me, and I do not see him; -\q he passes on also, but I do not perceive him. -\q -\v 12 If he takes something away, who can stop him? -\q Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 God will not withdraw his anger; -\q the helpers of Rahab bow beneath him. -\q -\v 14 How much less could I answer him, -\q could I choose words to reason with him? -\q -\v 15 Even if I were righteous, I could not answer him; -\q I could only plead for mercy with my judge. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Even if I called and he answered me, -\q I would not believe that he was listening to my voice. -\q -\v 17 For he breaks me with a tempest -\q and multiplies my wounds without cause. -\q -\v 18 He does not allow me to regain my breath; -\q but he fills me with bitterness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty! -\q If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him? -\q -\v 20 Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; -\q and though I am blameless, my words would prove me to be guilty. - - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 I am blameless, but I do not care any more about myself; -\q I despise my own life. -\q -\v 22 It makes no difference, which is why I say -\q that he destroys blameless people and wicked people together. -\q -\v 23 If a plague should suddenly kill, -\q he would laugh at the afflictions of innocent people. -\q -\v 24 The earth is given into the hand of wicked people; -\q God covers the faces of its judges. -\q If it is not he who does it, then who is it? - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 My days are swifter than a running messenger; -\q my days flee away; they see no good anywhere. -\q -\v 26 They are as fast as papyrus reed boats, -\q and as fast as the eagle that swoops down on its victim. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 If I said that I would forget about my complaints, -\q that I would take off my sad face and be happy, -\q -\v 28 I would be afraid of all my sorrows -\q because I know that you will not consider me innocent. -\q -\v 29 I will be condemned; -\q why, then, should I try in vain? - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 If I washed myself with snow water -\q and made my hands ever so clean, -\q -\v 31 God would plunge me in a ditch, -\q and my own clothes would be disgusted with me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 For God is not a man, as I am, that I could answer him, -\q that we could come together in court. -\q -\v 33 There is no judge between us -\q who might lay his hand upon us both. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 There is no other judge who could take God's rod off me, -\q who could keep his terror from frightening me. -\q -\v 35 Then would I speak up and not fear him. -\q But as things are now, I cannot do that. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\m -\q -\v 1 I am weary of my life; -\q I will give free expression to my complaint; -\q I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. -\q -\v 2 I will say to God, 'Do not merely condemn me; -\q show me why you accuse me. -\q -\v 3 Is it good to you that you should oppress me, -\q to despise the work of your hands -\q while you smile on the plans of the wicked? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Do you have eyes of flesh? -\q Do you see like a man sees? -\q -\v 5 Are your days like the days of mankind -\q or your years like the years of people, -\q -\v 6 that you inquire after my iniquity -\q and search after my sin, -\q -\v 7 although you know I am not guilty -\q and there is no one who can rescue me from your hand? -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Your hands have framed and fashioned me -\q together round about, yet you are destroying me. -\q -\v 9 Call to mind, I beg you, that you have fashioned me like clay; -\q will you bring me into dust again? - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Have you not poured me out like milk -\q and curdled me like cheese? -\q -\v 11 You have clothed me with skin and flesh -\q and knit me together with bones and sinews. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 You have granted me life and covenant faithfulness; -\q your help has guarded my spirit. -\q -\v 13 Yet these things you hid in your heart— -\q I know that this is what you were thinking: -\q -\v 14 that if I sinned, you would notice it; -\q you would not acquit me of my iniquity. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 If I am wicked, woe to me; -\q even if I were righteous, I could not lift up my head, -\q since I am filled with disgrace -\q and am looking at my own suffering. -\q -\v 16 If my head lifts itself, you hunt me down like a lion; -\q once again you show yourself powerful to me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 You bring new witnesses against me -\q and increase your anger against me; -\q you attack me with fresh armies. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Why, then, have you brought me out of the womb? -\q I wish I had given up my spirit and that no eye had ever seen me. -\q -\v 19 I would have been as though I had never existed; -\q I would have been carried from the womb to the grave. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Are not my days only a few? Stop then, -\q let me alone, so that I may have a little rest -\q -\v 21 before I go from where I will not return, -\q to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death, -\q -\v 22 the land that is as dark as midnight, -\q the land of the shadow of death, without any order, -\q where the light is like midnight.'" - - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "Should not such a multitude of words be answered? -\q Should this man, so full of talk, be believed? -\q -\v 3 Should your boasting make others remain silent? -\q When you mock our teaching, will no one make you feel ashamed? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, -\q I am blameless in your eyes.' -\q -\v 5 But, oh, that God would speak -\q and open his lips against you; -\q -\v 6 that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! -\q For he is great in understanding. -\q Know then that God demands from you less than your iniquity deserves. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Can you understand God by searching for him? -\q Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly? -\q -\v 8 The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? -\q It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? -\q -\v 9 Its measure is longer than the earth, -\q and wider than the sea. -\q - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 If he passes through and shuts anyone up, -\q if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him? -\q -\v 11 For he knows false people; -\q when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it? -\q -\v 12 But foolish people have no understanding; -\q they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 But suppose that you had set your heart right -\q and had reached out with your hands toward God; -\q -\v 14 suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, -\q and did not let unrighteousness live in your tents. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; -\q indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear. -\q -\v 16 You would forget your misery; -\q you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away. -\q -\v 17 Your life would be brighter than the noonday; -\q though there were darkness, it would become like the morning. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 You would be secure because there is hope; -\q indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety. -\q -\v 19 Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; -\q indeed, many would seek your favor. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 But the eyes of wicked people will fail; -\q they will have no way to flee; -\q their only hope will be a last gasp of life." - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "No doubt you are the people; -\q wisdom will die with you. -\q -\v 3 But I have understanding as well as you; -\q I am not inferior to you. -\q Indeed, who does not know such things as these? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 I am something for my neighbor to laugh at— -\q I, one who called on God and who was answered by him! -\q I, a just and blameless man—I am now something to laugh at. -\q -\v 5 In the thought of someone who is at ease, there is contempt for misfortune; -\q he thinks in a way that brings more misfortune to those whose foot is slipping. -\q -\v 6 The tents of robbers prosper, -\q and those who provoke God feel secure; -\q their own hands are their gods. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; -\q ask the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you. -\q -\v 8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; -\q the fish of the sea will declare to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Which animal among all these does not know -\q that the hand of Yahweh has done this? -\q -\v 10 In his hand is the life of every living thing -\q and the breath of all mankind. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Does not the ear test words -\q just as the palate tastes its food? -\q -\v 12 With aged men is wisdom; -\q in length of days is understanding. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 With God are wisdom and might; -\q he has counsel and understanding. -\q -\v 14 See, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again; -\q if he imprisons someone, there can be no release. -\q -\v 15 See, if he withholds the waters, they dry up; -\q and if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 With him are strength and wisdom; -\q people who are deceived and the deceiver are both in his power. -\q -\v 17 He leads counselors away barefoot in sorrow; -\q he turns judges into fools. -\q -\v 18 He takes off the chain of authority from kings; -\q he wraps a cloth about their waists. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 He leads priests away barefoot in sorrow -\q and overthrows mighty people. -\q -\v 20 He removes the speech of those who had been trusted -\q and takes away the understanding of the elders. -\q -\v 21 He pours contempt upon princes -\q and unfastens the belt of strong people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 He reveals deep things from darkness -\q and brings out to light the shadows where dead people are. -\q -\v 23 He makes nations strong, and he also destroys them; -\q He enlarges nations, and he also leads them along as prisoners. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 He takes away understanding from the leaders of the people of the earth; -\q he causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no path. -\q -\v 25 They grope in the dark without light; -\q he makes them stagger like a drunk man. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\m +\q +\v 1 Call out now; is there anyone who will answer you? +\q To which of the holy ones will you turn? +\q +\v 2 For anger kills the foolish man; +\q jealousy kills the silly one. +\q +\v 3 I have seen a foolish person taking root, +\q but suddenly I cursed his home. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 His children are far from safety; +\q they are crushed in the city gate. +\q There is no one to rescue them. +\q +\v 5 The hungry eat up their harvest; +\q they even take it from among the thorns. +\q The thirsty pant for their wealth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 For difficulties do not come out from the soil; +\q neither does trouble sprout from the ground. +\q +\v 7 Instead, mankind is born for trouble, +\q just as sparks fly upward. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 But as for me, I would turn to God himself; +\q to him I would commit my cause— +\q +\v 9 he who does great and unsearchable things, +\q marvelous things without number. +\q +\v 10 He gives rain on the earth, +\q and sends water on the fields. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 He does this in order to set up on high those who are low; +\q to raise to safety those who mourn. +\q +\v 12 He breaks the plans of the crafty people, +\q so that their hands cannot achieve success. +\q +\v 13 He traps wise people in their own crafty actions; +\q the plans of twisted people are hurried to their end. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 They encounter darkness in the daytime, +\q and grope at noonday as if it were night. +\q +\v 15 But he saves the poor person from the sword in their mouths +\q and the needy person from the hand of mighty people. +\q +\v 16 So the poor person has hope, +\q and injustice shuts her own mouth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 See, blessed is the man whom God corrects; +\q therefore, do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. +\q +\v 18 For he wounds and then binds up; +\q he wounds and then his hands heal. +\q +\v 19 He will rescue you out of six troubles; +\q indeed, in seven troubles, no evil will touch you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 In famine he will ransom you from death, +\q and in war from the hands of the sword. +\q +\v 21 You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue; +\q and you will not be afraid of destruction when it comes. +\q +\v 22 You will laugh at destruction and famine, +\q and you will not be afraid of beasts of the earth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 For you will have a covenant with the stones in your field, +\q and the beasts of the field will be at peace with you. +\q +\v 24 You will know that your tent is in safety; +\q you will visit your sheepfold and you will not miss anything. +\q +\v 25 You will also know that your seed will be great, +\q that your offspring will be like the grass on the ground. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 You will come to your grave at a full age, +\q like a stack of grain sheaves that goes up at its time. +\q +\v 27 See, we have examined this matter; it is like this; +\q listen to it, and know it for yourself." + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; +\q if only all my calamity were laid in the balance! +\q +\v 3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. +\q That is why my words were reckless. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, +\q my spirit drinks up the poison; +\q the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against me. +\q +\v 5 Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass? +\q Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder? +\q +\v 6 Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? +\q Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 I refuse to touch them; +\q they are like disgusting food to me. +\q +\v 8 Oh, that I might have my request; +\q oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for: +\q +\v 9 that it would please God to crush me once, +\q that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life! + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 May this still be my consolation— +\q even if I exult in pain that does not lessen: +\q that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. +\q +\v 11 What is my strength, that I should try to wait? +\q What is my end, that I should prolong my life? + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Is my strength the strength of stones? +\q Or is my flesh made of bronze? +\q +\v 13 Is it not true that I have no help in myself, +\q and that wisdom has been driven out of me? + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; +\q even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty. +\q +\v 15 But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, +\q as channels of water that pass away to nothing, +\q +\v 16 which are darkened because of ice over them, +\q and because of the snow that hides itself in them. +\q +\v 17 When they thaw out, they vanish; +\q when it is hot, they melt out of their place. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; +\q they wander into barren land and then perish. +\q +\v 19 Caravans from Tema looked there, +\q while companies of Sheba hoped in them. +\q +\v 20 They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. +\q They went there, but they were deceived. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 For now you friends are nothing to me; +\q you see my dreadful situation and are afraid. +\q +\v 22 Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?' +\q Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?' +\q +\v 23 Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?' +\q Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; +\q make me understand where I have been wrong. +\q +\v 25 How painful are truthful words! +\q But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me? + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Do you plan to ignore + my words, +\q treating the words of a desperate man like the wind? +\q +\v 27 Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, +\q and haggle over your friend like merchandise. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Now, therefore, please look at me, +\q for surely I would not lie to your face. +\q +\v 29 Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; +\q Indeed, relent, for my cause is just. +\q +\v 30 Is there evil on my tongue? +\q Cannot my mouth detect malicious things? + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\m +\q +\v 1 Does not man have hard labor on earth? +\q Are not his days like the days of a hired man? +\q +\v 2 Like a slave earnestly desires the shadows of evening, +\q like a hired man looks for his wages— +\q +\v 3 so I have been made to endure months of misery; +\q I have been given trouble-filled nights. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 When I lie down, I say to myself, +\q 'When will I get up and when will the night be gone?' +\q I am full of tossing to and fro until the day's dawning. +\q +\v 5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; +\q the sores in my skin harden up and then dissolve and run afresh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; +\q they pass without hope. +\q +\v 7 God, call to mind that my life is only a breath; +\q my eye will no more see good. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 The eye of God, who sees me, will see me no more; +\q God's eyes will be on me, but I will not exist. +\q +\v 9 As a cloud is consumed and vanishes away, +\q so he who goes down to Sheol will come up no more. +\q +\v 10 He will return no more to his house; +\q neither will his place know him again. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; +\q I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; +\q I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. +\q +\v 12 Am I the sea or a sea monster +\q that you place a guard over me? + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 When I say, 'My bed will comfort me, +\q and my couch will ease my complaint,' +\q +\v 14 then you scare me with dreams +\q and terrify me through visions, +\q +\v 15 so that I would choose strangling +\q and death rather than preserving these bones of mine. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 I loathe my life; I would not wish to always be alive; +\q let me alone for my days are useless. +\q +\v 17 What is man that you should pay attention to him, +\q that you should set your mind on him, +\q +\v 18 that you should observe him every morning +\q and test him every moment? + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 How long will it be before you look away from me, +\q before you let me alone long enough for me to swallow down my own saliva? +\q +\v 20 Even if I have sinned, what would that do to you, you who watch men? +\q Why have you made a target of me, +\q so that I am a burden for you? + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? +\q For now will I lie down in the dust; +\q you will seek me carefully, but I will not exist." + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "How long will you say these things? +\q How long will the words of your mouth be +a mighty wind? +\q +\v 3 Does God pervert justice? +\q Does the Almighty pervert righteousness? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Your children have sinned against him; +\q we know this, for he gave them into the hand of their sins. +\q +\v 5 But suppose you diligently sought God +\q and presented your request to the Almighty. + +\s5 + +\q +\v 6 If you are pure and upright, +\q then he would surely stir himself on your behalf +\q and restore you to your rightful place. +\q +\v 7 Even though your beginning was small, +\q still your final condition would be much greater. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Please ask the former generations, +\q and give your attention to what our ancestors learned. +\q +\v 9 (We were only born yesterday and know nothing +\q because our days on earth are a shadow). +\q +\v 10 Will they not teach you and tell you? +\q Will they not speak words from their hearts? + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Can papyrus grow without a marsh? +\q Can reeds grow without water? +\q +\v 12 While they are still green and not cut down, +\q they wither before any other plant. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 So also are the paths of all who forget God; +\q the hope of the godless will perish. +\q +\v 14 His confidence will break apart, +\q and his trust is as weak as a spider's web. +\q +\v 15 He leans on his house, but it will not support him; +\q he takes hold of it, but it does not stand. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Under the sun he is green, +\q and his shoots go out over his entire garden. +\q +\v 17 His roots are wrapped about the heaps of stone; +\q they look for good places among the rocks. +\q +\v 18 But if this person is destroyed out of his place, +\q then that place will deny him and say, 'I never saw you.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 See, this is the "joy" of such a person's behavior; +\q other plants will sprout out of the same soil in his place. +\q +\v 20 See, God will not cast away an innocent man; +\q neither will he take the hand of evildoers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, +\q your lips with shouting. +\q +\v 22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame; +\q the tent of the wicked will be no more." + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "I truly know that this is so. +\q But how can a person be in the right with God? +\q +\v 3 If he wants to argue with God, +\q he cannot answer him once in a thousand times. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; +\q who has ever hardened himself against him and succeeded?— +\q +\v 5 he who removes the mountains without warning anyone +\q when he overturns them in his anger— +\q +\v 6 he who shakes the earth out of its place +\q and sets its supports trembling. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 It is the same God who tells the sun not to rise, and it does not, +\q and who covers up the stars, +\q +\v 8 who by himself stretches out the heavens +\q and tramples down the waves of the sea, +\q +\v 9 who makes the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, +\q and the constellations of the south. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 He does great and unsearchable things, +\q and wonderful things that cannot be counted. +\q +\v 11 See, he goes by me, and I do not see him; +\q he passes on also, but I do not perceive him. +\q +\v 12 If he takes something away, who can stop him? +\q Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 God will not withdraw his anger; +\q the helpers of Rahab bow beneath him. +\q +\v 14 How much less could I answer him, +\q could I choose words to reason with him? +\q +\v 15 Even if I were righteous, I could not answer him; +\q I could only plead for mercy with my judge. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Even if I called and he answered me, +\q I would not believe that he was listening to my voice. +\q +\v 17 For he breaks me with a tempest +\q and multiplies my wounds without cause. +\q +\v 18 He does not allow me to regain my breath; +\q but he fills me with bitterness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty! +\q If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him? +\q +\v 20 Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; +\q and though I am blameless, my words would prove me to be guilty. + + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 I am blameless, but I do not care any more about myself; +\q I despise my own life. +\q +\v 22 It makes no difference, which is why I say +\q that he destroys blameless people and wicked people together. +\q +\v 23 If a plague should suddenly kill, +\q he would laugh at the afflictions of innocent people. +\q +\v 24 The earth is given into the hand of wicked people; +\q God covers the faces of its judges. +\q If it is not he who does it, then who is it? + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 My days are swifter than a running messenger; +\q my days flee away; they see no good anywhere. +\q +\v 26 They are as fast as papyrus reed boats, +\q and as fast as the eagle that swoops down on its victim. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 If I said that I would forget about my complaints, +\q that I would take off my sad face and be happy, +\q +\v 28 I would be afraid of all my sorrows +\q because I know that you will not consider me innocent. +\q +\v 29 I will be condemned; +\q why, then, should I try in vain? + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 If I washed myself with snow water +\q and made my hands ever so clean, +\q +\v 31 God would plunge me in a ditch, +\q and my own clothes would be disgusted with me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 For God is not a man, as I am, that I could answer him, +\q that we could come together in court. +\q +\v 33 There is no judge between us +\q who might lay his hand upon us both. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 There is no other judge who could take God's rod off me, +\q who could keep his terror from frightening me. +\q +\v 35 Then would I speak up and not fear him. +\q But as things are now, I cannot do that. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\m +\q +\v 1 I am weary of my life; +\q I will give free expression to my complaint; +\q I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. +\q +\v 2 I will say to God, 'Do not merely condemn me; +\q show me why you accuse me. +\q +\v 3 Is it good to you that you should oppress me, +\q to despise the work of your hands +\q while you smile on the plans of the wicked? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Do you have eyes of flesh? +\q Do you see like a man sees? +\q +\v 5 Are your days like the days of mankind +\q or your years like the years of people, +\q +\v 6 that you inquire after my iniquity +\q and search after my sin, +\q +\v 7 although you know I am not guilty +\q and there is no one who can rescue me from your hand? +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Your hands have framed and fashioned me +\q together round about, yet you are destroying me. +\q +\v 9 Call to mind, I beg you, that you have fashioned me like clay; +\q will you bring me into dust again? + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Have you not poured me out like milk +\q and curdled me like cheese? +\q +\v 11 You have clothed me with skin and flesh +\q and knit me together with bones and sinews. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 You have granted me life and covenant faithfulness; +\q your help has guarded my spirit. +\q +\v 13 Yet these things you hid in your heart— +\q I know that this is what you were thinking: +\q +\v 14 that if I sinned, you would notice it; +\q you would not acquit me of my iniquity. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 If I am wicked, woe to me; +\q even if I were righteous, I could not lift up my head, +\q since I am filled with disgrace +\q and am looking at my own suffering. +\q +\v 16 If my head lifts itself, you hunt me down like a lion; +\q once again you show yourself powerful to me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 You bring new witnesses against me +\q and increase your anger against me; +\q you attack me with fresh armies. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Why, then, have you brought me out of the womb? +\q I wish I had given up my spirit and that no eye had ever seen me. +\q +\v 19 I would have been as though I had never existed; +\q I would have been carried from the womb to the grave. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Are not my days only a few? Stop then, +\q let me alone, so that I may have a little rest +\q +\v 21 before I go from where I will not return, +\q to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death, +\q +\v 22 the land that is as dark as midnight, +\q the land of the shadow of death, without any order, +\q where the light is like midnight.'" + + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "Should not such a multitude of words be answered? +\q Should this man, so full of talk, be believed? +\q +\v 3 Should your boasting make others remain silent? +\q When you mock our teaching, will no one make you feel ashamed? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, +\q I am blameless in your eyes.' +\q +\v 5 But, oh, that God would speak +\q and open his lips against you; +\q +\v 6 that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! +\q For he is great in understanding. +\q Know then that God demands from you less than your iniquity deserves. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Can you understand God by searching for him? +\q Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly? +\q +\v 8 The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? +\q It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? +\q +\v 9 Its measure is longer than the earth, +\q and wider than the sea. +\q + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 If he passes through and shuts anyone up, +\q if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him? +\q +\v 11 For he knows false people; +\q when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it? +\q +\v 12 But foolish people have no understanding; +\q they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 But suppose that you had set your heart right +\q and had reached out with your hands toward God; +\q +\v 14 suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, +\q and did not let unrighteousness live in your tents. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; +\q indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear. +\q +\v 16 You would forget your misery; +\q you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away. +\q +\v 17 Your life would be brighter than the noonday; +\q though there were darkness, it would become like the morning. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 You would be secure because there is hope; +\q indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety. +\q +\v 19 Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; +\q indeed, many would seek your favor. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 But the eyes of wicked people will fail; +\q they will have no way to flee; +\q their only hope will be a last gasp of life." + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "No doubt you are the people; +\q wisdom will die with you. +\q +\v 3 But I have understanding as well as you; +\q I am not inferior to you. +\q Indeed, who does not know such things as these? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 I am something for my neighbor to laugh at— +\q I, one who called on God and who was answered by him! +\q I, a just and blameless man—I am now something to laugh at. +\q +\v 5 In the thought of someone who is at ease, there is contempt for misfortune; +\q he thinks in a way that brings more misfortune to those whose foot is slipping. +\q +\v 6 The tents of robbers prosper, +\q and those who provoke God feel secure; +\q their own hands are their gods. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; +\q ask the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you. +\q +\v 8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; +\q the fish of the sea will declare to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Which animal among all these does not know +\q that the hand of Yahweh has done this? +\q +\v 10 In his hand is the life of every living thing +\q and the breath of all mankind. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Does not the ear test words +\q just as the palate tastes its food? +\q +\v 12 With aged men is wisdom; +\q in length of days is understanding. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 With God are wisdom and might; +\q he has counsel and understanding. +\q +\v 14 See, he breaks down, and it cannot be built again; +\q if he imprisons someone, there can be no release. +\q +\v 15 See, if he withholds the waters, they dry up; +\q and if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 With him are strength and wisdom; +\q people who are deceived and the deceiver are both in his power. +\q +\v 17 He leads counselors away barefoot in sorrow; +\q he turns judges into fools. +\q +\v 18 He takes off the chain of authority from kings; +\q he wraps a cloth about their waists. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 He leads priests away barefoot in sorrow +\q and overthrows mighty people. +\q +\v 20 He removes the speech of those who had been trusted +\q and takes away the understanding of the elders. +\q +\v 21 He pours contempt upon princes +\q and unfastens the belt of strong people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 He reveals deep things from darkness +\q and brings out to light the shadows where dead people are. +\q +\v 23 He makes nations strong, and he also destroys them; +\q He enlarges nations, and he also leads them along as prisoners. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 He takes away understanding from the leaders of the people of the earth; +\q he causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no path. +\q +\v 25 They grope in the dark without light; +\q he makes them stagger like a drunk man. + + + \s5 @@ -1304,2986 +1304,2986 @@ a mighty wind? \q and he mourns for himself. - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "Should a wise man answer with useless knowledge -\q and fill himself with the east wind? -\q -\v 3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk -\q or with speeches with which he can do no good? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Indeed, you diminish respect for God; -\q you obstruct devotion to him, -\q -\v 5 for your iniquity teaches your mouth; -\q you choose to have the tongue of a crafty man. -\q -\v 6 Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; -\q indeed, your own lips testify against you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Are you the first man that was born? -\q Were you brought into existence before the hills? -\q -\v 8 Have you heard the secret knowledge of God? -\q Do you limit wisdom to yourself? -\q -\v 9 What do you know that we do not know? -\q What do you understand that is not also in us? - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men -\q who are much older than your father. -\q -\v 11 Are the consolations of God too small for you, -\q the words that are gentle toward you? - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Why does your heart carry you away? -\q Why do your eyes flash, -\q -\v 13 so that you turn your spirit against God -\q and bring out such words from your mouth? -\q -\v 14 What is man that he should be clean? -\q What is he who is born of a woman that he should be righteous? - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 See, God puts no trust even in his holy ones; -\q indeed, the heavens are not clean in his sight; -\q -\v 16 how much less clean is one who is abominable and corrupt, -\q a man who drinks iniquity like water! - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 I will show you; listen to me; -\q I will announce to you the things I have seen, -\q -\v 18 the things that wise men have passed down from their fathers, -\q the things that their ancestors did not hide. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 These were their ancestors, to whom alone the land was given, -\q and among whom no stranger ever passed. -\q -\v 20 The wicked man twists in pain all his days, -\q the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor to suffer. -\q -\v 21 A sound of terrors is in his ears; -\q while he is in prosperity, the destroyer will come upon him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 He does not think that he will return out of darkness; -\q the sword waits for him. -\q -\v 23 He goes to various places for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' -\q He knows that the day of darkness is at hand. -\q -\v 24 Distress and anguish make him afraid; -\q they prevail against him, as a king ready for battle. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 Because he has reached out with his hand against God -\q and has behaved proudly against the Almighty, -\q -\v 26 this wicked man runs at God with a stiff neck, -\q with a thick shield. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 This is true, even though he has covered his face with his fat -\q and gathered fat on his loins, -\q -\v 28 and has lived in desolate cities; -\q in houses which no man inhabits now -\q and which were ready to become heaps. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 He will not be rich; his wealth will not last; -\q not even his shadow will last on the earth. -\q -\v 30 He will not depart out of darkness; -\f + \ft Several modern versions leave out \fqa He will not depart out of darkness \fqa* , because they believe that this expression was mistakenly copied from 15:22. \f* -\q a flame will dry up his stalks; -\q at the breath of God's mouth he will go away. -\f + \ft The Hebrew text has \fqa He will go away by the breath of his mouth \fqa* , which some modern versions, including the ULB and UDB, interpret as meaning the breath of God's mouth. However, other modern versions follow an ancient Greek reading, \fqa his flower will fall with the wind \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 Let him not trust in useless things, deceiving himself; -\q for uselessness will be his reward. -\q -\v 32 It will happen before his time should come to die; -\q his branch will not be green. -\q -\v 33 He will drop his unripe grapes like a grapevine; -\q he will cast off his flowers like the olive tree. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 For the company of godless people will be barren; -\q fire will consume their tents of bribery. -\q -\v 35 They conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity; -\q their womb conceives deceit." - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "I have heard many such things; -\q you are all miserable comforters. -\q -\v 3 Will useless words ever have an end? -\q What is wrong with you that you answer like this? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 I also could speak as you do, -\q if you were in my place; -\q I could collect and join words together against you -\q and shake my head at you in mockery. -\q -\v 5 I would strengthen you with my mouth, -\q and the quivering of my lips will bring you relief! - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 If I speak, my grief is not lessened; -\q if I keep from speaking, how am I helped? -\q -\v 7 But now, God, you have made me weary; -\q you have made all my family desolate. -\q -\v 8 You have made me dry up, which itself is a witness against me; -\q the leanness of my body rises up against me, -\q and it testifies against my face. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 God has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me; -\q He has gnashed me with his teeth; -\q my enemy fastens his eyes on me as he tears me apart. -\q -\v 10 People have gaped with open mouth at me; -\q they have hit me reproachfully on the cheek; -\q they have gathered together against me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 God hands me over to ungodly people, -\q and throws me into the hands of wicked people. -\q -\v 12 I was at ease, and he broke me apart. -\q Indeed, he has taken me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; -\q he has also set me up as his target. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 His archers surround me all around; -\q God pierces my kidneys and does not spare me; -\q he pours out my bile on the ground. -\q -\v 14 He smashes through my wall again and again; -\q he runs upon me like a warrior. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 I have sewn sackcloth on my skin; -\q I have thrust my horn into the ground. -\q -\v 16 My face is red with weeping; -\q on my eyelids is the shadow of death -\q -\v 17 although there is no violence in my hands, -\q and my prayer is pure. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Earth, do not cover up my blood; -\q let my cry have no resting place. -\q -\v 19 Even now, see, my witness is in heaven; -\q he who vouches for me is on high. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 My friends scoff at me, -\q but my eye pours out tears to God. -\q -\v 21 I ask for that witness in heaven to argue for this man with God -\q as a man does with his neighbor! -\q -\v 22 For when a few years have passed, -\q I will go to a place from where I will not return. - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\m -\q -\v 1 My spirit is consumed, and my days are over; -\q the grave is ready for me. -\q -\v 2 Surely there are mockers with me; -\q my eye must always see their provocation. -\m -\q -\v 3 Give now a pledge, be a guarantee for me with yourself; -\q who else is there who will help me? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 For you, God, have kept their hearts from understanding; -\q therefore, you will not exalt them over me. -\q -\v 5 He who denounces his friends for a reward, -\q the eyes of his children will fail. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 But he has made me a byword of the people; -\q they spit in my face. -\q -\v 7 My eye is also dim because of sorrow; -\q all my body parts are as thin as shadows. -\q -\v 8 Upright men will be stunned by this; -\q the innocent man will stir himself up against godless men. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 The righteous man will keep to his way; -\q he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger. -\q -\v 10 But as for you all, come on now; -\q I will not find a wise man among you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 My days are past; my plans are shattered, -\q and so are the desires of my heart. \f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa My days are past, as are my plans. The wishes of my heart are finished \fqa* or \fqa ... the strings of my heart have been broken \fqa* . Others have \fqa My days are past; my plans are over, as are the wishes of my heart \fqa* \f* -\q -\v 12 These people, these mockers, change the night into day; -\q light is near to darkness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 If the only home I hope for is Sheol; -\q and if I have spread my couch in the darkness; -\q -\v 14 and if I have said to the pit, 'You are my father,' -\q and to the worm, 'You are my mother or my sister,' -\q -\v 15 where then is my hope? -\q As for my hope, who can see any? - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Will hope go down with me to the gates of Sheol -\q when we descend to the dust?" - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "When will you stop your talk? -\q Consider, and afterwards we will speak. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Why are we regarded as beasts; -\q why have we become stupid in your sight? -\q -\v 4 You who tear at yourself in your anger, -\q should the earth be forsaken for you -\q or should the rocks be removed out of their places? - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Indeed, the light of the wicked person will be put out; -\q the spark of his fire will not shine. -\q -\v 6 The light will be dark in his tent; -\q his lamp above him will be put out. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 The steps of his strength will be made short; -\q his own plans will cast him down. -\q -\v 8 For he will be thrown into a net by his own feet; -\q he will walk into a pitfall. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 A trap will take him by the heel; -\q a snare will lay hold on him. -\q -\v 10 A noose is hidden for him on the ground; -\q and a trap for him in the way. -\q -\v 11 Terrors will make him afraid on every side; -\q they will chase him at his heels. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 His wealth will turn into hunger, -\q and calamity will be ready at his side. -\q -\v 13 The parts of his body will be devoured; -\q indeed, the firstborn of death will devour his parts. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 He is torn from the safety of his tent -\q and marched off to the king of terrors. -\q -\v 15 People not his own will live in his tent -\q after they see that sulfur is scattered within his home. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 His roots will be dried up beneath; -\q above will his branch be cut off. -\q -\v 17 His memory will perish from the earth; -\q he will have no name in the street. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 He will be driven from light into darkness -\q and be chased out of this world. -\q -\v 19 He will have no son or son's son among his people, -\q nor any remaining kinfolk where he had stayed. -\q -\v 20 Those who live in the west will be horrified at what happens to him one day; -\q those who live in the east will be frightened by it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Surely such are the homes of unrighteous people, -\q the places of those who do not know God." - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "How long will you make me suffer -\q and break me into pieces with words? - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 These ten times you have reproached me; -\q you are not ashamed that you have treated me harshly. -\q -\v 4 If it is indeed true that I have erred, -\q my error remains my own concern. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 If indeed you will exalt yourselves above me -\q and use my humiliation against me, -\q -\v 6 then you should know that God has done wrong to me -\q and has caught me in his net. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 See, I cry out, "Violence!" but I get no answer. -\q I call out for help, but there is no justice. -\q -\v 8 He has walled up my way so that I cannot pass, -\q and he has set darkness in my path. -\q -\v 9 He has stripped me of my glory, -\q and he has taken the crown from my head. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 He has broken me down on every side, and I am gone; -\q he has pulled up my hope like a tree. -\q -\v 11 He has also kindled his wrath against me; -\q he regards me as one of his adversaries. -\q -\v 12 His troops come on together; -\q they cast up siege mounds against me -\q and encamp around my tent. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 He has put my brothers far from me; -\q my acquaintances are wholly alienated from me. -\q -\v 14 My kinsfolk have failed me; -\q my close friends have forgotten me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Those who once stayed as guests in my house and my female servants regard me as a stranger; -\q I am an alien in their sight. -\q -\v 16 I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer -\q although I entreat him with my mouth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 My breath is offensive to my wife; -\q I am even disgusting to those who were born from my mother's womb. -\q -\v 18 Even young children despise me; -\q if I rise to speak, they speak against me. -\q -\v 19 All my familiar friends abhor me; -\q those whom I love have turned against me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh; -\q I survive only by the skin of my teeth. -\q -\v 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, my friends, -\q for the hand of God has touched me. -\q -\v 22 Why do you pursue me like God does? -\q Will you ever be satisfied with my flesh? - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Oh, that my words were now written down! -\q Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! -\q -\v 24 Oh, that with an iron pen and lead -\q they were engraved in the rock forever! - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, -\q and that at last he will stand on the earth; -\q -\v 26 after my skin, that is, this body, is destroyed, -\q then in my flesh I will see God. -\q -\v 27 I will see him with my own eyes—I, and not someone else. -\q My heart fails within me. - -\s5 - -\q -\v 28 If you say, 'How we will persecute him! -\q The root of his troubles lies in him,' -\q -\v 29 then be afraid of the sword, -\q because wrath brings the punishment of the sword, -\q so that you may know there is a judgment." - - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "My thoughts make me answer quickly -\q because of the worry that is in me. -\q -\v 3 I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, -\q but a spirit from my understanding answers me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Do you not know this fact from ancient times, -\q when God placed man on earth: -\q -\v 5 the triumph of a wicked man is short, -\q and the joy of a godless man lasts only for a moment? - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Though his height reaches up to the heavens, -\q and his head reaches to the clouds, -\q -\v 7 yet such a person will perish permanently like his own feces; -\q those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 He will fly away like a dream and will not be found; -\q indeed, he will be chased away like a vision of the night. -\q -\v 9 The eye that saw him will see him no more; -\q his place will see him no longer. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 His children will apologize to poor people; -\q his hands will have to give back his wealth. -\q -\v 11 His bones are full of youthful strength, -\q but it will lie down with him in the dust. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Although wickedness is sweet in his mouth, -\q although he hides it under his tongue, -\q -\v 13 although he holds it there and does not let it go -\q but keeps it still in his mouth— -\q -\v 14 the food in his intestines turns bitter; -\q it becomes the poison of asps inside him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 He swallows down riches, but he will vomit them up again; -\q God will cast them out of his stomach. -\q -\v 16 He will suck the poison of asps; -\q the viper's tongue will kill him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 He will not enjoy the streams, -\q the torrents of honey and butter. -\q -\v 18 He will give back the fruit of his labor and will not be able to eat it; -\q he will not enjoy the wealth earned by his commerce. -\q -\v 19 For he has oppressed and neglected poor people; -\q he has violently taken away houses that he did not build. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Because he has known no satisfaction himself, -\q he will not be able to save anything in which he takes pleasure. -\q -\v 21 There is nothing left that he did not devour; -\q therefore his prosperity will not be permanent. -\q -\v 22 In the abundance of his wealth he will fall into trouble; -\q the hand of everyone who is in poverty will come against him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 When he is about to fill his stomach, God will throw the fierceness of his wrath on him; -\q God will rain it down on him while he is eating. -\q -\v 24 Although that man will flee from the iron weapon, -\q a bow of bronze will shoot him. -\q -\v 25 The arrow will pierce through his back and will emerge; -\q indeed, the glittering point will come out through his liver; -\q terrors come on him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Complete darkness is reserved for his treasures; -\q a fire not fanned will devour him; -\q it will consume what is left in his tent. -\q -\v 27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, -\q and the earth will rise up against him as a witness. -\s5 -\q -\v 28 The wealth of his house will vanish; -\q his goods will flow away on the day of God's wrath. -\q -\v 29 This is the wicked man's portion from God, -\q the heritage reserved for him by God." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "Listen carefully to my words, -\q and let this be the comfort you offer to me. -\q -\v 3 Put up with me, and I also will speak; -\q after I have spoken, mock on. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 As for me, is my complaint to a person? -\q Why should I not be impatient? -\q -\v 5 Look at me and be astonished, -\q and lay your hand upon your mouth. -\q -\v 6 When I think about my sufferings, I am terrified, -\q and trembling seizes my body. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Why do wicked people continue to live, -\q become old, and grow mighty in power? -\q -\v 8 Their descendants are established with them in their sight, -\q and their offspring are established before their eyes. -\q -\v 9 Their houses are safe from fear; -\q neither is the rod of God on them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Their bull breeds; it does not fail to do so; -\q their cow gives birth and does not lose her calf prematurely. -\q -\v 11 They send out their little ones like a flock, -\q and their children dance. -\q -\v 12 They sing to the tambourine and harp -\q and rejoice with the music of the flute. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 They spend their days in prosperity, -\q and they go down quietly to Sheol. -\q -\v 14 They say to God, 'Depart from us -\q for we do not wish any knowledge of your ways. -\q -\v 15 What is the Almighty, that we should worship him? -\q What advantage would we get if we prayed to him?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 See, is not their prosperity in their own hands? -\q I have nothing to do with the advice of wicked people. -\q -\v 17 How often is it that the lamp of wicked people is put out, -\q or that their calamity comes upon them? -\q How often does it happen that God distributes sorrows to them in his anger? -\q -\v 18 How often is it that they become like stubble before the wind -\q or like chaff that the storm carries away? - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 You say, 'God lays up one's guilt for his children to pay.' -\q Let him pay it himself, so that he might know his guilt. -\q -\v 20 Let his eyes see his own destruction, -\q and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. -\q -\v 21 For what does he care about his family after him -\q when the number of his months is cut off? - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Can anyone teach God knowledge -\q since he judges even those who are high? -\q -\v 23 One man dies in his full strength, -\q being completely quiet and at ease. -\q -\v 24 His body is full of milk, -\q and the marrow of his bones is moistened and in good health. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 Another man dies in bitterness of soul, -\q one who has never experienced anything good. -\q -\v 26 They lie down alike in the dust; -\q the worms cover them both. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 See, I know your thoughts, -\q and the ways in which you wish to wrong me. -\q -\v 28 For you say, 'Where now is the house of the prince? -\q Where is the tent in which the wicked man once lived?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 Have you never asked traveling people? -\q Do you not know the evidence they can tell, -\q -\v 30 that the wicked man is kept from the day of calamity, -\q -and that he is led away from the day of wrath? - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 Who will condemn the wicked man's way to his face? -\q Who will repay him for what he has done? -\q -\v 32 Yet he will be borne to the grave; -\q men will keep watch over his tomb. -\q -\v 33 The clods of the valley will be sweet to him; -\q all people will follow after him, -\q as there were innumerable people before him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 How then do you comfort me with nonsense, -\q since in your answers there is nothing but falsehood?" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "Can a man be useful to God? -\q Can a wise man be useful to him? -\q -\v 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous? -\q Is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Is it because of your reverence for him that he rebukes you -\q and takes you to judgment? -\q -\v 5 Is not your wickedness great? -\q Is there no end to your iniquities? - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 For you have demanded guarantee of a loan from your brother for no reason, -\q and you have stripped away clothing from the naked. -\q -\v 7 You have not given water to weary people to drink; -\q you have withheld bread from hungry people -\q -\v 8 although you, a mighty man, possessed the earth, -\q although you, an honored man, lived in it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 You have sent widows away empty; -\q the arms of the fatherless have been broken. -\q -\v 10 Therefore, snares are all around you, -\q and sudden fear troubles you. -\q -\v 11 There is darkness, so that you cannot see; -\q an abundance of waters covers you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Is not God in the heights of heaven? -\q Look at the height of the stars, how high they are! -\q -\v 13 You say, 'What does God know? -\q Can he judge through the thick darkness? -\q -\v 14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he does not see us; -\q he walks on the vault of heaven.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Will you keep the old way -\q that wicked men have walked— -\q -\v 16 those who were snatched away before their time, -\q those whose foundations have washed away like a river, -\q -\v 17 those who said to God, 'Depart from us'; -\q those who said, 'What can the Almighty do to us?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Yet he filled their houses with good things; -\q the plans of wicked people are far from me. -\q -\v 19 Righteous people see their fate and are glad; -\q innocent people laugh them to scorn. -\q -\v 20 They say, 'Surely those who rose up against us are cut off; -\q fire has consumed their possessions.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Now agree with God and be at peace with him; -\q in that way, good will come to you. -\q -\v 22 Receive, I beg you, instruction from his mouth; -\q store up his words in your heart. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up, -\q if you put unrighteousness far away from your tents. -\q -\v 24 Lay your treasure down in the dust, -\q the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks, -\q -\v 25 and the Almighty will be your treasure, -\q precious silver to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 For then you will take pleasure in the Almighty; -\q you will lift up your face to God. -\q -\v 27 You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you; -\q you will pay your vows to him. -\q -\v 28 You will also decree anything, and it will be confirmed for you; -\q light will shine on your paths. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 God humbles a proud man, -\q and he saves the one with lowered eyes. -\q -\v 30 He will rescue even the man who is not innocent; -\q who will be rescued through the cleanness of your hands." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "Even today my complaint is bitter; -\q my hand \f + \ft Some copies have: \fqa ... his hand ... \fqa* \f* is heavy because of my groaning. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him! -\q Oh, that I might come to his place! -\q -\v 4 I would lay my case in order before him -\q and fill my mouth with arguments. -\q -\v 5 I would learn the words with which he would answer me -\q and would understand what he would say to me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Would he argue against me in the greatness of his power? -\q No, he would pay attention to me. -\q -\v 7 There the upright person might argue with him. -\q In this way I would be acquitted forever by my judge. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 See, I go eastward, but he is not there, -\q and westward, but I cannot perceive him. -\q -\v 9 To the north, where he is at work, but I cannot see him, -\q and to the south, where he hides himself so that I cannot see him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 But he knows the way that I take; -\q when he has tested me, I will come out like gold. -\q -\v 11 My foot has held fast to his steps; -\q I have kept to his way and turned not aside. -\q -\v 12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; -\q I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 But he is one of a kind, who can turn him back? -\q What he desires, he does. -\q -\v 14 For he carries out his decree against me; -\q there are many like them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Therefore, I am terrified in his presence; -\q when I think about him, I am afraid of him. -\q -\v 16 For God has made my heart weak; -\q the Almighty has terrified me. -\q -\v 17 I have not been brought to an end by darkness, -\q because of the thick darkness that covers the gloom of my face. - - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\m -\q -\v 1 Why are times for judging wicked people not set by the Almighty? -\q Why do not those who are faithful to God see his days of judgment come? - -\s5 -\q -\v 2 There are wicked people who remove boundary markers; -\q there are wicked people who take away flocks by force and put them in their own pastures. -\q -\v 3 They drive away the donkey of those without fathers; -\q they take the widow's ox as security. -\q -\v 4 They force needy people out of their path; -\q poor people of the earth all hide themselves from them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 See, these poor people go out to their work -\q like wild donkeys in the wilderness, looking carefully for food; -\q perhaps the Arabah will provide them food for their children. -\q -\v 6 Poor people reap in the night in other people's fields; -\q they glean grapes from the harvest of those wicked people. -\q -\v 7 They lie naked all night without clothing; -\q they have no covering in the cold. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains; -\q they lie next to large rocks because they have no shelter. -\q -\v 9 There are wicked people who pluck orphans from their mothers' breast, -\q and wicked people who take children as security from poor people. -\q -\v 10 But the poor people go about naked without clothing; -\q although they go hungry, they carry others' sheaves of grain. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 The poor people make oil within the walls of those wicked men; -\q they tread the wicked men's winepresses, but they themselves suffer thirst. -\q -\v 12 In the city people groan; -\q the wounded people cry out, -\q but God pays no attention to their prayers. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Some of these wicked people rebel against the light; -\q they know not its ways, -\q nor do they stay in its paths. -\q -\v 14 Before daylight the murderer rises -\q and he kills poor and needy people; -\q in the night he is like a thief. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Also, the eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight; -\q he says, 'No eye will see me.' -\q He disguises his face. -\q -\v 16 In the darkness wicked people dig into houses; -\q but they shut themselves up in the daytime; -\q they do not care for the light. -\q -\v 17 For all of them, thick darkness is like the morning; -\q for they are friends with the terrors of thick darkness. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Swiftly they pass away, however, like foam on the surface of the waters; -\q their portion of the land is cursed; -\q no one goes to work in their vineyards. -\q -\v 19 As drought and heat melt away the snow into waters, -\q so Sheol takes away those who have sinned. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 The womb that bore him will forget him; -\q the worm will feed sweetly on him; -\q he will be remembered no more; -\q in this way, wickedness will be broken like a tree. -\q -\v 21 The wicked one devours the barren women who have not borne children; -\q he does no good to the widow. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Yet God drags away the mighty people by his power; -\q he rises up and does not strengthen them in life. -\q -\v 23 God allows them to think they are secure, and they are happy about that, -\q but his eyes are on their ways. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 These people are exalted; still, in only a little while, they will be gone; -\q indeed, they will be brought low; they will be gathered up like all the others; -\q they will be cut off like the tops of ears of grain. -\q -\v 25 If it is not so, who can prove me to be a liar; -\q who can make my speech worth nothing?" - - - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "Dominion and fear are with him; -\q he makes order in his high places of heaven. -\q -\v 3 Is there any end to the number of his armies? -\q Upon whom does his light not shine? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 How then can man be righteous with God? -\q How can he who is born of a woman be clean, acceptable to him? -\q -\v 5 See, even the moon has no brightness to him; -\q the stars are not pure in his sight. -\q -\v 6 How much less man, who is a worm— -\q a son of man, who is a worm!" - - - - -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered and said, -\q -\v 2 "How you have helped one who has no power! -\q How you have saved the arm that has no strength! -\q -\v 3 How you have advised one who has no wisdom -\q and announced to him sound knowledge! -\q -\v 4 With whose help have you spoken these words? -\q Whose spirit was it that came out from you? - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 The dead are made to tremble, -\q those who are beneath the waters -\q and all who dwell in them. -\q -\v 6 Sheol is naked before God; -\q destruction itself has no covering against him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 He stretches out the northern skies -\q over the empty space, -\q and he hangs the earth over nothing. -\q -\v 8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, -\q but the clouds are not torn under them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 He covers the surface of the moon -\q and spreads his clouds on it. -\q -\v 10 He has engraved a circular boundary on the surface of the waters -\q as the line between light and darkness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 The pillars of heaven tremble -\q and are astonished at his rebuke. -\q -\v 12 He calmed the sea with his power; -\q by his understanding he shattered Rahab. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 By his breath he made the skies clear; -\q his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. -\q -\v 14 See, these are but the fringes of his ways; -\q how small a whisper do we hear of him! -\q Who can understand the thunder of his power?" - - - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 Job resumed speaking and he said, -\q -\v 2 "As surely as God lives, who has taken away my justice, -\q the Almighty, who made my life bitter, -\q -\v 3 while my life is yet in me, -\q and the breath from God is in my nostrils, -\q this is what I will do. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 My lips will not speak wickedness, -\q neither will my tongue speak deceit; -\v 5 I will never admit that you three are right; -\q until I die I will never deny my integrity. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 I hold fast to my righteousness and will not let it go; -\q my thoughts will not reproach me so long as I live. -\q -\v 7 Let my enemy be like a wicked man; -\q let him who rises up against me be like an unrighteous man. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 For what is the hope of a godless man when God cuts him off, -\q when God takes away his life? -\q -\v 9 Will God hear his cry -\q when trouble comes upon him? -\q -\v 10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty -\q and call upon God at all times? - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; -\q I will not conceal the thoughts of the Almighty. -\q -\v 12 See, all of you have seen this yourselves; -\q why then have you spoken all this nonsense? - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 This is the destiny of a wicked man with God, -\q the heritage of the oppressor that he receives from the Almighty: -\q -\v 14 If his children multiply, it is for the sword; -\q his offspring will never have enough food. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Those who survive him will be buried by plague, -\q and their widows will make no lament for them. -\q -\v 16 Though the wicked man heaps up silver like the dust, -\q and heaps up clothing like clay, -\q -\v 17 he may heap up clothing, but righteous people will put it on, -\q and innocent people will divide up the silver among themselves. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 He builds his house like a spider, -\q like a hut that a guard makes. -\q -\v 19 He lies down in bed rich, but he will not keep doing so; -\q he opens his eyes, and everything is gone. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Terrors overtake him like waters; -\q a storm takes him away in the night. -\q -\v 21 The east wind carries him away, and he leaves; -\q it sweeps him out of his place. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 It throws itself at him and does not stop; -\q he tries to flee out of its hand. -\q -\v 23 It claps its hands at him in mockery; -\q it hisses him out of his place. - - - - -\s5 -\c 28 -\m -\q -\v 1 Surely there is a mine for silver, -\q a place where they refine gold. -\q -\v 2 Iron is taken out of the earth; -\q copper is smelted out of the stone. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 A man sets an end to darkness -\q and searches out, to the farthest limit, -\q the stones in obscurity and thick darkness. -\q -\v 4 He breaks open a shaft away from where people live, -\q places that are forgotten by anyone's foot. -\q He hangs far away from people; he swings to and fro. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 As for the earth, out of which comes bread, -\q it is turned up below as if by fire. -\q -\v 6 Its stones are the place where sapphires are found, -\q and its dust contains gold. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 No bird of prey knows the path to it, -\q nor has the falcon's eye seen it. -\q -\v 8 The proud animals have not walked such a path, -\q nor has the fierce lion passed there. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 A man lays his hand on the flinty rock; -\q he overturns mountains by their roots. -\q -\v 10 He cuts out channels among the rocks; -\q his eye sees every valuable thing there. -\q -\v 11 He ties up the streams so they do not run; -\q what is hidden there he brings out to the light. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Where will wisdom be found? -\q Where is the place of understanding? -\q -\v 13 Man does not know its price; -\q neither is it found in the land of the living. -\q -\v 14 The deep waters under the earth say, 'It is not in me'; -\q the sea says, 'It is not with me.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 It cannot be gotten for gold; -\q neither can silver be weighed as its price. -\q -\v 16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, -\q with precious onyx or sapphire. -\q -\v 17 Gold and crystal cannot equal it in worth; -\q neither can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 No mention is worth making of coral or jasper; -\q indeed, the price of wisdom is more than rubies. -\q -\v 19 The topaz of Cush does not equal it; -\q neither can it be valued in terms of pure gold. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 From where, then, comes wisdom? -\q Where is the place of understanding? -\q -\v 21 Wisdom is hidden from the eyes of all living things -\q and is kept hidden from the birds of the heavens. -\q -\v 22 Destruction and Death say, -\q 'We have heard just a rumor about it with our ears.' -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 God understands the way to it; -\q he knows its place. -\q -\v 24 For he looks to the very ends of the earth -\q and sees under all the heavens. -\q -\v 25 He made the force of the wind -\q and parceled out the waters by measure. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 He made a decree for the rain -\q and a path for the thunder. -\q -\v 27 Then he saw wisdom and announced it; -\q he established it, indeed, and he examined it. -\q -\v 28 To people he said, -\q 'See, the fear of the Lord—that is wisdom; -\q to depart from evil is understanding.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 Job resumed speaking and said, -\q -\v 2 "Oh, that I were as I was in the past months -\q when God cared for me, -\q -\v 3 when his lamp shined on my head, -\q and when I walked through darkness by his light. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Oh, that I were as I was in the ripeness of my days -\q when the friendship of God was on my tent, -\q -\v 5 when the Almighty was yet with me, -\q and my children were around me, -\q -\v 6 when my way was covered with cream, -\q and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 When I went out to the city gate, -\q when I sat in my place in the city square, -\q -\v 8 the young men saw me and kept their distance from me in respect, -\q and the aged people rose and stood for me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 The princes used to refrain from talking when I came; -\q they would lay their hand on their mouths. -\q -\v 10 The voices of the noblemen were hushed, -\q and their tongue clung to the roof of their mouths. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 For after their ears heard me, they would then bless me; -\q after their eyes saw me, they would then give witness to me and approve of me -\q -\v 12 because I rescued the one who was poor when he cried out, -\q and the one who had no father when he had no one to help him. -\q -\v 13 The blessing of him who was about to perish came on me; -\q I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; -\q my justice was like a robe and a turban. -\q -\v 15 I was eyes to blind people; -\q I was feet to lame people. -\q -\v 16 I was a father to needy people; -\q I would examine the case even of one whom I did not know. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 I broke the jaws of the unrighteous man; -\q I plucked the victim out from between his teeth. -\q -\v 18 Then I said, 'I will die in my nest; -\q I will multiply my days like the grains of sand. -\q -\v 19 My roots are spread out to the waters, -\q and dew lies all night on my branches. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 The honor in me is always fresh, -\q and the bow of my strength is always new in my hand.' -\q -\v 21 To me men listened; they waited for me; -\q they stayed silent to hear my advice. -\q -\v 22 After my words were done, they did not speak again; -\q my speech dropped like water on them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 They always waited for me as they waited for rain; -\q they opened their mouth wide to drink in my words, -\q as they would do for the latter rain. -\q -\v 24 I smiled on them when they did not expect it; -\q they did not reject the light of my face. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 I selected their way and sat as their chief; -\q I lived like a king in his army, -\q like one who comforts mourners. - - - - -\s5 -\c 30 -\m -\q -\v 1 Now those who are younger than I have nothing but mockery for me— -\q these young men whose fathers I would have refused to allow to work beside the dogs of my flock. -\q -\v 2 Indeed, the strength of their fathers' hands, how could it have helped me— -\q men in whom the strength of their mature age had perished? -\q -\v 3 They were thin from poverty and hunger; -\q they gnawed at the dry ground in the darkness of wilderness and desolation. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 They plucked saltwort and bushes' leaves; -\q the roots of the broom tree were their food. -\q -\v 5 They were driven out from among people -\q who shouted after them as one would shout after a thief. -\q -\v 6 So they had to live in river valleys, -\q in holes of the earth and of the rocks. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Among the bushes they brayed like donkeys -\q and they gathered together under the nettles. -\q -\v 8 They were the sons of fools, indeed, sons of nameless people! -\q They were driven out of the land with whips. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 But now, for their sons I have become their subject for a song of mockery; -\q indeed, I am now a joke to them. -\q -\v 10 They abhor me and stand far off from me; -\q they do not refrain from spitting in my face. -\q -\v 11 For God has unstrung the string to my bow and afflicted me, -\q and those who taunt me cast off restraint before my face. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Upon my right hand rise the rabble; -\q they drive me away and -\q pile up against me their siege mounds. -\q -\v 13 They destroy my path; -\q they push forward disaster for me, -\q men who have no one to hold them back. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 They come against me like an army through a wide hole in a city wall; -\q in the midst of the destruction they roll themselves in on me. -\q -\v 15 Terrors are turned upon me; -\q my honor is driven away as if by the wind; -\q my prosperity passes away as a cloud. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Now my life is pouring out from within me; -\q many days of suffering have laid hold on me. -\q -\v 17 In the night my bones in me are pierced; -\q the pains that gnaw at me take no rest. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 God's great force has seized my clothing; -\q it wraps around me like the collar of my tunic. -\q -\v 19 He has thrown me into the mud; -\q I have become like dust and ashes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 I cry to you, God, but you do not answer me; -\q I stand up, and you merely look at me. -\q -\v 21 You have changed and become cruel to me; -\q with the strength of your hand you persecute me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 You lift me up to the wind and cause it to drive me along; -\q you throw me back and forth in a storm. -\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa you dissolve me in a storm \fqa* . \f* -\q -\v 23 For I know that you will bring me to death, -\q to the house destined for all living things. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 However, does no one reach out with his hand to beg for help when he falls? -\q Does no one in trouble call out for help? -\q -\v 25 Did not I weep for him who was in trouble? -\q Did I not grieve for the needy man? -\q -\v 26 When I hoped for good, then evil came; -\q when I waited for light, darkness came instead. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 My heart is troubled and does not rest; -\q days of affliction have come on me. -\q -\v 28 I have gone about like one who was living in the dark, -\q but not because of the sun; -\q I stand up in the assembly and cry for help. -\q -\v 29 I am a brother to jackals, -\q a companion of ostriches. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 My skin is black and falls away from me; -\q my bones are burned with heat. -\q -\v 31 Therefore my harp is tuned for songs of mourning, -\q my flute for the singing of those who wail. - - - - -\s5 -\c 31 -\m -\q -\v 1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; -\q how then should I look with desire on a virgin? -\q -\v 2 For what is the portion from God above, -\q the inheritance from the Almighty on high? - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 I used to think that calamity is for unrighteous people, -\q and that disaster is for doers of wickedness. -\q -\v 4 Does not God see my ways -\q and count all my steps? -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 If I have walked with falsehood, -\q if my foot has hurried to deceit, -\q -\v 6 let me be weighed in an even balance -\q so that God will know my integrity. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 If my step has turned aside from the way, -\q if my heart has gone after my eyes, -\q if any spot has stuck to my hands, -\q -\v 8 then let me sow, and let another eat, -\q and let my crops be uprooted. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 If my heart has been deceived by a woman, -\q if I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door, -\q -\v 10 then let my wife grind grain for another, -\q and let others bow down on her. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 For that would be a terrible crime; -\q indeed, it would be a crime to be punished by judges. -\q -\v 12 For that is a fire that consumes everything for Sheol -\q and that would burn up all my harvest. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 If I ignored the plea for justice from my male or female servant -\q when they argued with me, -\q -\v 14 what then would I do when God rises up to accuse me? -\q When he comes to judge me, how would I answer him? -\q -\v 15 Did the one who made me in the womb not make them also? -\q Did not the same one mold us all in the womb? -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 If I have withheld poor people from their desire, -\q or if I have caused the eyes of the widow to grow dim from crying, -\q -\v 17 or if I have eaten my morsel alone -\q and not allowed those without fathers to eat it also— -\q -\v 18 because from my youth the orphan grew up with me as with a father, -\q and I have guided his mother, a widow, from my own mother's womb. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, -\q or if I have seen that a needy man had no clothing; -\q -\v 20 if his heart has not blessed me -\q because he has not been warmed with the wool of my sheep, -\q -\v 21 if I have lifted up my hand against fatherless people -\q because I saw my support in the city gate, -\q then bring charges against me! - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 If I have done these things, then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade, -\q and let my arm be broken from its joint. -\q -\v 23 For I dreaded destruction from God; -\q because of his majesty, I was not able to do those things. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 If I have made gold my hope, -\q and if I have said to fine gold, 'You are what I am confident in'; -\q -\v 25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, -\q because my hand had gotten many possessions, -\q then bring charges against me! - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 If I have seen the sun when it shone, -\q or the moon walking in its brightness, -\q -\v 27 and if my heart has been secretly attracted, -\q so that my mouth has kissed my hand in worship of them— -\q -\v 28 this also would be a crime to be punished by judges, -\q for I would have denied the God who is above. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 If I have rejoiced at the destruction of anyone who hated me -\q or congratulated myself when disaster overtook him, -\q then bring charges against me! -\q -\v 30 Indeed, I have not even allowed my mouth to sin -\q by asking for his life with a curse. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 If the men of my tent have never said, -\q 'Who can find one who has not been filled with Job's food?' -\q -\v 32 (even the foreigner has never had to stay in the city square, -\q because I have always opened my doors to the traveler), -\q and if that is not so, then bring charges against me! - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 If, like mankind, I have hidden my sins -\q by hiding my guilt inside my tunic -\q -\v 34 (because I feared the great multitude, -\q because the contempt of families terrified me, -\q so that I kept silent and would not go outside), -\q then bring charges against me! - -\s5 -\q -\v 35 Oh, if only I had someone to hear me! -\q See, here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me! -\q If only I had the indictment that my opponent has written! -\q -\v 36 Surely I would carry it openly on my shoulder; -\q I would put it on like a crown. -\q -\v 37 I would declare to him an accounting for my steps; -\q as a confident prince I would go up to him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 38 If my land ever cries out against me, -\q and its furrows weep together, -\q -\v 39 if I have eaten its harvest without paying for it -\q or have caused its owners to lose their lives, -\q -\v 40 then let thorns grow instead of wheat -\q and weeds instead of barley." -\m -\p The words of Job are finished. - - - -\s5 -\c 32 -\p -\v 1 So these three men stopped answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. -\v 2 Then was kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram; it was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God. - -\s5 -\v 3 Elihu's anger was also kindled against his three friends because they had found no answer to Job, and yet they had condemned Job. -\v 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the other men were older than he. -\v 5 However, when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, his anger was kindled. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up and said, -\q "I am young, and you are very old. -\q That is why I held back and did not dare to tell you my own opinion. -\q -\v 7 I said, "Length of days should speak; -\q a multitude of years should teach wisdom. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 But there is a spirit in a man; -\q the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. -\q -\v 9 It is not only the great people who are wise, -\q nor the aged people alone who understand justice. -\q -\v 10 Therefore I say to you, 'Listen to me; -\q I will also tell you my knowledge.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 See, I waited for your words; -\q I listened to your arguments -\q while you were thinking about what to say. -\q -\v 12 Indeed, I paid attention to you, -\q but, see, there was not one of you who could convince Job -\q or who could respond to his words. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Be careful not to say, 'We have found wisdom!' -\q God will have to defeat Job; mere man cannot do it. -\q -\v 14 For Job has not directed his words against me, -\q so I will not answer him with your words. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 These three men are dumbfounded; they can answer Job no longer; -\q they have not a word more to say. -\q -\v 16 Should I wait because they are not speaking, -\q because they stand there silent and answer no more? - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 No, I also will answer on my part; -\q I will also tell them my knowledge. -\q -\v 18 For I am full of words; -\q the spirit in me compels me. -\q -\v 19 See, my breast is like fermenting wine that has no vent; -\q like new wineskins, it is ready to burst. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 I will speak so that I may be refreshed; -\q I will open my lips and answer. -\q -\v 21 I will not show favoritism; -\q neither will I give honorific titles to any man. -\q -\v 22 For I do not know how to give such titles; -\q if I did so, my Maker would soon take me away. - - -\s5 -\c 33 -\m -\q -\v 1 So now, Job, I beg you, hear my speech; -\q listen to all my words. -\q -\v 2 See now, I have opened my mouth; -\q my tongue has spoken in my mouth. -\q -\v 3 My words come from the uprightness of my heart; -\q my lips speak pure knowledge. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 The Spirit of God has made me; -\q the breath of the Almighty has given me life. -\q -\v 5 If you can, answer me; -\q set your words in order before me and stand up. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 See, I am just as you are in God's sight; -\q I also have been formed out of the clay. -\q -\v 7 See, terror of me will not make you afraid; -\q neither will my pressure be heavy upon you. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 You have certainly spoken in my hearing; -\q I have heard the sound of your words saying, -\q -\v 9 'I am clean and without transgression; -\q I am innocent, and there is no sin in me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 See, God finds opportunities to attack me; -\q he regards me as his enemy. -\q -\v 11 He puts my feet in stocks; -\q he watches all my paths.' -\q -\v 12 See, in this you are not right—I will answer you, -\q for God is greater than man. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Why do you struggle against him? -\q He does not account for any of his doings. -\q -\v 14 For God speaks once— -\q yes, twice, though man does not notice it. -\q -\v 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, -\q when deep sleep falls upon men, -\q in slumber on the bed— - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 then God opens the ears of men, -\q and frightens them with threats, -\q -\v 17 in order to pull man back from his sinful purposes, -\q and keep pride from him. -\q -\v 18 God keeps man's life back from the pit, -\q his life from crossing over to death. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Man is punished also with pain on his bed, -\q with constant agony in his bones, -\q -\v 20 so that his life abhors food, -\q and his soul abhors delicacies. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 His flesh is consumed away so that it cannot be seen; -\q his bones, once not seen, now stick out. -\q -\v 22 Indeed, his soul draws close to the pit, -\q his life to those who wish to destroy it. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 But if there is an angel who can be a mediator for him, -\q a mediator, one from among the thousands of angels, -\q to show him what is right to do, -\q -\v 24 and if the angel is kind to him and says to God, -\q 'Save this person from going down to the pit; -\q I have found a ransom for him,' - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 then his flesh will become fresher than a child's; -\q he will return to the days of his youthful strength. -\q -\v 26 He will pray to God, and God will be kind to him, -\q so that he sees God's face with joy. -\q God will give the person his triumph. -\s5 -\q -\v 27 Then that person will sing in front of other people and say, -\q 'I sinned and perverted that which was right, -\q but my sin was not punished. -\q -\v 28 God has rescued my soul from going down into the pit; -\q my life will continue to see light.' -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 See, God does all these things with a person, -\q twice, yes, even three times, -\q -\v 30 to bring his soul back from the pit, -\q so that he may be enlightened with the light of life. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; -\q be silent and I will speak. -\q -\v 32 If you have anything to say, answer me; -\q speak, for I wish to prove that you are in the right. -\q -\v 33 If not, then listen to me; -\q remain silent, and I will teach you wisdom." - - - - -\s5 -\c 34 -\p -\v 1 Moreover, Elihu continued to speak: -\q -\v 2 "Listen to my words, you wise men; -\q hear me, you who have knowledge. -\q -\v 3 For the ear tries words -\q as the palate tastes food. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Let us choose for ourselves what is just: -\q let us discover among ourselves what is good. -\q -\v 5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, -\q but God has taken away my rights. -\q -\v 6 Regardless of my rights, I am considered to be a liar. -\q My wound is incurable, although I am without sin.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 What man is like Job, -\q who drinks up mockery like water, -\q -\v 8 who goes around in the company of those who do evil, -\q and who walks with wicked men? -\q -\v 9 For he has said, 'It is no use to a person -\q to take pleasure in doing what God wants.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 So listen to me, you men of understanding: -\q far be it from God that he should do wickedness; -\q far be it from the Almighty that he should commit sin. -\q -\v 11 For he pays back a person's work; -\q he makes every man come upon the reward of his own ways. -\q -\v 12 Indeed, God does nothing wicked, -\q nor does the Almighty ever pervert justice. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Who put him in charge over the earth? -\q Who put the whole world under him? -\q -\v 14 If he ever set his intentions only on himself, -\q and if he ever gathered back to himself his spirit and his breath, -\q -\v 15 then all flesh would perish together; -\q mankind would return to dust again. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 If now you have understanding, listen to this; -\q listen to the sound of my words. -\q -\v 17 Can one who hates justice govern? -\q Will you condemn God, who is righteous and mighty? - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 God, who says to a king, 'You are vile,' -\q or says to nobles, 'You are wicked'? -\q -\v 19 God, who does not show favoritism to leaders -\q and does not acknowledge rich people more than poor, -\q for they all are the work of his hands. -\q -\v 20 In a moment they will die; -\q at midnight people will be shaken and will pass away; -\q mighty people will be taken away, but not by human hands. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 For God's eyes are upon a person's ways; -\q he sees all his steps. -\q -\v 22 There is no darkness, no thick gloom -\q where the doers of iniquity may hide themselves. -\q -\v 23 For God does not need to examine a person further; -\q there is no need for any person to go before him in judgment. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 He breaks mighty men into pieces for their ways that need no further investigation; -\q he puts others in their places. -\q -\v 25 In this way he has knowledge of their deeds; -\q he overthrows these people in the night; they are destroyed. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 In the open sight of others, he kills them for their wicked deeds like criminals -\q -\v 27 because they turned away from following him -\q and refused to acknowledge any of his ways. -\q -\v 28 In this way, they made the cry of poor people come to him; -\q he heard the cry of afflicted people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 When he stays silent, who can condemn him? -\q If he hides his face, who can perceive him? -\q He rules over nation and individual alike, -\q -\v 30 so that a godless man may not rule, -\q so that there may be no one to entrap people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 Suppose someone says to God, -\q 'I am certainly guilty, but I will not sin any longer; -\q -\v 32 teach me what I cannot see; -\q I have committed sin, but I will do it no longer.' -\q -\v 33 Do you think that God will punish that person's sin, since you dislike what God does? -\q You must choose, not I. -\q So say what it is that you know. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 Men of understanding will say to me— -\q indeed, every wise man who hears me will say, -\q -\v 35 'Job speaks without knowledge; -\q his words are without wisdom.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 36 If only Job were put on trial in the smallest details of his case -\q because of his talking like wicked men. -\q -\v 37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; -\q he claps his hands in mockery in our midst; -\q he piles up words against God." - - - - -\s5 -\c 35 -\p -\v 1 Moreover Elihu continued, saying, -\q -\v 2 "Do you think this is just -\q when you say, 'My right before God'? -\q -\v 3 For you ask, 'What use is it to me?' -\q and, 'Would I be better off if I had sinned?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 I will answer you, -\q both you and your friends. -\q -\v 5 Look up at the sky, and see it; -\q see the sky, which is higher than you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 If you have sinned, what harm do you do to God? -\q If your transgressions pile up high, what do you do to him? -\q -\v 7 If you are righteous, what can you give to him? -\q What will he receive from your hand? -\q -\v 8 Your wickedness may hurt a man, as you are a man, -\q and your righteousness might benefit another son of man. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Because of many acts of oppression, people cry out; -\q they call for help from the arms of mighty men. -\q -\v 10 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, -\q who gives songs in the night, -\q -\v 11 who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth, -\q and who makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 There they cry out, but God gives no answer -\q because of the pride of evil men. -\q -\v 13 God will certainly not hear a foolish cry; -\q the Almighty will pay no attention to it. -\q -\v 14 How much less will he answer you if you say that you do not see him, -\q that your case is before him, and that you are waiting for him! - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 How much less will he answer you if you say that he never punishes anyone in anger, -\q and that he is not very concerned about people's pride. -\q -\v 16 So Job opens his mouth only to speak foolishness; -\q he piles up words without knowledge." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 36 -\p -\v 1 Elihu continued on and said, -\q -\v 2 "Permit me to speak a little longer, and I will show you some things -\q because I have a little more to say in defense of God. -\q -\v 3 I will obtain my knowledge from far off; -\q I will acknowledge that righteousness belongs to my Maker. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 For indeed, my words will not be false; -\q someone who is mature in knowledge is with you. -\q -\v 5 See, God is mighty, and despises no one; -\q he is mighty in strength of understanding. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 He does not preserve the life of wicked people -\q but instead does what is right for those who suffer. -\q -\v 7 He does not withdraw his eyes from righteous people -\q but instead sets them on thrones like kings forever, -\q and they are lifted up. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 If they are bound in chains -\q and trapped in cords of suffering, -\q -\v 9 then he reveals to them what they have done, -\q and their transgressions and their pride. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 He also opens their ears to his instruction, -\q and commands them to turn back from iniquity. -\q -\v 11 If they listen to him and worship him, -\q they will spend their days in prosperity, -\q their years in contentment. -\q -\v 12 However, if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword; -\q they will die because they have no knowledge. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Those who are godless in heart store up their anger; -\q they do not cry out for help even when God ties them up. -\q -\v 14 They die in their youth; -\q their lives end among the cultic prostitutes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 God rescues afflicted people by means of their afflictions; -\q he opens their ears by means of their oppression. -\q -\v 16 Indeed, he would like to draw you out of distress -\q into a broad place where there is no hardship -\q and where your table would be set with food full of fatness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 But you are full of judgment on wicked people; -\q judgment and justice have laid hold of you. -\q -\v 18 Do not let your anger entice you to mockery, -\q or the greatness of a ransom to turn you aside. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Can your wealth benefit you, so that you will not be in distress, -\q or can all the force of your strength help you? -\q -\v 20 Do not desire the night, to commit sin against others, -\q when peoples are cut off in their place. -\q -\v 21 Be careful that you do not turn to sin -\q because you are being tested by suffering so that you will stay away from sinning. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 See, God is exalted in his power; -\q who is a teacher like him? -\q -\v 23 Who has ever instructed him about his way? -\q Who can ever say to him, 'You have committed unrighteousness?' -\q -\v 24 Remember to praise his deeds, -\q of which people have sung. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 All people have looked on those deeds, -\q but they see those deeds only from far away. -\q -\v 26 See, God is great, but we do not understand him well; -\q the number of his years is incalculable. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 For he draws up the drops of water -\q that he distills as rain from his vapor, -\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa that distill as rain from his vapor \fqa* . \f* -\q -\v 28 which the clouds pour down -\q and drop in abundance on mankind. -\q -\v 29 Indeed, can anyone understand the extensive spread of the clouds -\q and the thunder from his hut? - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 See, he spreads his lightning around him -\q and covers the roots of the sea. -\q -\v 31 In this way he judges the peoples -\q and gives food in abundance. - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 He fills his hands with the lightning -\q until he commands it to strike its mark. -\q -\v 33 Its thunder warns of the storm, -\q the cattle can also hear it is coming. - - - - -\s5 -\c 37 -\m -\q -\v 1 Indeed, my heart trembles at this; -\q it is moved out of its place. -\q -\v 2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, -\q the sound that goes out from his mouth. -\q -\v 3 He sends it out under the whole sky, -\q and he sends out his lightning to the edges of the earth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 A voice roars after it; -\q he thunders with the voice of his majesty; -\q he does not restrain the lightning bolts when his voice is heard. -\q -\v 5 God thunders marvelously with his voice; -\q he does great things that we cannot comprehend. -\q -\v 6 For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; -\q likewise to the rain shower, -\q 'Become a great shower of rain.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 He stops the hand of every man from working, -\q so that all people whom he has made may see his deeds. -\q -\v 8 Then the beasts go into hiding -\q and stay in their dens. -\q -\v 9 The storm comes from its chamber in the south -\q and the cold from the scattering winds in the north. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 By the breath of God ice is given; -\q the expanse of the waters is frozen like metal. -\q -\v 11 Indeed, he weighs down the thick cloud with moisture; -\q he scatters his lightning through the clouds. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 He swirls the clouds around by his guidance, -\q so that they may do whatever he commands them -\q above the surface of the whole world. -\q -\v 13 He makes all of this happen; sometimes it happens for correction, sometimes for his land, -\q and sometimes as acts of covenant faithfulness. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Listen to this, Job; -\q stop and think about God's marvelous deeds. -\q -\v 15 Do you know how God establishes the clouds -\q and makes the lightning bolts to flash in them? - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Do you understand the floating of the clouds, -\q the marvelous deeds of God, who is perfect in knowledge? -\q -\v 17 Do you understand how your garments become hot -\q when the land is still because the wind comes from the south? - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Can you spread out the sky as he can— -\q the sky, which is as strong as a mirror of cast metal? -\q -\v 19 Teach us what we should say to him, -\q for we cannot lay out our arguments in order because of the darkness of our minds. -\q -\v 20 Should he be told that I wish to speak with him? -\q Would a person wish to be swallowed up? -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Now, people cannot look at the sun when it is bright in the sky -\q after the wind has passed through and has cleared it of its clouds. -\q -\v 22 Out of the north comes golden splendor— -\q over God is fearsome majesty. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 As for the Almighty, we cannot find him! -\q He is great in power; -\q he does not oppress justice and abundant righteousness. -\q -\v 24 Therefore, people fear him. -\q He does not pay any attention to those who are wise in their own minds." - - - - -\s5 -\c 38 -\p -\v 1 Then Yahweh called to Job out of a fierce storm and said, -\q -\v 2 "Who is this who brings darkness to plans -\q by means of words without knowledge? -\q -\v 3 Now gird up your loins like a man -\q for I will ask you questions, and you must answer me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Where were you when I laid the earth's foundations? -\q Tell me, if you have so much understanding. -\q -\v 5 Who determined its dimensions? Tell me, if you know. -\q Who stretched the measuring line over it? - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 On what were its foundations laid? -\q Who laid its cornerstone -\q -\v 7 when the morning stars sang together -\q and all the sons of God shouted for joy? - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Who shut up the sea with doors -\q when it burst out, as if it had come out of the womb— -\q -\v 9 when I made clouds its clothing, -\q and thick darkness its swaddling bands? - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 That was when I marked out for the sea my boundary, -\q and when I placed its bars and doors, -\q -\v 11 and when I said to it, 'You may come this far, but no farther; -\q here is where I will put a boundary to the pride of your waves.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Have you given orders to the morning, -\q or caused the dawn to know its place, -\q -\v 13 so that it might take hold of the edges of the earth -\q and shake the wicked out of it? - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 The earth is changed in appearance like clay changes under a seal; -\q all things on it stand out clearly like the folds of a piece of clothing. -\q -\v 15 From wicked people their 'light' is taken away; -\q their uplifted arm is broken. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Have you gone to the sources of the waters of the sea? -\q Have you walked in the lowest parts of the deep? -\q -\v 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? -\q Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? -\q -\v 18 Have you understood the earth in its expanse? -\q Tell me, if you know it all. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Where is the way to the resting place of light— -\q as for darkness, where is its place? -\q -\v 20 Can you lead light and darkness to their places of work? -\q Can you find the way back to their houses for them? -\q -\v 21 Undoubtedly you know, for you were born then; -\q the number of your days is so large! - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Have you entered the storehouses for the snow, -\q or have you seen the storehouses for the hail, -\q -\v 23 these things that I have kept for times of trouble, -\q for days of battle and war? -\q -\v 24 What is the path to where the lightning bolts are distributed -\q or to where the winds are scattered from the east over the earth? - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 Who has created the channels for the floods of rain, -\q or who has made a path for the thunder, -\q -\v 26 to cause it to rain on lands where no person exists, -\q and on the wilderness, in which there is no one, -\q -\v 27 to satisfy the devastated and desolate places, -\q and to make the ground sprout with grass? - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Does the rain have a father, -\q or, who fathers the drops of dew? -\q -\v 29 Out of whose womb did the ice come? -\q Who bore the white frost out of the sky? -\q -\v 30 The waters hide themselves and become like stone; -\q the surface of the deep becomes frozen. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 Can you fasten chains on the Pleiades, -\q or undo the cords of Orion? -\q -\v 32 Can you lead the constellations to appear at their proper times? -\q Can you guide the Bear with its children? -\q -\v 33 Do you know the regulations of the sky? -\q Could you set in place the sky's rule over the earth? - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 Can you raise your voice up to the clouds, -\q so that an abundance of rainwater may cover you? -\q -\v 35 Can you send out bolts of lightning that they may go out, -\q that they say to you, 'Here we are'? - -\s5 -\q -\v 36 Who has put wisdom in the clouds -\q or has given understanding to the mists? -\q -\v 37 Who can number the clouds by his skill? -\q Who can pour out the water skins of the sky -\q -\v 38 when the dust runs into a hard mass -\q and the clods of earth clump tightly together? - -\s5 -\q -\v 39 Can you hunt down a victim for a lioness -\q or satisfy the appetite of her young lion cubs -\q -\v 40 when they are crouching in their dens -\q and sheltering in hiding to lie in wait? - -\s5 -\q -\v 41 Who provides victims for the ravens -\q when their young ones cry out to God -\q and stagger about for lack of food? - - - - -\s5 -\c 39 -\m -\q -\v 1 Do you know at what time the wild goats in the rocks bear their young? -\q Can you watch when the deer are having their fawns? -\q -\v 2 Can you count the months that they gestate? -\q Do you know the time when they bear their young? - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 They crouch down and birth their young, -\q and then they finish their labor pains. -\q -\v 4 Their young ones become strong and grow up in the open fields; -\q they go out and do not come back again. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Who let the wild donkey go free? -\q Who has untied the bonds of the swift donkey, -\q -\v 6 whose home I have made in the Arabah, -\q his house in the salt land? -\s5 -\q -\v 7 He laughs in scorn at the noises in the city; -\q he does not hear the driver's shouts. -\q -\v 8 He roams over the mountains as his pastures; -\q there he looks for every green plant to eat. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Will the wild ox be happy to serve you? -\q Will he consent to stay by your manger? -\q -\v 10 With a rope, can you control the wild ox to plow the furrows? -\q Will he harrow the valleys for you? - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Will you trust him because his strength is great? -\q Will you leave your work to him to do? -\q -\v 12 Will you depend on him to bring your grain home, -\q to gather the grain for your threshing floor? -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, -\q but are they the pinions and plumage of love? -\q -\v 14 For she leaves her eggs on the earth, -\q and she lets them keep warm in the dust; -\q -\v 15 she forgets that a foot might crush them -\q or that a wild beast might trample them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 She deals roughly with her young ones as if they were not hers; -\q she does not fear that her labor might have been in vain, -\q -\v 17 because God has deprived her of wisdom -\q and has not given her any understanding. -\q -\v 18 When she runs swiftly, -\q she laughs in scorn at the horse and its rider. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Have you given the horse his strength? -\q Did you clothe his neck with his flowing mane? -\q -\v 20 Have you ever made him jump like a locust? -\q The majesty of his snorting is fearsome. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 He paws in might and rejoices in his strength; -\q he rushes out to meet the weapons. -\q -\v 22 He mocks fear and is not dismayed; -\q he does not turn back from the sword. -\q -\v 23 The quiver rattles against his flank, -\q along with the flashing spear and the javelin. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 He swallows up ground with fierceness and rage; -\q at the trumpet's sound, he cannot stand in one place. -\q -\v 25 Whenever the trumpet sounds, he says, 'Aha!' -\q He smells the battle from far away— -\q the thunderous shouts of the commanders and the outcries. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, -\q that he stretches out his wings for the south? - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 Is it at your orders that the eagle mounts up -\q and makes his nest in high places? -\q -\v 28 He lives on cliffs and makes his home -\q on the peaks of cliffs, a stronghold. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 From there he searches for victims; -\q his eyes see them from very far away. -\q -\v 30 His young also drink up blood; -\q where killed people are, there he is." - - - - -\s5 -\c 40 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh continued to speak to Job; he said, -\q -\v 2 "Should anyone who wishes to criticize try to correct the Almighty? -\q He who argues with God, let him answer." - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Then Job answered Yahweh and said, -\q -\v 4 "See, I am insignificant; how can I answer you? -\q I put my hand over my mouth. -\q -\v 5 I spoke once, and I will not answer; -\q indeed, twice, but I will proceed no further." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then Yahweh answered Job out of a fierce storm and said, -\q -\v 7 "Now gird up your loins like a man, -\q for I will ask you questions, and you must answer me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Will you actually say that I am unjust? -\q Will you condemn me so you may claim you are right? -\q -\v 9 Do you have an arm like God's? -\q Can you thunder with a voice like him? - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Now clothe yourself in glory and dignity; -\q array yourself in honor and majesty. -\q -\v 11 Scatter around the excess of your anger; -\q look at everyone who is proud and bring him down. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Look at everyone who is proud and bring him low; -\q trample down wicked people where they stand. -\q -\v 13 Bury them in the earth together; -\q imprison their faces in the hidden place. -\q -\v 14 Then will I also acknowledge about you -\q that your own right hand can save you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Look now at the behemoth, which I made when I made you; -\q he eats grass like an ox. -\q -\v 16 See now, his strength is in his loins; -\q his power is in his belly's muscles. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 He makes his tail like a cedar; -\q the sinews of his thighs are joined together. -\q -\v 18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; -\q his legs are like bars of iron. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 He is the chief of the creatures of God. -\q Only God, who made him, can defeat him. -\q -\v 20 For the hills provide him with food; -\q the beasts of the field play nearby. -\q -\v 21 He lies under the lotus plants -\q in the shelter of the reeds, in the marshes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 The lotus plants cover him with their shade; -\q the willows of the brook are all around him. -\q -\v 23 See, if a river floods its banks, he does not tremble; -\q he is confident, though the Jordan should surge up to his mouth. -\q -\v 24 Can anyone capture him with a hook, -\q or pierce his nose through with a snare? - - - - -\s5 -\c 41 -\m -\q -\v 1 Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook? -\q Or tie up his jaws with a cord? -\q -\v 2 Can you put a rope into his nose, -\q or pierce his jaw through with a hook? -\q -\v 3 Will he make many pleas to you? -\q Will he speak soft words to you? - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Will he make a covenant with you, -\q that you should take him for a servant forever? -\q -\v 5 Will you play with him as you would with a bird? -\q Will you tie him up for your servant girls? -\q -\v 6 Will the groups of fishermen bargain for him? -\q Will they divide him up to trade among the merchants? - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Can you fill his hide with harpoons -\q or his head with fishing spears? -\q -\v 8 Put your hand on him just once, -\q and you will remember the battle and do it no more. -\q -\v 9 See, the hope of anyone who does that is a lie; -\q will not anyone be thrown down to the ground just by the sight of him? -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 None is so fierce that he dare stir Leviathan up; -\q who, then, is he who can stand before me? -\q -\v 11 Who has first given anything to me in order that I should repay him? -\q Whatever is under the whole sky is mine. -\m -\q -\v 12 I will not keep silent concerning Leviathan's legs, -\q nor about the matter of his strength, nor about his graceful form. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Who can strip off his outer covering? -\q Who can penetrate his double armor? -\q -\v 14 Who can open the doors of his face— -\q ringed with his teeth, which are a terror? -\q -\v 15 his back is made up of rows of shields, -\q tight together as with a close seal. -\m - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 One is so near to another -\q that no air can come between them. -\q -\v 17 They are joined to each other; -\q they stick together, so that they cannot be pulled apart. -\q -\v 18 Light flashes out from his snorting; -\q his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning dawn. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Out of his mouth go burning torches, -\q sparks of fire leap out. -\q -\v 20 Out of his nostrils goes smoke -\q like a boiling pot on a fire that has been fanned to be very hot. -\q -\v 21 His breath kindles coals into flame; -\q fires go out from his mouth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 In his neck is strength, -\q and terror dances in front of him. -\q -\v 23 The folds of his flesh are joined together; -\q they are firm on him; they cannot be moved. -\q -\v 24 His heart is as hard as a stone— -\q indeed, as hard as a lower millstone. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 When he raises himself up, even the gods become afraid; -\q because of fear, they draw back. -\q -\v 26 If a sword strikes him, it does nothing— -\q and neither does a spear, an arrow, or any other pointed weapon. -\q -\v 27 He thinks of iron as if it were straw, -\q and of bronze as if it were rotten wood. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 An arrow cannot make him flee; -\q to him sling stones become chaff. -\q -\v 29 Clubs are regarded as straw; -\q he laughs at the whirring flight of a spear. -\q -\v 30 His lower parts are like sharp pieces of broken pottery; -\q he leaves a spreading trail in the mud as if he were a threshing sledge. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 He makes the deep to foam up like a pot of boiling water; -\q he makes the sea like a pot of ointment. -\q -\v 32 He makes a shining wake behind him; -\q one would think the deep had gray hair. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 On earth there is no equal to him, -\q who has been made to live without fear. -\q -\v 34 He sees everything that is proud; -\q he is king over all the sons of pride." - - - -\s5 -\c 42 -\p -\v 1 Then Job answered Yahweh and said, -\q -\v 2 "I know that you can do all things, -\q that no purpose of yours can be stopped. -\q -\v 3 'Who is this who without knowledge conceals plans?' -\q Indeed, I have spoken things that I did not understand, -\q things too difficult for me to understand, which I did not know about. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 You said to me, 'Listen, now, and I will speak; -\q I will ask you things, and you will tell me.' -\q -\v 5 I had heard about you by my ear's hearing, -\q but now my eye sees you. -\q -\v 6 So I despise myself; -\q I repent in dust and ashes." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 It came about that after he had said these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has done. -\v 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer, so that I may not deal with you after your folly. You -have not said what is right about me, as my servant Job has done." -\v 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as Yahweh had commanded them, and Yahweh accepted Job. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 When Job prayed for his friends, Yahweh restored his fortunes. Yahweh gave him twice as much as he had possessed before. -\v 11 Then all Job's brothers, and all his sisters, and all who knew him before, came to him and ate food with him in his house. They showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the disasters that Yahweh had brought upon him, and each of them gave Job a piece of silver and a ring of gold. - -\s5 -\v 12 Yahweh blessed the final end of Job's life more than the first; he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand -camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. -\v 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. -\v 14 He named the first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-Happuch. - -\s5 -\v 15 In all the land no women were found as beautiful as Job's daughters. Their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. -\v 16 After this, Job lived 140 years; he saw his sons and his sons' sons, up to four generations. -\v 17 Then Job died, being old and full of days. - + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "Should a wise man answer with useless knowledge +\q and fill himself with the east wind? +\q +\v 3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk +\q or with speeches with which he can do no good? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Indeed, you diminish respect for God; +\q you obstruct devotion to him, +\q +\v 5 for your iniquity teaches your mouth; +\q you choose to have the tongue of a crafty man. +\q +\v 6 Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; +\q indeed, your own lips testify against you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Are you the first man that was born? +\q Were you brought into existence before the hills? +\q +\v 8 Have you heard the secret knowledge of God? +\q Do you limit wisdom to yourself? +\q +\v 9 What do you know that we do not know? +\q What do you understand that is not also in us? + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men +\q who are much older than your father. +\q +\v 11 Are the consolations of God too small for you, +\q the words that are gentle toward you? + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Why does your heart carry you away? +\q Why do your eyes flash, +\q +\v 13 so that you turn your spirit against God +\q and bring out such words from your mouth? +\q +\v 14 What is man that he should be clean? +\q What is he who is born of a woman that he should be righteous? + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 See, God puts no trust even in his holy ones; +\q indeed, the heavens are not clean in his sight; +\q +\v 16 how much less clean is one who is abominable and corrupt, +\q a man who drinks iniquity like water! + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 I will show you; listen to me; +\q I will announce to you the things I have seen, +\q +\v 18 the things that wise men have passed down from their fathers, +\q the things that their ancestors did not hide. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 These were their ancestors, to whom alone the land was given, +\q and among whom no stranger ever passed. +\q +\v 20 The wicked man twists in pain all his days, +\q the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor to suffer. +\q +\v 21 A sound of terrors is in his ears; +\q while he is in prosperity, the destroyer will come upon him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 He does not think that he will return out of darkness; +\q the sword waits for him. +\q +\v 23 He goes to various places for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' +\q He knows that the day of darkness is at hand. +\q +\v 24 Distress and anguish make him afraid; +\q they prevail against him, as a king ready for battle. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 Because he has reached out with his hand against God +\q and has behaved proudly against the Almighty, +\q +\v 26 this wicked man runs at God with a stiff neck, +\q with a thick shield. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 This is true, even though he has covered his face with his fat +\q and gathered fat on his loins, +\q +\v 28 and has lived in desolate cities; +\q in houses which no man inhabits now +\q and which were ready to become heaps. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 He will not be rich; his wealth will not last; +\q not even his shadow will last on the earth. +\q +\v 30 He will not depart out of darkness; +\f + \ft Several modern versions leave out \fqa He will not depart out of darkness \fqa* , because they believe that this expression was mistakenly copied from 15:22. \f* +\q a flame will dry up his stalks; +\q at the breath of God's mouth he will go away. +\f + \ft The Hebrew text has \fqa He will go away by the breath of his mouth \fqa* , which some modern versions, including the ULB and UDB, interpret as meaning the breath of God's mouth. However, other modern versions follow an ancient Greek reading, \fqa his flower will fall with the wind \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 Let him not trust in useless things, deceiving himself; +\q for uselessness will be his reward. +\q +\v 32 It will happen before his time should come to die; +\q his branch will not be green. +\q +\v 33 He will drop his unripe grapes like a grapevine; +\q he will cast off his flowers like the olive tree. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 For the company of godless people will be barren; +\q fire will consume their tents of bribery. +\q +\v 35 They conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity; +\q their womb conceives deceit." + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "I have heard many such things; +\q you are all miserable comforters. +\q +\v 3 Will useless words ever have an end? +\q What is wrong with you that you answer like this? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 I also could speak as you do, +\q if you were in my place; +\q I could collect and join words together against you +\q and shake my head at you in mockery. +\q +\v 5 I would strengthen you with my mouth, +\q and the quivering of my lips will bring you relief! + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 If I speak, my grief is not lessened; +\q if I keep from speaking, how am I helped? +\q +\v 7 But now, God, you have made me weary; +\q you have made all my family desolate. +\q +\v 8 You have made me dry up, which itself is a witness against me; +\q the leanness of my body rises up against me, +\q and it testifies against my face. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 God has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me; +\q He has gnashed me with his teeth; +\q my enemy fastens his eyes on me as he tears me apart. +\q +\v 10 People have gaped with open mouth at me; +\q they have hit me reproachfully on the cheek; +\q they have gathered together against me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 God hands me over to ungodly people, +\q and throws me into the hands of wicked people. +\q +\v 12 I was at ease, and he broke me apart. +\q Indeed, he has taken me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; +\q he has also set me up as his target. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 His archers surround me all around; +\q God pierces my kidneys and does not spare me; +\q he pours out my bile on the ground. +\q +\v 14 He smashes through my wall again and again; +\q he runs upon me like a warrior. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 I have sewn sackcloth on my skin; +\q I have thrust my horn into the ground. +\q +\v 16 My face is red with weeping; +\q on my eyelids is the shadow of death +\q +\v 17 although there is no violence in my hands, +\q and my prayer is pure. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Earth, do not cover up my blood; +\q let my cry have no resting place. +\q +\v 19 Even now, see, my witness is in heaven; +\q he who vouches for me is on high. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 My friends scoff at me, +\q but my eye pours out tears to God. +\q +\v 21 I ask for that witness in heaven to argue for this man with God +\q as a man does with his neighbor! +\q +\v 22 For when a few years have passed, +\q I will go to a place from where I will not return. + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\m +\q +\v 1 My spirit is consumed, and my days are over; +\q the grave is ready for me. +\q +\v 2 Surely there are mockers with me; +\q my eye must always see their provocation. +\m +\q +\v 3 Give now a pledge, be a guarantee for me with yourself; +\q who else is there who will help me? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 For you, God, have kept their hearts from understanding; +\q therefore, you will not exalt them over me. +\q +\v 5 He who denounces his friends for a reward, +\q the eyes of his children will fail. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 But he has made me a byword of the people; +\q they spit in my face. +\q +\v 7 My eye is also dim because of sorrow; +\q all my body parts are as thin as shadows. +\q +\v 8 Upright men will be stunned by this; +\q the innocent man will stir himself up against godless men. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 The righteous man will keep to his way; +\q he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger. +\q +\v 10 But as for you all, come on now; +\q I will not find a wise man among you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 My days are past; my plans are shattered, +\q and so are the desires of my heart. \f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa My days are past, as are my plans. The wishes of my heart are finished \fqa* or \fqa ... the strings of my heart have been broken \fqa* . Others have \fqa My days are past; my plans are over, as are the wishes of my heart \fqa* \f* +\q +\v 12 These people, these mockers, change the night into day; +\q light is near to darkness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 If the only home I hope for is Sheol; +\q and if I have spread my couch in the darkness; +\q +\v 14 and if I have said to the pit, 'You are my father,' +\q and to the worm, 'You are my mother or my sister,' +\q +\v 15 where then is my hope? +\q As for my hope, who can see any? + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Will hope go down with me to the gates of Sheol +\q when we descend to the dust?" + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "When will you stop your talk? +\q Consider, and afterwards we will speak. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Why are we regarded as beasts; +\q why have we become stupid in your sight? +\q +\v 4 You who tear at yourself in your anger, +\q should the earth be forsaken for you +\q or should the rocks be removed out of their places? + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Indeed, the light of the wicked person will be put out; +\q the spark of his fire will not shine. +\q +\v 6 The light will be dark in his tent; +\q his lamp above him will be put out. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 The steps of his strength will be made short; +\q his own plans will cast him down. +\q +\v 8 For he will be thrown into a net by his own feet; +\q he will walk into a pitfall. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 A trap will take him by the heel; +\q a snare will lay hold on him. +\q +\v 10 A noose is hidden for him on the ground; +\q and a trap for him in the way. +\q +\v 11 Terrors will make him afraid on every side; +\q they will chase him at his heels. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 His wealth will turn into hunger, +\q and calamity will be ready at his side. +\q +\v 13 The parts of his body will be devoured; +\q indeed, the firstborn of death will devour his parts. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 He is torn from the safety of his tent +\q and marched off to the king of terrors. +\q +\v 15 People not his own will live in his tent +\q after they see that sulfur is scattered within his home. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 His roots will be dried up beneath; +\q above will his branch be cut off. +\q +\v 17 His memory will perish from the earth; +\q he will have no name in the street. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 He will be driven from light into darkness +\q and be chased out of this world. +\q +\v 19 He will have no son or son's son among his people, +\q nor any remaining kinfolk where he had stayed. +\q +\v 20 Those who live in the west will be horrified at what happens to him one day; +\q those who live in the east will be frightened by it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Surely such are the homes of unrighteous people, +\q the places of those who do not know God." + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "How long will you make me suffer +\q and break me into pieces with words? + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 These ten times you have reproached me; +\q you are not ashamed that you have treated me harshly. +\q +\v 4 If it is indeed true that I have erred, +\q my error remains my own concern. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 If indeed you will exalt yourselves above me +\q and use my humiliation against me, +\q +\v 6 then you should know that God has done wrong to me +\q and has caught me in his net. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 See, I cry out, "Violence!" but I get no answer. +\q I call out for help, but there is no justice. +\q +\v 8 He has walled up my way so that I cannot pass, +\q and he has set darkness in my path. +\q +\v 9 He has stripped me of my glory, +\q and he has taken the crown from my head. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 He has broken me down on every side, and I am gone; +\q he has pulled up my hope like a tree. +\q +\v 11 He has also kindled his wrath against me; +\q he regards me as one of his adversaries. +\q +\v 12 His troops come on together; +\q they cast up siege mounds against me +\q and encamp around my tent. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 He has put my brothers far from me; +\q my acquaintances are wholly alienated from me. +\q +\v 14 My kinsfolk have failed me; +\q my close friends have forgotten me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Those who once stayed as guests in my house and my female servants regard me as a stranger; +\q I am an alien in their sight. +\q +\v 16 I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer +\q although I entreat him with my mouth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 My breath is offensive to my wife; +\q I am even disgusting to those who were born from my mother's womb. +\q +\v 18 Even young children despise me; +\q if I rise to speak, they speak against me. +\q +\v 19 All my familiar friends abhor me; +\q those whom I love have turned against me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh; +\q I survive only by the skin of my teeth. +\q +\v 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, my friends, +\q for the hand of God has touched me. +\q +\v 22 Why do you pursue me like God does? +\q Will you ever be satisfied with my flesh? + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Oh, that my words were now written down! +\q Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! +\q +\v 24 Oh, that with an iron pen and lead +\q they were engraved in the rock forever! + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, +\q and that at last he will stand on the earth; +\q +\v 26 after my skin, that is, this body, is destroyed, +\q then in my flesh I will see God. +\q +\v 27 I will see him with my own eyes—I, and not someone else. +\q My heart fails within me. + +\s5 + +\q +\v 28 If you say, 'How we will persecute him! +\q The root of his troubles lies in him,' +\q +\v 29 then be afraid of the sword, +\q because wrath brings the punishment of the sword, +\q so that you may know there is a judgment." + + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "My thoughts make me answer quickly +\q because of the worry that is in me. +\q +\v 3 I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, +\q but a spirit from my understanding answers me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Do you not know this fact from ancient times, +\q when God placed man on earth: +\q +\v 5 the triumph of a wicked man is short, +\q and the joy of a godless man lasts only for a moment? + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Though his height reaches up to the heavens, +\q and his head reaches to the clouds, +\q +\v 7 yet such a person will perish permanently like his own feces; +\q those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 He will fly away like a dream and will not be found; +\q indeed, he will be chased away like a vision of the night. +\q +\v 9 The eye that saw him will see him no more; +\q his place will see him no longer. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 His children will apologize to poor people; +\q his hands will have to give back his wealth. +\q +\v 11 His bones are full of youthful strength, +\q but it will lie down with him in the dust. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Although wickedness is sweet in his mouth, +\q although he hides it under his tongue, +\q +\v 13 although he holds it there and does not let it go +\q but keeps it still in his mouth— +\q +\v 14 the food in his intestines turns bitter; +\q it becomes the poison of asps inside him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 He swallows down riches, but he will vomit them up again; +\q God will cast them out of his stomach. +\q +\v 16 He will suck the poison of asps; +\q the viper's tongue will kill him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 He will not enjoy the streams, +\q the torrents of honey and butter. +\q +\v 18 He will give back the fruit of his labor and will not be able to eat it; +\q he will not enjoy the wealth earned by his commerce. +\q +\v 19 For he has oppressed and neglected poor people; +\q he has violently taken away houses that he did not build. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Because he has known no satisfaction himself, +\q he will not be able to save anything in which he takes pleasure. +\q +\v 21 There is nothing left that he did not devour; +\q therefore his prosperity will not be permanent. +\q +\v 22 In the abundance of his wealth he will fall into trouble; +\q the hand of everyone who is in poverty will come against him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 When he is about to fill his stomach, God will throw the fierceness of his wrath on him; +\q God will rain it down on him while he is eating. +\q +\v 24 Although that man will flee from the iron weapon, +\q a bow of bronze will shoot him. +\q +\v 25 The arrow will pierce through his back and will emerge; +\q indeed, the glittering point will come out through his liver; +\q terrors come on him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Complete darkness is reserved for his treasures; +\q a fire not fanned will devour him; +\q it will consume what is left in his tent. +\q +\v 27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, +\q and the earth will rise up against him as a witness. +\s5 +\q +\v 28 The wealth of his house will vanish; +\q his goods will flow away on the day of God's wrath. +\q +\v 29 This is the wicked man's portion from God, +\q the heritage reserved for him by God." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "Listen carefully to my words, +\q and let this be the comfort you offer to me. +\q +\v 3 Put up with me, and I also will speak; +\q after I have spoken, mock on. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 As for me, is my complaint to a person? +\q Why should I not be impatient? +\q +\v 5 Look at me and be astonished, +\q and lay your hand upon your mouth. +\q +\v 6 When I think about my sufferings, I am terrified, +\q and trembling seizes my body. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Why do wicked people continue to live, +\q become old, and grow mighty in power? +\q +\v 8 Their descendants are established with them in their sight, +\q and their offspring are established before their eyes. +\q +\v 9 Their houses are safe from fear; +\q neither is the rod of God on them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Their bull breeds; it does not fail to do so; +\q their cow gives birth and does not lose her calf prematurely. +\q +\v 11 They send out their little ones like a flock, +\q and their children dance. +\q +\v 12 They sing to the tambourine and harp +\q and rejoice with the music of the flute. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 They spend their days in prosperity, +\q and they go down quietly to Sheol. +\q +\v 14 They say to God, 'Depart from us +\q for we do not wish any knowledge of your ways. +\q +\v 15 What is the Almighty, that we should worship him? +\q What advantage would we get if we prayed to him?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 See, is not their prosperity in their own hands? +\q I have nothing to do with the advice of wicked people. +\q +\v 17 How often is it that the lamp of wicked people is put out, +\q or that their calamity comes upon them? +\q How often does it happen that God distributes sorrows to them in his anger? +\q +\v 18 How often is it that they become like stubble before the wind +\q or like chaff that the storm carries away? + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 You say, 'God lays up one's guilt for his children to pay.' +\q Let him pay it himself, so that he might know his guilt. +\q +\v 20 Let his eyes see his own destruction, +\q and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. +\q +\v 21 For what does he care about his family after him +\q when the number of his months is cut off? + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Can anyone teach God knowledge +\q since he judges even those who are high? +\q +\v 23 One man dies in his full strength, +\q being completely quiet and at ease. +\q +\v 24 His body is full of milk, +\q and the marrow of his bones is moistened and in good health. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 Another man dies in bitterness of soul, +\q one who has never experienced anything good. +\q +\v 26 They lie down alike in the dust; +\q the worms cover them both. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 See, I know your thoughts, +\q and the ways in which you wish to wrong me. +\q +\v 28 For you say, 'Where now is the house of the prince? +\q Where is the tent in which the wicked man once lived?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 Have you never asked traveling people? +\q Do you not know the evidence they can tell, +\q +\v 30 that the wicked man is kept from the day of calamity, +\q +and that he is led away from the day of wrath? + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 Who will condemn the wicked man's way to his face? +\q Who will repay him for what he has done? +\q +\v 32 Yet he will be borne to the grave; +\q men will keep watch over his tomb. +\q +\v 33 The clods of the valley will be sweet to him; +\q all people will follow after him, +\q as there were innumerable people before him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 How then do you comfort me with nonsense, +\q since in your answers there is nothing but falsehood?" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "Can a man be useful to God? +\q Can a wise man be useful to him? +\q +\v 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous? +\q Is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Is it because of your reverence for him that he rebukes you +\q and takes you to judgment? +\q +\v 5 Is not your wickedness great? +\q Is there no end to your iniquities? + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 For you have demanded guarantee of a loan from your brother for no reason, +\q and you have stripped away clothing from the naked. +\q +\v 7 You have not given water to weary people to drink; +\q you have withheld bread from hungry people +\q +\v 8 although you, a mighty man, possessed the earth, +\q although you, an honored man, lived in it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 You have sent widows away empty; +\q the arms of the fatherless have been broken. +\q +\v 10 Therefore, snares are all around you, +\q and sudden fear troubles you. +\q +\v 11 There is darkness, so that you cannot see; +\q an abundance of waters covers you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Is not God in the heights of heaven? +\q Look at the height of the stars, how high they are! +\q +\v 13 You say, 'What does God know? +\q Can he judge through the thick darkness? +\q +\v 14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he does not see us; +\q he walks on the vault of heaven.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Will you keep the old way +\q that wicked men have walked— +\q +\v 16 those who were snatched away before their time, +\q those whose foundations have washed away like a river, +\q +\v 17 those who said to God, 'Depart from us'; +\q those who said, 'What can the Almighty do to us?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Yet he filled their houses with good things; +\q the plans of wicked people are far from me. +\q +\v 19 Righteous people see their fate and are glad; +\q innocent people laugh them to scorn. +\q +\v 20 They say, 'Surely those who rose up against us are cut off; +\q fire has consumed their possessions.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Now agree with God and be at peace with him; +\q in that way, good will come to you. +\q +\v 22 Receive, I beg you, instruction from his mouth; +\q store up his words in your heart. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up, +\q if you put unrighteousness far away from your tents. +\q +\v 24 Lay your treasure down in the dust, +\q the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks, +\q +\v 25 and the Almighty will be your treasure, +\q precious silver to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 For then you will take pleasure in the Almighty; +\q you will lift up your face to God. +\q +\v 27 You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you; +\q you will pay your vows to him. +\q +\v 28 You will also decree anything, and it will be confirmed for you; +\q light will shine on your paths. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 God humbles a proud man, +\q and he saves the one with lowered eyes. +\q +\v 30 He will rescue even the man who is not innocent; +\q who will be rescued through the cleanness of your hands." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "Even today my complaint is bitter; +\q my hand \f + \ft Some copies have: \fqa ... his hand ... \fqa* \f* is heavy because of my groaning. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him! +\q Oh, that I might come to his place! +\q +\v 4 I would lay my case in order before him +\q and fill my mouth with arguments. +\q +\v 5 I would learn the words with which he would answer me +\q and would understand what he would say to me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Would he argue against me in the greatness of his power? +\q No, he would pay attention to me. +\q +\v 7 There the upright person might argue with him. +\q In this way I would be acquitted forever by my judge. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 See, I go eastward, but he is not there, +\q and westward, but I cannot perceive him. +\q +\v 9 To the north, where he is at work, but I cannot see him, +\q and to the south, where he hides himself so that I cannot see him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 But he knows the way that I take; +\q when he has tested me, I will come out like gold. +\q +\v 11 My foot has held fast to his steps; +\q I have kept to his way and turned not aside. +\q +\v 12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; +\q I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 But he is one of a kind, who can turn him back? +\q What he desires, he does. +\q +\v 14 For he carries out his decree against me; +\q there are many like them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Therefore, I am terrified in his presence; +\q when I think about him, I am afraid of him. +\q +\v 16 For God has made my heart weak; +\q the Almighty has terrified me. +\q +\v 17 I have not been brought to an end by darkness, +\q because of the thick darkness that covers the gloom of my face. + + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\m +\q +\v 1 Why are times for judging wicked people not set by the Almighty? +\q Why do not those who are faithful to God see his days of judgment come? + +\s5 +\q +\v 2 There are wicked people who remove boundary markers; +\q there are wicked people who take away flocks by force and put them in their own pastures. +\q +\v 3 They drive away the donkey of those without fathers; +\q they take the widow's ox as security. +\q +\v 4 They force needy people out of their path; +\q poor people of the earth all hide themselves from them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 See, these poor people go out to their work +\q like wild donkeys in the wilderness, looking carefully for food; +\q perhaps the Arabah will provide them food for their children. +\q +\v 6 Poor people reap in the night in other people's fields; +\q they glean grapes from the harvest of those wicked people. +\q +\v 7 They lie naked all night without clothing; +\q they have no covering in the cold. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains; +\q they lie next to large rocks because they have no shelter. +\q +\v 9 There are wicked people who pluck orphans from their mothers' breast, +\q and wicked people who take children as security from poor people. +\q +\v 10 But the poor people go about naked without clothing; +\q although they go hungry, they carry others' sheaves of grain. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 The poor people make oil within the walls of those wicked men; +\q they tread the wicked men's winepresses, but they themselves suffer thirst. +\q +\v 12 In the city people groan; +\q the wounded people cry out, +\q but God pays no attention to their prayers. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Some of these wicked people rebel against the light; +\q they know not its ways, +\q nor do they stay in its paths. +\q +\v 14 Before daylight the murderer rises +\q and he kills poor and needy people; +\q in the night he is like a thief. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Also, the eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight; +\q he says, 'No eye will see me.' +\q He disguises his face. +\q +\v 16 In the darkness wicked people dig into houses; +\q but they shut themselves up in the daytime; +\q they do not care for the light. +\q +\v 17 For all of them, thick darkness is like the morning; +\q for they are friends with the terrors of thick darkness. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Swiftly they pass away, however, like foam on the surface of the waters; +\q their portion of the land is cursed; +\q no one goes to work in their vineyards. +\q +\v 19 As drought and heat melt away the snow into waters, +\q so Sheol takes away those who have sinned. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 The womb that bore him will forget him; +\q the worm will feed sweetly on him; +\q he will be remembered no more; +\q in this way, wickedness will be broken like a tree. +\q +\v 21 The wicked one devours the barren women who have not borne children; +\q he does no good to the widow. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Yet God drags away the mighty people by his power; +\q he rises up and does not strengthen them in life. +\q +\v 23 God allows them to think they are secure, and they are happy about that, +\q but his eyes are on their ways. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 These people are exalted; still, in only a little while, they will be gone; +\q indeed, they will be brought low; they will be gathered up like all the others; +\q they will be cut off like the tops of ears of grain. +\q +\v 25 If it is not so, who can prove me to be a liar; +\q who can make my speech worth nothing?" + + + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "Dominion and fear are with him; +\q he makes order in his high places of heaven. +\q +\v 3 Is there any end to the number of his armies? +\q Upon whom does his light not shine? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 How then can man be righteous with God? +\q How can he who is born of a woman be clean, acceptable to him? +\q +\v 5 See, even the moon has no brightness to him; +\q the stars are not pure in his sight. +\q +\v 6 How much less man, who is a worm— +\q a son of man, who is a worm!" + + + + +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered and said, +\q +\v 2 "How you have helped one who has no power! +\q How you have saved the arm that has no strength! +\q +\v 3 How you have advised one who has no wisdom +\q and announced to him sound knowledge! +\q +\v 4 With whose help have you spoken these words? +\q Whose spirit was it that came out from you? + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 The dead are made to tremble, +\q those who are beneath the waters +\q and all who dwell in them. +\q +\v 6 Sheol is naked before God; +\q destruction itself has no covering against him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 He stretches out the northern skies +\q over the empty space, +\q and he hangs the earth over nothing. +\q +\v 8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, +\q but the clouds are not torn under them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 He covers the surface of the moon +\q and spreads his clouds on it. +\q +\v 10 He has engraved a circular boundary on the surface of the waters +\q as the line between light and darkness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 The pillars of heaven tremble +\q and are astonished at his rebuke. +\q +\v 12 He calmed the sea with his power; +\q by his understanding he shattered Rahab. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 By his breath he made the skies clear; +\q his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. +\q +\v 14 See, these are but the fringes of his ways; +\q how small a whisper do we hear of him! +\q Who can understand the thunder of his power?" + + + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 Job resumed speaking and he said, +\q +\v 2 "As surely as God lives, who has taken away my justice, +\q the Almighty, who made my life bitter, +\q +\v 3 while my life is yet in me, +\q and the breath from God is in my nostrils, +\q this is what I will do. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 My lips will not speak wickedness, +\q neither will my tongue speak deceit; +\v 5 I will never admit that you three are right; +\q until I die I will never deny my integrity. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 I hold fast to my righteousness and will not let it go; +\q my thoughts will not reproach me so long as I live. +\q +\v 7 Let my enemy be like a wicked man; +\q let him who rises up against me be like an unrighteous man. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 For what is the hope of a godless man when God cuts him off, +\q when God takes away his life? +\q +\v 9 Will God hear his cry +\q when trouble comes upon him? +\q +\v 10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty +\q and call upon God at all times? + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 I will teach you concerning the hand of God; +\q I will not conceal the thoughts of the Almighty. +\q +\v 12 See, all of you have seen this yourselves; +\q why then have you spoken all this nonsense? + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 This is the destiny of a wicked man with God, +\q the heritage of the oppressor that he receives from the Almighty: +\q +\v 14 If his children multiply, it is for the sword; +\q his offspring will never have enough food. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Those who survive him will be buried by plague, +\q and their widows will make no lament for them. +\q +\v 16 Though the wicked man heaps up silver like the dust, +\q and heaps up clothing like clay, +\q +\v 17 he may heap up clothing, but righteous people will put it on, +\q and innocent people will divide up the silver among themselves. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 He builds his house like a spider, +\q like a hut that a guard makes. +\q +\v 19 He lies down in bed rich, but he will not keep doing so; +\q he opens his eyes, and everything is gone. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Terrors overtake him like waters; +\q a storm takes him away in the night. +\q +\v 21 The east wind carries him away, and he leaves; +\q it sweeps him out of his place. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 It throws itself at him and does not stop; +\q he tries to flee out of its hand. +\q +\v 23 It claps its hands at him in mockery; +\q it hisses him out of his place. + + + + +\s5 +\c 28 +\m +\q +\v 1 Surely there is a mine for silver, +\q a place where they refine gold. +\q +\v 2 Iron is taken out of the earth; +\q copper is smelted out of the stone. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 A man sets an end to darkness +\q and searches out, to the farthest limit, +\q the stones in obscurity and thick darkness. +\q +\v 4 He breaks open a shaft away from where people live, +\q places that are forgotten by anyone's foot. +\q He hangs far away from people; he swings to and fro. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 As for the earth, out of which comes bread, +\q it is turned up below as if by fire. +\q +\v 6 Its stones are the place where sapphires are found, +\q and its dust contains gold. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 No bird of prey knows the path to it, +\q nor has the falcon's eye seen it. +\q +\v 8 The proud animals have not walked such a path, +\q nor has the fierce lion passed there. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 A man lays his hand on the flinty rock; +\q he overturns mountains by their roots. +\q +\v 10 He cuts out channels among the rocks; +\q his eye sees every valuable thing there. +\q +\v 11 He ties up the streams so they do not run; +\q what is hidden there he brings out to the light. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Where will wisdom be found? +\q Where is the place of understanding? +\q +\v 13 Man does not know its price; +\q neither is it found in the land of the living. +\q +\v 14 The deep waters under the earth say, 'It is not in me'; +\q the sea says, 'It is not with me.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 It cannot be gotten for gold; +\q neither can silver be weighed as its price. +\q +\v 16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, +\q with precious onyx or sapphire. +\q +\v 17 Gold and crystal cannot equal it in worth; +\q neither can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 No mention is worth making of coral or jasper; +\q indeed, the price of wisdom is more than rubies. +\q +\v 19 The topaz of Cush does not equal it; +\q neither can it be valued in terms of pure gold. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 From where, then, comes wisdom? +\q Where is the place of understanding? +\q +\v 21 Wisdom is hidden from the eyes of all living things +\q and is kept hidden from the birds of the heavens. +\q +\v 22 Destruction and Death say, +\q 'We have heard just a rumor about it with our ears.' +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 God understands the way to it; +\q he knows its place. +\q +\v 24 For he looks to the very ends of the earth +\q and sees under all the heavens. +\q +\v 25 He made the force of the wind +\q and parceled out the waters by measure. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 He made a decree for the rain +\q and a path for the thunder. +\q +\v 27 Then he saw wisdom and announced it; +\q he established it, indeed, and he examined it. +\q +\v 28 To people he said, +\q 'See, the fear of the Lord—that is wisdom; +\q to depart from evil is understanding.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 Job resumed speaking and said, +\q +\v 2 "Oh, that I were as I was in the past months +\q when God cared for me, +\q +\v 3 when his lamp shined on my head, +\q and when I walked through darkness by his light. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Oh, that I were as I was in the ripeness of my days +\q when the friendship of God was on my tent, +\q +\v 5 when the Almighty was yet with me, +\q and my children were around me, +\q +\v 6 when my way was covered with cream, +\q and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 When I went out to the city gate, +\q when I sat in my place in the city square, +\q +\v 8 the young men saw me and kept their distance from me in respect, +\q and the aged people rose and stood for me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 The princes used to refrain from talking when I came; +\q they would lay their hand on their mouths. +\q +\v 10 The voices of the noblemen were hushed, +\q and their tongue clung to the roof of their mouths. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 For after their ears heard me, they would then bless me; +\q after their eyes saw me, they would then give witness to me and approve of me +\q +\v 12 because I rescued the one who was poor when he cried out, +\q and the one who had no father when he had no one to help him. +\q +\v 13 The blessing of him who was about to perish came on me; +\q I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; +\q my justice was like a robe and a turban. +\q +\v 15 I was eyes to blind people; +\q I was feet to lame people. +\q +\v 16 I was a father to needy people; +\q I would examine the case even of one whom I did not know. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 I broke the jaws of the unrighteous man; +\q I plucked the victim out from between his teeth. +\q +\v 18 Then I said, 'I will die in my nest; +\q I will multiply my days like the grains of sand. +\q +\v 19 My roots are spread out to the waters, +\q and dew lies all night on my branches. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 The honor in me is always fresh, +\q and the bow of my strength is always new in my hand.' +\q +\v 21 To me men listened; they waited for me; +\q they stayed silent to hear my advice. +\q +\v 22 After my words were done, they did not speak again; +\q my speech dropped like water on them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 They always waited for me as they waited for rain; +\q they opened their mouth wide to drink in my words, +\q as they would do for the latter rain. +\q +\v 24 I smiled on them when they did not expect it; +\q they did not reject the light of my face. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 I selected their way and sat as their chief; +\q I lived like a king in his army, +\q like one who comforts mourners. + + + + +\s5 +\c 30 +\m +\q +\v 1 Now those who are younger than I have nothing but mockery for me— +\q these young men whose fathers I would have refused to allow to work beside the dogs of my flock. +\q +\v 2 Indeed, the strength of their fathers' hands, how could it have helped me— +\q men in whom the strength of their mature age had perished? +\q +\v 3 They were thin from poverty and hunger; +\q they gnawed at the dry ground in the darkness of wilderness and desolation. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 They plucked saltwort and bushes' leaves; +\q the roots of the broom tree were their food. +\q +\v 5 They were driven out from among people +\q who shouted after them as one would shout after a thief. +\q +\v 6 So they had to live in river valleys, +\q in holes of the earth and of the rocks. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Among the bushes they brayed like donkeys +\q and they gathered together under the nettles. +\q +\v 8 They were the sons of fools, indeed, sons of nameless people! +\q They were driven out of the land with whips. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 But now, for their sons I have become their subject for a song of mockery; +\q indeed, I am now a joke to them. +\q +\v 10 They abhor me and stand far off from me; +\q they do not refrain from spitting in my face. +\q +\v 11 For God has unstrung the string to my bow and afflicted me, +\q and those who taunt me cast off restraint before my face. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Upon my right hand rise the rabble; +\q they drive me away and +\q pile up against me their siege mounds. +\q +\v 13 They destroy my path; +\q they push forward disaster for me, +\q men who have no one to hold them back. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 They come against me like an army through a wide hole in a city wall; +\q in the midst of the destruction they roll themselves in on me. +\q +\v 15 Terrors are turned upon me; +\q my honor is driven away as if by the wind; +\q my prosperity passes away as a cloud. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Now my life is pouring out from within me; +\q many days of suffering have laid hold on me. +\q +\v 17 In the night my bones in me are pierced; +\q the pains that gnaw at me take no rest. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 God's great force has seized my clothing; +\q it wraps around me like the collar of my tunic. +\q +\v 19 He has thrown me into the mud; +\q I have become like dust and ashes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 I cry to you, God, but you do not answer me; +\q I stand up, and you merely look at me. +\q +\v 21 You have changed and become cruel to me; +\q with the strength of your hand you persecute me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 You lift me up to the wind and cause it to drive me along; +\q you throw me back and forth in a storm. +\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa you dissolve me in a storm \fqa* . \f* +\q +\v 23 For I know that you will bring me to death, +\q to the house destined for all living things. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 However, does no one reach out with his hand to beg for help when he falls? +\q Does no one in trouble call out for help? +\q +\v 25 Did not I weep for him who was in trouble? +\q Did I not grieve for the needy man? +\q +\v 26 When I hoped for good, then evil came; +\q when I waited for light, darkness came instead. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 My heart is troubled and does not rest; +\q days of affliction have come on me. +\q +\v 28 I have gone about like one who was living in the dark, +\q but not because of the sun; +\q I stand up in the assembly and cry for help. +\q +\v 29 I am a brother to jackals, +\q a companion of ostriches. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 My skin is black and falls away from me; +\q my bones are burned with heat. +\q +\v 31 Therefore my harp is tuned for songs of mourning, +\q my flute for the singing of those who wail. + + + + +\s5 +\c 31 +\m +\q +\v 1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; +\q how then should I look with desire on a virgin? +\q +\v 2 For what is the portion from God above, +\q the inheritance from the Almighty on high? + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 I used to think that calamity is for unrighteous people, +\q and that disaster is for doers of wickedness. +\q +\v 4 Does not God see my ways +\q and count all my steps? +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 If I have walked with falsehood, +\q if my foot has hurried to deceit, +\q +\v 6 let me be weighed in an even balance +\q so that God will know my integrity. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 If my step has turned aside from the way, +\q if my heart has gone after my eyes, +\q if any spot has stuck to my hands, +\q +\v 8 then let me sow, and let another eat, +\q and let my crops be uprooted. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 If my heart has been deceived by a woman, +\q if I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door, +\q +\v 10 then let my wife grind grain for another, +\q and let others bow down on her. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 For that would be a terrible crime; +\q indeed, it would be a crime to be punished by judges. +\q +\v 12 For that is a fire that consumes everything for Sheol +\q and that would burn up all my harvest. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 If I ignored the plea for justice from my male or female servant +\q when they argued with me, +\q +\v 14 what then would I do when God rises up to accuse me? +\q When he comes to judge me, how would I answer him? +\q +\v 15 Did the one who made me in the womb not make them also? +\q Did not the same one mold us all in the womb? +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 If I have withheld poor people from their desire, +\q or if I have caused the eyes of the widow to grow dim from crying, +\q +\v 17 or if I have eaten my morsel alone +\q and not allowed those without fathers to eat it also— +\q +\v 18 because from my youth the orphan grew up with me as with a father, +\q and I have guided his mother, a widow, from my own mother's womb. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, +\q or if I have seen that a needy man had no clothing; +\q +\v 20 if his heart has not blessed me +\q because he has not been warmed with the wool of my sheep, +\q +\v 21 if I have lifted up my hand against fatherless people +\q because I saw my support in the city gate, +\q then bring charges against me! + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 If I have done these things, then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade, +\q and let my arm be broken from its joint. +\q +\v 23 For I dreaded destruction from God; +\q because of his majesty, I was not able to do those things. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 If I have made gold my hope, +\q and if I have said to fine gold, 'You are what I am confident in'; +\q +\v 25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, +\q because my hand had gotten many possessions, +\q then bring charges against me! + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 If I have seen the sun when it shone, +\q or the moon walking in its brightness, +\q +\v 27 and if my heart has been secretly attracted, +\q so that my mouth has kissed my hand in worship of them— +\q +\v 28 this also would be a crime to be punished by judges, +\q for I would have denied the God who is above. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 If I have rejoiced at the destruction of anyone who hated me +\q or congratulated myself when disaster overtook him, +\q then bring charges against me! +\q +\v 30 Indeed, I have not even allowed my mouth to sin +\q by asking for his life with a curse. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 If the men of my tent have never said, +\q 'Who can find one who has not been filled with Job's food?' +\q +\v 32 (even the foreigner has never had to stay in the city square, +\q because I have always opened my doors to the traveler), +\q and if that is not so, then bring charges against me! + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 If, like mankind, I have hidden my sins +\q by hiding my guilt inside my tunic +\q +\v 34 (because I feared the great multitude, +\q because the contempt of families terrified me, +\q so that I kept silent and would not go outside), +\q then bring charges against me! + +\s5 +\q +\v 35 Oh, if only I had someone to hear me! +\q See, here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me! +\q If only I had the indictment that my opponent has written! +\q +\v 36 Surely I would carry it openly on my shoulder; +\q I would put it on like a crown. +\q +\v 37 I would declare to him an accounting for my steps; +\q as a confident prince I would go up to him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 38 If my land ever cries out against me, +\q and its furrows weep together, +\q +\v 39 if I have eaten its harvest without paying for it +\q or have caused its owners to lose their lives, +\q +\v 40 then let thorns grow instead of wheat +\q and weeds instead of barley." +\m +\p The words of Job are finished. + + + +\s5 +\c 32 +\p +\v 1 So these three men stopped answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes. +\v 2 Then was kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram; it was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God. + +\s5 +\v 3 Elihu's anger was also kindled against his three friends because they had found no answer to Job, and yet they had condemned Job. +\v 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the other men were older than he. +\v 5 However, when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, his anger was kindled. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up and said, +\q "I am young, and you are very old. +\q That is why I held back and did not dare to tell you my own opinion. +\q +\v 7 I said, "Length of days should speak; +\q a multitude of years should teach wisdom. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 But there is a spirit in a man; +\q the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. +\q +\v 9 It is not only the great people who are wise, +\q nor the aged people alone who understand justice. +\q +\v 10 Therefore I say to you, 'Listen to me; +\q I will also tell you my knowledge.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 See, I waited for your words; +\q I listened to your arguments +\q while you were thinking about what to say. +\q +\v 12 Indeed, I paid attention to you, +\q but, see, there was not one of you who could convince Job +\q or who could respond to his words. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Be careful not to say, 'We have found wisdom!' +\q God will have to defeat Job; mere man cannot do it. +\q +\v 14 For Job has not directed his words against me, +\q so I will not answer him with your words. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 These three men are dumbfounded; they can answer Job no longer; +\q they have not a word more to say. +\q +\v 16 Should I wait because they are not speaking, +\q because they stand there silent and answer no more? + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 No, I also will answer on my part; +\q I will also tell them my knowledge. +\q +\v 18 For I am full of words; +\q the spirit in me compels me. +\q +\v 19 See, my breast is like fermenting wine that has no vent; +\q like new wineskins, it is ready to burst. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 I will speak so that I may be refreshed; +\q I will open my lips and answer. +\q +\v 21 I will not show favoritism; +\q neither will I give honorific titles to any man. +\q +\v 22 For I do not know how to give such titles; +\q if I did so, my Maker would soon take me away. + + +\s5 +\c 33 +\m +\q +\v 1 So now, Job, I beg you, hear my speech; +\q listen to all my words. +\q +\v 2 See now, I have opened my mouth; +\q my tongue has spoken in my mouth. +\q +\v 3 My words come from the uprightness of my heart; +\q my lips speak pure knowledge. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 The Spirit of God has made me; +\q the breath of the Almighty has given me life. +\q +\v 5 If you can, answer me; +\q set your words in order before me and stand up. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 See, I am just as you are in God's sight; +\q I also have been formed out of the clay. +\q +\v 7 See, terror of me will not make you afraid; +\q neither will my pressure be heavy upon you. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 You have certainly spoken in my hearing; +\q I have heard the sound of your words saying, +\q +\v 9 'I am clean and without transgression; +\q I am innocent, and there is no sin in me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 See, God finds opportunities to attack me; +\q he regards me as his enemy. +\q +\v 11 He puts my feet in stocks; +\q he watches all my paths.' +\q +\v 12 See, in this you are not right—I will answer you, +\q for God is greater than man. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Why do you struggle against him? +\q He does not account for any of his doings. +\q +\v 14 For God speaks once— +\q yes, twice, though man does not notice it. +\q +\v 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, +\q when deep sleep falls upon men, +\q in slumber on the bed— + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 then God opens the ears of men, +\q and frightens them with threats, +\q +\v 17 in order to pull man back from his sinful purposes, +\q and keep pride from him. +\q +\v 18 God keeps man's life back from the pit, +\q his life from crossing over to death. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Man is punished also with pain on his bed, +\q with constant agony in his bones, +\q +\v 20 so that his life abhors food, +\q and his soul abhors delicacies. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 His flesh is consumed away so that it cannot be seen; +\q his bones, once not seen, now stick out. +\q +\v 22 Indeed, his soul draws close to the pit, +\q his life to those who wish to destroy it. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 But if there is an angel who can be a mediator for him, +\q a mediator, one from among the thousands of angels, +\q to show him what is right to do, +\q +\v 24 and if the angel is kind to him and says to God, +\q 'Save this person from going down to the pit; +\q I have found a ransom for him,' + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 then his flesh will become fresher than a child's; +\q he will return to the days of his youthful strength. +\q +\v 26 He will pray to God, and God will be kind to him, +\q so that he sees God's face with joy. +\q God will give the person his triumph. +\s5 +\q +\v 27 Then that person will sing in front of other people and say, +\q 'I sinned and perverted that which was right, +\q but my sin was not punished. +\q +\v 28 God has rescued my soul from going down into the pit; +\q my life will continue to see light.' +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 See, God does all these things with a person, +\q twice, yes, even three times, +\q +\v 30 to bring his soul back from the pit, +\q so that he may be enlightened with the light of life. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; +\q be silent and I will speak. +\q +\v 32 If you have anything to say, answer me; +\q speak, for I wish to prove that you are in the right. +\q +\v 33 If not, then listen to me; +\q remain silent, and I will teach you wisdom." + + + + +\s5 +\c 34 +\p +\v 1 Moreover, Elihu continued to speak: +\q +\v 2 "Listen to my words, you wise men; +\q hear me, you who have knowledge. +\q +\v 3 For the ear tries words +\q as the palate tastes food. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Let us choose for ourselves what is just: +\q let us discover among ourselves what is good. +\q +\v 5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, +\q but God has taken away my rights. +\q +\v 6 Regardless of my rights, I am considered to be a liar. +\q My wound is incurable, although I am without sin.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 What man is like Job, +\q who drinks up mockery like water, +\q +\v 8 who goes around in the company of those who do evil, +\q and who walks with wicked men? +\q +\v 9 For he has said, 'It is no use to a person +\q to take pleasure in doing what God wants.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 So listen to me, you men of understanding: +\q far be it from God that he should do wickedness; +\q far be it from the Almighty that he should commit sin. +\q +\v 11 For he pays back a person's work; +\q he makes every man come upon the reward of his own ways. +\q +\v 12 Indeed, God does nothing wicked, +\q nor does the Almighty ever pervert justice. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Who put him in charge over the earth? +\q Who put the whole world under him? +\q +\v 14 If he ever set his intentions only on himself, +\q and if he ever gathered back to himself his spirit and his breath, +\q +\v 15 then all flesh would perish together; +\q mankind would return to dust again. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 If now you have understanding, listen to this; +\q listen to the sound of my words. +\q +\v 17 Can one who hates justice govern? +\q Will you condemn God, who is righteous and mighty? + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 God, who says to a king, 'You are vile,' +\q or says to nobles, 'You are wicked'? +\q +\v 19 God, who does not show favoritism to leaders +\q and does not acknowledge rich people more than poor, +\q for they all are the work of his hands. +\q +\v 20 In a moment they will die; +\q at midnight people will be shaken and will pass away; +\q mighty people will be taken away, but not by human hands. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 For God's eyes are upon a person's ways; +\q he sees all his steps. +\q +\v 22 There is no darkness, no thick gloom +\q where the doers of iniquity may hide themselves. +\q +\v 23 For God does not need to examine a person further; +\q there is no need for any person to go before him in judgment. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 He breaks mighty men into pieces for their ways that need no further investigation; +\q he puts others in their places. +\q +\v 25 In this way he has knowledge of their deeds; +\q he overthrows these people in the night; they are destroyed. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 In the open sight of others, he kills them for their wicked deeds like criminals +\q +\v 27 because they turned away from following him +\q and refused to acknowledge any of his ways. +\q +\v 28 In this way, they made the cry of poor people come to him; +\q he heard the cry of afflicted people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 When he stays silent, who can condemn him? +\q If he hides his face, who can perceive him? +\q He rules over nation and individual alike, +\q +\v 30 so that a godless man may not rule, +\q so that there may be no one to entrap people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 Suppose someone says to God, +\q 'I am certainly guilty, but I will not sin any longer; +\q +\v 32 teach me what I cannot see; +\q I have committed sin, but I will do it no longer.' +\q +\v 33 Do you think that God will punish that person's sin, since you dislike what God does? +\q You must choose, not I. +\q So say what it is that you know. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 Men of understanding will say to me— +\q indeed, every wise man who hears me will say, +\q +\v 35 'Job speaks without knowledge; +\q his words are without wisdom.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 36 If only Job were put on trial in the smallest details of his case +\q because of his talking like wicked men. +\q +\v 37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; +\q he claps his hands in mockery in our midst; +\q he piles up words against God." + + + + +\s5 +\c 35 +\p +\v 1 Moreover Elihu continued, saying, +\q +\v 2 "Do you think this is just +\q when you say, 'My right before God'? +\q +\v 3 For you ask, 'What use is it to me?' +\q and, 'Would I be better off if I had sinned?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 I will answer you, +\q both you and your friends. +\q +\v 5 Look up at the sky, and see it; +\q see the sky, which is higher than you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 If you have sinned, what harm do you do to God? +\q If your transgressions pile up high, what do you do to him? +\q +\v 7 If you are righteous, what can you give to him? +\q What will he receive from your hand? +\q +\v 8 Your wickedness may hurt a man, as you are a man, +\q and your righteousness might benefit another son of man. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Because of many acts of oppression, people cry out; +\q they call for help from the arms of mighty men. +\q +\v 10 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, +\q who gives songs in the night, +\q +\v 11 who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth, +\q and who makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 There they cry out, but God gives no answer +\q because of the pride of evil men. +\q +\v 13 God will certainly not hear a foolish cry; +\q the Almighty will pay no attention to it. +\q +\v 14 How much less will he answer you if you say that you do not see him, +\q that your case is before him, and that you are waiting for him! + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 How much less will he answer you if you say that he never punishes anyone in anger, +\q and that he is not very concerned about people's pride. +\q +\v 16 So Job opens his mouth only to speak foolishness; +\q he piles up words without knowledge." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 36 +\p +\v 1 Elihu continued on and said, +\q +\v 2 "Permit me to speak a little longer, and I will show you some things +\q because I have a little more to say in defense of God. +\q +\v 3 I will obtain my knowledge from far off; +\q I will acknowledge that righteousness belongs to my Maker. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 For indeed, my words will not be false; +\q someone who is mature in knowledge is with you. +\q +\v 5 See, God is mighty, and despises no one; +\q he is mighty in strength of understanding. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 He does not preserve the life of wicked people +\q but instead does what is right for those who suffer. +\q +\v 7 He does not withdraw his eyes from righteous people +\q but instead sets them on thrones like kings forever, +\q and they are lifted up. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 If they are bound in chains +\q and trapped in cords of suffering, +\q +\v 9 then he reveals to them what they have done, +\q and their transgressions and their pride. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 He also opens their ears to his instruction, +\q and commands them to turn back from iniquity. +\q +\v 11 If they listen to him and worship him, +\q they will spend their days in prosperity, +\q their years in contentment. +\q +\v 12 However, if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword; +\q they will die because they have no knowledge. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Those who are godless in heart store up their anger; +\q they do not cry out for help even when God ties them up. +\q +\v 14 They die in their youth; +\q their lives end among the cultic prostitutes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 God rescues afflicted people by means of their afflictions; +\q he opens their ears by means of their oppression. +\q +\v 16 Indeed, he would like to draw you out of distress +\q into a broad place where there is no hardship +\q and where your table would be set with food full of fatness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 But you are full of judgment on wicked people; +\q judgment and justice have laid hold of you. +\q +\v 18 Do not let your anger entice you to mockery, +\q or the greatness of a ransom to turn you aside. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Can your wealth benefit you, so that you will not be in distress, +\q or can all the force of your strength help you? +\q +\v 20 Do not desire the night, to commit sin against others, +\q when peoples are cut off in their place. +\q +\v 21 Be careful that you do not turn to sin +\q because you are being tested by suffering so that you will stay away from sinning. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 See, God is exalted in his power; +\q who is a teacher like him? +\q +\v 23 Who has ever instructed him about his way? +\q Who can ever say to him, 'You have committed unrighteousness?' +\q +\v 24 Remember to praise his deeds, +\q of which people have sung. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 All people have looked on those deeds, +\q but they see those deeds only from far away. +\q +\v 26 See, God is great, but we do not understand him well; +\q the number of his years is incalculable. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 For he draws up the drops of water +\q that he distills as rain from his vapor, +\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa that distill as rain from his vapor \fqa* . \f* +\q +\v 28 which the clouds pour down +\q and drop in abundance on mankind. +\q +\v 29 Indeed, can anyone understand the extensive spread of the clouds +\q and the thunder from his hut? + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 See, he spreads his lightning around him +\q and covers the roots of the sea. +\q +\v 31 In this way he judges the peoples +\q and gives food in abundance. + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 He fills his hands with the lightning +\q until he commands it to strike its mark. +\q +\v 33 Its thunder warns of the storm, +\q the cattle can also hear it is coming. + + + + +\s5 +\c 37 +\m +\q +\v 1 Indeed, my heart trembles at this; +\q it is moved out of its place. +\q +\v 2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, +\q the sound that goes out from his mouth. +\q +\v 3 He sends it out under the whole sky, +\q and he sends out his lightning to the edges of the earth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 A voice roars after it; +\q he thunders with the voice of his majesty; +\q he does not restrain the lightning bolts when his voice is heard. +\q +\v 5 God thunders marvelously with his voice; +\q he does great things that we cannot comprehend. +\q +\v 6 For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; +\q likewise to the rain shower, +\q 'Become a great shower of rain.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 He stops the hand of every man from working, +\q so that all people whom he has made may see his deeds. +\q +\v 8 Then the beasts go into hiding +\q and stay in their dens. +\q +\v 9 The storm comes from its chamber in the south +\q and the cold from the scattering winds in the north. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 By the breath of God ice is given; +\q the expanse of the waters is frozen like metal. +\q +\v 11 Indeed, he weighs down the thick cloud with moisture; +\q he scatters his lightning through the clouds. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 He swirls the clouds around by his guidance, +\q so that they may do whatever he commands them +\q above the surface of the whole world. +\q +\v 13 He makes all of this happen; sometimes it happens for correction, sometimes for his land, +\q and sometimes as acts of covenant faithfulness. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Listen to this, Job; +\q stop and think about God's marvelous deeds. +\q +\v 15 Do you know how God establishes the clouds +\q and makes the lightning bolts to flash in them? + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Do you understand the floating of the clouds, +\q the marvelous deeds of God, who is perfect in knowledge? +\q +\v 17 Do you understand how your garments become hot +\q when the land is still because the wind comes from the south? + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Can you spread out the sky as he can— +\q the sky, which is as strong as a mirror of cast metal? +\q +\v 19 Teach us what we should say to him, +\q for we cannot lay out our arguments in order because of the darkness of our minds. +\q +\v 20 Should he be told that I wish to speak with him? +\q Would a person wish to be swallowed up? +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Now, people cannot look at the sun when it is bright in the sky +\q after the wind has passed through and has cleared it of its clouds. +\q +\v 22 Out of the north comes golden splendor— +\q over God is fearsome majesty. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 As for the Almighty, we cannot find him! +\q He is great in power; +\q he does not oppress justice and abundant righteousness. +\q +\v 24 Therefore, people fear him. +\q He does not pay any attention to those who are wise in their own minds." + + + + +\s5 +\c 38 +\p +\v 1 Then Yahweh called to Job out of a fierce storm and said, +\q +\v 2 "Who is this who brings darkness to plans +\q by means of words without knowledge? +\q +\v 3 Now gird up your loins like a man +\q for I will ask you questions, and you must answer me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Where were you when I laid the earth's foundations? +\q Tell me, if you have so much understanding. +\q +\v 5 Who determined its dimensions? Tell me, if you know. +\q Who stretched the measuring line over it? + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 On what were its foundations laid? +\q Who laid its cornerstone +\q +\v 7 when the morning stars sang together +\q and all the sons of God shouted for joy? + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Who shut up the sea with doors +\q when it burst out, as if it had come out of the womb— +\q +\v 9 when I made clouds its clothing, +\q and thick darkness its swaddling bands? + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 That was when I marked out for the sea my boundary, +\q and when I placed its bars and doors, +\q +\v 11 and when I said to it, 'You may come this far, but no farther; +\q here is where I will put a boundary to the pride of your waves.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Have you given orders to the morning, +\q or caused the dawn to know its place, +\q +\v 13 so that it might take hold of the edges of the earth +\q and shake the wicked out of it? + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 The earth is changed in appearance like clay changes under a seal; +\q all things on it stand out clearly like the folds of a piece of clothing. +\q +\v 15 From wicked people their 'light' is taken away; +\q their uplifted arm is broken. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Have you gone to the sources of the waters of the sea? +\q Have you walked in the lowest parts of the deep? +\q +\v 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? +\q Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? +\q +\v 18 Have you understood the earth in its expanse? +\q Tell me, if you know it all. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Where is the way to the resting place of light— +\q as for darkness, where is its place? +\q +\v 20 Can you lead light and darkness to their places of work? +\q Can you find the way back to their houses for them? +\q +\v 21 Undoubtedly you know, for you were born then; +\q the number of your days is so large! + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Have you entered the storehouses for the snow, +\q or have you seen the storehouses for the hail, +\q +\v 23 these things that I have kept for times of trouble, +\q for days of battle and war? +\q +\v 24 What is the path to where the lightning bolts are distributed +\q or to where the winds are scattered from the east over the earth? + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 Who has created the channels for the floods of rain, +\q or who has made a path for the thunder, +\q +\v 26 to cause it to rain on lands where no person exists, +\q and on the wilderness, in which there is no one, +\q +\v 27 to satisfy the devastated and desolate places, +\q and to make the ground sprout with grass? + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Does the rain have a father, +\q or, who fathers the drops of dew? +\q +\v 29 Out of whose womb did the ice come? +\q Who bore the white frost out of the sky? +\q +\v 30 The waters hide themselves and become like stone; +\q the surface of the deep becomes frozen. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 Can you fasten chains on the Pleiades, +\q or undo the cords of Orion? +\q +\v 32 Can you lead the constellations to appear at their proper times? +\q Can you guide the Bear with its children? +\q +\v 33 Do you know the regulations of the sky? +\q Could you set in place the sky's rule over the earth? + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 Can you raise your voice up to the clouds, +\q so that an abundance of rainwater may cover you? +\q +\v 35 Can you send out bolts of lightning that they may go out, +\q that they say to you, 'Here we are'? + +\s5 +\q +\v 36 Who has put wisdom in the clouds +\q or has given understanding to the mists? +\q +\v 37 Who can number the clouds by his skill? +\q Who can pour out the water skins of the sky +\q +\v 38 when the dust runs into a hard mass +\q and the clods of earth clump tightly together? + +\s5 +\q +\v 39 Can you hunt down a victim for a lioness +\q or satisfy the appetite of her young lion cubs +\q +\v 40 when they are crouching in their dens +\q and sheltering in hiding to lie in wait? + +\s5 +\q +\v 41 Who provides victims for the ravens +\q when their young ones cry out to God +\q and stagger about for lack of food? + + + + +\s5 +\c 39 +\m +\q +\v 1 Do you know at what time the wild goats in the rocks bear their young? +\q Can you watch when the deer are having their fawns? +\q +\v 2 Can you count the months that they gestate? +\q Do you know the time when they bear their young? + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 They crouch down and birth their young, +\q and then they finish their labor pains. +\q +\v 4 Their young ones become strong and grow up in the open fields; +\q they go out and do not come back again. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Who let the wild donkey go free? +\q Who has untied the bonds of the swift donkey, +\q +\v 6 whose home I have made in the Arabah, +\q his house in the salt land? +\s5 +\q +\v 7 He laughs in scorn at the noises in the city; +\q he does not hear the driver's shouts. +\q +\v 8 He roams over the mountains as his pastures; +\q there he looks for every green plant to eat. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Will the wild ox be happy to serve you? +\q Will he consent to stay by your manger? +\q +\v 10 With a rope, can you control the wild ox to plow the furrows? +\q Will he harrow the valleys for you? + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Will you trust him because his strength is great? +\q Will you leave your work to him to do? +\q +\v 12 Will you depend on him to bring your grain home, +\q to gather the grain for your threshing floor? +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, +\q but are they the pinions and plumage of love? +\q +\v 14 For she leaves her eggs on the earth, +\q and she lets them keep warm in the dust; +\q +\v 15 she forgets that a foot might crush them +\q or that a wild beast might trample them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 She deals roughly with her young ones as if they were not hers; +\q she does not fear that her labor might have been in vain, +\q +\v 17 because God has deprived her of wisdom +\q and has not given her any understanding. +\q +\v 18 When she runs swiftly, +\q she laughs in scorn at the horse and its rider. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Have you given the horse his strength? +\q Did you clothe his neck with his flowing mane? +\q +\v 20 Have you ever made him jump like a locust? +\q The majesty of his snorting is fearsome. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 He paws in might and rejoices in his strength; +\q he rushes out to meet the weapons. +\q +\v 22 He mocks fear and is not dismayed; +\q he does not turn back from the sword. +\q +\v 23 The quiver rattles against his flank, +\q along with the flashing spear and the javelin. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 He swallows up ground with fierceness and rage; +\q at the trumpet's sound, he cannot stand in one place. +\q +\v 25 Whenever the trumpet sounds, he says, 'Aha!' +\q He smells the battle from far away— +\q the thunderous shouts of the commanders and the outcries. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, +\q that he stretches out his wings for the south? + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 Is it at your orders that the eagle mounts up +\q and makes his nest in high places? +\q +\v 28 He lives on cliffs and makes his home +\q on the peaks of cliffs, a stronghold. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 From there he searches for victims; +\q his eyes see them from very far away. +\q +\v 30 His young also drink up blood; +\q where killed people are, there he is." + + + + +\s5 +\c 40 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh continued to speak to Job; he said, +\q +\v 2 "Should anyone who wishes to criticize try to correct the Almighty? +\q He who argues with God, let him answer." + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Then Job answered Yahweh and said, +\q +\v 4 "See, I am insignificant; how can I answer you? +\q I put my hand over my mouth. +\q +\v 5 I spoke once, and I will not answer; +\q indeed, twice, but I will proceed no further." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then Yahweh answered Job out of a fierce storm and said, +\q +\v 7 "Now gird up your loins like a man, +\q for I will ask you questions, and you must answer me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Will you actually say that I am unjust? +\q Will you condemn me so you may claim you are right? +\q +\v 9 Do you have an arm like God's? +\q Can you thunder with a voice like him? + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Now clothe yourself in glory and dignity; +\q array yourself in honor and majesty. +\q +\v 11 Scatter around the excess of your anger; +\q look at everyone who is proud and bring him down. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Look at everyone who is proud and bring him low; +\q trample down wicked people where they stand. +\q +\v 13 Bury them in the earth together; +\q imprison their faces in the hidden place. +\q +\v 14 Then will I also acknowledge about you +\q that your own right hand can save you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Look now at the behemoth, which I made when I made you; +\q he eats grass like an ox. +\q +\v 16 See now, his strength is in his loins; +\q his power is in his belly's muscles. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 He makes his tail like a cedar; +\q the sinews of his thighs are joined together. +\q +\v 18 His bones are like tubes of bronze; +\q his legs are like bars of iron. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 He is the chief of the creatures of God. +\q Only God, who made him, can defeat him. +\q +\v 20 For the hills provide him with food; +\q the beasts of the field play nearby. +\q +\v 21 He lies under the lotus plants +\q in the shelter of the reeds, in the marshes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 The lotus plants cover him with their shade; +\q the willows of the brook are all around him. +\q +\v 23 See, if a river floods its banks, he does not tremble; +\q he is confident, though the Jordan should surge up to his mouth. +\q +\v 24 Can anyone capture him with a hook, +\q or pierce his nose through with a snare? + + + + +\s5 +\c 41 +\m +\q +\v 1 Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook? +\q Or tie up his jaws with a cord? +\q +\v 2 Can you put a rope into his nose, +\q or pierce his jaw through with a hook? +\q +\v 3 Will he make many pleas to you? +\q Will he speak soft words to you? + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Will he make a covenant with you, +\q that you should take him for a servant forever? +\q +\v 5 Will you play with him as you would with a bird? +\q Will you tie him up for your servant girls? +\q +\v 6 Will the groups of fishermen bargain for him? +\q Will they divide him up to trade among the merchants? + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Can you fill his hide with harpoons +\q or his head with fishing spears? +\q +\v 8 Put your hand on him just once, +\q and you will remember the battle and do it no more. +\q +\v 9 See, the hope of anyone who does that is a lie; +\q will not anyone be thrown down to the ground just by the sight of him? +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 None is so fierce that he dare stir Leviathan up; +\q who, then, is he who can stand before me? +\q +\v 11 Who has first given anything to me in order that I should repay him? +\q Whatever is under the whole sky is mine. +\m +\q +\v 12 I will not keep silent concerning Leviathan's legs, +\q nor about the matter of his strength, nor about his graceful form. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Who can strip off his outer covering? +\q Who can penetrate his double armor? +\q +\v 14 Who can open the doors of his face— +\q ringed with his teeth, which are a terror? +\q +\v 15 his back is made up of rows of shields, +\q tight together as with a close seal. +\m + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 One is so near to another +\q that no air can come between them. +\q +\v 17 They are joined to each other; +\q they stick together, so that they cannot be pulled apart. +\q +\v 18 Light flashes out from his snorting; +\q his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning dawn. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Out of his mouth go burning torches, +\q sparks of fire leap out. +\q +\v 20 Out of his nostrils goes smoke +\q like a boiling pot on a fire that has been fanned to be very hot. +\q +\v 21 His breath kindles coals into flame; +\q fires go out from his mouth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 In his neck is strength, +\q and terror dances in front of him. +\q +\v 23 The folds of his flesh are joined together; +\q they are firm on him; they cannot be moved. +\q +\v 24 His heart is as hard as a stone— +\q indeed, as hard as a lower millstone. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 When he raises himself up, even the gods become afraid; +\q because of fear, they draw back. +\q +\v 26 If a sword strikes him, it does nothing— +\q and neither does a spear, an arrow, or any other pointed weapon. +\q +\v 27 He thinks of iron as if it were straw, +\q and of bronze as if it were rotten wood. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 An arrow cannot make him flee; +\q to him sling stones become chaff. +\q +\v 29 Clubs are regarded as straw; +\q he laughs at the whirring flight of a spear. +\q +\v 30 His lower parts are like sharp pieces of broken pottery; +\q he leaves a spreading trail in the mud as if he were a threshing sledge. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 He makes the deep to foam up like a pot of boiling water; +\q he makes the sea like a pot of ointment. +\q +\v 32 He makes a shining wake behind him; +\q one would think the deep had gray hair. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 On earth there is no equal to him, +\q who has been made to live without fear. +\q +\v 34 He sees everything that is proud; +\q he is king over all the sons of pride." + + + +\s5 +\c 42 +\p +\v 1 Then Job answered Yahweh and said, +\q +\v 2 "I know that you can do all things, +\q that no purpose of yours can be stopped. +\q +\v 3 'Who is this who without knowledge conceals plans?' +\q Indeed, I have spoken things that I did not understand, +\q things too difficult for me to understand, which I did not know about. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 You said to me, 'Listen, now, and I will speak; +\q I will ask you things, and you will tell me.' +\q +\v 5 I had heard about you by my ear's hearing, +\q but now my eye sees you. +\q +\v 6 So I despise myself; +\q I repent in dust and ashes." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 It came about that after he had said these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has done. +\v 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer, so that I may not deal with you after your folly. You +have not said what is right about me, as my servant Job has done." +\v 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as Yahweh had commanded them, and Yahweh accepted Job. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 When Job prayed for his friends, Yahweh restored his fortunes. Yahweh gave him twice as much as he had possessed before. +\v 11 Then all Job's brothers, and all his sisters, and all who knew him before, came to him and ate food with him in his house. They showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the disasters that Yahweh had brought upon him, and each of them gave Job a piece of silver and a ring of gold. + +\s5 +\v 12 Yahweh blessed the final end of Job's life more than the first; he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand +camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. +\v 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. +\v 14 He named the first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-Happuch. + +\s5 +\v 15 In all the land no women were found as beautiful as Job's daughters. Their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers. +\v 16 After this, Job lived 140 years; he saw his sons and his sons' sons, up to four generations. +\v 17 Then Job died, being old and full of days. + diff --git a/19-PSA.usfm b/19-PSA.usfm index b24cfe22..ef3edcbd 100644 --- a/19-PSA.usfm +++ b/19-PSA.usfm @@ -46,62 +46,62 @@ - -\s5 -\c 2 -\m -\q -\v 1 Why are the nations in turmoil, -\q and why do the peoples make plots that will fail? -\q -\v 2 The kings of the earth take their stand together -\q and the rulers conspire together -\q against Yahweh and against his Messiah, saying, -\q -\v 3 "Let us tear off the shackles they put on us -\q and throw off their chains." - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 He who sits in the heavens will sneer at them; -\q the Lord mocks them. -\q -\v 5 Then he will speak to them in his anger -\q and terrify them in his rage, saying, - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 "I myself have anointed my king -\q on Zion, my holy mountain." -\q -\v 7 I will announce a decree of Yahweh. -\q He said to me, "You are my son! -\q This day I have become your father. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance -\q and the farthermost regions of the earth for your possession. -\q -\v 9 You will break them with an iron rod; -\q like a jar of a potter, you will smash them to pieces." - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 So now, you kings, be warned; -\q be corrected, you rulers of the earth. -\q -\v 11 Worship Yahweh in fear -\q and rejoice with trembling. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Kiss the son or he will be angry with you, -\q2 and you will die in the way when his anger burns for just a moment. -\q How blessed are all those who seek refuge in him. - - - + +\s5 +\c 2 +\m +\q +\v 1 Why are the nations in turmoil, +\q and why do the peoples make plots that will fail? +\q +\v 2 The kings of the earth take their stand together +\q and the rulers conspire together +\q against Yahweh and against his Messiah, saying, +\q +\v 3 "Let us tear off the shackles they put on us +\q and throw off their chains." + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 He who sits in the heavens will sneer at them; +\q the Lord mocks them. +\q +\v 5 Then he will speak to them in his anger +\q and terrify them in his rage, saying, + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 "I myself have anointed my king +\q on Zion, my holy mountain." +\q +\v 7 I will announce a decree of Yahweh. +\q He said to me, "You are my son! +\q This day I have become your father. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance +\q and the farthermost regions of the earth for your possession. +\q +\v 9 You will break them with an iron rod; +\q like a jar of a potter, you will smash them to pieces." + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 So now, you kings, be warned; +\q be corrected, you rulers of the earth. +\q +\v 11 Worship Yahweh in fear +\q and rejoice with trembling. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Kiss the son or he will be angry with you, +\q2 and you will die in the way when his anger burns for just a moment. +\q How blessed are all those who seek refuge in him. + + + \s5 \c 3 @@ -1068,246 +1068,246 @@ the day that Yahweh rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the ha \q Yahweh, my rock and my redeemer. -\s5 -\c 20 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 May Yahweh help you in the day of trouble; -\q may the name of the God of Jacob protect you -\q -\v 2 and send help from the holy place -\q to support you from Zion. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 May he call to mind all your offerings -\q and accept your burnt sacrifice. -\qs Selah\qs* -\q -\v 4 May he grant you your heart's desire -\q and fulfill all your plans. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Then we will rejoice in your victory, -\q and, in the name of our God, we will raise banners. -\q May Yahweh grant all your petitions. -\q -\v 6 Now I know that Yahweh will rescue his anointed one; -\q he will answer him from his holy heaven -\q with the strength of his right hand that can rescue him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, -\q but we call on Yahweh our God. -\q -\v 8 They will be brought down and fall, -\q but we will rise and stand upright! - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Yahweh, rescue the king; -\q help us when we call. - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 The king rejoices in your strength, Yahweh! -\q How greatly he rejoices in the salvation you provide! -\q -\v 2 You have given him his heart's desire -\q and have not held back the request of his lips. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 For you bring him rich blessings; -\q you placed on his head a crown of purest gold. -\q -\v 4 He asked you for life; you gave it to him; -\q you gave him long days forever and ever. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 His glory is great because of your victory; -\q you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. -\q -\v 6 For you grant him lasting blessings; -\q you make him glad with the joy of your presence. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 For the king trusts in Yahweh; -\q through the covenant faithfulness of the Most High he will not be moved. -\q -\v 8 Your hand will seize all your enemies; -\q your right hand will seize those who hate you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 At the time of your anger, you will burn them up as in a fiery furnace. -\q Yahweh will consume them in his wrath, -\q and the fire will devour them. -\q -\v 10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth -\q and their descendants from among the human race. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 For they intended evil against you; -\q they conceived a plot with which they will not succeed! -\q -\v 12 For you will turn them back; -\q you will draw your bow before them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength; -\q we will sing and praise your power. - - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\m -\d For the chief musician; set to "The rhythm of the deer." A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? -\q Why are you so far from saving me and far from the words of my anguish? -\q -\v 2 My God, I cry out in the daytime, but you do not answer, -\q and at night I am not silent! - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Yet you are holy; -\q you sit as king with the praises of Israel. -\q -\v 4 Our ancestors trusted in you; -\q they trusted in you, and you rescued them. -\q -\v 5 They cried to you and they were rescued. -\q They trusted in you and were not disappointed. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 But I am a worm and not a man, -\q a disgrace to humanity and despised by the people. -\q -\v 7 All those who see me taunt me; -\q they mock me; they shake their heads at me. -\q -\v 8 They say, "He trusts in Yahweh; -\q let Yahweh rescue him. -\q Let him rescue him, for he delights in him." - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 For you brought me from the womb; -\q you made me trust you when I was on my mother's breasts. -\q -\v 10 I have been thrown on you from the womb; -\q you are my God since I was in my mother's womb! - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Do not be far away from me, for trouble is near; -\q there is no one to help. -\q -\v 12 Many bulls surround me; -\q strong bulls of Bashan surround me. -\q -\v 13 They open their mouths wide against me -\q like a roaring lion ripping its victim. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 I am being poured out like water, -\q and all my bones are dislocated. -\q My heart is like wax; -\q it melts away within my inner parts. -\q -\v 15 My strength has dried up like a piece of pottery; -\q my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. -\q You have laid me in the dust of death. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 For dogs have surrounded me; -\q a company of evildoers has encircled me; -\q they have pierced my hands and my feet. -\q -\v 17 I can count all my bones. -\q They look and stare at me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 They divide my garments among themselves, -\q they cast lots for my clothes. -\q -\v 19 Do not be far away, Yahweh; -\q please hurry to help me, my strength! - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Rescue my soul from the sword, -\q my only life from the claws of wild dogs. -\q -\v 21 Save me from the lion's mouth; -\q rescue me from the horns of the wild oxen. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 I will declare your name to my brothers; -\q in the midst of the assembly I will praise you. -\q -\v 23 You who fear Yahweh, praise him! -\q All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! -\q Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel! - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 For he has not despised or abhorred the suffering of the afflicted one; -\q Yahweh has not hidden his face from him; -\q when the afflicted one cried to him, he heard. -\q -\v 25 My praise will be because of you in the great assembly; -\q I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 The oppressed will eat and be satisfied; -\q those who seek Yahweh will praise him. -\q May your hearts live forever. -\q -\v 27 All the peoples of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh; -\q all the families of the nations will bow down before you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 For the kingdom is Yahweh's; -\q he is the ruler over the nations. -\q -\v 29 All the prosperous people of the earth will feast and will worship; -\q all those who are descending into the dust will bow before him, -\q those who cannot preserve their own lives. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 A generation to come will serve him; -\q they will tell the next generation of the Lord. -\q -\v 31 They will come and tell of his righteousness; -\q they will tell to a people not yet born what he has done! - - - +\s5 +\c 20 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 May Yahweh help you in the day of trouble; +\q may the name of the God of Jacob protect you +\q +\v 2 and send help from the holy place +\q to support you from Zion. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 May he call to mind all your offerings +\q and accept your burnt sacrifice. +\qs Selah\qs* +\q +\v 4 May he grant you your heart's desire +\q and fulfill all your plans. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Then we will rejoice in your victory, +\q and, in the name of our God, we will raise banners. +\q May Yahweh grant all your petitions. +\q +\v 6 Now I know that Yahweh will rescue his anointed one; +\q he will answer him from his holy heaven +\q with the strength of his right hand that can rescue him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, +\q but we call on Yahweh our God. +\q +\v 8 They will be brought down and fall, +\q but we will rise and stand upright! + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Yahweh, rescue the king; +\q help us when we call. + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 The king rejoices in your strength, Yahweh! +\q How greatly he rejoices in the salvation you provide! +\q +\v 2 You have given him his heart's desire +\q and have not held back the request of his lips. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 For you bring him rich blessings; +\q you placed on his head a crown of purest gold. +\q +\v 4 He asked you for life; you gave it to him; +\q you gave him long days forever and ever. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 His glory is great because of your victory; +\q you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. +\q +\v 6 For you grant him lasting blessings; +\q you make him glad with the joy of your presence. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 For the king trusts in Yahweh; +\q through the covenant faithfulness of the Most High he will not be moved. +\q +\v 8 Your hand will seize all your enemies; +\q your right hand will seize those who hate you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 At the time of your anger, you will burn them up as in a fiery furnace. +\q Yahweh will consume them in his wrath, +\q and the fire will devour them. +\q +\v 10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth +\q and their descendants from among the human race. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 For they intended evil against you; +\q they conceived a plot with which they will not succeed! +\q +\v 12 For you will turn them back; +\q you will draw your bow before them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Be exalted, Yahweh, in your strength; +\q we will sing and praise your power. + + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\m +\d For the chief musician; set to "The rhythm of the deer." A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? +\q Why are you so far from saving me and far from the words of my anguish? +\q +\v 2 My God, I cry out in the daytime, but you do not answer, +\q and at night I am not silent! + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Yet you are holy; +\q you sit as king with the praises of Israel. +\q +\v 4 Our ancestors trusted in you; +\q they trusted in you, and you rescued them. +\q +\v 5 They cried to you and they were rescued. +\q They trusted in you and were not disappointed. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 But I am a worm and not a man, +\q a disgrace to humanity and despised by the people. +\q +\v 7 All those who see me taunt me; +\q they mock me; they shake their heads at me. +\q +\v 8 They say, "He trusts in Yahweh; +\q let Yahweh rescue him. +\q Let him rescue him, for he delights in him." + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 For you brought me from the womb; +\q you made me trust you when I was on my mother's breasts. +\q +\v 10 I have been thrown on you from the womb; +\q you are my God since I was in my mother's womb! + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Do not be far away from me, for trouble is near; +\q there is no one to help. +\q +\v 12 Many bulls surround me; +\q strong bulls of Bashan surround me. +\q +\v 13 They open their mouths wide against me +\q like a roaring lion ripping its victim. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 I am being poured out like water, +\q and all my bones are dislocated. +\q My heart is like wax; +\q it melts away within my inner parts. +\q +\v 15 My strength has dried up like a piece of pottery; +\q my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. +\q You have laid me in the dust of death. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 For dogs have surrounded me; +\q a company of evildoers has encircled me; +\q they have pierced my hands and my feet. +\q +\v 17 I can count all my bones. +\q They look and stare at me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 They divide my garments among themselves, +\q they cast lots for my clothes. +\q +\v 19 Do not be far away, Yahweh; +\q please hurry to help me, my strength! + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Rescue my soul from the sword, +\q my only life from the claws of wild dogs. +\q +\v 21 Save me from the lion's mouth; +\q rescue me from the horns of the wild oxen. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 I will declare your name to my brothers; +\q in the midst of the assembly I will praise you. +\q +\v 23 You who fear Yahweh, praise him! +\q All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! +\q Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel! + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 For he has not despised or abhorred the suffering of the afflicted one; +\q Yahweh has not hidden his face from him; +\q when the afflicted one cried to him, he heard. +\q +\v 25 My praise will be because of you in the great assembly; +\q I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 The oppressed will eat and be satisfied; +\q those who seek Yahweh will praise him. +\q May your hearts live forever. +\q +\v 27 All the peoples of the earth will remember and turn to Yahweh; +\q all the families of the nations will bow down before you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 For the kingdom is Yahweh's; +\q he is the ruler over the nations. +\q +\v 29 All the prosperous people of the earth will feast and will worship; +\q all those who are descending into the dust will bow before him, +\q those who cannot preserve their own lives. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 A generation to come will serve him; +\q they will tell the next generation of the Lord. +\q +\v 31 They will come and tell of his righteousness; +\q they will tell to a people not yet born what he has done! + + + \s5 \c 23 @@ -1343,58 +1343,58 @@ the day that Yahweh rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the ha - -\s5 -\c 24 -\m -\d A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 The earth is Yahweh's, and its fullness, -\q the world, and all who live in it. -\q -\v 2 For he has founded it upon the seas -\q and established it on the rivers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Who will ascend the mountain of Yahweh? -\q Who will stand in his holy place? -\q -\v 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart; -\q who has not lifted up a falsehood, -\q and has not sworn an oath in order to deceive. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 He will receive a blessing from Yahweh -\q and righteousness from the God of his salvation. -\q -\v 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, -\q those who seek the face of the God of Jacob. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Lift up your heads, you gates; -\q be lifted up, everlasting doors, -\q so that the King of glory may come in! -\q -\v 8 Who is this King of glory? -\q Yahweh, strong and mighty; Yahweh, mighty in battle. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; -\q be lifted up, everlasting doors, -\q so that the King of glory may come in! -\q -\v 10 Who is this King of glory? -\q Yahweh of hosts, -\q he is the King of glory. -\qs Selah\qs* - - - + +\s5 +\c 24 +\m +\d A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 The earth is Yahweh's, and its fullness, +\q the world, and all who live in it. +\q +\v 2 For he has founded it upon the seas +\q and established it on the rivers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Who will ascend the mountain of Yahweh? +\q Who will stand in his holy place? +\q +\v 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart; +\q who has not lifted up a falsehood, +\q and has not sworn an oath in order to deceive. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 He will receive a blessing from Yahweh +\q and righteousness from the God of his salvation. +\q +\v 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, +\q those who seek the face of the God of Jacob. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Lift up your heads, you gates; +\q be lifted up, everlasting doors, +\q so that the King of glory may come in! +\q +\v 8 Who is this King of glory? +\q Yahweh, strong and mighty; Yahweh, mighty in battle. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; +\q be lifted up, everlasting doors, +\q so that the King of glory may come in! +\q +\v 10 Who is this King of glory? +\q Yahweh of hosts, +\q he is the King of glory. +\qs Selah\qs* + + + \s5 \c 25 @@ -1746,122 +1746,122 @@ the day that Yahweh rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the ha -\s5 -\c 31 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge; -\q never let me be humiliated. -\q Rescue me in your righteousness. -\q -\v 2 Listen to me; rescue me quickly; -\q be my rock of refuge, -\q a stronghold to save me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 For you are my rock and my fortress; -\q therefore for your name's sake, lead and guide me. -\q -\v 4 Pluck me out of the net that they have hidden for me, -\q for you are my refuge. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Into your hands I entrust my spirit; -\q you will redeem me, Yahweh, God of trustworthiness. -\q -\v 6 I hate those who serve worthless idols, -\q but I trust in Yahweh. -\q -\v 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your covenant faithfulness, -\q for you saw my affliction; -\q you knew the distress of my soul. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 You have not given me into the hand of my enemy. -\q You have set my feet in a wide open place. -\q -\v 9 Have mercy upon me, Yahweh, for I am in distress; -\q my eyes grow weary with grief with my soul and my body. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 For my life is weary with sorrow -\q and my years with groaning. -\q My strength fails because of my sin, -\q and my bones are wasting away. -\q -\v 11 Because of all my enemies, people disdain me; -\q my neighbors are appalled at my situation, -\q and those who know me are horrified. -\q Those who see me in the street run from me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 I am forgotten as a dead man whom no one thinks about. -\q I am like a broken pot. -\q -\v 13 For I have heard the whispering of many, -\q terrifying news from every side -\q as they plot together against me. -\q They plot to take away my life. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 But I trust in you, Yahweh; -\q I say, "You are my God." -\q -\v 15 My destiny is in your hand. -\q Rescue me from the hands of my enemies and from those who pursue me. - - - -\q -\v 16 Make your face shine on your servant; -\q save me in your covenant faithfulness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Do not let me be humiliated, Yahweh; for I call out to you! -\q May the wicked be humiliated! May they be silent in Sheol. -\q -\v 18 May lying lips be silenced -\q that speak against the righteous defiantly -\q with arrogance and contempt. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 How great is your goodness -\q that you have stored up for those who revere you, -\q that you perform for those who take refuge in you -\q before all the children of mankind! -\q -\v 20 In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from the plots of men. -\q You hide them in a shelter from the violence of tongues. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Blessed be Yahweh, -\q for he showed me his marvelous covenant faithfulness when I was in a besieged city. -\q -\v 22 Though I said in my haste, -\q "I am cut off from your eyes," -\q yet you heard my plea for help -\q when I cried to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Oh, love Yahweh, all you faithful followers. -\q Yahweh protects the faithful, -\q but he pays back the arrogant in full. -\q -\v 24 Be strong and confident, -\q all you who trust in Yahweh for help. - - +\s5 +\c 31 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge; +\q never let me be humiliated. +\q Rescue me in your righteousness. +\q +\v 2 Listen to me; rescue me quickly; +\q be my rock of refuge, +\q a stronghold to save me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 For you are my rock and my fortress; +\q therefore for your name's sake, lead and guide me. +\q +\v 4 Pluck me out of the net that they have hidden for me, +\q for you are my refuge. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Into your hands I entrust my spirit; +\q you will redeem me, Yahweh, God of trustworthiness. +\q +\v 6 I hate those who serve worthless idols, +\q but I trust in Yahweh. +\q +\v 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your covenant faithfulness, +\q for you saw my affliction; +\q you knew the distress of my soul. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 You have not given me into the hand of my enemy. +\q You have set my feet in a wide open place. +\q +\v 9 Have mercy upon me, Yahweh, for I am in distress; +\q my eyes grow weary with grief with my soul and my body. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 For my life is weary with sorrow +\q and my years with groaning. +\q My strength fails because of my sin, +\q and my bones are wasting away. +\q +\v 11 Because of all my enemies, people disdain me; +\q my neighbors are appalled at my situation, +\q and those who know me are horrified. +\q Those who see me in the street run from me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 I am forgotten as a dead man whom no one thinks about. +\q I am like a broken pot. +\q +\v 13 For I have heard the whispering of many, +\q terrifying news from every side +\q as they plot together against me. +\q They plot to take away my life. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 But I trust in you, Yahweh; +\q I say, "You are my God." +\q +\v 15 My destiny is in your hand. +\q Rescue me from the hands of my enemies and from those who pursue me. + + + +\q +\v 16 Make your face shine on your servant; +\q save me in your covenant faithfulness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Do not let me be humiliated, Yahweh; for I call out to you! +\q May the wicked be humiliated! May they be silent in Sheol. +\q +\v 18 May lying lips be silenced +\q that speak against the righteous defiantly +\q with arrogance and contempt. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 How great is your goodness +\q that you have stored up for those who revere you, +\q that you perform for those who take refuge in you +\q before all the children of mankind! +\q +\v 20 In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from the plots of men. +\q You hide them in a shelter from the violence of tongues. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Blessed be Yahweh, +\q for he showed me his marvelous covenant faithfulness when I was in a besieged city. +\q +\v 22 Though I said in my haste, +\q "I am cut off from your eyes," +\q yet you heard my plea for help +\q when I cried to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Oh, love Yahweh, all you faithful followers. +\q Yahweh protects the faithful, +\q but he pays back the arrogant in full. +\q +\v 24 Be strong and confident, +\q all you who trust in Yahweh for help. + + \s5 \c 32 \m @@ -2738,63 +2738,63 @@ the day that Yahweh rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the ha \q Amen and Amen. -\s5 -\ms Book Two -\c 42 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A maschil of the sons of Korah. -\q -\v 1 As the deer pants after streams of water, -\q so I thirst for you, God. -\q -\v 2 I thirst for God, for the living God, -\q when will I come and appear before God? - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 My tears have been my food day and night, -\q while my enemies are always saying to me, "Where is your God?" -\q -\v 4 These things I call to mind as I pour out my soul: -\q how I went with the throng and led them to the house of God -\q with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude celebrating a festival. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Why are you bowed down, my soul? -\q Why are you upset within me? -\q Hope in God, for again I will praise him who is my salvation. - - -\q -\v 6 My God, my soul is bowed down within me, -\q therefore I call you to mind from the land of the Jordan, -\q from the three peaks of Mount Hermon, and from the hill of Mizar. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls; -\q all your waves and your billows have gone over me. -\q -\v 8 Yet Yahweh will command his covenant faithfulness in the daytime; -\q in the night his song will be with me, -\q a prayer to the God of my life. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 I will say to God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? -\q Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" -\q -\v 10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries rebuke me, -\q while they always say to me, "Where is your God?" - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Why are you bowed down, my soul? -\q Why are you upset within me? -\q Hope in God, for again I will praise him who is my salvation and my God. - - +\s5 +\ms Book Two +\c 42 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A maschil of the sons of Korah. +\q +\v 1 As the deer pants after streams of water, +\q so I thirst for you, God. +\q +\v 2 I thirst for God, for the living God, +\q when will I come and appear before God? + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 My tears have been my food day and night, +\q while my enemies are always saying to me, "Where is your God?" +\q +\v 4 These things I call to mind as I pour out my soul: +\q how I went with the throng and led them to the house of God +\q with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude celebrating a festival. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Why are you bowed down, my soul? +\q Why are you upset within me? +\q Hope in God, for again I will praise him who is my salvation. + + +\q +\v 6 My God, my soul is bowed down within me, +\q therefore I call you to mind from the land of the Jordan, +\q from the three peaks of Mount Hermon, and from the hill of Mizar. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls; +\q all your waves and your billows have gone over me. +\q +\v 8 Yet Yahweh will command his covenant faithfulness in the daytime; +\q in the night his song will be with me, +\q a prayer to the God of my life. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 I will say to God, my rock, "Why have you forgotten me? +\q Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" +\q +\v 10 As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries rebuke me, +\q while they always say to me, "Where is your God?" + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Why are you bowed down, my soul? +\q Why are you upset within me? +\q Hope in God, for again I will praise him who is my salvation and my God. + + \s5 \c 43 @@ -2933,84 +2933,84 @@ the day that Yahweh rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the ha \q and redeem us for the sake of your covenant faithfulness. -\s5 -\c 45 -\m -\d For the chief musician; set to Shoshannim. A psalm of the sons of Korah. A maschil. A song of loves. -\q -\v 1 My heart overflows on a good subject; -\q I will read aloud the words I have composed about the king; -\q my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. -\q -\v 2 You are fairer than the children of mankind; -\q grace is poured onto your lips; -\q therefore we know that God has blessed you forever. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Put your sword on your side, mighty one, -\q in your glory and your majesty. -\q -\v 4 In your majesty ride on triumphantly -\q because of trustworthiness, meekness, and righteousness; -\q your right hand will teach you fearful things. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Your arrows are sharp; -\q the peoples fall under you; -\q your arrows are in the hearts of the king's enemies. -\q -\v 6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever; -\q a scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom. -\q -\v 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; -\q therefore God, your God, has anointed you -\q with the oil of gladness more than your companions. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 All your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and -cassia; -\q out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad. -\q -\v 9 Kings' daughters are among your honorable women; -\q at your right hand stands the queen clothed in gold of Ophir. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Listen, daughter, consider and incline your ear; -\q forget your own people and your father's house. -\q -\v 11 In this way the king will desire your beauty; -\q he is your master; revere him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 The daughter of Tyre will be there with a gift; -\q the rich among the people will beg for your favor. -\q -\v 13 The royal daughter in the palace is all glorious; -\q her clothing is worked with gold. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 She will be led to the king in embroidered dress; -\q the virgins, her companions who follow her, -\q will be brought to you. -\q -\v 15 They will be led by gladness and rejoicing; -\q they will enter into the king's palace. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 In the place of your fathers will be your children, -\q whom you will make princes in all the earth. -\q -\v 17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations; -\q therefore the peoples will give you thanks forever and ever. - - +\s5 +\c 45 +\m +\d For the chief musician; set to Shoshannim. A psalm of the sons of Korah. A maschil. A song of loves. +\q +\v 1 My heart overflows on a good subject; +\q I will read aloud the words I have composed about the king; +\q my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. +\q +\v 2 You are fairer than the children of mankind; +\q grace is poured onto your lips; +\q therefore we know that God has blessed you forever. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Put your sword on your side, mighty one, +\q in your glory and your majesty. +\q +\v 4 In your majesty ride on triumphantly +\q because of trustworthiness, meekness, and righteousness; +\q your right hand will teach you fearful things. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Your arrows are sharp; +\q the peoples fall under you; +\q your arrows are in the hearts of the king's enemies. +\q +\v 6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever; +\q a scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom. +\q +\v 7 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; +\q therefore God, your God, has anointed you +\q with the oil of gladness more than your companions. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 All your garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and +cassia; +\q out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad. +\q +\v 9 Kings' daughters are among your honorable women; +\q at your right hand stands the queen clothed in gold of Ophir. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Listen, daughter, consider and incline your ear; +\q forget your own people and your father's house. +\q +\v 11 In this way the king will desire your beauty; +\q he is your master; revere him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 The daughter of Tyre will be there with a gift; +\q the rich among the people will beg for your favor. +\q +\v 13 The royal daughter in the palace is all glorious; +\q her clothing is worked with gold. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 She will be led to the king in embroidered dress; +\q the virgins, her companions who follow her, +\q will be brought to you. +\q +\v 15 They will be led by gladness and rejoicing; +\q they will enter into the king's palace. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 In the place of your fathers will be your children, +\q whom you will make princes in all the earth. +\q +\v 17 I will make your name to be remembered in all generations; +\q therefore the peoples will give you thanks forever and ever. + + \s5 \c 46 \m @@ -3170,199 +3170,199 @@ cassia; - -\s5 -\c 49 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A psalm of the sons of Korah. -\q -\v 1 Hear this, all you peoples; -\q give ear, all you inhabitants of the world, -\q -\v 2 both low and high, -\q rich and poor together. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 My mouth will speak wisdom -\q and the meditation of my heart will be of understanding. -\q -\v 4 I will incline my ear to a parable; -\q I will begin my parable with the harp. -\q -\v 5 Why should I fear the days of evil, -\q when iniquity surrounds me at my heels? - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Why should I fear those who trust in their wealth -\q and boast about the amount of their riches? -\q -\v 7 It is certain that no one can redeem his brother -\q or give God a ransom for him, -\q -\v 8 For the redemption of one's life is costly, -\q and no one can pay what we owe. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 No one can live forever -\q so that his body should not decay. -\q -\v 10 For he will see decay. Wise men die; -\q the fool and the brute alike perish -\q and leave their wealth to others. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Their inner thought is that their families will -continue forever, -\q and the places where they live, to all generations; -\q they call their lands after their own names. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 But man, having wealth, does not remain alive; -\q he is like the beasts that perish. -\q -\v 13 This, their way, is their folly; -\q yet after them, men approve of their sayings. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol, -\q and death will be their shepherd. -\q The upright will rule over them in the morning, -\q and their bodies will be consumed in Sheol, -\q with no place for them to live. -\q -\v 15 But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol; -\q he will receive me. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, -\q and the glory of his house increases. -\q -\v 17 For when he dies he will take nothing away; -\q his glory will not go down after him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 He blessed his soul while he lived— -\q and men praise you when you live for yourself— -\q -\v 19 he will go to the generation of his fathers -\q and they will never see the light again. -\q -\v 20 One who has wealth but no understanding -\q is like the beasts, which perish. - - - -\s5 -\c 50 -\m -\d A psalm of Asaph. -\q -\v 1 The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, has spoken -\q and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. -\q -\v 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, -\q God has shone. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Our God comes and does not stay silent; -\q a fire devours before him, -\q and it is very stormy around him. -\q -\v 4 He calls to the heavens above -\q and to the earth so that he may judge his people: -\q -\v 5 "Gather my faithful ones together to me, -\q those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 The heavens will declare his righteousness, -\q for God himself is judge. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 "Hear, my people, and I will speak; -\q I am God, your God. -\q -\v 8 I will not reprove you for your sacrifices; -\q your burnt offerings are always before me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 I will take no bull out of your house, -\q or male goats out of your folds. -\q -\v 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, -\q and the cattle on a thousand hills. -\q -\v 11 I know all the birds of the mountains, -\q and the wild beasts of the field are mine. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you; -\q for the world is mine, and everything in it. -\q -\v 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls -\q or drink the blood of goats? - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, -\q and pay your vows to the Most High. -\q -\v 15 Call on me in the day of trouble; -\q I will rescue you, and you will glorify me." - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 But to the wicked God says, -\q "What have you to do with declaring my statutes, -\q that you have taken my covenant in your mouth, -\q -\v 17 since you hate instruction -\q and throw my words away? - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 When you see a thief, you agree with him; -\q you participate with those who commit adultery. -\q -\v 19 You give your mouth to evil, -\q and your tongue expresses deceit. -\q -\v 20 You sit and speak against your brother; -\q you slander your own mother's son. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 You have done these things, but I have kept silent, -\q so you thought that I was someone just like yourself. -\q But I will reprove you and bring up, right before your eyes, all the things you have done. -\q -\v 22 Give this careful consideration, you who forget God, -\q otherwise I will tear you to pieces, -\q and there will be no one to come to help you! - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 The one who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving praises me, -\q and to anyone who plans his path in the right way -\q I will show God's salvation." - - + +\s5 +\c 49 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A psalm of the sons of Korah. +\q +\v 1 Hear this, all you peoples; +\q give ear, all you inhabitants of the world, +\q +\v 2 both low and high, +\q rich and poor together. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 My mouth will speak wisdom +\q and the meditation of my heart will be of understanding. +\q +\v 4 I will incline my ear to a parable; +\q I will begin my parable with the harp. +\q +\v 5 Why should I fear the days of evil, +\q when iniquity surrounds me at my heels? + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Why should I fear those who trust in their wealth +\q and boast about the amount of their riches? +\q +\v 7 It is certain that no one can redeem his brother +\q or give God a ransom for him, +\q +\v 8 For the redemption of one's life is costly, +\q and no one can pay what we owe. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 No one can live forever +\q so that his body should not decay. +\q +\v 10 For he will see decay. Wise men die; +\q the fool and the brute alike perish +\q and leave their wealth to others. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Their inner thought is that their families will +continue forever, +\q and the places where they live, to all generations; +\q they call their lands after their own names. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 But man, having wealth, does not remain alive; +\q he is like the beasts that perish. +\q +\v 13 This, their way, is their folly; +\q yet after them, men approve of their sayings. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol, +\q and death will be their shepherd. +\q The upright will rule over them in the morning, +\q and their bodies will be consumed in Sheol, +\q with no place for them to live. +\q +\v 15 But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol; +\q he will receive me. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, +\q and the glory of his house increases. +\q +\v 17 For when he dies he will take nothing away; +\q his glory will not go down after him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 He blessed his soul while he lived— +\q and men praise you when you live for yourself— +\q +\v 19 he will go to the generation of his fathers +\q and they will never see the light again. +\q +\v 20 One who has wealth but no understanding +\q is like the beasts, which perish. + + + +\s5 +\c 50 +\m +\d A psalm of Asaph. +\q +\v 1 The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, has spoken +\q and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. +\q +\v 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, +\q God has shone. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Our God comes and does not stay silent; +\q a fire devours before him, +\q and it is very stormy around him. +\q +\v 4 He calls to the heavens above +\q and to the earth so that he may judge his people: +\q +\v 5 "Gather my faithful ones together to me, +\q those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 The heavens will declare his righteousness, +\q for God himself is judge. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 "Hear, my people, and I will speak; +\q I am God, your God. +\q +\v 8 I will not reprove you for your sacrifices; +\q your burnt offerings are always before me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 I will take no bull out of your house, +\q or male goats out of your folds. +\q +\v 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, +\q and the cattle on a thousand hills. +\q +\v 11 I know all the birds of the mountains, +\q and the wild beasts of the field are mine. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you; +\q for the world is mine, and everything in it. +\q +\v 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls +\q or drink the blood of goats? + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, +\q and pay your vows to the Most High. +\q +\v 15 Call on me in the day of trouble; +\q I will rescue you, and you will glorify me." + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 But to the wicked God says, +\q "What have you to do with declaring my statutes, +\q that you have taken my covenant in your mouth, +\q +\v 17 since you hate instruction +\q and throw my words away? + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 When you see a thief, you agree with him; +\q you participate with those who commit adultery. +\q +\v 19 You give your mouth to evil, +\q and your tongue expresses deceit. +\q +\v 20 You sit and speak against your brother; +\q you slander your own mother's son. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 You have done these things, but I have kept silent, +\q so you thought that I was someone just like yourself. +\q But I will reprove you and bring up, right before your eyes, all the things you have done. +\q +\v 22 Give this careful consideration, you who forget God, +\q otherwise I will tear you to pieces, +\q and there will be no one to come to help you! + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 The one who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving praises me, +\q and to anyone who plans his path in the right way +\q I will show God's salvation." + + \s5 \c 51 @@ -3444,231 +3444,231 @@ continue forever, \q then our people will offer bulls on your altar. - -\s5 -\c 52 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A maschil of David; when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said to him, "David has come to the -house of Ahimelech." -\q -\v 1 Why are you proud of making trouble, you mighty man? -\q The covenant faithfulness of God comes every day. -\q -\v 2 Your tongue plans destruction -\q like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 You love evil more than good -\q and lying rather than speaking righteousness. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 You love all words that devour others, -\q you deceitful tongue. -\q -\v 5 God will likewise destroy you forever; -\q he will take you up and pluck you out of your tent -\q and root you out of the land of the living. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 The righteous will also see it and fear; -\q they will laugh at him and say, -\q -\v 7 "See, this is a man who did not make God his refuge, -\q but he trusted in the abundance of his wealth, -\q and he was strong when he destroyed others." - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God's house; -\q I will trust in the covenant faithfulness of God forever and ever. -\q -\v 9 I will give you thanks forever for what you have done. -\q I will wait for your name, because it is good, -\q in the presence of your godly people. - - - - -\s5 -\c 53 -\m -\d For the chief musician; set to Mahalath. A maschil of David. -\q -\v 1 A fool says in his heart, "There is no God." -\q They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity; -\q there is no one who does good. -\q -\v 2 God looks down from heaven on the children of mankind -\q to see if there are any who understand, -\q who seek after him. -\q -\v 3 They have all turned away. Together they have become corrupt. -\q There is not one who does good, not even one. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Do those who commit iniquity have no understanding— -\q those who devour my people as if they were eating bread -\q and they do not call on God? -\q -\v 5 They were in great fear, although no reason to fear was there; -\q for God will scatter the bones of whoever will camp against you; -\q such people will be put to shame because God has rejected them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! -\q When God brings back his people from the captivity, -\q then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad! - - - -\s5 -\c 54 -\m -\d For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A maschil of David; when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, "Does David not hide himself with us?" -\q -\v 1 Save me, God, by your name, -\q and judge me in your might. -\q -\v 2 Hear my prayer, God; -\q give ear to the words of my mouth. -\q -\v 3 For strangers have risen up against me, -\q and pitiless men have sought after my life; -\q they have not set God before them. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 See, God is my helper; -\q the Lord is the one who upholds me. -\q -\v 5 He will repay my enemies with evil; -\q in your faithfulness, destroy them! - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 I will sacrifice to you with a freewill offering; -\q I will give thanks to your name, Yahweh, for it is good. -\q -\v 7 For he has rescued me from every trouble; -\q my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. - - - -\s5 -\c 55 -\m -\d For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A maschil of David. -\q -\v 1 Give ear to my prayer, God; -\q and do not hide yourself from my plea. -\q -\v 2 Pay attention to me and answer me; -\q I have no rest in my troubles -\q -\v 3 because of the voice of my enemies, -\q because of the oppression of the wicked; -\q for they bring trouble on me -\q and persecute me in anger. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 My heart trembles within me, -\q and the terrors of death have fallen on me. -\q -\v 5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me, -\q and horror has overwhelmed me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 I said, "Oh, if only I had wings like a dove! -\q Then would I fly away and be at rest. -\q -\v 7 See, then I would wander far away; -\q I would stay in the wilderness. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 I would hurry to a shelter -\q from the stormy wind and tempest." -\q -\v 9 Devour them, Lord, confuse their language! -\q For I have seen violence and strife in the city. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Day and night they go about on its walls; -\q iniquity and mischief are in the middle of it. -\q -\v 11 Wickedness is in the middle of it; -\q oppression and deceit do not leave its streets. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 For it was not an enemy who rebuked me, -\q then I could have borne it; -\q neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, -\q then I would have hidden myself from him. -\q -\v 13 But it was you, a man equal to myself, -\q my companion and my close friend. -\q -\v 14 We had sweet fellowship together; -\q we walked in the house of God with the throng. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Let death come suddenly on them; -\q let them go down alive to Sheol, -\q for wickedness is where they live, right among them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 As for me, I will call on God, -\q and Yahweh will save me. -\q -\v 17 In the evening, morning and at noonday I complain and moan; -\q he will hear my voice. -\q -\v 18 He will safely rescue my life from the battle that was against me, -\q for those who fought against me were many. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 God, the one who rules from eternity, -\q will hear them and humiliate them. - \qs Selah\qs* -\q They never change, -\q and they do not fear God. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 My friend has raised his hands against those who were at peace with him; -\q he has not respected the covenant that he had. -\q -\v 21 His mouth was smooth as butter, -\q but his heart was hostile; -\q his words were softer than oil, -\q yet they were actually drawn swords. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Place your burdens on Yahweh, and he will sustain you; -\q he will never allow a righteous person to totter. -\q -\v 23 But you, God, will bring the wicked down into the pit of destruction; -\q bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live even half as long as others, -\q but I will trust in you. - - + +\s5 +\c 52 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A maschil of David; when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said to him, "David has come to the +house of Ahimelech." +\q +\v 1 Why are you proud of making trouble, you mighty man? +\q The covenant faithfulness of God comes every day. +\q +\v 2 Your tongue plans destruction +\q like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 You love evil more than good +\q and lying rather than speaking righteousness. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 You love all words that devour others, +\q you deceitful tongue. +\q +\v 5 God will likewise destroy you forever; +\q he will take you up and pluck you out of your tent +\q and root you out of the land of the living. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 The righteous will also see it and fear; +\q they will laugh at him and say, +\q +\v 7 "See, this is a man who did not make God his refuge, +\q but he trusted in the abundance of his wealth, +\q and he was strong when he destroyed others." + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God's house; +\q I will trust in the covenant faithfulness of God forever and ever. +\q +\v 9 I will give you thanks forever for what you have done. +\q I will wait for your name, because it is good, +\q in the presence of your godly people. + + + + +\s5 +\c 53 +\m +\d For the chief musician; set to Mahalath. A maschil of David. +\q +\v 1 A fool says in his heart, "There is no God." +\q They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity; +\q there is no one who does good. +\q +\v 2 God looks down from heaven on the children of mankind +\q to see if there are any who understand, +\q who seek after him. +\q +\v 3 They have all turned away. Together they have become corrupt. +\q There is not one who does good, not even one. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Do those who commit iniquity have no understanding— +\q those who devour my people as if they were eating bread +\q and they do not call on God? +\q +\v 5 They were in great fear, although no reason to fear was there; +\q for God will scatter the bones of whoever will camp against you; +\q such people will be put to shame because God has rejected them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! +\q When God brings back his people from the captivity, +\q then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad! + + + +\s5 +\c 54 +\m +\d For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A maschil of David; when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, "Does David not hide himself with us?" +\q +\v 1 Save me, God, by your name, +\q and judge me in your might. +\q +\v 2 Hear my prayer, God; +\q give ear to the words of my mouth. +\q +\v 3 For strangers have risen up against me, +\q and pitiless men have sought after my life; +\q they have not set God before them. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 See, God is my helper; +\q the Lord is the one who upholds me. +\q +\v 5 He will repay my enemies with evil; +\q in your faithfulness, destroy them! + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 I will sacrifice to you with a freewill offering; +\q I will give thanks to your name, Yahweh, for it is good. +\q +\v 7 For he has rescued me from every trouble; +\q my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies. + + + +\s5 +\c 55 +\m +\d For the chief musician; on stringed instruments. A maschil of David. +\q +\v 1 Give ear to my prayer, God; +\q and do not hide yourself from my plea. +\q +\v 2 Pay attention to me and answer me; +\q I have no rest in my troubles +\q +\v 3 because of the voice of my enemies, +\q because of the oppression of the wicked; +\q for they bring trouble on me +\q and persecute me in anger. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 My heart trembles within me, +\q and the terrors of death have fallen on me. +\q +\v 5 Fearfulness and trembling have come on me, +\q and horror has overwhelmed me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 I said, "Oh, if only I had wings like a dove! +\q Then would I fly away and be at rest. +\q +\v 7 See, then I would wander far away; +\q I would stay in the wilderness. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 I would hurry to a shelter +\q from the stormy wind and tempest." +\q +\v 9 Devour them, Lord, confuse their language! +\q For I have seen violence and strife in the city. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Day and night they go about on its walls; +\q iniquity and mischief are in the middle of it. +\q +\v 11 Wickedness is in the middle of it; +\q oppression and deceit do not leave its streets. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 For it was not an enemy who rebuked me, +\q then I could have borne it; +\q neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, +\q then I would have hidden myself from him. +\q +\v 13 But it was you, a man equal to myself, +\q my companion and my close friend. +\q +\v 14 We had sweet fellowship together; +\q we walked in the house of God with the throng. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Let death come suddenly on them; +\q let them go down alive to Sheol, +\q for wickedness is where they live, right among them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 As for me, I will call on God, +\q and Yahweh will save me. +\q +\v 17 In the evening, morning and at noonday I complain and moan; +\q he will hear my voice. +\q +\v 18 He will safely rescue my life from the battle that was against me, +\q for those who fought against me were many. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 God, the one who rules from eternity, +\q will hear them and humiliate them. + \qs Selah\qs* +\q They never change, +\q and they do not fear God. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 My friend has raised his hands against those who were at peace with him; +\q he has not respected the covenant that he had. +\q +\v 21 His mouth was smooth as butter, +\q but his heart was hostile; +\q his words were softer than oil, +\q yet they were actually drawn swords. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Place your burdens on Yahweh, and he will sustain you; +\q he will never allow a righteous person to totter. +\q +\v 23 But you, God, will bring the wicked down into the pit of destruction; +\q bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live even half as long as others, +\q but I will trust in you. + + \s5 \c 56 @@ -3791,137 +3791,137 @@ of David. A michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave. - -\s5 -\c 58 -\m -\d For the chief musician; set to Al Tashheth. A psalm -of David. A michtam. -\q -\v 1 Do you rulers speak righteousness? -\q Do you judge uprightly, you people? -\q -\v 2 No, you commit wickedness in your heart; -\q you distribute violence throughout the land with your hands. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 The wicked go astray even when they are in the womb; -\q they go astray from birth, speaking lies. -\q -\v 4 Their poison is like a snake's poison; -\q they are like a deaf adder that stops up its ears, -\q -\v 5 that pays no attention to the voice of charmers, -\q no matter how skillful they are. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Break their teeth in their mouths, God; -\q break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh. -\q -\v 7 Let them melt away as water that runs off; -\q when they shoot their arrows, let them be as though they had no points. -\q -\v 8 Let them be like a snail that melts and passes away, -\q like the untimely-born child of a woman that never sees the sunlight. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Before your pots can feel the thorn's burning heat, -\q he will take them away with a whirlwind, the green thorns and the burning thorns alike. -\q -\v 10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees God's vengeance; -\q he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, -\q -\v 11 so that men will say, "Truly, there is a reward for the righteous person; -\q truly there is a God who judges the earth." - - - -\s5 -\c 59 -\m -\d For the chief musician; set to Al Tashheth. A psalm -of David. A michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. -\q -\v 1 Rescue me from my enemies, my God; -\q set me on high away from those who rise up against me. -\q -\v 2 Keep me safe from the workers of iniquity, -\q and save me from the bloodthirsty men. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 For, see, they wait in ambush to take my life. -\q The mighty evildoers gather themselves together against me, -\q but not because of my transgression or my sin, Yahweh. -\q -\v 4 They prepare to run at me although I am without fault; -\q awake and help me and see. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 You, Yahweh God of hosts, the God of Israel, -\q arise and punish all the nations; -\q do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 They return at evening, they howl like dogs -\q and go around the city. -\q -\v 7 See, they belch out with their mouths; -\q swords are in their lips, -\q for they say, "Who hears us?" - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them; -\q you hold all the nations in derision. -\q -\v 9 God, my strength, I will pay attention to you; -\q you are my high tower. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 My God will meet me with his covenant faithfulness; -\q God will let me see my desire on my enemies. -\q -\v 11 Do not kill them, or my people will forget. -\q Scatter them by your power and make them fall, Lord our shield. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 For the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, -\q let them be captured in their pride, -\q and for the curses and lies that they express. -\q -\v 13 Consume them in wrath, consume them so that they will be no more; -\q let them know that God rules in Jacob -\q and to the ends of the earth. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 At evening they return, -\q howling like dogs going around the city. -\q -\v 15 They wander about looking for food -\q and they growl like a dog if they are not satisfied. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 But I will sing about your strength, -\q and in the morning I will sing about your steadfast love! -\q For you have been my high tower -\q and a refuge in the day of my distress. -\q -\v 17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises; -\q for God is my high tower, the God of covenant faithfulness. - - + +\s5 +\c 58 +\m +\d For the chief musician; set to Al Tashheth. A psalm +of David. A michtam. +\q +\v 1 Do you rulers speak righteousness? +\q Do you judge uprightly, you people? +\q +\v 2 No, you commit wickedness in your heart; +\q you distribute violence throughout the land with your hands. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 The wicked go astray even when they are in the womb; +\q they go astray from birth, speaking lies. +\q +\v 4 Their poison is like a snake's poison; +\q they are like a deaf adder that stops up its ears, +\q +\v 5 that pays no attention to the voice of charmers, +\q no matter how skillful they are. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Break their teeth in their mouths, God; +\q break out the great teeth of the young lions, Yahweh. +\q +\v 7 Let them melt away as water that runs off; +\q when they shoot their arrows, let them be as though they had no points. +\q +\v 8 Let them be like a snail that melts and passes away, +\q like the untimely-born child of a woman that never sees the sunlight. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Before your pots can feel the thorn's burning heat, +\q he will take them away with a whirlwind, the green thorns and the burning thorns alike. +\q +\v 10 The righteous will rejoice when he sees God's vengeance; +\q he will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, +\q +\v 11 so that men will say, "Truly, there is a reward for the righteous person; +\q truly there is a God who judges the earth." + + + +\s5 +\c 59 +\m +\d For the chief musician; set to Al Tashheth. A psalm +of David. A michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. +\q +\v 1 Rescue me from my enemies, my God; +\q set me on high away from those who rise up against me. +\q +\v 2 Keep me safe from the workers of iniquity, +\q and save me from the bloodthirsty men. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 For, see, they wait in ambush to take my life. +\q The mighty evildoers gather themselves together against me, +\q but not because of my transgression or my sin, Yahweh. +\q +\v 4 They prepare to run at me although I am without fault; +\q awake and help me and see. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 You, Yahweh God of hosts, the God of Israel, +\q arise and punish all the nations; +\q do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 They return at evening, they howl like dogs +\q and go around the city. +\q +\v 7 See, they belch out with their mouths; +\q swords are in their lips, +\q for they say, "Who hears us?" + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 But you, Yahweh, laugh at them; +\q you hold all the nations in derision. +\q +\v 9 God, my strength, I will pay attention to you; +\q you are my high tower. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 My God will meet me with his covenant faithfulness; +\q God will let me see my desire on my enemies. +\q +\v 11 Do not kill them, or my people will forget. +\q Scatter them by your power and make them fall, Lord our shield. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 For the sins of their mouths and the words of their lips, +\q let them be captured in their pride, +\q and for the curses and lies that they express. +\q +\v 13 Consume them in wrath, consume them so that they will be no more; +\q let them know that God rules in Jacob +\q and to the ends of the earth. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 At evening they return, +\q howling like dogs going around the city. +\q +\v 15 They wander about looking for food +\q and they growl like a dog if they are not satisfied. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 But I will sing about your strength, +\q and in the morning I will sing about your steadfast love! +\q For you have been my high tower +\q and a refuge in the day of my distress. +\q +\v 17 To you, my strength, I will sing praises; +\q for God is my high tower, the God of covenant faithfulness. + + \s5 \c 60 @@ -3979,43 +3979,43 @@ of David. A michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. \q he will trample down our enemies. - -\s5 -\c 61 -\m -\d For the chief musician; on a stringed instrument. A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 Hear my cry, God; -\q attend to my prayer. -\q -\v 2 From the ends of the earth will I call to you when my heart is overwhelmed; -\q lead me to the rock that is higher than I. -\q -\v 3 For you have been a refuge for me, -\q a strong tower from the enemy. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Let me live in your tabernacle forever! -\q Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings. -\qs Selah\qs* -\q -\v 5 For you, God, have heard my vows, -\q you have given me the inheritance of those who honor your name. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 You will prolong the king's life; -\q his years will be like many generations. -\q -\v 7 He will remain before God forever. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 I will sing praise to your name forever -\q so that I may perform my vows every day. - - + +\s5 +\c 61 +\m +\d For the chief musician; on a stringed instrument. A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 Hear my cry, God; +\q attend to my prayer. +\q +\v 2 From the ends of the earth will I call to you when my heart is overwhelmed; +\q lead me to the rock that is higher than I. +\q +\v 3 For you have been a refuge for me, +\q a strong tower from the enemy. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Let me live in your tabernacle forever! +\q Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings. +\qs Selah\qs* +\q +\v 5 For you, God, have heard my vows, +\q you have given me the inheritance of those who honor your name. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 You will prolong the king's life; +\q his years will be like many generations. +\q +\v 7 He will remain before God forever. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 I will sing praise to your name forever +\q so that I may perform my vows every day. + + \s5 \c 62 @@ -4129,210 +4129,210 @@ of David. A michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. \q but the mouth of those who speak lies will be stopped up. - -\s5 -\c 64 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 Hear my voice, God, listen to my complaint; -\q preserve my life from fear of my enemies. -\q -\v 2 Hide me from the secret plotting of evildoers, -\q from the commotion of the doers of iniquity. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 They have sharpened their tongues like swords; -\q they have aimed their arrows, bitter words, -\q -\v 4 so that they may shoot from secret places at someone who is innocent; -\q suddenly they shoot at him and fear nothing. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 They encourage themselves in an evil plan; -\q they consult privately together in order to set traps; -\q they say, "Who will see us?" -\q -\v 6 They invent sinful plans; -\q "We have finished," they say, "a careful plan." -\q The inner thoughts and hearts of man are deep. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 But God will shoot them; -\q suddenly they will be wounded with his arrows. -\q -\v 8 They will be made to stumble, since their own tongues are against them; -\q all who see them will wag their heads. -\q -\v 9 All people will fear -\q and will declare God's deeds. -\q They will wisely think about what he has done. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 The righteous will be glad about Yahweh and will take refuge in him; -\q all the upright in heart will take pride in him. - - - -\s5 -\c 65 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A psalm. A song of David. -\q -\v 1 For you, God in Zion, our praise waits; -\q our vows will be carried out to you. -\q -\v 2 You who hear prayer, -\q to you all flesh will come. -\q -\v 3 Iniquities prevail against us; -\q as for our transgressions, you will forgive them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Blessed is the man whom you choose to bring near to you -\q so that he may live in your courts. -\q We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, -\q your holy temple. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 In righteousness you will answer us by doing amazing things, -\q God of our salvation; -\q you who are hope of all the ends of the earth -\q and of those who are far across the sea. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 For it is you who made the mountains firm, -\q you who are belted with strength. -\q -\v 7 It is you who quiet the roaring of the seas, -\q the roaring of their waves, -\q and the commotion of the peoples. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Those who live in the uttermost parts of the earth are afraid of the evidence of your deeds; -\q you make the east and the west rejoice. -\q -\v 9 You come to help the earth; you water it; -\q you greatly enrich it; -\q the river of God is full of water; -\q you provide mankind grain when you have prepared the earth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 You water its furrows abundantly; -\q you settle down the furrows' ridges; -\q you make them soft with rain showers; -\q you bless the sprouts between them. -\q -\v 11 You crown the year with your goodness; -\q the tracks behind your chariot drop fatness down to the earth. -\q -\v 12 The pastures in the wilderness drip with dew, -\q and the hills are clothed with joy. -\s5 -\q -\v 13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; -\q the valleys also are covered over with grain; -\q they shout for joy, and they sing. - - - -\s5 -\c 66 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A song, a psalm. -\q -\v 1 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; -\q -\v 2 Sing out the glory of his name; -\q make his praise glorious. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Say to God, "How terrifying are your deeds! -\q By the greatness of your power your enemies will submit to you. -\q -\v 4 All the earth will worship you -\q and will sing to you; -\q they will sing to your name." -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Come and see the works of God; -\q he is fearsome in his deeds toward the sons of mankind. -\q -\v 6 He turned the sea into dry land; -\q they went through the river on foot; -\q there we rejoiced in him. -\q -\v 7 He rules forever by his might; -\q his eyes observe the nations; -\q let not the rebellious exalt themselves. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Give blessing to God, you people, -\q let the sound of his praise be heard. -\q -\v 9 He keeps us among the living, -\q and he does not permit our feet to slip. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 For you, God, have tested us; -\q you have tested us as silver is tested. -\q -\v 11 You brought us into a net; -\q you laid a heavy burden on our backs. -\q -\v 12 You made people ride over our heads; -\q we went through fire and water, -\q but you brought us out into a spacious place. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings; -\q I will pay you my vows -\q -\v 14 which my lips promised -\q and my mouth spoke when I was in distress. -\q -\v 15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals -\q with the sweet aroma of rams; -\q I will offer bulls and goats. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Come and listen, all you who fear God, -\q and I will declare what he has done for my soul. -\q -\v 17 I cried to him with my mouth, -\q and he was praised with my tongue. -\q -\v 18 If I had seen sin within my heart, -\q the Lord would not have listened to me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 But God has truly heard; -\q he has paid attention to the voice of my prayer. -\q -\v 20 Blessed be God, -\q who has not turned away my prayer -\q or his covenant faithfulness from me. - - + +\s5 +\c 64 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 Hear my voice, God, listen to my complaint; +\q preserve my life from fear of my enemies. +\q +\v 2 Hide me from the secret plotting of evildoers, +\q from the commotion of the doers of iniquity. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 They have sharpened their tongues like swords; +\q they have aimed their arrows, bitter words, +\q +\v 4 so that they may shoot from secret places at someone who is innocent; +\q suddenly they shoot at him and fear nothing. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 They encourage themselves in an evil plan; +\q they consult privately together in order to set traps; +\q they say, "Who will see us?" +\q +\v 6 They invent sinful plans; +\q "We have finished," they say, "a careful plan." +\q The inner thoughts and hearts of man are deep. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 But God will shoot them; +\q suddenly they will be wounded with his arrows. +\q +\v 8 They will be made to stumble, since their own tongues are against them; +\q all who see them will wag their heads. +\q +\v 9 All people will fear +\q and will declare God's deeds. +\q They will wisely think about what he has done. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 The righteous will be glad about Yahweh and will take refuge in him; +\q all the upright in heart will take pride in him. + + + +\s5 +\c 65 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A psalm. A song of David. +\q +\v 1 For you, God in Zion, our praise waits; +\q our vows will be carried out to you. +\q +\v 2 You who hear prayer, +\q to you all flesh will come. +\q +\v 3 Iniquities prevail against us; +\q as for our transgressions, you will forgive them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Blessed is the man whom you choose to bring near to you +\q so that he may live in your courts. +\q We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, +\q your holy temple. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 In righteousness you will answer us by doing amazing things, +\q God of our salvation; +\q you who are hope of all the ends of the earth +\q and of those who are far across the sea. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 For it is you who made the mountains firm, +\q you who are belted with strength. +\q +\v 7 It is you who quiet the roaring of the seas, +\q the roaring of their waves, +\q and the commotion of the peoples. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Those who live in the uttermost parts of the earth are afraid of the evidence of your deeds; +\q you make the east and the west rejoice. +\q +\v 9 You come to help the earth; you water it; +\q you greatly enrich it; +\q the river of God is full of water; +\q you provide mankind grain when you have prepared the earth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 You water its furrows abundantly; +\q you settle down the furrows' ridges; +\q you make them soft with rain showers; +\q you bless the sprouts between them. +\q +\v 11 You crown the year with your goodness; +\q the tracks behind your chariot drop fatness down to the earth. +\q +\v 12 The pastures in the wilderness drip with dew, +\q and the hills are clothed with joy. +\s5 +\q +\v 13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; +\q the valleys also are covered over with grain; +\q they shout for joy, and they sing. + + + +\s5 +\c 66 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A song, a psalm. +\q +\v 1 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; +\q +\v 2 Sing out the glory of his name; +\q make his praise glorious. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Say to God, "How terrifying are your deeds! +\q By the greatness of your power your enemies will submit to you. +\q +\v 4 All the earth will worship you +\q and will sing to you; +\q they will sing to your name." +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Come and see the works of God; +\q he is fearsome in his deeds toward the sons of mankind. +\q +\v 6 He turned the sea into dry land; +\q they went through the river on foot; +\q there we rejoiced in him. +\q +\v 7 He rules forever by his might; +\q his eyes observe the nations; +\q let not the rebellious exalt themselves. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Give blessing to God, you people, +\q let the sound of his praise be heard. +\q +\v 9 He keeps us among the living, +\q and he does not permit our feet to slip. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 For you, God, have tested us; +\q you have tested us as silver is tested. +\q +\v 11 You brought us into a net; +\q you laid a heavy burden on our backs. +\q +\v 12 You made people ride over our heads; +\q we went through fire and water, +\q but you brought us out into a spacious place. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings; +\q I will pay you my vows +\q +\v 14 which my lips promised +\q and my mouth spoke when I was in distress. +\q +\v 15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals +\q with the sweet aroma of rams; +\q I will offer bulls and goats. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Come and listen, all you who fear God, +\q and I will declare what he has done for my soul. +\q +\v 17 I cried to him with my mouth, +\q and he was praised with my tongue. +\q +\v 18 If I had seen sin within my heart, +\q the Lord would not have listened to me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 But God has truly heard; +\q he has paid attention to the voice of my prayer. +\q +\v 20 Blessed be God, +\q who has not turned away my prayer +\q or his covenant faithfulness from me. + + \s5 \c 67 @@ -4370,310 +4370,310 @@ of David. A michtam; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. \q and all the ends of the earth honor him. - -\s5 -\c 68 -\m -\d For the chief musician; A psalm of David, a song. -\q -\v 1 Let God arise; let his enemies be scattered; -\q let those also who hate him flee before him. -\q -\v 2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; -\q as wax melts before the fire, -\q so let the wicked perish in the presence of God. -\q -\v 3 But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; -\q may they rejoice and be happy. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! -\q Praise the one who rides through the plains of the Jordan River valley! -\q Yahweh is his name! Rejoice before him! -\q -\v 5 A father of the fatherless, a judge of the widows, -\q is God in the holy place where he lives. -\q -\v 6 God puts the lonely into families; -\q he brings out the prisoners with singing; -\q but the rebellious live in a parched land. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 God, when you went out before your people, -\q when you marched through the wilderness, -\qs Selah\qs* -\q -\v 8 The earth trembled; -\q the heavens also dropped rain in God's presence, -\q in the presence of God when he came to Sinai, in the presence of God, the God of Israel. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 You, God, sent a plentiful rain; -\q you strengthened your inheritance when it was weary. -\q -\v 10 Your people lived in it; - \q You, God, gave from your goodness to the poor. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 The Lord gave the orders, -\q and those who announced them were a great army. -\q -\v 12-13 Kings of armies flee, they flee, -\q and the women waiting at home divide the plunder: -\q doves covered with silver -\q with wings of yellow gold. -\q When some of you people stayed among the sheepfolds, why did you do this? - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 The Almighty scattered kings there, -\q it was as when it snowed on Mount Zalmon. -\q -\v 15 A mighty mountain is the hill country of Bashan; -\q a high mountain is the hill country of Bashan. -\q -\v 16 Why do you look in envy, you high hill country, -\q at the mountain which God desires for the place he will live? -\q Indeed, Yahweh will live in it forever. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, thousands upon thousands; -\q the Lord is among them in the holy place, as at Sinai. -\q -\v 18 You have ascended on high; you have led away captives; -\q you have received gifts from among men, -\q even from those who fought against you, -\q so that you, Yahweh God, might live there. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, -\q the God who is our salvation. -\qs Selah\qs* -\q -\v 20 Our God is a God who saves; -\q Yahweh the Lord is the one who is able to rescue us from death. -\q -\v 21 But God will strike through the heads of his enemies, -\q through the hairy scalps of those who walk in offenses against him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 The Lord said, "I will bring my enemies back from Bashan; -\q I will bring them back from the depths of the sea -\q -\v 23 so that you may crush your enemies, dipping your foot in blood, -\q and so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from your -enemies." - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 They have seen your processions, God, -\q the processions of my God, my King, into the holy place. -\q -\v 25 The singers went first, the minstrels followed after, -\q and in the middle were the unmarried girls playing tambourines. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Bless God in the assemblies; -\q praise Yahweh, you who are from the fountain of Israel. -\q -\v 27 There is first Benjamin, the smallest tribe, -\q then the leaders of Judah and their multitudes, -\q the leaders of Zebulun and the leaders of Naphtali. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Your God, Israel, has decreed your strength; -\q reveal to us your power, God, as you have revealed it in times past. -\q -\v 29 Reveal your power to us from your temple at Jerusalem, -\q where kings bring gifts to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 Shout in battle against the wild beasts in the reeds, -\q against the peoples, that multitude of bulls and calves. -\q Humiliate them and make them bring you gifts; -\q scatter the peoples who love to wage war. -\q -\v 31 Princes will come out of Egypt; -\q Cush will hurry to reach out with her hands to God. - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; -\qs Selah\qs* -\q Sing praises to Yahweh. -\q -\v 33 To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which exist from ancient times; -\q see, he lifts up his voice with power. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 Ascribe strength to God; -\q his majesty is over Israel, -\q and his strength is in the skies. -\q -\v 35 God, you are fearsome in your holy place; -\q the God of Israel—he gives strength and power to his people. -\q Blessed be God. - - - -\s5 -\c 69 -\m -\d For the chief musician; set to Shoshannim. A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 Save me, God; -\q for the waters have put my life in danger. -\q -\v 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no place to stand; -\q I have come into deep waters, where the floods flow over me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; -\q my eyes fail while I wait for my God. -\q -\v 4 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs on my head; -\q those who would cut me off, being my enemies for wrong reasons, are mighty; -\q what I did not steal, I have to give back. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 God, you know my foolishness, -\q and my sins are not hidden from you. -\q -\v 6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame because of me, Lord Yahweh of hosts; -\q let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor because of me, God of Israel. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 For your sake I have borne rebuke; -\q shame has covered my face. -\q -\v 8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, -\q an alien to my mother's children. -\q -\v 9 For the zeal of your house has eaten me up, -\q and the rebukes of those who rebuke you have fallen on me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 When I wept and did not eat food, -\q they insulted me. -\q -\v 11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, -\q I became the object of a proverb to them. -\q -\v 12 Those who sit in the city gate talk about me; -\q I am a song of drunkards. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, at a time that you will accept; -\q answer me in the trustworthiness of your salvation. -\q -\v 14 Pull me out of the mire, and do not let me sink; -\q let me be taken away from those who hate me and rescued out of the deep waters. -\q -\v 15 Do not let the floods of water overwhelm me, -\q neither let the deep swallow me up. -\q Do not let the pit shut its mouth on me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Answer me, Yahweh, for your covenant faithfulness is good; -\q because your mercies for me are many, turn to me. -\q -\v 17 Do not hide your face from your servant, -\q for I am in distress; answer me quickly. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Come to me and redeem me. -\q Because of my enemies, ransom me. -\q -\v 19 You know my rebuke, my shame, and my dishonor; -\q my adversaries are all before you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Rebuke has broken my heart; I am full of heaviness; -\q I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; -\q I looked for comforters, but I found none. -\q -\v 21 They gave me poison for my food; -\q in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Let their table before them become a snare; -\q when they think they are in safety, let it become a trap. -\q -\v 23 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see; -\q and always make their loins shake. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 Pour out your indignation on them, -\q and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them. -\q -\v 25 Let their place be a desolation; -\q let no one live in their tents. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 For they persecuted the one you struck down. -\q They repeated the account of the pain of those you have wounded. -\q -\v 27 Accuse them of having committed iniquity after iniquity; -\q do not let them come into your righteous victory. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Let them be blotted out of The Book of Life -\q and not be written down along with the righteous. -\q -\v 29 But I am poor and sorrowful; -\q let your salvation, God, set me up on high. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 I will praise the name of God with a song -\q and will exalt him with thanksgiving. -\q -\v 31 That will please Yahweh better than an ox -\q or a bull that has horns and hooves. - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 The meek have seen it and are glad; -\q you who seek after God, let your hearts live. -\q -\v 33 For Yahweh hears the needy -\q and does not despise his prisoners. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 Let heaven and earth praise him, -\q the seas and everything that moves in them. -\q -\v 35 For God will save Zion and will rebuild the cities of Judah; -\q the people will live there and have it as a possession. -\q -\v 36 His servants' descendants will inherit it; -\q and those who love his name will live there. - - + +\s5 +\c 68 +\m +\d For the chief musician; A psalm of David, a song. +\q +\v 1 Let God arise; let his enemies be scattered; +\q let those also who hate him flee before him. +\q +\v 2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; +\q as wax melts before the fire, +\q so let the wicked perish in the presence of God. +\q +\v 3 But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; +\q may they rejoice and be happy. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! +\q Praise the one who rides through the plains of the Jordan River valley! +\q Yahweh is his name! Rejoice before him! +\q +\v 5 A father of the fatherless, a judge of the widows, +\q is God in the holy place where he lives. +\q +\v 6 God puts the lonely into families; +\q he brings out the prisoners with singing; +\q but the rebellious live in a parched land. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 God, when you went out before your people, +\q when you marched through the wilderness, +\qs Selah\qs* +\q +\v 8 The earth trembled; +\q the heavens also dropped rain in God's presence, +\q in the presence of God when he came to Sinai, in the presence of God, the God of Israel. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 You, God, sent a plentiful rain; +\q you strengthened your inheritance when it was weary. +\q +\v 10 Your people lived in it; + \q You, God, gave from your goodness to the poor. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 The Lord gave the orders, +\q and those who announced them were a great army. +\q +\v 12-13 Kings of armies flee, they flee, +\q and the women waiting at home divide the plunder: +\q doves covered with silver +\q with wings of yellow gold. +\q When some of you people stayed among the sheepfolds, why did you do this? + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 The Almighty scattered kings there, +\q it was as when it snowed on Mount Zalmon. +\q +\v 15 A mighty mountain is the hill country of Bashan; +\q a high mountain is the hill country of Bashan. +\q +\v 16 Why do you look in envy, you high hill country, +\q at the mountain which God desires for the place he will live? +\q Indeed, Yahweh will live in it forever. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, thousands upon thousands; +\q the Lord is among them in the holy place, as at Sinai. +\q +\v 18 You have ascended on high; you have led away captives; +\q you have received gifts from among men, +\q even from those who fought against you, +\q so that you, Yahweh God, might live there. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens, +\q the God who is our salvation. +\qs Selah\qs* +\q +\v 20 Our God is a God who saves; +\q Yahweh the Lord is the one who is able to rescue us from death. +\q +\v 21 But God will strike through the heads of his enemies, +\q through the hairy scalps of those who walk in offenses against him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 The Lord said, "I will bring my enemies back from Bashan; +\q I will bring them back from the depths of the sea +\q +\v 23 so that you may crush your enemies, dipping your foot in blood, +\q and so that the tongues of your dogs may have their share from your +enemies." + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 They have seen your processions, God, +\q the processions of my God, my King, into the holy place. +\q +\v 25 The singers went first, the minstrels followed after, +\q and in the middle were the unmarried girls playing tambourines. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Bless God in the assemblies; +\q praise Yahweh, you who are from the fountain of Israel. +\q +\v 27 There is first Benjamin, the smallest tribe, +\q then the leaders of Judah and their multitudes, +\q the leaders of Zebulun and the leaders of Naphtali. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Your God, Israel, has decreed your strength; +\q reveal to us your power, God, as you have revealed it in times past. +\q +\v 29 Reveal your power to us from your temple at Jerusalem, +\q where kings bring gifts to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 Shout in battle against the wild beasts in the reeds, +\q against the peoples, that multitude of bulls and calves. +\q Humiliate them and make them bring you gifts; +\q scatter the peoples who love to wage war. +\q +\v 31 Princes will come out of Egypt; +\q Cush will hurry to reach out with her hands to God. + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; +\qs Selah\qs* +\q Sing praises to Yahweh. +\q +\v 33 To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which exist from ancient times; +\q see, he lifts up his voice with power. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 Ascribe strength to God; +\q his majesty is over Israel, +\q and his strength is in the skies. +\q +\v 35 God, you are fearsome in your holy place; +\q the God of Israel—he gives strength and power to his people. +\q Blessed be God. + + + +\s5 +\c 69 +\m +\d For the chief musician; set to Shoshannim. A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 Save me, God; +\q for the waters have put my life in danger. +\q +\v 2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no place to stand; +\q I have come into deep waters, where the floods flow over me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; +\q my eyes fail while I wait for my God. +\q +\v 4 Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs on my head; +\q those who would cut me off, being my enemies for wrong reasons, are mighty; +\q what I did not steal, I have to give back. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 God, you know my foolishness, +\q and my sins are not hidden from you. +\q +\v 6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame because of me, Lord Yahweh of hosts; +\q let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor because of me, God of Israel. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 For your sake I have borne rebuke; +\q shame has covered my face. +\q +\v 8 I have become a stranger to my brothers, +\q an alien to my mother's children. +\q +\v 9 For the zeal of your house has eaten me up, +\q and the rebukes of those who rebuke you have fallen on me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 When I wept and did not eat food, +\q they insulted me. +\q +\v 11 When I made sackcloth my clothing, +\q I became the object of a proverb to them. +\q +\v 12 Those who sit in the city gate talk about me; +\q I am a song of drunkards. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, at a time that you will accept; +\q answer me in the trustworthiness of your salvation. +\q +\v 14 Pull me out of the mire, and do not let me sink; +\q let me be taken away from those who hate me and rescued out of the deep waters. +\q +\v 15 Do not let the floods of water overwhelm me, +\q neither let the deep swallow me up. +\q Do not let the pit shut its mouth on me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Answer me, Yahweh, for your covenant faithfulness is good; +\q because your mercies for me are many, turn to me. +\q +\v 17 Do not hide your face from your servant, +\q for I am in distress; answer me quickly. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Come to me and redeem me. +\q Because of my enemies, ransom me. +\q +\v 19 You know my rebuke, my shame, and my dishonor; +\q my adversaries are all before you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Rebuke has broken my heart; I am full of heaviness; +\q I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; +\q I looked for comforters, but I found none. +\q +\v 21 They gave me poison for my food; +\q in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Let their table before them become a snare; +\q when they think they are in safety, let it become a trap. +\q +\v 23 Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see; +\q and always make their loins shake. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 Pour out your indignation on them, +\q and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them. +\q +\v 25 Let their place be a desolation; +\q let no one live in their tents. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 For they persecuted the one you struck down. +\q They repeated the account of the pain of those you have wounded. +\q +\v 27 Accuse them of having committed iniquity after iniquity; +\q do not let them come into your righteous victory. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Let them be blotted out of The Book of Life +\q and not be written down along with the righteous. +\q +\v 29 But I am poor and sorrowful; +\q let your salvation, God, set me up on high. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 I will praise the name of God with a song +\q and will exalt him with thanksgiving. +\q +\v 31 That will please Yahweh better than an ox +\q or a bull that has horns and hooves. + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 The meek have seen it and are glad; +\q you who seek after God, let your hearts live. +\q +\v 33 For Yahweh hears the needy +\q and does not despise his prisoners. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 Let heaven and earth praise him, +\q the seas and everything that moves in them. +\q +\v 35 For God will save Zion and will rebuild the cities of Judah; +\q the people will live there and have it as a possession. +\q +\v 36 His servants' descendants will inherit it; +\q and those who love his name will live there. + + \s5 \c 70 @@ -4703,198 +4703,198 @@ enemies." \q Yahweh, do not delay. - - -\s5 -\c 71 -\m -\q -\v 1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge; -\q let me never be put to shame. -\q -\v 2 Rescue me and make me safe in your righteousness; -\q turn your ear to me and save me. -\q -\v 3 Be to me a rock for refuge where I may always go; -\q you have given a command to save me, -\q for you are my rock and my fortress. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Rescue me, my God, out of the hand of the wicked, -\q out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel. -\q -\v 5 For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh. -\q I have trusted in you ever since I was a child. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 By you I have been supported from the womb; -\q you are he who took me out of my mother's belly; -\q my praise will be always about you. -\q -\v 7 I am an example to many people; -\q you are my strong refuge. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 My mouth will be filled with your praise, -\q all the day with your honor. -\q -\v 9 Do not throw me away in my time of old age; -\q do not abandon me when my strength fails. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 For my enemies are talking about me; -\q those who watch for my life are plotting together. -\q -\v 11 They say, "God has forsaken him; -\q pursue and take him, for there is no one to save him." - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 God, do not be far from me; -\q my God, hurry to help me. -\q -\v 13 Let them be put to shame and destroyed, those who are hostile to my life; -\q let them be covered with rebuke and dishonor, those who seek my hurt. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 But I will always hope in you -\q and will praise you more and more. -\q -\v 15 My mouth will tell about your righteousness -\q and your salvation all the day, -\q although I cannot understand it. -\q -\v 16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh; -\q I will make mention of your righteousness, yours alone. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 God, you have taught me from my youth; -\q even now I declare your wonderful deeds. -\q -\v 18 Indeed, even when I am old and gray-headed, God, do not forsake me, -\q as I have been declaring your strength to the next generation, -\q your power to everyone who is to come. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Your righteousness also, God, is very high; -\q you who have done great things, God, who is like you? -\q -\v 20 You who made me see many troubles -\q will revive us again -\q and will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 May you increase my honor; -\q turn again and comfort me. -\q -\v 22 I will also give thanks to you with the harp -\q for your trustworthiness, my God; -\q to you I will sing praises with the harp, -\q Holy One of Israel. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you— -\q even my soul, which you have redeemed. -\q -\v 24 My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long; -\q for they have been put to shame and are confused, those who sought my hurt. - - -\s5 -\c 72 -\m -\d A psalm of Solomon. -\q -\v 1 Give the king your righteous decrees, God, -\q your righteousness to the king's son. -\q -\v 2 May he judge your people with righteousness -\q and your poor with justice. -\q -\v 3 May the mountains produce peace for the people; -\q may the hills produce righteousness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 May he judge the poor of the people; -\q may he save the children of the needy -\q and break in pieces the oppressor. -\q -\v 5 May they honor you while the sun endures, -\q and as long as the moon lasts throughout all generations. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 May he come down like rain on the mown grass, -\q like showers that water the earth. -\q -\v 7 May the righteous flourish in his days, -\q and may there be an abundance of peace till the moon is no more. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, -\q and from the River to the ends of the earth. -\q -\v 9 May those who live in the wilderness bow down before him; -\q may his enemies lick the dust. -\q -\v 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the islands render tribute; -\q may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Indeed, may all kings fall down before him; -\q may all nations serve him. -\q -\v 12 For he helps the needy person who cries out -\q and the poor person who has no other helper. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 He has pity on the poor and needy, -\q and he saves the lives of needy people. -\q -\v 14 He redeems their lives from oppression and violence, -\q and their blood is precious in his sight. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 May he live! May the gold of Sheba be given to him. -\q May people always pray for him; -\q may God bless him all day long. -\q -\v 16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; -\q on the mountaintops may their crops wave. -\q May the fruit of it be like Lebanon; -\q may the people flourish in the cities like the grass of the field. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 May his name endure forever; -\q may his name continue as long as the sun; -\q may people be blessed in him; -\q may all nations call him blessed. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 May Yahweh God, the God of Israel, be blessed, -\q who alone does wonderful things. -\q -\v 19 May his glorious name be blessed forever, -\q and may the whole earth be filled with his glory. -\q Amen and Amen. -\q -\v 20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are finished. + + +\s5 +\c 71 +\m +\q +\v 1 In you, Yahweh, I take refuge; +\q let me never be put to shame. +\q +\v 2 Rescue me and make me safe in your righteousness; +\q turn your ear to me and save me. +\q +\v 3 Be to me a rock for refuge where I may always go; +\q you have given a command to save me, +\q for you are my rock and my fortress. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Rescue me, my God, out of the hand of the wicked, +\q out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel. +\q +\v 5 For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh. +\q I have trusted in you ever since I was a child. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 By you I have been supported from the womb; +\q you are he who took me out of my mother's belly; +\q my praise will be always about you. +\q +\v 7 I am an example to many people; +\q you are my strong refuge. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 My mouth will be filled with your praise, +\q all the day with your honor. +\q +\v 9 Do not throw me away in my time of old age; +\q do not abandon me when my strength fails. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 For my enemies are talking about me; +\q those who watch for my life are plotting together. +\q +\v 11 They say, "God has forsaken him; +\q pursue and take him, for there is no one to save him." + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 God, do not be far from me; +\q my God, hurry to help me. +\q +\v 13 Let them be put to shame and destroyed, those who are hostile to my life; +\q let them be covered with rebuke and dishonor, those who seek my hurt. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 But I will always hope in you +\q and will praise you more and more. +\q +\v 15 My mouth will tell about your righteousness +\q and your salvation all the day, +\q although I cannot understand it. +\q +\v 16 I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh; +\q I will make mention of your righteousness, yours alone. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 God, you have taught me from my youth; +\q even now I declare your wonderful deeds. +\q +\v 18 Indeed, even when I am old and gray-headed, God, do not forsake me, +\q as I have been declaring your strength to the next generation, +\q your power to everyone who is to come. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Your righteousness also, God, is very high; +\q you who have done great things, God, who is like you? +\q +\v 20 You who made me see many troubles +\q will revive us again +\q and will bring us up again from the depths of the earth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 May you increase my honor; +\q turn again and comfort me. +\q +\v 22 I will also give thanks to you with the harp +\q for your trustworthiness, my God; +\q to you I will sing praises with the harp, +\q Holy One of Israel. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you— +\q even my soul, which you have redeemed. +\q +\v 24 My tongue will also talk about your righteousness all day long; +\q for they have been put to shame and are confused, those who sought my hurt. + + +\s5 +\c 72 +\m +\d A psalm of Solomon. +\q +\v 1 Give the king your righteous decrees, God, +\q your righteousness to the king's son. +\q +\v 2 May he judge your people with righteousness +\q and your poor with justice. +\q +\v 3 May the mountains produce peace for the people; +\q may the hills produce righteousness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 May he judge the poor of the people; +\q may he save the children of the needy +\q and break in pieces the oppressor. +\q +\v 5 May they honor you while the sun endures, +\q and as long as the moon lasts throughout all generations. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 May he come down like rain on the mown grass, +\q like showers that water the earth. +\q +\v 7 May the righteous flourish in his days, +\q and may there be an abundance of peace till the moon is no more. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, +\q and from the River to the ends of the earth. +\q +\v 9 May those who live in the wilderness bow down before him; +\q may his enemies lick the dust. +\q +\v 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the islands render tribute; +\q may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Indeed, may all kings fall down before him; +\q may all nations serve him. +\q +\v 12 For he helps the needy person who cries out +\q and the poor person who has no other helper. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 He has pity on the poor and needy, +\q and he saves the lives of needy people. +\q +\v 14 He redeems their lives from oppression and violence, +\q and their blood is precious in his sight. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 May he live! May the gold of Sheba be given to him. +\q May people always pray for him; +\q may God bless him all day long. +\q +\v 16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; +\q on the mountaintops may their crops wave. +\q May the fruit of it be like Lebanon; +\q may the people flourish in the cities like the grass of the field. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 May his name endure forever; +\q may his name continue as long as the sun; +\q may people be blessed in him; +\q may all nations call him blessed. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 May Yahweh God, the God of Israel, be blessed, +\q who alone does wonderful things. +\q +\v 19 May his glorious name be blessed forever, +\q and may the whole earth be filled with his glory. +\q Amen and Amen. +\q +\v 20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are finished. \s5 \ms Book Three \c 73 @@ -5598,66 +5598,66 @@ them. \q and he guided them with the skill of his hands. - -\s5 -\c 79 -\m -\d A psalm of Asaph. -\q -\v 1 God, foreign nations have come into your inheritance; -\q they have defiled your holy temple; -\q they have turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins. -\q -\v 2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the skies, -\q the bodies of your faithful people to the beasts of the earth. -\q -\v 3 They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem, -\q and there was none to bury them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 We have become a reproach for our neighbors, -\q mocking and derision to those who are around us. -\q -\v 5 How long, Yahweh? Will you stay angry forever? -\q How long will your jealous anger burn like fire? - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you -\q and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name. -\q -\v 7 For they have devoured Jacob -\q and destroyed his villages. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Do not hold the sins of our forefathers against us; -\q may your merciful actions come to us, -\q for we are very low. -\q -\v 9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of your name; -\q save us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" -\q May the blood of your servants that was shed -\q be avenged on the nations before our eyes. -\q -\v 11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you; -\q with the greatness of your power keep the children of death alive. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Pay back into the laps of our neighboring countries seven times as much -\q as the insults with which they have insulted you, Lord. -\q -\v 13 So we your people and sheep of your pasture -\q will give you thanks forever. -\q We will tell your praises to all generations. - - + +\s5 +\c 79 +\m +\d A psalm of Asaph. +\q +\v 1 God, foreign nations have come into your inheritance; +\q they have defiled your holy temple; +\q they have turned Jerusalem into a heap of ruins. +\q +\v 2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the skies, +\q the bodies of your faithful people to the beasts of the earth. +\q +\v 3 They have shed their blood like water around Jerusalem, +\q and there was none to bury them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 We have become a reproach for our neighbors, +\q mocking and derision to those who are around us. +\q +\v 5 How long, Yahweh? Will you stay angry forever? +\q How long will your jealous anger burn like fire? + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you +\q and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name. +\q +\v 7 For they have devoured Jacob +\q and destroyed his villages. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Do not hold the sins of our forefathers against us; +\q may your merciful actions come to us, +\q for we are very low. +\q +\v 9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of your name; +\q save us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" +\q May the blood of your servants that was shed +\q be avenged on the nations before our eyes. +\q +\v 11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you; +\q with the greatness of your power keep the children of death alive. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Pay back into the laps of our neighboring countries seven times as much +\q as the insults with which they have insulted you, Lord. +\q +\v 13 So we your people and sheep of your pasture +\q will give you thanks forever. +\q We will tell your praises to all generations. + + \s5 \c 80 @@ -7628,367 +7628,367 @@ them. \q Praise Yahweh. - - -\s5 -\c 106 -\m -\q -\v 1 Praise Yahweh. -\q Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, -\q for his covenant faithfulness endures forever. -\q -\v 2 Who can recount the mighty acts of Yahweh -\q or proclaim in full all his praiseworthy deeds? - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Blessed are those who do what is right, -\q and whose deeds are always just. -\q -\v 4 Call me to mind, Yahweh, when you show favor to your people; -\q help me when you save them. -\q -\v 5 Then I will see the prosperity of your chosen, -\q rejoice in the gladness of your nation, -\q and glory with your inheritance. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 We have sinned like our ancestors; -\q we have done wrong, and we have done evil. -\q -\v 7 Our fathers did not appreciate your marvelous deeds in Egypt; -\q they ignored your many acts of covenant faithfulness; -\q they were rebellious at the sea, the Sea of Reeds. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake -\q so that he might reveal his power. -\q -\v 9 He rebuked the Sea of Reeds, and it dried up. -\q Then he led them through the depths, as through a wilderness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 He saved them from the hand of those who hated them, -\q and he rescued them from the hand of the enemy. -\q -\v 11 But the waters covered their adversaries; -\q not one of them survived. -\q -\v 12 Then they believed his words, -\q and they sang his praise. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 But they quickly forgot what he had done; -\q they did not wait for his instructions. -\q -\v 14 They had insatiable cravings in the wilderness, -\q and they challenged God in the desert. -\q -\v 15 He gave them their request, -\q but sent a disease that consumed their bodies. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 In the camp they became jealous of Moses -\q and Aaron, the holy priest of Yahweh. -\q -\v 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan -\q and covered the followers of Abiram. -\q -\v 18 Fire broke out among them; -\q the fire consumed the wicked. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 They made a calf at Horeb -\q and worshiped a cast metal figure. -\q -\v 20 They traded the glory of God -\q for the image of a bull that eats grass. -\q -\v 21 They forgot God their Savior, -\q who had done great deeds in Egypt. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 He had done wonderful things in the land of Ham -\q and mighty acts at the Sea of Reeds. -\q -\v 23 So he said he would destroy them— -\q had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, -\q to turn away his anger from destroying them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 Then they despised the fruitful land; -\q they did not believe his promise, -\q -\v 25 but grumbled in their tents, -\q and did not obey Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them -\q that he would let them die in the desert, -\q -\v 27 scatter their descendants among the nations, -\q and scatter them in foreign lands. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 They worshiped the Baal of Peor -\q and ate the sacrifices offered to the dead. -\q -\v 29 They provoked him to anger with their actions, -\q and a plague broke out among them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 Then Phinehas rose to intervene, -\q and the plague subsided. -\q -\v 31 It was counted to him as a righteous deed -\q to all generations forever. - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 They also angered Yahweh at the waters of Meribah, -\q and Moses suffered because of them. -\q -\v 33 They made Moses bitter, -\q and he spoke rashly. -\q -\v 34 They did not destroy the nations -\q as Yahweh had commanded them, -\q -\v 35 but they mingled with the nations -\q and learned their ways -\q -\v 36 and worshiped their idols, -\q which became a snare to them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. -\q -\v 38 They shed innocent blood, -\q the blood of their sons and of their daughters, -\q whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, -\q desecrating the land with blood. -\q -\v 39 They were defiled by their deeds; -\q in their actions they were like prostitutes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 40 So Yahweh was angry with his people, -\q and he despised his own people. -\q -\v 41 He gave them into the hand of the nations, -\q and those who hated them ruled over them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 42 Their enemies oppressed them, -\q and they were brought into subjection to their authority. -\q -\v 43 Many times he came to help them, -\q but they kept rebelling -\q and were brought low by their own sin. - -\s5 -\q -\v 44 Nevertheless, he paid attention to their distress -\q when he heard their cry for help. -\q -\v 45 He called to mind his covenant with them -\q and relented because of his steadfast love. -\q -\v 46 He caused all their conquerers -\q to have pity on them. -\s5 -\q -\v 47 Save us, Yahweh, our God. -\q Gather us from among the nations -\q so that we may give thanks to your holy name -\q and glory in your praises. -\q -\v 48 May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised -\q from everlasting to everlasting. -\q All the people said, "Amen." -\q Praise Yahweh. - - - -\s5 -\ms Book Five -\c 107 -\q -\v 1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, -\q and his covenant faithfulness endures forever. -\q -\v 2 Let the redeemed of Yahweh speak out, -\q those he has rescued from the hand of the enemy. -\q -\v 3 He has gathered them out of foreign lands, -\q from the east and from the west, -\q from the north and from the south. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 They wandered in the wilderness on a desert road -\q and found no city in which to live. -\q -\v 5 Because they were hungry and thirsty, -\q they fainted from exhaustion. -\q -\v 6 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, -\q and he rescued them out of their distress. -\q -\v 7 He led them by a direct path -\q so that they would go to a city to live in. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness -\q and for the amazing things he has done for humanity! -\q -\v 9 For he satisfies the longings of those who are thirsty, -\q and the desires of those who are hungry he fills up with good things. -\q -\v 10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom, -\q prisoners in affliction and chains. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 This was because they had rebelled against God's word -\q and rejected the instruction of the Most High. -\q -\v 12 He humbled their hearts through hardship; -\q they stumbled and there was no one to help them up. -\q -\v 13 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, -\q and he brought them out of their distress. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 He brought them out of darkness and gloom -\q and broke their bonds. -\q -\v 15 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness -\q and for the amazing things he has done for humanity! -\q -\v 16 For he has broken the gates of bronze -\q and cut through the bars of iron. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 They were foolish in their rebellious ways -\q and afflicted because of their sins. -\q -\v 18 They lost their desire to eat any food, -\q and they came close to the gates of death. -\q -\v 19 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, -\q and he brought them out of their distress. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 He sent his word and healed them, -\q and he rescued them from their destruction. -\q -\v 21 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness -\q and for the amazing things he has done for humanity! -\q -\v 22 Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving -\q and proclaim his deeds in singing. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Some travel on the sea in ships -\q and do business overseas. -\q -\v 24 These saw the deeds of Yahweh -\q and his wonders on the seas. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 For he commanded and aroused the windstorm -\q that stirs up the seas. -\q -\v 26 They reached up to the sky; they went down to the depths. -\q Their lives melted away in distress. -\q -\v 27 They swayed and staggered like drunkards -\q and were at their wits' end. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, -\q and he brought them out of their distress. -\q -\v 29 He calmed the storm, -\q and the waves were stilled. -\q -\v 30 Then they rejoiced because the sea was calm, -\q and he brought them to their desired harbor. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness -\q and for the amazing things he has done for humanity! -\q -\v 32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people -\q and praise him in the council of the elders. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 He turns rivers into a wilderness, -\q springs of water into dry land, -\q -\v 34 and a fruitful land into a barren place -\q because of the wickedness of its people. -\q -\v 35 He turns the wilderness into a pool of water -\q and dry land into springs of water. - -\s5 -\q -\v 36 He settles the hungry there, -\q and they build a city to live in. -\q -\v 37 They build a city to plant fields in, to plant vineyards, -\q and to bring in an abundant harvest. -\q -\v 38 He blesses them so they are very numerous. -\q He does not let their cattle decrease in number. - -\s5 -\q -\v 39 They were diminished and brought low -\q by painful distress and suffering. -\q -\v 40 He pours contempt on the leaders -\q and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there are no roads. - -\s5 -\q -\v 41 But he protects the needy from affliction -\q and cares for his families like a flock. -\q -\v 42 The upright will see this and rejoice, -\q and all wickedness shuts its mouth. -\q -\v 43 Whoever is wise should take note of these things -\q and meditate on Yahweh's acts of covenant faithfulness. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 106 +\m +\q +\v 1 Praise Yahweh. +\q Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, +\q for his covenant faithfulness endures forever. +\q +\v 2 Who can recount the mighty acts of Yahweh +\q or proclaim in full all his praiseworthy deeds? + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Blessed are those who do what is right, +\q and whose deeds are always just. +\q +\v 4 Call me to mind, Yahweh, when you show favor to your people; +\q help me when you save them. +\q +\v 5 Then I will see the prosperity of your chosen, +\q rejoice in the gladness of your nation, +\q and glory with your inheritance. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 We have sinned like our ancestors; +\q we have done wrong, and we have done evil. +\q +\v 7 Our fathers did not appreciate your marvelous deeds in Egypt; +\q they ignored your many acts of covenant faithfulness; +\q they were rebellious at the sea, the Sea of Reeds. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake +\q so that he might reveal his power. +\q +\v 9 He rebuked the Sea of Reeds, and it dried up. +\q Then he led them through the depths, as through a wilderness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 He saved them from the hand of those who hated them, +\q and he rescued them from the hand of the enemy. +\q +\v 11 But the waters covered their adversaries; +\q not one of them survived. +\q +\v 12 Then they believed his words, +\q and they sang his praise. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 But they quickly forgot what he had done; +\q they did not wait for his instructions. +\q +\v 14 They had insatiable cravings in the wilderness, +\q and they challenged God in the desert. +\q +\v 15 He gave them their request, +\q but sent a disease that consumed their bodies. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 In the camp they became jealous of Moses +\q and Aaron, the holy priest of Yahweh. +\q +\v 17 The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan +\q and covered the followers of Abiram. +\q +\v 18 Fire broke out among them; +\q the fire consumed the wicked. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 They made a calf at Horeb +\q and worshiped a cast metal figure. +\q +\v 20 They traded the glory of God +\q for the image of a bull that eats grass. +\q +\v 21 They forgot God their Savior, +\q who had done great deeds in Egypt. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 He had done wonderful things in the land of Ham +\q and mighty acts at the Sea of Reeds. +\q +\v 23 So he said he would destroy them— +\q had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, +\q to turn away his anger from destroying them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 Then they despised the fruitful land; +\q they did not believe his promise, +\q +\v 25 but grumbled in their tents, +\q and did not obey Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them +\q that he would let them die in the desert, +\q +\v 27 scatter their descendants among the nations, +\q and scatter them in foreign lands. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 They worshiped the Baal of Peor +\q and ate the sacrifices offered to the dead. +\q +\v 29 They provoked him to anger with their actions, +\q and a plague broke out among them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 Then Phinehas rose to intervene, +\q and the plague subsided. +\q +\v 31 It was counted to him as a righteous deed +\q to all generations forever. + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 They also angered Yahweh at the waters of Meribah, +\q and Moses suffered because of them. +\q +\v 33 They made Moses bitter, +\q and he spoke rashly. +\q +\v 34 They did not destroy the nations +\q as Yahweh had commanded them, +\q +\v 35 but they mingled with the nations +\q and learned their ways +\q +\v 36 and worshiped their idols, +\q which became a snare to them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. +\q +\v 38 They shed innocent blood, +\q the blood of their sons and of their daughters, +\q whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, +\q desecrating the land with blood. +\q +\v 39 They were defiled by their deeds; +\q in their actions they were like prostitutes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 40 So Yahweh was angry with his people, +\q and he despised his own people. +\q +\v 41 He gave them into the hand of the nations, +\q and those who hated them ruled over them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 42 Their enemies oppressed them, +\q and they were brought into subjection to their authority. +\q +\v 43 Many times he came to help them, +\q but they kept rebelling +\q and were brought low by their own sin. + +\s5 +\q +\v 44 Nevertheless, he paid attention to their distress +\q when he heard their cry for help. +\q +\v 45 He called to mind his covenant with them +\q and relented because of his steadfast love. +\q +\v 46 He caused all their conquerers +\q to have pity on them. +\s5 +\q +\v 47 Save us, Yahweh, our God. +\q Gather us from among the nations +\q so that we may give thanks to your holy name +\q and glory in your praises. +\q +\v 48 May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised +\q from everlasting to everlasting. +\q All the people said, "Amen." +\q Praise Yahweh. + + + +\s5 +\ms Book Five +\c 107 +\q +\v 1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, +\q and his covenant faithfulness endures forever. +\q +\v 2 Let the redeemed of Yahweh speak out, +\q those he has rescued from the hand of the enemy. +\q +\v 3 He has gathered them out of foreign lands, +\q from the east and from the west, +\q from the north and from the south. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 They wandered in the wilderness on a desert road +\q and found no city in which to live. +\q +\v 5 Because they were hungry and thirsty, +\q they fainted from exhaustion. +\q +\v 6 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, +\q and he rescued them out of their distress. +\q +\v 7 He led them by a direct path +\q so that they would go to a city to live in. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness +\q and for the amazing things he has done for humanity! +\q +\v 9 For he satisfies the longings of those who are thirsty, +\q and the desires of those who are hungry he fills up with good things. +\q +\v 10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom, +\q prisoners in affliction and chains. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 This was because they had rebelled against God's word +\q and rejected the instruction of the Most High. +\q +\v 12 He humbled their hearts through hardship; +\q they stumbled and there was no one to help them up. +\q +\v 13 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, +\q and he brought them out of their distress. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 He brought them out of darkness and gloom +\q and broke their bonds. +\q +\v 15 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness +\q and for the amazing things he has done for humanity! +\q +\v 16 For he has broken the gates of bronze +\q and cut through the bars of iron. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 They were foolish in their rebellious ways +\q and afflicted because of their sins. +\q +\v 18 They lost their desire to eat any food, +\q and they came close to the gates of death. +\q +\v 19 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, +\q and he brought them out of their distress. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 He sent his word and healed them, +\q and he rescued them from their destruction. +\q +\v 21 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness +\q and for the amazing things he has done for humanity! +\q +\v 22 Let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving +\q and proclaim his deeds in singing. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Some travel on the sea in ships +\q and do business overseas. +\q +\v 24 These saw the deeds of Yahweh +\q and his wonders on the seas. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 For he commanded and aroused the windstorm +\q that stirs up the seas. +\q +\v 26 They reached up to the sky; they went down to the depths. +\q Their lives melted away in distress. +\q +\v 27 They swayed and staggered like drunkards +\q and were at their wits' end. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Then they called out to Yahweh in their trouble, +\q and he brought them out of their distress. +\q +\v 29 He calmed the storm, +\q and the waves were stilled. +\q +\v 30 Then they rejoiced because the sea was calm, +\q and he brought them to their desired harbor. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his covenant faithfulness +\q and for the amazing things he has done for humanity! +\q +\v 32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people +\q and praise him in the council of the elders. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 He turns rivers into a wilderness, +\q springs of water into dry land, +\q +\v 34 and a fruitful land into a barren place +\q because of the wickedness of its people. +\q +\v 35 He turns the wilderness into a pool of water +\q and dry land into springs of water. + +\s5 +\q +\v 36 He settles the hungry there, +\q and they build a city to live in. +\q +\v 37 They build a city to plant fields in, to plant vineyards, +\q and to bring in an abundant harvest. +\q +\v 38 He blesses them so they are very numerous. +\q He does not let their cattle decrease in number. + +\s5 +\q +\v 39 They were diminished and brought low +\q by painful distress and suffering. +\q +\v 40 He pours contempt on the leaders +\q and causes them to wander in the wilderness, where there are no roads. + +\s5 +\q +\v 41 But he protects the needy from affliction +\q and cares for his families like a flock. +\q +\v 42 The upright will see this and rejoice, +\q and all wickedness shuts its mouth. +\q +\v 43 Whoever is wise should take note of these things +\q and meditate on Yahweh's acts of covenant faithfulness. + + + \s5 \c 108 @@ -8047,132 +8047,132 @@ them. \q he will trample down our enemies. - -\s5 -\c 109 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 God whom I praise, do not be silent, -\q -\v 2 For the wicked and deceitful attack me; -\q they speak lies against me. -\q -\v 3 They surround me and say hateful things, -\q and they attack me without cause. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 In return for my love they slander me, -\q but I pray for them. -\q -\v 5 They repay me evil for good, -\q and they hate my love. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Appoint a wicked man over such an enemy as these people; -\q appoint an accuser to stand at his right hand. -\q -\v 7 When he is judged, may he be found guilty; -\q may his prayer be considered sinful. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 May his days be few; -\q may another take his office. -\q -\v 9 May his children be fatherless, -\q and may his wife be a widow. -\q -\v 10 May his children wander about and beg, -\q asking for handouts as they leave their ruined home. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 May the creditor take all he owns; -\q may strangers plunder what he earns. -\q -\v 12 May no one extend any kindness to him; -\q may no one have pity on his fatherless children. -\q -\v 13 May his children be cut off; -\q may their name be blotted out in the next generation. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 May his ancestors' sins be mentioned to Yahweh; -\q and may the sin of his mother not be forgotten. -\q -\v 15 May their guilt always be before Yahweh; -\q may Yahweh cut off their memory from the earth. -\q -\v 16 May Yahweh do this because this man never bothered to show any covenant faithfulness, -\q but instead harassed the oppressed, the needy, -\q and the disheartened to death. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 He loved cursing; may it come back upon him. -\q He hated blessing; may no blessing come to him. -\q -\v 18 He clothed himself with cursing as his garment, -\q and his curse came into his inner being like water, -\q like oil into his bones. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 May his curses be to him like the clothes he wears to cover himself, -\q like the belt he always wears. -\q -\v 20 May this be the reward of my accusers from Yahweh, -\q of those who say evil things about me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Yahweh my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name's sake. -\q Because your covenant faithfulness is good, save me. -\q -\v 22 For I am oppressed and needy, -\q and my heart is wounded within me. -\q -\v 23 I am fading away like the shadow of the evening; -\q I am shaken off like a locust. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 My knees are weak from fasting; -\q I am turning to skin and bones. -\q -\v 25 I am disdained by my accusers; -\q when they see me, they shake their heads. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Help me, Yahweh my God; -\q save me by your covenant faithfulness. -\q -\v 27 May they know that this is your doing, -\q that you, Yahweh, have done this. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Though they curse me, please bless me; -\q when they attack, may they be put to shame, -\q but may your servant rejoice. -\q -\v 29 May my adversaries be clothed with shame; -\q may they wear their shame like a robe. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 With my mouth I give great thanks to Yahweh; -\q I will praise him in the midst of a crowd. -\q -\v 31 For he will stand at the right hand of the one who is needy, -\q to save him from those who judge him. - - + +\s5 +\c 109 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 God whom I praise, do not be silent, +\q +\v 2 For the wicked and deceitful attack me; +\q they speak lies against me. +\q +\v 3 They surround me and say hateful things, +\q and they attack me without cause. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 In return for my love they slander me, +\q but I pray for them. +\q +\v 5 They repay me evil for good, +\q and they hate my love. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Appoint a wicked man over such an enemy as these people; +\q appoint an accuser to stand at his right hand. +\q +\v 7 When he is judged, may he be found guilty; +\q may his prayer be considered sinful. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 May his days be few; +\q may another take his office. +\q +\v 9 May his children be fatherless, +\q and may his wife be a widow. +\q +\v 10 May his children wander about and beg, +\q asking for handouts as they leave their ruined home. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 May the creditor take all he owns; +\q may strangers plunder what he earns. +\q +\v 12 May no one extend any kindness to him; +\q may no one have pity on his fatherless children. +\q +\v 13 May his children be cut off; +\q may their name be blotted out in the next generation. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 May his ancestors' sins be mentioned to Yahweh; +\q and may the sin of his mother not be forgotten. +\q +\v 15 May their guilt always be before Yahweh; +\q may Yahweh cut off their memory from the earth. +\q +\v 16 May Yahweh do this because this man never bothered to show any covenant faithfulness, +\q but instead harassed the oppressed, the needy, +\q and the disheartened to death. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 He loved cursing; may it come back upon him. +\q He hated blessing; may no blessing come to him. +\q +\v 18 He clothed himself with cursing as his garment, +\q and his curse came into his inner being like water, +\q like oil into his bones. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 May his curses be to him like the clothes he wears to cover himself, +\q like the belt he always wears. +\q +\v 20 May this be the reward of my accusers from Yahweh, +\q of those who say evil things about me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Yahweh my Lord, deal kindly with me for your name's sake. +\q Because your covenant faithfulness is good, save me. +\q +\v 22 For I am oppressed and needy, +\q and my heart is wounded within me. +\q +\v 23 I am fading away like the shadow of the evening; +\q I am shaken off like a locust. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 My knees are weak from fasting; +\q I am turning to skin and bones. +\q +\v 25 I am disdained by my accusers; +\q when they see me, they shake their heads. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Help me, Yahweh my God; +\q save me by your covenant faithfulness. +\q +\v 27 May they know that this is your doing, +\q that you, Yahweh, have done this. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Though they curse me, please bless me; +\q when they attack, may they be put to shame, +\q but may your servant rejoice. +\q +\v 29 May my adversaries be clothed with shame; +\q may they wear their shame like a robe. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 With my mouth I give great thanks to Yahweh; +\q I will praise him in the midst of a crowd. +\q +\v 31 For he will stand at the right hand of the one who is needy, +\q to save him from those who judge him. + + \s5 \c 110 @@ -8388,85 +8388,85 @@ them. \q the hard rock into a spring of water. - - -\s5 -\c 115 -\m -\q -\v 1 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, -\q but to your name bring honor, -\q for your covenant faithfulness and for your trustworthiness. -\q -\v 2 Why should the nations say, -\q "Where is their God?" - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Our God is in heaven; -\q he does whatever he pleases. -\q -\v 4 The nations' idols are silver and gold, -\q the work of men's hands. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Those idols have mouths, but they do not speak; -\q they have eyes, but they do not see; -\q -\v 6 they have ears, but they do not hear; -\q they have noses, but they do not smell. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Those idols have hands, but do not feel; -\q they have feet, but they cannot walk; -\q nor do they speak from their mouths. -\q -\v 8 Those who make them are like them, -\q as is everyone who trusts in them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Israel, trust in Yahweh; -\q he is your help and shield. -\q -\v 10 House of Aaron, trust in Yahweh; -\q he is your help and shield. -\q -\v 11 You who honor Yahweh, trust in him; -\q he is your help and shield. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Yahweh takes notice of us and will bless us; -\q he will bless the family of Israel; -\q he will bless the family of Aaron. -\q -\v 13 He will bless those who honor him, -\q both young and old. -\q -\v 14 May Yahweh increase your numbers more and more, -\q yours and your descendants'. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 May you be blessed by Yahweh, -\q who made heaven and earth. -\q -\v 16 The heavens belong to Yahweh; -\q but the earth he has given to mankind. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 The dead do not praise Yahweh, -\q nor do any who go down into silence; -\q -\v 18 But we will bless Yahweh -\q now and forevermore. -\q Praise Yahweh. - - + + +\s5 +\c 115 +\m +\q +\v 1 Not to us, Yahweh, not to us, +\q but to your name bring honor, +\q for your covenant faithfulness and for your trustworthiness. +\q +\v 2 Why should the nations say, +\q "Where is their God?" + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Our God is in heaven; +\q he does whatever he pleases. +\q +\v 4 The nations' idols are silver and gold, +\q the work of men's hands. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Those idols have mouths, but they do not speak; +\q they have eyes, but they do not see; +\q +\v 6 they have ears, but they do not hear; +\q they have noses, but they do not smell. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Those idols have hands, but do not feel; +\q they have feet, but they cannot walk; +\q nor do they speak from their mouths. +\q +\v 8 Those who make them are like them, +\q as is everyone who trusts in them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Israel, trust in Yahweh; +\q he is your help and shield. +\q +\v 10 House of Aaron, trust in Yahweh; +\q he is your help and shield. +\q +\v 11 You who honor Yahweh, trust in him; +\q he is your help and shield. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Yahweh takes notice of us and will bless us; +\q he will bless the family of Israel; +\q he will bless the family of Aaron. +\q +\v 13 He will bless those who honor him, +\q both young and old. +\q +\v 14 May Yahweh increase your numbers more and more, +\q yours and your descendants'. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 May you be blessed by Yahweh, +\q who made heaven and earth. +\q +\v 16 The heavens belong to Yahweh; +\q but the earth he has given to mankind. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 The dead do not praise Yahweh, +\q nor do any who go down into silence; +\q +\v 18 But we will bless Yahweh +\q now and forevermore. +\q Praise Yahweh. + + \s5 @@ -8564,126 +8564,126 @@ them. - - -\s5 -\c 118 -\m -\q -\v 1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, -\q for his covenant faithfulness endures forever. -\q -\v 2 Let Israel say, -\q "His covenant faithfulness endures forever." - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Let the house of Aaron say, -\q "His covenant faithfulness endures forever." -\q -\v 4 Let the loyal followers of Yahweh say, -\q "His covenant faithfulness endures for ever." - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 In my distress I called out to Yahweh; -\q Yahweh answered me and set me free. -\q -\v 6 Yahweh is with me; I will not be afraid; -\q what can man do to me? -\q -\v 7 Yahweh is on my side as my helper; -\q I will look in triumph on those who hate me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 It is better to take shelter in Yahweh -\q than to put confidence in man. -\q -\v 9 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh -\q than to put one's trust in a princes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 All the nations surrounded me; -\q in Yahweh's name I cut them off. -\q -\v 11 They surrounded me; yes, they surrounded me; -\q in Yahweh's name I cut them off. -\q -\v 12 They surrounded me like bees; -\q they disappeared as quickly as fire among thorns; -\q in Yahweh's name I cut them off. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 They attacked me to knock me down, -\q but Yahweh helped me. -\q -\v 14 Yahweh is my strength and joy, -\q and he is the one who rescues me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 The joyful shout of victory is heard in the tents of the righteous; -\q the right hand of Yahweh conquers. -\q -\v 16 The right hand of Yahweh is exalted; -\q the right hand of Yahweh conquers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 I will not die, but live -\q and declare the deeds of Yahweh. -\q -\v 18 Yahweh has punished me harshly; -\q but he has not handed me over to death. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; -\q I will enter them and I will give thanks to Yahweh. -\q -\v 20 This is the gate of Yahweh; -\q the righteous enter through it. -\q -\v 21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me, -\q and you have become my salvation. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 The stone that the builders rejected -\q has become the cornerstone. -\q -\v 23 This is Yahweh's doing; -\q it is marvelous in our eyes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 This is the day on which Yahweh has acted; -\q we will rejoice and be glad in it. -\q -\v 25 Please, Yahweh, give us victory! -\q Please, Yahweh, give us success! - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh; -\q we bless you from the house of Yahweh. -\q -\v 27 Yahweh is God, and he has given us light; -\q bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. -\q -\v 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; -\q you are my God; I will exalt you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 Oh, give thanks to Yahweh; for he is good; -\q for his covenant faithfulness endures forever. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 118 +\m +\q +\v 1 Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, +\q for his covenant faithfulness endures forever. +\q +\v 2 Let Israel say, +\q "His covenant faithfulness endures forever." + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Let the house of Aaron say, +\q "His covenant faithfulness endures forever." +\q +\v 4 Let the loyal followers of Yahweh say, +\q "His covenant faithfulness endures for ever." + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 In my distress I called out to Yahweh; +\q Yahweh answered me and set me free. +\q +\v 6 Yahweh is with me; I will not be afraid; +\q what can man do to me? +\q +\v 7 Yahweh is on my side as my helper; +\q I will look in triumph on those who hate me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 It is better to take shelter in Yahweh +\q than to put confidence in man. +\q +\v 9 It is better to take refuge in Yahweh +\q than to put one's trust in a princes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 All the nations surrounded me; +\q in Yahweh's name I cut them off. +\q +\v 11 They surrounded me; yes, they surrounded me; +\q in Yahweh's name I cut them off. +\q +\v 12 They surrounded me like bees; +\q they disappeared as quickly as fire among thorns; +\q in Yahweh's name I cut them off. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 They attacked me to knock me down, +\q but Yahweh helped me. +\q +\v 14 Yahweh is my strength and joy, +\q and he is the one who rescues me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 The joyful shout of victory is heard in the tents of the righteous; +\q the right hand of Yahweh conquers. +\q +\v 16 The right hand of Yahweh is exalted; +\q the right hand of Yahweh conquers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 I will not die, but live +\q and declare the deeds of Yahweh. +\q +\v 18 Yahweh has punished me harshly; +\q but he has not handed me over to death. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness; +\q I will enter them and I will give thanks to Yahweh. +\q +\v 20 This is the gate of Yahweh; +\q the righteous enter through it. +\q +\v 21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me, +\q and you have become my salvation. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 The stone that the builders rejected +\q has become the cornerstone. +\q +\v 23 This is Yahweh's doing; +\q it is marvelous in our eyes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 This is the day on which Yahweh has acted; +\q we will rejoice and be glad in it. +\q +\v 25 Please, Yahweh, give us victory! +\q Please, Yahweh, give us success! + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh; +\q we bless you from the house of Yahweh. +\q +\v 27 Yahweh is God, and he has given us light; +\q bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. +\q +\v 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; +\q you are my God; I will exalt you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 Oh, give thanks to Yahweh; for he is good; +\q for his covenant faithfulness endures forever. + + + \s5 \c 119 @@ -9490,47 +9490,47 @@ them. \q now and forevermore. - -\s5 -\c 122 -\m -\d A song of ascents, of David. -\q -\v 1 I was glad when they said to me, -\q "Let us go to the house of Yahweh." -\q -\v 2 Jerusalem, our feet are standing -\q within your gates! -\q -\v 3 Jerusalem, built -\q as a city carefully planned! - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 The tribes go up to Jerusalem—the tribes of Yahweh— -\q as a testimony for Israel, -\q to give thanks to the name of Yahweh. -\q -\v 5 There thrones of judgment were set, -\q thrones of the house of David. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! -\q "May those who love you have peace. -\q -\v 7 May there be peace within the walls that defend you, -\q and may they have peace within your fortresses." - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends -\q I will say, "May there be peace within you." -\q -\v 9 For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God, -\q I will seek good for you. - - + +\s5 +\c 122 +\m +\d A song of ascents, of David. +\q +\v 1 I was glad when they said to me, +\q "Let us go to the house of Yahweh." +\q +\v 2 Jerusalem, our feet are standing +\q within your gates! +\q +\v 3 Jerusalem, built +\q as a city carefully planned! + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 The tribes go up to Jerusalem—the tribes of Yahweh— +\q as a testimony for Israel, +\q to give thanks to the name of Yahweh. +\q +\v 5 There thrones of judgment were set, +\q thrones of the house of David. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! +\q "May those who love you have peace. +\q +\v 7 May there be peace within the walls that defend you, +\q and may they have peace within your fortresses." + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends +\q I will say, "May there be peace within you." +\q +\v 9 For the sake of the house of Yahweh our God, +\q I will seek good for you. + + \s5 \c 123 @@ -9679,36 +9679,36 @@ him. \q when he confronts his enemies in the gate. - - -\s5 -\c 128 -\m -\d A song of ascents. -\q -\v 1 Blessed is everyone who honors Yahweh, -\q who walks in his ways. -\q -\v 2 What your hands provide, you will enjoy; -\q you will be blessed and prosper. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine -\q in your house; -\q your children will be like olive plants -\q as they sit around your table. -\q -\v 4 Yes, indeed, the man will be blessed -\q who honors Yahweh. -\q -\v 5 May Yahweh bless you from Zion; -\q may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. -\q -\v 6 May you live to see your children's children. -\q May peace be on Israel. - - + + +\s5 +\c 128 +\m +\d A song of ascents. +\q +\v 1 Blessed is everyone who honors Yahweh, +\q who walks in his ways. +\q +\v 2 What your hands provide, you will enjoy; +\q you will be blessed and prosper. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine +\q in your house; +\q your children will be like olive plants +\q as they sit around your table. +\q +\v 4 Yes, indeed, the man will be blessed +\q who honors Yahweh. +\q +\v 5 May Yahweh bless you from Zion; +\q may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. +\q +\v 6 May you live to see your children's children. +\q May peace be on Israel. + + \s5 \c 129 @@ -9806,105 +9806,105 @@ him. - -\s5 -\c 132 -\m -\d A song of ascents. -\q -\v 1 Yahweh, for David's sake call to mind -\q all his afflictions. -\q -\v 2 Call to mind how he swore to Yahweh, -\q how he vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 He said, "I will not enter my house -\q or get into my bed, -\q -\v 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes -\q or rest to my eyelids -\q -\v 5 until I find a place for Yahweh, -\q a tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob." - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 See, we heard about it in Ephrathah; -\q we found it in the fields of Jaar. -\q -\v 7 We will go into God's tabernacle; -\q we will worship at his footstool. -\q -\v 8 Arise, Yahweh, to your resting place, -\q you and the ark of your strength! - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 May your priests be clothed with integrity; -\q may your faithful ones shout for joy. -\q -\v 10 For your servant David's sake, -\q do not turn away from your anointed king. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Yahweh swore a sure oath to David, -\q a sure oath that he will not revoke: -\q "I will place one of your descendants on your throne. -\q -\v 12 If your sons keep my covenant -\q and the laws that I will teach them, -\q their children also will sit on your throne forevermore." - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Certainly Yahweh has chosen Zion, -\q he has desired her for his seat. -\q -\v 14 "This is my resting place forever. -\q I will live here, for I desire her. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 I will abundantly bless her with provisions. -\q I will satisfy her poor with bread. -\q -\v 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation, -\q her faithful ones will shout aloud for joy. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David -\q and set up a lamp for my anointed one. -\q -\v 18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, -\q but on him his crown will shine." - - - -\s5 -\c 133 -\m -\d A song of ascents, of David. -\q -\v 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is -\q for brothers to live together! - -\s5 -\q -\v 2 It is like fine oil on the head -\q pouring down on the beard— -\q Aaron's beard, -\q and then it pours down on the collar of his robes. -\q -\v 3 It is like the dew of Hermon -\q which falls on the mountains of Zion. -\q For there Yahweh commanded the blessing— -\q life forevermore. - - + +\s5 +\c 132 +\m +\d A song of ascents. +\q +\v 1 Yahweh, for David's sake call to mind +\q all his afflictions. +\q +\v 2 Call to mind how he swore to Yahweh, +\q how he vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 He said, "I will not enter my house +\q or get into my bed, +\q +\v 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes +\q or rest to my eyelids +\q +\v 5 until I find a place for Yahweh, +\q a tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob." + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 See, we heard about it in Ephrathah; +\q we found it in the fields of Jaar. +\q +\v 7 We will go into God's tabernacle; +\q we will worship at his footstool. +\q +\v 8 Arise, Yahweh, to your resting place, +\q you and the ark of your strength! + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 May your priests be clothed with integrity; +\q may your faithful ones shout for joy. +\q +\v 10 For your servant David's sake, +\q do not turn away from your anointed king. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Yahweh swore a sure oath to David, +\q a sure oath that he will not revoke: +\q "I will place one of your descendants on your throne. +\q +\v 12 If your sons keep my covenant +\q and the laws that I will teach them, +\q their children also will sit on your throne forevermore." + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Certainly Yahweh has chosen Zion, +\q he has desired her for his seat. +\q +\v 14 "This is my resting place forever. +\q I will live here, for I desire her. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 I will abundantly bless her with provisions. +\q I will satisfy her poor with bread. +\q +\v 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation, +\q her faithful ones will shout aloud for joy. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 There I will make a horn to sprout for David +\q and set up a lamp for my anointed one. +\q +\v 18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, +\q but on him his crown will shine." + + + +\s5 +\c 133 +\m +\d A song of ascents, of David. +\q +\v 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is +\q for brothers to live together! + +\s5 +\q +\v 2 It is like fine oil on the head +\q pouring down on the beard— +\q Aaron's beard, +\q and then it pours down on the collar of his robes. +\q +\v 3 It is like the dew of Hermon +\q which falls on the mountains of Zion. +\q For there Yahweh commanded the blessing— +\q life forevermore. + + \s5 \c 134 @@ -9924,95 +9924,95 @@ him. - -\s5 -\c 135 -\m -\q -\v 1 Praise Yahweh. -\q Praise the name of Yahweh. -\q Praise him, you servants of Yahweh, -\q -\v 2 you who stand in Yahweh's house, -\q in the courtyards of the house of our God. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Praise Yahweh, for he is good; -\q sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant to do so. -\q -\v 4 For Yahweh has chosen Jacob for himself, -\q Israel as his possession. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 I know that Yahweh is great, -\q that our Lord is above all gods. -\q -\v 6 Whatever Yahweh desires, he does -\q in heaven, on earth, in the seas and all the ocean depths. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 He brings the clouds from far away, -\q making lightning bolts accompany the rain -\q and bringing the wind out of his storehouse. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 He killed the firstborn of Egypt, -\q both of man and animals. -\q -\v 9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt, -\q against Pharaoh and all his servants. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 He attacked many nations -\q and killed mighty kings, -\q -\v 11 Sihon king of the Amorites -\q and Og king of Bashan -\q and all the kingdoms of Canaan. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 He gave us their land as an inheritance, -\q an inheritance to Israel his people. -\q -\v 13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; -\q your renown, Yahweh, endures throughout all generations. -\q -\v 14 For Yahweh defends his people -\q and has compassion on his servants. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 The nations' idols are silver and gold, -\q the work of men's hands. -\q -\v 16 Those idols have mouths, but they do not speak; -\q they have eyes, but they do not see; -\q -\v 17 they have ears, but they do not hear, -\q nor is there breath in their mouths. -\q -\v 18 Those who make them are like them, -\q as is everyone who trusts in them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Descendants of Israel, bless Yahweh; -\q descendants of Aaron, bless Yahweh. -\q -\v 20 Descendants of Levi, bless Yahweh; -\q you who honor Yahweh, bless Yahweh. -\q -\v 21 Blessed be Yahweh in Zion, -\q he who lives in Jerusalem. -\q Praise Yahweh. - - + +\s5 +\c 135 +\m +\q +\v 1 Praise Yahweh. +\q Praise the name of Yahweh. +\q Praise him, you servants of Yahweh, +\q +\v 2 you who stand in Yahweh's house, +\q in the courtyards of the house of our God. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Praise Yahweh, for he is good; +\q sing praises to his name, for it is pleasant to do so. +\q +\v 4 For Yahweh has chosen Jacob for himself, +\q Israel as his possession. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 I know that Yahweh is great, +\q that our Lord is above all gods. +\q +\v 6 Whatever Yahweh desires, he does +\q in heaven, on earth, in the seas and all the ocean depths. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 He brings the clouds from far away, +\q making lightning bolts accompany the rain +\q and bringing the wind out of his storehouse. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 He killed the firstborn of Egypt, +\q both of man and animals. +\q +\v 9 He sent signs and wonders into your midst, Egypt, +\q against Pharaoh and all his servants. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 He attacked many nations +\q and killed mighty kings, +\q +\v 11 Sihon king of the Amorites +\q and Og king of Bashan +\q and all the kingdoms of Canaan. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 He gave us their land as an inheritance, +\q an inheritance to Israel his people. +\q +\v 13 Your name, Yahweh, endures forever; +\q your renown, Yahweh, endures throughout all generations. +\q +\v 14 For Yahweh defends his people +\q and has compassion on his servants. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 The nations' idols are silver and gold, +\q the work of men's hands. +\q +\v 16 Those idols have mouths, but they do not speak; +\q they have eyes, but they do not see; +\q +\v 17 they have ears, but they do not hear, +\q nor is there breath in their mouths. +\q +\v 18 Those who make them are like them, +\q as is everyone who trusts in them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Descendants of Israel, bless Yahweh; +\q descendants of Aaron, bless Yahweh. +\q +\v 20 Descendants of Levi, bless Yahweh; +\q you who honor Yahweh, bless Yahweh. +\q +\v 21 Blessed be Yahweh in Zion, +\q he who lives in Jerusalem. +\q Praise Yahweh. + + \s5 @@ -10205,109 +10205,109 @@ him. \q Do not forsake the ones whom your hands have made. - -\s5 -\c 139 -\m -\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 Yahweh, you have examined me, and you know me. -\q -\v 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; -\q you understand my thoughts from far away. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 You observe my path and my lying down; -\q you are familiar with all my ways. -\q -\v 4 For before there is a word on my tongue, -\q you know it completely, Yahweh. -\q -\v 5 Behind me and before me you surround me -\q and place your hand upon me. -\q -\v 6 Such knowledge is too much for me; -\q it is too high, and I cannot reach it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? -\q Where can I flee from your presence? -\q -\v 8 If I ascend up to the heavens, you are there; -\q if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 If I fly away on the wings of the morning -\q and go to live in the uttermost parts across the sea, -\q -\v 10 even there your hand will lead me, -\q your right hand will hold on to me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 If I said, "Surely the darkness will cover me, -\q and the light will become night around me," -\q -\v 12 even the darkness would not be dark to you. -\q The night would shine like the day, -\q for the darkness and the light are both alike to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 You formed my inner parts; -\q you formed me in my mother's womb. -\q -\v 14 I will praise you, -\q for I am wonderfully made. -\q My soul knows this very well. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 My bones were not hidden from you -\q when I was made in private, -\q when I was intricately made in the depths of the earth. -\q -\v 16 You saw me inside the womb; -\q all the days assigned to me were recorded -\q in your book even before the first one happened. -\q - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 How precious are your thoughts to me, God! -\q How vast is their sum! -\q -\v 18 If I tried to count them, they would be more in number than the sand. -\q When I awake, I am still with you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 If only you would kill the wicked, God; -\q get away from me, you violent men. -\q -\v 20 They rebel against you and act deceitfully; -\q your enemies tell lies. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Do I not hate those, Yahweh, who hate you? -\q Do I not despise those who rise up against you? -\q -\v 22 I hate them completely; -\q they have become my enemies. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Examine me, God, and know my heart; -\q test me and know my thoughts. -\q -\v 24 See if there is any wicked way in me, -\q and lead me in the everlasting way. - - + +\s5 +\c 139 +\m +\d For the chief musician. A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 Yahweh, you have examined me, and you know me. +\q +\v 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; +\q you understand my thoughts from far away. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 You observe my path and my lying down; +\q you are familiar with all my ways. +\q +\v 4 For before there is a word on my tongue, +\q you know it completely, Yahweh. +\q +\v 5 Behind me and before me you surround me +\q and place your hand upon me. +\q +\v 6 Such knowledge is too much for me; +\q it is too high, and I cannot reach it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? +\q Where can I flee from your presence? +\q +\v 8 If I ascend up to the heavens, you are there; +\q if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 If I fly away on the wings of the morning +\q and go to live in the uttermost parts across the sea, +\q +\v 10 even there your hand will lead me, +\q your right hand will hold on to me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 If I said, "Surely the darkness will cover me, +\q and the light will become night around me," +\q +\v 12 even the darkness would not be dark to you. +\q The night would shine like the day, +\q for the darkness and the light are both alike to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 You formed my inner parts; +\q you formed me in my mother's womb. +\q +\v 14 I will praise you, +\q for I am wonderfully made. +\q My soul knows this very well. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 My bones were not hidden from you +\q when I was made in private, +\q when I was intricately made in the depths of the earth. +\q +\v 16 You saw me inside the womb; +\q all the days assigned to me were recorded +\q in your book even before the first one happened. +\q + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 How precious are your thoughts to me, God! +\q How vast is their sum! +\q +\v 18 If I tried to count them, they would be more in number than the sand. +\q When I awake, I am still with you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 If only you would kill the wicked, God; +\q get away from me, you violent men. +\q +\v 20 They rebel against you and act deceitfully; +\q your enemies tell lies. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Do I not hate those, Yahweh, who hate you? +\q Do I not despise those who rise up against you? +\q +\v 22 I hate them completely; +\q they have become my enemies. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Examine me, God, and know my heart; +\q test me and know my thoughts. +\q +\v 24 See if there is any wicked way in me, +\q and lead me in the everlasting way. + + \s5 \c 140 @@ -10456,68 +10456,68 @@ him. \q because you have been good to me." - -\s5 -\c 143 -\m -\d A psalm of David. -\q -\v 1 Hear my prayer, Yahweh; listen to my pleas. -\q Because of your faithfulness and righteousness, answer me! -\q -\v 2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant, -\q for in your sight no one is righteous. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 The enemy has pursued my soul; -\q he has pushed me down to the ground; -\q he has made me to live in darkness like those who have been dead for ages. -\q -\v 4 My spirit is overwhelmed within me; -\q my heart despairs. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 I call to mind the old days; -\q I meditate on all your deeds; -\q I reflect on your accomplishments. -\q -\v 6 I spread my hands out to you in prayer; -\q my soul thirsts for you in a parched land. -\qs Selah\qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Answer me quickly, Yahweh, because my spirit faints. -\q Do not hide your face from me, -\q or I will become like those who go down into the pit. -\q -\v 8 Let me hear your covenant faithfulness in the morning, -\q for I trust in you. -\q Show me the way where I should walk, -\q for I lift up my soul to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh; -\q I flee to you to hide. -\q -\v 10 Teach me to do your will, -\q for you are my God. -\q May your good Spirit -\q lead me in the land of uprightness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Yahweh, for your name's sake, keep me alive; -\q in your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. -\q -\v 12 In your covenant faithfulness cut off my enemies -\q and destroy all the enemies of my life, -\q for I am your servant. - - + +\s5 +\c 143 +\m +\d A psalm of David. +\q +\v 1 Hear my prayer, Yahweh; listen to my pleas. +\q Because of your faithfulness and righteousness, answer me! +\q +\v 2 Do not enter into judgment with your servant, +\q for in your sight no one is righteous. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 The enemy has pursued my soul; +\q he has pushed me down to the ground; +\q he has made me to live in darkness like those who have been dead for ages. +\q +\v 4 My spirit is overwhelmed within me; +\q my heart despairs. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 I call to mind the old days; +\q I meditate on all your deeds; +\q I reflect on your accomplishments. +\q +\v 6 I spread my hands out to you in prayer; +\q my soul thirsts for you in a parched land. +\qs Selah\qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Answer me quickly, Yahweh, because my spirit faints. +\q Do not hide your face from me, +\q or I will become like those who go down into the pit. +\q +\v 8 Let me hear your covenant faithfulness in the morning, +\q for I trust in you. +\q Show me the way where I should walk, +\q for I lift up my soul to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Rescue me from my enemies, Yahweh; +\q I flee to you to hide. +\q +\v 10 Teach me to do your will, +\q for you are my God. +\q May your good Spirit +\q lead me in the land of uprightness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Yahweh, for your name's sake, keep me alive; +\q in your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. +\q +\v 12 In your covenant faithfulness cut off my enemies +\q and destroy all the enemies of my life, +\q for I am your servant. + + \s5 \c 144 diff --git a/20-PRO.usfm b/20-PRO.usfm index bf5e65e2..f511ee81 100644 --- a/20-PRO.usfm +++ b/20-PRO.usfm @@ -570,150 +570,150 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\q -\v 1 My son, if you set aside your money as a guarantee for your neighbor's loan, -\q if you gave your promise for a loan of someone you do not know, -\q -\v 2 then you have laid a trap for yourself by your promise -\q and you have been caught by the words of your mouth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 When you are caught by your words, my son, do this and save yourself, -\q since you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor; -\q go and humble yourself and make your case before your neighbor. -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Give your eyes no sleep -\q and your eyelids no slumber. -\q -\v 5 Save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, -\q like a bird from the hand of the fowler. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Look at the ant, you lazy person, -\q consider her ways, and be wise. -\q -\v 7 It has no commander, -\q officer, or ruler, -\q -\v 8 yet it prepares its food in the summer -\q and during the harvest it stores up what it will eat. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 How long will you sleep, you lazy person? -\q When will you rise from your sleep? -\q -\v 10 "A little sleep, a little slumber, -\q a little folding of the hands to rest"— -\q -\v 11 and your poverty will come like a robber -\q and your needs like an armed soldier. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 A worthless person—a wicked man— -\q lives by the crookedness of his speech, -\q -\v 13 winking his eyes, making signals with his feet -\q and pointing with his fingers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 He plots evil with deceit in his heart; -\q he always stirs up discord. -\q -\v 15 Therefore his disaster will overtake him in an instant; -\q in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 There are six things that Yahweh hates, -\q seven that are disgusting to him. -\q - -\s5 -\v 17 The eyes of a proud person, a tongue that lies, -\q hands that shed the blood of innocent people, -\q -\v 18 a heart that invents wicked schemes, -\q feet that quickly run to do evil, -\q -\v 19 a witness who breathes out lies -\q and one who sows discord among brothers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 My son, obey the command of your father -\q and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. -\q -\v 21 Always bind them on your heart; -\q tie them about your neck. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 When you walk, they will guide you; -\q when you sleep, they will watch over you; -\q and when you wake up, they will teach you. -\q -\v 23 For the commands are a lamp, and the teaching is a light; -\q the corrections that come by instruction are the way of life. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 It keeps you from the immoral woman, -\q from the smooth words of an immoral woman. -\q -\v 25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty -\q and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes. -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Sleeping with a prostitute can cost the price of a loaf of bread, -\q but the wife of another may cost you your very life. -\q -\v 27 Can a man carry a fire against his chest -\q without burning his clothes? - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Can a man walk on hot coals -\q without scorching his feet? -\q -\v 29 So is the man who sleeps with his neighbor's wife; -\q the one who sleeps with her will not go unpunished. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 People do not despise a thief if he steals -\q to satisfy his need when he is hungry. -\q -\v 31 Yet if he is caught, he will pay back seven times what he stole; -\q he must give up everything of value in his house. - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 The one who commits adultery has no sense; -\q the one who does it destroys himself. -\q -\v 33 Wounds and shame are what he deserves -\q and his disgrace will not be wiped away. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 For jealousy makes a man furious; -\q he will show no mercy when he takes his revenge. -\q -\v 35 He will accept no compensation -\q and he cannot be bought off, though you offer him many gifts. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\q +\v 1 My son, if you set aside your money as a guarantee for your neighbor's loan, +\q if you gave your promise for a loan of someone you do not know, +\q +\v 2 then you have laid a trap for yourself by your promise +\q and you have been caught by the words of your mouth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 When you are caught by your words, my son, do this and save yourself, +\q since you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor; +\q go and humble yourself and make your case before your neighbor. +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Give your eyes no sleep +\q and your eyelids no slumber. +\q +\v 5 Save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, +\q like a bird from the hand of the fowler. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Look at the ant, you lazy person, +\q consider her ways, and be wise. +\q +\v 7 It has no commander, +\q officer, or ruler, +\q +\v 8 yet it prepares its food in the summer +\q and during the harvest it stores up what it will eat. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 How long will you sleep, you lazy person? +\q When will you rise from your sleep? +\q +\v 10 "A little sleep, a little slumber, +\q a little folding of the hands to rest"— +\q +\v 11 and your poverty will come like a robber +\q and your needs like an armed soldier. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 A worthless person—a wicked man— +\q lives by the crookedness of his speech, +\q +\v 13 winking his eyes, making signals with his feet +\q and pointing with his fingers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 He plots evil with deceit in his heart; +\q he always stirs up discord. +\q +\v 15 Therefore his disaster will overtake him in an instant; +\q in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 There are six things that Yahweh hates, +\q seven that are disgusting to him. +\q + +\s5 +\v 17 The eyes of a proud person, a tongue that lies, +\q hands that shed the blood of innocent people, +\q +\v 18 a heart that invents wicked schemes, +\q feet that quickly run to do evil, +\q +\v 19 a witness who breathes out lies +\q and one who sows discord among brothers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 My son, obey the command of your father +\q and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. +\q +\v 21 Always bind them on your heart; +\q tie them about your neck. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 When you walk, they will guide you; +\q when you sleep, they will watch over you; +\q and when you wake up, they will teach you. +\q +\v 23 For the commands are a lamp, and the teaching is a light; +\q the corrections that come by instruction are the way of life. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 It keeps you from the immoral woman, +\q from the smooth words of an immoral woman. +\q +\v 25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty +\q and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes. +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Sleeping with a prostitute can cost the price of a loaf of bread, +\q but the wife of another may cost you your very life. +\q +\v 27 Can a man carry a fire against his chest +\q without burning his clothes? + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Can a man walk on hot coals +\q without scorching his feet? +\q +\v 29 So is the man who sleeps with his neighbor's wife; +\q the one who sleeps with her will not go unpunished. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 People do not despise a thief if he steals +\q to satisfy his need when he is hungry. +\q +\v 31 Yet if he is caught, he will pay back seven times what he stole; +\q he must give up everything of value in his house. + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 The one who commits adultery has no sense; +\q the one who does it destroys himself. +\q +\v 33 Wounds and shame are what he deserves +\q and his disgrace will not be wiped away. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 For jealousy makes a man furious; +\q he will show no mercy when he takes his revenge. +\q +\v 35 He will accept no compensation +\q and he cannot be bought off, though you offer him many gifts. + + + \s5 @@ -1416,110 +1416,110 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\q -\v 1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, -\q but a mocker will not listen to rebuke. -\q -\v 2 From the fruit of his mouth a person enjoys good things, -\q but the appetite of the treacherous is for violence. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life, -\q but the one who opens wide his lips will ruin himself. -\q -\v 4 The appetite of lazy people craves but gets nothing, -\q but the appetite of diligent people will be richly satisfied. -\s5 -\q -\v 5 The righteous person hates lies, -\q but a wicked person makes himself repugnant, and he does what is shameful. -\q -\v 6 Righteousness protects those who are faultless in their path, -\q but wickedness turns away those who commit sin. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 There is someone who enriches himself, but has nothing at all, -\q and there is someone who gives everything away, yet is truly wealthy. -\q -\v 8 The ransom of a rich man's life is his wealth, -\q but a poor person does not hear a threat. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 The light of righteous people rejoices, -\q but the lamp of wicked people will be put out. -\q -\v 10 Pride only breeds conflict, -\q but for those who listen to good advice there is wisdom. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Wealth dwindles away when there is too much vanity, -\q but the one who makes money by working with his hand will make his money grow. -\q -\v 12 When hope is postponed, it breaks the heart, -\q but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 The one who scorns instruction will still be subject to it, -\q but the one who honors the command will be rewarded. -\q -\v 14 The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life, -\q turning you away from the snares of death. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Good insight wins favor, -\q but the way of the treacherous is never-ending. -\q -\v 16 Prudent people act out of knowledge in every decision, -\q but a fool parades his folly. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, -\q but a faithful envoy brings reconciliation. -\q -\v 18 The one who ignores instruction will have poverty and shame, -\q but honor will come to him who learns from correction. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 A longing realized is sweet to the appetite, -\q but fools hate to turn away from evil. -\q -\v 20 Walk with wise people and you will be wise, -\q but the companion of fools will suffer harm. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Disaster runs after sinners, -\q but righteous people are rewarded with good. -\q -\v 22 A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, -\q but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous person. -\s5 -\q -\v 23 An unplowed field owned by the poor could produce much food, -\q but it is swept away by injustice. -\q -\v 24 The one who does not discipline his son hates him, -\q but one who loves his son is careful to instruct him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 The righteous person eats until he satisfies his appetite, -\q but the stomach of the wicked is always hungry. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\q +\v 1 A wise son hears his father's instruction, +\q but a mocker will not listen to rebuke. +\q +\v 2 From the fruit of his mouth a person enjoys good things, +\q but the appetite of the treacherous is for violence. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 The one who guards his mouth protects his life, +\q but the one who opens wide his lips will ruin himself. +\q +\v 4 The appetite of lazy people craves but gets nothing, +\q but the appetite of diligent people will be richly satisfied. +\s5 +\q +\v 5 The righteous person hates lies, +\q but a wicked person makes himself repugnant, and he does what is shameful. +\q +\v 6 Righteousness protects those who are faultless in their path, +\q but wickedness turns away those who commit sin. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 There is someone who enriches himself, but has nothing at all, +\q and there is someone who gives everything away, yet is truly wealthy. +\q +\v 8 The ransom of a rich man's life is his wealth, +\q but a poor person does not hear a threat. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 The light of righteous people rejoices, +\q but the lamp of wicked people will be put out. +\q +\v 10 Pride only breeds conflict, +\q but for those who listen to good advice there is wisdom. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Wealth dwindles away when there is too much vanity, +\q but the one who makes money by working with his hand will make his money grow. +\q +\v 12 When hope is postponed, it breaks the heart, +\q but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 The one who scorns instruction will still be subject to it, +\q but the one who honors the command will be rewarded. +\q +\v 14 The teaching of a wise person is a fountain of life, +\q turning you away from the snares of death. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Good insight wins favor, +\q but the way of the treacherous is never-ending. +\q +\v 16 Prudent people act out of knowledge in every decision, +\q but a fool parades his folly. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, +\q but a faithful envoy brings reconciliation. +\q +\v 18 The one who ignores instruction will have poverty and shame, +\q but honor will come to him who learns from correction. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 A longing realized is sweet to the appetite, +\q but fools hate to turn away from evil. +\q +\v 20 Walk with wise people and you will be wise, +\q but the companion of fools will suffer harm. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Disaster runs after sinners, +\q but righteous people are rewarded with good. +\q +\v 22 A good person leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, +\q but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous person. +\s5 +\q +\v 23 An unplowed field owned by the poor could produce much food, +\q but it is swept away by injustice. +\q +\v 24 The one who does not discipline his son hates him, +\q but one who loves his son is careful to instruct him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 The righteous person eats until he satisfies his appetite, +\q but the stomach of the wicked is always hungry. + + + \s5 @@ -1661,273 +1661,273 @@ \q but his anger is for the one who acts shamefully. - -\s5 -\c 15 -\q -\v 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, -\q but a harsh word stirs up anger. -\q -\v 2 The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, -\q but the mouth of fools pours out folly. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, -\q keeping watch over the evil and the good. -\q -\v 4 A healing tongue is a tree of life, -\q but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 A fool has contempt for his father's instruction, -\q but he who learns from correction is prudent. -\q -\v 6 In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure, -\q but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about, -\q but not so the hearts of fools. -\q -\v 8 Yahweh hates the sacrifices of wicked people, -\q but the prayer of upright people is his delight. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Yahweh hates the way of wicked people, -\q but he loves the one who pursues what is right. -\q -\v 10 Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way -\q and he who hates correction will die. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Sheol and destruction are open before Yahweh; -\q how much more the hearts of the sons of mankind? -\q -\v 12 The mocker resents correction; -\q he will not go to the wise. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, -\q but heartache crushes the spirit. -\q -\v 14 The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, -\q but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 All the days of oppressed people are miserable, -\q but a cheerful heart has an unending feast. -\q -\v 16 Better is little with the fear of Yahweh -\q than great treasure with confusion. -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love -\q than a fatted calf served with hatred. -\q -\v 18 An angry man stirs up arguments, -\q but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel. -\s5 -\q -\v 19 The path of the sluggard is like a place with a hedge of thorns, -\q but the path of the upright is a built-up highway. -\q -\v 20 A wise son brings joy to his father, -\q but a foolish person despises his mother. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Folly delights a person who lacks sense, -\q but the one who has understanding walks a straight path. -\q -\v 22 Plans go wrong where there is no advice, -\q but with numerous advisors they succeed. -\s5 -\q -\v 23 A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply; -\q how good is a timely word! -\q -\v 24 The path of life leads upward for prudent people, -\q that they may turn away from Sheol beneath. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 Yahweh tears down the legacy of the proud, -\q but he protects the property of the widow. -\q -\v 26 Yahweh hates the thoughts of wicked people, -\q but the words of kindness are pure. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 The robber brings trouble to his family, -\q but the one who hates bribes will live. -\q -\v 28 The heart of the righteous person ponders before it answers, -\q but the mouth of wicked people pours out all its evil. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 Yahweh is far away from wicked people, -\q but he hears the prayer of righteous people. -\q -\v 30 The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart -\q and good news is health to the body. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 If you pay attention when someone corrects how you live, -\q you will remain among wise people. -\q -\v 32 The one who rejects discipline despises himself, -\q but he who listens to correction gains understanding. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom -\q and humility comes before honor. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\q -\v 1 The plans of the heart belong to a person, -\q but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue. -\q -\v 2 All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, -\q but Yahweh weighs the spirits. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Commit your works to Yahweh -\q and your plans will succeed. -\q -\v 4 Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, -\q even the wicked for the day of trouble. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, -\q but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished. -\q -\v 6 By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for -\q and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 When a person's ways are pleasing to Yahweh, -\q he makes even that person's enemies to be at peace with him. -\q -\v 8 Better is a little with what is right, -\q than a large income with injustice. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 In his heart a person plans out his way, -\q but Yahweh directs his steps. -\q -\v 10 Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, -\q his mouth should not betray justice. -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Honest scales come from Yahweh; -\q all the weights in the bag are his work. -\q -\v 12 When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, -\q for a throne is established by doing what is right. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 A king delights in lips that say what is right -\q and he loves the one who speaks directly. -\q -\v 14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death -\q but a wise man will try to calm his anger. -\s5 -\q -\v 15 In the light of a king's face is life -\q and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain. -\q -\v 16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. -\q To get understanding should be chosen more than silver. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 The highway of upright people turns away from evil; -\q the one who protects his life guards his way. -\q -\v 18 Pride comes before destruction -\q and a haughty spirit before a downfall. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 It is better to be humble among poor people -\q than to divide the spoil with proud people. -\q -\v 20 Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good, -\q and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed. -\s5 -\q -\v 21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning -\q and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach. -\q -\v 22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, -\q but the instruction of fools is their foolishness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth -\q and adds persuasiveness to his lips. -\q -\v 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb— -\q sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, -\q but its end is the way to death. -\q -\v 26 The laborer's appetite works for him; -\q his hunger urges him on. -\s5 -\q -\v 27 A worthless person digs up mischief -\q and his speech is like a scorching fire. -\q -\v 28 A perverse person stirs up conflict -\q and a gossip separates close friends. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 A man of violence lies to his neighbor -\q and leads him down a path that is not good. -\q -\v 30 The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things; -\q those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; -\q it is gained by living the right way. -\q -\v 32 It is better to be slow to anger than to be a warrior -\q and one who rules his spirit is stronger than one who conquers a city. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 The lots are cast into the lap, -\q but the decision is from Yahweh. - - + +\s5 +\c 15 +\q +\v 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, +\q but a harsh word stirs up anger. +\q +\v 2 The tongue of wise people compliments knowledge, +\q but the mouth of fools pours out folly. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 The eyes of Yahweh are everywhere, +\q keeping watch over the evil and the good. +\q +\v 4 A healing tongue is a tree of life, +\q but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 A fool has contempt for his father's instruction, +\q but he who learns from correction is prudent. +\q +\v 6 In the house of the righteous person there is great treasure, +\q but the earnings of the wicked person give him trouble. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 The lips of wise people scatter knowledge about, +\q but not so the hearts of fools. +\q +\v 8 Yahweh hates the sacrifices of wicked people, +\q but the prayer of upright people is his delight. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Yahweh hates the way of wicked people, +\q but he loves the one who pursues what is right. +\q +\v 10 Harsh discipline awaits anyone who forsakes the way +\q and he who hates correction will die. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Sheol and destruction are open before Yahweh; +\q how much more the hearts of the sons of mankind? +\q +\v 12 The mocker resents correction; +\q he will not go to the wise. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, +\q but heartache crushes the spirit. +\q +\v 14 The heart of the discerning seeks knowledge, +\q but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 All the days of oppressed people are miserable, +\q but a cheerful heart has an unending feast. +\q +\v 16 Better is little with the fear of Yahweh +\q than great treasure with confusion. +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Better is a meal with vegetables where there is love +\q than a fatted calf served with hatred. +\q +\v 18 An angry man stirs up arguments, +\q but a person who is slow to anger quiets a quarrel. +\s5 +\q +\v 19 The path of the sluggard is like a place with a hedge of thorns, +\q but the path of the upright is a built-up highway. +\q +\v 20 A wise son brings joy to his father, +\q but a foolish person despises his mother. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Folly delights a person who lacks sense, +\q but the one who has understanding walks a straight path. +\q +\v 22 Plans go wrong where there is no advice, +\q but with numerous advisors they succeed. +\s5 +\q +\v 23 A person finds joy when he gives a pertinent reply; +\q how good is a timely word! +\q +\v 24 The path of life leads upward for prudent people, +\q that they may turn away from Sheol beneath. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 Yahweh tears down the legacy of the proud, +\q but he protects the property of the widow. +\q +\v 26 Yahweh hates the thoughts of wicked people, +\q but the words of kindness are pure. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 The robber brings trouble to his family, +\q but the one who hates bribes will live. +\q +\v 28 The heart of the righteous person ponders before it answers, +\q but the mouth of wicked people pours out all its evil. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 Yahweh is far away from wicked people, +\q but he hears the prayer of righteous people. +\q +\v 30 The light of the eyes brings joy to the heart +\q and good news is health to the body. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 If you pay attention when someone corrects how you live, +\q you will remain among wise people. +\q +\v 32 The one who rejects discipline despises himself, +\q but he who listens to correction gains understanding. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom +\q and humility comes before honor. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\q +\v 1 The plans of the heart belong to a person, +\q but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue. +\q +\v 2 All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, +\q but Yahweh weighs the spirits. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Commit your works to Yahweh +\q and your plans will succeed. +\q +\v 4 Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, +\q even the wicked for the day of trouble. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, +\q but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished. +\q +\v 6 By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for +\q and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 When a person's ways are pleasing to Yahweh, +\q he makes even that person's enemies to be at peace with him. +\q +\v 8 Better is a little with what is right, +\q than a large income with injustice. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 In his heart a person plans out his way, +\q but Yahweh directs his steps. +\q +\v 10 Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, +\q his mouth should not betray justice. +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Honest scales come from Yahweh; +\q all the weights in the bag are his work. +\q +\v 12 When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, +\q for a throne is established by doing what is right. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 A king delights in lips that say what is right +\q and he loves the one who speaks directly. +\q +\v 14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death +\q but a wise man will try to calm his anger. +\s5 +\q +\v 15 In the light of a king's face is life +\q and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain. +\q +\v 16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. +\q To get understanding should be chosen more than silver. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 The highway of upright people turns away from evil; +\q the one who protects his life guards his way. +\q +\v 18 Pride comes before destruction +\q and a haughty spirit before a downfall. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 It is better to be humble among poor people +\q than to divide the spoil with proud people. +\q +\v 20 Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good, +\q and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed. +\s5 +\q +\v 21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning +\q and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach. +\q +\v 22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, +\q but the instruction of fools is their foolishness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth +\q and adds persuasiveness to his lips. +\q +\v 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb— +\q sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, +\q but its end is the way to death. +\q +\v 26 The laborer's appetite works for him; +\q his hunger urges him on. +\s5 +\q +\v 27 A worthless person digs up mischief +\q and his speech is like a scorching fire. +\q +\v 28 A perverse person stirs up conflict +\q and a gossip separates close friends. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 A man of violence lies to his neighbor +\q and leads him down a path that is not good. +\q +\v 30 The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things; +\q those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; +\q it is gained by living the right way. +\q +\v 32 It is better to be slow to anger than to be a warrior +\q and one who rules his spirit is stronger than one who conquers a city. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 The lots are cast into the lap, +\q but the decision is from Yahweh. + + \s5 @@ -2040,107 +2040,107 @@ \q when he keeps his mouth shut, he is considered to be intelligent. - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\q -\v 1 One who isolates himself seeks his own desire -\q and he quarrels with all sound judgment. -\q -\v 2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, -\q but only in revealing what is in his own heart. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— -\q along with shame and reproach. -\q -\v 4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; -\q the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, -\q nor to deny justice to the righteous person. -\q -\v 6 A fool's lips bring him conflict -\q and his mouth invites a beating. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 A fool's mouth is his ruin -\q and he ensnares himself with his lips. -\q -\v 8 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels -\q and they go down into the inner parts of the body. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Also, one who is slack in his work -\q is a brother to the one who destroys the most. -\q -\v 10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; -\q the righteous person runs into it and is safe. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city -\q and in his imagination it is like a high wall. -\q -\v 12 Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, -\q but humility comes before honor. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 One who answers before listening— -\q it is his folly and shame. -\q -\v 14 A person's spirit will survive sickness, -\q but a broken spirit who can bear it? - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge -\q and the hearing of the wise seeks it out. -\q -\v 16 A man's gift may open the way -\q and bring him before an important person. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 The first to plead his case seems right -\q until his opponent comes and questions him. -\q -\v 18 Casting the lot settles disputes -\q and separates strong opponents. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, -\q and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. -\q -\v 20 From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; -\q with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Death and life are controlled by the tongue, -\q and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit. -\q -\v 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing -\q and receives favor from Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 A poor person pleads for mercy, -\q but a rich person answers harshly. -\q -\v 24 The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, -\q but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\q +\v 1 One who isolates himself seeks his own desire +\q and he quarrels with all sound judgment. +\q +\v 2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, +\q but only in revealing what is in his own heart. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 When a wicked person comes, contempt comes with him— +\q along with shame and reproach. +\q +\v 4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; +\q the fountain of wisdom is a flowing stream. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked person, +\q nor to deny justice to the righteous person. +\q +\v 6 A fool's lips bring him conflict +\q and his mouth invites a beating. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 A fool's mouth is his ruin +\q and he ensnares himself with his lips. +\q +\v 8 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels +\q and they go down into the inner parts of the body. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Also, one who is slack in his work +\q is a brother to the one who destroys the most. +\q +\v 10 The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; +\q the righteous person runs into it and is safe. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 The wealth of the rich is his fortified city +\q and in his imagination it is like a high wall. +\q +\v 12 Before his downfall a person's heart is proud, +\q but humility comes before honor. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 One who answers before listening— +\q it is his folly and shame. +\q +\v 14 A person's spirit will survive sickness, +\q but a broken spirit who can bear it? + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 The heart of the intelligent acquires knowledge +\q and the hearing of the wise seeks it out. +\q +\v 16 A man's gift may open the way +\q and bring him before an important person. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 The first to plead his case seems right +\q until his opponent comes and questions him. +\q +\v 18 Casting the lot settles disputes +\q and separates strong opponents. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 An offended brother is harder to be won than a strong city, +\q and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. +\q +\v 20 From the fruit of his mouth one's stomach is filled; +\q with the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Death and life are controlled by the tongue, +\q and those who love the tongue will eat its fruit. +\q +\v 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing +\q and receives favor from Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 A poor person pleads for mercy, +\q but a rich person answers harshly. +\q +\v 24 The one who claims many friends is brought to ruin by them, +\q but there is a friend who comes closer than a brother. + + + \s5 @@ -2384,135 +2384,135 @@ - -\s5 -\c 21 -\q -\v 1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; -\q he turns it wherever he pleases. -\q -\v 2 Every person's way is right in his own eyes, -\q but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 To do what is right and just -\q is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. -\q -\v 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— -\q the lamp of the wicked—are sin. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, -\q but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty. -\q -\v 6 Acquiring riches by a lying tongue -\q is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, -\q for they refuse to do what is just. -\q -\v 8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, -\q but the one who is pure does what is right. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof -\q than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. -\q -\v 10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; -\q his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, -\q and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge. -\q -\v 12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; -\q he brings wicked people to disaster. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, -\q he also will cry out, but he will not be answered. -\q -\v 14 A gift in secret appeases anger -\q and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, -\q but it brings terror to evildoers. -\q -\v 16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, -\q he will rest in the assembly of the dead. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; -\q the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich. -\q -\v 18 A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, -\q and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 It is better to live in the desert -\q than with a quarreling and angry wife. -\q -\v 20 Precious treasure and oil are in the home of the wise, -\q but a foolish man wastes them. -\s5 -\q -\v 21 The one who does right and is kind— -\q this person finds life, righteousness, and honor. -\q -\v 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, -\q and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue -\q keeps himself out of trouble. -\q -\v 24 The proud and haughty person—"Mocker" is his name— -\q acts with arrogant pride. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 The desire of the lazy kills him, -\q for his hands refuse to work. -\q -\v 26 All day long he craves and craves more, -\q but the righteous person gives and does not hold back. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; -\q it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives. -\q -\v 28 A false witness will perish, -\q but the one who listens will speak for all time. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 A wicked man makes his face hard, -\q but an upright person is certain about his ways. -\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa but an upright person thinks about his way \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice -\q that can stand against Yahweh. -\q -\v 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, -\q but the victory belongs to Yahweh. - - - + +\s5 +\c 21 +\q +\v 1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; +\q he turns it wherever he pleases. +\q +\v 2 Every person's way is right in his own eyes, +\q but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 To do what is right and just +\q is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. +\q +\v 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— +\q the lamp of the wicked—are sin. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, +\q but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty. +\q +\v 6 Acquiring riches by a lying tongue +\q is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, +\q for they refuse to do what is just. +\q +\v 8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, +\q but the one who is pure does what is right. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof +\q than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. +\q +\v 10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; +\q his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, +\q and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge. +\q +\v 12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; +\q he brings wicked people to disaster. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, +\q he also will cry out, but he will not be answered. +\q +\v 14 A gift in secret appeases anger +\q and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, +\q but it brings terror to evildoers. +\q +\v 16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, +\q he will rest in the assembly of the dead. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; +\q the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich. +\q +\v 18 A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, +\q and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 It is better to live in the desert +\q than with a quarreling and angry wife. +\q +\v 20 Precious treasure and oil are in the home of the wise, +\q but a foolish man wastes them. +\s5 +\q +\v 21 The one who does right and is kind— +\q this person finds life, righteousness, and honor. +\q +\v 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, +\q and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue +\q keeps himself out of trouble. +\q +\v 24 The proud and haughty person—"Mocker" is his name— +\q acts with arrogant pride. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 The desire of the lazy kills him, +\q for his hands refuse to work. +\q +\v 26 All day long he craves and craves more, +\q but the righteous person gives and does not hold back. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; +\q it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives. +\q +\v 28 A false witness will perish, +\q but the one who listens will speak for all time. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 A wicked man makes his face hard, +\q but an upright person is certain about his ways. +\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa but an upright person thinks about his way \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice +\q that can stand against Yahweh. +\q +\v 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, +\q but the victory belongs to Yahweh. + + + \s5 @@ -2920,127 +2920,127 @@ \q \v 34 and poverty comes marching upon you, \q and your needs like an armed soldier. - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah. -\q -\v 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, -\q but the glory of kings to search it out. -\q -\v 3 Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth, -\q so the heart of kings is unsearchable. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Remove the dross from the silver -\q and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft. -\q -\v 5 Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king -\q and his throne will be established by doing what is right. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Do not honor yourself in the king's presence -\q and do not stand in the place designated for great people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 It is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," -\q than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. -\q What you have witnessed, -\q -\v 8 do not bring quickly to trial. -\q For what will you do in the end -\q when your neighbor puts you to shame? - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself -\q and do not disclose another's secret, -\q -\v 10 or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you -\q and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Apples of gold in settings of silver -\q2 is a word spoken in the right situation. -\q -\v 12 A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold -\q is a wise rebuke to a listening ear. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Like the cold of snow at harvest time -\q is a faithful messenger for those who sent him; -\q he brings back the life of his masters. -\q -\v 14 Clouds and wind without rain -\q is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give. -\s5 -\q -\v 15 With patience a ruler can be persuaded -\q and a soft tongue can break a bone. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 If you find honey, eat just enough— -\q otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up. -\q -\v 17 Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, -\q he may become tired of you and hate you. -\s5 -\q -\v 18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor -\q is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. -\q -\v 19 An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble -\q is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather, -\q or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda, -\q is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, -\q and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, -\q -\v 22 for you will shovel coals of fire on his head -\q and Yahweh will reward you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 As surely as the north wind brings rain, -\q so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces. -\q -\v 24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof -\q than in a house shared with a quarreling wife. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 Like cold waters to one who is thirsty, -\q so is good news from a far country. -\q -\v 26 Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain -\q is a righteous person tottering before wicked people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 It is not good to eat too much honey; -\q that is like searching for honor after honor. -\f + \ft Modern versions have different interpretations of this difficult verse. \f* -\q -\v 28 A person without self-control -\q is like a city breached and without walls. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah. +\q +\v 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, +\q but the glory of kings to search it out. +\q +\v 3 Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth, +\q so the heart of kings is unsearchable. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Remove the dross from the silver +\q and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft. +\q +\v 5 Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king +\q and his throne will be established by doing what is right. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Do not honor yourself in the king's presence +\q and do not stand in the place designated for great people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 It is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," +\q than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. +\q What you have witnessed, +\q +\v 8 do not bring quickly to trial. +\q For what will you do in the end +\q when your neighbor puts you to shame? + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself +\q and do not disclose another's secret, +\q +\v 10 or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you +\q and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Apples of gold in settings of silver +\q2 is a word spoken in the right situation. +\q +\v 12 A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold +\q is a wise rebuke to a listening ear. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Like the cold of snow at harvest time +\q is a faithful messenger for those who sent him; +\q he brings back the life of his masters. +\q +\v 14 Clouds and wind without rain +\q is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give. +\s5 +\q +\v 15 With patience a ruler can be persuaded +\q and a soft tongue can break a bone. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 If you find honey, eat just enough— +\q otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up. +\q +\v 17 Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, +\q he may become tired of you and hate you. +\s5 +\q +\v 18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor +\q is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. +\q +\v 19 An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble +\q is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather, +\q or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda, +\q is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, +\q and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, +\q +\v 22 for you will shovel coals of fire on his head +\q and Yahweh will reward you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 As surely as the north wind brings rain, +\q so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces. +\q +\v 24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof +\q than in a house shared with a quarreling wife. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 Like cold waters to one who is thirsty, +\q so is good news from a far country. +\q +\v 26 Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain +\q is a righteous person tottering before wicked people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 It is not good to eat too much honey; +\q that is like searching for honor after honor. +\f + \ft Modern versions have different interpretations of this difficult verse. \f* +\q +\v 28 A person without self-control +\q is like a city breached and without walls. + + + \s5 @@ -3157,119 +3157,119 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\q -\v 1 Do not boast about tomorrow, -\q for you do not know what a day may bring. -\q -\v 2 Let someone else praise you and not your own mouth; -\q a stranger and not your own lips. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Consider the heaviness of a stone and the weight of sand— -\q the provocation of a fool is heavier than both. -\q -\v 4 There is the cruelty of rage and the flood of anger, -\q but who is able to stand before jealousy? - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Better is an open rebuke -\q than hidden love. -\q -\v 6 Faithful are the wounds caused by a friend, -\q but an enemy may kiss you profusely. -\s5 -\q -\v 7 A person who has eaten to the full rejects even a honeycomb, -\q but to the hungry person, every bitter thing is sweet. -\q -\v 8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest -\q is a man who strays from where he lives. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Perfume and incense make the heart rejoice, -\q but the sweetness of a friend comes from his sincere counsel. -\f + \ft Modern versions have different interpretations of this difficult verse. \f* -\q -\v 10 Do not forsake your friend and your friend's father, -\q and do not go to your brother's house on the day of your calamity. -\q Better is a neighbor who is nearby than a brother who is far away. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice; -\q then I will give back an answer to the one who mocks me. -\q -\v 12 A prudent man sees trouble and hides himself, -\q but the naive people go on and suffer because of it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Take a garment of one who has put up security for a stranger, -\q and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an immoral woman. -\q -\v 14 Whoever gives his neighbor a blessing with a loud voice early in the morning, -\q that blessing will be considered to be a curse! - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 A quarreling wife is like -\q the constant dripping on a rainy day; -\q -\v 16 restraining her is like restraining the wind, -\q or trying to catch oil in your right hand. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Iron sharpens iron; -\q in the same way, a man sharpens his friend. -\q -\v 18 The one who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, -\q and the one who protects his master will be honored. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Just as water reflects a person's face, -\q so a person's heart reflects the person. -\q -\v 20 Just as Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, -\q so a man's eyes are never satisfied. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold; -\q and a person is tested when he is praised. -\q -\v 22 Even if you crush a fool with the pestle—along with the grain— -\q yet his foolishness will not leave him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks -\q and be concerned about your herds, -\q -\v 24 for wealth is not forever. -\q Does a crown endure for all generations? -\q -\v 25 When the hay is gone and the new growth appears, -\q then the grass from the hills is gathered in for the flocks. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Those lambs will provide your clothing -\q and the goats will provide the price of the field. -\q -\v 27 There will be goats' milk for your food—the food for your household— -\q and nourishment for your servant girls. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\q +\v 1 Do not boast about tomorrow, +\q for you do not know what a day may bring. +\q +\v 2 Let someone else praise you and not your own mouth; +\q a stranger and not your own lips. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Consider the heaviness of a stone and the weight of sand— +\q the provocation of a fool is heavier than both. +\q +\v 4 There is the cruelty of rage and the flood of anger, +\q but who is able to stand before jealousy? + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Better is an open rebuke +\q than hidden love. +\q +\v 6 Faithful are the wounds caused by a friend, +\q but an enemy may kiss you profusely. +\s5 +\q +\v 7 A person who has eaten to the full rejects even a honeycomb, +\q but to the hungry person, every bitter thing is sweet. +\q +\v 8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest +\q is a man who strays from where he lives. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Perfume and incense make the heart rejoice, +\q but the sweetness of a friend comes from his sincere counsel. +\f + \ft Modern versions have different interpretations of this difficult verse. \f* +\q +\v 10 Do not forsake your friend and your friend's father, +\q and do not go to your brother's house on the day of your calamity. +\q Better is a neighbor who is nearby than a brother who is far away. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice; +\q then I will give back an answer to the one who mocks me. +\q +\v 12 A prudent man sees trouble and hides himself, +\q but the naive people go on and suffer because of it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Take a garment of one who has put up security for a stranger, +\q and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an immoral woman. +\q +\v 14 Whoever gives his neighbor a blessing with a loud voice early in the morning, +\q that blessing will be considered to be a curse! + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 A quarreling wife is like +\q the constant dripping on a rainy day; +\q +\v 16 restraining her is like restraining the wind, +\q or trying to catch oil in your right hand. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Iron sharpens iron; +\q in the same way, a man sharpens his friend. +\q +\v 18 The one who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, +\q and the one who protects his master will be honored. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Just as water reflects a person's face, +\q so a person's heart reflects the person. +\q +\v 20 Just as Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, +\q so a man's eyes are never satisfied. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold; +\q and a person is tested when he is praised. +\q +\v 22 Even if you crush a fool with the pestle—along with the grain— +\q yet his foolishness will not leave him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks +\q and be concerned about your herds, +\q +\v 24 for wealth is not forever. +\q Does a crown endure for all generations? +\q +\v 25 When the hay is gone and the new growth appears, +\q then the grass from the hills is gathered in for the flocks. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Those lambs will provide your clothing +\q and the goats will provide the price of the field. +\q +\v 27 There will be goats' milk for your food—the food for your household— +\q and nourishment for your servant girls. + + + \s5 \c 28 diff --git a/21-ECC.usfm b/21-ECC.usfm index a456849a..e1da7cd8 100644 --- a/21-ECC.usfm +++ b/21-ECC.usfm @@ -295,79 +295,79 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not understand that they are doing what is wrong. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 2 Do not be too quick to speak with your mouth, -\q2 and do not let your heart be too quick to bring any matter up before God. -\q1 God is in heaven, but you are on earth, -\q2 so let your words be few. -\q1 -\v 3 If you have too many things to do and worry about, you will probably have bad dreams. -\q2 The more words you speak, the more foolish things you will probably say. - -\s5 -\v 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to do it, for God has no pleasure in fools. Do what you vow you will do. -\v 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one that you do not carry out. - -\s5 -\v 6 Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin. Do not say to the priest's messenger, "That vow was a mistake." Why make God angry by vowing falsely, provoking God to destroy the work of your hands? -\v 7 For in many dreams, as in many words, there is meaningless vapor. So fear God. - -\s5 -\v 8 When you see the poor being oppressed and robbed of just and right treatment in your province, do not be astonished as if no one knows, because there are people in power who watch those under them, and there are even higher ones over them. -\v 9 In addition, the produce of the land is for everyone, and the king himself takes produce from the fields. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 Anyone who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, -\q2 and anyone who loves wealth always wants more. -\q1 This, too, is vapor. -\q1 -\v 11 As prosperity increases, so also do the people who consume it. -\q1 What advantage in wealth is there to the owner -\q2 except to watch it with his eyes? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 The sleep of a working man is sweet, -\q2 whether he eats little or a lot, -\q1 but the wealth of a rich person does not allow him to sleep well. - -\s5 -\v 13 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun: -\q1 riches hoarded by the owner, resulting in his own misery. -\q1 -\v 14 When the rich man loses his wealth through bad luck, -\q2 his own son, one whom he has fathered, is left with nothing in his hands. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 As a man comes from his mother's womb, -\q2 so also he will leave naked. -\q1 He can take none of the fruits of his labor in his hand. -\v 16 Another evil is -\q1 that as a person comes, so he goes away. -\q1 So what profit is there for him who works for the wind? -\q1 -\v 17 During his days he eats with darkness -\q2 and is greatly distressed with sickness and anger. - -\s5 -\v 18 Look, what I have seen to be good and suitable is to eat and drink and to enjoy the gain from all our work, as we labor under the sun during the days of this life that God has given us. For this is man's assignment. - -\s5 -\v 19 Anyone to whom God has given riches and wealth and the ability to receive his share and rejoice in his work—this is a gift from God. -\v 20 For he does not call to mind very often the days of his life, because God makes him keep busy with the things that he enjoys doing. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not understand that they are doing what is wrong. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 2 Do not be too quick to speak with your mouth, +\q2 and do not let your heart be too quick to bring any matter up before God. +\q1 God is in heaven, but you are on earth, +\q2 so let your words be few. +\q1 +\v 3 If you have too many things to do and worry about, you will probably have bad dreams. +\q2 The more words you speak, the more foolish things you will probably say. + +\s5 +\v 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to do it, for God has no pleasure in fools. Do what you vow you will do. +\v 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one that you do not carry out. + +\s5 +\v 6 Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin. Do not say to the priest's messenger, "That vow was a mistake." Why make God angry by vowing falsely, provoking God to destroy the work of your hands? +\v 7 For in many dreams, as in many words, there is meaningless vapor. So fear God. + +\s5 +\v 8 When you see the poor being oppressed and robbed of just and right treatment in your province, do not be astonished as if no one knows, because there are people in power who watch those under them, and there are even higher ones over them. +\v 9 In addition, the produce of the land is for everyone, and the king himself takes produce from the fields. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 Anyone who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, +\q2 and anyone who loves wealth always wants more. +\q1 This, too, is vapor. +\q1 +\v 11 As prosperity increases, so also do the people who consume it. +\q1 What advantage in wealth is there to the owner +\q2 except to watch it with his eyes? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 The sleep of a working man is sweet, +\q2 whether he eats little or a lot, +\q1 but the wealth of a rich person does not allow him to sleep well. + +\s5 +\v 13 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun: +\q1 riches hoarded by the owner, resulting in his own misery. +\q1 +\v 14 When the rich man loses his wealth through bad luck, +\q2 his own son, one whom he has fathered, is left with nothing in his hands. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 As a man comes from his mother's womb, +\q2 so also he will leave naked. +\q1 He can take none of the fruits of his labor in his hand. +\v 16 Another evil is +\q1 that as a person comes, so he goes away. +\q1 So what profit is there for him who works for the wind? +\q1 +\v 17 During his days he eats with darkness +\q2 and is greatly distressed with sickness and anger. + +\s5 +\v 18 Look, what I have seen to be good and suitable is to eat and drink and to enjoy the gain from all our work, as we labor under the sun during the days of this life that God has given us. For this is man's assignment. + +\s5 +\v 19 Anyone to whom God has given riches and wealth and the ability to receive his share and rejoice in his work—this is a gift from God. +\v 20 For he does not call to mind very often the days of his life, because God makes him keep busy with the things that he enjoys doing. + + + \s5 @@ -539,240 +539,240 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\q1 -\v 1 Who is a wise man? -\q2 Who knows what the events in life mean? -\q1 Wisdom in a man causes his face to shine, -\q2 and the hardness of his face is changed. - -\s5 -\v 2 I advise you to obey the king's command because of God's oath to protect him. -\v 3 Do not hurry out of his presence, and do not stand in support of something wrong, for the king does whatever he desires. -\v 4 The king's word rules, so who will say to him, "What are you doing?" - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 Whoever keeps the king's commands avoids harm. -\q2 A wise man's heart recognizes the proper course and time of action. -\q1 -\v 6 For every matter there is a correct response and a time to respond, -\q2 because the troubles of man are great. -\q1 -\v 7 No one knows what is coming next. -\q2 Who can tell him what is coming? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 8 No one is ruler over his breath so as to stop the breath, -\f + \ft Some versions have \fqa No one is ruler over the wind so as to stop the wind \fqa* . \f* -\q2 and no one has power over the day of his death. -\q1 No one is discharged from the army during a battle, -\q2 and wickedness will not rescue those who are its slaves. -\q1 -\v 9 I have realized all this; I have applied my heart to every kind of work that is done under the sun. -There is a time when a person oppresses another person to that person's hurt. -\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa to his own hurt \fqa* . The Hebrew passage can be interpreted either way. \f* - -\s5 -\v 10 So I saw the wicked buried publicly. They were taken from the holy area and buried and were praised by people in the city where they had done their wicked deeds. This also is uselessness. -\f + \ft Some modern versions have other interpretations of this difficult verse: \fqa I saw wicked people come and go into the holy place. They proudly spoke in the city about the things they had done. This also is uselessness. \fqa* Other versions have \fqa I saw wicked people come and go into the holy place. They were praised in the city for the things they had done. This also is uselessness. \fqa* \f* -\v 11 When a sentence against an evil crime is not executed quickly, it entices the hearts of human beings to do evil. - -\s5 -\v 12 Even though a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives a long time, yet I know that it will be better for those who respect God, for those who stand before him and show him respect. -\v 13 But it will not go well for a wicked man; his life will not be prolonged. His days are like a fleeting shadow because he does not honor God. - -\s5 -\v 14 There is another useless vapor—something else that is done on the earth. Things happen to righteous people as they happen to wicked people, and things happen to wicked people as they happen to righteous people. I say that this also is useless vapor. -\v 15 So I recommend happiness, because a man has no better thing under the sun than to eat and drink and to be happy. It is happiness that will accompany him in his labor for all the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. - -\s5 -\v 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to understand the work that is done on the earth, work often done without sleep for the eyes at night or in the day, -\v 17 then I considered all of God's deeds, and that man cannot understand the work that is done under the sun. No matter how much a man labors to find the answers, he will not find them. Even though a wise man might believe he knows, he really does not. - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 For I thought about all this in my mind to understand about the righteous and wise people and their deeds. They are all in God's hands. No one knows whether love or hate will come to someone. - -\s5 -\v 2 Everyone has the same fate. The same fate awaits -\q1 righteous people and wicked, -\q1 the good, -\f + \ft Some modern versions copy ancient versions which have \fqa the good and the bad \fqa* . In this way, they make the phrase complete. Translators may decide to imitate them. \f* -\q1 the clean and the unclean, -\q1 and the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice. -As good people will die, -\q1 so also will the sinner. -As the one who swears will die, -\q1 so also will the man who fears to make an oath. - -\s5 -\v 3 There is an evil fate for everything that is done under the sun, one destiny for everyone. The hearts of human beings are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live. So after that they go to the dead. - -\s5 -\v 4 For anyone who is united to all the living, there is hope, just as a living dog is better than a dead lion. -\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa For what is preferable? For all the living, this is sure: A living dog is better than a dead lion \fqa* . \f* -\q1 -\v 5 For living people know they will die, -\q1 but the dead do not know anything. -\q2 They no longer have any reward -\q1 because their memory is forgotten. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 6 Their love, hatred, and envy -\q2 have vanished long ago. -\q1 They will never have a place again -\q2 in anything done under the sun. -\v 7 Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of celebrating good works. -\v 8 Let your clothes be always white and your head anointed with oil. - -\s5 -\v 9 Live happily with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of uselessness, the days that God has given you under the sun during your days of uselessness. That is your reward in life for your work under the sun. -\v 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, work at it with your strength, because there is no work or explanation or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, where you are going. - -\s5 -\v 11 I have seen some interesting things under the sun: -\q2 The race does not belong to swift people. -\q2 The battle does not belong to strong people. -\q2 Bread does not belong to wise people. -\q2 Riches do not belong to people of understanding. -\q2 Favor does not belong to people of knowledge. -\q1 Instead, time and chance affect them all. -\q1 -\v 12 And furthermore, no one knows when his time will come, -\q2 just as fish are caught in a deadly net, -\q2 or birds are caught in a snare, -\q1 the children of human beings are ensnared by evil times -\q2 that suddenly fall upon them. - -\s5 -\v 13 I have also seen wisdom under the sun in a way that seemed great to me. -\v 14 There was a small city with only a few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it and built great siege ramps against it. -\v 15 Now in the city was found a poor, wise man, who by his wisdom saved the city. Yet later, no one remembered that same poor man. - -\s5 -\v 16 So I concluded, "Wisdom is better than strength, but the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 17 The words of wise people spoken quietly are heard better -\q2 than the shouts of any ruler among fools. -\q1 -\v 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, -\q2 but one sinner can ruin much good. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\q1 -\v 1 As dead flies cause perfume to stink, -\q2 so a little folly can overpower wisdom and honor. -\q1 -\v 2 The heart of a wise person tends to the right, -\q2 but the heart of a fool tends to the left. -\q1 -\v 3 When a fool walks down a road, -\q2 his thinking is deficient, -\q3 proving to everyone he is a fool. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 4 If the emotions of a ruler rise up against you, do not leave your work. -\q2 Calm can quiet down great outrage. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, -\q2 a kind of error that comes from a ruler: -\q1 -\v 6 Fools are given leadership positions, -\q2 while successful men are given low positions. -\q1 -\v 7 I have seen slaves riding horses, -\q2 and successful men walking like slaves on the ground. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 8 Anyone who digs a pit -\q2 can fall into it, -and whenever someone breaks down a wall, -\q2 a snake can bite him. -\q1 -\v 9 Whoever cuts out stones -\q2 can be hurt by them, -\q1 and the man who chops wood -\q2 is endangered by it. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 If an iron blade is dull, -and a man does not sharpen it, -then he must use more strength, -but wisdom provides an advantage for success. -\q1 -\v 11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, -\q2 then there is no advantage for the charmer. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, -\q2 but the lips of a fool consume him. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 13 As words begin to flow from a fool's mouth, foolishness comes out, -\q2 and at the end his mouth flows with wicked madness. -\q1 -\v 14 A fool multiplies words, -\q2 but no one knows what is coming. -\q2 Who knows what is coming after him? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 The toil of fools wearies them, -\q2 so that they do not even know the road to town. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 16 Woe to you, land, if your king is a young boy, -\q2 and if your leaders begin feasting in the morning! -\q1 -\v 17 But blessed are you, land, if your king is the son of nobles, -\q2 and if your leaders eat at the right time, -\q2 for strength, and not for drunkenness! - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 Because of laziness the roof sinks in, -\q2 and because of idle hands the house leaks. -\q1 -\v 19 People prepare food for laughter, -\q2 wine brings enjoyment to life, -\q3 and money fills the need for everything. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 20 Do not curse the king, not even in your mind, -\q2 and do not curse rich people in your bedroom. -\q1 For a bird of the sky might carry your words; -\q2 whatever has wings can spread the matter. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\q1 +\v 1 Who is a wise man? +\q2 Who knows what the events in life mean? +\q1 Wisdom in a man causes his face to shine, +\q2 and the hardness of his face is changed. + +\s5 +\v 2 I advise you to obey the king's command because of God's oath to protect him. +\v 3 Do not hurry out of his presence, and do not stand in support of something wrong, for the king does whatever he desires. +\v 4 The king's word rules, so who will say to him, "What are you doing?" + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 Whoever keeps the king's commands avoids harm. +\q2 A wise man's heart recognizes the proper course and time of action. +\q1 +\v 6 For every matter there is a correct response and a time to respond, +\q2 because the troubles of man are great. +\q1 +\v 7 No one knows what is coming next. +\q2 Who can tell him what is coming? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 8 No one is ruler over his breath so as to stop the breath, +\f + \ft Some versions have \fqa No one is ruler over the wind so as to stop the wind \fqa* . \f* +\q2 and no one has power over the day of his death. +\q1 No one is discharged from the army during a battle, +\q2 and wickedness will not rescue those who are its slaves. +\q1 +\v 9 I have realized all this; I have applied my heart to every kind of work that is done under the sun. +There is a time when a person oppresses another person to that person's hurt. +\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa to his own hurt \fqa* . The Hebrew passage can be interpreted either way. \f* + +\s5 +\v 10 So I saw the wicked buried publicly. They were taken from the holy area and buried and were praised by people in the city where they had done their wicked deeds. This also is uselessness. +\f + \ft Some modern versions have other interpretations of this difficult verse: \fqa I saw wicked people come and go into the holy place. They proudly spoke in the city about the things they had done. This also is uselessness. \fqa* Other versions have \fqa I saw wicked people come and go into the holy place. They were praised in the city for the things they had done. This also is uselessness. \fqa* \f* +\v 11 When a sentence against an evil crime is not executed quickly, it entices the hearts of human beings to do evil. + +\s5 +\v 12 Even though a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives a long time, yet I know that it will be better for those who respect God, for those who stand before him and show him respect. +\v 13 But it will not go well for a wicked man; his life will not be prolonged. His days are like a fleeting shadow because he does not honor God. + +\s5 +\v 14 There is another useless vapor—something else that is done on the earth. Things happen to righteous people as they happen to wicked people, and things happen to wicked people as they happen to righteous people. I say that this also is useless vapor. +\v 15 So I recommend happiness, because a man has no better thing under the sun than to eat and drink and to be happy. It is happiness that will accompany him in his labor for all the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. + +\s5 +\v 16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to understand the work that is done on the earth, work often done without sleep for the eyes at night or in the day, +\v 17 then I considered all of God's deeds, and that man cannot understand the work that is done under the sun. No matter how much a man labors to find the answers, he will not find them. Even though a wise man might believe he knows, he really does not. + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 For I thought about all this in my mind to understand about the righteous and wise people and their deeds. They are all in God's hands. No one knows whether love or hate will come to someone. + +\s5 +\v 2 Everyone has the same fate. The same fate awaits +\q1 righteous people and wicked, +\q1 the good, +\f + \ft Some modern versions copy ancient versions which have \fqa the good and the bad \fqa* . In this way, they make the phrase complete. Translators may decide to imitate them. \f* +\q1 the clean and the unclean, +\q1 and the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice. +As good people will die, +\q1 so also will the sinner. +As the one who swears will die, +\q1 so also will the man who fears to make an oath. + +\s5 +\v 3 There is an evil fate for everything that is done under the sun, one destiny for everyone. The hearts of human beings are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live. So after that they go to the dead. + +\s5 +\v 4 For anyone who is united to all the living, there is hope, just as a living dog is better than a dead lion. +\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa For what is preferable? For all the living, this is sure: A living dog is better than a dead lion \fqa* . \f* +\q1 +\v 5 For living people know they will die, +\q1 but the dead do not know anything. +\q2 They no longer have any reward +\q1 because their memory is forgotten. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 6 Their love, hatred, and envy +\q2 have vanished long ago. +\q1 They will never have a place again +\q2 in anything done under the sun. +\v 7 Go your way, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, for God approves of celebrating good works. +\v 8 Let your clothes be always white and your head anointed with oil. + +\s5 +\v 9 Live happily with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of uselessness, the days that God has given you under the sun during your days of uselessness. That is your reward in life for your work under the sun. +\v 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, work at it with your strength, because there is no work or explanation or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, where you are going. + +\s5 +\v 11 I have seen some interesting things under the sun: +\q2 The race does not belong to swift people. +\q2 The battle does not belong to strong people. +\q2 Bread does not belong to wise people. +\q2 Riches do not belong to people of understanding. +\q2 Favor does not belong to people of knowledge. +\q1 Instead, time and chance affect them all. +\q1 +\v 12 And furthermore, no one knows when his time will come, +\q2 just as fish are caught in a deadly net, +\q2 or birds are caught in a snare, +\q1 the children of human beings are ensnared by evil times +\q2 that suddenly fall upon them. + +\s5 +\v 13 I have also seen wisdom under the sun in a way that seemed great to me. +\v 14 There was a small city with only a few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it and built great siege ramps against it. +\v 15 Now in the city was found a poor, wise man, who by his wisdom saved the city. Yet later, no one remembered that same poor man. + +\s5 +\v 16 So I concluded, "Wisdom is better than strength, but the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 17 The words of wise people spoken quietly are heard better +\q2 than the shouts of any ruler among fools. +\q1 +\v 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, +\q2 but one sinner can ruin much good. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\q1 +\v 1 As dead flies cause perfume to stink, +\q2 so a little folly can overpower wisdom and honor. +\q1 +\v 2 The heart of a wise person tends to the right, +\q2 but the heart of a fool tends to the left. +\q1 +\v 3 When a fool walks down a road, +\q2 his thinking is deficient, +\q3 proving to everyone he is a fool. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 4 If the emotions of a ruler rise up against you, do not leave your work. +\q2 Calm can quiet down great outrage. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, +\q2 a kind of error that comes from a ruler: +\q1 +\v 6 Fools are given leadership positions, +\q2 while successful men are given low positions. +\q1 +\v 7 I have seen slaves riding horses, +\q2 and successful men walking like slaves on the ground. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 8 Anyone who digs a pit +\q2 can fall into it, +and whenever someone breaks down a wall, +\q2 a snake can bite him. +\q1 +\v 9 Whoever cuts out stones +\q2 can be hurt by them, +\q1 and the man who chops wood +\q2 is endangered by it. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 If an iron blade is dull, +and a man does not sharpen it, +then he must use more strength, +but wisdom provides an advantage for success. +\q1 +\v 11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, +\q2 then there is no advantage for the charmer. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, +\q2 but the lips of a fool consume him. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 13 As words begin to flow from a fool's mouth, foolishness comes out, +\q2 and at the end his mouth flows with wicked madness. +\q1 +\v 14 A fool multiplies words, +\q2 but no one knows what is coming. +\q2 Who knows what is coming after him? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 The toil of fools wearies them, +\q2 so that they do not even know the road to town. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 16 Woe to you, land, if your king is a young boy, +\q2 and if your leaders begin feasting in the morning! +\q1 +\v 17 But blessed are you, land, if your king is the son of nobles, +\q2 and if your leaders eat at the right time, +\q2 for strength, and not for drunkenness! + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 Because of laziness the roof sinks in, +\q2 and because of idle hands the house leaks. +\q1 +\v 19 People prepare food for laughter, +\q2 wine brings enjoyment to life, +\q3 and money fills the need for everything. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 20 Do not curse the king, not even in your mind, +\q2 and do not curse rich people in your bedroom. +\q1 For a bird of the sky might carry your words; +\q2 whatever has wings can spread the matter. + + + \s5 diff --git a/22-SNG.usfm b/22-SNG.usfm index 7833cdb3..ddaf254c 100644 --- a/22-SNG.usfm +++ b/22-SNG.usfm @@ -4,102 +4,102 @@ \toc1 The Song of Songs \toc2 Song of Songs \toc3 Sng -\mt Song of Songs -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's. -\sp The woman speaking to herself -\q -\v 2 Oh, that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q for your love is better than wine. -\q -\v 3 Your anointing oils have a delightful fragrance; -\q your name is like flowing perfume, -\q so the young women love you. -\q -\v 4 Take me with you, and we will run. -\sp The woman speaking to herself -\q The king has brought me into his rooms. -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q We are glad; We rejoice about you; -\q let us celebrate your love; it is better than wine. -\q It is natural for the other women to adore you. - -\s5 -\sp The woman speaking to the other women -\q -\v 5 I am dark but lovely, -\q you daughters of Jerusalem— -\q dark like the tents of Kedar, -\q lovely like the curtains of Solomon. -\q -\v 6 Do not stare at me because I am dark, -\q because the sun has scorched me. -\q My mother's sons were angry with me; -\q they made me keeper of the vineyards, -\q but my own vineyard I have not kept. - -\s5 -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q -\v 7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves, -\q where do you feed your flock? -\q Where do you rest your flock at noontime? -\q Why should I be like someone who wanders -\q beside the flocks of your companions? - -\s5 -\p -\sp The man speaking to the woman -\q -\v 8 If you do not know, most beautiful among women, -\q follow the tracks of my flock, -\q and pasture your young goats near the shepherds' tents. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 I compare you, my love, -\q to a mare among Pharaoh's chariot horses. -\q -\v 10 Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, -\q your neck with strings of jewels. -\q -\v 11 We will make for you gold ornaments -\q with silver studs. - -\s5 -\sp The woman speaking to herself -\q -\v 12 While the king lay on his couch, -\q my nard emitted its fragrance. -\q -\v 13 My beloved is to me like a bag of myrrh -\q that spends the night lying between my breasts. -\q -\v 14 My beloved is to me like a cluster of henna flowers -\q in the vineyards of En Gedi. - -\s5 -\sp The man speaking to the woman -\q -\v 15 Listen, you are beautiful, my love; -\q listen, you are beautiful; -\q your eyes are doves. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q -\v 16 Listen, you are handsome, my beloved, how handsome. -\q The lush plants are our bed. -\q -\v 17 The beams of our house are cedars; -\q our rafters are firs. - - - +\mt Song of Songs +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's. +\sp The woman speaking to herself +\q +\v 2 Oh, that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q for your love is better than wine. +\q +\v 3 Your anointing oils have a delightful fragrance; +\q your name is like flowing perfume, +\q so the young women love you. +\q +\v 4 Take me with you, and we will run. +\sp The woman speaking to herself +\q The king has brought me into his rooms. +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q We are glad; We rejoice about you; +\q let us celebrate your love; it is better than wine. +\q It is natural for the other women to adore you. + +\s5 +\sp The woman speaking to the other women +\q +\v 5 I am dark but lovely, +\q you daughters of Jerusalem— +\q dark like the tents of Kedar, +\q lovely like the curtains of Solomon. +\q +\v 6 Do not stare at me because I am dark, +\q because the sun has scorched me. +\q My mother's sons were angry with me; +\q they made me keeper of the vineyards, +\q but my own vineyard I have not kept. + +\s5 +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q +\v 7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves, +\q where do you feed your flock? +\q Where do you rest your flock at noontime? +\q Why should I be like someone who wanders +\q beside the flocks of your companions? + +\s5 +\p +\sp The man speaking to the woman +\q +\v 8 If you do not know, most beautiful among women, +\q follow the tracks of my flock, +\q and pasture your young goats near the shepherds' tents. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 I compare you, my love, +\q to a mare among Pharaoh's chariot horses. +\q +\v 10 Your cheeks are beautiful with ornaments, +\q your neck with strings of jewels. +\q +\v 11 We will make for you gold ornaments +\q with silver studs. + +\s5 +\sp The woman speaking to herself +\q +\v 12 While the king lay on his couch, +\q my nard emitted its fragrance. +\q +\v 13 My beloved is to me like a bag of myrrh +\q that spends the night lying between my breasts. +\q +\v 14 My beloved is to me like a cluster of henna flowers +\q in the vineyards of En Gedi. + +\s5 +\sp The man speaking to the woman +\q +\v 15 Listen, you are beautiful, my love; +\q listen, you are beautiful; +\q your eyes are doves. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q +\v 16 Listen, you are handsome, my beloved, how handsome. +\q The lush plants are our bed. +\q +\v 17 The beams of our house are cedars; +\q our rafters are firs. + + + \s5 @@ -205,171 +205,171 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\sp The woman speaking to herself -\q -\v 1 At night on my bed -\q I was longing for him whom my soul loves; -\q I looked for him, but I could not find him. -\q -\v 2 I said to myself, "I will get up and go through the city, -\q through the streets and squares; -\q I will search for him whom my soul loves." -\q I searched for him, but I did not find him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 The watchmen found me as they were making their rounds in the city. -\q I asked them, "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?" -\q -\v 4 It was only a little while after I had passed them -\q that I found him whom my soul loves. -\q I held him and would not let him go -\q until I had brought him into my mother's house, -\q into the bedroom of the one who had conceived me. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The woman speaking to the other women -\q -\v 5 I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, -\q by the gazelles and the does of the fields, -\q that you will not awaken or arouse love -\q until she pleases. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The woman speaking to herself -\q -\v 6 What is that coming up from the wilderness -\q like a column of smoke, -\q perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, -\q with all the powders sold by merchants? -\q -\v 7 Look, it is the bed of Solomon; -\q sixty warriors surround it, -\q sixty soldiers of Israel. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 All of them are skilled with a sword and are experienced in warfare. -\q Every man has his sword at his side, -\q armed against the terrors of the night. -\q -\v 9 King Solomon made himself a sedan chair -\q of the wood from Lebanon. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Its posts were made of silver; -\q the back was made of gold, and the seat of purple cloth. -\q Its interior was decorated with love -\q by the daughters of Jerusalem. -\sp The woman speaking to the women of Jerusalem -\q -\v 11 Go out, daughters of Zion, and gaze on King Solomon, -\q bearing the crown with which his mother crowned him -\q on his wedding day, -\q on the day of the joy of his heart. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\sp The man speaking to the woman -\q -\v 1 Oh, you are beautiful, my love; you are beautiful. -\q Your eyes are doves behind your veil. -\q Your hair is like a flock of goats -\q going down from Mount Gilead. - -\s5 -\q -\v 2 Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes, -\q coming up from the washing place. -\q Each one has a twin, -\q and none among them is bereaved. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Your lips are like a thread of scarlet; -\q your mouth is lovely. -\q Your cheeks are like pomegranate halves -\q behind your veil. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Your neck is like the tower of David built in rows of stone, -\q with a thousand shields hanging on it, -\q all the shields of soldiers. -\q -\v 5 Your two breasts are like two fawns, -\q twins of a gazelle, -\q grazing among the lilies. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Until the dawn arrives and the shadows flee away, -\q I will go to the mountain of myrrh -\q and to the hill of frankincense. -\q -\v 7 You are beautiful in every way, my love -\q and there is no blemish in you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride. -\q Come with me from Lebanon; -\q come from the top of Amana, -\q from the top of Senir and Hermon, -\q from lions' dens, -\q from mountain dens of leopards. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; -\q you have stolen my heart, -\q with just one look at me, -\q with just one jewel of your necklace. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! -\q How much better is your love than wine, -\q and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice. -\q -\v 11 Your lips, my bride, drip honey; -\q honey and milk are under your tongue; -\q the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 My sister, my bride is a garden locked up, -\q a garden locked up, a spring that is sealed. -\q -\v 13 Your branches are a grove of pomegranate trees with choice fruits, -\q and of henna and nard plants, -\q -\v 14 Nard and saffron, -\q calamus and cinnamon with all kinds of spices, -\q myrrh and aloes with all the finest spices. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 You are a garden spring, -\q a well of fresh water, -\q streams flowing down from Lebanon. -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q -\v 16 Awake, north wind; come, south wind; -\q blow on my garden so that its spices may give off their fragrance. -\q May my beloved come into his garden -\q and eat some of its choice fruit. + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\sp The woman speaking to herself +\q +\v 1 At night on my bed +\q I was longing for him whom my soul loves; +\q I looked for him, but I could not find him. +\q +\v 2 I said to myself, "I will get up and go through the city, +\q through the streets and squares; +\q I will search for him whom my soul loves." +\q I searched for him, but I did not find him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 The watchmen found me as they were making their rounds in the city. +\q I asked them, "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?" +\q +\v 4 It was only a little while after I had passed them +\q that I found him whom my soul loves. +\q I held him and would not let him go +\q until I had brought him into my mother's house, +\q into the bedroom of the one who had conceived me. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The woman speaking to the other women +\q +\v 5 I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, +\q by the gazelles and the does of the fields, +\q that you will not awaken or arouse love +\q until she pleases. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The woman speaking to herself +\q +\v 6 What is that coming up from the wilderness +\q like a column of smoke, +\q perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, +\q with all the powders sold by merchants? +\q +\v 7 Look, it is the bed of Solomon; +\q sixty warriors surround it, +\q sixty soldiers of Israel. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 All of them are skilled with a sword and are experienced in warfare. +\q Every man has his sword at his side, +\q armed against the terrors of the night. +\q +\v 9 King Solomon made himself a sedan chair +\q of the wood from Lebanon. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Its posts were made of silver; +\q the back was made of gold, and the seat of purple cloth. +\q Its interior was decorated with love +\q by the daughters of Jerusalem. +\sp The woman speaking to the women of Jerusalem +\q +\v 11 Go out, daughters of Zion, and gaze on King Solomon, +\q bearing the crown with which his mother crowned him +\q on his wedding day, +\q on the day of the joy of his heart. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\sp The man speaking to the woman +\q +\v 1 Oh, you are beautiful, my love; you are beautiful. +\q Your eyes are doves behind your veil. +\q Your hair is like a flock of goats +\q going down from Mount Gilead. + +\s5 +\q +\v 2 Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn ewes, +\q coming up from the washing place. +\q Each one has a twin, +\q and none among them is bereaved. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Your lips are like a thread of scarlet; +\q your mouth is lovely. +\q Your cheeks are like pomegranate halves +\q behind your veil. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Your neck is like the tower of David built in rows of stone, +\q with a thousand shields hanging on it, +\q all the shields of soldiers. +\q +\v 5 Your two breasts are like two fawns, +\q twins of a gazelle, +\q grazing among the lilies. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Until the dawn arrives and the shadows flee away, +\q I will go to the mountain of myrrh +\q and to the hill of frankincense. +\q +\v 7 You are beautiful in every way, my love +\q and there is no blemish in you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Come with me from Lebanon, my bride. +\q Come with me from Lebanon; +\q come from the top of Amana, +\q from the top of Senir and Hermon, +\q from lions' dens, +\q from mountain dens of leopards. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; +\q you have stolen my heart, +\q with just one look at me, +\q with just one jewel of your necklace. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! +\q How much better is your love than wine, +\q and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice. +\q +\v 11 Your lips, my bride, drip honey; +\q honey and milk are under your tongue; +\q the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 My sister, my bride is a garden locked up, +\q a garden locked up, a spring that is sealed. +\q +\v 13 Your branches are a grove of pomegranate trees with choice fruits, +\q and of henna and nard plants, +\q +\v 14 Nard and saffron, +\q calamus and cinnamon with all kinds of spices, +\q myrrh and aloes with all the finest spices. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 You are a garden spring, +\q a well of fresh water, +\q streams flowing down from Lebanon. +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q +\v 16 Awake, north wind; come, south wind; +\q blow on my garden so that its spices may give off their fragrance. +\q May my beloved come into his garden +\q and eat some of its choice fruit. \s5 @@ -571,196 +571,196 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\sp The man speaking to the woman -\q -\v 1 How beautiful your feet appear in your sandals, prince's daughter! -\q The curves of your thighs are like jewels, -\q the work of the hands of a master craftsman. - -\s5 -\q -\v 2 Your navel is like a round bowl; -\q may it never lack mixed wine. -\q Your belly is like a mound of wheat -\q encircled with lilies. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Your two breasts are like two fawns, -\q twins of a gazelle. - -\q -\v 4 Your neck is like a tower of ivory; -\q your eyes are the pools in Heshbon -\q by the gate of Bath Rabbim. -\q Your nose is like the tower in Lebanon -\q that looks toward Damascus. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Your head is on you like Carmel; -\q the hair on your head is dark purple. -\q The king is held captive by its tresses. -\q -\v 6 How beautiful and lovely you are, -\q love, with your delights! -\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa are, loved one, with \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Your height is like that of a date palm tree, -\q and your breasts like clusters of fruit. -\q -\v 8 I said, "I want to climb that palm tree; -\q I will take hold of its branches." -\q May your breasts be like clusters of grapes, -\q and may the fragrance of your nose be like apricots. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 May your palate be like the best wine, -\q flowing smoothly for my beloved, -\q gliding over the lips of those who sleep. -\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa over my lips and teeth \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\p -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q -\v 10 I am my beloved's, -\q and he desires me. -\q -\v 11 Come, my beloved, let us go out into the countryside; -\q let us spend the night in the villages. -\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa night among the henna plants \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Let us rise early to go to the vineyards; -\q let us see whether the vines have budded, -\q whether their blossoms have opened, -\q and whether the pomegranates are in flower. -\q There I will give you my love. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 The mandrakes give off their fragrance; -\q at the door where we are staying are all sorts of choice fruits, new and old, -\q that I have stored up for you, my beloved. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q -\v 1 I wish that you were like my brother, -\q who nursed at my mother's breasts. -\q Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you, -\q and no one would despise me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 2 I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house— -\q she who taught me. -\q I would give you spiced wine to drink -\q and some of the juice of my pomegranates. -\sp The woman speaking to herself -\q -\v 3 His left hand is under my head -\q and his right hand embraces me. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The woman speaking to the other women -\q -\v 4 I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, -\q that you will not interrupt our lovemaking -\q until it is over. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The women of Jerusalem speaking -\q -\v 5 Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness, -\q leaning on her beloved? -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q I awakened you under the apricot tree; -\q there your mother conceived you; -\q there she gave birth to you, she delivered you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Set me as a seal over your heart, -\q like a seal on your arm, -\q for love is as strong as death. -\q Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol; -\q its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame, -\q a flame hotter than any other fire. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Surging waters cannot quench love, -\q nor can floods sweep it away. -\q If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love, -\q the offer would utterly be despised. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The woman's brothers speaking among themselves -\q -\v 8 We have a little sister, -\q and her breasts have not yet grown. -\q What can we do for our sister -\q on the day when she will be promised in marriage? - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 If she is a wall, -\q we will build on her a tower of silver. -\q If she is a door, -\q we will adorn her with boards of cedar. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The woman speaking to herself -\q -\v 10 I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; -\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa I am a wall, and my breasts are like fortress towers \fqa* . \f* -\q so I am in his eyes as one who brings peace. -\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa so I have found favor in his eyes \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\sp The woman speaking to herself -\q -\v 11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. -\q He gave the vineyard to those who would maintain it. -\q Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. -\q -\v 12 My vineyard, my very own, is before me; -\q the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, -\q and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain its fruit. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The man speaking to the woman -\q -\v 13 You who live in the gardens, -\q my companions are listening for your voice; -\q let me hear it. - -\s5 -\p -\sp The woman speaking to the man -\q -\v 14 Hurry, my beloved, -\q and be like a gazelle or a young stag -\q on the mountains of spices. - - + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\sp The man speaking to the woman +\q +\v 1 How beautiful your feet appear in your sandals, prince's daughter! +\q The curves of your thighs are like jewels, +\q the work of the hands of a master craftsman. + +\s5 +\q +\v 2 Your navel is like a round bowl; +\q may it never lack mixed wine. +\q Your belly is like a mound of wheat +\q encircled with lilies. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Your two breasts are like two fawns, +\q twins of a gazelle. + +\q +\v 4 Your neck is like a tower of ivory; +\q your eyes are the pools in Heshbon +\q by the gate of Bath Rabbim. +\q Your nose is like the tower in Lebanon +\q that looks toward Damascus. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Your head is on you like Carmel; +\q the hair on your head is dark purple. +\q The king is held captive by its tresses. +\q +\v 6 How beautiful and lovely you are, +\q love, with your delights! +\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa are, loved one, with \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Your height is like that of a date palm tree, +\q and your breasts like clusters of fruit. +\q +\v 8 I said, "I want to climb that palm tree; +\q I will take hold of its branches." +\q May your breasts be like clusters of grapes, +\q and may the fragrance of your nose be like apricots. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 May your palate be like the best wine, +\q flowing smoothly for my beloved, +\q gliding over the lips of those who sleep. +\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa over my lips and teeth \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\p +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q +\v 10 I am my beloved's, +\q and he desires me. +\q +\v 11 Come, my beloved, let us go out into the countryside; +\q let us spend the night in the villages. +\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa night among the henna plants \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Let us rise early to go to the vineyards; +\q let us see whether the vines have budded, +\q whether their blossoms have opened, +\q and whether the pomegranates are in flower. +\q There I will give you my love. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 The mandrakes give off their fragrance; +\q at the door where we are staying are all sorts of choice fruits, new and old, +\q that I have stored up for you, my beloved. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q +\v 1 I wish that you were like my brother, +\q who nursed at my mother's breasts. +\q Then whenever I met you outside, I could kiss you, +\q and no one would despise me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 2 I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house— +\q she who taught me. +\q I would give you spiced wine to drink +\q and some of the juice of my pomegranates. +\sp The woman speaking to herself +\q +\v 3 His left hand is under my head +\q and his right hand embraces me. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The woman speaking to the other women +\q +\v 4 I want you to swear, daughters of Jerusalem, +\q that you will not interrupt our lovemaking +\q until it is over. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The women of Jerusalem speaking +\q +\v 5 Who is this who is coming up from the wilderness, +\q leaning on her beloved? +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q I awakened you under the apricot tree; +\q there your mother conceived you; +\q there she gave birth to you, she delivered you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Set me as a seal over your heart, +\q like a seal on your arm, +\q for love is as strong as death. +\q Passionate devotion is as unrelenting as Sheol; +\q its flames burst out; it is a blazing flame, +\q a flame hotter than any other fire. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Surging waters cannot quench love, +\q nor can floods sweep it away. +\q If a man gave all the possessions in his house for love, +\q the offer would utterly be despised. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The woman's brothers speaking among themselves +\q +\v 8 We have a little sister, +\q and her breasts have not yet grown. +\q What can we do for our sister +\q on the day when she will be promised in marriage? + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 If she is a wall, +\q we will build on her a tower of silver. +\q If she is a door, +\q we will adorn her with boards of cedar. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The woman speaking to herself +\q +\v 10 I was a wall, but my breasts are now like fortress towers; +\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa I am a wall, and my breasts are like fortress towers \fqa* . \f* +\q so I am in his eyes as one who brings peace. +\f + \ft Some versions read \fqa so I have found favor in his eyes \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\sp The woman speaking to herself +\q +\v 11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. +\q He gave the vineyard to those who would maintain it. +\q Each one was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. +\q +\v 12 My vineyard, my very own, is before me; +\q the thousand shekels are for you, Solomon, +\q and the two hundred shekels are for those who maintain its fruit. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The man speaking to the woman +\q +\v 13 You who live in the gardens, +\q my companions are listening for your voice; +\q let me hear it. + +\s5 +\p +\sp The woman speaking to the man +\q +\v 14 Hurry, my beloved, +\q and be like a gazelle or a young stag +\q on the mountains of spices. + + diff --git a/23-ISA.usfm b/23-ISA.usfm index 5a750bfd..df4122ed 100644 --- a/23-ISA.usfm +++ b/23-ISA.usfm @@ -4,144 +4,144 @@ \toc1 The Book of Isaiah \toc2 Isaiah \toc3 Isa -\mt Isaiah \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, that he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 2 Hear, heavens, and give ear, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: -\q1 "I have nourished and brought up children, but they have rebelled against me. -\q1 -\v 3 The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's feeding trough, -\q1 but Israel does not know, Israel does not understand." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 4 Woe! Nation, sinners, a people weighed down with iniquity, -\q1 offspring of evildoers, sons who act corruptly! -\q1 They have abandoned Yahweh, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, -\q1 they have estranged themselves from him. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 Why are you still being beaten? Why do you rebel more and more? -\q1 The whole head is sick, the whole heart is weak. -\q1 -\v 6 From the sole of the foot to the head there is no part unharmed; -\q only wounds, and bruises, and fresh open wounds; -\q1 they have not been closed, cleansed, bandaged, nor treated with oil. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 Your country is ruined; your cities are burned; -\q1 your fields—in your presence, strangers are destroying them— -\q1 abandoned devastation, overthrown by strangers. -\q1 -\v 8 The daughter of Zion is left like a hut in a vineyard, -\q1 like a shed in a garden of cucumbers, like a besieged city. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 9 If Yahweh of hosts had not left for us a small remnant, -\q1 we would have been like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 Hear the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom; -\q1 listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: -\q1 -\v 11 "What is the multitude of your sacrifices to me?" says Yahweh. -\q1 "I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fatted beasts; -\q1 and in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats I do not delight. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 When you come to appear before me, -\q1 who has required this of you, to trample my courts? -\q1 -\v 13 Bring no more meaningless offerings; incense is an abomination to me; -\q1 your new moon and Sabbath assemblies—I cannot tolerate these wicked assemblies. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 I hate your new moons and your appointed feasts; -\q1 they are a burden to me; I am tired of enduring them. -\q1 -\v 15 So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; -\q1 even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen; -\q1 your hands are full of blood. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 16 Wash, cleanse yourselves; -\q1 remove the evil of your deeds from my sight; -\q1 stop being evil; -\q1 -\v 17 learn to do good; -\q1 seek justice, make straight the oppression, -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa make straight the oppression \fqa* , some versions have \fqa help the oppressed \fqa* . \f* -\q1 give justice to the fatherless, defend the widow." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," says Yahweh; -\q1 "though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; -\q1 though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land, -\q1 -\v 20 but if you refuse and rebel, the sword will devour you," -\q1 for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute! -\q1 She who was full of justice—she was full of righteousness, -\q1 but now she is full of murderers. -\q1 -\v 22 Your silver has become impure, your wine mixed with water. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 23 Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves; -\q1 everyone loves bribes and runs after payoffs. -\q1 They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the widow's legal plea come before them. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 24 Therefore this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: -\q1 "Woe to them! I will take vengeance against my adversaries, and avenge myself against my enemies; -\q1 -\v 25 I will turn my hand against you, -\q1 refine away your dross as with lye, and take away all your dross. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 26 I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning; -\q1 after that you will be called the city of righteousness, a faithful town." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 27 Zion will be redeemed by justice, and her repentant ones by righteousness. -\q1 -\v 28 Rebels and sinners will be crushed together, and those who abandon Yahweh will be done away with. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 29 "For you will be ashamed of the sacred oak trees that you desired, -\q1 and you will be embarrassed by the gardens that you have chosen. -\q1 -\v 30 For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades, -\q1 and like a garden that has no water. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 31 The strong man will be like tinder, and his work like a spark; -\q1 they will both burn together, and no one will quench them." +\mt Isaiah \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, that he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 2 Hear, heavens, and give ear, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: +\q1 "I have nourished and brought up children, but they have rebelled against me. +\q1 +\v 3 The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's feeding trough, +\q1 but Israel does not know, Israel does not understand." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 4 Woe! Nation, sinners, a people weighed down with iniquity, +\q1 offspring of evildoers, sons who act corruptly! +\q1 They have abandoned Yahweh, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, +\q1 they have estranged themselves from him. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 Why are you still being beaten? Why do you rebel more and more? +\q1 The whole head is sick, the whole heart is weak. +\q1 +\v 6 From the sole of the foot to the head there is no part unharmed; +\q only wounds, and bruises, and fresh open wounds; +\q1 they have not been closed, cleansed, bandaged, nor treated with oil. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 Your country is ruined; your cities are burned; +\q1 your fields—in your presence, strangers are destroying them— +\q1 abandoned devastation, overthrown by strangers. +\q1 +\v 8 The daughter of Zion is left like a hut in a vineyard, +\q1 like a shed in a garden of cucumbers, like a besieged city. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 9 If Yahweh of hosts had not left for us a small remnant, +\q1 we would have been like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 Hear the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom; +\q1 listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: +\q1 +\v 11 "What is the multitude of your sacrifices to me?" says Yahweh. +\q1 "I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fatted beasts; +\q1 and in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats I do not delight. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 When you come to appear before me, +\q1 who has required this of you, to trample my courts? +\q1 +\v 13 Bring no more meaningless offerings; incense is an abomination to me; +\q1 your new moon and Sabbath assemblies—I cannot tolerate these wicked assemblies. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 I hate your new moons and your appointed feasts; +\q1 they are a burden to me; I am tired of enduring them. +\q1 +\v 15 So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; +\q1 even though you offer many prayers, I will not listen; +\q1 your hands are full of blood. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 16 Wash, cleanse yourselves; +\q1 remove the evil of your deeds from my sight; +\q1 stop being evil; +\q1 +\v 17 learn to do good; +\q1 seek justice, make straight the oppression, +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa make straight the oppression \fqa* , some versions have \fqa help the oppressed \fqa* . \f* +\q1 give justice to the fatherless, defend the widow." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," says Yahweh; +\q1 "though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; +\q1 though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land, +\q1 +\v 20 but if you refuse and rebel, the sword will devour you," +\q1 for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 21 How the faithful city has become a prostitute! +\q1 She who was full of justice—she was full of righteousness, +\q1 but now she is full of murderers. +\q1 +\v 22 Your silver has become impure, your wine mixed with water. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 23 Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves; +\q1 everyone loves bribes and runs after payoffs. +\q1 They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the widow's legal plea come before them. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 24 Therefore this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: +\q1 "Woe to them! I will take vengeance against my adversaries, and avenge myself against my enemies; +\q1 +\v 25 I will turn my hand against you, +\q1 refine away your dross as with lye, and take away all your dross. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 26 I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning; +\q1 after that you will be called the city of righteousness, a faithful town." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 27 Zion will be redeemed by justice, and her repentant ones by righteousness. +\q1 +\v 28 Rebels and sinners will be crushed together, and those who abandon Yahweh will be done away with. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 29 "For you will be ashamed of the sacred oak trees that you desired, +\q1 and you will be embarrassed by the gardens that you have chosen. +\q1 +\v 30 For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades, +\q1 and like a garden that has no water. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 31 The strong man will be like tinder, and his work like a spark; +\q1 they will both burn together, and no one will quench them." \s5 \c 2 \p @@ -355,137 +355,137 @@ \q1 and a refuge and a cover from the storm and rain. - -\s5 -\c 5 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 Let me sing for my well beloved, a song of my beloved about his vineyard. -\q1 My well beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. -\q1 -\v 2 He spaded it, removed the stones, and planted it with an excellent kind of vine. -\q1 He built a tower in the middle of it, and also built a winepress. -\q1 He waited for it to produce grapes, but it only produced wild grapes. - -\s5 -\p -\q1 -\v 3 So now, inhabitant of Jerusalem and man of Judah, -\q1 judge between me and my vineyard. -\q1 -\v 4 What more could have been done for my vineyard, that I have not done for it? -\q1 When I looked for it to produce grapes, why did it produce wild grapes? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 Now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will remove the hedge, -\q1 I will turn it into a pasture, I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled down. -\q1 -\v 6 I will lay it waste, and it will not be pruned nor hoed. Instead, briers and thorns will spring up. -\q1 I will also command the clouds not to rain on it. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 For the vineyard of Yahweh of hosts is the house of Israel, -\q1 and the man of Judah his pleasant planting; -\q1 he waited for justice, but instead, there was killing; for righteousness, but, instead, a shout for help. - -\s5 -\m -\q1 -\v 8 Woe to those who join house to house, who join field to field, -\q1 until no room remains, and you alone remain in the land! -\q1 -\v 9 Yahweh of hosts told me, -\q1 many houses will be empty, even great and impressive ones, without any inhabitant. -\q1 -\v 10 For a ten-yoke vineyard will yield only one bath, and one homer of seed will yield only an ephah. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 11 Woe to those who rise up early in the morning to obtain strong drink, -\q1 those who linger late into the night until wine inflames them. -\q1 -\v 12 They banquet with harp, lute, tambourine, flute, and wine, -\q1 but they do not recognize the work of Yahweh, nor have they considered the doings of his hands. - -\s5 -\m -\q1 -\v 13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity for lack of understanding; -\q1 their honored leaders go hungry, and their common people have nothing to drink. -\q1 -\v 14 Therefore Sheol has made its appetite greater and has opened its mouth very wide; -\q1 their elite, the people, their leaders, and the revelers and those who are happy among them, descend into Sheol. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 Man will be forced to bend down, and mankind will be humbled; the eyes of the lofty will be cast down. -\q1 -\v 16 Yahweh of hosts will be exalted in his justice, and God the Holy One will show himself holy by his righteousness. -\q1 -\v 17 Then the sheep will feed as in their own pasture, and in the ruins, lambs will graze as foreigners. -\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa and in the ruins of the rich, lambs will graze \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\m -\q1 -\v 18 Woe to those who pull along iniquity with useless cords and who pull along sin as if it were with a cart rope. -\q1 -\v 19 Woe to those who say, "Let God hurry, let him act quickly, so we can see it happen; -\q1 and let the plans of the Holy One of Israel come, so that we may know them." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; -\q1 who represent darkness as light, and light as darkness; -\q1 who represent bitter as sweet, and sweet as bitter! -\q1 -\v 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own understanding! - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 22 Woe to those who are champions at drinking wine, and masters at mixing strong drinks; -\q1 -\v 23 who acquit the wicked for payment, and deprive the innocent of his rights! - -\s5 -\m -\q1 -\v 24 Therefore as the tongue of fire devours stubble, and as the dry grass goes down in flame, -\q1 so their root will rot, and their blossom will blow away like dust. -\q1 This will happen because they have rejected the law of Yahweh of hosts, and because they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 25 Therefore the anger of Yahweh is kindled against his people. He has reached out with his hand against them and has punished them. -\q1 The mountains tremble, and their corpses are like garbage in the streets. -\q1 In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand is still stretched out. - -\s5 -\m -\q1 -\v 26 He will lift up a signal flag for far away nations and will whistle for those at the end of the earth. -\q1 Look, they will come speedily and promptly. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 27 None tire or stumble among them; none slumbers or sleeps. -\q1 Nor are their belts loose, or the thongs of their sandals broken. -\q1 -\v 28 Their arrows are sharp and all their bows are bent; -\q1 their horses' hooves are like flint, and their chariot wheels like storms. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 29 Their roaring will be like a lion; they will roar like young lions. -\q1 They will growl and seize the prey and drag it away, with none to rescue. -\q1 -\v 30 On that day they will roar against the prey as the sea roars. -\q1 If anyone looks over the land, he will see darkness and suffering; even the light will be made dark by the clouds. - - - + +\s5 +\c 5 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 Let me sing for my well beloved, a song of my beloved about his vineyard. +\q1 My well beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. +\q1 +\v 2 He spaded it, removed the stones, and planted it with an excellent kind of vine. +\q1 He built a tower in the middle of it, and also built a winepress. +\q1 He waited for it to produce grapes, but it only produced wild grapes. + +\s5 +\p +\q1 +\v 3 So now, inhabitant of Jerusalem and man of Judah, +\q1 judge between me and my vineyard. +\q1 +\v 4 What more could have been done for my vineyard, that I have not done for it? +\q1 When I looked for it to produce grapes, why did it produce wild grapes? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 Now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will remove the hedge, +\q1 I will turn it into a pasture, I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled down. +\q1 +\v 6 I will lay it waste, and it will not be pruned nor hoed. Instead, briers and thorns will spring up. +\q1 I will also command the clouds not to rain on it. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 For the vineyard of Yahweh of hosts is the house of Israel, +\q1 and the man of Judah his pleasant planting; +\q1 he waited for justice, but instead, there was killing; for righteousness, but, instead, a shout for help. + +\s5 +\m +\q1 +\v 8 Woe to those who join house to house, who join field to field, +\q1 until no room remains, and you alone remain in the land! +\q1 +\v 9 Yahweh of hosts told me, +\q1 many houses will be empty, even great and impressive ones, without any inhabitant. +\q1 +\v 10 For a ten-yoke vineyard will yield only one bath, and one homer of seed will yield only an ephah. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 11 Woe to those who rise up early in the morning to obtain strong drink, +\q1 those who linger late into the night until wine inflames them. +\q1 +\v 12 They banquet with harp, lute, tambourine, flute, and wine, +\q1 but they do not recognize the work of Yahweh, nor have they considered the doings of his hands. + +\s5 +\m +\q1 +\v 13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity for lack of understanding; +\q1 their honored leaders go hungry, and their common people have nothing to drink. +\q1 +\v 14 Therefore Sheol has made its appetite greater and has opened its mouth very wide; +\q1 their elite, the people, their leaders, and the revelers and those who are happy among them, descend into Sheol. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 Man will be forced to bend down, and mankind will be humbled; the eyes of the lofty will be cast down. +\q1 +\v 16 Yahweh of hosts will be exalted in his justice, and God the Holy One will show himself holy by his righteousness. +\q1 +\v 17 Then the sheep will feed as in their own pasture, and in the ruins, lambs will graze as foreigners. +\f + \ft Some modern versions have \fqa and in the ruins of the rich, lambs will graze \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\m +\q1 +\v 18 Woe to those who pull along iniquity with useless cords and who pull along sin as if it were with a cart rope. +\q1 +\v 19 Woe to those who say, "Let God hurry, let him act quickly, so we can see it happen; +\q1 and let the plans of the Holy One of Israel come, so that we may know them." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; +\q1 who represent darkness as light, and light as darkness; +\q1 who represent bitter as sweet, and sweet as bitter! +\q1 +\v 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own understanding! + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 22 Woe to those who are champions at drinking wine, and masters at mixing strong drinks; +\q1 +\v 23 who acquit the wicked for payment, and deprive the innocent of his rights! + +\s5 +\m +\q1 +\v 24 Therefore as the tongue of fire devours stubble, and as the dry grass goes down in flame, +\q1 so their root will rot, and their blossom will blow away like dust. +\q1 This will happen because they have rejected the law of Yahweh of hosts, and because they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 25 Therefore the anger of Yahweh is kindled against his people. He has reached out with his hand against them and has punished them. +\q1 The mountains tremble, and their corpses are like garbage in the streets. +\q1 In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand is still stretched out. + +\s5 +\m +\q1 +\v 26 He will lift up a signal flag for far away nations and will whistle for those at the end of the earth. +\q1 Look, they will come speedily and promptly. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 27 None tire or stumble among them; none slumbers or sleeps. +\q1 Nor are their belts loose, or the thongs of their sandals broken. +\q1 +\v 28 Their arrows are sharp and all their bows are bent; +\q1 their horses' hooves are like flint, and their chariot wheels like storms. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 29 Their roaring will be like a lion; they will roar like young lions. +\q1 They will growl and seize the prey and drag it away, with none to rescue. +\q1 +\v 30 On that day they will roar against the prey as the sea roars. +\q1 If anyone looks over the land, he will see darkness and suffering; even the light will be made dark by the clouds. + + + \s5 @@ -538,151 +538,151 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 During the days of Ahaz son of Jotham son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but they could not prevail against it. -\v 2 It was reported to the house of David that Aram was allied with Ephraim. His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest shake in the wind. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa ... that Aram was allied with Ephraim \fqa* , some versions have \fqa ... that Aram had camped in Ephraim. \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Then Yahweh said to Isaiah, "Go out with your son Shear-Jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the road to Launderer's Field. -\v 4 Tell him, 'Be careful, remain calm, do not be afraid or intimidated by these two smoldering firebrands, by the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram, and of Pekah son of Remaliah. - -\s5 -\v 5 Aram, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah have planned evil against you; they have said, -\v 6 "Let us attack Judah and terrify her, and let us break into her and set up our king there, the son of Tabeel." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 The Lord Yahweh says, "It will not take place; it will not happen, -\q1 -\v 8 because the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. -\q1 Within sixty-five years, Ephraim will be shattered and will no longer be a people. -\q1 -\v 9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. -\q1 If you do not remain firm in faith, surely you will not remain secure."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The Lord spoke again to Ahaz, -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa The Lord spoke \fqa* , some versions have \fqa Yahweh spoke. \fqa* \f* -\v 11 "Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask for it in the depths or in the height above." -\v 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test Yahweh." - -\s5 -\v 13 So Isaiah replied, "Listen, house of David. Is it not enough for you people to test the patience of people? Must you also test the patience of my God? -\v 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you people a sign: See, the young woman will conceive, bear a son, and will call his name Immanuel. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the young woman \fqa* , some versions have \fqa a young woman \fqa* .\f* -\v 15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good. - -\s5 -\v 16 For before the child knows to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be desolate. -\v 17 Yahweh will bring on you, on your people, and on your father's house days unlike any since Ephraim seceded from Judah—he will bring on you the king of Assyria." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 At that time -\q1 Yahweh will whistle for a fly from the distant streams of Egypt, -\q1 and for a bee from the land of Assyria. -\q1 -\v 19 They will all come and settle down into all the gorges, into the clefts of the rocks, -\q1 on all the thornbushes, and onto all the pastures. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 At that time the Lord will shave with a razor that was hired beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria— -\q1 the head and the hair of the legs; it will also sweep away the beard. -\q1 -\v 21 On that day, a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, -\q1 -\v 22 and because of the abundance of milk which they shall give, he will eat curds, -\q1 for everyone left in the land will eat curds and honey. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 23 At that time, where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels, -\q1 there will be nothing but briers and thorns. -\q1 -\v 24 Men will go there to hunt with bows, because all the land will be briers and thorns. -\q1 -\v 25 They will stay away from all the hills that were cultivated with the hoe, for fear of the briers and thorns; -\q1 but it will be a place where cattle and sheep graze. -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet and write on it, 'Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.' -\v 2 I will summon faithful witnesses to attest for me, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah." - -\s5 -\v 3 I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then Yahweh said to me, "Call his name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. -\v 4 For before the child knows to cry, 'My father,' and, 'My mother,' the riches of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Yahweh spoke to me again, -\q1 -\v 6 "Because this people has refused the gentle waters of Shiloah, -\q1 and is happy over Rezin and Remaliah's son, -\q1 -\v 7 therefore the Lord is about to bring up on them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. -\q1 It will come up over all its channels and overflow its banks. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 8 The River will sweep onward into Judah, flooding and passing on, until it reaches to your neck. -\q1 Its outstretched wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 9 You peoples will be broken to pieces. Listen, all you distant countries: -\q1 arm yourselves for war and be broken in pieces; arm yourselves and be broken in pieces. -\q1 -\v 10 Form a plan, but it will not be carried out; issue the command, but it will not be carried out, -\q1 for God is with us. - -\s5 -\v 11 Yahweh spoke to me, with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people. -\q1 -\v 12 Do not call conspiracy anything that this people calls conspiracy, -\q1 you will not fear what they fear, and do not be terrified. -\q1 -\v 13 It is Yahweh of hosts whom you will honor as holy; he is the one you must fear, and he is the one you must dread. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 He will become a sanctuary; -\q1 but he will be a stone of striking, and a rock of stumbling— -\q2 for both the houses of Israel, -\q2 and he will be a trap and a snare -\q2 to the people of Jerusalem. -\q1 -\v 15 Many will stumble over it and fall and be broken, and be ensnared and captured. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 16 Bind up my testimony, seal the official record, and give it to my disciples. -\q1 -\v 17 I will wait for Yahweh, who hides his face from the house of Jacob; I will trust in him. -\q1 -\v 18 See, I and the sons whom Yahweh has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel -\q1 from Yahweh of hosts, who lives on Mount Zion. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 They will say to you, "Consult with the mediums and magicians," those who chirp and mutter incantations. But should a people not consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? -\v 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not say such things, it is because they have no light of dawn. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 21 They will pass through the land greatly distressed and hungry. When they are hungry, they will become angry -\q1 and curse their king and their God, as they turn their faces upward. -\q1 -\v 22 They will look at the earth -\q1 and see distress, darkness, and oppressive gloom. They will be driven into a land of darkness. + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 During the days of Ahaz son of Jotham son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Aram, and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but they could not prevail against it. +\v 2 It was reported to the house of David that Aram was allied with Ephraim. His heart trembled, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest shake in the wind. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa ... that Aram was allied with Ephraim \fqa* , some versions have \fqa ... that Aram had camped in Ephraim. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Then Yahweh said to Isaiah, "Go out with your son Shear-Jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, on the road to Launderer's Field. +\v 4 Tell him, 'Be careful, remain calm, do not be afraid or intimidated by these two smoldering firebrands, by the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram, and of Pekah son of Remaliah. + +\s5 +\v 5 Aram, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah have planned evil against you; they have said, +\v 6 "Let us attack Judah and terrify her, and let us break into her and set up our king there, the son of Tabeel." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 The Lord Yahweh says, "It will not take place; it will not happen, +\q1 +\v 8 because the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. +\q1 Within sixty-five years, Ephraim will be shattered and will no longer be a people. +\q1 +\v 9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. +\q1 If you do not remain firm in faith, surely you will not remain secure."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The Lord spoke again to Ahaz, +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa The Lord spoke \fqa* , some versions have \fqa Yahweh spoke. \fqa* \f* +\v 11 "Ask a sign of Yahweh your God; ask for it in the depths or in the height above." +\v 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, nor will I test Yahweh." + +\s5 +\v 13 So Isaiah replied, "Listen, house of David. Is it not enough for you people to test the patience of people? Must you also test the patience of my God? +\v 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you people a sign: See, the young woman will conceive, bear a son, and will call his name Immanuel. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the young woman \fqa* , some versions have \fqa a young woman \fqa* .\f* +\v 15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good. + +\s5 +\v 16 For before the child knows to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be desolate. +\v 17 Yahweh will bring on you, on your people, and on your father's house days unlike any since Ephraim seceded from Judah—he will bring on you the king of Assyria." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 At that time +\q1 Yahweh will whistle for a fly from the distant streams of Egypt, +\q1 and for a bee from the land of Assyria. +\q1 +\v 19 They will all come and settle down into all the gorges, into the clefts of the rocks, +\q1 on all the thornbushes, and onto all the pastures. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 At that time the Lord will shave with a razor that was hired beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria— +\q1 the head and the hair of the legs; it will also sweep away the beard. +\q1 +\v 21 On that day, a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, +\q1 +\v 22 and because of the abundance of milk which they shall give, he will eat curds, +\q1 for everyone left in the land will eat curds and honey. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 23 At that time, where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels, +\q1 there will be nothing but briers and thorns. +\q1 +\v 24 Men will go there to hunt with bows, because all the land will be briers and thorns. +\q1 +\v 25 They will stay away from all the hills that were cultivated with the hoe, for fear of the briers and thorns; +\q1 but it will be a place where cattle and sheep graze. +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said to me, "Take a large tablet and write on it, 'Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.' +\v 2 I will summon faithful witnesses to attest for me, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah." + +\s5 +\v 3 I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then Yahweh said to me, "Call his name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. +\v 4 For before the child knows to cry, 'My father,' and, 'My mother,' the riches of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Yahweh spoke to me again, +\q1 +\v 6 "Because this people has refused the gentle waters of Shiloah, +\q1 and is happy over Rezin and Remaliah's son, +\q1 +\v 7 therefore the Lord is about to bring up on them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. +\q1 It will come up over all its channels and overflow its banks. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 8 The River will sweep onward into Judah, flooding and passing on, until it reaches to your neck. +\q1 Its outstretched wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 9 You peoples will be broken to pieces. Listen, all you distant countries: +\q1 arm yourselves for war and be broken in pieces; arm yourselves and be broken in pieces. +\q1 +\v 10 Form a plan, but it will not be carried out; issue the command, but it will not be carried out, +\q1 for God is with us. + +\s5 +\v 11 Yahweh spoke to me, with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people. +\q1 +\v 12 Do not call conspiracy anything that this people calls conspiracy, +\q1 you will not fear what they fear, and do not be terrified. +\q1 +\v 13 It is Yahweh of hosts whom you will honor as holy; he is the one you must fear, and he is the one you must dread. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 He will become a sanctuary; +\q1 but he will be a stone of striking, and a rock of stumbling— +\q2 for both the houses of Israel, +\q2 and he will be a trap and a snare +\q2 to the people of Jerusalem. +\q1 +\v 15 Many will stumble over it and fall and be broken, and be ensnared and captured. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 16 Bind up my testimony, seal the official record, and give it to my disciples. +\q1 +\v 17 I will wait for Yahweh, who hides his face from the house of Jacob; I will trust in him. +\q1 +\v 18 See, I and the sons whom Yahweh has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel +\q1 from Yahweh of hosts, who lives on Mount Zion. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 They will say to you, "Consult with the mediums and magicians," those who chirp and mutter incantations. But should a people not consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? +\v 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not say such things, it is because they have no light of dawn. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 21 They will pass through the land greatly distressed and hungry. When they are hungry, they will become angry +\q1 and curse their king and their God, as they turn their faces upward. +\q1 +\v 22 They will look at the earth +\q1 and see distress, darkness, and oppressive gloom. They will be driven into a land of darkness. \s5 \c 9 @@ -1095,134 +1095,134 @@ tent there, nor will shepherds have their flocks rest there. \q1 and ostriches and wild goats will skip about there. \q1 \v 22 Hyenas will cry in their fortresses, and jackals in the beautiful palaces. Her time is near, and her days will not be delayed. - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh will have compassion on Jacob; he will again choose Israel and restore them into their own land. Foreigners will join with them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob. -\v 2 The nations will bring them to their own place. Then the house of Israel will take them in the land of Yahweh as male and female servants. They will take captive those who had captured them, and they will rule over their oppressors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 On the day that Yahweh gives you rest from your suffering and anguish, and from the hard labor which you were required to perform, -\v 4 you will sing this taunt song against the king of Babylon, -\q1 "How the oppressor has come to an end, the proud fury ended! -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the proud fury ended \fqa* , some versions have \fqa the golden city ended \fqa* , \fqa the turmoil ended \fqa* , \fqa the hostility ended \fqa* , or \fqa the arrogance ended \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 Yahweh has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of those rulers, -\q1 -\v 6 that struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows, -\q1 that ruled the nations in anger, with an attack that was -unrestrained. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; they begin celebrating with singing. -\q1 -\v 8 Even the cypress trees rejoice over you with the cedars of Lebanon; -\q1 they say, 'Since you are laid low, no woodcutter comes up to cut us down.' -\q1 -\v 9 Sheol below is eager to meet you when you go there. -\q1 It arouses the dead for you, all the kings -of the earth, -\q1 making them rise up from their thrones, all the kings of the nations. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 They all will speak and say to you, -\q1 'You have become as weak as us. You have become like us. -\q1 -\v 11 Your pomp has been brought down to Sheol with the sound of your string instruments. -\q1 Maggots are spread under you, and worms cover -you.' - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 How you are fallen from heaven, daystar, son of the morning! -\q1 How you are cut down to the ground, you who conquered -the nations! -\q1 -\v 13 You had said in your heart, 'I will ascend into heaven, -\q1 I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, -\q1 and I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. -\q1 -\v 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High God.' - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 Yet you are now brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. -\q1 -\v 16 Those who see you will gaze at you and they will pay attention to you. -\q1 They will say, 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, -\q1 -\v 17 who made the world like a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and did not let his prisoners go home?' - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 All the kings of the nations, -\q1 all of them lie down in honor, each one in his own tomb. -\q1 -\v 19 But you are cast out of your grave like a branch thrown away. -\q1 The dead cover you like a garment, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit. -\q1 -\v 20 You will not join them in burial, because you have destroyed your land -\q1 and killed your people. -\q1 The offspring of evildoers will never be mentioned again." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 21 Prepare your slaughter for his children, for the iniquity of their ancestors, -\q1 so they will not rise up and possess the earth -and fill the whole world with cities. -\q1 -\v 22 "I will rise up against them"—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts. -\q1 "I will cut off from Babylon name, descendant, and posterity"—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q1 -\v 23 "I will also make her into a possession of owls, and into pools of water, -\q1 and I will sweep her with the broom of destruction"—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 24 Yahweh of hosts has sworn, -\q1 "Surely, as I have intended, so it will come about; -\q1 and as I have purposed, so it will be: -\q1 -\v 25 I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot. -\q1 Then his yoke will be lifted from -off them and his burden from off their shoulder." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 26 This is the plan that is intended for the whole earth, and this is the hand that is raised over all the nations. -\q1 -\v 27 For Yahweh of hosts has planned this; who will stop him? His hand is raised, and who will turn it back? - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 In the year that king Ahaz died this declaration came: -\q1 -\v 29 Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. -\q1 For out of the serpent's root will grow out an adder, -\q1 and his offspring will be a fiery flying serpent. -\q1 -\v 30 The firstborn of the poor will graze their sheep in my pastures, -\q1 and the needy will lie down in safety. -\q1 I will kill your root with famine -\q1 that will put to death all your survivors. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 31 Howl, gate; cry, city; all of you will melt away, Philistia. -\q1 For out of the north comes a cloud of smoke, -\q1 and there is no straggler in his ranks. -\q1 -\v 32 How will they respond to the messengers of that nation? -\q1 "Yahweh has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people will find refuge." - - + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh will have compassion on Jacob; he will again choose Israel and restore them into their own land. Foreigners will join with them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob. +\v 2 The nations will bring them to their own place. Then the house of Israel will take them in the land of Yahweh as male and female servants. They will take captive those who had captured them, and they will rule over their oppressors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 On the day that Yahweh gives you rest from your suffering and anguish, and from the hard labor which you were required to perform, +\v 4 you will sing this taunt song against the king of Babylon, +\q1 "How the oppressor has come to an end, the proud fury ended! +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the proud fury ended \fqa* , some versions have \fqa the golden city ended \fqa* , \fqa the turmoil ended \fqa* , \fqa the hostility ended \fqa* , or \fqa the arrogance ended \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 Yahweh has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of those rulers, +\q1 +\v 6 that struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows, +\q1 that ruled the nations in anger, with an attack that was +unrestrained. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; they begin celebrating with singing. +\q1 +\v 8 Even the cypress trees rejoice over you with the cedars of Lebanon; +\q1 they say, 'Since you are laid low, no woodcutter comes up to cut us down.' +\q1 +\v 9 Sheol below is eager to meet you when you go there. +\q1 It arouses the dead for you, all the kings +of the earth, +\q1 making them rise up from their thrones, all the kings of the nations. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 They all will speak and say to you, +\q1 'You have become as weak as us. You have become like us. +\q1 +\v 11 Your pomp has been brought down to Sheol with the sound of your string instruments. +\q1 Maggots are spread under you, and worms cover +you.' + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 How you are fallen from heaven, daystar, son of the morning! +\q1 How you are cut down to the ground, you who conquered +the nations! +\q1 +\v 13 You had said in your heart, 'I will ascend into heaven, +\q1 I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, +\q1 and I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. +\q1 +\v 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High God.' + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 Yet you are now brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. +\q1 +\v 16 Those who see you will gaze at you and they will pay attention to you. +\q1 They will say, 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, +\q1 +\v 17 who made the world like a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and did not let his prisoners go home?' + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 All the kings of the nations, +\q1 all of them lie down in honor, each one in his own tomb. +\q1 +\v 19 But you are cast out of your grave like a branch thrown away. +\q1 The dead cover you like a garment, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit. +\q1 +\v 20 You will not join them in burial, because you have destroyed your land +\q1 and killed your people. +\q1 The offspring of evildoers will never be mentioned again." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 21 Prepare your slaughter for his children, for the iniquity of their ancestors, +\q1 so they will not rise up and possess the earth +and fill the whole world with cities. +\q1 +\v 22 "I will rise up against them"—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts. +\q1 "I will cut off from Babylon name, descendant, and posterity"—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q1 +\v 23 "I will also make her into a possession of owls, and into pools of water, +\q1 and I will sweep her with the broom of destruction"—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 24 Yahweh of hosts has sworn, +\q1 "Surely, as I have intended, so it will come about; +\q1 and as I have purposed, so it will be: +\q1 +\v 25 I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot. +\q1 Then his yoke will be lifted from +off them and his burden from off their shoulder." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 26 This is the plan that is intended for the whole earth, and this is the hand that is raised over all the nations. +\q1 +\v 27 For Yahweh of hosts has planned this; who will stop him? His hand is raised, and who will turn it back? + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 In the year that king Ahaz died this declaration came: +\q1 +\v 29 Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. +\q1 For out of the serpent's root will grow out an adder, +\q1 and his offspring will be a fiery flying serpent. +\q1 +\v 30 The firstborn of the poor will graze their sheep in my pastures, +\q1 and the needy will lie down in safety. +\q1 I will kill your root with famine +\q1 that will put to death all your survivors. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 31 Howl, gate; cry, city; all of you will melt away, Philistia. +\q1 For out of the north comes a cloud of smoke, +\q1 and there is no straggler in his ranks. +\q1 +\v 32 How will they respond to the messengers of that nation? +\q1 "Yahweh has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of his people will find refuge." + + \s5 \c 15 @@ -1607,96 +1607,96 @@ rushing of mighty waters! -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 A declaration about the Valley of Vision: -\q1 What is the reason that you have all gone up to the housetops? -\q1 -\v 2 Is it so you may hear a city full of noises, a town full of revelry? -\q1 Your dead were not killed with the sword, and they did not die in battle. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 3 All your rulers fled away together, but they were captured without using a bow; -\q1 all of them were captured together, though they had fled far away. -\q1 -\v 4 Therefore I said, "Do not look at me, I will weep bitterly; -\q1 do not try to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 For there is a day of tumult, treading down, and confusion for the Lord Yahweh of hosts, -\q1 in the Valley of Vision, a breaking down of the walls, and people crying out to the mountains. -\q1 -\v 6 Elam takes up the quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen, -\q1 and Kir lays the shield bare. -\q1 -\v 7 It will come about that your choicest valleys -\q1 will be full of chariots, and the horsemen will take their positions at the gate. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 8 He took away the protection of Judah; -\q1 and you looked in that day to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest. -\q1 -\v 9 You saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many, -\q1 and you collected the water of the lower pool. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 You counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you tore down the houses to strengthen the wall. -\q1 -\v 11 You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. -\q1 But you did not consider the city's maker, who had planned it long ago. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 The Lord Yahweh of hosts called on that day -\q1 for weeping, for mourning, for shaved heads, and the wearing of sackcloth. -\q1 -\v 13 But look, instead, celebration and gladness, killing cattle and slaughtering sheep, -\q1 eating meat and drinking wine; let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die. -\q1 -\v 14 This was revealed in my ears by Yahweh of hosts: -\q1 "Surely this iniquity will not be forgiven you, even when you die," says the Lord Yahweh of hosts. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 The Lord Yahweh of hosts, says this, "Go to this administrator, to Shebna, who is over the house, and say, -\q1 -\v 16 'What are you doing here and who gave you permission to cut out a tomb for yourself, -\q1 hewing out a grave on the heights and carving out a resting place in the rock?'" - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 17 See, Yahweh is about to throw you, a mighty man, about to throw you down; he will grasp you tightly. -\q1 -\v 18 He will surely wind you round and round, and toss you like a ball into a vast country. -\q1 There you will die, and there your glorious chariots will be; you will be the shame of your master's house! -\q1 -\v 19 "I will thrust you from your office and from your station. You will be pulled down. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 20 It will come about on that day that I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. -\q1 -\v 21 I will clothe him with your tunic and put on him your sash, and I will transfer your authority into his hand. -\q1 He will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. -\q1 -\v 22 I will place the key of the house of David on his shoulder; -\q1 he will open, and none will shut; he will shut, and none will open. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 23 I will fasten him, a peg in a secure place, -\q1 and he will become a seat of glory for his father's house. -\q1 -\v 24 They will hang on him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and descendants, every small container -\q1 from the cups to all the jugs. - -\s5 -\v 25 On that day—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts—the peg driven in a firm place will give way, break off, and fall, and the weight that was on it will be cut off—for Yahweh has spoken. +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 A declaration about the Valley of Vision: +\q1 What is the reason that you have all gone up to the housetops? +\q1 +\v 2 Is it so you may hear a city full of noises, a town full of revelry? +\q1 Your dead were not killed with the sword, and they did not die in battle. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 3 All your rulers fled away together, but they were captured without using a bow; +\q1 all of them were captured together, though they had fled far away. +\q1 +\v 4 Therefore I said, "Do not look at me, I will weep bitterly; +\q1 do not try to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 For there is a day of tumult, treading down, and confusion for the Lord Yahweh of hosts, +\q1 in the Valley of Vision, a breaking down of the walls, and people crying out to the mountains. +\q1 +\v 6 Elam takes up the quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen, +\q1 and Kir lays the shield bare. +\q1 +\v 7 It will come about that your choicest valleys +\q1 will be full of chariots, and the horsemen will take their positions at the gate. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 8 He took away the protection of Judah; +\q1 and you looked in that day to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest. +\q1 +\v 9 You saw the breaches of the city of David, that they were many, +\q1 and you collected the water of the lower pool. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 You counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you tore down the houses to strengthen the wall. +\q1 +\v 11 You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. +\q1 But you did not consider the city's maker, who had planned it long ago. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 The Lord Yahweh of hosts called on that day +\q1 for weeping, for mourning, for shaved heads, and the wearing of sackcloth. +\q1 +\v 13 But look, instead, celebration and gladness, killing cattle and slaughtering sheep, +\q1 eating meat and drinking wine; let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die. +\q1 +\v 14 This was revealed in my ears by Yahweh of hosts: +\q1 "Surely this iniquity will not be forgiven you, even when you die," says the Lord Yahweh of hosts. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 The Lord Yahweh of hosts, says this, "Go to this administrator, to Shebna, who is over the house, and say, +\q1 +\v 16 'What are you doing here and who gave you permission to cut out a tomb for yourself, +\q1 hewing out a grave on the heights and carving out a resting place in the rock?'" + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 17 See, Yahweh is about to throw you, a mighty man, about to throw you down; he will grasp you tightly. +\q1 +\v 18 He will surely wind you round and round, and toss you like a ball into a vast country. +\q1 There you will die, and there your glorious chariots will be; you will be the shame of your master's house! +\q1 +\v 19 "I will thrust you from your office and from your station. You will be pulled down. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 20 It will come about on that day that I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah. +\q1 +\v 21 I will clothe him with your tunic and put on him your sash, and I will transfer your authority into his hand. +\q1 He will be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. +\q1 +\v 22 I will place the key of the house of David on his shoulder; +\q1 he will open, and none will shut; he will shut, and none will open. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 23 I will fasten him, a peg in a secure place, +\q1 and he will become a seat of glory for his father's house. +\q1 +\v 24 They will hang on him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and descendants, every small container +\q1 from the cups to all the jugs. + +\s5 +\v 25 On that day—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts—the peg driven in a firm place will give way, break off, and fall, and the weight that was on it will be cut off—for Yahweh has spoken. \s5 \c 23 @@ -2299,158 +2299,158 @@ will uncover her bloodshed, and will no longer conceal her slain. \v 24 Those who err in spirit will gain understanding, and complainers will learn knowledge." - -\s5 -\c 30 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 "Woe to the rebellious children," this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q1 "They make plans, but not from me; they make alliances with other nations, -\q1 but they were not directed by my Spirit, so they add sin to sin. -\q1 -\v 2 They set out to go down into Egypt, but have not asked for my direction. -\q1 They seek protection from Pharaoh and take refuge in the shadow of Egypt. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 3 Therefore Pharaoh's protection will be your shame, -\q1 and the refuge in Egypt's shade, your humiliation, -\q1 -\v 4 although their princes are at Zoan, and their messengers have come to Hanes. -\q1 -\v 5 They will all be ashamed because of a people who cannot help them, -\q1 who are neither help nor aid, but a shame, and even a disgrace." -\s5 -\p -\v 6 A declaration about the beasts of the Negev: -\q1 Through the land of trouble and danger, of the lioness and the lion, -\q1 the viper and fiery flying serpent, -\q1 they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys, -\q1 and their treasures on the camels' humps, -\q1 to a people who cannot help them. -\q1 -\v 7 For Egypt's help is worthless; -\q1 therefore I have called her Rahab, who sits still. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 8 Now go, write it in their presence on a tablet, and inscribe it on a scroll, -\q1 that it may be preserved for the time to come as a testimony. -\q1 -\v 9 For these are a rebellious people, lying children, -\q1 children who will not hear the instruction of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 They say to the seers, "Do not see;" -\q1 and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy the truth to us; -\q1 speak flattering words to us, prophesy illusions. -\v 11 Turn aside from the way, stray off the path; -\q1 cause the Holy One of Israel to cease speaking before our face." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 Therefore the Holy One of Israel says, -\q1 "Because you reject this word -\q1 and trust in oppression and deceit and lean on it, -\q1 -\v 13 so this sin will be to you -\q1 like a broken part ready to fall, like a bulge in a high wall -\q1 whose fall will happen suddenly, in an instant." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 He will break it as a potter's vessel is broken; he will not spare it, -\q1 so that there will not be found among its pieces a shard -\q1 with which to scrape fire from the hearth, or to scoop up water out of the cistern. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 For this is what the Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel says, -\q1 "In returning and resting you will be saved; in quietness and in trust will be your strength. -\q1 But you were not willing. -\q1 -\v 16 You said, 'No, -\q1 for we will flee on horses,' so you will flee; -\q1 and, 'We will ride upon swift horses,' so those who pursue you will be swift. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one; -\q1 at the threat of five you will flee -\q1 until your remnant will be like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, or like a flag on a hill." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 Yet Yahweh is waiting to be gracious to you, therefore he is ready to show you mercy. -\q1 For Yahweh is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. -\q1 -\v 19 For a people will live in Zion, in Jerusalem, and you will weep no more. -\q1 He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. When he hears it, he will answer you. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 20 Though Yahweh gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, -\q1 even so, your teacher will not hide himself anymore, but you will see your teacher with your own eyes. -\q1 -\v 21 Your ears will hear a word behind you saying, -\q1 "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 22 You will desecrate your carved figures overlaid with silver and your gold cast figures. -\q1 You will throw them away like a menstrual rag. You will say to them, "Get out of here." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 23 He will give the rain for your seed when you sow the ground, -\q1 and bread with abundance from the ground, and the crops will be abundant. -\q1 In that day your cattle will graze in broad pastures. -\q1 -\v 24 The oxen and the donkeys, who plow the ground, will eat seasoned feed -\q1 that has been winnowed with a shovel and a fork. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 25 On every high mountain and on every high hill, there will be flowing brooks and streams of waters, -\q1 in the day of the great slaughter when the towers fall. -\q1 -\v 26 The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the sunlight of seven days. -\q1 Yahweh will bind up the breaking of his people and heal the bruises of his wounding them. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 27 Look, the name of Yahweh comes from a distant place, burning with his anger and in dense smoke. -\q1 His lips are full of fury, and his tongue is like a devouring fire. -\q1 -\v 28 His breath is like an overflowing torrent that reaches up to the middle of the neck, -\q1 to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction. His breath is a bridle in the jaws of the peoples to cause them to wander away. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 29 You will have a song as in the night when a holy feast is observed, -\q1 and gladness of heart, as when one goes with a flute to the mountain of Yahweh, to the Rock of Israel. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 30 Yahweh will make the splendor of his voice heard and show the motion of his arm -\q1 in storming anger and flames of fire, with windstorm, rainstorm, and hailstones. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 31 For at the voice of Yahweh, Assyria will be shattered; he will strike them with a staff. -\q1 -\v 32 Every stroke of the appointed rod that Yahweh will lay on them -\q1 will be accompanied with the music of tambourines and harps as he battles and fights with them. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 33 For a place of burning was prepared long ago. Indeed, it is prepared for the king, and God has made it deep and wide. -\q1 The pile is ready with a fire and much wood. -\q1 The breath of Yahweh, like a stream of brimstone, will set it on fire. - - - + +\s5 +\c 30 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 "Woe to the rebellious children," this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q1 "They make plans, but not from me; they make alliances with other nations, +\q1 but they were not directed by my Spirit, so they add sin to sin. +\q1 +\v 2 They set out to go down into Egypt, but have not asked for my direction. +\q1 They seek protection from Pharaoh and take refuge in the shadow of Egypt. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 3 Therefore Pharaoh's protection will be your shame, +\q1 and the refuge in Egypt's shade, your humiliation, +\q1 +\v 4 although their princes are at Zoan, and their messengers have come to Hanes. +\q1 +\v 5 They will all be ashamed because of a people who cannot help them, +\q1 who are neither help nor aid, but a shame, and even a disgrace." +\s5 +\p +\v 6 A declaration about the beasts of the Negev: +\q1 Through the land of trouble and danger, of the lioness and the lion, +\q1 the viper and fiery flying serpent, +\q1 they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys, +\q1 and their treasures on the camels' humps, +\q1 to a people who cannot help them. +\q1 +\v 7 For Egypt's help is worthless; +\q1 therefore I have called her Rahab, who sits still. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 8 Now go, write it in their presence on a tablet, and inscribe it on a scroll, +\q1 that it may be preserved for the time to come as a testimony. +\q1 +\v 9 For these are a rebellious people, lying children, +\q1 children who will not hear the instruction of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 They say to the seers, "Do not see;" +\q1 and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy the truth to us; +\q1 speak flattering words to us, prophesy illusions. +\v 11 Turn aside from the way, stray off the path; +\q1 cause the Holy One of Israel to cease speaking before our face." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 Therefore the Holy One of Israel says, +\q1 "Because you reject this word +\q1 and trust in oppression and deceit and lean on it, +\q1 +\v 13 so this sin will be to you +\q1 like a broken part ready to fall, like a bulge in a high wall +\q1 whose fall will happen suddenly, in an instant." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 He will break it as a potter's vessel is broken; he will not spare it, +\q1 so that there will not be found among its pieces a shard +\q1 with which to scrape fire from the hearth, or to scoop up water out of the cistern. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 For this is what the Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel says, +\q1 "In returning and resting you will be saved; in quietness and in trust will be your strength. +\q1 But you were not willing. +\q1 +\v 16 You said, 'No, +\q1 for we will flee on horses,' so you will flee; +\q1 and, 'We will ride upon swift horses,' so those who pursue you will be swift. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one; +\q1 at the threat of five you will flee +\q1 until your remnant will be like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, or like a flag on a hill." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 Yet Yahweh is waiting to be gracious to you, therefore he is ready to show you mercy. +\q1 For Yahweh is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. +\q1 +\v 19 For a people will live in Zion, in Jerusalem, and you will weep no more. +\q1 He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. When he hears it, he will answer you. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 20 Though Yahweh gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, +\q1 even so, your teacher will not hide himself anymore, but you will see your teacher with your own eyes. +\q1 +\v 21 Your ears will hear a word behind you saying, +\q1 "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 22 You will desecrate your carved figures overlaid with silver and your gold cast figures. +\q1 You will throw them away like a menstrual rag. You will say to them, "Get out of here." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 23 He will give the rain for your seed when you sow the ground, +\q1 and bread with abundance from the ground, and the crops will be abundant. +\q1 In that day your cattle will graze in broad pastures. +\q1 +\v 24 The oxen and the donkeys, who plow the ground, will eat seasoned feed +\q1 that has been winnowed with a shovel and a fork. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 25 On every high mountain and on every high hill, there will be flowing brooks and streams of waters, +\q1 in the day of the great slaughter when the towers fall. +\q1 +\v 26 The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the sunlight of seven days. +\q1 Yahweh will bind up the breaking of his people and heal the bruises of his wounding them. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 27 Look, the name of Yahweh comes from a distant place, burning with his anger and in dense smoke. +\q1 His lips are full of fury, and his tongue is like a devouring fire. +\q1 +\v 28 His breath is like an overflowing torrent that reaches up to the middle of the neck, +\q1 to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction. His breath is a bridle in the jaws of the peoples to cause them to wander away. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 29 You will have a song as in the night when a holy feast is observed, +\q1 and gladness of heart, as when one goes with a flute to the mountain of Yahweh, to the Rock of Israel. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 30 Yahweh will make the splendor of his voice heard and show the motion of his arm +\q1 in storming anger and flames of fire, with windstorm, rainstorm, and hailstones. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 31 For at the voice of Yahweh, Assyria will be shattered; he will strike them with a staff. +\q1 +\v 32 Every stroke of the appointed rod that Yahweh will lay on them +\q1 will be accompanied with the music of tambourines and harps as he battles and fights with them. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 33 For a place of burning was prepared long ago. Indeed, it is prepared for the king, and God has made it deep and wide. +\q1 The pile is ready with a fire and much wood. +\q1 The breath of Yahweh, like a stream of brimstone, will set it on fire. + + + \s5 \c 31 @@ -2789,238 +2789,238 @@ with vengeance, -\s5 -\c 36 -\p -\v 1 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. -\v 2 Then the king of Assyria sent the chief commander from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a great army. He approached the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway to the launderers' field, and stood by it. -\v 3 The Israelite officials who went out of the city to talk with them were Hilkiah's son Eliakim, the palace administrator, Shebna the king's secretary, and Asaph's son Joah, who wrote down the government decisions. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 The chief commander said to them, "Tell Hezekiah that the great king, the king of Assyria, says, 'What is the source of your confidence? -\v 5 You speak only useless words, saying there is counsel and strength for war. Now in whom are you trusting? Who has given you courage to rebel against me? - -\s5 -\v 6 Look, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed that you use as a walking staff, but if a man leans on it, it will stick into his hand and pierce it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to anyone who trusts in him. -\v 7 But if you say to me, "We are trusting in Yahweh our God," is not he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, "You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem"? - -\s5 -\v 8 Now therefore, I want to make you a good offer from my master the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able to find riders for them. - -\s5 -\v 9 How could you resist even one captain of the least of my master's servants? You have put your trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen! -\v 10 Now then, have I traveled up here without Yahweh to fight against this land and destroy it? Yahweh said to me, "Attack this land and destroy it."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah said to the chief commander, "Please speak to your servants in the Aramean language, Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak with us in the language of Judah in the ears of the people who are on the wall." -\v 12 But the chief commander said, "Has my master sent me to your master and to you to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, who will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then the chief commander stood and shouted in a loud voice in the Jews' language, saying, "Listen to the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. -\v 14 The king says, 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to rescue you. -\v 15 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, "Yahweh will surely rescue us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria."' - -\s5 -\v 16 Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: 'Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and from his own fig tree, and drink from the water in his own cistern. -\v 17 You will do this until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards.' - -\s5 -\v 18 Do not let Hezekiah mislead you, saying, 'Yahweh will rescue us.' Has any of the gods of the peoples rescued them from the hand of the king of Assyria? -\v 19 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they rescued Samaria from my power? -\v 20 Among all the gods of these lands, is there any god who has rescued his land from my power, as if Yahweh could save Jerusalem from my power?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 But the people remained silent and did not respond, for the king's order was, "Do not answer him." -\v 22 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and reported to him the words of the chief commander. -\s5 -\c 37 -\p -\v 1 It came about that when King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Yahweh. -\v 2 He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, all covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet. - -\s5 -\v 3 They said to him, "Hezekiah says, 'This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, like when a child is ready to be born, but the mother has no strength to give birth to her child. -\v 4 It may be Yahweh your God will hear the words of the chief commander, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Now lift up your prayer for the remnant that is still here.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, -\v 6 and Isaiah said to them, "Say to your master: 'Yahweh says, "Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have insulted me. -\v 7 Look, I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear a certain report and go back to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then the chief commander returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had gone away from Lachish. -\v 9 Then Sennacherib heard that Tirhakah king of Cush and Egypt had mobilized to fight against him, so he sent messengers again to Hezekiah with a message: -\v 10 "Say to Hezekiah, king of Judah, 'Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, "Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria." - -\s5 -\v 11 See, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them completely. So will you be rescued? -\v 12 Have the gods of the nations rescued them, the nations that my fathers destroyed: Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden in Tel Assar? -\v 13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the cities of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Hezekiah received this letter from hand of the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the house of Yahweh and spread it before him. -\v 15 Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh: -\v 16 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, you who sit above the cherubim, you are God alone over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. - -\s5 -\v 17 Turn your ear, Yahweh, and listen. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see, and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. -\v 18 It is true, Yahweh, the kings of Assyria have destroyed all the nations and their lands. - -\s5 -\v 19 They have put their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, just wood and stone. So the Assyrians have destroyed them. -\v 20 So now, Yahweh our God, save us from his power, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are Yahweh alone." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah, saying, "Yahweh, the God of Israel says, 'Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, -\v 22 this is the word that Yahweh has spoken about him: -\q1 "The virgin daughter of Zion despises you and laughs you to scorn; -\q1 the daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head at you. -\q1 -\v 23 Whom have you defied and insulted? Against whom have you exalted your voice -\q1 and lifted up your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 24 By your servants you have defied the Lord and have said, 'With the multitude of my chariots -\q1 I have gone up to the heights of the mountains, to the highest elevations of Lebanon. -\q1 I will cut down its tall cedars and choice cypress trees there, -\q1 and I will enter into its farthest high places, its most fruitful forest. -\q1 -\v 25 I have dug wells and drunk water; -\f + \ft Some ancient and modern versions have \fqa I have dug wells and drunk water in foreign lands \fqa* . \f* -\q1 I dried up all the rivers of Egypt under the soles of my feet.' - -\s5 -\p -\q1 -\v 26 Have you not heard how I determined it long ago -\q1 and worked it out in ancient times? Now I am bringing it to pass. -\q1 You are here to reduce impregnable cities into heaps of ruins. -\q1 -\v 27 Their inhabitants, of little strength, are shattered and ashamed. -\q1 They are plants in the field, green grass, -\q1 the grass on the roof or in the field, -\q1 before the east wind. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 28 But I know your sitting down, your going out, your coming in, and your raging against me. -\q1 -\v 29 Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has reached my ears, -\q1 I will put my hook in your nose, and my bit in your mouth; -\q1 I will turn you back the way you came." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 30 This will be the sign for you: -\q1 This year you will eat what grows wild, and in the second year what grows from that. -\q1 But in the third year you must plant and harvest, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 31 The remnant of the house of Judah that survives will again take root and bear fruit. -\q1 -\v 32 For from Jerusalem a remnant will come out; from Mount Zion survivors will come. -\q1 The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this.'" - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 33 Therefore Yahweh says this about the king of Assyria: -\q1 "He will not come into this city and he will not shoot an arrow here. -\q1 He will not come before it with shield or build up a siege ramp against it. -\q1 -\v 34 The way by which he came will be the same way he will leave; he will not enter this city—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 35 For I will defend this city and rescue it, for my own sake and for David my servant's sake." - -\s5 -\v 36 Then the angel of Yahweh went out and attacked the camp of the Assyrians, putting to death 185,000 soldiers. When the men arose early in the morning, dead bodies lay everywhere. -\v 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria left Israel and went home and stayed in Nineveh. - -\s5 -\v 38 Later, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisrok his god, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword. Then they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place. -\s5 -\c 38 -\p -\v 1 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of dying. So Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, came to him, and said to him, "Yahweh says, 'Set your house in order; for you will die, not live.'" -\v 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh. -\v 3 He said, "Please, Yahweh, call to mind how I have faithfully walked before you with my whole heart, and how I have done what was good in your sight." Then Hezekiah wept loudly. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying, -\v 5 "Go and say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor, says: I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears. See, I am about to add fifteen years to your life. -\v 6 Then I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city. - -\s5 -\v 7 This will be the sign to you from Yahweh, that I will do what I have promised. -\v 8 Look, I will cause the shadow on the stairs of Ahaz to go back ten steps.'" So the shadow went back ten steps of the stairs on which it had advanced. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 This was the written prayer of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick and then recovered: -\q1 -\v 10 "I said that halfway through my life -\q1 I will go through the gates of Sheol; I am sent there for the rest of my years. -\q -\q1 -\v 11 I said that I will no longer see Yahweh, Yahweh in the land of the living; -\q1 I will no longer look on mankind or the inhabitants of the world. -\f + \ft \fqa the inhabitants of the world \fqa* : Most modern versions have this meaning. Ancient Hebrew copies have \fqa the inhabitants of the place of non-existence \fqa* (that is, brief existence). \f* - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 My life is removed and carried away from me like a shepherd's tent; -\q1 I have rolled up my life like a weaver; you are cutting me off from the loom; -\q1 between day and night you are ending my life. -\q1 -\v 13 I cried out\f + \ft The Hebrew could be read: \fqa I cried out \fqa* or \fqa I calmed myself. \f* until the morning; -\q1 like a lion he breaks all my bones. -\q1 Between day and night you are ending my life. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 Like a swallow I chirp; I coo like a dove; -\q1 my eyes grow tired with looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed; help me. -\q1 -\v 15 What shall I say? He has both spoken to me, and has done it; -\q1 I will walk slowly all my years because I am overcome with grief. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 16 Lord, the sufferings you send are good for me; may my life be given back to me; -\q1 you have restored my life and health. -\q1 -\v 17 It was for my benefit that I experienced such grief. -\q1 You have rescued me from the pit of destruction; -\q1 for you have thrown all my sins behind your back. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; -\q1 those who go down into the pit do not hope in your trustworthiness. -\q1 -\v 19 The living person, the living person, he is the one who gives you thanks, as I do this day; -\q1 a father makes known to children your trustworthiness. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 20 Yahweh is about to save me, and we will celebrate with music -\q1 all the days of our lives in the house of Yahweh." -\m - -\s5 -\v 21 Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a lump of figs and put it on the boil, and he will recover." -\v 22 Hezekiah also had said, "What will be the sign that I should go up to the house of Yahweh?" +\s5 +\c 36 +\p +\v 1 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. +\v 2 Then the king of Assyria sent the chief commander from Lachish to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a great army. He approached the conduit of the upper pool, on the highway to the launderers' field, and stood by it. +\v 3 The Israelite officials who went out of the city to talk with them were Hilkiah's son Eliakim, the palace administrator, Shebna the king's secretary, and Asaph's son Joah, who wrote down the government decisions. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 The chief commander said to them, "Tell Hezekiah that the great king, the king of Assyria, says, 'What is the source of your confidence? +\v 5 You speak only useless words, saying there is counsel and strength for war. Now in whom are you trusting? Who has given you courage to rebel against me? + +\s5 +\v 6 Look, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed that you use as a walking staff, but if a man leans on it, it will stick into his hand and pierce it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to anyone who trusts in him. +\v 7 But if you say to me, "We are trusting in Yahweh our God," is not he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, "You must worship before this altar in Jerusalem"? + +\s5 +\v 8 Now therefore, I want to make you a good offer from my master the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able to find riders for them. + +\s5 +\v 9 How could you resist even one captain of the least of my master's servants? You have put your trust in Egypt for chariots and horsemen! +\v 10 Now then, have I traveled up here without Yahweh to fight against this land and destroy it? Yahweh said to me, "Attack this land and destroy it."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah said to the chief commander, "Please speak to your servants in the Aramean language, Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak with us in the language of Judah in the ears of the people who are on the wall." +\v 12 But the chief commander said, "Has my master sent me to your master and to you to speak these words? Has he not sent me to the men who sit on the wall, who will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then the chief commander stood and shouted in a loud voice in the Jews' language, saying, "Listen to the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. +\v 14 The king says, 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to rescue you. +\v 15 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in Yahweh, saying, "Yahweh will surely rescue us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria."' + +\s5 +\v 16 Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: 'Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and from his own fig tree, and drink from the water in his own cistern. +\v 17 You will do this until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards.' + +\s5 +\v 18 Do not let Hezekiah mislead you, saying, 'Yahweh will rescue us.' Has any of the gods of the peoples rescued them from the hand of the king of Assyria? +\v 19 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they rescued Samaria from my power? +\v 20 Among all the gods of these lands, is there any god who has rescued his land from my power, as if Yahweh could save Jerusalem from my power?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 But the people remained silent and did not respond, for the king's order was, "Do not answer him." +\v 22 Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and reported to him the words of the chief commander. +\s5 +\c 37 +\p +\v 1 It came about that when King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Yahweh. +\v 2 He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, all covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet. + +\s5 +\v 3 They said to him, "Hezekiah says, 'This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, like when a child is ready to be born, but the mother has no strength to give birth to her child. +\v 4 It may be Yahweh your God will hear the words of the chief commander, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Now lift up your prayer for the remnant that is still here.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, +\v 6 and Isaiah said to them, "Say to your master: 'Yahweh says, "Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have insulted me. +\v 7 Look, I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear a certain report and go back to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then the chief commander returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had gone away from Lachish. +\v 9 Then Sennacherib heard that Tirhakah king of Cush and Egypt had mobilized to fight against him, so he sent messengers again to Hezekiah with a message: +\v 10 "Say to Hezekiah, king of Judah, 'Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, "Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria." + +\s5 +\v 11 See, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them completely. So will you be rescued? +\v 12 Have the gods of the nations rescued them, the nations that my fathers destroyed: Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden in Tel Assar? +\v 13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the cities of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Hezekiah received this letter from hand of the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the house of Yahweh and spread it before him. +\v 15 Hezekiah prayed to Yahweh: +\v 16 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, you who sit above the cherubim, you are God alone over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. + +\s5 +\v 17 Turn your ear, Yahweh, and listen. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see, and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. +\v 18 It is true, Yahweh, the kings of Assyria have destroyed all the nations and their lands. + +\s5 +\v 19 They have put their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, just wood and stone. So the Assyrians have destroyed them. +\v 20 So now, Yahweh our God, save us from his power, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are Yahweh alone." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah, saying, "Yahweh, the God of Israel says, 'Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, +\v 22 this is the word that Yahweh has spoken about him: +\q1 "The virgin daughter of Zion despises you and laughs you to scorn; +\q1 the daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head at you. +\q1 +\v 23 Whom have you defied and insulted? Against whom have you exalted your voice +\q1 and lifted up your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 24 By your servants you have defied the Lord and have said, 'With the multitude of my chariots +\q1 I have gone up to the heights of the mountains, to the highest elevations of Lebanon. +\q1 I will cut down its tall cedars and choice cypress trees there, +\q1 and I will enter into its farthest high places, its most fruitful forest. +\q1 +\v 25 I have dug wells and drunk water; +\f + \ft Some ancient and modern versions have \fqa I have dug wells and drunk water in foreign lands \fqa* . \f* +\q1 I dried up all the rivers of Egypt under the soles of my feet.' + +\s5 +\p +\q1 +\v 26 Have you not heard how I determined it long ago +\q1 and worked it out in ancient times? Now I am bringing it to pass. +\q1 You are here to reduce impregnable cities into heaps of ruins. +\q1 +\v 27 Their inhabitants, of little strength, are shattered and ashamed. +\q1 They are plants in the field, green grass, +\q1 the grass on the roof or in the field, +\q1 before the east wind. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 28 But I know your sitting down, your going out, your coming in, and your raging against me. +\q1 +\v 29 Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has reached my ears, +\q1 I will put my hook in your nose, and my bit in your mouth; +\q1 I will turn you back the way you came." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 30 This will be the sign for you: +\q1 This year you will eat what grows wild, and in the second year what grows from that. +\q1 But in the third year you must plant and harvest, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 31 The remnant of the house of Judah that survives will again take root and bear fruit. +\q1 +\v 32 For from Jerusalem a remnant will come out; from Mount Zion survivors will come. +\q1 The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this.'" + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 33 Therefore Yahweh says this about the king of Assyria: +\q1 "He will not come into this city and he will not shoot an arrow here. +\q1 He will not come before it with shield or build up a siege ramp against it. +\q1 +\v 34 The way by which he came will be the same way he will leave; he will not enter this city—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 35 For I will defend this city and rescue it, for my own sake and for David my servant's sake." + +\s5 +\v 36 Then the angel of Yahweh went out and attacked the camp of the Assyrians, putting to death 185,000 soldiers. When the men arose early in the morning, dead bodies lay everywhere. +\v 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria left Israel and went home and stayed in Nineveh. + +\s5 +\v 38 Later, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisrok his god, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword. Then they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place. +\s5 +\c 38 +\p +\v 1 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the point of dying. So Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet, came to him, and said to him, "Yahweh says, 'Set your house in order; for you will die, not live.'" +\v 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh. +\v 3 He said, "Please, Yahweh, call to mind how I have faithfully walked before you with my whole heart, and how I have done what was good in your sight." Then Hezekiah wept loudly. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying, +\v 5 "Go and say to Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of David your ancestor, says: I have heard your prayer, and I have seen your tears. See, I am about to add fifteen years to your life. +\v 6 Then I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city. + +\s5 +\v 7 This will be the sign to you from Yahweh, that I will do what I have promised. +\v 8 Look, I will cause the shadow on the stairs of Ahaz to go back ten steps.'" So the shadow went back ten steps of the stairs on which it had advanced. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 This was the written prayer of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick and then recovered: +\q1 +\v 10 "I said that halfway through my life +\q1 I will go through the gates of Sheol; I am sent there for the rest of my years. +\q +\q1 +\v 11 I said that I will no longer see Yahweh, Yahweh in the land of the living; +\q1 I will no longer look on mankind or the inhabitants of the world. +\f + \ft \fqa the inhabitants of the world \fqa* : Most modern versions have this meaning. Ancient Hebrew copies have \fqa the inhabitants of the place of non-existence \fqa* (that is, brief existence). \f* + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 My life is removed and carried away from me like a shepherd's tent; +\q1 I have rolled up my life like a weaver; you are cutting me off from the loom; +\q1 between day and night you are ending my life. +\q1 +\v 13 I cried out\f + \ft The Hebrew could be read: \fqa I cried out \fqa* or \fqa I calmed myself. \f* until the morning; +\q1 like a lion he breaks all my bones. +\q1 Between day and night you are ending my life. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 Like a swallow I chirp; I coo like a dove; +\q1 my eyes grow tired with looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed; help me. +\q1 +\v 15 What shall I say? He has both spoken to me, and has done it; +\q1 I will walk slowly all my years because I am overcome with grief. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 16 Lord, the sufferings you send are good for me; may my life be given back to me; +\q1 you have restored my life and health. +\q1 +\v 17 It was for my benefit that I experienced such grief. +\q1 You have rescued me from the pit of destruction; +\q1 for you have thrown all my sins behind your back. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you; +\q1 those who go down into the pit do not hope in your trustworthiness. +\q1 +\v 19 The living person, the living person, he is the one who gives you thanks, as I do this day; +\q1 a father makes known to children your trustworthiness. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 20 Yahweh is about to save me, and we will celebrate with music +\q1 all the days of our lives in the house of Yahweh." +\m + +\s5 +\v 21 Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a lump of figs and put it on the boil, and he will recover." +\v 22 Hezekiah also had said, "What will be the sign that I should go up to the house of Yahweh?" \s5 \c 39 \p @@ -3522,257 +3522,257 @@ god among you. - -\s5 -\c 44 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 Now listen, Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen: -\q1 -\v 2 This is what Yahweh says, he who made you and formed you in the womb -\q1 and who will help you: "Do not fear, Jacob my servant; and -you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty ground, and flowing streams on the dry ground; -\q1 I will pour my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your children. -\q1 -\v 4 They will spring up among the grass, like willows by the streams of water. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 One will say, 'I belong to Yahweh,' and another will call out the name of Jacob, -\q1 and another will write on his hand 'Belonging to Yahweh,' and name himself by the name of Israel." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 6 This is what Yahweh says—the King of Israel and his Redeemer, Yahweh of hosts: -\q1 "I am the first, and I am the last; and there is no God but me. -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 Who is like me? Let him announce it and explain to me -\q1 the events that occurred since I established my ancient people, and let them declare the events to come. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 8 Do not fear or be afraid. Have I not declared to you long ago, and announced it? -\q1 You are my witnesses: Is there any God besides me? There is no other Rock; I know of none." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 9 All who fashion idols are nothing; the things they delight in are worthless; -\q1 their witnesses cannot see or know anything, and they will be put to shame. -\q1 -\v 10 Who would form a god or cast an idol that is worthless? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 11 Look, all his associates will be put to shame; the craftsmen are only men. -\q1 Let them take their stand together; they will cower and be put to shame. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 The smith works with his tools, forming it, working over the coals. -\q1 He shapes it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. -\q1 He is hungry, and his strength wanes; he drinks no water and becomes faint. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 13 The carpenter measures the wood with a line, and marks it with a stylus. -\q1 He shapes it with his tools and marks it out with a compass. -\q1 He shapes it after the figure of a man, like an attractive human, so it may stay in a house. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 He cuts down cedars, or chooses a cypress tree or an oak tree. -\q1 He picks for himself trees in the forest. He plants a fir tree and the rain makes it grow. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 Then a man uses it for a fire and warms himself. Yes, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. -\q1 Then he makes from it a god and bows down to it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. -\q1 -\v 16 He burns part of the wood for the fire, roasting his meat over it. He eats and is satisfied. -\q1 He warms himself and says, "Ah, I am warm, I have seen the fire." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 17 With the rest of the wood he makes a god, his carved image; he bows down to it and reverences it, -\q1 and prays to it saying, "Rescue me, for you are my god." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 They do not know, nor do they understand, for their eyes are blind and cannot see, and their hearts cannot perceive. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 19 No one thinks, nor do they comprehend and say, -\q1 "I have burned part of the wood in the fire; yes, -I have also baked bread upon its coals. I have roasted meat over its coals and eaten. -\q1 Now should I make the other part of the wood into something disgusting to worship? Should I bow down to a block of wood?" - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 20 It is as if he were eating ashes; his deceived heart misleads him. He cannot rescue himself, nor does he say, "This thing in my right hand is a false god." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 21 Think about these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant: -\q1 I have formed you; you are my servant: Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. -\q1 -\v 22 I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your rebellious deeds, and like a cloud, your sins; -\q1 return to me, for I have redeemed you. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 23 Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done this; shout, you depths of the earth. -\q1 Break out into singing, you mountains, you forest with every tree in it; -\q1 for Yahweh has redeemed Jacob, and will show his glory in Israel. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 24 This is what Yahweh says, your Redeemer, he who formed you from the womb: -\q1 "I am Yahweh, who made everything, -\q1 who alone stretched out the heavens, who alone fashioned the earth. -\q1 -\v 25 I who frustrate the omens of the empty talkers and who disgrace those who read omens; -\q1 I who overturn the wisdom of the wise and make their advice foolish. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 26 I, Yahweh, who confirmed the words of his servant and brings to pass the predictions of his messengers, -\q1 who says of Jerusalem, 'She will be inhabited,' and of the towns of Judah, 'They will be built again, and I will raise up their ruins'; -\q1 -\v 27 who says to the deep sea, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your currents.' - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 28 Yahweh is the one who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, he will do my every wish; he will decree about Jerusalem, 'She will be rebuilt,' and about the temple, 'Let its foundations be laid.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 45 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 This is what Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I hold, -\q1 in order to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, -\q1 and to open the doors before him, so that gates remain open: - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 2 "I will go before you and level the mountains; - \q1 I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut in pieces their iron bars, -\q1 -\v 3 and I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden away, -\q1 that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, I, the God of Israel. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my chosen, -\q1 I have called you by your name, giving you a title of honor, though you have not known me. -\q1 -\v 5 I am Yahweh, and there is no other; there is no God but me. -\q1 I will arm you for battle, though you have not known me; -\q1 -\v 6 that people may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is no god but me: -\q1 I am Yahweh, and there is no other. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 I form the light and create darkness; -\q1 I bring peace and create disaster; I am Yahweh, who does all these things. -\q1 -\v 8 You heavens, rain down from above! Let the skies rain down righteousness. -\q1 Let the earth absorb it, that salvation may sprout up, -\q1 and righteousness spring up together with it. I, Yahweh, have created them both. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 9 Woe to anyone who argues with the one who formed him, to him who is like any other earthen pot among all the earthen pots in the ground! -\q1 Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles on it'? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you fathering?' or to a woman, 'What are you giving birth to?' - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 11 This is what Yahweh says, the Holy One of Israel, his Maker: -\q1 'Why do you ask questions about what I will do for my children? Do you tell me what to do concerning the work of my hands?' - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 'I made the earth and created man on it. -\q1 It was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all the stars to appear. -\s5 -\q1 -\v 13 I stirred Cyrus up in righteousness, and I will smooth out all his paths. -\q1 He will build my city; he will let my exiled people go home, and not for price nor bribe,'" says Yahweh of hosts. - - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 This is what Yahweh says, -\q1 "The earnings of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush with the Sabeans, men of tall stature, -\q1 will be brought to you. They will be yours. They will follow after you, coming in chains. -\q1 They will bow down to you and plead with you saying, -\q1 'Surely God is with you, and there is no other except him.'" -\q1 -\v 15 Truly you are a God who hides yourself, God of Israel, Savior. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 16 They will all be ashamed and disgraced together; those who carve idols will walk in humiliation. -\q1 -\v 17 But Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation; -\q1 you will never again be ashamed or humiliated. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 This is what Yahweh says, who created the heavens, the true God -\q1 who created the earth and made it, who established it. -\q1 He created it, not as a waste, but designed it to be inhabited: -\q1 "I am Yahweh, and there is no other. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 19 I have not spoken in private, in some hidden place; -\q1 I did not say to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain!' -\q1 I am Yahweh, who speaks sincerely; I declare the things that are right. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 20 Assemble yourselves and come! Gather together, you refugees from among the nations! -\q1 They have no knowledge, those who carry carved images and pray to gods that cannot save. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 21 Come close and declare it to me, bring the evidence! Let them conspire together. -\q1 Who has shown this from long ago? Who announced it? -\q1 Was it not I, Yahweh? There is no God except me, a just God and a Savior; there is no one -besides me. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 22 Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; -\q1 for I am God, and there is no other. -\q1 -\v 23 By myself I swear, -\q1 speaking my just decree, and it will not turn back: -\q1 'To me every knee will bend, every tongue will swear. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 24 They will say of me, "In Yahweh alone are salvation and strength."'" -\q1 They will all be ashamed who are angry at him. -\q1 -\v 25 In Yahweh all the descendants of Israel will be justified; they will take pride in him. - - - + +\s5 +\c 44 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 Now listen, Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen: +\q1 +\v 2 This is what Yahweh says, he who made you and formed you in the womb +\q1 and who will help you: "Do not fear, Jacob my servant; and +you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty ground, and flowing streams on the dry ground; +\q1 I will pour my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your children. +\q1 +\v 4 They will spring up among the grass, like willows by the streams of water. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 One will say, 'I belong to Yahweh,' and another will call out the name of Jacob, +\q1 and another will write on his hand 'Belonging to Yahweh,' and name himself by the name of Israel." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 6 This is what Yahweh says—the King of Israel and his Redeemer, Yahweh of hosts: +\q1 "I am the first, and I am the last; and there is no God but me. +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 Who is like me? Let him announce it and explain to me +\q1 the events that occurred since I established my ancient people, and let them declare the events to come. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 8 Do not fear or be afraid. Have I not declared to you long ago, and announced it? +\q1 You are my witnesses: Is there any God besides me? There is no other Rock; I know of none." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 9 All who fashion idols are nothing; the things they delight in are worthless; +\q1 their witnesses cannot see or know anything, and they will be put to shame. +\q1 +\v 10 Who would form a god or cast an idol that is worthless? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 11 Look, all his associates will be put to shame; the craftsmen are only men. +\q1 Let them take their stand together; they will cower and be put to shame. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 The smith works with his tools, forming it, working over the coals. +\q1 He shapes it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. +\q1 He is hungry, and his strength wanes; he drinks no water and becomes faint. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 13 The carpenter measures the wood with a line, and marks it with a stylus. +\q1 He shapes it with his tools and marks it out with a compass. +\q1 He shapes it after the figure of a man, like an attractive human, so it may stay in a house. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 He cuts down cedars, or chooses a cypress tree or an oak tree. +\q1 He picks for himself trees in the forest. He plants a fir tree and the rain makes it grow. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 Then a man uses it for a fire and warms himself. Yes, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. +\q1 Then he makes from it a god and bows down to it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. +\q1 +\v 16 He burns part of the wood for the fire, roasting his meat over it. He eats and is satisfied. +\q1 He warms himself and says, "Ah, I am warm, I have seen the fire." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 17 With the rest of the wood he makes a god, his carved image; he bows down to it and reverences it, +\q1 and prays to it saying, "Rescue me, for you are my god." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 They do not know, nor do they understand, for their eyes are blind and cannot see, and their hearts cannot perceive. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 19 No one thinks, nor do they comprehend and say, +\q1 "I have burned part of the wood in the fire; yes, +I have also baked bread upon its coals. I have roasted meat over its coals and eaten. +\q1 Now should I make the other part of the wood into something disgusting to worship? Should I bow down to a block of wood?" + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 20 It is as if he were eating ashes; his deceived heart misleads him. He cannot rescue himself, nor does he say, "This thing in my right hand is a false god." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 21 Think about these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant: +\q1 I have formed you; you are my servant: Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. +\q1 +\v 22 I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your rebellious deeds, and like a cloud, your sins; +\q1 return to me, for I have redeemed you. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 23 Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done this; shout, you depths of the earth. +\q1 Break out into singing, you mountains, you forest with every tree in it; +\q1 for Yahweh has redeemed Jacob, and will show his glory in Israel. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 24 This is what Yahweh says, your Redeemer, he who formed you from the womb: +\q1 "I am Yahweh, who made everything, +\q1 who alone stretched out the heavens, who alone fashioned the earth. +\q1 +\v 25 I who frustrate the omens of the empty talkers and who disgrace those who read omens; +\q1 I who overturn the wisdom of the wise and make their advice foolish. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 26 I, Yahweh, who confirmed the words of his servant and brings to pass the predictions of his messengers, +\q1 who says of Jerusalem, 'She will be inhabited,' and of the towns of Judah, 'They will be built again, and I will raise up their ruins'; +\q1 +\v 27 who says to the deep sea, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your currents.' + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 28 Yahweh is the one who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, he will do my every wish; he will decree about Jerusalem, 'She will be rebuilt,' and about the temple, 'Let its foundations be laid.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 45 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 This is what Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I hold, +\q1 in order to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, +\q1 and to open the doors before him, so that gates remain open: + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 2 "I will go before you and level the mountains; + \q1 I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut in pieces their iron bars, +\q1 +\v 3 and I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden away, +\q1 that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, I, the God of Israel. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my chosen, +\q1 I have called you by your name, giving you a title of honor, though you have not known me. +\q1 +\v 5 I am Yahweh, and there is no other; there is no God but me. +\q1 I will arm you for battle, though you have not known me; +\q1 +\v 6 that people may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is no god but me: +\q1 I am Yahweh, and there is no other. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 I form the light and create darkness; +\q1 I bring peace and create disaster; I am Yahweh, who does all these things. +\q1 +\v 8 You heavens, rain down from above! Let the skies rain down righteousness. +\q1 Let the earth absorb it, that salvation may sprout up, +\q1 and righteousness spring up together with it. I, Yahweh, have created them both. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 9 Woe to anyone who argues with the one who formed him, to him who is like any other earthen pot among all the earthen pots in the ground! +\q1 Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles on it'? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you fathering?' or to a woman, 'What are you giving birth to?' + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 11 This is what Yahweh says, the Holy One of Israel, his Maker: +\q1 'Why do you ask questions about what I will do for my children? Do you tell me what to do concerning the work of my hands?' + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 'I made the earth and created man on it. +\q1 It was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all the stars to appear. +\s5 +\q1 +\v 13 I stirred Cyrus up in righteousness, and I will smooth out all his paths. +\q1 He will build my city; he will let my exiled people go home, and not for price nor bribe,'" says Yahweh of hosts. + + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 This is what Yahweh says, +\q1 "The earnings of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush with the Sabeans, men of tall stature, +\q1 will be brought to you. They will be yours. They will follow after you, coming in chains. +\q1 They will bow down to you and plead with you saying, +\q1 'Surely God is with you, and there is no other except him.'" +\q1 +\v 15 Truly you are a God who hides yourself, God of Israel, Savior. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 16 They will all be ashamed and disgraced together; those who carve idols will walk in humiliation. +\q1 +\v 17 But Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation; +\q1 you will never again be ashamed or humiliated. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 This is what Yahweh says, who created the heavens, the true God +\q1 who created the earth and made it, who established it. +\q1 He created it, not as a waste, but designed it to be inhabited: +\q1 "I am Yahweh, and there is no other. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 19 I have not spoken in private, in some hidden place; +\q1 I did not say to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain!' +\q1 I am Yahweh, who speaks sincerely; I declare the things that are right. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 20 Assemble yourselves and come! Gather together, you refugees from among the nations! +\q1 They have no knowledge, those who carry carved images and pray to gods that cannot save. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 21 Come close and declare it to me, bring the evidence! Let them conspire together. +\q1 Who has shown this from long ago? Who announced it? +\q1 Was it not I, Yahweh? There is no God except me, a just God and a Savior; there is no one +besides me. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 22 Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; +\q1 for I am God, and there is no other. +\q1 +\v 23 By myself I swear, +\q1 speaking my just decree, and it will not turn back: +\q1 'To me every knee will bend, every tongue will swear. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 24 They will say of me, "In Yahweh alone are salvation and strength."'" +\q1 They will all be ashamed who are angry at him. +\q1 +\v 25 In Yahweh all the descendants of Israel will be justified; they will take pride in him. + + + \s5 \c 46 @@ -4801,99 +4801,99 @@ go before you, and the glory of Yahweh would be your rearguard. - -\s5 -\c 59 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 Look, Yahweh's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor his ear so dull, that it cannot hear. -\q1 -\v 2 Your sinful acts, however, have separated you from your God, -\q1 and your sins have made him hide his face from you and from hearing you. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 3 For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with sin. -\q1 Your lips speak lies and your tongue speaks -maliciously. -\q1 -\v 4 No one calls in righteousness, and none pleads his case in truth. -\q1 They trust in empty words, and tell lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to sin. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 They hatch eggs of a poisonous snake and weave a spider's web. -\q1 Whoever eats of their eggs dies, and if an egg is crushed, it hatches into a poisonous snake. -\q1 -\v 6 Their webs cannot be used for garments, nor can they cover themselves with their works. -\q1 Their works are works of sin, and deeds of violence are in their hands. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 Their feet run to evil, and they run to pour out innocent blood. -\q1 Their thoughts are thoughts of sin; violence -and destruction are their roads. -\q1 -\v 8 The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths. -\q1 They have made crooked paths; whoever -travels these paths does not know peace. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 9 Therefore justice is far from us, nor does righteousness reach us. -\q1 We wait for light, but see darkness; we look for brightness, but we walk in darkness. -\q1 -\v 10 We grope for the wall like the blind, like those who cannot see. -\q1 We stumble at noonday as in the twilight; -among the strong we are like dead men. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 11 We growl like bears and moan like doves; -\q1 we wait for justice, but there is none; for rescue, but it is far from us. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 For our many transgressions are before you, and our sins testify against us; -\q1 for our transgressions are with us, and we know our sins. -\q1 -\v 13 We have rebelled, denying Yahweh and turning away from following our God. -\q1 We have spoken extortion and turning aside, conceived complaining from the heart and words of lying. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 Justice is driven back, and righteousness stands far off; -\q1 for truth stumbles in the public square, and right cannot come. -\q1 -\v 15 Trustworthiness has gone away, and he who turns away from evil makes himself a victim. -\q1 Yahweh saw it and was displeased that there was no justice. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intervene. -\q1 Therefore his own arm brought salvation -for him, and his righteousness sustained him. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation upon his head. -\q1 He clothed himself with garments of vengeance and wore zeal as a mantle. -\q1 -\v 18 He repaid them for what they had done, angry judgment to his adversaries, vengeance to his enemies, to the islands punishment as their reward. - - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 19 So they will fear the name of Yahweh from the west, and his glory from the sun's rising; for he will come as a -rushing stream, driven by the breath of Yahweh. -\q1 -\v 20 "A redeemer will come to Zion and to those who turn from their rebellious deeds in Jacob—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 21 As for me, this is my covenant with them—says Yahweh—my spirit who is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, will not leave your mouth, or go out of the mouth of your children, or go out of the mouth of your children's children—says Yahweh—from this time and forever." - - - + +\s5 +\c 59 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 Look, Yahweh's hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor his ear so dull, that it cannot hear. +\q1 +\v 2 Your sinful acts, however, have separated you from your God, +\q1 and your sins have made him hide his face from you and from hearing you. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 3 For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with sin. +\q1 Your lips speak lies and your tongue speaks +maliciously. +\q1 +\v 4 No one calls in righteousness, and none pleads his case in truth. +\q1 They trust in empty words, and tell lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to sin. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 They hatch eggs of a poisonous snake and weave a spider's web. +\q1 Whoever eats of their eggs dies, and if an egg is crushed, it hatches into a poisonous snake. +\q1 +\v 6 Their webs cannot be used for garments, nor can they cover themselves with their works. +\q1 Their works are works of sin, and deeds of violence are in their hands. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 Their feet run to evil, and they run to pour out innocent blood. +\q1 Their thoughts are thoughts of sin; violence +and destruction are their roads. +\q1 +\v 8 The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths. +\q1 They have made crooked paths; whoever +travels these paths does not know peace. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 9 Therefore justice is far from us, nor does righteousness reach us. +\q1 We wait for light, but see darkness; we look for brightness, but we walk in darkness. +\q1 +\v 10 We grope for the wall like the blind, like those who cannot see. +\q1 We stumble at noonday as in the twilight; +among the strong we are like dead men. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 11 We growl like bears and moan like doves; +\q1 we wait for justice, but there is none; for rescue, but it is far from us. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 For our many transgressions are before you, and our sins testify against us; +\q1 for our transgressions are with us, and we know our sins. +\q1 +\v 13 We have rebelled, denying Yahweh and turning away from following our God. +\q1 We have spoken extortion and turning aside, conceived complaining from the heart and words of lying. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 Justice is driven back, and righteousness stands far off; +\q1 for truth stumbles in the public square, and right cannot come. +\q1 +\v 15 Trustworthiness has gone away, and he who turns away from evil makes himself a victim. +\q1 Yahweh saw it and was displeased that there was no justice. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intervene. +\q1 Therefore his own arm brought salvation +for him, and his righteousness sustained him. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation upon his head. +\q1 He clothed himself with garments of vengeance and wore zeal as a mantle. +\q1 +\v 18 He repaid them for what they had done, angry judgment to his adversaries, vengeance to his enemies, to the islands punishment as their reward. + + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 19 So they will fear the name of Yahweh from the west, and his glory from the sun's rising; for he will come as a +rushing stream, driven by the breath of Yahweh. +\q1 +\v 20 "A redeemer will come to Zion and to those who turn from their rebellious deeds in Jacob—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 21 As for me, this is my covenant with them—says Yahweh—my spirit who is upon you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, will not leave your mouth, or go out of the mouth of your children, or go out of the mouth of your children's children—says Yahweh—from this time and forever." + + + \s5 @@ -5049,155 +5049,155 @@ sent me to heal the brokenhearted, - -\s5 -\c 62 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 For Zion's sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, -\q1 until her righteousness proceeds -brightly, and her salvation as a burning torch. -\q1 -\v 2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. -\q1 You will be called by a new name that Yahweh will choose. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Yahweh, and a turban of kingship in the hand of your God. -\q1 -\v 4 It will no more be said of you, "Abandoned"; nor of your land any longer will it be said, "Desolate." -\q1 Indeed, you will be called "My delight is in her," and your land "Married," -\q1 for Yahweh delights in you, and your land will be married. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 Truly, as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you, -\q1 and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, your God will rejoice over you. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 6 I have put watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; -\q1 they are not silent day or night. -\q1 You who keep reminding Yahweh, do not pause. -\q1 -\v 7 Do not allow him to rest until he reestablishes -\q1 Jerusalem and makes it a praise on earth. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 8 Yahweh has sworn by his right hand and by the arm of his strength, -\q1 "Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies. -\q1 Foreigners will not drink your new wine, for which you have worked. -\q1 -\v 9 For those who harvest the grain will eat it and praise Yahweh, -\q1 and those who pick the grapes will drink the wine in the courts of my holy sanctuary." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 Come through, come through the gates! Prepare the way for the people! -\q1 Build it, build the highway! Gather out the stones! -\q1 Raise up a signal flag for the nations! - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 11 Look, Yahweh announces to the ends of the earth, -\q1 "Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your Savior is coming! -\q1 See, his reward is with him, and his recompense is going before him." -\q1 -\v 12 They will call you, "The holy people; the redeemed of Yahweh," and you will be called "Sought after; a city not abandoned." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 63 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 Who is this who comes from Edom, clothed in red from Bozrah? -\q1 Who is he in royal clothing, marching confidently because of his great strength? -\q1 It is I, speaking righteousness and powerfully able to save. - \q1 -\v 2 Why are your clothes red, and why do they look like you have been treading grapes in a winepress? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 3 I have trodden grapes in the winepress alone, and no one from the nations joined me. -\q1 I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my fury. -\q1 Their blood is spattered on my clothes and stained all my clothes. -\q1 -\v 4 For I looked forward to the day of vengeance, and the year for my redemption had arrived. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 I looked, and there was no one to help. I wondered that there was none to help, -\q1 but my own arm brought victory for me, and my strong anger drove me on. -\q1 -\v 6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger and made them drunk in my wrath, -\q1 and I poured out their blood on the earth. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 I will tell of the acts of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness, the praiseworthy deeds of Yahweh. -\q1 I will tell of all that Yahweh has done for us, and of his great goodness to the house of Israel. -\q1 This compassion he has shown us because of his mercy, and with many deeds of covenant faithfulness. -\q1 -\v 8 For he said, "For certain they are my people, children who are not disloyal." -\q1 He became their Savior. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 9 Through all their suffering, -\q1 he suffered too, and the angel from his presence saved them. -\q1 In his love and mercy he saved them, -\q1 and he lifted them up and carried them through all the ancient times. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. -\q1 So he became their enemy and fought against them. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 11 His people thought about the ancient times of Moses. -\q1 They said, "Where is God, who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? -\q1 Where is God, who put his Holy Spirit among them? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 Where is God, who made his glorious power go with the right hand of Moses, -\q1 and divided the water before them, to make an everlasting name for himself? -\q1 -\v 13 Where is God, who led them through the deep water? Like a horse running on flat land, they did not stumble. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 As the cattle that go down into the valley, the Spirit of Yahweh gave them rest. -\q1 So you led your people, to make yourself a name of praise. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 Look down from heaven and take notice from your holy and glorious habitation. -\q1 Where are your zeal and your mighty acts? -\q1 Your pity and your compassionate actions are kept from us. -\q1 -\v 16 For you are our father, -\q1 though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not recognize us, -\q1 you, Yahweh, are our father. 'Our Redeemer' has been your name from ancient times. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 17 Yahweh, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts, so we do not obey you? -\q1 Return for your servants' sake, the tribes of your inheritance. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 18 Your people possessed your holy place for a short time, but then our enemies trampled it. -\q1 -\v 19 We have become like those over whom you never ruled, like those who were never called by your name." - - - + +\s5 +\c 62 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 For Zion's sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not be quiet, +\q1 until her righteousness proceeds +brightly, and her salvation as a burning torch. +\q1 +\v 2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. +\q1 You will be called by a new name that Yahweh will choose. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 3 You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Yahweh, and a turban of kingship in the hand of your God. +\q1 +\v 4 It will no more be said of you, "Abandoned"; nor of your land any longer will it be said, "Desolate." +\q1 Indeed, you will be called "My delight is in her," and your land "Married," +\q1 for Yahweh delights in you, and your land will be married. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 Truly, as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you, +\q1 and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, your God will rejoice over you. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 6 I have put watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; +\q1 they are not silent day or night. +\q1 You who keep reminding Yahweh, do not pause. +\q1 +\v 7 Do not allow him to rest until he reestablishes +\q1 Jerusalem and makes it a praise on earth. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 8 Yahweh has sworn by his right hand and by the arm of his strength, +\q1 "Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies. +\q1 Foreigners will not drink your new wine, for which you have worked. +\q1 +\v 9 For those who harvest the grain will eat it and praise Yahweh, +\q1 and those who pick the grapes will drink the wine in the courts of my holy sanctuary." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 Come through, come through the gates! Prepare the way for the people! +\q1 Build it, build the highway! Gather out the stones! +\q1 Raise up a signal flag for the nations! + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 11 Look, Yahweh announces to the ends of the earth, +\q1 "Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your Savior is coming! +\q1 See, his reward is with him, and his recompense is going before him." +\q1 +\v 12 They will call you, "The holy people; the redeemed of Yahweh," and you will be called "Sought after; a city not abandoned." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 63 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 Who is this who comes from Edom, clothed in red from Bozrah? +\q1 Who is he in royal clothing, marching confidently because of his great strength? +\q1 It is I, speaking righteousness and powerfully able to save. + \q1 +\v 2 Why are your clothes red, and why do they look like you have been treading grapes in a winepress? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 3 I have trodden grapes in the winepress alone, and no one from the nations joined me. +\q1 I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my fury. +\q1 Their blood is spattered on my clothes and stained all my clothes. +\q1 +\v 4 For I looked forward to the day of vengeance, and the year for my redemption had arrived. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 I looked, and there was no one to help. I wondered that there was none to help, +\q1 but my own arm brought victory for me, and my strong anger drove me on. +\q1 +\v 6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger and made them drunk in my wrath, +\q1 and I poured out their blood on the earth. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 I will tell of the acts of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness, the praiseworthy deeds of Yahweh. +\q1 I will tell of all that Yahweh has done for us, and of his great goodness to the house of Israel. +\q1 This compassion he has shown us because of his mercy, and with many deeds of covenant faithfulness. +\q1 +\v 8 For he said, "For certain they are my people, children who are not disloyal." +\q1 He became their Savior. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 9 Through all their suffering, +\q1 he suffered too, and the angel from his presence saved them. +\q1 In his love and mercy he saved them, +\q1 and he lifted them up and carried them through all the ancient times. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. +\q1 So he became their enemy and fought against them. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 11 His people thought about the ancient times of Moses. +\q1 They said, "Where is God, who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? +\q1 Where is God, who put his Holy Spirit among them? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 Where is God, who made his glorious power go with the right hand of Moses, +\q1 and divided the water before them, to make an everlasting name for himself? +\q1 +\v 13 Where is God, who led them through the deep water? Like a horse running on flat land, they did not stumble. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 As the cattle that go down into the valley, the Spirit of Yahweh gave them rest. +\q1 So you led your people, to make yourself a name of praise. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 Look down from heaven and take notice from your holy and glorious habitation. +\q1 Where are your zeal and your mighty acts? +\q1 Your pity and your compassionate actions are kept from us. +\q1 +\v 16 For you are our father, +\q1 though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not recognize us, +\q1 you, Yahweh, are our father. 'Our Redeemer' has been your name from ancient times. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 17 Yahweh, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts, so we do not obey you? +\q1 Return for your servants' sake, the tribes of your inheritance. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 18 Your people possessed your holy place for a short time, but then our enemies trampled it. +\q1 +\v 19 We have become like those over whom you never ruled, like those who were never called by your name." + + + \s5 @@ -5252,236 +5252,236 @@ leaves; our iniquities, like the wind, carry us away. - -\s5 -\c 65 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 "I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek. -\q1 I said, 'Here I am! Here I am!' to a nation that did not call on my name. -\q1 -\v 2 I have spread out my hands all day to a stubborn people, -\q1 who walk in a way that is not good, who have walked after their own thoughts and plans! - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 3 They are a people who continually offend me, -\q1 offering sacrifices in gardens, and burning incense on brick tiles. -\q1 -\v 4 They sit among the graves and keep watch all night, -\q1 and eat pork with the broth of foul meat in -their dishes. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 They say, 'Stand away, do not come near to me, for I am holier than you.' -\q1 These things are smoke in my nose, a fire that -burns all day long. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 6 Look, it is written before me: -\q1 I will not keep quiet, for I will pay them back; I will repay them into their laps, -\q1 -\v 7 for their sins and the sins of their fathers together," says Yahweh. -\q1 "I will repay them for burning incense on the mountains and for mocking me on the hills. -\q1 I will therefore measure out their past deeds into their laps." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 8 This is what Yahweh says, "As when juice is found in a cluster of grapes, -\q1 when one says, 'Do not ruin it, for there is good in it,' -\q1 this is what I will do for my servants' sake: I will not ruin them all. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 9 I will bring descendants from Jacob, and from Judah ones who will possess my mountains. -\q1 My chosen ones will possess the land, and my servants will live there. -\q1 -\v 10 Sharon will become a pasture for the flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, -\q1 for my people who seek me. - - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 11 But you who abandon Yahweh, who forget my holy mountain, -\q1 who prepare a table for the god Fortune, -\q1 and fill wine glasses of mingled wine for the god called Destiny. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bow down to the slaughter, -\q1 because when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen. -\q1 But you did what was evil in my sight and and chose to do what displeases me." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 13 This is what the Lord Yahweh says, -\q1 "Look, my servants will eat, but you will be hungry; -\q1 look, my servants will drink, but you will be thirsty; -\q1 look, my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. -\q1 -\v 14 Look, my servants will shout with joy because of gladness of heart, -\q1 but you will cry because of the pain of the heart, and will wail because of the crushing of the spirit. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 You will leave behind your name as a curse for my chosen ones to speak; I, the Lord Yahweh, will kill you; -\q1 I will call my servants by another name. -\q1 -\v 16 Whoever pronounces a blessing on the earth will be blessed by me, the God of truth. -\q1 Whoever takes an oath on the earth -will swear by me, the God of truth, -\q1 because the former troubles will be forgotten, for they will be hidden from my eyes. -\s5 -\q1 -\p -\v 17 For see, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; -\q1 and the former things will not be remembered or be brought to mind. -\q1 -\v 18 But you will be glad and rejoice forever in what I am about to create. See, I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and her people as a delight. -\q1 -\v 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and be glad over my people; -\q1 weeping and cries of distress will no longer be heard in her. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 20 Never again will an infant live there only a few days; -\q1 nor will an old man die before his time. -\q1 One who dies at one hundred years old will be considered a young person. -\q1 Anyone who fails to reach the age of one hundred years old will be considered cursed. -\q1 -\v 21 They will build houses and inhabit them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 22 No longer will they build a house and another live in it; they will not plant, and another eat; -\q1 for as the days of trees will be the days of my people. My chosen will fully outlive the work of their hands. -\q1 -\v 23 They will not labor in vain, nor give birth to dismay. -\q1 For they are the children of those blessed by Yahweh, and their descendants with them. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 24 Before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. -\q1 -\v 25 The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; -\q1 but dust will be the serpent's food. -\q1 They will no longer hurt nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says Yahweh. - - - - -\s5 -\c 66 -\m -\q1 -\v 1 This is what Yahweh says, -\q1 "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where then is the house you will build for me? Where is the place where I may rest? - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 2 My hand has made all these things; that is how these things came to be—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q1 This is the man of whom I approve, the broken and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 3 He who slaughters an ox also murders a man; he who sacrifices a lamb also breaks a dog's neck; -\q1 he who offers a grain offering offers swine's blood; he who offers a memorial of incense also blesses wickedness. -\q1 They have chosen their own ways, and they take pleasure in their abominations. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 4 In the same way I will choose their own punishment; I will bring on them what they fear, -\q1 because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, no one listened. -\q1 They did what was evil in my sight, and chose to do what displeases me." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 Hear the word of Yahweh, you who tremble at his word, -\q1 "Your brothers who hate and exclude you for my name's sake have said, -\q1 'May Yahweh be glorified, then we will see your joy,' -\q1 but they will be put to shame. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 6 A sound of battle tumult comes from the city, a sound from the temple, -\q1 the sound of Yahweh paying back his enemies. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 7 Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; -\q1 before pain is upon her, she gave birth to a son. -\q1 -\v 8 Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? -\q1 Will a land be born in one day? Can a nation be established in one moment? -\q1 Yet as soon as Zion goes into labor, she gives birth to her children. - -\s5 -\v 9 Do I bring a baby to the birth opening and not permit the child to be born?—asks Yahweh. -\q1 Or do I bring a child to moment of delivery and then hold it back?—asks your God." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 10 Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; -\q1 rejoice with her, all you who mourned over -her! -\q1 -\v 11 For you will nurse and be satisfied; with her breasts you will be comforted; -\q1 for you will drink them to the full and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 This is what Yahweh says, -\q1 "I am about to spread prosperity over her like a river, -\q1 and the riches of the nations like an overflowing -stream. -\q1 You will nurse at her side, be carried in her arms, and be dandled on her knees. -\q1 -\v 13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you, and you will be comforted in Jerusalem." - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 14 You will see this, and your heart will rejoice, and your bones will sprout like the tender grass. -\q1 The hand of Yahweh will be made known to his servants, but he will show his anger against his enemies. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 15 For look, Yahweh is coming with fire, and his chariots are coming like the windstorm -\q1 to bring the heat of his anger and his rebuke with flames of fire. -\q1 -\v 16 For Yahweh executes judgment on mankind by fire and with his sword. Those killed by Yahweh will be many. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 17 They consecrate themselves and make themselves pure, so they may enter the gardens, following the one in the middle of those who -\q1 eat the flesh of pig and abominable things like mice. -\f + \ft This verse is very difficult, and modern versions provide various interpretations. \f* -\q1 "They will come to an end—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 For I know their deeds and their thoughts. The time is coming when I will gather all nations and languages. They will come and will see my glory. -\f + \ft This verse is very difficult, and modern versions provide various interpretations. \f* -\v 19 I will set a mighty sign among them. Then I will send survivors from them to the nations: To Tarshish, Put, and Lud, archers who draw their bows, to Tubal, Javan, and to the distant coastlands where they have not heard about me nor seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. - -\s5 -\v 20 They will bring back all your brothers out of all the nations, as an offering to Yahweh. They will come on horses, and in chariots, in wagons, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem—says Yahweh. For the people of Israel will bring a grain offering in a clean vessel into the house of Yahweh. -\q1 -\v 21 Some of these I will even choose as priests and Levites—says Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 22 For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I will make -\q1 will remain before me—this is Yahweh's declaration—so your descendants will remain, and your name will remain. -\q1 -\v 23 From one month to the next, and from one Sabbath to the next, -\q1 all people will come to bow down to me—says Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 24 They will go out and see the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me, -\q1 for the worms that eat them will not die, and the fire that consumes them will not be quenched; -\q1 and it will be an abhorrence to all flesh." - - + +\s5 +\c 65 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 "I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek. +\q1 I said, 'Here I am! Here I am!' to a nation that did not call on my name. +\q1 +\v 2 I have spread out my hands all day to a stubborn people, +\q1 who walk in a way that is not good, who have walked after their own thoughts and plans! + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 3 They are a people who continually offend me, +\q1 offering sacrifices in gardens, and burning incense on brick tiles. +\q1 +\v 4 They sit among the graves and keep watch all night, +\q1 and eat pork with the broth of foul meat in +their dishes. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 They say, 'Stand away, do not come near to me, for I am holier than you.' +\q1 These things are smoke in my nose, a fire that +burns all day long. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 6 Look, it is written before me: +\q1 I will not keep quiet, for I will pay them back; I will repay them into their laps, +\q1 +\v 7 for their sins and the sins of their fathers together," says Yahweh. +\q1 "I will repay them for burning incense on the mountains and for mocking me on the hills. +\q1 I will therefore measure out their past deeds into their laps." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 8 This is what Yahweh says, "As when juice is found in a cluster of grapes, +\q1 when one says, 'Do not ruin it, for there is good in it,' +\q1 this is what I will do for my servants' sake: I will not ruin them all. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 9 I will bring descendants from Jacob, and from Judah ones who will possess my mountains. +\q1 My chosen ones will possess the land, and my servants will live there. +\q1 +\v 10 Sharon will become a pasture for the flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, +\q1 for my people who seek me. + + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 11 But you who abandon Yahweh, who forget my holy mountain, +\q1 who prepare a table for the god Fortune, +\q1 and fill wine glasses of mingled wine for the god called Destiny. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bow down to the slaughter, +\q1 because when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen. +\q1 But you did what was evil in my sight and and chose to do what displeases me." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 13 This is what the Lord Yahweh says, +\q1 "Look, my servants will eat, but you will be hungry; +\q1 look, my servants will drink, but you will be thirsty; +\q1 look, my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. +\q1 +\v 14 Look, my servants will shout with joy because of gladness of heart, +\q1 but you will cry because of the pain of the heart, and will wail because of the crushing of the spirit. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 You will leave behind your name as a curse for my chosen ones to speak; I, the Lord Yahweh, will kill you; +\q1 I will call my servants by another name. +\q1 +\v 16 Whoever pronounces a blessing on the earth will be blessed by me, the God of truth. +\q1 Whoever takes an oath on the earth +will swear by me, the God of truth, +\q1 because the former troubles will be forgotten, for they will be hidden from my eyes. +\s5 +\q1 +\p +\v 17 For see, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; +\q1 and the former things will not be remembered or be brought to mind. +\q1 +\v 18 But you will be glad and rejoice forever in what I am about to create. See, I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and her people as a delight. +\q1 +\v 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and be glad over my people; +\q1 weeping and cries of distress will no longer be heard in her. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 20 Never again will an infant live there only a few days; +\q1 nor will an old man die before his time. +\q1 One who dies at one hundred years old will be considered a young person. +\q1 Anyone who fails to reach the age of one hundred years old will be considered cursed. +\q1 +\v 21 They will build houses and inhabit them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 22 No longer will they build a house and another live in it; they will not plant, and another eat; +\q1 for as the days of trees will be the days of my people. My chosen will fully outlive the work of their hands. +\q1 +\v 23 They will not labor in vain, nor give birth to dismay. +\q1 For they are the children of those blessed by Yahweh, and their descendants with them. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 24 Before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. +\q1 +\v 25 The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; +\q1 but dust will be the serpent's food. +\q1 They will no longer hurt nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says Yahweh. + + + + +\s5 +\c 66 +\m +\q1 +\v 1 This is what Yahweh says, +\q1 "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where then is the house you will build for me? Where is the place where I may rest? + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 2 My hand has made all these things; that is how these things came to be—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q1 This is the man of whom I approve, the broken and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 3 He who slaughters an ox also murders a man; he who sacrifices a lamb also breaks a dog's neck; +\q1 he who offers a grain offering offers swine's blood; he who offers a memorial of incense also blesses wickedness. +\q1 They have chosen their own ways, and they take pleasure in their abominations. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 4 In the same way I will choose their own punishment; I will bring on them what they fear, +\q1 because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, no one listened. +\q1 They did what was evil in my sight, and chose to do what displeases me." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 Hear the word of Yahweh, you who tremble at his word, +\q1 "Your brothers who hate and exclude you for my name's sake have said, +\q1 'May Yahweh be glorified, then we will see your joy,' +\q1 but they will be put to shame. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 6 A sound of battle tumult comes from the city, a sound from the temple, +\q1 the sound of Yahweh paying back his enemies. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 7 Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; +\q1 before pain is upon her, she gave birth to a son. +\q1 +\v 8 Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? +\q1 Will a land be born in one day? Can a nation be established in one moment? +\q1 Yet as soon as Zion goes into labor, she gives birth to her children. + +\s5 +\v 9 Do I bring a baby to the birth opening and not permit the child to be born?—asks Yahweh. +\q1 Or do I bring a child to moment of delivery and then hold it back?—asks your God." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 10 Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; +\q1 rejoice with her, all you who mourned over +her! +\q1 +\v 11 For you will nurse and be satisfied; with her breasts you will be comforted; +\q1 for you will drink them to the full and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 This is what Yahweh says, +\q1 "I am about to spread prosperity over her like a river, +\q1 and the riches of the nations like an overflowing +stream. +\q1 You will nurse at her side, be carried in her arms, and be dandled on her knees. +\q1 +\v 13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you, and you will be comforted in Jerusalem." + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 14 You will see this, and your heart will rejoice, and your bones will sprout like the tender grass. +\q1 The hand of Yahweh will be made known to his servants, but he will show his anger against his enemies. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 15 For look, Yahweh is coming with fire, and his chariots are coming like the windstorm +\q1 to bring the heat of his anger and his rebuke with flames of fire. +\q1 +\v 16 For Yahweh executes judgment on mankind by fire and with his sword. Those killed by Yahweh will be many. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 17 They consecrate themselves and make themselves pure, so they may enter the gardens, following the one in the middle of those who +\q1 eat the flesh of pig and abominable things like mice. +\f + \ft This verse is very difficult, and modern versions provide various interpretations. \f* +\q1 "They will come to an end—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 For I know their deeds and their thoughts. The time is coming when I will gather all nations and languages. They will come and will see my glory. +\f + \ft This verse is very difficult, and modern versions provide various interpretations. \f* +\v 19 I will set a mighty sign among them. Then I will send survivors from them to the nations: To Tarshish, Put, and Lud, archers who draw their bows, to Tubal, Javan, and to the distant coastlands where they have not heard about me nor seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. + +\s5 +\v 20 They will bring back all your brothers out of all the nations, as an offering to Yahweh. They will come on horses, and in chariots, in wagons, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem—says Yahweh. For the people of Israel will bring a grain offering in a clean vessel into the house of Yahweh. +\q1 +\v 21 Some of these I will even choose as priests and Levites—says Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 22 For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I will make +\q1 will remain before me—this is Yahweh's declaration—so your descendants will remain, and your name will remain. +\q1 +\v 23 From one month to the next, and from one Sabbath to the next, +\q1 all people will come to bow down to me—says Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 24 They will go out and see the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me, +\q1 for the worms that eat them will not die, and the fire that consumes them will not be quenched; +\q1 and it will be an abhorrence to all flesh." + + diff --git a/24-JER.usfm b/24-JER.usfm index ff607ae8..096fe64b 100644 --- a/24-JER.usfm +++ b/24-JER.usfm @@ -4,4079 +4,4079 @@ \toc1 The Book of Jeremiah \toc2 Jeremiah \toc3 Jer -\mt Jeremiah \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. -\v 2 The word of Yahweh came to him in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. -\v 3 It also came in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem were taken away as prisoners. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\q -\v 5 "Before I formed you in the womb, I chose you; -\q before you came out from the womb I set you apart; I made you a prophet to the nations." -\p -\v 6 "Ah, Lord Yahweh!" I said, "I do not know how to speak, for I am too young." - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 But Yahweh said to me, -\q "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go everywhere I send you, -\q and you must say whatever I command you! -\q -\v 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to rescue you—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Yahweh reached out with his hand, touched my mouth, and said to me, "Now, I have placed my word in your mouth. -\q -\v 10 I am appointing you today over nations and over kingdoms, -\q to uproot and break down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "I see an almond branch." -\v 12 Yahweh said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to carry it out." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 The word of Yahweh came to me a second time, saying, "What do you see?" I said, "I see a heated pot, whose surface is churning, tipping away from the north." -\v 14 Yahweh said to me, "Disaster will be opened up out of the north on all who live in this land. - -\s5 -\v 15 For I am calling all the tribes of the northern kingdoms, declares Yahweh. They will come, and everyone will set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all the walls that surround it, and against all the cities of Judah. -\v 16 I will pronounce sentence against them for all their evil in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods, and in worshiping what they made with their own hands. - -\s5 -\v 17 Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be shattered before them, or I will shatter you before them! -\v 18 Behold! Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. -\v 19 They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you, for I will be with you to rescue you—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\q -\v 2 "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem. Say, 'Yahweh says this: -\q I have called to mind on your behalf the covenant faithfulness in your youthfulness, your love at the time when we were engaged, -\q when you went after me in the wilderness, the land that was not sown. -\q -\v 3 Israel was set apart to Yahweh, the firstfruits of his harvest! -\q All who ate from the firstfruits were held guilty; disaster came upon them—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Hear the word of Yahweh, house of Jacob, all you clans of the house of Israel. -\q -\v 5 Yahweh says this, "What did your fathers find wrong with me, that they went far from following me? -\q That they went after useless idols and became useless themselves? -\q -\v 6 They did not say, 'Where is Yahweh, who brought us up from the land of Egypt? -\q Where is Yahweh, who led us to the wilderness, into the land of the Arabah and pits, -\q in a land of drought and deep darkness, -\q a land through which no one passes and where no one lives?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 But I brought you to the land of Carmel, to eat its fruit and other good things! -\q Yet when you came, you defiled my land, you made my inheritance an abomination! -\q -\v 8 The priest did not say, 'Where is Yahweh?' and the experts in the law did not care about me! -\q The shepherds transgressed against me. The prophets prophesied for Baal and walked after unprofitable things. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 So I will still accuse you—this is Yahweh's declaration—and I will accuse your sons' sons. -\q -\v 10 For cross over to the coasts of Kittim and look. Send messengers out to Kedar and find out -\q and see if there has ever before been anything like this. -\q -\v 11 Has a nation exchanged gods, even though they were not gods? -\q But my people have exchanged their glory for what cannot help them. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa their glory \fqa* , some ancient copies have \fqa my glory \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Shudder, heavens, because of this! Be shocked and horrified—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 13 For my people have committed two evils against me: They have abandoned the springs of living waters, -\q and they have dug out cisterns for themselves, -\q broken cisterns that cannot hold water. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Is Israel a slave? Was he born in his master's home? So why has he become plunder? -\q -\v 15 Young lions roared against him. They made a lot of noise and made his land a horror. -\q His cities are destroyed without any inhabitants. -\q -\v 16 Also, the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes will shave your skull. - -\q -\v 17 Did you not do this to yourselves -\q when you abandoned Yahweh your God, while he was leading you along the way? - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 So now, why take the road to Egypt and drink the waters of Shihor? -\q Why take the road to Assyria and drink the waters of the Euphrates River? -\q -\v 19 Your wickedness rebukes you, and your faithlessness punishes you. So think about it and understand that it is wicked and bitter -\q when you forsake Yahweh your God, and have no fear of me—this is the declaration of Lord Yahweh of hosts. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 For I broke your yoke that you had in ancient days; I tore your fetters off you. Still you said, -\q 'I will not serve!' since you bowed down on every high hill and beneath every leafy tree, you adulterer. -\q -\v 21 I planted you as a choice vine, completely from pure seed. -\q How then have you have changed yourself into a corrupt, worthless vine? -\q -\v 22 For even if you clean yourself in the river or wash with strong soap, -\q your iniquity is a stain before me—this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 How can you say, 'I am not defiled! I have not walked after the Baals'? -\q Look at what you did in the valleys! Consider what you have done—you are a swift female camel running here and there, -\q -\v 24 a wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! -\q Who can restrain her lust? None of the males need wear themselves out pursuing her; at mating time they will find her. -\q -\v 25 You must restrain your feet from becoming bare and your throat from being thirsty! -\q But you have said, 'It is hopeless! No, I love strangers and go after them!' - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Like the shame of a thief when he is found, so the house of Israel will be ashamed— -\q they, their kings, their princes, and their priests and prophets! -\q -\v 27 These are the ones who say to the tree, 'You are my father,' and to the stone, 'You gave birth to me.' -\q For their back faces me and not their faces. Nevertheless, they say in the time of troubles, 'Arise and save us!' -\q -\v 28 Yet where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them arise if they wish to save you in your time of troubles, -\q for your idols equal your cities in number, Judah! - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 So why do you accuse me of doing wrong? All of you have sinned against me—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 30 I have punished your people in vain. They would not accept discipline. -\q Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destructive lion! -\q -\v 31 You who belong to this generation! Pay attention to my word, the word of Yahweh! Have I been a wilderness to Israel? -\q Or a land of deep darkness? Why would my people say, 'Let us wander around, we will not go to you anymore'? - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 Will a virgin forget her jewelry, a bride her veils? -\q Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number! -\q -\v 33 How well you make your way to look for love. -\q You have even taught your ways to wicked women. -\q -\v 34 The blood that was the life of innocent, poor people has been found on your clothes. -\q These people were not discovered in acts of burglary. - -\s5 -\q -\v 35 Yet you say, 'I am innocent; surely his anger has turned away from me.' -\q But look! I will bring down judgment on you because you say, 'I have not sinned.' -\q -\v 36 Why do you treat so very lightly this change in your ways? -\q You will also be disappointed by Egypt, just as you were by Assyria. -\q -\v 37 You will also go out from there dejected, with your hands on your head, -\q for Yahweh has rejected the ones whom you trusted, so you will not be helped by them." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\q -\v 1 "If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's wife, -\q will he return to her again? Would that land not be greatly polluted? -\q You have lived as a prostitute who has many lovers; and would you return to me?—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 2 Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and look! Is there any place where you have not had illicit sex? -\q By the roadsides you sat waiting for your lovers, as an Arab in the wilderness. -\q You have polluted the land with your prostitution and wickedness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 So the spring rains were withheld and the late rains did not come. -\q But your face is arrogant, like a promiscuous woman's face. You refuse to feel shame. -\q -\v 4 Have you not just now called to me: 'My father! My closest friend even from my youth! -\q -\v 5 Will he always be angry? Will he always keep his wrath to the end?' -\q Look! This is what you have said, but you do all the evil you can!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then Yahweh said to me in the days of Josiah the king, "Do you see what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up every high hill and under every leafy tree, and there she has acted like a prostitute. -\v 7 I said, 'After she does all these things, she will return to me,' but she did not return. Then her faithless sister Judah saw these things. - -\s5 -\v 8 So I saw that, in the same way that faithless Israel had committed adultery and I had sent her away and had given a bill of divorce against her, her faithless sister Judah did not fear; she also went out and acted like a prostitute. -\v 9 Her prostitution was nothing to her; she defiled the land, and she committed adultery with stones and trees. -\v 10 Then after all of this, her faithless sister Judah returned to me, not with all her heart, but with a lie—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Yahweh said to me, "Faithless Israel has been more righteous than faithless Judah! -\v 12 Go and proclaim these words to the north. Say, -\q 'Return, faithless Israel!—this is Yahweh's declaration—I will not always be angry with you. -\q Since I am faithful—this is Yahweh's declaration—I will not stay angry forever. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Acknowledge your iniquity, for you have transgressed against Yahweh your God; -\q you have shared your ways with strangers under every leafy tree! -\q For you have not listened to my voice!—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 14 Return, faithless people!—this is Yawheh's declaration—I am your husband! -\q I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion! -\v 15 I will give you shepherds after my heart, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and insight. - -\s5 -\v 16 Then it will happen that you will increase and bear fruit in the land in those days—this is Yahweh's declaration-they will no longer say, "The ark of the covenant of Yahweh!" This matter will no longer come up in their hearts or be remembered; it will not be missed, and another one will not be made.' - -\s5 -\v 17 In that time they will proclaim about Jerusalem, 'This is Yahweh's throne,' and all the other nations will gather at Jerusalem in Yahweh's name. They will no longer walk in the stubbornness of their wicked hearts. -\p -\v 18 In those days, the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel. They will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your ancestors as an inheritance. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 As for me, I said, 'How I want to honor you as my son and give you a pleasant land, -\q an inheritance more beautiful than what is in any other nation!' I would have said, 'You will call me "my father".' -\q I would have said that you would not turn from following me. -\q -\v 20 But like a woman faithless to her husband, -\q you have betrayed me, house of Israel—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 A voice is heard on the plains, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel! -\q For they have changed their ways; they have forgotten Yahweh their God. -\q -\v 22 "Return, faithless people! I will heal you of treachery!" -\q "Behold! We will come to you, for you are Yahweh our God! -\s5 -\v 23 Surely lies come from the hills, a confusing noise from the mountains; -\q surely Yahweh our God is the salvation of Israel. -\q -\v 24 Yet shameful idols have consumed what our ancestors have worked for— -\q their flocks and cattle, their sons and daughters! -\q -\v 25 Let us lie down in shame. May our shame cover us, for we have sinned against Yahweh our God! -\q We ourselves and our ancestors, from the time of our youthfulness to this present day, have not listened to the voice of Yahweh our God!" - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\q -\v 1 "If you return, Israel—this is Yahweh's declaration—then it should be to me that you return. -\q If you remove your detestable things from before me and do not wander from me again, -\q -\v 2 You must be truthful, just, and righteous when you swear, 'As Yahweh lives.' -\q Then the nations will bless themselves in him, and in him they will glory." -\q -\v 3 For Yahweh says this to each person in Judah and Jerusalem: -\q 'Plow your own ground, -\q and do not sow among thorns. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, -\q and remove the foreskins of your heart, -\q men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or else my fury will break out like fire, -\q and burn with no one to quench it, -\q because of the wickedness of your deeds. -\q -\v 5 Report in Judah and let it be heard in Jerusalem. -\q Say, "Blow the trumpet in the land." -\q Proclaim, "Gather together. Let us go to the fortified cities." -\q -\v 6 Lift up the signal flag and point it toward Zion, -\q and run for safety! -\q Do not stay, for I am bringing disaster -\q from the north and a great collapse. - -\s5 -\v 7 A lion is coming out from his thicket -\q and someone who will destroy nations is setting out. -\q He is leaving his place to bring horror to your land, -\q to turn your cities into ruins, where no one will live. -\q -\v 8 Because of this, wrap yourself in sackcloth, lament and wail. -\q For the force of Yahweh's anger has not turned away from us. -\q - -\s5 -\v 9 Then it will happen in that day—this is Yahweh's declaration—that the hearts of the king and his officials will die. The priests will be appalled, and the prophets will be horrified.'" -\v 10 So I said, "Ah! Lord Yahweh. Surely you have completely deceived this people and Jerusalem by saying, 'There will be peace for you.' Yet the sword is striking against their life." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 In that time it will be said of this people and Jerusalem, "A burning wind from the plains of the desert will make its way to the daughter of my people. It will not winnow or cleanse them. -\v 12 A wind far stronger than that will come at my command, and I will now pass sentence against them. - -\s5 -\v 13 See, he is attacking like clouds, and his chariots are like a storm. His horses are faster than eagles. Woe to us, for we will be devastated! -\v 14 Cleanse your heart from wickedness, Jerusalem, so that you might be saved. How long will your deepest thoughts be about how to sin? -\v 15 For a voice is bringing news from Dan, and the coming disaster is heard from the mountains of Ephraim. - -\s5 -\v 16 Make the nations think about this: See, announce to Jerusalem that besiegers are coming from a distant land to shout in battle against the cities of Judah. -\v 17 They will be like the watchmen of a cultivated field against her all around, since she has been rebellious against me—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\v 18 and your conduct and your deeds have done these things to you. This will be your punishment. How terrible it will be! It will strike your very heart. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 My heart! My heart! I am in anguish in my heart. My heart is turbulent within me. I cannot keep quiet for I hear the sound of the horn, an alarm for battle. -\v 20 Disaster follows after disaster; for all the land lies in ruins. Suddenly my tents are destroyed, my curtains in a moment. - -\s5 -\v 21 How long will I see the standard? Will I hear the sound of the horn? -\v 22 For the foolishness of my people—they do not know me. They are idiotic people and they have no understanding. They have skill at evil, but do not know to do good. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 I saw the land. Behold! It was formless and empty. For there was no light for the heavens. -\v 24 I looked at the mountains. Behold, they were trembling, and all the hills were shaking about. -\v 25 I looked. Behold, there was no one, and all the birds of the heavens had fled. -\v 26 I looked. Behold, the orchards were a wilderness and all the cities had been pulled down before Yahweh, before the fury of his wrath." - -\s5 -\v 27 This is what Yahweh says, "All the land will become a devastation, but I will not completely destroy it. -\v 28 For this reason, the land will mourn, and the heavens above will darken. For I have declared my intentions; I will not hold back; I will not turn from carrying them out. -\v 29 Every city will flee from the noise of the cavalry and the archers with a bow; they will run into the forests. Every city will climb up into the rocky places. The cities will be abandoned, for there will be -no one to inhabit them. - -\s5 -\v 30 Now that you have been devastated, what will you do? For though you dress in scarlet, adorn yourself with gold jewelry, and make your eyes look bigger with paint, the men who lusted for you now reject you. Instead, they are trying to take away your life. -\v 31 So I hear the sound of anguish, distress as in the birth of a firstborn child, the sound of the daughter of Zion. She is gasping for breath. She spreads out her hands, 'Woe to me! I am fainting because of these murderers.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\q -\v 1 "Rush about through the streets of Jerusalem; search in her city squares, too. Then look and think about this: -\q If you can find a man or anyone who is acting justly and trying to act faithfully, -\q then I will forgive Jerusalem. -\q -\v 2 Although they say, 'As Yahweh lives,' yet they are swearing falsely." -\q -\v 3 Yahweh, do your eyes not look for faithfulness? You struck the people, but they do not feel pain. -\q You have completely defeated them, but they still refuse to receive discipline. They make their faces harder than rock, for they refuse to repent. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 So I said, "Surely these are only poor people. -\q They are foolish, for they do not know Yahweh's ways, nor their God's decrees. -\q -\v 5 I will go to the important people and declare God's messages to them, for they at least know Yahweh's ways, the decrees of their God." -\q But they all broke their yoke together; they all tore apart the chains that bound them to God. -\q -\v 6 So a lion from a thicket will attack them. A wolf from the Arabah will ruin them. -\q A lurking panther will come against their cities. Anyone who goes outside his city will be torn apart. -\q For their transgressions increase. Their acts of faithlessness are unlimited. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Why should I pardon these people? -\q Your sons have abandoned me and have made oaths by what are not gods. -\q I fed them fully, but they committed adultery and walked in great numbers to the houses of prostitutes. -\q -\v 8 They were horses in heat. They roamed about wanting to mate. Each man neighed to his neighbor's wife. -\q -\v 9 So should I not punish them—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q and should I not avenge myself on a nation that is like this? - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Go up onto her vineyards' terraces and destroy. But do not bring complete destruction to them. -\q Trim their vines, since those vines do not come from Yahweh. -\q -\v 11 For the houses of Israel and Judah have completely betrayed me—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 12 They have spoken falsely about Yahweh and they said, "He will do nothing; -\q no harm will come upon us, and we will not see sword or famine. -\q -\v 13 The prophets will become wind, the word is not in them, so let what they say be done to them." - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 So Yahweh, the God of hosts says this, "Because you have said this, see, -\q I am about to place my word in your mouth. It will be like a fire, and this people will be like wood! For it will consume them. -\q -\v 15 Behold! I am about to bring a nation against you from far away, house of Israel—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q it is a lasting nation, an ancient nation! It is a nation whose language you do not know, -\q nor will you understand what they say. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Its quiver is like an open tomb. They are all soldiers. -\q -\v 17 So your harvest will be consumed, your sons and daughters also, and your food. -\q They will eat your flocks and cattle; they will eat the fruit from your vines and fig trees. -\q They will beat down with a sword your fortified cities that you trusted in. - -\s5 -\v 18 But even in those days—this is Yahweh's declaration—I do not intend to destroy you completely. -\v 19 When you, Israel and Judah, say, 'Why has Yahweh our God done all these things to us?' then you, Jeremiah, will say to them, 'Just as you abandoned Yahweh and served foreign gods in your land, so you must also serve strangers in a land that is not your own.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Report this to the house of Jacob and let it be heard in Judah. Say, -\q -\v 21 'Hear this, you foolish people who have no understanding; -\q who have eyes but you cannot see, and you have ears but you cannot hear. -\q -\v 22 Do you not fear me—this is Yahweh's declaration—or tremble before my face? -\q I have placed a border of sand against the sea, an ongoing decree that it does not violate— -\q even though the sea rises and falls, still it does not violate it. Even though its waves roar, they do not cross it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 But this people has a stubborn heart. It turns away in rebellion and goes away. -\q -\v 24 For they do not say in their hearts, "Let us fear Yahweh our God, the one who brings the rain -\q —the early rain and the late rains—in their right time, keeping the fixed weeks of the harvest for us." -\q -\v 25 Your iniquities kept these things from happening. Your sins have stopped good from coming to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 For wicked men are found with my people. They watch as someone crouches to capture birds; -\q they set a trap and catch people. -\q -\v 27 Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit. -\q So they grow large and become rich. -\q -\v 28 They have become fat; they shine with well-being. They crossed over all bounds of wickedness. They do not plead the cause of the people, -\q or the cause of the orphan. They prosper even though they have not given justice to the needy. -\q -\v 29 Should I not punish them for these things—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q and will I not take vengeance for myself on a nation like this? - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 Atrocities and horrors have occurred in the land. -\q -\v 31 The prophets prophesy with deceit, and the priests rule with their own power. -\q My people love it this way, but what will happen in the end?'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 Find safety, people of Benjamin, by leaving Jerusalem. Blow a trumpet in Tekoa. -\q Raise up over Beth Hakkerem a signal, since wickedness is appearing from the north; a great crushing is coming. -\q -\v 2 The daughter of Zion, the beautiful and delicate woman, will be destroyed. -\q -\v 3 The shepherds and their flocks will go to them; -\q they will set up tents against her all around; each man will shepherd with his own hand. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 "Dedicate yourselves to the gods for the battle. Arise, let us attack at noon. -\q It is too bad that the daylight is fading away, that the evening shadows are falling. -\q -\v 5 But let us attack at night and destroy her fortresses." - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 For Yahweh of hosts says this: Cut her trees, and heap up siegeworks against Jerusalem. -\q This is the right city to attack, because it is filled with oppression. -\q -\v 7 As a well pours out fresh water, so this city keeps producing wickedness. -\q Violence and disorder are heard within her; sickness and wounds are continually before my face. -\q -\v 8 Accept discipline, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you -\q and make you into a ruin, an uninhabited land.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Yahweh of hosts says this, "They will certainly glean those who are left in Israel like a vineyard. -\q Reach out again with your hand to pick grapes from the vines. -\q -\v 10 To whom should I declare and warn so they will listen? -\q Look! Their ears are uncircumcised; they are not able to pay attention! -\q Look! The word of Yahweh has come to them to correct them, but they do not want it." - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 But I am filled with Yahweh's fury. I am tired of holding it in. He said, to me, "Pour it out on the children in the streets -\q and on the groups of young men. For every man will be taken away with his wife; -\q and every old person heavy with years. -\q -\v 12 Their houses will be turned over to others, both their fields and their wives together. -\q For I will attack the inhabitants of the land with my hand—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Yahweh declares that from the least to the greatest, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. -\q From the prophet to the priest, all of them practice deceit. -\q -\v 14 They have healed the wounds of my people lightly, -\q saying, 'Peace, Peace,' when there is no peace. -\q -\v 15 Were they ashamed when they practiced abominations? They were not ashamed; they did not know how to blush! -\q So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Yahweh says this, "Stand at the road crossing and look; ask for the ancient pathways. -\q 'Where is this good way?' Then go on it and find a resting place for yourselves. -\q But the people say, 'We will not go.' -\q -\v 17 I appointed for you watchmen to listen for the trumpet. -\q But they said, 'We will not listen.' -\q -\v 18 Therefore, nations, listen! See, you witnesses, what will happen to them. -\q -\v 19 Hear, earth! See, I am about to bring disaster to this people—the fruit of their thoughts. -\q They paid no attention to my word or law, but they instead rejected it." - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 "What does this frankincense going up from Sheba mean to me? Or these sweet smells from a distant land? -\q Your burnt offerings are not acceptable to me, nor are your sacrifices. -\q -\v 21 So Yahweh says this, 'See, I am about to place a stumbling block against this people. -\q They will stumble over it—fathers and sons together. Inhabitants and their neighbors will also perish.' -\q -\v 22 Yahweh says this, 'See, a people is coming from the land of the north, -\q a great nation is being stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 They will pick up bows and spears. They are cruel and have no compassion. -\q Their sound is like the sea roar, -\q and they are riding on horses, -\q set out in order as men for battle, against you, -\q daughter of Zion.'" -\q -\v 24 We have heard the reports about them and our hands fall limp in distress. -\q Anguish seizes us as a woman giving birth. -\q - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 Do not go out to the fields, and do not walk on the roads, -\q for the swords of the enemy and terror are all around. -\q -\v 26 Daughter of my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; -\q mourn with painful sobs as for an only son, -\q for the destroyer will suddenly come upon us. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 "I have made you, Jeremiah, one who tests my people like one would test metal, so you will inspect and test their ways. -\q -\v 28 They are all the most stubborn of people, who go about slandering others. -\q All of them are bronze and iron, acting corruptly. -\q -\v 29 The bellows are scorched by the fire that is burning them; the lead is consumed in the flames. -\q The refining continues among them, but it is useless, because the evil is not removed. -\q -\v 30 They will be called rejected silver, for Yahweh has rejected them." - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, -\v 2 "Stand at the gate of Yahweh's house and proclaim this word! Say, 'Hear the word of Yahweh, all you of Judah, you who enter these gates to worship Yahweh. - - -\s5 -\v 3 Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Make your ways and practices good, and I will let you continue to live in this place. -\v 4 Do not entrust yourself to deceitful words and say, "Temple of Yahweh! Temple of Yahweh! Temple of Yahweh!" - -\s5 -\v 5 For if you actually make your ways and practices good; if you completely execute justice between a man and his neighbor— -\v 6 if you do not exploit the one staying in the land, the orphan, or the widow and do not pour out innocent blood in this place, and do not walk after other gods to your own harm— -\v 7 then I will let you stay in this place, in the land that I gave to your ancestors from ancient times and forever. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Behold! You are trusting in deceitful words that do not help you. -\v 9 Do you steal, kill, and commit adultery? Do you swear deceitfully and offer incense to Baal and walk after other gods whom you have not known? -\v 10 Then do you come and stand before me in this house that is called by my name and say, "We are saved," so you can do all of these abominations? -\v 11 Is this house, which carries my name, a den of bandits in your eyes? But behold, I have seen it—this is Yahweh's declaration.' - - - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 'So go to my place that was in Shiloh, where I allowed my name to stay there in the beginning, and look at what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. -\v 13 So now, on account of your doing all of these practices—this is Yahweh's declaration—I spoke to you time and time again, but you did not listen. I summoned you, but you did not answer. -\v 14 Therefore, what I did to Shiloh, I will also do to this house that is called by my name, the house in which you have trusted, this place that I gave to you and your ancestors. -\v 15 For I will send you out from before me just as I had sent out all your brothers, all the descendants of Ephraim.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 As for you, Jeremiah, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up a lamenting wail or say a prayer on their behalf, and do not petition me, for I will not listen to you. -\v 17 Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? -\v 18 The children are gathering wood and the fathers kindling the fire! The women are kneading dough to make cakes for the queen of the heavens and pour out drink offerings for other gods so that they will provoke me. - -\s5 -\v 19 Are they truly provoking me?—this is Yahweh's declaration—is it not themselves whom they are provoking, so that shame is on them? -\v 20 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'See, my anger and wrath will gush out onto this place, on both man and beast, on the tree in the fields and the fruit on the ground. It will burn and never be extinguished.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel says this, 'Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and the meat from them. -\v 22 For when I brought your ancestors out from the land of Egypt, I did not require anything from them. I gave them no command about matters of burnt offerings and sacrifices. -\v 23 I only gave them this command, "Listen to my voice, and I will be your God and you will be my people. So walk in all the ways that I am commanding you, so that it may go well with you." - -\s5 -\v 24 But they did not listen or pay attention. They lived by their own stubborn plans of their wicked hearts, so they went backwards, not forward. -\v 25 Ever since the day when your ancestors went out from the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent every one of my servants, my prophets, to you. I persisted in sending them. -\v 26 But they did not listen to me. They paid no attention. Instead, they hardened their necks. They were more wicked than their ancestors.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 So proclaim all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. Proclaim these things to them, but they will not answer you. -\v 28 Say to them: This is a nation that does not listen to the voice of Yahweh its God and does not receive discipline. Truth is destroyed and cut off from their mouths. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 Cut off your hair and shave yourself, and throw away your hair. Sing a funeral song over the open places. -\q For Yahweh has rejected and abandoned this generation in his rage. -\v 30 For the sons of Judah have done evil in my eye—this is Yahweh's declaration—they have set their detestable things in the house that is called by my name, in order to defile it. - -\s5 -\v 31 Then they built the high place of Topheth that is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. They did this to burn their sons and daughters in fire—something that I did not command, nor did it enter my mind. -\v 32 So see, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when it will no longer be called Topheth or Valley of Ben Hinnom. It will be the Valley of Slaughter; they will bury bodies in Topheth until there is no room left. - -\s5 -\v 33 The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the skies and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away. -\v 34 I will put an end to the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride, for the land will become a desolation." - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 "At that time—this is Yahweh's declaration—they will bring out from the graves the bones of the kings of Judah and its officials, the bones of the priests and the prophets, and the bones -of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. -\v 2 Then they will spread them out in the light of the sun and moon and all the stars of the skies; these things in the sky that they have followed and served, that they have walked after and sought, and that they have worshiped. The bones will not be gathered or buried again. They will be like dung on the surface of the earth. -\v 3 In every remaining place where I have driven them, they will choose death instead of life for themselves, all who are still left over from this evil nation—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 So say to them, 'Yahweh says this: Does anyone fall and not get up? Does anyone get lost and not try to return? -\q -\v 5 Why has this people, Jerusalem, turned away in permanent faithlessness? -\q They hold on to treachery and refuse to repent. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 I paid attention and listened, but they did not speak right; no one was sorry for his wickedness, -\q no one who says, "What have I done?" All of them go where they wish, -\q like a stallion rushing toward battle. -\q -\v 7 Even the stork in heaven knows the right times; and the doves, swifts, and cranes. -\q They go on their migrations at the right time, but my people do not know Yahweh's decrees. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 How can you say, "We are wise, for the law of Yahweh is with us"? -\q Indeed, see! The deceitful pen of the scribes has created deceit. -\q -\v 9 The wise men will be ashamed. They are dismayed and trapped. -\q Behold! They reject Yahweh's word, so what use is their wisdom? -\q -\v 10 So I will give their wives to others, and their fields to those who will possess them, -\q because from the least to the greatest, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain! From the prophet to the priest, all of them practice deceit. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 They healed the wounds of my people lightly, -\q saying, "Peace, Peace," when there was no peace. -\q -\v 12 Were they ashamed when they practiced abominations? They were not ashamed; they did not know how to blush! So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says Yahweh. -\q -\v 13 I will remove them completely—this is Yahweh's declaration—there will be no grapes on the vine, nor will there be figs on the fig trees. For the leaf will wither, and -what I have given to them will pass away. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Why are we sitting here? Come together; let us go to the fortified cities, and we will become silent there in death. -\q For Yahweh our God will silence us. He will make us drink poison, since we have sinned against him. -\q -\v 15 We are hoping for peace, but there will be nothing good. -\q We are hoping for a time of healing, but see, there will be terror. - -\s5 -\v 16 The snorting of his stallions is heard from Dan. The whole earth shakes at the sound of the neighing of his strong horses. -\q For they will come and consume the land and its wealth, the city and the ones living in it. -\q -\v 17 For see, I am sending out snakes among you, vipers that you cannot charm. -\q They will bite you—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 My sorrow has no end, and my heart is sick. -\q -\v 19 Behold! The screaming voice of the daughter of my people from a land far away! Is Yahweh not in Zion? -\q Is her king no longer there? Why then do they provoke me to anger with their carved figures and their worthless foreign idols? - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 The harvest has passed on, summer is over. But we have not been saved. -\q -\v 21 I am hurt because of the hurt of the daughter of my people. I mourn at the horrible things that have happened to her; I am dismayed. -\q -\v 22 Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no healer there? -\q Why will the healing of the daughter of my people not happen? - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\q -\v 1 If only my head could produce water, and my eyes be a fountain of tears! -\q For I wish to weep day and night for those among the daughter of my people who have been killed. -\q -\v 2 If only someone would give me a place for travelers in the wilderness to stay, where I could go to abandon my people. -\q If only I could leave them, since all of them are adulterers, a band of traitors! -\q -\v 3 Yahweh declares, "They tread on their bows of lies with their tongues, -\q but it is not because of any faithfulness of theirs that they grow strong on the earth. -\q They go from one wicked act to another. They do not know me." - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Each of you, be on guard against your neighbor and do not trust in any brother. -\q For every brother is certainly a deceiver, and every neighbor walks in slander. -\q -\v 5 Each man mocks his neighbor and does not speak the truth. -\q Their tongues teach deceitful things. They are exhausted from committing iniquity. -\q -\v 6 Your dwelling is in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Yahweh of hosts says this, "See, I am about to refine them and test them, -\q for what else can I do, because of what my people have done? -\q -\v 8 Their tongues are sharpened arrows; they speak unfaithful things. -\q With their mouths they proclaim peace with their neighbors, but with their hearts they lie in wait for them. -\q -\v 9 Should I not punish them because of these things—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q and should I not avenge myself on a nation that is like this? - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 I will sing a song of mourning and wailing for the mountains, and a funeral song will be sung for the meadows. -\q For they are burned so no one can pass through them. They will not hear the sound of any cattle. -\q The birds of the skies and the animals have all fled away. -\q -\v 11 So I will turn Jerusalem into piles of ruins, a hideout for jackals. -\q I will make Judah's cities ruined places without inhabitants." -\q -\v 12 What man is wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of Yahweh spoken, and he will declare it? -\q Why has the land perished and been destroyed like the wilderness that no one can pass through? - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Yahweh says, "It is because they have abandoned my law that I set before them, because they do not listen to my voice or walk by it. -\v 14 It is because they have walked by their stubborn hearts and have followed the Baals as their fathers taught them to do. - -\s5 -\v 15 Therefore Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, says this, 'See, I am about to make this people eat wormwood and drink poisonous water. -\v 16 Then I will scatter them among the nations that they have not known, neither they nor their ancestors. I will send out a sword after them until I have completely destroyed them.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Yahweh of hosts says this, "Think about this: Summon -\q funeral singers; let them come. Send out for women skilled at lamenting; let them come. -\q -\v 18 Let them hurry and sing a mournful song over us, -\q so our eyes may run with tears and our eyelids flow with water. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 For the sound of wailing is heard in Zion, 'How we are devastated. -\q We are greatly ashamed, for we have abandoned the land since they tore down our houses.' -\q -\v 20 So you women, hear Yahweh's word; pay attention to the messages that come from his mouth. -\q Then teach your daughters a mourning song, and each neighbor woman a funeral song. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 For death has come through our windows; it goes into our palaces. -\q It destroys children from outside, and young men in the city squares. -\q -\v 22 Declare this, 'This is Yahweh's declaration—the corpses of men will fall like dung in the fields, -\q and like grain stalks after the reapers, and there will be no one to gather them.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Yahweh says this, "Do not let the wise man take pride in his wisdom, -\q or the warrior in his might. Do not let the wealthy man take pride in his riches. -\q -\v 24 For if a man takes pride in anything, let it be in this, that he has insight and knows me. -\q For I am Yahweh, who acts with covenant loyalty, justice and righteousness on earth. For it is in these that I take pleasure -\q —this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 "See, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will punish all the circumcised who are such only in their body. -\v 26 I will punish Egypt and Judah, Edom, the people of Ammon, Moab, and all the people who cut the hair on their heads very short. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel has an uncircumcised heart." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\q -\v 1 "Hear the word that Yahweh is announcing to you, house of Israel. -\q -\v 2 Yahweh says this, 'Do not learn the ways of the nations, -\q and do not be dismayed by the signs in the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by these. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 For the religious customs of these people are worthless. -\q They cut down a tree in the forest, and the craftsman carves the wood. -\q -\v 4 Then they decorate it with silver and gold. They strengthen it with hammer and nails so it will not fall over. -\q -\v 5 What they make with their hands is like scarecrows in a cucumber field, because they, too, can say nothing, and they have to be carried because they cannot walk. -\q Do not fear them, for they cannot bring about evil, nor are they able to do anything good.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 There is no one like you, Yahweh. You are great, and your name is great in power. -\q -\v 7 Who does not fear you, king of the nations? For this is what you deserve, -\q for there is no one like you among all the wise men of the nations or all their royal kingdoms. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 They are all the same, they are brutish and stupid, disciples of idols that are nothing but wood. -\q -\v 9 They bring hammered silver from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz made by artificers, -\q the hands of refiners. Their clothes are blue and purple cloth. Their skillful men made all of these things. -\q -\v 10 But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God and eternal king. -\q The earth quakes at his anger, and the nations cannot endure his anger. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 You will speak to them like this, "The gods that did not make the heavens and earth -\q will perish from the earth and from under these heavens." -\q -\v 12 But it was he who made the earth by his power, and he established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding he stretched out the heavens. -\q -\v 13 His voice makes the roar of waters in the heavens, and he brings up the mists from the ends of the earth. -\q He makes lightning for the rain and sends out wind from his storehouse. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Every man has become ignorant, without knowledge. Every metalworker is put to shame by his idols. -\q For his cast images are frauds; there is no life in them. -\q -\v 15 They are useless, the work of mockers; they will perish at the time of their punishment. -\q -\v 16 But God, the portion of Jacob, is not like these, for he is the molder of all things. -\q Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; Yahweh of hosts is his name. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Gather your bundle and leave the land, you people who have been living under the siege. -\q -\v 18 For Yahweh says this, "See, I am about to throw the inhabitants of the land out this time. -\q I will cause them distress, and they will find it to be so." - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Woe to me! Because of my broken bones, my wound is infected. -\q So I said, "Surely this is agony, but I must bear it." -\q -\v 20 My tent is devastated, and all of my tent cords are cut in two. -\q They have taken my children away from me, so they no longer exist. There is no longer anyone to spread out my tent or to raise up my tent curtains. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 For the shepherds are stupid and they do not seek Yahweh; -\q so they have not prospered, and all their flock has been scattered. -\q -\v 22 The report of news has arrived, "See! It is coming, a great earthquake is coming from the land of the north -\q To make the cities of Judah into ruins, hideouts for jackals." - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 I know, Yahweh, that the way of a man does not come from himself. No person walking directs his own steps. -\q -\v 24 Discipline me, Yahweh, with justice, not in your anger or you would destroy me. -\q -\v 25 Pour your fury on the nations that do not know you and on the families that do not call on your name. -\q For they have devoured Jacob and consumed him so as to completely destroy him and demolish his habitation. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, -\v 2 "Listen to the words of this covenant, and declare them to each man in Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 3 Say to them, 'Yahweh, God of Israel says this: Cursed is anyone who does not listen to the words of this covenant. -\v 4 This is the covenant that I commanded your ancestors to keep the day I brought them out from the land of Egypt, from the furnace for smelting iron. I said, "Listen to my voice and do all of these things -just as I have commanded you, for you will be my people and I will be your God." -\v 5 Obey me so that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your ancestors, the oath that I would give them the land flowing with milk and honey, where you live today.'" Then I, Jeremiah, answered and said, "Yes, Yahweh!" -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Yahweh said to me, "Proclaim all these things in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. Say, 'Listen to the words of this covenant and carry them out. -\v 7 For I have been giving solemn commands to your ancestors from the day I brought them up from the land of Egypt until this present time, persistently warning them and saying, "Listen to my voice."' -\v 8 But they did not listen or pay attention. Each person has been walking in the stubbornness of his wicked heart. So I brought all the curses in this covenant that I commanded to come against them. But the people still did not obey." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Next Yahweh said to me, "A conspiracy has been discovered among the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. -\v 10 They have turned to the iniquities of their earliest ancestors, who refused to listen to my word, who instead walked after other gods to worship them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah broke my covenant that I established with their ancestors. - -\s5 -\v 11 Therefore Yahweh says this, 'See, I am about to bring disaster on them, disaster from which they will not be able to escape. Then they will call out to me, but I will not listen to them. -\v 12 The cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and call out to the gods to which they had given offerings, but they will certainly not be saved by them at the time of their disaster. -\v 13 For you Judah, the number of your gods has increased to equal the number of your cities. You have made the number of shameful altars in Jerusalem, incense altars for Baal, equal to the number of her streets. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 So you yourself, Jeremiah, must not pray for this people. You must not wail or pray on their behalf. For I will not be listening when they call on me in their disaster. -\q -\v 15 Why is my beloved one, the one who has had so many wicked intentions, in my house? -\q The meat of your sacrifices cannot help you. You rejoice because of your evil actions. -\q -\v 16 In the past Yahweh called you a leafy olive tree, beautiful with lovely fruit. -\q But he will light a fire on it that will sound like the roar of a storm; its branches will be broken. - -\s5 -\v 17 For Yahweh of hosts, the one who planted you, has decreed disaster against you because of the wicked acts that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have committed—they have angered me by giving offerings to Baal.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Yahweh made me know these things, so I know them. You, Yahweh, made me see their deeds. -\v 19 I was like a gentle lamb being led to a butcher. I did not know that they had formed plans against me, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit! Let us cut him off from the land of the living -so his name will be no longer remembered." -\q -\v 20 Yet Yahweh of hosts is the righteous judge who examines the heart and the mind. -\q I will witness your vengeance against them, for I have presented my case to you. - -\s5 -\v 21 Therefore Yahweh says this concerning the people of Anathoth who are seeking your life, "They say, 'You must not prophesy in the name of Yahweh, or you will die by our hand.' -\v 22 Therefore Yahweh of hosts says this, 'See, I am about to punish them. Their vigorous young men will die by the sword. Their sons and their daughters will die by famine. -\v 23 None of them will be left, because I am bringing disaster against the people of Anathoth, a year of their punishment.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\m -\q -\v 1 You are righteous, Yahweh, whenever I bring disputes to you. -\q I must certainly tell you of my reason to complain: Why do the ways of the wicked succeed? All the faithless people are successful. -\q -\v 2 You planted them and they took root. They continue to produce fruit. -\q You are near to them in their mouths, but far away from their hearts. - -\s5 -\v 3 Yet you, Yahweh, know me. You see me and you test my heart toward you. -\q Take them away like sheep to the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter! -\q -\v 4 How long will the land go on drying up, and the plants in every field wither because of the wickedness of its inhabitants? -\q The animals and the birds have been taken away. Indeed, the people say, "God will not see what happens to us." - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Yahweh said, "Indeed, if you, Jeremiah, have run with foot soldiers and they have tired you out, how can you compete against horses? -\q If you fall down in the safe countryside, how will you do in the thickets along the Jordan? -\q -\v 6 For even your brothers and your father's family have betrayed you and have loudly denounced you. -\q Do not trust in them, even if they say nice things to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 I have abandoned my house; I have forsaken my inheritance. -\q I have given my beloved into the hands of her enemies. -\q -\v 8 My inheritance has become to me like a lion in a thicket; -\q she sets herself against me with her own voice, so I hate her. -\q -\v 9 Has not my prized possession become a speckled bird, that other birds of prey go against her all around? -\q Go and gather all the wild beasts and bring them to devour her. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard. They have stomped all over my portion of land; -\q they turned my delightful portion into a wilderness, a desolation. -\q -\v 11 They have made her a desolation. I mourn for her; she is desolate. -\q All the land has been made desolate, for there is no one who takes it to heart. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 12 Destroyers have come against all the bare places in the wilderness, -\q1 for Yahweh's sword is devouring from one end of the land to the other. -\q2 There is no safety in the land for any living creature. -\q1 -\v 13 They have sown wheat but harvest thornbushes. They are exhausted from work but have gained nothing. -\q2 So be ashamed of your gain because of Yahweh's anger." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Yahweh says this against all my neighbors, the wicked ones who strike at the possession that I made my people Israel inherit, "See, I am the one who is about to uproot them from their own ground, and I will pull up the house of Judah from among them. -\v 15 Then after I uproot those nations, it will happen that I will have compassion on them and bring them back; I will return them—each man to his inheritance and his land. - -\s5 -\v 16 It will come about that if those nations carefully learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name 'As Yahweh lives' just as they have taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the midst of my people. -\v 17 But if any do not listen, then I will uproot that nation. It will certainly be uprooted and destroyed—this is Yahweh's declaration." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said this to me, "Go and buy a linen undergarment and put it on around your waist, but do not put it in water first." -\v 2 So I bought an undergarment as Yahweh directed, and I put in on around my waist. -\v 3 Then the word of Yahweh came to me a second time, saying, -\v 4 "Take the undergarment that you purchased that is around your waist, get up and go now to Perath.\f +ft Some transate \fqa Perath \fqa* as \fqa the Euphrates. \f* Hide it there in a rock crevice." -\v 5 So I went and hid it in at Perath just as Yahweh had commanded me. - -\s5 -\v 6 After many days, Yahweh said to me, "Get up and go back to Perath. Take from there the undergarment that I had told you to hide." -\v 7 So I went back to Perath \f +ft Some transate \fqa Perath \fqa* as \fqa the Euphrates. \f* and dug out the undergarment where I had hid it. But behold! The undergarment was destroyed; it was no good at all. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 9 "Yahweh says this: In the same way I will destroy the great arrogance of Judah and Jerusalem. -\v 10 This wicked people who refuses to listen to my word, who walk in the hardness of their heart, who go after other gods to worship them and bow down to them—they will be like this undergarment -that is good for nothing. -\v 11 For just as an undergarment clings to someone's hips, so I have made all the house of Israel and all the house of Judah cling to me—this is Yahweh's declaration—to be my people, to bring me fame, praise, and honor. But they would not listen to me. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So you must speak this word to them, -'Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: Every jar will be filled with wine.' They will say to you, 'Do we not indeed know that every jar will be filled with wine?' -\v 13 So say to them, 'Yahweh says this: See, I am about to fill with drunkenness every inhabitant of this land, the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. -\v 14 Then I will smash each man against the other, fathers and children together—this is Yahweh's declaration—I will not pity them or have compassion, and I will not spare them from destruction.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Listen and pay attention. Do not be arrogant, for Yahweh had spoken. -\q -\v 16 Give honor to Yahweh your God before he brings darkness, -\q and before he causes your feet to stumble on the mountains at twilight. -\q For you are hoping for light, but he will turn the place into a deep darkness, into a dark cloud. -\q -\v 17 So if you will not listen, I will weep alone because of your arrogance. -\q My eyes will certainly weep and flow with tears, for Yahweh's flock has been taken captive. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 "Say to the king and to the queen mother, 'Humble yourselves and sit down, -\q for the crowns on your head, your pride and glory, have fallen off.' -\q -\v 19 The cities in the Negev will be shut up, with no one to open them. All Judah will be taken captive, completely taken captive. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Lift up your eyes and look at the ones coming from the north. -\q Where is the flock he gave to you, the flock that was so beautiful to you? -\q -\v 21 What will you say when God sets over you those you had trained to be your special allies? -\q Are these not the beginnings of the labor pains that will seize you just like a woman in childbirth? - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Then you might say in your heart, 'Why are these things happening to me?' -\q It will be for the multitude of your iniquities that your skirts are raised up and you have been violated. -\q -\v 23 Can the people of Cush change their skin color, or a leopard change its spots? -\q If so, then you yourself, although accustomed to wickedness, would be able to do good. -\q -\v 24 So I will scatter them like chaff that perishes in the desert wind. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 This is what I have given to you, the portion I have decreed for you—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q because you have forgotten me and trusted in deceit. -\q -\v 26 So also I myself will strip your skirts off you, and your private parts will be seen. -\q -\v 27 I have seen your adultery and neighing, -\q the wickedness of your prostitution on the hills and in the fields, -\q and I have seen these detestable things! -\q Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long until you are made clean again?" - - - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah regarding the drought, -\q -\v 2 "Let Judah mourn; let her gates fall apart. They are wailing for the land; -\q their cries for Jerusalem are going up. -\q -\v 3 Their mighty ones send out their servants for water. -\q When they go to the trenches, they cannot find water. They all return unsuccessful; -\q they cover their heads ashamed and dishonored. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Because of this the ground is cracked, for there is no rain in the land. -\q The plowmen are ashamed and cover their heads. -\q -\v 5 For even the doe leaves her young in the fields and abandons them, for there is no grass. -\q -\v 6 The wild donkeys stand on the bare plains and they pant in the wind like jackals. -\q Their eyes fail to work, for there is no vegetation." - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 7 Even though our iniquities testify against us, Yahweh, act for the sake of your name. -\q2 For our faithless actions increase; we have sinned against you. -\q2 -\v 8 You are the Hope of Israel, the one who saves him in the time of distress, -\q2 why will you be like a stranger in the land, like a foreign wanderer who stretches out and spends just one night? -\q2 -\v 9 Why are you like someone who is astounded, or like a warrior who has no power to rescue? -\q2 You are in our midst, Yahweh, and your name is called over us. Do not leave us! - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Yahweh says this to this people: "Since they love to wander, they have not held back their feet from doing so." -\q Yahweh is not pleased with them. Now he calls to mind their iniquity and has punished their sins. -\v 11 Yahweh said to me, "Do not pray for good on behalf of this people. -\v 12 For if they fast, I will not listen to their wailing, and if they offer up burnt offerings and food offerings, I will not take pleasure in them. For I will put an end to them by sword, famine, and plague." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then I said, "Oh, Lord Yahweh! Behold! The prophets are saying to the people, 'You will not see the sword; there will be no famine for you, for I will give you true security in this place.'" -\v 14 Yahweh said to me, "The prophets prophesy deceit in my name. I did not send them out, nor did I give them any command or speak to them. But deceitful visions and useless, deceitful divination coming from their own minds are what they are prophesying to you." - -\s5 -\v 15 Therefore Yahweh says this, "About the prophets prophesying in my name but whom I did not send out—those who say there will be no sword or famine in this land: These prophets -will perish by sword and famine. -\v 16 Then the people to whom they prophesied will be thrown out in the streets of Jerusalem because of famine and sword, for there will be no one to bury them—them, their wives, -their sons, or their daughters—for I will pour out their wickedness on them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Say this word to them: 'Let my eyes flow with tears, night and day. -\q Do not let them stop, for there will be a great collapse of the virgin daughter of my people— -\q a great and incurable wound. -\q -\v 18 If I go out to the field, there are the ones who were killed by the sword! \q If I come to the city, there are the diseases that are caused by famine. -\q Both the prophet and the priest wander about the land, and they do not know.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Have you completely rejected Judah? Do you hate Zion? -\q Why will you afflict us when there is no healing for us? We hoped for peace, but there was nothing good— -\q and for a time of healing, but see, there is only terror. -\q -\v 20 We admit, Yahweh, our offenses, the iniquity of our ancestors, for we have sinned against you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Do not reject us! For the sake of your name, do not make your glorious throne a disgrace. -\q Remember and do not break your covenant with us. -\q -\v 22 Is there among the idols of the nations anyone who can make the heavens give the spring rain? -\q Are you not the one, Yahweh our God, who does this? We hope in you, for you have done all these things. - - - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 Then Yahweh said to me, "Even if Moses or Samuel were standing in front of me, I would still not be in favor of this people. Send them out from before me, for them to go away. -\v 2 It will happen that they will say to you, 'Where should we go?' Then you must say to them, 'Yahweh says this: -\q Those destined for death should go to death; those destined for the sword should go to the sword. -\q Those destined for famine should go to famine; and those destined for captivity should go to captivity.' - -\s5 -\v 3 For I will assign them to four groups—this is Yahweh's declaration—the sword to slaughter some, the dogs to drag some away, the birds of the skies and the -beast of the earth to consume and destroy some. -\v 4 I will make of them a horrifying thing to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 For who will have compassion for you, Jerusalem? Who will grieve for you? -\q Who will turn to ask about your welfare? -\q -\v 6 You have forsaken me—this is Yahweh's declaration—you have gone back from me. -\q So I will strike you with my hand and destroy you. I am tired of having mercy on you. -\q -\v 7 So I will winnow them with a pitchfork at the gates of the land. -\q I will bereave them. I will destroy my people since they will not turn from their ways. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 I will make their widows number more than the sands of the seashore. Against the mothers of young men I will send -\q the destroyer at noonday. I will make shock and horror suddenly fall on them. -\q -\v 9 The mother who has borne seven children will waste away. She will gasp. Her sun will set while it is still day. -\q She will be ashamed and embarrassed, for I will give those who remain to the sword in the presence of their enemies -\q —this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Woe to me, my mother! For you have borne me, I who am a man of controversy and argument through all the land. -\q I have not lent, nor has anyone lent to me, but they all curse me. -\q -\v 11 Yahweh said: "Will I not rescue you for good? -\q I will certainly make your enemies beg for help in the time of calamity and distress. -\q -\v 12 Can one smash iron? Especially iron from the north that is mixed with bronze? - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 I will give to your enemies your wealth and treasures as free plunder. -\q I will do this because of all your sins committed within all your borders. -\q -\v 14 Then I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, -\q for a fire will ignite, kindled in my wrath against you." -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Then I will make you serve your enemies \fqa* , some ancient copies have \fqa Then I will make your enemies take you \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Yahweh, you know! Remember me and help me. Bring vengeance for me against those who persecute me. -\q You are patient, but do not allow them to take me away; know that I suffer reproach for your sake. -\q -\v 16 Your words have been found, and I consumed them. Your words became to me a joy -\q and the delight of my heart, -\q for I bear your name, Yahweh, God of hosts. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 I did not sit in the circle of those who celebrated or rejoiced. -\q I sat in solitude because of your powerful hand, for you filled me with indignation. -\q -\v 18 Why is my pain ongoing and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? -\q Will you be like deceitful waters to me, waters that dry up? - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Therefore Yahweh said this, "If you repent, Jeremiah, then I will restore you, and you will stand before me and serve me. -\q For if you separate the foolish things from the precious things, you will be like my mouth. The people will come back to you, -\q but you yourself must not go back to them. -\q -\v 20 I will make you like an impenetrable bronze wall to this people, and they will wage war against you. -\q But they will not defeat you, for I am with you to save and rescue you—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q -\v 21 for I will rescue you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the hand of the tyrant." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Do not take a wife for yourself, and do not have sons or daughters for yourself in this place. -\v 3 For Yahweh says this to the sons and daughters who are born in this place, to the mothers who bear them, and to the fathers who caused them to be born in this land, -\v 4 'They will die diseased deaths. They will not be mourned or buried. They will be like dung on the ground. For they will come to an end by sword and famine, and their corpses will be food for the birds of the skies and the beasts of the earth.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 For the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 'Do not enter a house where there is mourning. Do not go to mourn or to show sympathy for them, for I have taken away my peace from this people—this is Yahweh's declaration—and my steadfast love and mercy. -\v 6 Both the great and the small will die in this land. They will not be buried, and no one will mourn for them or cut themselves or shave their heads for them. - -\s5 -\v 7 No one must share any food in mourning to comfort them because of the deaths, and none must give a comforting cup to his father or his mother in order to comfort them. -\v 8 You must not go to a banquet house to sit with them in order to eat or drink.' -\v 9 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'See, before your eyes, in your days and in this place, I am about to put an end to the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride.' - - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then it will happen that you will report all these words to this people, and they will say to you, 'Why has Yahweh decreed all this great disaster against us? What is our iniquity and sin that we sinned against Yahweh our God?' -\v 11 So say to them, 'Because your ancestors abandoned me—this is Yahweh's declaration—and they went after other gods and worshiped and bowed down to them. They abandoned me and have not kept my law. - -\s5 -\v 12 But you yourselves have brought about more wickedness than your ancestors, for see, each person is walking by the stubbornness of his wicked heart; there is no one who listens to me. -\v 13 So I will throw you from this land to a land that you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors, and you will worship other gods there by day and night, for I will not give any favor to you.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Therefore, behold, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when it will no longer be said, 'As Yahweh lives, the one who brought up the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.' -\v 15 but, 'As Yahweh lives, the one who brought up the people of Israel from the land of the north and from the lands where he had scattered them.' For I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Behold! I will send for many fishermen—this is Yahweh's declaration—so they will fish the people out. After this I will send for many hunters so they will hunt for them among all the mountains and hills, and in rock crevices. -\v 17 For my eye is on all their ways; they cannot be hidden from before me. Their iniquity cannot be concealed from before my eyes. -\v 18 I will first pay back double for their iniquity and sin for their polluting of my land with their disgusting idol figures, and for their filling my inheritance with their disgusting idols." - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 Yahweh, you are my stronghold and my refuge, my place of safety in the day of distress. -\q The nations will go to you from the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our ancestors inherited deceit. -\q They are empty; there is no profit in them. -\q -\v 20 Do people make gods for themselves? But they are not gods." -\q -\v 21 Therefore see! I will cause them to know in this time, I will cause them to know my hand and my power, -\q so they will know that Yahweh is my name. - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\q -\v 1 "The sin of Judah is written with an iron stylus having a diamond point. -\q It is engraved on the tablet of their hearts and on the horns of your altars. -\q -\v 2 Even their children remember their altars and their Asherah poles -\q that were beside the spreading trees and on the high hills. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 My mountain in the open country, -\q and your wealth and all your treasures I will give away as plunder, -\q together with your high places, -\q because of the sin you committed in all your territories. - -\q -\v 4 You will lose the inheritance that I gave to you. -\q I will enslave you to your enemies in a land that you do not know, -\q for you have ignited a fire in my wrath, which will burn forever." - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Yahweh says, "The person who trusts in mankind is accursed; -\q he makes flesh his strength but turns his heart away from Yahweh. -\q -\v 6 For he will be like a small bush in the Arabah and will not see anything good coming. -\q He will stay in the stony places in the wilderness, barren land without inhabitants. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 But the person who trusts in Yahweh is blessed, for Yahweh is his reason for confidence. -\q -\v 8 For he will be like a tree planted by water, its roots will spread out by the stream. -\q It will not fear the heat when it comes, for its leaves are always green. -\q It is not anxious in a year of drought, and it will not stop producing fruit. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else. It is sick; who can understand it? -\q -\v 10 I am Yahweh, the one who searches through the mind, who tests the hearts. -\q I give to each person according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. -\q -\v 11 A partridge hatches an egg that she did not lay. Someone may become rich unjustly, -\q but when half his days are over, those riches will abandon him, and in the end he will be a fool." - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 "The place of our temple is a glorious throne, elevated from the beginning. -\q -\v 13 Yahweh is the hope of Israel. All who abandon you will be put to shame; those in the land who turn away from you will be written in the earth, -\q for they have forsaken Yahweh, the fountain of living waters. -\q -\v 14 Heal me, Yahweh, and I will be healed! Rescue me, and I will be rescued. For you are my song of praise. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 See, they are saying to me, 'Where is the word of Yahweh? Let it come!' -\q -\v 16 As for me, I did not run from being a shepherd following you. I did not long for the day of disaster. -\q You know the proclamations that came from my lips. They were made in your presence. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Do not be a terror to me. You are my refuge on the day of calamity. -\q -\v 18 May my pursuers be ashamed, but do not let me be ashamed. May they be dismayed, but do not let me be dismayed. -\q Send the day of disaster against them and shatter them with a double share of destruction." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Yahweh said this to me: "Go and stand in the gate of the people where the kings of Judah enter and where they exit, then in all the other gates of Jerusalem. -\v 20 Say to them, 'Hear the word of Yahweh, kings of Judah and all you people of Judah, and every resident of Jerusalem who comes in through these gates. - -\s5 -\v 21 Yahweh says this: "Be careful for the sake of your lives and do not carry a burden on the Sabbath day to bring it to the gates of Jerusalem. -\v 22 Do not bring a load out from your house on the Sabbath day. Do not do any work, but set apart the Sabbath day, just as I commanded your ancestors to do."' -\v 23 They did not listen or pay attention, but stiffened their neck so they would not hear me nor accept discipline. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 It will happen that if you truly listen to me—this is Yahweh's declaration—and do not bring a load to the gates of this city on the Sabbath day but instead set apart the Sabbath day to Yahweh and not do any work on it, -\v 25 then kings, princes, and those who sit on David's throne will come to the gates of this city in chariots and with horses, they and their leaders, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever. - -\s5 -\v 26 They will come from the cities of Judah and from all around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and the lowlands, from the mountains, and from the Negev, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, thank offerings to the house of Yahweh. -\v 27 But if you do not listen to me—to set apart the Sabbath day and to not carry heavy loads and to not enter the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day—then I will light a fire in its gates, and it will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem, and it cannot be put out." - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, -\v 2 "Arise and go out to the potter's house, for I will have you hear my word there." -\v 3 So I went out to the potter's house, and behold! The potter was working on the potter's wheel. -\v 4 But the object of clay that he was molding was ruined in his hand, so he changed his mind and made another object that seemed good in his eyes to do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 6 "Should I not be able to act like this potter with you, house of Israel?—this is Yahweh's declaration. Behold! Like clay in a potter's hand—that is how you are in my hand, house of Israel. -\v 7 At one moment, I may proclaim something about a nation or a kingdom, that I will drive it out, tear it down, or destroy it. -\v 8 But if the nation about which I have made that proclamation turns from its evil, then I will relent from the disaster that I was planning to bring upon it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 At another moment, I may proclaim something about a nation or a kingdom, that I will build it up or plant it. -\v 10 But if it does evil in my eyes by not listening to my voice, then I will stop the good that I had said I would do for them. - -\s5 -\v 11 So now, speak to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and say, 'Yahweh says this: See, I am about to form disaster against you. I am about to devise a plan against you. Repent, each person from his wicked way, so your ways and your practices will bring good to you.' -\v 12 But they will say, 'This is no use. We will act according to our own plans. Each one of us will do what his evil, stubborn heart desires.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Therefore Yahweh says this, 'Ask the nations, who has ever heard of such a thing as this? -\q The virgin Israel has committed a horrible act. -\q -\v 14 Does the snow in Lebanon ever leave the rocky hills on its sides? -\q Are the mountain streams coming from far away ever destroyed, those cold streams? - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Yet my people have forgotten me. They have made offerings to useless idols and been made to stumble in their paths; -\q they have left the ancient paths to walk lesser paths. -\q -\v 16 Their land will become a horror, an object of everlasting hissing. -\q Everyone who passes by her will shudder and shake his head. -\q -\v 17 I will scatter them before their enemies like an eastern wind. I will show them my back, and not my face, on the day of their disaster.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 So the people said, "Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, since the law will never perish from the priests, or advice from the wise men, or words from the prophets. Come, let us attack him with our words and no longer pay attention to anything he proclaims." -\q -\v 19 Pay attention to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of my enemies. -\q -\v 20 Will disaster from them really be my reward for being good to them? For they have dug a pit for me. -\q Remember how I stood before you to speak for their welfare, to cause your fury to turn away from them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Therefore hand over their children to famine, and give them to the hands of those who use the sword. -\q So let their women become bereaved and widows, and their men be killed, and their young men killed by the sword in battle. -\q -\v 22 Let a distressed shout be heard from their houses, as you suddenly bring raiders against them. -\q For they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden traps for my feet. -\q -\v 23 But you, Yahweh, you know all of their plans against me to kill me. -\q Do not forgive their iniquities and sins. Do not wipe their sins away from you. -\q Instead, let them be overthrown before you. Act against them in the time of your wrath. - - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh said this, "Go and purchase a potter's clay flask while you are with the elders of the people and the priests. - -\v 2 Then go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom at the entry of the Broken Pottery Gate, and there proclaim the words that I will tell you. -\v 3 Say, 'Hear the word of Yahweh, kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, "See, I am about to bring disaster on this place, and the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. - -\s5 -\v 4 I will do this because they have abandoned me and profaned this place. In this place they offer sacrifices to other gods that they did not know. They, their ancestors, and the kings of Judah have also filled this place with innocent blood. -\v 5 They built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to him—something that I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. - - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Therefore, see, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when this place will no longer be called Topheth, the Valley of Ben Hinnom, for it will be the Valley of Slaughter. -\v 7 In this place I will make the plans of Judah and Jerusalem useless. I will make them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hand of the ones seeking their lives. -Then I will give their corpses as food to the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth. -\v 8 Then I will make this city a ruin and the object of hissing, for everyone passing by it will shudder and hiss regarding all of its plagues. -\v 9 I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters; each man will consume the flesh of his neighbor in the siege and in the anguish brought on them by their enemies and the ones seeking their lives."' - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then you will break the clay flask in the sight of the men who went with you. -\v 11 You will say to them, 'Yahweh of hosts says this: I will do this same thing to this people and this city—this is Yahweh's declaration—just as Jeremiah shattered the clay flask so that it could not be repaired again. People will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no place left for any more dead. - -\s5 -\v 12 This is what I will do to this place and its inhabitants when I make this city like Topheth—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\v 13 so the houses of Jerusalem and of the kings of Judah will become like Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops the unclean people worship all the stars of the heavens and pour out drink offerings to other gods.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then Jeremiah went from Topheth, where Yahweh had sent him to prophesy. He stood in the courtyard of Yahweh's house and he said to all the people, -\v 15 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'See, I am about to bring to this city and to all of its towns all the disaster that I have proclaimed against it, since they stiffened their neck and -refused to listen to my words.'" - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 Pashhur son of Immer the priest—he was a leading officer—heard Jeremiah prophesying these words before Yahweh's house. -\v 2 So Pashhur beat Jeremiah the prophet and then placed him in the stocks that were at the Upper Gate of Benjamin in Yahweh's house. - -\s5 -\v 3 It happened on the next day that Pashhur brought Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, "Yahweh has not called your name Pashhur, but you are Magor Missabib. -\v 4 For Yahweh says this, 'Look, I will make you an object of horror, you and all of your loved ones, for they will fall by the sword of their enemies and your eyes will see it. I will give all of Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon. He will make them captives in Babylon or attack them with the sword. - -\s5 -\v 5 I will give him all the wealth of this city and all of its riches, all of its precious items and all the treasures of the kings of Judah. I will place these things in the hand of your enemies, and they will seize them. They will take them and bring them to Babylon. -\v 6 But you, Pashhur, and all the inhabitants of your house will go into captivity. You will go to Babylon and die there. You and all of your loved ones to whom you prophesied -deceitful things will be buried there.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 "Yahweh, you deceived me, and I was deceived. You are stronger than I, and you overpowered me. -\q I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. -\q -\v 8 For whenever I have spoken, I have called out and proclaimed, 'Violence and destruction.' -\q Then Yahweh's word has become for me reproach and mocking every day. -\q -\v 9 If I say, 'I will not think about Yahweh anymore. I will not speak any longer in his name.' -\q Then it is like a fire in my heart, held within my bones. So I struggle to contain it but I cannot. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 I have heard rumors of terror from many people all around. 'Report! We must report it!' -\q Those who are close to me watch to see if I will fall. 'Perhaps he can be tricked. -\q If so, we can overpower him and take our revenge on him.' -\q -\v 11 But Yahweh is with me like a powerful warrior, so the ones pursuing me will stagger. -\q They will not defeat me. They will be greatly ashamed, because they will not succeed. -\q They will have unending shame, it will never be forgotten. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 But Yahweh of hosts, you examine the righteous and see the mind and the heart. -\q Let me see your vengeance on them for I have committed my cause to you. -\q -\v 13 Sing to Yahweh! Praise Yahweh! -\q For he has rescued the lives of those who are oppressed from the hand of evildoers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Let the day when I was born be cursed. -\q Do not let the day that my mother bore me be blessed. -\q -\v 15 Let the man who informed my father be cursed, -\q the one who said, 'A male child has been born to you,' causing great joy. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Let that man be like the cities that Yahweh overthrew and he did not have compassion on them. -\q Let him hear a cry for help in the dawn, a battle cry at noontime, -\q -\v 17 because he did not kill me in the womb, making my mother to be my tomb, -\q a womb that was pregnant forever. -\q -\v 18 Why is it that I came out from the womb to see troubles and agony, -\q so that my days are filled with shame?" - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur son of Malkijah and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest to him. They said to him, -\v 2 "Seek advice from Yahweh on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war on us. Perhaps Yahweh will do miracles for us, as in times past, and will make him withdraw from us." - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 So Jeremiah said to them, "This is what you must say to Zedekiah, -\v 4 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: See, I am about to turn back the instruments of war that are in your hand, with which you are fighting against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans -who are closing you in from outside the walls! For I will gather them in the middle of this city. -\v 5 Then I myself will fight against you with a raised hand and a strong arm, and with wrath, fury, and great anger. - -\s5 -\v 6 For I will attack the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a severe plague. -\v 7 After this—this is Yahweh's declaration—Zedekiah king of Judah, his servants, the people, and whoever remains in this city after the plague, the sword, and the famine, I will give them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those seeking their life. Then he will kill them with the edge of the sword. He will not pity them, spare them, or have compassion.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then to this people you must say, 'Yahweh says this: See, I am about to place before you the way of life and the way of death. -\v 9 Anyone staying in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague; but anyone going out and falling on his knees before the Chaldeans who have closed in against you will live. He will escape with his life. -\v 10 For I have set my face against this city in order to bring disaster and not to bring good—this is Yahweh's declaration. It has been given into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Concerning the house of the king of Judah, listen to the word of Yahweh. -\q -\v 12 House of David, Yahweh says, 'Bring about justice in the morning. -\q Rescue the one who has been robbed by the hand of the oppressor, -\q or my fury will go out like fire and burn, -\q and there is no one who can quench it, because of your evil deeds. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 See, inhabitant of the valley! I am against you, rock of the plain—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q I am against anyone who is saying, "Who will come down to attack us?" or "Who will enter our houses?" -\q -\v 14 I have assigned the fruit of your practices to come against you—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q and I will light a fire in the thickets, and it will consume everything around it.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 This is what Yahweh says, "Go down to the house of the king of Judah and proclaim this word there. -\v 2 Say, 'King of Judah, listen to the word of Yahweh—you who sit on David's throne—you, and your servants, and your people who come through these gates. -\v 3 Yahweh says this, "Perform justice and righteousness, and anyone who has been robbed—rescue him from the hand of the oppressor. Do not mistreat any foreigner in your land, or any orphan or widow. Do not commit violence or pour out innocent blood in this place. - -\s5 -\v 4 For if you truly do these things, then kings sitting on David's throne will enter the gates of this house riding in a chariot and on horses, he, his servants, and his people! -\v 5 But if you do not listen to these words from me that I have announced—this is Yahweh's declaration—then this royal house will become a ruin."' - -\s5 -\v 6 For Yahweh says this concerning the house of the king of Judah, -\q 'You are like Gilead, or like the summit of Lebanon to me. Yet I will turn you into a wilderness, -\q into cities with no inhabitants. -\q -\v 7 For I have designated destroyers to come against you! Men with their weapons -\q will cut off the best of your cedars and let them fall into the fire. - -\s5 -\v 8 Then many nations will pass by this city. Each person will say to the next, "Why has Yahweh acted in this way toward this great city?" -\q -\v 9 Then the other will answer, "Because they abandoned the covenant of Yahweh their God and bowed down to other gods and worshiped them." - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Do not weep for the one who is dead or mourn for him; but weep bitterly for him who is about to go away, -\q because he will never return and see his native land again.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 For Yahweh says this about Jehoahaz son of Josiah king of Judah, who served as king instead of Josiah his father, 'He has gone from this place and will not come back. -\v 12 He will die there in the place to where they have exiled him, and he will never again see this land.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, -\q who makes his neighbor work for him for nothing, and he does not give him his wages; -\q -\v 14 he says, 'I will build for myself a large house with spacious upper rooms.' -\q So he cuts out large windows for it, and he panels it with cedar, and he paints it red. - -\s5 -\v 15 Is this what makes you a good king, that you wanted to have boards of cedar? -\q Did not your father also eat and drink, yet do justice and righteousness? Then things went well for him. -\q -\v 16 He judged in favor of the poor and needy. It was good then. Is this not what it means to know me?—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 17 But there is nothing in your eyes and heart except worry for your unjust profit and for pouring out innocent blood, -\q for producing oppression and crushing of others. -\p -\v 18 Therefore this is what Yahweh says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah: -\q They will not lament for him, saying, -\q 'Woe, my brother!' or 'Woe, my sister!' -\q They will not lament for him, saying, -\q 'Woe, master!' or 'Woe, majesty!' -\q -\v 19 He will be buried with a donkey's burial, -\q dragged away and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Go up Lebanon's mountains and shout. Lift your voice in Bashan. -\q Shout from the Abarim mountains, for all of your friends will be destroyed. -\q -\v 21 I spoke to you when you were safe, but you said, 'I will not listen.' -\q This was your custom since your youth, for you have not listened to my voice. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 The wind will shepherd away all your shepherds, and your friends will go into captivity. -\q Then you will certainly be ashamed and humiliated by all of your evil deeds. -\q -\v 23 You who live in 'Lebanon,' who is nestled in cedar buildings, -\q how you will be pitied when the labor pains come upon you, pain like that of a woman in labor!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 "As I live—this is Yahweh's declaration—even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet on my right hand, I would tear you off. -\v 25 For I have given you to the hand of the ones seeking your life and to the hand of those before whom you are afraid, even to the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans. -\v 26 I will throw you and your mother who bore you into another land, a country where you were not born, and there you will die. - -\s5 -\v 27 About this land to which they will want to return, they will not come back here. -\q -\v 28 Is this a despised and shattered vessel? Is this man Jehoiachin a pot that pleases no one? -\q Why have they thrown him and his descendants out, and have poured them out into a land that they did not know? - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 Land, Land, Land! Hear the word of Yahweh! -\q -\v 30 Yahweh says this, 'Write about this man Jehoiachin: He will be childless. -\q He will not prosper during his days, and no one among his descendants will achieve success -\q or ever again sit on David's throne and rule over Judah.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture—this is Yahweh's declaration." -\v 2 Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this concerning the shepherds who are shepherding his people, "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away. You have not cared for them. So I am about to punish you for the evil you have done—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 3 I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all of the lands where I have driven them, and I will return them to a grazing place, where they will be fruitful and increase. -\v 4 Then I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them so they will no longer fear or be shattered. None of them will go missing—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 See, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will raise up for David a righteous branch. -\q He will reign as king; he will act wisely and cause justice and righteousness in the land. -\q -\v 6 In his days Judah will be rescued, and Israel will live in security. -\q Then this is the name by which he will be called: Yahweh is our righteousness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Therefore see, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when they will no longer say, 'As Yahweh lives, who brought the people of Israel up from the land of Egypt.' -\v 8 Instead they will say, 'As Yahweh lives, who brought up and who led back the descendants of the house of Israel from the northern land and all the lands where they had been driven.' Then they will live in their own land." - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Regarding the prophets, my heart is broken in me, and all of my bones tremble. I have become like a drunk man, -\q like a man whom wine has overpowered, because of Yahweh and his holy words. -\q -\v 10 For the land is full of adulterers. Because of these the land is dried up. -\q The meadows in the wilderness dry up. These prophets' paths are wicked; their power is not used in a right manner. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 "For both the prophets and the priests are polluted. I even found their wickedness in my house!—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q -\v 12 therefore their way will be like a slippery place in the darkness. They will be pushed down. They will fall in it. -\q For I will send disaster against them in the year of their punishment—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 For I have seen the prophets in Samaria doing what is repulsive: -\q They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. -\q -\v 14 Among the prophets in Jerusalem I have seen horrible things: -\q They commit adultery and walk in deceit. -\q They strengthen the hands of evildoers; no one turns back from his evildoing. -\q All of them have become like Sodom to me and its inhabitants like Gomorrah!" -\q -\v 15 Therefore Yahweh of hosts says this concerning the prophets, -\q "Look, I am about to make them eat wormwood and drink poisonous water, -\q for pollution has gone out from the prophets of Jerusalem to all the land." - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Yahweh of hosts says this, "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. -\q They have deluded you! They are announcing visions from their own minds, not from Yahweh's mouth. -\q -\v 17 They are constantly saying to those who dishonor me, 'Yahweh declares there will be peace for you.' -\q For everyone walking in the stubbornness of his own heart says, 'Disaster will not come upon you.' -\q -\v 18 Yet who has stood in Yahweh's council meeting? Who sees and hears his word? -\q Who pays attention to his word and listens? - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 See, there is a storm coming from Yahweh! His fury is going out, and a tempest is whirling about. -\q It is whirling around the heads of the wicked. -\q -\v 20 Yahweh's wrath will not return until it has carried out and brought into being his heart's intentions. -\q In the final days, you will understand it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 I did not send out these prophets. They just appeared. -\q I did not proclaim anything to them, but they have still prophesied. -\q -\v 22 For if they had stood in my council meeting, they would have caused my people to hear my word; -\q they would have caused them to turn from their wicked words and corrupt practices. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 Am I only a God nearby—this is Yahweh's declaration—and not also a God far away? -\q -\v 24 Can anyone hide in a secret place so I cannot see him?—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q and do I not fill the heavens and the earth?—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 I have heard what the prophets have said, those who were prophesying deceit in my name. They said, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' -\v 26 How long will this go on, prophets who prophesy lies from their minds, and who prophesy from the deceit in their hearts? -\v 27 They are planning on making my people forget my name with the dreams that they report, each one to his neighbor, just as their ancestors forgot my name in favor of Baal's name. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 The prophet who has a dream, let him report the dream. But the one to whom I have declared something, let him declare my word truthfully. What does straw have to do with grain?—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\v 29 Is not my word like fire?—this is Yahweh's declaration—and like a hammer that shatters a rock into pieces? -\v 30 So see, I am against the prophets—this is Yahweh's declaration—anyone who steals words from another person and says they come from me. - -\s5 -\v 31 See, I am against the prophets—this is Yahweh's declaration—who use their tongues to prophesy proclamations. -\v 32 See, I am against the prophets who dream deceitfully—this is Yahweh's declaration—and then proclaim them and in this way mislead my people with their deceit and boasting. I am against them, for I have not sentf them out nor given them commands. So they will certainly not help this people—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 When these people, or a prophet, or a priest asks you, 'What is the burden of Yahweh?' you will say to them, 'You are the burden, and I will cast you off'—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\v 34 As for the prophets, priests, and people who are saying, 'This is the burden of Yahweh' I will punish that man and his house. - -\s5 -\v 35 You continue to say, each person to his neighbor and each man to his brother, 'What did Yahweh answer?' and 'What did Yahweh declare?' -\v 36 But you must no longer talk about the 'burden of Yahweh,' for the burden is every man's own word, and you have perverted the words of the living God, Yahweh of hosts, our God. - -\s5 -\v 37 This is what you will say to the prophet, 'What answer did Yahweh give you? or 'What did Yahweh say?' -\v 38 But if you say, 'The burden of Yahweh', this is what Yahweh says: -\q 'Because you have said these words, 'The burden of Yahweh,' when I sent to you, saying, 'You will not say, "The burden of Yahweh,"' -\q -\v 39 therefore, behold, I am about to pick you up and throw you away from me, along with the city that I gave you and your ancestors. -\q -\v 40 Then I will put everlasting shame and insult on you that will not be forgotten.'" - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 Yahweh showed me something. Behold, two baskets of figs were placed before Yahweh's temple. (This vision happened after Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took into exile Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, the officials of Judah, the craftsmen and the metalworkers from Jerusalem and brought them to Babylon.) -\v 2 One basket of figs was very good, like first ripe figs, but the other basket of figs was so very bad that they could not be eaten. -\v 3 Yahweh said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "Figs. Figs that are very good and figs that are so very bad they cannot be eaten." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 5 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: I will look on the exiles of Judah for their benefit, just like these good figs, the exiles whom I have sent out from this place to the land of Chaldea. -\v 6 I will set my eyes on them for good and restore them to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down. I will plant them, and not uproot them. -\v 7 Then I will give them a heart to know me, for I am Yahweh. They will be my people and I will be their God, so they will turn to me with all their heart. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 But like the bad figs that are too bad to be eaten—this is what Yahweh says—I will act in this way with Zedekiah, king of Judah, with his officials, and with the rest of Jerusalem who remain in this land or go to stay in the land of Egypt. -\v 9 I will turn them into a frightening thing, a disaster, in the sight of all the kingdoms on earth, a disgrace and a subject for proverbs, taunts, and curses in every place where I will have driven them. -\v 10 I will send out sword, famine, and plague against them, until they are destroyed from the land that I gave them and their ancestors." - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah about all the people of Judah. It came in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah. That was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, -king of Babylon. -\v 2 Jeremiah the prophet proclaimed this to all the people of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 3 He said, "For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah until this day, Yahweh's words have been coming to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. -\v 4 Yahweh sent out all his servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or paid any attention. - -\s5 -\v 5 These prophets said, 'Let each man turn from his wicked way and the corruption of his practices and return to the land that Yahweh gave in ancient times to your ancestors and to you, as a permanent gift. -\v 6 So do not walk after other gods to worship them or bow down to them, and do not provoke him with the work of your hands so that he does you harm.' - -\s5 -\v 7 But you have not listened to me—this is Yahweh's declaration—so you have provoked me with the work of your hands to do harm to you. -\v 8 So Yahweh of hosts says this, 'Because you did not listen to my words, -\v 9 see, I am about to send out a command to gather all the peoples of the north—this is Yahweh's declaration—with Nebuchadnezzar my servant, king of Babylon, and bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all the nations around you. For I will set them apart for destruction. I will turn them into a horror, an object for hissing, and an unending desolation. - -\s5 -\v 10 I will put an end to the sound of joy and sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. -\v 11 Then all of this land will become a desolation and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then it will happen when seventy years have been completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans—this is Yahweh's declaration—for their iniquity and make it an unending desolation. -\v 13 Then I will carry out against that land all the words that I had spoken, and everything written in this book that Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations. -\v 14 For also many other nations and great kings will make slaves out of these nations. I will repay them for their deeds and the works of their hands.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 For Yahweh, God of Israel, said this to me, "Take this cup of the wine of fury from my hand and make all the nations to which I am sending you drink it. -\v 16 For they will drink and then stumble about and rant madly before the sword that I am sending out among them." - -\s5 -\v 17 So I took the cup from Yahweh's hand, and I made all the nations to which Yahweh had sent me drink it: -\v 18 Jerusalem, the cities of Judah and her kings and officials—to turn them into ruins and something terrifying, and into an object for hissing and cursing, as they are at this present day. -\s5 -\v 19 Other nations also had to drink it: Pharaoh king of Egypt and his servants; his officials and all his people; -\v 20 all people of mixed heritage and all the kings of the land of Uz; all the kings of the land of Philistia—Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod; -\v 21 Edom and Moab and the people of Ammon. - -\s5 -\v 22 The kings of Tyre and Sidon, the kings of the coasts on the other side of the sea, -\v 23 Dedan, Tema, and Buz with all the ones who cut the hair on the sides of their heads, they also had to drink it. - -\s5 -\v 24 All the kings of Arabia and all the kings of people of mixed heritage who live in the wilderness; -\v 25 all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes; -\v 26 all the kings of the north, the ones close by and the ones far away—everyone with his brother and all the kingdoms of the world that are on the surface of the earth, all of them had to drink the cup from Yahweh's hand. Finally, the king of Babylon will also drink from that cup. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Yahweh said to me, "Now you must say to them, 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Drink and become drunk, then vomit, fall down, and do not rise before the sword that I am sending among you.' -\v 28 Then it will happen that if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink, you will say to them, 'Yahweh of hosts says this: You must certainly drink it. -\v 29 For see, I am about to bring disaster on the city that is called by my name, and should you yourselves be free from punishment? You will not be free, for I am calling a sword against all the inhabitants of the land!—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 You must prophesy all these words against them, and say to them, -\q 'Yahweh will roar from the heights -\q and he will shout with his voice from his holy dwelling, -\q and he will roar mightily against his fold; -\q and he will shout, like those who tread the grapes -\q against all those who live on the earth. -\q -\v 31 The sound of battle will resound to the ends of the earth, -\q for Yahweh brings charges against the nations, -\q and he brings judgment on all flesh. -\q He will hand over the wicked ones to the sword—this is Yahweh's declaration.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 Yahweh of hosts says this, -\q 'See, disaster is going out from nation to nation, -\q and a great storm is beginning from the farthest parts of the earth. -\q -\v 33 Then those killed by Yahweh will on that day extend from one end of the earth to the other; -\q they will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. -\q They will be like dung on the ground. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 Wail, shepherds, and shout for help! -\q Roll about in the dust, -\q you leaders of the flock, -\q for the days of your slaughter have come; -\q you will be scattered when you fall like fine pottery. -\q -\v 35 There is no refuge for the shepherds, there will be no escape for the leaders of the flock. -\q -\v 36 Hear the cries of the shepherds and the wails of the leaders of the flock, -\q for Yahweh is destroying their pastures. - -\s5 -\q -\v 37 So the peaceful pastures will be devastated because of Yahweh's fierce anger. -\q -\v 38 Like a young lion, he has left his den, for their land will become a horror because of the oppressor's anger, -\q because of his angry wrath.'" -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the oppressor's anger \fqa* , some ancient copies and modern versions have \fqa the oppressor's sword \fqa* . \f* - - - - - -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, this word came from Yahweh, saying, -\v 2 "Yahweh says this: Stand in the courtyard of my house and speak about all the cities of Judah who come to worship at my house. Proclaim all the words that I have commanded you to say to them. Do not cut short any word! -\v 3 It may be that they will listen, that each man will turn from his wicked ways, so I will relent concerning the disaster that I am planning to bring on them because of the wickedness of their practices. - -\s5 -\v 4 So you must say to them, 'Yahweh says this: If you do not listen to me so as to walk in my law that I have placed before you— -\v 5 if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I am persistently sending to you—but you have not listened!— -\v 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh; I will turn this city into a curse in the sight of all the nations on earth.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah announcing these words in Yahweh's house. -\v 8 So it happened that when Jeremiah had finished announcing all that Yahweh commanded him to say to all the people, the priests, prophets, and all the people seized him and said, "You will certainly die! -\v 9 Why have you prophesied in Yahweh's name and said that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will become desolate, with no inhabitant?" For all the people had formed a mob against Jeremiah in Yahweh's house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then the officials of Judah heard these words and went up from the king's house to Yahweh's house. They sat in the gateway at the New Gate of Yahweh's house. -\v 11 The priests and the prophets spoke to the officials and to all the people. They said, "It is right for this man to die, for he prophesied against this city, just as you heard with your own ears!" -\v 12 So Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people and said, "Yahweh has sent me out to prophesy against this house and this city, to say all the words that you have heard. - -\s5 -\v 13 So now, improve your ways and your practices, and listen to the voice of Yahweh your God so that he will relent concerning the disaster that he has proclaimed against you. -\v 14 I myself—look at me!—am in your hand. Do to me what is good and right in your eyes. -\v 15 But you must surely know that if you kill me, then you are bringing innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and its inhabitants, for Yahweh has truly sent me to you to proclaim all these words for your ears." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and prophets, "It is not right for this man to die, for he has proclaimed things to us in the name of Yahweh our God." -\v 17 Then men from the elders of the land rose up and spoke to the entire assembly of the people. - -\s5 -\v 18 They said, "Micah the Morashite was prophesying in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He spoke to all the people of Judah and said, 'Yahweh of hosts says this: -\q Zion will become a plowed field, -\q Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, -\q and the hill of the temple will become a thicket.' -\v 19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all of Judah put him to death? Did he not fear Yahweh and appease the face of Yahweh so that Yahweh would relent concerning the disaster that he proclaimed to them? So will we do greater evil against our own lives?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Meanwhile there was another man who prophesied in the name of Yahweh—Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim—he also prophesied against this city and this land, agreeing with all of Jeremiah's words. -\v 21 But when King Jehoiakim and all his soldiers and officials heard his word, then the king tried to put him to death, but Uriah heard and was afraid, so he ran away and went to Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent out men to go to Egypt—Elnathan son of Akbor and men to go into Egypt after Uriah. -\v 23 They took Uriah out from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim. Then Jehoiakim killed him with a sword and sent his corpse out to the graves of the ordinary people. -\v 24 But the hand of Ahikam son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so he was not given into the hand of the people to be put to death. - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh. -\f + \ft Although most Hebrew copies have \fqa Jehoiakim \fqa* , most modern versions have \fqa Zedekiah \fqa* , because the events in this chapter occur during his reign. \f* -\v 2 This is what Yahweh said to me, "Make fetters and a yoke for yourself. Place them on your neck. -\v 3 Then send them out to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the people of Ammon, the king of Tyre, and to the king of Sidon. Send them by the hand of those kings' ambassadors who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. -\v 4 Give commands to them for their masters and say, 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: This is what you must say to your masters, - -\s5 -\v 5 "I myself made the earth by my great strength and my raised arm. I also made the people and animals on the earth, and I give it to anyone who is right in my eyes. -\v 6 So now, I myself am giving all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, my servant. Also, I am giving the living things in the fields to him to serve him. -\v 7 For all the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until the time for his land comes. Then many nations and great kings will subdue him. - -\s5 -\v 8 So the nation and the kingdom that does not serve Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and that does not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon—I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with the plague—this is Yahweh's declaration—until I have destroyed it by his hand. - -\s5 -\v 9 So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your seers, your soothsayers, and sorcerers, who have been speaking to you and saying, 'Do not serve the king of Babylon.' -\v 10 For they are prophesying deceit to you in order to send you far away from your lands, for I will drive you away, and you will die. -\v 11 But the nation that places its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serves him, I will allow it to rest in its land—this is Yahweh's declaration—and they will cultivate it and make their homes in it."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah and gave him this message, "Place your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him and his people, and you will live. -\v 13 Why will you die—you and your people—by the sword, famine, and plague, just as I have declared about the nation that refuses to serve the king of Babylon? - -\s5 -\v 14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who speak to you and say, 'Do not serve the king of Babylon,' for they are prophesying lies to you. -\v 15 'For I have not sent them out—this is Yahweh's declaration—for they are prophesying deceit in my name so that I will drive you out and you will perish, both you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 I proclaimed this to the priests and all the people and said, "Yahweh says this: Do not listen to the words of your prophets who prophesy to you and say, 'Look! The objects belonging to Yahweh's house are being returned from Babylon now!' They are prophesying lies to you. -\v 17 Do not listen to them. You should serve the king of Babylon and live. Why should this city become a ruin? -\v 18 If they are prophets, and if the word of Yahweh has truly come to them, let them beg Yahweh of hosts not to send to Babylon the objects that remain in his house, the house of the king of Judah, and Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 19 Yahweh of hosts says this about the pillars, the large basin known as "The Sea" and its base, and the rest of the objects that remain in this city— -\v 20 the objects that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he carried Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 21 Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this about the objects that remain in the house of Yahweh, the house of the king of Judah, and Jerusalem, -\v 22 'They will be brought to Babylon, and they will remain there until the day I have set to come for them—this is Yahweh's declaration—then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.'" -\s5 -\c 28 -\p -\v 1 It happened in that year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year and the fifth month, Hananiah son of Azzur the prophet, who was from Gibeon, spoke to me in Yahweh's house in front of the priests and all the people. He said, -\v 2 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: I have broken the yoke imposed by the king of Babylon. - -\s5 -\v 3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the objects belonging to Yahweh's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took from this place and transported to Babylon. -\v 4 Then I will bring back to this place Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the captives of Judah who were sent to Babylon—this is Yahweh's declaration—for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 So Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Hananiah the prophet in front of the priests and to all the people who stood in Yahweh's house. -\v 6 Jeremiah the prophet said, "May Yahweh do this! May Yahweh confirm the words that you prophesied and bring back to this place the objects belonging to Yahweh's house, and all the captives from Babylon. -\v 7 However, listen to the word that I am proclaiming in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. - -\s5 -\v 8 The prophets who existed before me and you from long ago also prophesied about many nations and against great kingdoms, about war, famine, and plague. -\v 9 So the prophet who prophesies that there will be peace—if his word comes true, then it will be known that he is indeed a prophet sent out by Yahweh." - -\s5 -\v 10 But Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke it. -\v 11 Then Hananiah spoke in front of all the people and said, "Yahweh says this: Just like this, within two years I will break from off the neck of every nation the yoke imposed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon." Then Jeremiah the prophet went on his way. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 After Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, -\v 13 "Go and speak to Hananiah and say, 'Yahweh says this: You broke a yoke of wood, but I will make instead a yoke of iron.' -\v 14 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: I have placed a yoke of iron on the neck of all of these nations to serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I have also given him the wild beasts in the fields to rule over." - -\s5 -\v 15 Next Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen Hananiah! Yahweh has not sent you, but you yourself have caused this people to believe in lies. -\v 16 So Yahweh says this: Look, I am about to send you out from the earth. You will die this year, since you proclaimed rebellion against Yahweh." -\v 17 In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died. - - - -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 These are the words in the scroll that Jeremiah the prophet sent out from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the captives and to the priests, prophets, and all the people that Nebuchadnezzar exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. -\v 2 This was after Jehoiachin the king, the queen mother, and the high officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen had been sent away from Jerusalem. -\v 3 He sent this scroll by the hand of Elasah son of Shapan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah whom Zedekiah, king of Judah, had sent to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. - -\s5 -\v 4 The scroll said, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this to all the captives whom I caused to be exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon, -\v 5 'Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit. - -\s5 -\v 6 Take wives and give birth to sons and daughters. Then take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands. Let them give birth to sons and daughters and increase there -so you do not become too few. -\v 7 Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be exiled, and intercede with me on its behalf since there will be peace for you if it is at peace.' - -\s5 -\v 8 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that you yourselves are having. -\v 9 For they are prophesying deceitfully to you in my name. I did not send them—this is Yahweh's declaration.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 For Yahweh says this, 'When Babylon has ruled you for seventy years, I will help you and carry out my good word for you to bring you back to this place. -\v 11 For I myself know the plans that I have for you—this is Yahweh's declaration—plans for peace and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. - -\s5 -\v 12 Then you will call to me, and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. -\v 13 For you will seek me and find me, since you will seek me with all your heart. -\v 14 Then I will be found by you—this is Yahweh's declaration—and I will bring back your fortunes; I will gather you from all the nations and places where I scattered you—this is Yahweh's declaration—for I will bring you back to the place from where I caused you to be exiled.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Since you said that Yahweh has raised up prophets for us in Babylon, -\v 16 Yahweh says this to the king who sits on the throne of David and to all the people who are staying in that city, your brothers who have not gone out with you into captivity— -\v 17 Yahweh of hosts says this, 'See, I am about to send sword, famine, and disease on them. For I will make them like rotten figs that are too bad to be eaten. - -\s5 -\v 18 Then I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague and make them a horrible sight to all the kingdoms on earth—a horror, an object of curses and hissing, and a shameful thing among all the nations where I scattered her. -\v 19 This is because they did not listen to my word—this is Yahweh's declaration—that I sent out to them through my servants the prophets. I repeatedly sent them, but you would not listen—this is Yahweh's declaration.' - -\s5 -\v 20 So you yourselves listen to the word of Yahweh, all you exiles whom he has sent out from Jerusalem to Babylon, -\p -\v 21 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who prophesy falsely to you in my name: See, I am about to put them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will kill them before your eyes. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then a curse will be spoken about these persons by all the captives of Judah in Babylon. The curse will say: May Yahweh make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in fire. -\v 23 This will happen because of the shameful things they did in Israel when they committed adultery with their neighbor's wives and declared false words in my name, things that I never commanded them to say. -For I am the one who knows; I am the witness—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 "About Shemaiah the Nehelamite, say this: -\v 25 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Because you sent out letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem, to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, -and to all the priests, and said, -\v 26 "Yahweh has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, for you to be in charge of Yahweh's house. You are in control of all the people who rave and make themselves into prophets. You should put them in stocks and chains. - -\s5 -\v 27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who makes himself into a prophet against you? -\v 28 For he has sent to us in Babylon and said, 'It will be a long time. Build houses and live in them, and plant gardens and eat their fruit."'" -\v 29 Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet. - -\s5 -\v 30 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, -\v 31 "Send word to all the exiles and say, 'Yahweh says this about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you when I myself did not send him, and he has led you to believe lies, -\v 32 therefore Yahweh says this: Look, I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. There will not be a man for him to stay among this people. He will not see the good that I will do for my people—this is Yahweh's declaration—for he has proclaimed rebellion against Yahweh.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 30 -\p -\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, -\v 2 "This is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says, 'Write in a scroll all the words that I have spoken to you. -\v 3 For look, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah. I, Yahweh, have said it. For I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will possess it.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 These are the words that Yahweh declared concerning Israel and Judah, -\v 5 "For Yahweh says this, -\q 'We have heard a trembling voice of dread and not of peace. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Ask and see if a man bears a child. -\q Why do I see every young man with his hand on his loins like a woman bearing a child? -\q Why have all their faces become pale? -\q -\v 7 Woe! For that day will be great, with none like it. -\q It will be a time of anxiety for Jacob, but he will be rescued from it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 For it will be in that day—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts—that I will break the yoke off your neck, and I will shatter your chains, so foreigners will no longer enslave you. -\q -\v 9 But they will worship Yahweh their God and serve David their king, whom I will make king over them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 So you, my servant Jacob, do not fear—this is Yahweh's declaration—and do not be dismayed, Israel. -\q For see, I am about to bring you back from far away, and your descendants from the land of captivity. -\q Jacob will return and be at peace; he will be secure, and there will be no more terror. -\q -\v 11 For I am with you—this is Yahweh's declaration—to save you. Then I will bring a complete end -\q to all the nations where I have scattered you. But I will certainly not put an end to you, -\q though I discipline you justly and will certainly not leave you unpunished.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 For Yahweh says this, 'Your injury is incurable; your wound is infected. -\q -\v 13 There is no one to plead your case; there is no remedy for your wound to heal you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 All of your lovers have forgotten you. They will not look for you, -\q for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy and the discipline of a cruel master -\q because of your many iniquities and your innumerable sins. -\q -\v 15 Why do you call for help for your injury? Your pain is incurable. -\q Because of your many iniquities, your innumerable sins, I have done these things to you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 So everyone who consumes you will be consumed, and all of your adversaries will go into captivity. -\q For the ones who have plundered you will become plunder, and I will make all of the ones despoiling you a spoil. -\q -\v 17 For I will bring healing on you; I will heal you of your wounds—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q I will do this because they called you: Outcast. No one cares for this Zion.'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Yahweh says this, "See, I am about to bring back the fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his homes. -\q Then a city will be built on the heap of ruins, and a stronghold will exist again where it used to be. -\q -\v 19 Then a song of praise and a sound of merriment will go out from them, -\q for I will increase them and not diminish them; I will honor them so they will not be humbled. - - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Then their people will be like before, and their assembly will be established before me -\q when I punish all the ones who are now tormenting them. -\q -\v 21 Their leader will come from among them. He will emerge from their midst -\q when I draw him near and when he approaches me. -\q If I do not do this, who would dare come close to me?—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 22 Then you will be my people, and I will be your God. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 See, the tempest of Yahweh, his fury, has gone out. It is a continual tempest. -\q It will whirl on the heads of the wicked people. -\q -\v 24 Yahweh's wrath will not return until it has carried out and brought into being his heart's intentions. -\q In the final days, you will understand it." - - - - -\s5 -\c 31 -\p -\v 1 "At that time—this is Yahweh's declaration—I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people." -\v 2 Yahweh says this, -\q "The people who have survived the sword have found favor in the wilderness; I will go out to give rest to Israel." -\q -\v 3 Yahweh appeared to me in the past and said, "I have loved you, Israel, with everlasting love. -\q So I have drawn you toward myself with covenant faithfulness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 I will build you up again so you will be built, virgin Israel. -\q You will again pick up your tambourines and go out with happy dances. -\q -\v 5 You will plant vineyards again on the mountains of Samaria; the farmers will plant and put the fruit to good use. -\q -\v 6 For a day will come when the watchmen in the mountains of Ephraim will proclaim, -\q 'Arise, let us go up to Zion to Yahweh our God.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 For Yahweh says this, "Shout for joy over Jacob! Shout in gladness for the chief people of the nations! Let praise be heard. Say, 'Yahweh has rescued his people, the remnant of Israel.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 See, I am about to bring them from the northern lands. I will gather them from the farthest parts of the earth. -\q The blind and lame will be among them; -\q pregnant women and those who are about to give birth will be with them. -\q A great assembly will return here. -\q -\v 9 They will come weeping; I will lead them as they make their pleas. I will have them journey to streams of water -\q on a straight road. They will not stumble on it, for I will be a father to Israel, -\q and Ephraim will be my firstborn." - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 "Hear the word of Yahweh, nations. Report along the coasts in the distance. -\q You nations must say, 'The one who scattered Israel is gathering her up and keeping her as a shepherd keeps his sheep.' -\q -\v 11 For Yahweh has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from the hand that was too strong for him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Then they will come and rejoice on the heights of Zion. Their faces will shine because of Yahweh's goodness, -\q over the corn and the new wine, over the oil and the offspring of the flocks and herds. -\q For their lives will become like a watered garden, and they will never again feel any more sorrow. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Then virgins will rejoice with dancing, and young and old men will be together. -\q For I will change their mourning into celebration. I will have compassion on them and cause them to rejoice instead of sorrowing. -\q -\v 14 Then I will saturate the lives of the priests in abundance. -\q My people will fill themselves with my goodness—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Yahweh says this: "A voice is heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter weeping. -\q It is Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted over them, for they live no longer." - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Yahweh says this, "Hold your voice back from weeping and your eyes from tears; -\q there is a reward for your work—this is Yahweh's declaration—your children will return from the land of the enemy. -\q -\v 17 There is hope for your future—this is Yahweh's declaration—your descendants will return inside their borders." - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 "I have certainly heard Ephraim sorrowing, 'You punished me, and I have been punished like an untrained calf. -\q Bring me back and I will be brought back, for you are Yahweh my God. -\q -\v 19 For after I turned back to you, I was sorry; after I was trained, I slapped my thigh. -\q I was ashamed and humiliated, for I have borne the guilt of my youth.' -\q -\v 20 Is not Ephraim my precious child? Is he not my dear, delightful son? -\q For whenever I speak against him, I certainly still call him to my loving mind. In this way my heart longs for him. -\q I will certainly have compassion on him—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Place road signs for yourself. Set up guideposts for yourself. Set your mind on the right path, -\q the way you should take. Come back, virgin Israel! Come back to these cities of yours. -\q -\v 22 How long will you waver, faithless daughter? -\q For Yahweh has created something new on earth—a woman surrounds a strong man. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, says this, "When I bring back the people to their land, they will say this in the land of Judah and its cities, 'May Yahweh bless you, you righteous place where he lives, you holy mountain.' -\v 24 For Judah and all his cities will live together there, as will farmers and shepherds with their flocks. -\v 25 For I will cause those who are weary to drink, and I fill up those who are faint." -\v 26 After this I awoke, and I realized that my sleep had been refreshing. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 "Look, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will sow the houses of Israel and Judah with the descendants of man and beast. -\v 28 In the past, I kept them under surveillance in order to uproot them and to tear them down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring them harm. But in the coming days, I will watch over them, in order to build them up and to plant them—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 29 In those days no one will say any longer, -\q 'Fathers have eaten sour grapes, but the children's teeth are dulled.' -\v 30 For each man will die in his own iniquity; everyone who eats sour grapes, his teeth will be dulled. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Look, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. -\v 32 It will not be like the covenant that I established with their fathers in the days when I took them by their hand to bring them out from the land of Egypt. Those were the days when they broke my covenant, although I was a husband for them—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 33 But this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after these days—this is Yahweh's declaration: I will place my law within them and will write it on their heart, -for I will be their God, and they will be my people. -\v 34 Then each man will no longer teach his neighbor, or a man teach his brother and say, 'Know Yahweh!' For all of them, from the smallest of them to the greatest, will know me—this is Yahweh's declaration—for I will forgive their iniquity and will no longer call their sins to mind." - -\s5 -\q -\v 35 Yahweh says this—Yahweh, the one who makes the sun to shine by day and arranges the moon and stars to shine by night. He is the one who sets the sea in motion so that its waves roar. Yahweh of hosts is his name. He says this, -\q -\v 36 "Only if these permanent things vanish from my sight—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q will Israel's descendants ever stop from forever being a nation before me." - -\s5 -\q -\v 37 Yahweh says this, "Only if the highest heavens can be measured, -\q and only if the earth's foundation below can be discovered, will I reject all of Israel's descendants -\q because of all that they have done—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 "Look, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when the city will be rebuilt for me, from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. -\v 39 Then the measuring line will go out again farther, to the hill of Gareb and around Goah. -\v 40 The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the terraced fields going out to the Kidron Valley as far as the corner of the Horse Gate on the east, will be set apart for Yahweh. The city will not be pulled up or overthrown again, forever." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 32 -\p -\v 1 The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. -\v 2 At that time, the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard at the house of the king of Judah. - -\s5 -\v 3 Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him and said, "Why do you prophesy and say, 'Yahweh says this: Look, I am about to give over this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. -\v 4 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the hand of the Chaldeans, for he will certainly be given into the hand of the king of Babylon. His mouth will speak to the king's mouth, and his eyes will see the king's eyes. -\v 5 He will take Zekediah to Babylon, and he will remain there until I have dealt with him—this is Yahweh's declaration. Though you fight against the Chaldeans, you will not succeed.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Jeremiah said, "The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 7 'Look, Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is coming to you and will say, "Buy my field that is in Anathoth for yourself, for the right to buy it belongs to you."'" - -\s5 -\v 8 Then, as Yahweh had declared, Hanamel, the son of my uncle, came to me in the courtyard of the guard, and he said to me, "Buy my field that is in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of inheritance is yours, and the right to buy it belongs to you. Buy it for yourself." Then I knew that this was Yahweh's word. -\v 9 So I bought the field in Anathoth from Hanamel, the son of my uncle, and I weighed out for him the silver, seventeen shekels in weight. - -\s5 -\v 10 Then I wrote in a scroll and sealed it, and had witnesses witness it. Then I weighed the silver in the scales. -\v 11 Next I took the deed of purchase that was sealed, following the command and the statutes, as well as the unsealed deed. -\v 12 I gave the sealed scroll to Baruch son of Neriah son of Mahseiah in front of Hanamel, the son of my uncle, and the witnesses who had written in the sealed scroll, and in front of all the Judeans who sat in the courtyard of the guard. - -\s5 -\v 13 So I gave a command to Baruch before them. I said, -\v 14 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Take these documents, both this receipt of purchase that is sealed and the unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last for a long time. -\v 15 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 After I gave the receipt of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to Yahweh and said, -\v 17 "Woe, Lord Yahweh! Look! You alone have made the heavens and the earth by your great strength and with your raised arm. Nothing you say is too difficult for you to do. -\v 18 You show covenant faithfulness to thousands and pour the guilt of men into the laps of their children after them. You are the great and mighty God; Yahweh of hosts is your name. - -\s5 -\v 19 You are great in wisdom and mighty in deeds, for your eyes are open to all the ways of people, to give to each man what his conduct and deeds deserve. -\v 20 You did signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. To this present day here in Israel and among all mankind, you have made your name famous. -\v 21 For you brought your people Israel out from the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand, with a raised arm, and with great terror. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then you gave them this land—which you had sworn to their ancestors to give to them—a land flowing with milk and honey. -\v 23 So they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or live in obedience to your law. They did nothing of what you had commanded them to do, so you brought all this disaster on them. - -\s5 -\v 24 Look! The siege mounds have reached up to the city to capture it. For because of -sword, famine, and plague, the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. For what you have said would happen is happening, and see, you are watching. -\v 25 Then you yourself said to me, "Purchase a field for yourself with silver and have witnesses witness it, even though this city is being given into the hand of the Chaldeans." - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, -\v 27 "Look! I am Yahweh, God of all mankind. Is anything too difficult for me to do? -\v 28 Therefore Yahweh says this, 'See, I am about to give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He will capture it. - -\s5 -\v 29 The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come and set fire to this city and burn it, along with the houses on the roofs of which the people worshiped Baal and poured out drink offerings to other gods in order to provoke me. -\v 30 For the people of Israel and Judah have certainly been people who have been doing evil before my eyes since their youth. The people of Israel have certainly offended me with the practices of their hands—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 31 Yahweh declares that this city has been a provocation of my wrath and fury since the day that they built it. It has been that right up to this present day. So I will remove it from before my face -\v 32 because of all the wickedness of the people of Israel and Judah, the things that they have done to provoke me—they, their kings, princes, priests, prophets, and every person in Judah and inhabitant of Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 33 They turned their backs to me instead of their faces, though I had eagerly taught them. I tried to teach them, but not one of them listened in order to receive correction. -\v 34 They set up their abominable idols in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. -\v 35 They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom in order to put their sons and daughters in the fire for Molech. I did not command them. It never entered my mind that they should do this detestable thing and so cause Judah to sin.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 So now therefore, I, Yahweh, the God of Israel, say this concerning this city, the city about which you are saying, 'It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, famine, and plague.' -\v 37 See, I am about to gather them from every land where I had driven them in my wrath, fury, and great anger. I am about to bring them back to this place and enable them to live in security. - -\s5 -\v 38 Then they will be my people, and I will be their God. -\v 39 I will give them one heart and one way to honor me every day so it will be good for them and their descendants after them. -\v 40 Then I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. I will set honor for me in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from me. - -\s5 -\v 41 Then I will rejoice in doing good to them. I will faithfully plant them in this land with all my heart and all my life. -\p -\v 42 For Yahweh says this, 'Just as I have brought all this great disaster on this people, so I will bring on them all the good things that I have said I would do for them. -\s5 -\v 43 Then fields will be bought in this land, about which you are saying, "This is a ruined land, which has neither man nor beast. It has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans." -\v 44 They will buy fields with silver and write in sealed scrolls. They will assemble witnesses in the land of Benjamin, all around Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, in the cities in the hill country and in the lowlands, and in the cities of the Negev. For I will bring back their fortunes—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 33 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut within the courtyard of the guard, saying, -\v 2 "Yahweh the maker, says this—Yahweh, who forms in order to establish—Yahweh is his name, -\v 3 'Call to me, and I will answer you. I will demonstrate great things to you, mysteries that you do not understand.' - -\s5 -\v 4 For Yahweh, God of Israel, says this concerning the houses in this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that are torn down because of the siege ramps and the sword, -\v 5 'The Chaldeans are coming to fight and to fill the houses with corpses of people whom I will kill in my wrath and fury, when I hide my face from this city because of all their wickedness. - -\s5 -\v 6 But see, I am about to bring healing and a cure, for I will heal them and will bring to them abundance, peace, and faithfulness. -\v 7 For I will bring back the fortunes of Judah and Israel; I will build them up as in the beginning. -\v 8 Then I will purify them from all the iniquity that they have committed against me. I will pardon all the iniquities that they have done against me, and all the ways that they rebelled against me. -\v 9 For this city will become for me an object of joy, a song of praise and honor for all the nations of the earth who will hear of all the good things that I am going to do for it. Then they will fear and tremble because of all the good things and the peace that I will give to it.' - - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Yahweh says this, 'In this place about which you are now saying, "It is desolate, a place with neither man nor beast," in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate having neither man nor beast, there will be heard again -\v 11 the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride, the sound of those who say, while they bring thank offerings to the house of Yahweh, "Give thanks to Yahweh of hosts, for Yahweh is good, and his unfailing love lasts forever!" For I will restore the fortunes of the land to what they were before,' says Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Yahweh of hosts says this: 'In this desolate place, where now there is neither man nor beast—in all its cities there will again be pastures where shepherds can rest their flocks. -\v 13 In the cities in the hill country, the lowlands, and the Negev,in the land of Benjamin and all around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the ones counting them,' says Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 'Look! Days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will do what I have promised for the house of Israel and the house of Judah. -\v 15 In those days and in that time I will make a righteous branch to grow for David, and he will carry out justice and righteousness in the land. -\v 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in security, for this is what she will be called, "Yahweh is our righteousness."' -\s5 -\v 17 For Yahweh says this: 'A man from David's line will never be lacking to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, -\v 18 nor will a man from the Levitical priests be lacking before me to raise burnt offerings, to burn food offerings, and to perform grain offerings all the time.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, -\v 20 "Yahweh says this: 'If you can break my covenant with day and night so that there will no longer be day or night at their proper times, -\v 21 then you will be able to break my covenant with David my servant, so that he will no longer have a son to sit on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests, my servants. -\v 22 As the hosts of heaven cannot be counted, and as the sand of the seashores cannot be measured, so I will increase the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who serve before me.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, -\v 24 "Have you not considered what this people has declared when they said, 'The two families that Yahweh chose, now he has rejected them'? In this way they despise my people, saying that they are no longer a nation in their sight. - -\s5 -\v 25 I, Yahweh, say this, 'If I have not established the covenant of day and night, and if I have not fixed the laws of heaven and earth, -\v 26 then I will reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant, and not bring from them a person to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and show mercy to them.'" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 34 -\p -\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all of his army, together with all the kingdoms of the earth, the domains under his power, and all their people were waging war against Jerusalem and all of her cities, saying: -\v 2 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and say to him, 'Yahweh says this: Look, I am about to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon. He will burn it. -\v 3 You will not escape from his hand, for you will certainly be seized and given into his hand. Your eyes will look at the eyes of the king of Babylon; he will speak directly to you as you go to Babylon.' - -\s5 -\v 4 Listen to the word of Yahweh, Zedekiah king of Judah! Yahweh says this concerning you, 'You will not die by the sword. -\v 5 You will die in peace. As in the funeral burning of your ancestors, the kings who were before you, they will burn your body. They will say, "Woe, master!" They will lament for you. Now I have spoken—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 So Jeremiah the prophet proclaimed to Zedekiah king of Judah all these words in Jerusalem. -\v 7 The army of the king of Babylon made war against Jerusalem and all the remaining cities of Judah: Lachish and Azekah. These cities of Judah remained as fortified cities. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem, to proclaim freedom to them -\v 9 that each man must free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, so one was to make a slave of a Jew, who was his brother. - -\s5 -\v 10 So all the leaders and people entered into the covenant that each person would free his male and female slaves so that they would not be enslaved any longer. They obeyed and set them free. -\v 11 But after this they changed their minds. They brought back the slaves whom they had freed. They forced them to become slaves again. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, -\v 13 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, 'I myself made a covenant with your ancestors on the day that I brought them out from the land of Egypt, out from the house of slavery. That was when I said, -\v 14 "At the end of every seven years, each man must send away his brother, his fellow Hebrew who had sold himself to you and served you for six years. Send him away in freedom." But your ancestors did not listen to me or incline their ears to me. - -\s5 -\v 15 Now you yourselves repented and began to do what is right in my eyes. You proclaimed freedom, each man to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name. -\v 16 But then you turned and polluted my name; you caused each man to bring back his male and female slaves, the ones whom you had sent out to go where they wished. You forced them to become your slaves again.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Therefore Yahweh says this, 'You yourselves have not listened to me. You should have proclaimed freedom, every one of you, to your brothers and fellow Israelites. So look! I am about to proclaim freedom to you—this is Yahweh's declaration—freedom for the sword, the plague, and famine, for I am going to make you a horrible thing in the sight of every kingdom on earth. -\v 18 Then I will deal with the people who have broken my covenant, who did not keep the words of the covenant that they established before me when they cut a bull in two and walked between its parts, -\v 19 and then the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the eunuchs and the priests, and all the people of the land walked between the parts of the bull. - -\s5 -\v 20 I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who are seeking their lives. Their bodies will be food for the birds of the skies and the beasts on the earth. -\v 21 So I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his leaders into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who are seeking their life, and into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon that has risen up against you. -\v 22 Look, I am about to give a command—this is Yahweh's declaration—and will bring them back to this city to wage war against it and take it, and to burn it. For I will turn the cities of Judah into ruined places in which there will be no inhabitants.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 35 -\p -\v 1 The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, saying, -\v 2 "Go to the family of the Rekabites and speak with them. Then bring them to my house, into one of the rooms there, and give them wine to drink." - -\s5 -\v 3 So I took Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah son of Habazziniah and his brothers, all his sons, and all the family of the Rekabites. -\v 4 I took them to the house of Yahweh, into the rooms of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, the man of God. These rooms were beside the room of the leaders, which was above the room of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the gatekeeper. - -\s5 -\v 5 Then I placed bowls and cups full of wine in front of the Rekabites and said to them, "Drink some wine." -\v 6 But they said, "We will not drink any wine, for our ancestor, Jonadab son of Rekab, commanded us, 'Do not drink any wine, neither you nor your descendants, forever. -\v 7 Also, do not build any houses, sow any seeds, or plant any vineyards; this is not for you. For you must live in tents all your days, so that you might live many days in the land where you are staying as foreigners.' - -\s5 -\v 8 We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab son of Rekab, our ancestor, in all that he commanded us, to never drink wine all of our days, we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters. -\v 9 We will never build houses to live in, and there will be no vineyard, field, or seed in our possession. -\v 10 We have lived in tents and we have obeyed and done all that Jonadab our ancestor commanded us. -\v 11 But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked the land, we said, 'Come, we must go to Jerusalem to escape from the Chaldean and Aramean armies.' So we are living in Jerusalem." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, -\v 13 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'Go and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, "Will you not receive correction and listen to my words? -—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\v 14 The words of Jonadab son of Rekab that he gave to his sons as a command, not to drink any wine, have been observed to this very day. They have obeyed their ancestor's command. But as for me, I myself have been making persistent proclamations to you, but you do not listen to me. - -\s5 -\v 15 I sent out to you all my servants, the prophets. I was persistent in sending them to say, 'Let each person turn from his wicked way and do good deeds; let no one walk any longer after other gods and worship them. Instead, come back to the land that I gave to you and your ancestors.' Yet you will not listen to me or pay attention to me. -\v 16 For the descendants of Jonadab son of Rekab have observed the commands of their ancestor that he gave them, but this people refuses to listen to me."' - -\s5 -\v 17 So Yahweh, God of hosts and God of Israel, says this, 'Look, I am bringing upon Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem, all the disasters I pronounced against them because I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: You have listened to the commands of Jonadab your ancestor and have kept them all—you have obeyed all that he commanded you to do— -\v 19 so Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'There will always be someone descended from Jonadab son of Rekab to serve me.'" - - -\s5 -\c 36 -\p -\v 1 It came about in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, and he said, -\v 2 "Take a scroll for yourself and write on it all the words that I have told you concerning Israel and Judah, and every nation. Do this for everything I have told from the days of Josiah until this very day. -\v 3 Perhaps the people of Judah will listen to all the disasters that I intend to bring on them. Perhaps everyone will turn away from his wicked way, so I can forgive their iniquity and their sin." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote in a scroll, at Jeremiah's dictation, all the words of Yahweh spoken to him. -\v 5 Next Jeremiah gave a command to Baruch. He said, "I am in prison and cannot go to Yahweh's house. -\v 6 So you must go and read from the scroll that you wrote at my dictation. On the day of the fast, you must read Yahweh's words in the hearing of the people in his house, and also in the hearing of all of Judah who have come from their cities. Proclaim these words to them. - -\s5 -\v 7 Perhaps their pleas for mercy will come before Yahweh. Perhaps each person will turn from his wicked way, since the wrath and fury that Yahweh has proclaimed against this people are severe." -\v 8 So Baruch son of Neriah did everything that Jeremiah the prophet had commanded him to do. He read aloud the words of Yahweh in the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 It came about in the fifth year and ninth month of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, that all the people in Jerusalem and the people who came to Jerusalem from the cities of Judah proclaimed a fast in honor of Yahweh. -\v 10 Baruch read aloud Jeremiah's words in the house of Yahweh, from the room of Gemariah son of Shaphan the scribe, in the upper courtyard, by the gate of the entrance to the house of Yahweh. He did this in the hearing of all the people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Now Micaiah son of Gemariah son of Shaphan heard all of Yahweh's words in the scroll. -\v 12 He went down to the house of the king, to the secretary's room. Look, all the officials were sitting there: Elishama the secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Akbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the officials. - -\s5 -\v 13 Then Micaiah reported to them all the words that he had heard that Baruch read aloud in the hearing of the people. -\v 14 So all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah son of Shelemiah son of Cushi, to Baruch. Jehudi said to Baruch, "Take the scroll in your hand, the scroll from which you were reading in the hearing of the people, and come." So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and went to the officials. -\v 15 Then they said to him, "Sit down and read this in our hearing." So Baruch read the scroll. - -\s5 -\v 16 It happened that when they heard all these words, each man turned in fear to the one next to him and said to Baruch, "We must certainly report all of these words to the king." -\v 17 Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, how did you come to write all these words at Jeremiah's dictation?" -\v 18 Baruch said to them, "He dictated all these words to me, and I wrote them in ink on this scroll." -\v 19 Then the officials said to Baruch, "Go, hide yourself, and Jeremiah, too. Do not let anyone know where you are." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 So they put the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, and they went to the king in the courtyard and they reported everything in the hearing of the king. -\v 21 Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll. Jehudi took it from the room of Elishama the secretary. Then he read it in the hearing of the king and all the officials who were standing beside him. -\v 22 Now the king was staying in the winter house in the ninth month, and a brazier was burning in front of him. - -\s5 -\v 23 It happened that as Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut it off with a knife and throw it into the fire in the brazier until all of the scroll was destroyed. -\v 24 But neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words were frightened, nor did they tear their clothes. - -\s5 -\v 25 Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah had even urged the king not to burn the scroll, but he did not listen to them. -\v 26 Then the king commanded Jerahmeel, a relative, Seraiah son of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet, but Yahweh had hidden them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah after the king had burned the scroll and the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah's dictation, saying, -\v 28 "Go back, take another scroll for yourself, and write in it all the words that were on the original scroll, the one that Jehoiakim king of Judah burned. -\v 29 Then you must say this to Jehoiakim king of Judah: 'You burned that scroll, saying, "Why have you written on it, 'The king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, for he will destroy both man and beast in it'?"'" - -\s5 -\v 30 Therefore Yahweh says this concerning you, Jehoiakim king of Judah: "No descendant of yours will ever sit on the throne of David. As for you, your corpse will be thrown out into the heat of day and the frost of night. -\v 31 For I will punish you, your descendants, and your servants for the iniquity of you all. I will bring on you, on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on every person in Judah all the disasters with which I have threatened you with, but to which you paid no attention." - -\s5 -\v 32 So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch son of Neriah the scribe. Baruch wrote on it at Jeremiah's dictation all the words that had been in the scroll burned by Jehoiakim king of Judah. Furthermore, many other similar words were added to this scroll. -\s5 -\c 37 -\p -\v 1 Now Zedekiah son of Josiah reigned as king instead of Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had made Zedekiah king over the land of Judah. -\v 2 But Zedekiah, his servants, and the people of the land did not listen to the words of Yahweh that he proclaimed by the hand of Jeremiah the prophet. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 So King Zedekiah, Jehukal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest sent a message to Jeremiah the prophet. They said, "Pray on our behalf -to Yahweh our God." -\v 4 Now Jeremiah was coming and going among the people, for he had not yet been put in prison. -\v 5 Pharaoh's army came out from Egypt, and the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the news about them and left Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, -\v 7 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: This is what you will say to the king of Judah, because he has sent you to seek advice from me, 'See, Pharaoh's army, which came to help you, is about to go back to Egypt, its own land. -\v 8 The Chaldeans will return. They will fight against this city, capture it, and burn it.' - -\s5 -\v 9 Yahweh says this: Do not deceive yourselves by saying, 'Surely the Chaldeans are leaving us,' for they will not leave. -\v 10 Even if you had defeated the entire Chaldean army that is fighting you so that only wounded men were left in their tents, they would get up and burn this city." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 So it was when the Chaldean army had left Jerusalem as Pharaoh's army was coming, -\v 12 then Jeremiah went out from Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin. He wanted to take possession of a tract of land there among his people. -\v 13 As he was in the Benjamin Gate, a chief guard was there. His name was Irijah son of Shelemiah son of Hananiah. He grabbed hold of Jeremiah the prophet and said, "You are deserting to the Chaldeans." - -\s5 -\v 14 But Jeremiah said, "That is not true. I am not deserting to the Chaldeans." But Irijah did not listen to him. He took Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. -\v 15 The officials were angry with Jeremiah. They beat him and put him in prison, which had been the house of Jonathan the scribe, for they had turned it into a prison. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So Jeremiah was put into an underground cell, where he stayed for many days. -\v 17 Then King Zedekiah sent someone who brought him to the palace. In his house, the king asked him privately, "Is there any word from Yahweh?" Jeremiah answered, "There is a word: You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon." - -\s5 -\v 18 Then Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "How have I sinned against you, your servants, or this people so that you have placed me in prison? -\v 19 Where are your prophets, the ones who prophesied for you and said the king of Babylon will not come against you or against this land? -\v 20 But now listen, my master the king! Let my pleas come before you. Do not return me to the house of Jonathan the scribe, or I will die there." - -\s5 -\v 21 So King Zedekiah gave an order. His servants confined Jeremiah in the courtyard of the guard. A loaf of bread was given him every day from the street of the bakers, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard. - -\s5 -\c 38 -\p -\v 1 Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehukal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard the words that Jeremiah was declaring to all the people. He was saying, -\v 2 "Yahweh says this: Anyone staying in this city will be killed by sword, famine, and plague. But anyone who goes out to the Chaldeans will survive. He will escape with his own life, and live. -\v 3 Yahweh says this: This city will be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it." - -\s5 -\v 4 So the officials said to the king, "Let this man die, for in this way he is weakening the hands of the fighting men who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people. He is proclaiming these words, for this man is not working for safety for this people, but disaster." -\v 5 So King Zedekiah said, "Look, he is in your hand since there is no king able to resist you." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Malkijah, son of the king. The cistern was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah down on ropes. There was no water in the cistern, but it was muddy, and he sank down into the mud. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Now Ebed-Melek the Cushite was one of the eunuchs in the king's house. He heard that they had placed Jeremiah in the cistern. Now the king was sitting at the Benjamin Gate. -\v 8 So Ebed-Melek went from the king's house and spoke with the king. He said, -\v 9 "My master the king, these men have done evil with the way they have treated Jeremiah the prophet. They threw him into a cistern for him to die in it from hunger, since there is no more food in the city." - -\s5 -\v 10 Then the king gave a command to Ebed-Melek the Cushite. He said, "Take command of thirty men from here and take Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies." -\v 11 So Ebed-Melek took command of those men and went to the king's house, to a storeroom for clothing under the house. From there he took rags and worn-out clothing and then let them down by ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. - -\s5 -\v 12 Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, "Put the rags and worn-out clothing under your arms and on top of the ropes." So Jeremiah did so. -\v 13 Then they pulled Jeremiah by the ropes. In this way they brought him up from the cistern. So Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then King Zedekiah sent word and brought Jeremiah the prophet to himself, to the third entrance in Yahweh's house. The king said to Jeremiah, "I want to ask you something. Do not keep the answer from me." -\v 15 Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I answer you, will you not certainly kill me? But if I give you advice, you will not listen to me." -\v 16 But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in private and said, "As Yahweh lives, the one who made us, I will not kill you or give you into the hand of those men who are seeking your life." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 So Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "Yahweh, God of hosts, God of Israel, says this: If you indeed go out to the officials of the king of Babylon then you will live, and this city will not be burned. You and your family will live. -\v 18 But if you do not go out to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city will be given into the hand of the Chaldeans. They will burn it, and you will not escape from their hand." - -\s5 -\v 19 King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "But I am afraid of the people of Judah who have deserted to the Chaldeans, because I might be given over into their hand, for them to treat me badly." - -\s5 -\v 20 Jeremiah said, "They will not give you over to them. Obey the message from Yahweh that I am telling you, so that things will go well for you, and so that you will live. -\v 21 But if you refuse to go out, this is what Yahweh has shown me. - -\s5 -\v 22 Look! All the women who are left in your house, king of Judah, will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon. These women will say to you, -\q 'You have been deceived by your friends; they have ruined you. -\q Your feet are now sunk into the mud, and your friends will run away.' -\m -\v 23 For all of your wives and children will be brought out to the Chaldeans, and you yourself will not escape from their hand. You will be captured by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Do not inform anyone about these words, so that you do not die. -\v 25 If the officials hear that I have talked with you, and if they come and say to you, 'Tell us what you said to the king and do not hide it from us, or we will kill you,' -\v 26 then you must say to them, 'I made a humble plea before the king that he would not return me to the house of Jonathan to die there.'" - -\s5 -\v 27 Then all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him, so he answered them as the king had instructed him. So they stopped talking with him, because they had not heard the conversation between Jeremiah and the king. -\v 28 So Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured. - - -\s5 -\c 39 -\p -\v 1 In the ninth year and tenth month of Zedekiah king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem and besieged it. -\v 2 In the eleventh year and fourth month of Zedekiah, on the ninth day of the month, the city was broken into. -\v 3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the middle gate: Nebo-Sarsekim, Samgar Nebo, and Sarsechim, an important official. Nebo-Sarsekim was a high official and all the rest were the officials of the king of Babylon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 It happened that when Zedekiah, king of Judah, and all his fighting men saw them, they fled. They went out at night from the city by the king's garden path, through the gate between the two walls. The king went out in the direction of the Arabah. -\v 5 But the army of Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of the Jordan River valley near Jericho. Then they captured him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him. - -\s5 -\v 6 The king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his own eyes at Riblah. He also slaughtered all the noblemen of Judah. -\v 7 Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him in bronze chains in order to take him to Babylon. - -\s5 -\v 8 Then the Chaldeans burned the king's house and the people's houses. They also tore down the walls of Jerusalem. -\v 9 Nebuzaradan, the commander of the king's bodyguards, took into exile the rest of the people who were left in the city. This included the people who had deserted to the Chaldeans and the rest of the people who were left in the city. -\v 10 But Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards allowed the poorest people who had nothing for themselves to remain in the land of Judah. He gave them vineyards and fields on that same day. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had given an order about Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards. He had said, -\v 12 "Take him and care for him. Do not harm him. Do for him anything he tells you." -\v 13 So Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards, Nebushazban the high eunuch, Nergal-Sharezer the high official, and all the most important officials of the king of Babylon sent men out. -\v 14 Their men took Jeremiah from the courtyard of the guard and entrusted him to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, to take him home, so Jeremiah stayed among the people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Now the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah while he was under arrest in the courtyard of the guard, saying, -\v 16 "Speak to Ebed-Melek the Cushite and say, 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: See, I am about to carry out my words against this city for disaster and not for good. For they will all come true before you on that day. - -\s5 -\v 17 But I will rescue you on that day—this is Yahweh's declaration—and you will not be given into the hand of the men whom you fear. -\v 18 For I will certainly rescue you. You will not fall by the sword. You will escape with your life, since you trust in me—this was Yahweh's declaration.'" -\s5 -\c 40 -\p -\v 1 The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound with chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into exile to Babylon. -\v 2 The chief guard took Jeremiah and said to him, "Yahweh your God decreed this disaster for this place. - -\s5 -\v 3 So Yahweh brought it about. He did just as he had decreed, since you people sinned against him and did not obey his voice. That is why this thing has happened to you people. -\v 4 But now look! I have released you today from the chains that were on your hands. If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take care of you. But if it is not good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, then do not do so. Look at all the land before you. Go where it is good and right in your eyes to go." - -\s5 -\v 5 When Jeremiah did not reply, Nebuzaradan said, "Go to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has put in charge of the cities of Judah. Stay with him among the people or go wherever it is good in your eyes to go." The commander of the king's bodyguards gave him food and a gift, and then sent him away. -\v 6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, at Mizpah. He stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Now some commanders of Judean soldiers who were still in the countryside—they and their men—heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah son of Ahikam governor over the land. They also heard that he had put him in charge of the men, women, and children who were the poorest people in the land, those who had not been exiled to Babylon. -\v 8 So they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah. These men were Ishmael son of Nethaniah; Johanan and Jonathan, sons of Kareah; Seraiah son of Tanhumeth; the sons of Ephai the Netophathite; and Jaazaniah son of the Maakathite—they and their men. - -\s5 -\v 9 Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan took an oath to them and to their men and said to them, "Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you. -\v 10 Look, I am living in Mizpah to meet with the Chaldeans who came to us. So harvest wine, summer fruit, and oil and store them in your containers. Live in the cities that you have occupied." - -\s5 -\v 11 Then all the Judeans in Moab, among the people of Ammon, and in Edom, and in every land heard that the king of Babylon had allowed a remnant of Judah to stay, that he had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan over them. -\v 12 So all the Judeans returned from every place where they had been scattered. They came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. They harvested wine and summer -fruit in great abundance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders in the countryside came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. -\v 14 They said to him, "Do you realize that Baalis king of the people of Ammon sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to murder you?" But Gedaliah son of Ahikim did not believe them. - -\s5 -\v 15 So Johanan son of Kareah spoke privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah and said, "Allow me to go kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah. No one will suspect me. Why should he kill you? Why allow all of Judah that has been gathered to you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah destroyed?" -\v 16 But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, "Do not do this thing, for you are telling lies about Ishmael." -\s5 -\c 41 -\p -\v 1 But it happened that in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, from the royal family, and some officers of the king, came—ten men were with him—to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, at Mizpah. They ate food together there in Mizpah. -\v 2 But Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him rose up and attacked Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, with the sword. Ishmael killed Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had put in charge of the land. -\v 3 Then Ishmael killed all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah in Mizpah and the Chaldean fighting men found there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Then it was the second day after the killing of Gedaliah, but no one knew. -\v 5 Some men came from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria—eighty men who had shaved their beard, torn their clothes, and cut themselves—with food offerings and frankincense in their hands to go to Yahweh's house. - -\s5 -\v 6 So Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them as they went, walking and weeping. Then it happened that as he encountered them, he said to them, "Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam!" -\v 7 It came about that when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah slaughtered them and threw them into a pit, he and the men who were with him. - -\s5 -\v 8 But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, "Do not kill us, for there are provisions of ours in a field: Wheat and barley, oil and honey." So he did not kill them with their other companions. -\v 9 The cistern where Ishmael threw all the dead bodies that he had killed, was a large cistern that King Asa dug to make a defense against King Baasha of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it in with the dead. - -\s5 -\v 10 Next Ishmael captured all the other people who were in Mizpah, the king's daughters and all the people who were left in Mizpah whom Nebuzaradan the chief guard had assigned to Gedaliah son of Ahikam. So Ishmael son of Nethaniah captured them and went to cross over to the people of Ammon. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 But Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him heard of all the harm that Ishmael son of Nethaniah had done. -\v 12 So they took all their men and went to fight against Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They found him at the great pool of Gibeon. - -\s5 -\v 13 Then it happened that when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders who were with him, they were very happy. -\v 14 So all the people whom Ishmael had captured at Mizpah turned around and went to Johanan son of Kareah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 But Ishmael son of Nethaniah fled with eight men from Johanan. He went to the people of Ammon. -\v 16 Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him took from Mizpah all the people who had been rescued from Ishmael son of Nethaniah. This was after Ishmael had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Johanan and his companions took the strong men, the fighting men, the women and children, and the eunuchs who had been rescued at Gibeon. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then they went and stayed for a while in Geruth Kimham, which is near Bethlehem. They were going to go to Egypt -\v 18 because of the Chaldeans. They were afraid of them since Ishmael son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had put in charge of the land. - -\s5 -\c 42 -\p -\v 1 Then all the army commanders and Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest approached Jeremiah the prophet. -\v 2 They said to him, "Let our pleas come before you. Pray for us to Yahweh your God for these people who remain since we are so few in number, as you see. -\v 3 Ask Yahweh your God to tell us the way we should go and what we should do." - -\s5 -\v 4 So Jeremiah the prophet said to them, "I have heard you. Look, I will pray to Yahweh your God as you have requested. Whatever Yahweh answers, I will tell you. I will keep nothing back from you." -\v 5 They said to Jeremiah, "May Yahweh be a true and faithful witness against us, if we do not do everything that Yahweh your God tells us to do. -\v 6 Whether it is good or if it is bad, we will obey the voice of Yahweh our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of Yahweh our God." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 At the end of ten days, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah. -\v 8 So Jeremiah called to Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him, and to all the people from the least to the greatest. -\v 9 Then he said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel—to whom you sent me so I might lay your pleas before him—says, -\v 10 'If you go back and live in this land, then I will build you and not tear you down; I will plant you and not pull you up, for I will turn back the disaster that I have brought on you. - -\s5 -\v 11 Do not fear the king of Babylon, whom you are fearing. Do not fear him—this is Yahweh's declaration—since I am with you to save you and rescue you from his hand. -\v 12 For I will give you mercy. I will have compassion on you, and I will bring you back to your land. - -\s5 -\v 13 But suppose that you say, "We will not stay in this land"—if you do not listen to my voice, the voice of Yahweh your God. -\v 14 Suppose that you say, "No! We will go to the land of Egypt, where we will not see any war, where we will not hear the sound of the trumpet, and we will not go hungry for food. We will live there." - -\s5 -\v 15 Now listen to this word of Yahweh, you remnant of Judah. Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'If you actually set out to go to Egypt, to go and live there, -\v 16 then the sword that you fear will overtake you there in the land of Egypt. The famine that you are worrying about will pursue you to Egypt, and you will die there. -\v 17 So it will happen that all the men who set out to go to Egypt to live there will die by sword, famine, or plague. There will be no survivor of them, no one to escape the disaster that I will bring on them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Just as my wrath and my fury were poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, in the same way my fury will be poured out on you if you go to Egypt. You will become an object of cursing and a horror, an object for speaking curses, and something dishonorable, and you will not see this place again.'" -\v 19 Then Jeremiah said, "Yahweh has spoken concerning you—the remnant of Judah. Do not go to Egypt! You certainly know that I have been a witness against you today. - -\s5 -\v 20 For you fatally deceived yourselves when you sent me to Yahweh your God and said, 'Pray to Yahweh our God for us. Everything that Yahweh our God says, tell us, and we will carry it out.' -\v 21 For I have reported to you today, but you have not listened to the voice of Yahweh your God or to anything about which he sent me to you. -\v 22 So now, you should certainly know that you will die by sword, famine, and plague in the place where you desired to go to live." - - -\s5 -\c 43 -\p -\v 1 It happened that Jeremiah finished proclaiming to all the people all the words of Yahweh their God that Yahweh their God had told him to say. -\v 2 Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are telling lies. Yahweh our God has not sent you to say, 'Do not go to Egypt to live there.' -\v 3 For Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, for you to cause our death and to make us captives in Babylon." - -\s5 -\v 4 So Johanan son of Kareah, all the princes of the army, and all the people refused to listen to Yahweh's voice to live in the land of Judah. -\v 5 Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders took away all the remnant of Judah who had returned from all the nations where they had been scattered to live in the land of Judah. -\v 6 They took the men and women, the children and the king's daughters, and every person whom Nebuzaradan, the commander of the king's bodyguards, had let remain with Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan. They also took Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah. -\v 7 They went to the land of Egypt, to Tahpanhes, because they did not listen to Yahweh's voice. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 So the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, -\v 9 "Take some large stones in your hand, and, in the sight of the people of Judah, hide them in the mortar in the pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes." -\v 10 Then say to them, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'See, I am about to send messengers to take Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon as my servant. I will place his throne over these stones that you, Jeremiah, have buried. Nebuchadnezzar will place his pavilion over them. - -\s5 -\v 11 For he will come and attack the land of Egypt. Anyone who is assigned to death will be given to death. Anyone who is assigned to captivity will be taken captive. Anyone who is assigned to the sword will be given to the sword. -\v 12 Then I will light a fire in the temples of Egypt's gods. Nebuchadnezzar will burn them or capture them. He will clean out the land of Egypt just as shepherds clean vermin off their clothes. He will go out from that place in victory. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa I will light a fire \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions have \fqa he will light a fire \fqa* . \f* -\v 13 He will break the stone pillars at Heliopolis in the land of Egypt. He will burn the temples of Egypt's gods.'" - - -\s5 -\c 44 -\p -\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Judeans who lived in the land of Egypt, the ones staying in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and in Upper Egypt. -\v 2 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: You yourselves have seen all the disasters that I brought on Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah. See, they are ruins today. There is no one to live in them. -\v 3 This is because of the wicked things they did to offend me by going to burn incense and to worship other gods. These were gods that neither they themselves, nor you, nor your ancestors knew. - -\s5 -\v 4 So I repeatedly sent all of my servants the prophets to them. I sent them to say, 'Stop doing these abominable things that I hate.' -\v 5 But they did not listen. They refused to pay attention or turn from their wickedness in burning incense to other gods. -\v 6 So my fury and my wrath were poured out and kindled a fire in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. So they became ruins and devastations, as at this present day." - -\s5 -\v 7 So now Yahweh the God of hosts and the God of Israel, says this, "Why are you doing great wickedness against yourselves? Why are you causing yourselves to be cut off from among Judah—men and women, children and babies? No remnant of you will be left. -\v 8 By your wickedness you have offended me with the deeds of your hands, by burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you have gone to live. You have gone there so that you will be destroyed, so that you will be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth. - -\s5 -\v 9 Have you forgotten the wickedness committed by your ancestors and the wickedness committed by the kings of Judah and their wives? Have you forgotten the evil committed by yourselves and your wives in the land of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem? -\v 10 To this day, they still are not humbled. They do not honor my law or decrees that I placed before them and their ancestors, nor do they walk in them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Therefore Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, "See, I am about to set my face against you to bring disaster to you and to destroy all of Judah. -\v 12 For I will take the remnant of Judah that has set out to go to the land of Egypt to live there. I will do this so that they will all perish in the land of Egypt. They will fall by sword and famine. From the least to the greatest they will perish by sword and famine. They will die and will become an object of swearing, cursing, reproaching, and a horrible thing. - -\s5 -\v 13 For I will punish the people inhabiting the land of Egypt just as I punished Jerusalem with the sword, with famine, and with the plague, -\v 14 so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone to live in the land of Egypt will escape or survive or return to the land of Judah, to which they desire to return and live; and none of them will return except a few who escaped from there." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, and all the women who were in the great assembly, and all the people who were living in Lower and Upper Egypt, answered Jeremiah. -\v 16 They said, "About the word that you have told us in Yahweh's name—we will not listen to you. -\v 17 For we will certainly do all the things that we said we would do—burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her just as we, our ancestors, our kings, and our leaders did in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. Then we will be filled with food and will prosper, without experiencing any disaster. - -\s5 -\v 18 When we refrained from doing these things, not offering incense to the queen of heaven and not pouring out drink offerings to her, we were all suffering poverty and were dying by sword and famine." -\v 19 The women said, "When we were making incense offerings before the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, was it against our husbands that we did these things, making cakes in her image and pouring out drink offerings to her?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then Jeremiah said to all the people—to the men and women, and all the people who answered him—he proclaimed and said, -\v 21 "Did not Yahweh remember the incense that you burned in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem—you and your ancestors, your kings and leaders, and the people of the land? For Yahweh calls this to mind; it comes to his thoughts. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then he was no longer able to bear it because of your wicked practices, because of the abominations that you did. Then your land became a desolation, a horror, and a curse so there was no longer an inhabitant as at this present day. -\v 23 Because you burned incense and sinned against Yahweh, and because you would not listen to his voice, his law, his statutes, or his covenant decrees, this disaster against you has happened as at this present day." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then Jeremiah said to all the people and all the women, "Hear the word of Yahweh, all of Judah who are in the land of Egypt. -\v 25 Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'You and your wives both have said with your mouths and carried out with your hands what you said, "We will certainly carry out the vows that we made to worship the queen of heaven, to pour out drink offerings to her." Now fulfill your vows; carry them out.' - -\s5 -\v 26 So then, hear the word of Yahweh, all of Judah who are staying in the land of Egypt, 'See, I have sworn by my great name—says Yahweh. My name will no longer be called upon by the mouths of any of the men of Judah in all the land of Egypt, you who now say, "As the Lord Yahweh lives." -\v 27 See, I am watching over them for disaster and not for good. Every person of Judah in the land of Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all finished. -\v 28 Then the survivors of the sword will return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah, only a small number of them. So all the remnant of Judah who went to the land of Egypt to live there will know whose word will stand—mine or theirs. - -\s5 -\v 29 This will be the sign for you—this is Yahweh's declaration—that I am setting against you in this place, so that you will know that my words will certainly attack you with disaster.' -\v 30 Yahweh says this, 'Look, I am about to give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek to kill him. It will the same as when I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who sought his life.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 45 -\p -\v 1 This is the word that Jeremiah the prophet told Baruch son of Neriah. This happened when he wrote in a scroll these words at Jeremiah's dictation—this was in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, and he said, -\v 2 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this to you, Baruch: -\v 3 You have said, 'Woe is me, for Yahweh has added agony to my pain. My groaning has wearied me; I find no rest.' - -\s5 -\v 4 This is what you must say to him: 'Yahweh says this: See, what I built, I am now tearing down. What I planted, I am now pulling up—I will do this throughout all the earth. -\v 5 But are you hoping for great things for yourself? Do not hope for that. For see, disaster is coming on all humanity—this is Yahweh's declaration—but I am giving you your life as your plunder everywhere you will go.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 46 -\p -\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations. -\v 2 For Egypt: "This is about the army of Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt that was at Carchemish by the Euphrates river. This was the army that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah: -\q -\v 3 Get the small shields and the large shields ready, and go forward to fight. -\q -\v 4 Put the harness on the horses; mount up on the horses and take your stand with your helmets on; -\q polish the spears and put on your armor. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 What am I seeing here? They are filled with terror and are running away, for their soldiers are defeated. -\q They are running for safety and are not looking back. Terror is all around—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q -\v 6 the swift cannot run away, and the soldiers cannot escape. -\q They stumble in the north and fall beside the Euphrates River. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Who is this who rises like the Nile, whose waters toss up and down like the rivers? -\q -\v 8 Egypt rises like the Nile, like rivers of water that rise and fall. -\q Egypt says, 'I will go up and I will cover the earth. I will destroy cities and their inhabitants. -\q -\v 9 Go up, horses. Be angry, you chariots. Let the soldiers go out, -\q Cush and Put, men skillful with a shield, and Ludim, men skillful at bending their bows.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 That day will be the day of vengeance for the Lord Yahweh of hosts, and he will avenge himself on his foes. -\q The sword will devour and be satisfied. It will drink its fill of their blood. For there will be a sacrifice -\q to the Yahweh Lord of hosts in the northern land by the Euphrates River. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Go up to Gilead and obtain medicine, virgin daughter of Egypt. -\q It is useless that you put much medicine on yourself. There is no cure for you. -\q -\v 12 The nations have heard of your disgrace. The earth is filled with your laments, -\q for soldier stumbles against soldier; both of them fall together." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 This is the word that Yahweh told Jeremiah the prophet when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came and attacked the land of Egypt: -\q -\v 14 "Announce in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol, Memphis, and Tahpanhes. -\q 'Take your station and prepare yourself, for the sword will devour those around you.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Why are your mighty ones face-down on the ground? They will not stand, because I, Yahweh, have pushed them to the ground. -\q -\v 16 He increases the numbers of those who stumble. Each soldier falls against the next one. They are saying, 'Get up. Let us go home. -\q Let us go back to our own people, to our native land. Let us leave this sword that is beating us down.' -\q -\v 17 They proclaimed there, 'Pharaoh the king of Egypt is only a noise, one who has let his opportunity slip away.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 As I live—declares the King, whose name is Yahweh of hosts— -\q someone will come like Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel by the sea. -\q -\v 19 Pack for yourselves baggage to carry into exile, you who live in Egypt. -\q For Memphis will become a waste, it will lie in ruins and no one will live there. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 Egypt is a very beautiful young cow, but a stinging insect is coming from the north. It is coming. -\q -\v 21 The hired soldiers in her midst are like a fattened bull, but they will also turn away and run away. -\q They will not stand together, for the day of their disaster is coming against them, the time of their punishment. -\q -\v 22 Egypt hisses like a snake and crawls away, for her enemies are marching against her. -\q They are going toward her like woodcutters with axes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 They will cut down the forests—this is Yahweh's declaration—although it is very dense. -\q For the enemies will be more numerous than locusts, unable to be counted. -\q -\v 24 The daughter of Egypt will be made ashamed. She will be given into the hand of people from the north." -\m - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, says, "See, I am about to punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh, Egypt and her gods, her kings the Pharaohs, and those who trust in them. -\v 26 I am giving them into the hand of the ones seeking their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his servants. Then after this Egypt will be inhabited as in previous days—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 But you, my servant Jacob, do not fear. Do not be dismayed, Israel, for see, I am about to bring you back from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Then Jacob will return, find peace, and be secure, and there will be no one to terrify him. -\v 28 You, my servant Jacob, do not fear—this is Yahweh's declaration—for I am with you, so I will bring complete destruction against all the nations where I scattered you. But I will not destroy you completely. Yet I will discipline you justly and will certainly not leave you unpunished." - - - -\s5 -\c 47 -\p -\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines. This word came to him before Pharaoh attacked Gaza. -\q -\v 2 "Yahweh says this: See, floods of water are rising in the north. They will be like an overflowing river! -\q Then they will overflow the land and everything in it, its cities and its inhabitants! So everyone will shout for help, -\q and all the inhabitants of the land will lament. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 At the sound of the stamping of their strong horses' hooves, -\q at the roar of their chariots and the noise of their wheels, -\q fathers will not help their children because of their own weakness. -\q -\v 4 For the day is coming that will devastate all of the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon -\q every survivor who wants to help them. For Yahweh is devastating the Philistines, -\q those who remain from the island of Caphtor. - -\s5 -\v 5 Baldness will come upon Gaza. As for Ashkelon, the people who are left in their valley will be made silent. -\q How long will you cut yourself in mourning? -\q -\v 6 Woe, sword of Yahweh! How long will it be until you become silent? -\q Go back to your scabbard! Stop and be silent. -\q -\v 7 How can you be quiet, for Yahweh has commanded you. -\q He has summoned you to attack Ashkelon and against the coastlands along the sea." - - - - -\s5 -\c 48 -\p -\v 1 To Moab, Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, -\q "Woe to Nebo, for it has been devastated. Kiriathaim has been captured and humiliated. -\q Her fortress has been crushed and disgraced. -\q -\v 2 The honor of Moab is no more. Their enemies in Heshbon plotted disaster against her. -\q They said, 'Come and let us destroy her as a nation. Madmen will also perish—a sword will go after you.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Listen! A sound of screaming is coming from Horonaim, where there is ruin and great destruction. -\q -\v 4 Moab has been destroyed. Her children have made their cries heard. -\q -\v 5 They go up the hill of Luhith weeping, -\q for on the way down to Horonaim, screams are heard because of the destruction. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Flee! Save your lives and become like a juniper bush in the wilderness. -\q -\v 7 For because of your trust in your practices and your wealth, you also will be captured. -\q Then Chemosh will go away into captivity, together with his priests and leaders. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 For the destroyer will come to every city; no city will escape. -\q So the valley will perish and the plain will be devastated, as Yahweh has said. -\q -\v 9 Give wings to Moab, for she must certainly fly away. -\q Her cities will become a wasteland, where there is no one to live in them. -\q -\v 10 May anyone who is lazy in doing Yahweh's work be cursed! May anyone who keeps his sword back from shedding blood be cursed! - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Moab has felt secure since he was young. He is like his wine -\q that has never been poured from pot to pot. He has never gone into captivity. -\q Therefore he tastes as good as ever; his flavor remains unchanged. -\q -\v 12 So see, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will send him those who will tip him over and pour out all his pots and shatter his jars. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh just as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their object of trust. -\q -\v 14 How can you say, 'We are soldiers, powerful fighting men'? - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Moab will be devastated and its cities attacked. For its finest young men have gone down to the place of slaughter. This is the king's declaration! Yahweh of hosts is his name. -\q -\v 16 Moab's disaster is soon to happen; calamity is hurrying quickly. -\q -\v 17 All you who are around Moab, wail; and all you who know its fame, -\q shout this, 'Woe, the strong staff, the honored rod, has been broken.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Come down from your honored place and sit on the dry ground, you daughter living in Dibon. -\q For the one who will destroy Moab is attacking you, -\q the one who will destroy your strongholds. -\q -\v 19 Stand on the road and watch, you people who live in Aroer. -\q Ask the ones who are fleeing and escaping. Say, 'What has happened?' -\q -\v 20 Moab has been shamed, for it has been shattered. -\q Howl and lament; shout for help. -\q Tell it to people by the Arnon River that Moab has been devastated. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Now punishment has come to the hill country, -\q to Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath, -\q -\v 22 to Dibon, Nebo, and Beth Diblathaim, -\q -\v 23 to Kiriathaim, Beth Gamul, and Beth Meon, -\q -\v 24 To Kerioth and Bozrah, -\q and to all the cities in the land of Moab— -\q the farthest and the closest cities. -\q -\v 25 The horn of Moab has been hacked off; its arm has been broken—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Make him drunk, because he acted proudly against Yahweh. Let Moab wallow in his vomit, and let him be an object of ridicule. -\v 27 For did not Israel become an object for laughter to you? Was he found among thieves, so that you shook your head at him as often as you spoke about him? - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Abandon the cities and camp on the cliffs, inhabitants of Moab. -\q Become like a dove that is nesting over the mouth of a hole in the rocks. -\q -\v 29 We have heard of Moab's pride—his arrogance, -\q his haughtiness, his pride, his self-glory and the conceit in his heart. - -\s5 -\v 30 This is Yahweh's declaration—I myself know his defiant speech, which amounts to nothing, like his deeds. - -\q -\v 31 So I will howl a lament for Moab, and I will shout in sorrow for all of Moab. -\q I will lament for the people of Kir Hareseth. -\q -\v 32 I will weep for you more than I did for Jazer, vine of Sibmah! Your branches passed across the Salt Sea and reached -\q as far as Jazer. The destroyers have attacked your summer fruit and your wine. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 So celebration and rejoicing have been taken away from the fruit trees and the land of Moab. -\q I have put an end to the wine from their winepresses. They will not tread with joyful shouts. Any shouts will not be shouts of joy. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 From the shouts at Heshbon as far as Elealeh, their sound is heard at Jahaz, from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah, since even the waters of Nimrim have dried up. -\v 35 For I will put an end to anyone in Moab who makes sacrifices on the high places and burns incense to his gods—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\s5 -\v 36 So my heart is lamenting for Moab like a flute. My heart is lamenting like flutes for the people of Kir Hareseth. The riches they gained are gone. -\v 37 For every head is bald and every beard shaved. Incisions are on every hand, and sackcloth is around their waists. - -\s5 -\v 38 There is mourning everywhere, on every flat roof of Moab and in Moab's plazas. For I have destroyed Moab like pots that no one wants—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 39 How it has been shattered! How they howl in their lamenting! Moab turns its back in shame! So Moab will become an object of derision and a terror to all those who are around him." - -\s5 -\v 40 For Yahweh says this, "See, the enemy will come flying like an eagle, spreading out his wings over Moab. -\q -\v 41 Kerioth has been captured, and its strongholds have been seized. -\q For in that day the hearts of Moab's soldiers will be like the hearts of women in birth labor. - -\s5 -\q -\v 42 So Moab will be destroyed and be no longer a people, because he made himself to be great against Yahweh. -\q -\v 43 Terror and the pit, and a trap are coming on you, inhabitant of Moab—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 44 Anyone who flees because of terror will fall into the pit, -\q and anyone who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the trap, for I will bring this on them -\q in the year of my vengeance against them—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 45 The ones who flee will stand in the shadow of Heshbon without any strength, for fire will go out from Heshbon, -\q flame from the middle of Sihon. It will devour the forehead of Moab and the top of the heads of the boastful people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 46 Woe to you, Moab! Chemosh's people are destroyed, -\q For your sons are taken as captives and your daughters into captivity. -\q -\v 47 But I will restore the fortunes of Moab in later days—this is Yahweh's declaration." -\q The judgment on Moab ends here. - - - -\s5 -\c 49 -\m -\q -\v 1 About the people of Ammon, Yahweh says this, -\q "Does Israel have no children? Is there no one to inherit anything in Israel? -\q Why does Molech occupy Gad, and his people live in its cities? -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Molech \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa their king \fqa* . \f* -\q -\v 2 So look, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will sound the signal for battle -\q against Rabbah among the people of Ammon, so it will become a deserted heap and its villages will be set on fire. -\q For Israel will possess those who possessed him," says Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 "Howl in lament, Heshbon, for Ai will be devastated! Shout out, daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth. -\q Lament and run about in futility, for Molech is going into captivity, -\q together with his priests and leaders. -\q -\v 4 Why do you brag about your valleys, your valleys that are so fruitful, faithless daughter? -\q you who trust in your wealth and say, 'Who will come against me?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 See, I am about to bring terror on you—this is the declaration of Lord Yahweh of hosts— -\q this terror will come from all those who surround you. Each one of you will be scattered before it. -\q There will be no one to gather those running away. -\q -\v 6 But after this I will restore the fortunes of the people of Ammon—this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 About Edom, Yahweh of hosts says this, "Is there no longer any wisdom to be found in Teman? -\q Has good advice disappeared from those who have understanding? Has their wisdom become corrupted? -\q -\v 8 Flee! Turn back! Stay in holes in the ground, inhabitants of Dedan. -\q For I am bringing the disaster of Esau on him at the time that I punish him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 If grape harvesters came to you, would they not leave a little bit behind? -\q If thieves came in the night, would they not steal only as much as they wanted? -\q -\v 10 But I have stripped Esau bare. I have revealed his hiding places. -\q So he will not be able to hide himself. His children, his brothers, and his neighbors are destroyed, and he is gone. -\q -\v 11 Leave your orphans behind. I will take care of their lives, and your widows can trust in me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 For Yahweh says this, "See, those who did not deserve it must certainly drink some of the cup. Do you yourself think you will go without punishment? You will not, for you will certainly drink. -\v 13 For I have sworn by myself—this is Yahweh's declaration—that Bozrah will become a horror, a disgrace, a devastation, and an object for cursing. All of its cities will become devastations forever. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 I have heard news from Yahweh, and a messenger has been sent out to the nations, -\q 'Gather together and attack her. Get ready for battle.' -\q -\v 15 "For see, I have made you small compared to the other nations, despised by people. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 As for your fearsomeness, your heart's pride has deceived you, inhabitants of places on the cliff, -\q you who have occupied the highest hills so that you may make your nest high like an eagle. -\q I will bring you down from there—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Edom will become a horror to everyone passing by it. -\q Every such person will tremble and hiss because all of its disasters. -\q -\v 18 Like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors," says Yahweh, -\q "no one will live there; no person will stay there. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 See, he will go up like a lion from the forests of the Jordan to the green pasturelands. -\q For I will quickly make Edom run from it, and I will put someone who will be chosen in charge of it. -\q For who is like me, and who will summon me? What shepherd is able to resist me?" - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 "So listen to the plans that Yahweh has decided against Edom, -\q the plans that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman. -\q They will certainly be dragged away, even the smallest flock. -\q Their pasturelands will be turned into ruined places. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 At the sound of their falling the earth shakes. The sound of distressed shouts is heard at the Sea of Reeds. -\q -\v 22 See, someone will attack like an eagle, and swoop down and spread his wings over Bozrah. -\q Then on that day, the hearts of Edom's soldiers will become like the heart of a woman in birth labor." - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 About Damascus: "Hamath and Arpad will be ashamed, for they have heard news of disaster. -\q They melt away! They become as troubled as the sea, which cannot stay calm. -\q -\v 24 Damascus has become very weak. It turns away to flee; terror seizes it. -\q Distress and pain seize it, like the pain of a woman giving birth. -\q -\v 25 How has the city of praise not been forsaken, the town of my joy? - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Therefore its young men will fall in its plazas, -\q and all the fighting men will perish on that day—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts." -\q -\v 27 "For I will light a fire on the wall of Damascus, and it will devour the strongholds of Ben Hadad." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 About Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, Yahweh says this to Nebuchadnezzar (now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon was going to attack these places): -\q "Arise and attack Kedar and destroy those people of the east. -\q -\v 29 Their tents and their flocks will be taken, -\q along with their tent curtains and all of their equipment; -\q their camels will be led away from them, -\q and men will shout to them, "Terror is on every side!" - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 Flee! Wander far away! Stay in holes in the ground, inhabitants of Hazor—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devised a plan against you. Flee! Turn back! -\q -\v 31 Arise! Attack the nation at ease, that lives in safety," says Yahweh. -\q "They have no gates or bars in them, and its people live by themselves. - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 For their camels will become plunder, and the abundance of their property will become war plunder. -\q Then I will scatter to every wind those who cut the corners of their hair, -\q and I will bring disaster on them from every side—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 33 Hazor will become a lair of jackals, a permanent wasteland. -\q No one will live there; no human being will stay there." - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the prophet about Elam. This happened at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, and he said, -\v 35 "Yahweh of hosts says this: See, I am about to break the bowmen of Elam, the main part of their power. -\q -\v 36 For I will bring the four winds from the four corners of the heavens, -\q and I will scatter the people of Elam to all of those winds. There is no nation -\q to which those scattered from Elam will not go. - -\s5 -\q -\v 37 So I will shatter Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their lives. -\q for I will bring disaster against them, the fury of my wrath—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q and I will send the sword after them until I have annihilated them. -\q -\v 38 Then I will put my throne in Elam and will destroy its king and leaders from there—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q -\v 39 and it will happen in later days that I will bring back the fortunes of Elam—this is Yahweh's declaration." - - - -\s5 -\c 50 -\p -\v 1 This is the word that Yahweh declared about Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, by the hand of Jeremiah the prophet, -\q -\v 2 "Report to the nations and cause them to listen. Lift up a signal and cause them to listen. Do not conceal it. -\q Say, 'Babylon is taken. Bel is made ashamed. Marduk is dismayed. Its idols are put to shame; its images are dismayed.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 A nation from the north will arise against it, and make her land a desolation. -\q No one will live in it; both man and beast will flee away. -\q -\v 4 In those days and at that time—this is Yahweh's declaration—the people of Israel and the people of Judah -\q will come together to go with weeping and seek Yahweh their God. -\q -\v 5 They will ask the way to Zion and will set off toward it, saying, -\q We will go and join ourselves to Yahweh in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 My people have been a lost flock. Their shepherds have led them astray in the mountains; -\q they have turned them around from hill to hill. They went, they forgot the place where they had lived. -\q -\v 7 Everyone who went out to them devoured them. Their adversaries said, 'We are not guilty, -\q because they sinned against Yahweh, their true home—Yahweh, the hope of their ancestors.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Leave from the midst of Babylon; go out from the land of the Chaldeans; -\q be like male goats that leave before the rest of the flock does. -\q -\v 9 For see, I am about to set in motion and raise up a group of great nations from the north against Babylon. -\q They will arrange themselves against her. Babylon will be captured from there. -\q Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed. -\q -\v 10 Chaldea will become plunder. All those who plunder it will be satisfied—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 You rejoice, you celebrate the plundering of my inheritance; -\q you jump around like a calf stamping in its pasture; -\q you neigh like a powerful horse. -\q -\v 12 So your mother will be greatly ashamed; the one who bore you will be embarrassed. -\q See, she will be the least of nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. -\q -\v 13 Because of Yahweh's anger, Babylon will not be inhabited, but will be a complete devastation. -\q Everyone who passes by will shudder because of Babylon and will hiss because all of its wounds. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Arrange yourselves against Babylon all around her. Everyone who bends a bow must shoot at her. -\q Do not keep back any of your arrows, for she has sinned against Yahweh. -\q -\v 15 Raise a shout against her all around! She has surrendered; her towers have fallen; -\q her walls are torn down, for this is Yahweh's vengeance. -\q Take vengeance on her! Do to her just as she has done! - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Destroy both the farmer who sows seed and the one who uses a sickle at the time of harvest in Babylon. -\q Let each person turn back to his own people from the oppressor's sword; let them flee to their own land. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Israel is a sheep scattered and driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him; -\q then after this, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon broke his bones. -\v 18 Therefore Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, says this: See, I am about to punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 I will restore Israel to his homeland; he will graze on Carmel and Bashan. -\q Then he will be satisfied in the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead. -\q -\v 20 In those days and at that time, says Yahweh, iniquity will be looked for in Israel, -\q but none will be found. I will inquire about the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant that I spare." - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 "Arise against the land of Merathaim, against it and the ones inhabiting Pekod. -\q Put them to the sword and set them apart for destruction—this is Yahweh's declaration—do everything that I am commanding you. -\q -\v 22 The sounds of battle and enormous destruction are in the land. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 How the hammer of all the lands has been cut apart and destroyed. -\q How Babylon has become a destroyed place among the nations. -\q -\v 24 I have set a trap for you and you were taken, Babylon, and you did not know it! -\q You were found and captured, because you opposed Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 Yahweh has opened his armory and is bringing out the weapons for carrying out his anger. -\q There is work for the Lord Yahweh of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans. -\q -\v 26 Attack her from far away. Open her granaries and pile her up like heaps of grain. -\q Set her apart for destruction. Leave no remnant of her. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 Kill all her bulls. Send them down to the place of slaughter. -\q Woe to them, for their day has come—the time for their punishment. -\q -\v 28 There is the sound of those fleeing, of those who are survivors, from the land of Babylon. -\q These will report the vengeance of Yahweh our God for Zion, and vengeance for his temple." - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 "Summon the archers against Babylon—all those who bend their bows. -\q Camp against her, and let no one escape. -\q Repay her for what she has done. -\q Do to her by the measure she has used. -\q For she had defied Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel. -\q -\v 30 So her young men will fall in the city squares, -\q and all her fighting men will be destroyed on that day -\q —this is Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 "See, I am against you, proud one—this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh of hosts— -\q for your day has come, proud one, the time when I will punish you. -\q -\v 32 So the proud ones will stumble and fall. No one will raise them up. -\q I will light a fire in their cities; it will devour everything around him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 Yahweh of hosts says this: The people of Israel are oppressed, together with the people of Judah. -\q All the ones who captured them still hold them; they refuse to let them go. -\q -\v 34 The one who rescues them is strong. Yahweh of hosts is his name. He will truly plead their case, -\q in order to bring rest to the land, and to bring strife to the ones inhabiting Babylon. - -\s5 -\q -\v 35 A sword is against the Chaldeans—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q and against the inhabitants of Babylon, her leaders, and her wise men. -\q -\v 36 A sword against those who say empty words! They will become fools! -\q A sword against her soldiers! They will be filled with terror. -\q -\v 37 A sword is coming against their horses, their chariots and all of the people who are in the midst of Babylon, -\q so they will become like women. A sword is coming against her storerooms, and they will be plundered. - -\s5 -\q -\v 38 A drought is coming on her waters, so they will become dry. -\q For she is a land of worthless idols, and they act like people made insane by their dreadful idols. -\q -\v 39 So desert beasts with the jackals will inhabit there, and the young of ostriches will live in her. -\q For all time, she will no longer be inhabited. From generation to generation, she will not be lived in. -\q -\v 40 Just as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q no one will live there; no person will stay in her." -\s5 -\q -\v 41 "See, a people is coming from the north; -\q a great nation and many kings -\q are being stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth. -\q -\v 42 They will pick up bows and spears. They are cruel and have no compassion. -\q Their sound is like the sea roar, -\q and they are riding on horses, -\q set out in order as men for battle, against you, -\q daughter of Babylon. - -\s5 -\q -\v 43 The king of Babylon heard the reports about them and his hands fell limp in distress. -\q Anguish seized him like a woman giving birth. - -\s5 -\q -\v 44 Behold! He goes up like a lion from the heights of the Jordan to the enduring grazing place -\q For I will quickly cause them to run from it, and I will put someone who will be chosen in charge of it. -\q For who is like me, and who will summon me? What shepherd is able to resist me? - -\s5 -\q -\v 45 So listen to the plans that Yahweh has decided against Babylon, -\q the plans that he has planned against the land of the Chaldeans. They will certainly be dragged away, -\q even the smallest flock. Their pasturelands will be turned into ruined places. -\q -\v 46 At the sound of conquered Babylon the earth shakes, and their shout of distress is heard among the nations." - - - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 51 -\m -\q -\v 1 "Yahweh says this: See, I am about to stir up a wind of destruction against Babylon -\q and against those who live in Leb Kamai. -\q -\v 2 I will send foreigners to Babylon. They will scatter her and devastate her land, -\q for they will come against her from all around on the day of disaster. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Do not let the archers bend their bows; do not let them put on armor. -\q Do not spare her young men; set her whole army apart for destruction. -\q -\v 4 For the wounded people will fall in the land of the Chaldeans; those who are killed will fall in her streets. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 For Israel and Judah are not forsaken by their God, by Yahweh of hosts, -\q although their land is filled with offenses committed against the Holy One of Israel. -\q -\v 6 Flee from the midst of Babylon; let each man save himself. Do not perish in her iniquity. -\q For it is the time of Yahweh's vengeance. He will repay all of it to her. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Babylon was a golden cup in the hand of Yahweh that made all the world drunk; -\q nations drank her wine and became insane. -\q -\v 8 Babylon will fall suddenly and be destroyed. -\q Wail for her! Give her medicine for her pain; perhaps she can be healed. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 'We wished to heal Babylon, but she is not healed. Let us all leave her and go away, -\q to our own land. For her guilt reaches up to the heavens; it is piled up to the clouds. -\q -\v 10 Yahweh has declared our innocence. Come, let us tell in Zion -\q the deeds of Yahweh our God.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Sharpen the arrows and take up the shields. Yahweh is stirring up -\q the spirit of the king of the Medes in a plan to destroy Babylon. -\q This is for Yahweh's vengeance, vengeance for the destruction of his temple. -\q -\v 12 Lift up a banner over Babylon's walls; make the watch strong; set up watchmen; prepare the ambushes; -\q for the LORD will do what he has said concerning the inhabitants of Babylon. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 You people who live by many streams of water, you people who are rich with treasures, -\q your end has come. The thread of your life is now cut short. -\q -\v 14 Yahweh of hosts has sworn by his own life, 'I will fill you with your enemies, like a locust plague; -\q they will raise a battle cry against you.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 He has made the earth by his power; he set in place the world by his wisdom. -\q By his understanding he stretched out the heavens. -\q -\v 16 When he thunders, there is the roar of waters in the heavens, for he brings up the mist from the ends of the earth. -\q He makes lightning for rain and sends out wind from his storehouses. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Every man has become ignorant, without knowledge. Every metalworker is put to shame by his idols. -\q For his cast images are frauds, and there is no life in them. -\q -\v 18 They are useless, the work of mockers; they will perish at the time of their punishment. -\q -\v 19 But God, the portion of Jacob, is not like these, for he is the molder of all things. Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; -\q Yahweh of hosts is his name. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 You are my war hammer, my weapon for battle. -\q With you I will smash nations and destroy kingdoms. -\q -\v 21 With you I will smash horses and their riders; with you I will smash chariots and their drivers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 With you I will smash each man and woman; with you I will smash the old and the young. -\q With you I will smash the young men and the virgin girls. -\q -\v 23 With you I will smash the shepherds and their flocks; with you I will smash the plowmen and their teams. -\q With you I will smash the governors and officials. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 For in your sight I will pay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea -\q for all of the evil that they did in Zion—this is Yahweh's declaration. - - -\s5 -\q -\v 25 See, I am against you, mountain of destruction—this is Yahweh's declaration—which destroys the whole earth. -\q I will stretch out my hand against you, and roll you down from the cliffs, -\q and make you a burned-out mountain. -\q -\v 26 So they will not take from you any stone to construct a building's corner or foundation; -\q for you will become an everlasting devastation—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 Lift up a banner over the earth. Blow the trumpet over the nations. Call the nations to attack her: -\q Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. -\q Appoint a commander to attack her; bring up horses like swarming locusts. -\q -\v 28 Prepare the nations to attack her: The kings of the Medes and his governors, -\q all of his officials and all the lands under his rule. - -\s5 -\q -\v 29 For the land will shake and be in anguish, since Yahweh's plans continue against Babylon, -\q to make the land of Babylon a wasteland where there is no inhabitant. - -\s5 -\q -\v 30 The soldiers in Babylon have stopped fighting; they stay in their strongholds. -\q Their strength has failed; they have become women—her homes are on fire, the bars of her gates are broken. -\q -\v 31 A messenger runs to proclaim to another messenger, and a runner tells another runner -\q to report to the king of Babylon that his city has been taken from end to end. -\q -\v 32 So the fords over the river are seized; the enemy is burning the reed marshes, -\q and Babylon's fighting men are confused. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor. -\q It is time to trample her down. In a little while the time of harvest will come to her. - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 'Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured me, -\q he has driven me into confusion and has made me an empty pot. -\q Like a monster he has swallowed me, -\q he has filled his stomach with my delicious foods, -\q and then he has spit me out.' -\q -\v 35 The one who lives in Zion will say, 'May the violence done to me and my flesh be on Babylon.' -\q Jerusalem will say, 'May my blood be on the inhabitants of Chaldea.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 36 Therefore Yahweh says this: See, I am about to plead your case and bring about vengeance for you. -\q For I will dry up Babylon's waters and make her springs run dry. -\q -\v 37 Babylon will become heaps of rubble, a den of jackals, a horror, -\q an object of hissing, where there are no inhabitants. - -\s5 -\q -\v 38 The Babylonians will roar together like young lions. They will growl like lion cubs. -\q -\v 39 When they become hot with greed, I will make a feast for them; I will make them drunk so they become happy, -\q and then sleep an unending sleep and not wake up—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q -\v 40 I will send them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats. - -\s5 -\q -\v 41 How Babylon has been captured! So the praise of all the earth is seized. -\q How Babylon has become a ruined place among the nations. -\q -\v 42 The sea has come up over Babylon! She is covered with its roaring waves. - -\s5 -\q -\v 43 Her cities have become a desolation, a dry land and a wilderness, -\q a land that no one inhabits, and no human being passes through. -\q -\v 44 So I will punish Bel in Babylon; I will bring out from his mouth what he swallowed, -\q and the nations will no longer flow to him with their offerings. The walls of Babylon will fall. - -\s5 -\q -\v 45 Go out from her midst, my people. Let each of you save his own life from the fury of my wrath. -\q -\v 46 Do not let your hearts be timid or fear the news that is heard in the land, -\q for the news will come one year. After it in the next year there will be news, -\q and violence will be in the land. Ruler will be against ruler. - -\s5 -\q -\v 47 Therefore, see, days are coming when I will punish the carved idols of Babylon. -\q All of her land will be ashamed, and all of her slaughtered ones will fall in her midst. -\q -\v 48 Then the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them will rejoice over Babylon. -\q For destroyers will come for her from the north—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 49 As Babylon has made the killed of Israel fall, -\q so the killed of all her land will fall in Babylon. - -\s5 -\q -\v 50 Survivors of the sword, go away! Do not stay still. -\q Call Yahweh to mind from far away; let Jerusalem come to mind. -\q -\v 51 We are ashamed, for we have heard insults; reproach has covered our faces, -\q for foreigners have entered the holy places of Yahweh's house. - -\s5 -\q -\v 52 Therefore, see, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will punish her carved idols, -\q and the wounded people will groan in all of her land. -\q -\v 53 For even if Babylon went up to the heavens or fortified her highest fortresses, -\q destroyers would come from me to her—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 54 A shout of distress came from Babylon, a great collapse from the land of the Chaldeans. -\q -\v 55 For Yahweh is destroying Babylon. He is causing her loud voice to perish. -\q Their enemies roar like the waves of many waters; their noise becomes very strong. -\q -\v 56 For the destroyers have come against her—against Babylon!—and her warriors have been captured. -\q Their bows are broken, for Yahweh is the God of vengeance; he will surely carry out this repayment. - -\s5 -\q -\v 57 For I will make her princes, her sages, her officials, and her soldiers drunk, -\q and they will sleep in an unending sleep and never wake up -\q —this is the King's declaration: Yahweh of hosts is his name. -\q -\v 58 Yahweh of hosts says this: The thick walls of Babylon will be completely demolished, -\q and her high gates will be burned. -\q Then the peoples coming to her aid will labor uselessly; everything that the nations try to do for her will be burned up." - -\s5 -\q -\v 59 This is the word that Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah son of Neriah -\q son of Mahseiah when he went with Zedekiah king of Judah to Babylon -\q in the fourth year of his reign. Now Seraiah was a chief officer. -\v 60 For Jeremiah had written in a scroll about all the disaster that was going to come on Babylon—all these words that were written about Babylon. - -\s5 -\v 61 Jeremiah said to Seraiah, "When you go to Babylon, then you will see and you will read these words aloud. -\v 62 Then you will say, 'Yahweh, you yourself have declared that you would destroy this place, and that no man or animal will live in it, and it will be desolate forever.' - -\s5 -\v 63 Then when you have finished reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates. -\v 64 Say, 'Babylon will sink like this. It will not arise because of the disaster that I am sending against it, and they will fall.'" Jeremiah's words end here. - - - - -\s5 -\c 52 -\p -\v 1 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal; she was the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah. -\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did everything that Jehoiakim had done. -\v 3 Through Yahweh's anger, all these events happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until he drove them from before himself. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. - -\s5 -\v 4 It happened that in the ninth year of the reign of King Zedekiah, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar, -king of Babylon, came with all his army against Jerusalem. They camped opposite it, and they built a siege wall around it. -\v 5 So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign. - -\s5 -\v 6 By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. -\v 7 Then the city was broken into, and all the fighting men fled and went out of the city at night by the way of the gate that was between the two walls, by the king's garden, although the Chaldeans were all around the city. So they went in the direction of the Arabah. -\v 8 But the army of Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of the Jordan River valley near Jericho. All his army was scattered away from him. - -\s5 -\v 9 They captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him. -\v 10 The king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his own eyes, and at Riblah he also slaughtered all the leaders of Judah. -\v 11 Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and brought him to Babylon. The king of Babylon put him in prison until the day of his death. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Now in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan came to Jerusalem. He was the commander of the king's bodyguards and a servant of the king of Babylon. -\v 13 He burned the house of Yahweh, the king's palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; also every important building in the city he burned. -\v 14 As for the walls around Jerusalem, all the army of the Babylonians who were with the commander of the bodyguards destroyed them. - -\s5 -\v 15 As for the poorest people, the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the craftsmen— -Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguards, took some of them away into exile. - -\v 16 But Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguards, left some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 As for the bronze pillars that belonged to the house of Yahweh, and the stands, and the large bronze basin called "The Sea" that were in the house of -Yahweh, the Chaldeans broke them into pieces and carried all the bronze back to Babylon. -\v 18 The pots, shovels, lamp trimmers, bowls, and all the utensils of bronze with which the priests had served in the temple—the Chaldeans took them all away. -\v 19 The basins and the incense burners, the bowls, pots, lampstands, pans, and basins that were made of gold, and those made of silver—the commander of the king's guard took them away as well. - -\s5 -\v 20 The two pillars, the large bronze basin known as "The Sea," and the twelve bronze bulls that were under the stands, things that Solomon had made for the house of Yahweh, contained more bronze than could be weighed. -\v 21 The pillars were eighteen cubits high each, and a line around each one measured twelve cubits. Each was four fingers thick and hollow. -\s5 -\v 22 A capital of bronze was on top of it. The capital was five cubits high, with latticework and pomegranates all around. It was all made of bronze. The other pillar and its pomegranates were the same as the first. -\v 23 So there were ninety-six pomegranates on the capital's sides, and one hundred pomegranates above the surrounding latticework. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 The commander of the bodyguards took prisoner Seraiah, the high priest, together with Zephaniah, the second priest, and the three gatekeepers. -\v 25 From the city he took prisoner an officer who was in charge of soldiers, and seven men of those who advised the king, who were still in the city. He also took prisoner the king's army officer responsible for drafting men into the army, along with sixty important men from the land who were in the city. - -\s5 -\v 26 Then Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguards, took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. -\v 27 The king of Babylon put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. In this way, Judah went out of its land into exile. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 These were the people who Nebuchadnezzar exiled: In the seventh year, 3,023 Judeans. -\v 29 In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he took 832 people from Jerusalem. -\v 30 In the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, the commander of the king's bodyguards, exiled 745 Judean people. All the exiled people totaled 4,600. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 It happened later in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin, king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, that Awel-Marduk, king of Babylon released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. This happened in the year that Awel-Marduk began to reign. - -\s5 -\v 32 He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat more honorable than that of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. -\v 33 Awel-Marduk removed Jehoiachin's prison clothes, and Jehoiachin ate regularly at the king's table for the rest of his life, -\v 34 and a regular food allowance was given to him every day for the rest of his life until his death. - +\mt Jeremiah \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. +\v 2 The word of Yahweh came to him in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. +\v 3 It also came in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem were taken away as prisoners. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\q +\v 5 "Before I formed you in the womb, I chose you; +\q before you came out from the womb I set you apart; I made you a prophet to the nations." +\p +\v 6 "Ah, Lord Yahweh!" I said, "I do not know how to speak, for I am too young." + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 But Yahweh said to me, +\q "Do not say, 'I am too young.' You must go everywhere I send you, +\q and you must say whatever I command you! +\q +\v 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to rescue you—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Yahweh reached out with his hand, touched my mouth, and said to me, "Now, I have placed my word in your mouth. +\q +\v 10 I am appointing you today over nations and over kingdoms, +\q to uproot and break down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and plant." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "I see an almond branch." +\v 12 Yahweh said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to carry it out." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 The word of Yahweh came to me a second time, saying, "What do you see?" I said, "I see a heated pot, whose surface is churning, tipping away from the north." +\v 14 Yahweh said to me, "Disaster will be opened up out of the north on all who live in this land. + +\s5 +\v 15 For I am calling all the tribes of the northern kingdoms, declares Yahweh. They will come, and everyone will set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all the walls that surround it, and against all the cities of Judah. +\v 16 I will pronounce sentence against them for all their evil in forsaking me, in burning incense to other gods, and in worshiping what they made with their own hands. + +\s5 +\v 17 Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be shattered before them, or I will shatter you before them! +\v 18 Behold! Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. +\v 19 They will fight against you, but they will not defeat you, for I will be with you to rescue you—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\q +\v 2 "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem. Say, 'Yahweh says this: +\q I have called to mind on your behalf the covenant faithfulness in your youthfulness, your love at the time when we were engaged, +\q when you went after me in the wilderness, the land that was not sown. +\q +\v 3 Israel was set apart to Yahweh, the firstfruits of his harvest! +\q All who ate from the firstfruits were held guilty; disaster came upon them—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Hear the word of Yahweh, house of Jacob, all you clans of the house of Israel. +\q +\v 5 Yahweh says this, "What did your fathers find wrong with me, that they went far from following me? +\q That they went after useless idols and became useless themselves? +\q +\v 6 They did not say, 'Where is Yahweh, who brought us up from the land of Egypt? +\q Where is Yahweh, who led us to the wilderness, into the land of the Arabah and pits, +\q in a land of drought and deep darkness, +\q a land through which no one passes and where no one lives?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 But I brought you to the land of Carmel, to eat its fruit and other good things! +\q Yet when you came, you defiled my land, you made my inheritance an abomination! +\q +\v 8 The priest did not say, 'Where is Yahweh?' and the experts in the law did not care about me! +\q The shepherds transgressed against me. The prophets prophesied for Baal and walked after unprofitable things. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 So I will still accuse you—this is Yahweh's declaration—and I will accuse your sons' sons. +\q +\v 10 For cross over to the coasts of Kittim and look. Send messengers out to Kedar and find out +\q and see if there has ever before been anything like this. +\q +\v 11 Has a nation exchanged gods, even though they were not gods? +\q But my people have exchanged their glory for what cannot help them. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa their glory \fqa* , some ancient copies have \fqa my glory \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Shudder, heavens, because of this! Be shocked and horrified—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 13 For my people have committed two evils against me: They have abandoned the springs of living waters, +\q and they have dug out cisterns for themselves, +\q broken cisterns that cannot hold water. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Is Israel a slave? Was he born in his master's home? So why has he become plunder? +\q +\v 15 Young lions roared against him. They made a lot of noise and made his land a horror. +\q His cities are destroyed without any inhabitants. +\q +\v 16 Also, the people of Memphis and Tahpanhes will shave your skull. + +\q +\v 17 Did you not do this to yourselves +\q when you abandoned Yahweh your God, while he was leading you along the way? + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 So now, why take the road to Egypt and drink the waters of Shihor? +\q Why take the road to Assyria and drink the waters of the Euphrates River? +\q +\v 19 Your wickedness rebukes you, and your faithlessness punishes you. So think about it and understand that it is wicked and bitter +\q when you forsake Yahweh your God, and have no fear of me—this is the declaration of Lord Yahweh of hosts. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 For I broke your yoke that you had in ancient days; I tore your fetters off you. Still you said, +\q 'I will not serve!' since you bowed down on every high hill and beneath every leafy tree, you adulterer. +\q +\v 21 I planted you as a choice vine, completely from pure seed. +\q How then have you have changed yourself into a corrupt, worthless vine? +\q +\v 22 For even if you clean yourself in the river or wash with strong soap, +\q your iniquity is a stain before me—this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 How can you say, 'I am not defiled! I have not walked after the Baals'? +\q Look at what you did in the valleys! Consider what you have done—you are a swift female camel running here and there, +\q +\v 24 a wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! +\q Who can restrain her lust? None of the males need wear themselves out pursuing her; at mating time they will find her. +\q +\v 25 You must restrain your feet from becoming bare and your throat from being thirsty! +\q But you have said, 'It is hopeless! No, I love strangers and go after them!' + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Like the shame of a thief when he is found, so the house of Israel will be ashamed— +\q they, their kings, their princes, and their priests and prophets! +\q +\v 27 These are the ones who say to the tree, 'You are my father,' and to the stone, 'You gave birth to me.' +\q For their back faces me and not their faces. Nevertheless, they say in the time of troubles, 'Arise and save us!' +\q +\v 28 Yet where are the gods that you made for yourselves? Let them arise if they wish to save you in your time of troubles, +\q for your idols equal your cities in number, Judah! + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 So why do you accuse me of doing wrong? All of you have sinned against me—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 30 I have punished your people in vain. They would not accept discipline. +\q Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destructive lion! +\q +\v 31 You who belong to this generation! Pay attention to my word, the word of Yahweh! Have I been a wilderness to Israel? +\q Or a land of deep darkness? Why would my people say, 'Let us wander around, we will not go to you anymore'? + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 Will a virgin forget her jewelry, a bride her veils? +\q Yet my people have forgotten me for days without number! +\q +\v 33 How well you make your way to look for love. +\q You have even taught your ways to wicked women. +\q +\v 34 The blood that was the life of innocent, poor people has been found on your clothes. +\q These people were not discovered in acts of burglary. + +\s5 +\q +\v 35 Yet you say, 'I am innocent; surely his anger has turned away from me.' +\q But look! I will bring down judgment on you because you say, 'I have not sinned.' +\q +\v 36 Why do you treat so very lightly this change in your ways? +\q You will also be disappointed by Egypt, just as you were by Assyria. +\q +\v 37 You will also go out from there dejected, with your hands on your head, +\q for Yahweh has rejected the ones whom you trusted, so you will not be helped by them." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\q +\v 1 "If a man divorces his wife and she goes from him and becomes another man's wife, +\q will he return to her again? Would that land not be greatly polluted? +\q You have lived as a prostitute who has many lovers; and would you return to me?—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 2 Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and look! Is there any place where you have not had illicit sex? +\q By the roadsides you sat waiting for your lovers, as an Arab in the wilderness. +\q You have polluted the land with your prostitution and wickedness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 So the spring rains were withheld and the late rains did not come. +\q But your face is arrogant, like a promiscuous woman's face. You refuse to feel shame. +\q +\v 4 Have you not just now called to me: 'My father! My closest friend even from my youth! +\q +\v 5 Will he always be angry? Will he always keep his wrath to the end?' +\q Look! This is what you have said, but you do all the evil you can!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then Yahweh said to me in the days of Josiah the king, "Do you see what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up every high hill and under every leafy tree, and there she has acted like a prostitute. +\v 7 I said, 'After she does all these things, she will return to me,' but she did not return. Then her faithless sister Judah saw these things. + +\s5 +\v 8 So I saw that, in the same way that faithless Israel had committed adultery and I had sent her away and had given a bill of divorce against her, her faithless sister Judah did not fear; she also went out and acted like a prostitute. +\v 9 Her prostitution was nothing to her; she defiled the land, and she committed adultery with stones and trees. +\v 10 Then after all of this, her faithless sister Judah returned to me, not with all her heart, but with a lie—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Yahweh said to me, "Faithless Israel has been more righteous than faithless Judah! +\v 12 Go and proclaim these words to the north. Say, +\q 'Return, faithless Israel!—this is Yahweh's declaration—I will not always be angry with you. +\q Since I am faithful—this is Yahweh's declaration—I will not stay angry forever. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Acknowledge your iniquity, for you have transgressed against Yahweh your God; +\q you have shared your ways with strangers under every leafy tree! +\q For you have not listened to my voice!—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 14 Return, faithless people!—this is Yawheh's declaration—I am your husband! +\q I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion! +\v 15 I will give you shepherds after my heart, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and insight. + +\s5 +\v 16 Then it will happen that you will increase and bear fruit in the land in those days—this is Yahweh's declaration-they will no longer say, "The ark of the covenant of Yahweh!" This matter will no longer come up in their hearts or be remembered; it will not be missed, and another one will not be made.' + +\s5 +\v 17 In that time they will proclaim about Jerusalem, 'This is Yahweh's throne,' and all the other nations will gather at Jerusalem in Yahweh's name. They will no longer walk in the stubbornness of their wicked hearts. +\p +\v 18 In those days, the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel. They will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your ancestors as an inheritance. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 As for me, I said, 'How I want to honor you as my son and give you a pleasant land, +\q an inheritance more beautiful than what is in any other nation!' I would have said, 'You will call me "my father".' +\q I would have said that you would not turn from following me. +\q +\v 20 But like a woman faithless to her husband, +\q you have betrayed me, house of Israel—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 A voice is heard on the plains, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel! +\q For they have changed their ways; they have forgotten Yahweh their God. +\q +\v 22 "Return, faithless people! I will heal you of treachery!" +\q "Behold! We will come to you, for you are Yahweh our God! +\s5 +\v 23 Surely lies come from the hills, a confusing noise from the mountains; +\q surely Yahweh our God is the salvation of Israel. +\q +\v 24 Yet shameful idols have consumed what our ancestors have worked for— +\q their flocks and cattle, their sons and daughters! +\q +\v 25 Let us lie down in shame. May our shame cover us, for we have sinned against Yahweh our God! +\q We ourselves and our ancestors, from the time of our youthfulness to this present day, have not listened to the voice of Yahweh our God!" + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\q +\v 1 "If you return, Israel—this is Yahweh's declaration—then it should be to me that you return. +\q If you remove your detestable things from before me and do not wander from me again, +\q +\v 2 You must be truthful, just, and righteous when you swear, 'As Yahweh lives.' +\q Then the nations will bless themselves in him, and in him they will glory." +\q +\v 3 For Yahweh says this to each person in Judah and Jerusalem: +\q 'Plow your own ground, +\q and do not sow among thorns. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Circumcise yourselves to Yahweh, +\q and remove the foreskins of your heart, +\q men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or else my fury will break out like fire, +\q and burn with no one to quench it, +\q because of the wickedness of your deeds. +\q +\v 5 Report in Judah and let it be heard in Jerusalem. +\q Say, "Blow the trumpet in the land." +\q Proclaim, "Gather together. Let us go to the fortified cities." +\q +\v 6 Lift up the signal flag and point it toward Zion, +\q and run for safety! +\q Do not stay, for I am bringing disaster +\q from the north and a great collapse. + +\s5 +\v 7 A lion is coming out from his thicket +\q and someone who will destroy nations is setting out. +\q He is leaving his place to bring horror to your land, +\q to turn your cities into ruins, where no one will live. +\q +\v 8 Because of this, wrap yourself in sackcloth, lament and wail. +\q For the force of Yahweh's anger has not turned away from us. +\q + +\s5 +\v 9 Then it will happen in that day—this is Yahweh's declaration—that the hearts of the king and his officials will die. The priests will be appalled, and the prophets will be horrified.'" +\v 10 So I said, "Ah! Lord Yahweh. Surely you have completely deceived this people and Jerusalem by saying, 'There will be peace for you.' Yet the sword is striking against their life." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 In that time it will be said of this people and Jerusalem, "A burning wind from the plains of the desert will make its way to the daughter of my people. It will not winnow or cleanse them. +\v 12 A wind far stronger than that will come at my command, and I will now pass sentence against them. + +\s5 +\v 13 See, he is attacking like clouds, and his chariots are like a storm. His horses are faster than eagles. Woe to us, for we will be devastated! +\v 14 Cleanse your heart from wickedness, Jerusalem, so that you might be saved. How long will your deepest thoughts be about how to sin? +\v 15 For a voice is bringing news from Dan, and the coming disaster is heard from the mountains of Ephraim. + +\s5 +\v 16 Make the nations think about this: See, announce to Jerusalem that besiegers are coming from a distant land to shout in battle against the cities of Judah. +\v 17 They will be like the watchmen of a cultivated field against her all around, since she has been rebellious against me—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\v 18 and your conduct and your deeds have done these things to you. This will be your punishment. How terrible it will be! It will strike your very heart. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 My heart! My heart! I am in anguish in my heart. My heart is turbulent within me. I cannot keep quiet for I hear the sound of the horn, an alarm for battle. +\v 20 Disaster follows after disaster; for all the land lies in ruins. Suddenly my tents are destroyed, my curtains in a moment. + +\s5 +\v 21 How long will I see the standard? Will I hear the sound of the horn? +\v 22 For the foolishness of my people—they do not know me. They are idiotic people and they have no understanding. They have skill at evil, but do not know to do good. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 I saw the land. Behold! It was formless and empty. For there was no light for the heavens. +\v 24 I looked at the mountains. Behold, they were trembling, and all the hills were shaking about. +\v 25 I looked. Behold, there was no one, and all the birds of the heavens had fled. +\v 26 I looked. Behold, the orchards were a wilderness and all the cities had been pulled down before Yahweh, before the fury of his wrath." + +\s5 +\v 27 This is what Yahweh says, "All the land will become a devastation, but I will not completely destroy it. +\v 28 For this reason, the land will mourn, and the heavens above will darken. For I have declared my intentions; I will not hold back; I will not turn from carrying them out. +\v 29 Every city will flee from the noise of the cavalry and the archers with a bow; they will run into the forests. Every city will climb up into the rocky places. The cities will be abandoned, for there will be +no one to inhabit them. + +\s5 +\v 30 Now that you have been devastated, what will you do? For though you dress in scarlet, adorn yourself with gold jewelry, and make your eyes look bigger with paint, the men who lusted for you now reject you. Instead, they are trying to take away your life. +\v 31 So I hear the sound of anguish, distress as in the birth of a firstborn child, the sound of the daughter of Zion. She is gasping for breath. She spreads out her hands, 'Woe to me! I am fainting because of these murderers.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\q +\v 1 "Rush about through the streets of Jerusalem; search in her city squares, too. Then look and think about this: +\q If you can find a man or anyone who is acting justly and trying to act faithfully, +\q then I will forgive Jerusalem. +\q +\v 2 Although they say, 'As Yahweh lives,' yet they are swearing falsely." +\q +\v 3 Yahweh, do your eyes not look for faithfulness? You struck the people, but they do not feel pain. +\q You have completely defeated them, but they still refuse to receive discipline. They make their faces harder than rock, for they refuse to repent. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 So I said, "Surely these are only poor people. +\q They are foolish, for they do not know Yahweh's ways, nor their God's decrees. +\q +\v 5 I will go to the important people and declare God's messages to them, for they at least know Yahweh's ways, the decrees of their God." +\q But they all broke their yoke together; they all tore apart the chains that bound them to God. +\q +\v 6 So a lion from a thicket will attack them. A wolf from the Arabah will ruin them. +\q A lurking panther will come against their cities. Anyone who goes outside his city will be torn apart. +\q For their transgressions increase. Their acts of faithlessness are unlimited. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Why should I pardon these people? +\q Your sons have abandoned me and have made oaths by what are not gods. +\q I fed them fully, but they committed adultery and walked in great numbers to the houses of prostitutes. +\q +\v 8 They were horses in heat. They roamed about wanting to mate. Each man neighed to his neighbor's wife. +\q +\v 9 So should I not punish them—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q and should I not avenge myself on a nation that is like this? + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Go up onto her vineyards' terraces and destroy. But do not bring complete destruction to them. +\q Trim their vines, since those vines do not come from Yahweh. +\q +\v 11 For the houses of Israel and Judah have completely betrayed me—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 12 They have spoken falsely about Yahweh and they said, "He will do nothing; +\q no harm will come upon us, and we will not see sword or famine. +\q +\v 13 The prophets will become wind, the word is not in them, so let what they say be done to them." + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 So Yahweh, the God of hosts says this, "Because you have said this, see, +\q I am about to place my word in your mouth. It will be like a fire, and this people will be like wood! For it will consume them. +\q +\v 15 Behold! I am about to bring a nation against you from far away, house of Israel—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q it is a lasting nation, an ancient nation! It is a nation whose language you do not know, +\q nor will you understand what they say. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Its quiver is like an open tomb. They are all soldiers. +\q +\v 17 So your harvest will be consumed, your sons and daughters also, and your food. +\q They will eat your flocks and cattle; they will eat the fruit from your vines and fig trees. +\q They will beat down with a sword your fortified cities that you trusted in. + +\s5 +\v 18 But even in those days—this is Yahweh's declaration—I do not intend to destroy you completely. +\v 19 When you, Israel and Judah, say, 'Why has Yahweh our God done all these things to us?' then you, Jeremiah, will say to them, 'Just as you abandoned Yahweh and served foreign gods in your land, so you must also serve strangers in a land that is not your own.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Report this to the house of Jacob and let it be heard in Judah. Say, +\q +\v 21 'Hear this, you foolish people who have no understanding; +\q who have eyes but you cannot see, and you have ears but you cannot hear. +\q +\v 22 Do you not fear me—this is Yahweh's declaration—or tremble before my face? +\q I have placed a border of sand against the sea, an ongoing decree that it does not violate— +\q even though the sea rises and falls, still it does not violate it. Even though its waves roar, they do not cross it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 But this people has a stubborn heart. It turns away in rebellion and goes away. +\q +\v 24 For they do not say in their hearts, "Let us fear Yahweh our God, the one who brings the rain +\q —the early rain and the late rains—in their right time, keeping the fixed weeks of the harvest for us." +\q +\v 25 Your iniquities kept these things from happening. Your sins have stopped good from coming to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 For wicked men are found with my people. They watch as someone crouches to capture birds; +\q they set a trap and catch people. +\q +\v 27 Like a cage full of birds, their houses are full of deceit. +\q So they grow large and become rich. +\q +\v 28 They have become fat; they shine with well-being. They crossed over all bounds of wickedness. They do not plead the cause of the people, +\q or the cause of the orphan. They prosper even though they have not given justice to the needy. +\q +\v 29 Should I not punish them for these things—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q and will I not take vengeance for myself on a nation like this? + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 Atrocities and horrors have occurred in the land. +\q +\v 31 The prophets prophesy with deceit, and the priests rule with their own power. +\q My people love it this way, but what will happen in the end?'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 Find safety, people of Benjamin, by leaving Jerusalem. Blow a trumpet in Tekoa. +\q Raise up over Beth Hakkerem a signal, since wickedness is appearing from the north; a great crushing is coming. +\q +\v 2 The daughter of Zion, the beautiful and delicate woman, will be destroyed. +\q +\v 3 The shepherds and their flocks will go to them; +\q they will set up tents against her all around; each man will shepherd with his own hand. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 "Dedicate yourselves to the gods for the battle. Arise, let us attack at noon. +\q It is too bad that the daylight is fading away, that the evening shadows are falling. +\q +\v 5 But let us attack at night and destroy her fortresses." + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 For Yahweh of hosts says this: Cut her trees, and heap up siegeworks against Jerusalem. +\q This is the right city to attack, because it is filled with oppression. +\q +\v 7 As a well pours out fresh water, so this city keeps producing wickedness. +\q Violence and disorder are heard within her; sickness and wounds are continually before my face. +\q +\v 8 Accept discipline, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you +\q and make you into a ruin, an uninhabited land.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Yahweh of hosts says this, "They will certainly glean those who are left in Israel like a vineyard. +\q Reach out again with your hand to pick grapes from the vines. +\q +\v 10 To whom should I declare and warn so they will listen? +\q Look! Their ears are uncircumcised; they are not able to pay attention! +\q Look! The word of Yahweh has come to them to correct them, but they do not want it." + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 But I am filled with Yahweh's fury. I am tired of holding it in. He said, to me, "Pour it out on the children in the streets +\q and on the groups of young men. For every man will be taken away with his wife; +\q and every old person heavy with years. +\q +\v 12 Their houses will be turned over to others, both their fields and their wives together. +\q For I will attack the inhabitants of the land with my hand—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Yahweh declares that from the least to the greatest, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain. +\q From the prophet to the priest, all of them practice deceit. +\q +\v 14 They have healed the wounds of my people lightly, +\q saying, 'Peace, Peace,' when there is no peace. +\q +\v 15 Were they ashamed when they practiced abominations? They were not ashamed; they did not know how to blush! +\q So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Yahweh says this, "Stand at the road crossing and look; ask for the ancient pathways. +\q 'Where is this good way?' Then go on it and find a resting place for yourselves. +\q But the people say, 'We will not go.' +\q +\v 17 I appointed for you watchmen to listen for the trumpet. +\q But they said, 'We will not listen.' +\q +\v 18 Therefore, nations, listen! See, you witnesses, what will happen to them. +\q +\v 19 Hear, earth! See, I am about to bring disaster to this people—the fruit of their thoughts. +\q They paid no attention to my word or law, but they instead rejected it." + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 "What does this frankincense going up from Sheba mean to me? Or these sweet smells from a distant land? +\q Your burnt offerings are not acceptable to me, nor are your sacrifices. +\q +\v 21 So Yahweh says this, 'See, I am about to place a stumbling block against this people. +\q They will stumble over it—fathers and sons together. Inhabitants and their neighbors will also perish.' +\q +\v 22 Yahweh says this, 'See, a people is coming from the land of the north, +\q a great nation is being stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 They will pick up bows and spears. They are cruel and have no compassion. +\q Their sound is like the sea roar, +\q and they are riding on horses, +\q set out in order as men for battle, against you, +\q daughter of Zion.'" +\q +\v 24 We have heard the reports about them and our hands fall limp in distress. +\q Anguish seizes us as a woman giving birth. +\q + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 Do not go out to the fields, and do not walk on the roads, +\q for the swords of the enemy and terror are all around. +\q +\v 26 Daughter of my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; +\q mourn with painful sobs as for an only son, +\q for the destroyer will suddenly come upon us. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 "I have made you, Jeremiah, one who tests my people like one would test metal, so you will inspect and test their ways. +\q +\v 28 They are all the most stubborn of people, who go about slandering others. +\q All of them are bronze and iron, acting corruptly. +\q +\v 29 The bellows are scorched by the fire that is burning them; the lead is consumed in the flames. +\q The refining continues among them, but it is useless, because the evil is not removed. +\q +\v 30 They will be called rejected silver, for Yahweh has rejected them." + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, +\v 2 "Stand at the gate of Yahweh's house and proclaim this word! Say, 'Hear the word of Yahweh, all you of Judah, you who enter these gates to worship Yahweh. + + +\s5 +\v 3 Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Make your ways and practices good, and I will let you continue to live in this place. +\v 4 Do not entrust yourself to deceitful words and say, "Temple of Yahweh! Temple of Yahweh! Temple of Yahweh!" + +\s5 +\v 5 For if you actually make your ways and practices good; if you completely execute justice between a man and his neighbor— +\v 6 if you do not exploit the one staying in the land, the orphan, or the widow and do not pour out innocent blood in this place, and do not walk after other gods to your own harm— +\v 7 then I will let you stay in this place, in the land that I gave to your ancestors from ancient times and forever. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Behold! You are trusting in deceitful words that do not help you. +\v 9 Do you steal, kill, and commit adultery? Do you swear deceitfully and offer incense to Baal and walk after other gods whom you have not known? +\v 10 Then do you come and stand before me in this house that is called by my name and say, "We are saved," so you can do all of these abominations? +\v 11 Is this house, which carries my name, a den of bandits in your eyes? But behold, I have seen it—this is Yahweh's declaration.' + + + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 'So go to my place that was in Shiloh, where I allowed my name to stay there in the beginning, and look at what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. +\v 13 So now, on account of your doing all of these practices—this is Yahweh's declaration—I spoke to you time and time again, but you did not listen. I summoned you, but you did not answer. +\v 14 Therefore, what I did to Shiloh, I will also do to this house that is called by my name, the house in which you have trusted, this place that I gave to you and your ancestors. +\v 15 For I will send you out from before me just as I had sent out all your brothers, all the descendants of Ephraim.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 As for you, Jeremiah, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up a lamenting wail or say a prayer on their behalf, and do not petition me, for I will not listen to you. +\v 17 Do you not see what they are doing in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? +\v 18 The children are gathering wood and the fathers kindling the fire! The women are kneading dough to make cakes for the queen of the heavens and pour out drink offerings for other gods so that they will provoke me. + +\s5 +\v 19 Are they truly provoking me?—this is Yahweh's declaration—is it not themselves whom they are provoking, so that shame is on them? +\v 20 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'See, my anger and wrath will gush out onto this place, on both man and beast, on the tree in the fields and the fruit on the ground. It will burn and never be extinguished.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel says this, 'Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and the meat from them. +\v 22 For when I brought your ancestors out from the land of Egypt, I did not require anything from them. I gave them no command about matters of burnt offerings and sacrifices. +\v 23 I only gave them this command, "Listen to my voice, and I will be your God and you will be my people. So walk in all the ways that I am commanding you, so that it may go well with you." + +\s5 +\v 24 But they did not listen or pay attention. They lived by their own stubborn plans of their wicked hearts, so they went backwards, not forward. +\v 25 Ever since the day when your ancestors went out from the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent every one of my servants, my prophets, to you. I persisted in sending them. +\v 26 But they did not listen to me. They paid no attention. Instead, they hardened their necks. They were more wicked than their ancestors.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 So proclaim all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. Proclaim these things to them, but they will not answer you. +\v 28 Say to them: This is a nation that does not listen to the voice of Yahweh its God and does not receive discipline. Truth is destroyed and cut off from their mouths. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 Cut off your hair and shave yourself, and throw away your hair. Sing a funeral song over the open places. +\q For Yahweh has rejected and abandoned this generation in his rage. +\v 30 For the sons of Judah have done evil in my eye—this is Yahweh's declaration—they have set their detestable things in the house that is called by my name, in order to defile it. + +\s5 +\v 31 Then they built the high place of Topheth that is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. They did this to burn their sons and daughters in fire—something that I did not command, nor did it enter my mind. +\v 32 So see, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when it will no longer be called Topheth or Valley of Ben Hinnom. It will be the Valley of Slaughter; they will bury bodies in Topheth until there is no room left. + +\s5 +\v 33 The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the skies and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away. +\v 34 I will put an end to the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem, the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride, for the land will become a desolation." + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 "At that time—this is Yahweh's declaration—they will bring out from the graves the bones of the kings of Judah and its officials, the bones of the priests and the prophets, and the bones +of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. +\v 2 Then they will spread them out in the light of the sun and moon and all the stars of the skies; these things in the sky that they have followed and served, that they have walked after and sought, and that they have worshiped. The bones will not be gathered or buried again. They will be like dung on the surface of the earth. +\v 3 In every remaining place where I have driven them, they will choose death instead of life for themselves, all who are still left over from this evil nation—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 So say to them, 'Yahweh says this: Does anyone fall and not get up? Does anyone get lost and not try to return? +\q +\v 5 Why has this people, Jerusalem, turned away in permanent faithlessness? +\q They hold on to treachery and refuse to repent. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 I paid attention and listened, but they did not speak right; no one was sorry for his wickedness, +\q no one who says, "What have I done?" All of them go where they wish, +\q like a stallion rushing toward battle. +\q +\v 7 Even the stork in heaven knows the right times; and the doves, swifts, and cranes. +\q They go on their migrations at the right time, but my people do not know Yahweh's decrees. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 How can you say, "We are wise, for the law of Yahweh is with us"? +\q Indeed, see! The deceitful pen of the scribes has created deceit. +\q +\v 9 The wise men will be ashamed. They are dismayed and trapped. +\q Behold! They reject Yahweh's word, so what use is their wisdom? +\q +\v 10 So I will give their wives to others, and their fields to those who will possess them, +\q because from the least to the greatest, all of them are greedy for dishonest gain! From the prophet to the priest, all of them practice deceit. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 They healed the wounds of my people lightly, +\q saying, "Peace, Peace," when there was no peace. +\q +\v 12 Were they ashamed when they practiced abominations? They were not ashamed; they did not know how to blush! So they will fall among the fallen; they will be brought down when they are punished, says Yahweh. +\q +\v 13 I will remove them completely—this is Yahweh's declaration—there will be no grapes on the vine, nor will there be figs on the fig trees. For the leaf will wither, and +what I have given to them will pass away. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Why are we sitting here? Come together; let us go to the fortified cities, and we will become silent there in death. +\q For Yahweh our God will silence us. He will make us drink poison, since we have sinned against him. +\q +\v 15 We are hoping for peace, but there will be nothing good. +\q We are hoping for a time of healing, but see, there will be terror. + +\s5 +\v 16 The snorting of his stallions is heard from Dan. The whole earth shakes at the sound of the neighing of his strong horses. +\q For they will come and consume the land and its wealth, the city and the ones living in it. +\q +\v 17 For see, I am sending out snakes among you, vipers that you cannot charm. +\q They will bite you—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 My sorrow has no end, and my heart is sick. +\q +\v 19 Behold! The screaming voice of the daughter of my people from a land far away! Is Yahweh not in Zion? +\q Is her king no longer there? Why then do they provoke me to anger with their carved figures and their worthless foreign idols? + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 The harvest has passed on, summer is over. But we have not been saved. +\q +\v 21 I am hurt because of the hurt of the daughter of my people. I mourn at the horrible things that have happened to her; I am dismayed. +\q +\v 22 Is there no medicine in Gilead? Is there no healer there? +\q Why will the healing of the daughter of my people not happen? + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\q +\v 1 If only my head could produce water, and my eyes be a fountain of tears! +\q For I wish to weep day and night for those among the daughter of my people who have been killed. +\q +\v 2 If only someone would give me a place for travelers in the wilderness to stay, where I could go to abandon my people. +\q If only I could leave them, since all of them are adulterers, a band of traitors! +\q +\v 3 Yahweh declares, "They tread on their bows of lies with their tongues, +\q but it is not because of any faithfulness of theirs that they grow strong on the earth. +\q They go from one wicked act to another. They do not know me." + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Each of you, be on guard against your neighbor and do not trust in any brother. +\q For every brother is certainly a deceiver, and every neighbor walks in slander. +\q +\v 5 Each man mocks his neighbor and does not speak the truth. +\q Their tongues teach deceitful things. They are exhausted from committing iniquity. +\q +\v 6 Your dwelling is in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Yahweh of hosts says this, "See, I am about to refine them and test them, +\q for what else can I do, because of what my people have done? +\q +\v 8 Their tongues are sharpened arrows; they speak unfaithful things. +\q With their mouths they proclaim peace with their neighbors, but with their hearts they lie in wait for them. +\q +\v 9 Should I not punish them because of these things—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q and should I not avenge myself on a nation that is like this? + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 I will sing a song of mourning and wailing for the mountains, and a funeral song will be sung for the meadows. +\q For they are burned so no one can pass through them. They will not hear the sound of any cattle. +\q The birds of the skies and the animals have all fled away. +\q +\v 11 So I will turn Jerusalem into piles of ruins, a hideout for jackals. +\q I will make Judah's cities ruined places without inhabitants." +\q +\v 12 What man is wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of Yahweh spoken, and he will declare it? +\q Why has the land perished and been destroyed like the wilderness that no one can pass through? + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Yahweh says, "It is because they have abandoned my law that I set before them, because they do not listen to my voice or walk by it. +\v 14 It is because they have walked by their stubborn hearts and have followed the Baals as their fathers taught them to do. + +\s5 +\v 15 Therefore Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, says this, 'See, I am about to make this people eat wormwood and drink poisonous water. +\v 16 Then I will scatter them among the nations that they have not known, neither they nor their ancestors. I will send out a sword after them until I have completely destroyed them.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Yahweh of hosts says this, "Think about this: Summon +\q funeral singers; let them come. Send out for women skilled at lamenting; let them come. +\q +\v 18 Let them hurry and sing a mournful song over us, +\q so our eyes may run with tears and our eyelids flow with water. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 For the sound of wailing is heard in Zion, 'How we are devastated. +\q We are greatly ashamed, for we have abandoned the land since they tore down our houses.' +\q +\v 20 So you women, hear Yahweh's word; pay attention to the messages that come from his mouth. +\q Then teach your daughters a mourning song, and each neighbor woman a funeral song. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 For death has come through our windows; it goes into our palaces. +\q It destroys children from outside, and young men in the city squares. +\q +\v 22 Declare this, 'This is Yahweh's declaration—the corpses of men will fall like dung in the fields, +\q and like grain stalks after the reapers, and there will be no one to gather them.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Yahweh says this, "Do not let the wise man take pride in his wisdom, +\q or the warrior in his might. Do not let the wealthy man take pride in his riches. +\q +\v 24 For if a man takes pride in anything, let it be in this, that he has insight and knows me. +\q For I am Yahweh, who acts with covenant loyalty, justice and righteousness on earth. For it is in these that I take pleasure +\q —this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 "See, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will punish all the circumcised who are such only in their body. +\v 26 I will punish Egypt and Judah, Edom, the people of Ammon, Moab, and all the people who cut the hair on their heads very short. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel has an uncircumcised heart." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\q +\v 1 "Hear the word that Yahweh is announcing to you, house of Israel. +\q +\v 2 Yahweh says this, 'Do not learn the ways of the nations, +\q and do not be dismayed by the signs in the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by these. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 For the religious customs of these people are worthless. +\q They cut down a tree in the forest, and the craftsman carves the wood. +\q +\v 4 Then they decorate it with silver and gold. They strengthen it with hammer and nails so it will not fall over. +\q +\v 5 What they make with their hands is like scarecrows in a cucumber field, because they, too, can say nothing, and they have to be carried because they cannot walk. +\q Do not fear them, for they cannot bring about evil, nor are they able to do anything good.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 There is no one like you, Yahweh. You are great, and your name is great in power. +\q +\v 7 Who does not fear you, king of the nations? For this is what you deserve, +\q for there is no one like you among all the wise men of the nations or all their royal kingdoms. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 They are all the same, they are brutish and stupid, disciples of idols that are nothing but wood. +\q +\v 9 They bring hammered silver from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz made by artificers, +\q the hands of refiners. Their clothes are blue and purple cloth. Their skillful men made all of these things. +\q +\v 10 But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God and eternal king. +\q The earth quakes at his anger, and the nations cannot endure his anger. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 You will speak to them like this, "The gods that did not make the heavens and earth +\q will perish from the earth and from under these heavens." +\q +\v 12 But it was he who made the earth by his power, and he established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding he stretched out the heavens. +\q +\v 13 His voice makes the roar of waters in the heavens, and he brings up the mists from the ends of the earth. +\q He makes lightning for the rain and sends out wind from his storehouse. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Every man has become ignorant, without knowledge. Every metalworker is put to shame by his idols. +\q For his cast images are frauds; there is no life in them. +\q +\v 15 They are useless, the work of mockers; they will perish at the time of their punishment. +\q +\v 16 But God, the portion of Jacob, is not like these, for he is the molder of all things. +\q Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; Yahweh of hosts is his name. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Gather your bundle and leave the land, you people who have been living under the siege. +\q +\v 18 For Yahweh says this, "See, I am about to throw the inhabitants of the land out this time. +\q I will cause them distress, and they will find it to be so." + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Woe to me! Because of my broken bones, my wound is infected. +\q So I said, "Surely this is agony, but I must bear it." +\q +\v 20 My tent is devastated, and all of my tent cords are cut in two. +\q They have taken my children away from me, so they no longer exist. There is no longer anyone to spread out my tent or to raise up my tent curtains. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 For the shepherds are stupid and they do not seek Yahweh; +\q so they have not prospered, and all their flock has been scattered. +\q +\v 22 The report of news has arrived, "See! It is coming, a great earthquake is coming from the land of the north +\q To make the cities of Judah into ruins, hideouts for jackals." + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 I know, Yahweh, that the way of a man does not come from himself. No person walking directs his own steps. +\q +\v 24 Discipline me, Yahweh, with justice, not in your anger or you would destroy me. +\q +\v 25 Pour your fury on the nations that do not know you and on the families that do not call on your name. +\q For they have devoured Jacob and consumed him so as to completely destroy him and demolish his habitation. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, +\v 2 "Listen to the words of this covenant, and declare them to each man in Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 3 Say to them, 'Yahweh, God of Israel says this: Cursed is anyone who does not listen to the words of this covenant. +\v 4 This is the covenant that I commanded your ancestors to keep the day I brought them out from the land of Egypt, from the furnace for smelting iron. I said, "Listen to my voice and do all of these things +just as I have commanded you, for you will be my people and I will be your God." +\v 5 Obey me so that I may confirm the oath that I swore to your ancestors, the oath that I would give them the land flowing with milk and honey, where you live today.'" Then I, Jeremiah, answered and said, "Yes, Yahweh!" +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Yahweh said to me, "Proclaim all these things in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. Say, 'Listen to the words of this covenant and carry them out. +\v 7 For I have been giving solemn commands to your ancestors from the day I brought them up from the land of Egypt until this present time, persistently warning them and saying, "Listen to my voice."' +\v 8 But they did not listen or pay attention. Each person has been walking in the stubbornness of his wicked heart. So I brought all the curses in this covenant that I commanded to come against them. But the people still did not obey." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Next Yahweh said to me, "A conspiracy has been discovered among the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. +\v 10 They have turned to the iniquities of their earliest ancestors, who refused to listen to my word, who instead walked after other gods to worship them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah broke my covenant that I established with their ancestors. + +\s5 +\v 11 Therefore Yahweh says this, 'See, I am about to bring disaster on them, disaster from which they will not be able to escape. Then they will call out to me, but I will not listen to them. +\v 12 The cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and call out to the gods to which they had given offerings, but they will certainly not be saved by them at the time of their disaster. +\v 13 For you Judah, the number of your gods has increased to equal the number of your cities. You have made the number of shameful altars in Jerusalem, incense altars for Baal, equal to the number of her streets. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 So you yourself, Jeremiah, must not pray for this people. You must not wail or pray on their behalf. For I will not be listening when they call on me in their disaster. +\q +\v 15 Why is my beloved one, the one who has had so many wicked intentions, in my house? +\q The meat of your sacrifices cannot help you. You rejoice because of your evil actions. +\q +\v 16 In the past Yahweh called you a leafy olive tree, beautiful with lovely fruit. +\q But he will light a fire on it that will sound like the roar of a storm; its branches will be broken. + +\s5 +\v 17 For Yahweh of hosts, the one who planted you, has decreed disaster against you because of the wicked acts that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have committed—they have angered me by giving offerings to Baal.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Yahweh made me know these things, so I know them. You, Yahweh, made me see their deeds. +\v 19 I was like a gentle lamb being led to a butcher. I did not know that they had formed plans against me, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit! Let us cut him off from the land of the living +so his name will be no longer remembered." +\q +\v 20 Yet Yahweh of hosts is the righteous judge who examines the heart and the mind. +\q I will witness your vengeance against them, for I have presented my case to you. + +\s5 +\v 21 Therefore Yahweh says this concerning the people of Anathoth who are seeking your life, "They say, 'You must not prophesy in the name of Yahweh, or you will die by our hand.' +\v 22 Therefore Yahweh of hosts says this, 'See, I am about to punish them. Their vigorous young men will die by the sword. Their sons and their daughters will die by famine. +\v 23 None of them will be left, because I am bringing disaster against the people of Anathoth, a year of their punishment.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\m +\q +\v 1 You are righteous, Yahweh, whenever I bring disputes to you. +\q I must certainly tell you of my reason to complain: Why do the ways of the wicked succeed? All the faithless people are successful. +\q +\v 2 You planted them and they took root. They continue to produce fruit. +\q You are near to them in their mouths, but far away from their hearts. + +\s5 +\v 3 Yet you, Yahweh, know me. You see me and you test my heart toward you. +\q Take them away like sheep to the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter! +\q +\v 4 How long will the land go on drying up, and the plants in every field wither because of the wickedness of its inhabitants? +\q The animals and the birds have been taken away. Indeed, the people say, "God will not see what happens to us." + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Yahweh said, "Indeed, if you, Jeremiah, have run with foot soldiers and they have tired you out, how can you compete against horses? +\q If you fall down in the safe countryside, how will you do in the thickets along the Jordan? +\q +\v 6 For even your brothers and your father's family have betrayed you and have loudly denounced you. +\q Do not trust in them, even if they say nice things to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 I have abandoned my house; I have forsaken my inheritance. +\q I have given my beloved into the hands of her enemies. +\q +\v 8 My inheritance has become to me like a lion in a thicket; +\q she sets herself against me with her own voice, so I hate her. +\q +\v 9 Has not my prized possession become a speckled bird, that other birds of prey go against her all around? +\q Go and gather all the wild beasts and bring them to devour her. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Many shepherds have destroyed my vineyard. They have stomped all over my portion of land; +\q they turned my delightful portion into a wilderness, a desolation. +\q +\v 11 They have made her a desolation. I mourn for her; she is desolate. +\q All the land has been made desolate, for there is no one who takes it to heart. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 12 Destroyers have come against all the bare places in the wilderness, +\q1 for Yahweh's sword is devouring from one end of the land to the other. +\q2 There is no safety in the land for any living creature. +\q1 +\v 13 They have sown wheat but harvest thornbushes. They are exhausted from work but have gained nothing. +\q2 So be ashamed of your gain because of Yahweh's anger." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Yahweh says this against all my neighbors, the wicked ones who strike at the possession that I made my people Israel inherit, "See, I am the one who is about to uproot them from their own ground, and I will pull up the house of Judah from among them. +\v 15 Then after I uproot those nations, it will happen that I will have compassion on them and bring them back; I will return them—each man to his inheritance and his land. + +\s5 +\v 16 It will come about that if those nations carefully learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name 'As Yahweh lives' just as they have taught my people to swear by Baal, then they will be built up in the midst of my people. +\v 17 But if any do not listen, then I will uproot that nation. It will certainly be uprooted and destroyed—this is Yahweh's declaration." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said this to me, "Go and buy a linen undergarment and put it on around your waist, but do not put it in water first." +\v 2 So I bought an undergarment as Yahweh directed, and I put in on around my waist. +\v 3 Then the word of Yahweh came to me a second time, saying, +\v 4 "Take the undergarment that you purchased that is around your waist, get up and go now to Perath.\f +ft Some transate \fqa Perath \fqa* as \fqa the Euphrates. \f* Hide it there in a rock crevice." +\v 5 So I went and hid it in at Perath just as Yahweh had commanded me. + +\s5 +\v 6 After many days, Yahweh said to me, "Get up and go back to Perath. Take from there the undergarment that I had told you to hide." +\v 7 So I went back to Perath \f +ft Some transate \fqa Perath \fqa* as \fqa the Euphrates. \f* and dug out the undergarment where I had hid it. But behold! The undergarment was destroyed; it was no good at all. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 9 "Yahweh says this: In the same way I will destroy the great arrogance of Judah and Jerusalem. +\v 10 This wicked people who refuses to listen to my word, who walk in the hardness of their heart, who go after other gods to worship them and bow down to them—they will be like this undergarment +that is good for nothing. +\v 11 For just as an undergarment clings to someone's hips, so I have made all the house of Israel and all the house of Judah cling to me—this is Yahweh's declaration—to be my people, to bring me fame, praise, and honor. But they would not listen to me. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So you must speak this word to them, +'Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this: Every jar will be filled with wine.' They will say to you, 'Do we not indeed know that every jar will be filled with wine?' +\v 13 So say to them, 'Yahweh says this: See, I am about to fill with drunkenness every inhabitant of this land, the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. +\v 14 Then I will smash each man against the other, fathers and children together—this is Yahweh's declaration—I will not pity them or have compassion, and I will not spare them from destruction.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Listen and pay attention. Do not be arrogant, for Yahweh had spoken. +\q +\v 16 Give honor to Yahweh your God before he brings darkness, +\q and before he causes your feet to stumble on the mountains at twilight. +\q For you are hoping for light, but he will turn the place into a deep darkness, into a dark cloud. +\q +\v 17 So if you will not listen, I will weep alone because of your arrogance. +\q My eyes will certainly weep and flow with tears, for Yahweh's flock has been taken captive. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 "Say to the king and to the queen mother, 'Humble yourselves and sit down, +\q for the crowns on your head, your pride and glory, have fallen off.' +\q +\v 19 The cities in the Negev will be shut up, with no one to open them. All Judah will be taken captive, completely taken captive. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Lift up your eyes and look at the ones coming from the north. +\q Where is the flock he gave to you, the flock that was so beautiful to you? +\q +\v 21 What will you say when God sets over you those you had trained to be your special allies? +\q Are these not the beginnings of the labor pains that will seize you just like a woman in childbirth? + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Then you might say in your heart, 'Why are these things happening to me?' +\q It will be for the multitude of your iniquities that your skirts are raised up and you have been violated. +\q +\v 23 Can the people of Cush change their skin color, or a leopard change its spots? +\q If so, then you yourself, although accustomed to wickedness, would be able to do good. +\q +\v 24 So I will scatter them like chaff that perishes in the desert wind. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 This is what I have given to you, the portion I have decreed for you—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q because you have forgotten me and trusted in deceit. +\q +\v 26 So also I myself will strip your skirts off you, and your private parts will be seen. +\q +\v 27 I have seen your adultery and neighing, +\q the wickedness of your prostitution on the hills and in the fields, +\q and I have seen these detestable things! +\q Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long until you are made clean again?" + + + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah regarding the drought, +\q +\v 2 "Let Judah mourn; let her gates fall apart. They are wailing for the land; +\q their cries for Jerusalem are going up. +\q +\v 3 Their mighty ones send out their servants for water. +\q When they go to the trenches, they cannot find water. They all return unsuccessful; +\q they cover their heads ashamed and dishonored. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Because of this the ground is cracked, for there is no rain in the land. +\q The plowmen are ashamed and cover their heads. +\q +\v 5 For even the doe leaves her young in the fields and abandons them, for there is no grass. +\q +\v 6 The wild donkeys stand on the bare plains and they pant in the wind like jackals. +\q Their eyes fail to work, for there is no vegetation." + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 7 Even though our iniquities testify against us, Yahweh, act for the sake of your name. +\q2 For our faithless actions increase; we have sinned against you. +\q2 +\v 8 You are the Hope of Israel, the one who saves him in the time of distress, +\q2 why will you be like a stranger in the land, like a foreign wanderer who stretches out and spends just one night? +\q2 +\v 9 Why are you like someone who is astounded, or like a warrior who has no power to rescue? +\q2 You are in our midst, Yahweh, and your name is called over us. Do not leave us! + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Yahweh says this to this people: "Since they love to wander, they have not held back their feet from doing so." +\q Yahweh is not pleased with them. Now he calls to mind their iniquity and has punished their sins. +\v 11 Yahweh said to me, "Do not pray for good on behalf of this people. +\v 12 For if they fast, I will not listen to their wailing, and if they offer up burnt offerings and food offerings, I will not take pleasure in them. For I will put an end to them by sword, famine, and plague." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then I said, "Oh, Lord Yahweh! Behold! The prophets are saying to the people, 'You will not see the sword; there will be no famine for you, for I will give you true security in this place.'" +\v 14 Yahweh said to me, "The prophets prophesy deceit in my name. I did not send them out, nor did I give them any command or speak to them. But deceitful visions and useless, deceitful divination coming from their own minds are what they are prophesying to you." + +\s5 +\v 15 Therefore Yahweh says this, "About the prophets prophesying in my name but whom I did not send out—those who say there will be no sword or famine in this land: These prophets +will perish by sword and famine. +\v 16 Then the people to whom they prophesied will be thrown out in the streets of Jerusalem because of famine and sword, for there will be no one to bury them—them, their wives, +their sons, or their daughters—for I will pour out their wickedness on them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Say this word to them: 'Let my eyes flow with tears, night and day. +\q Do not let them stop, for there will be a great collapse of the virgin daughter of my people— +\q a great and incurable wound. +\q +\v 18 If I go out to the field, there are the ones who were killed by the sword! \q If I come to the city, there are the diseases that are caused by famine. +\q Both the prophet and the priest wander about the land, and they do not know.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Have you completely rejected Judah? Do you hate Zion? +\q Why will you afflict us when there is no healing for us? We hoped for peace, but there was nothing good— +\q and for a time of healing, but see, there is only terror. +\q +\v 20 We admit, Yahweh, our offenses, the iniquity of our ancestors, for we have sinned against you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Do not reject us! For the sake of your name, do not make your glorious throne a disgrace. +\q Remember and do not break your covenant with us. +\q +\v 22 Is there among the idols of the nations anyone who can make the heavens give the spring rain? +\q Are you not the one, Yahweh our God, who does this? We hope in you, for you have done all these things. + + + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 Then Yahweh said to me, "Even if Moses or Samuel were standing in front of me, I would still not be in favor of this people. Send them out from before me, for them to go away. +\v 2 It will happen that they will say to you, 'Where should we go?' Then you must say to them, 'Yahweh says this: +\q Those destined for death should go to death; those destined for the sword should go to the sword. +\q Those destined for famine should go to famine; and those destined for captivity should go to captivity.' + +\s5 +\v 3 For I will assign them to four groups—this is Yahweh's declaration—the sword to slaughter some, the dogs to drag some away, the birds of the skies and the +beast of the earth to consume and destroy some. +\v 4 I will make of them a horrifying thing to all the kingdoms of the earth, because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, did in Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 For who will have compassion for you, Jerusalem? Who will grieve for you? +\q Who will turn to ask about your welfare? +\q +\v 6 You have forsaken me—this is Yahweh's declaration—you have gone back from me. +\q So I will strike you with my hand and destroy you. I am tired of having mercy on you. +\q +\v 7 So I will winnow them with a pitchfork at the gates of the land. +\q I will bereave them. I will destroy my people since they will not turn from their ways. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 I will make their widows number more than the sands of the seashore. Against the mothers of young men I will send +\q the destroyer at noonday. I will make shock and horror suddenly fall on them. +\q +\v 9 The mother who has borne seven children will waste away. She will gasp. Her sun will set while it is still day. +\q She will be ashamed and embarrassed, for I will give those who remain to the sword in the presence of their enemies +\q —this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Woe to me, my mother! For you have borne me, I who am a man of controversy and argument through all the land. +\q I have not lent, nor has anyone lent to me, but they all curse me. +\q +\v 11 Yahweh said: "Will I not rescue you for good? +\q I will certainly make your enemies beg for help in the time of calamity and distress. +\q +\v 12 Can one smash iron? Especially iron from the north that is mixed with bronze? + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 I will give to your enemies your wealth and treasures as free plunder. +\q I will do this because of all your sins committed within all your borders. +\q +\v 14 Then I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, +\q for a fire will ignite, kindled in my wrath against you." +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Then I will make you serve your enemies \fqa* , some ancient copies have \fqa Then I will make your enemies take you \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Yahweh, you know! Remember me and help me. Bring vengeance for me against those who persecute me. +\q You are patient, but do not allow them to take me away; know that I suffer reproach for your sake. +\q +\v 16 Your words have been found, and I consumed them. Your words became to me a joy +\q and the delight of my heart, +\q for I bear your name, Yahweh, God of hosts. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 I did not sit in the circle of those who celebrated or rejoiced. +\q I sat in solitude because of your powerful hand, for you filled me with indignation. +\q +\v 18 Why is my pain ongoing and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? +\q Will you be like deceitful waters to me, waters that dry up? + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Therefore Yahweh said this, "If you repent, Jeremiah, then I will restore you, and you will stand before me and serve me. +\q For if you separate the foolish things from the precious things, you will be like my mouth. The people will come back to you, +\q but you yourself must not go back to them. +\q +\v 20 I will make you like an impenetrable bronze wall to this people, and they will wage war against you. +\q But they will not defeat you, for I am with you to save and rescue you—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q +\v 21 for I will rescue you from the hand of the wicked and redeem you from the hand of the tyrant." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Do not take a wife for yourself, and do not have sons or daughters for yourself in this place. +\v 3 For Yahweh says this to the sons and daughters who are born in this place, to the mothers who bear them, and to the fathers who caused them to be born in this land, +\v 4 'They will die diseased deaths. They will not be mourned or buried. They will be like dung on the ground. For they will come to an end by sword and famine, and their corpses will be food for the birds of the skies and the beasts of the earth.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 For the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 'Do not enter a house where there is mourning. Do not go to mourn or to show sympathy for them, for I have taken away my peace from this people—this is Yahweh's declaration—and my steadfast love and mercy. +\v 6 Both the great and the small will die in this land. They will not be buried, and no one will mourn for them or cut themselves or shave their heads for them. + +\s5 +\v 7 No one must share any food in mourning to comfort them because of the deaths, and none must give a comforting cup to his father or his mother in order to comfort them. +\v 8 You must not go to a banquet house to sit with them in order to eat or drink.' +\v 9 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'See, before your eyes, in your days and in this place, I am about to put an end to the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride.' + + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then it will happen that you will report all these words to this people, and they will say to you, 'Why has Yahweh decreed all this great disaster against us? What is our iniquity and sin that we sinned against Yahweh our God?' +\v 11 So say to them, 'Because your ancestors abandoned me—this is Yahweh's declaration—and they went after other gods and worshiped and bowed down to them. They abandoned me and have not kept my law. + +\s5 +\v 12 But you yourselves have brought about more wickedness than your ancestors, for see, each person is walking by the stubbornness of his wicked heart; there is no one who listens to me. +\v 13 So I will throw you from this land to a land that you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors, and you will worship other gods there by day and night, for I will not give any favor to you.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Therefore, behold, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when it will no longer be said, 'As Yahweh lives, the one who brought up the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.' +\v 15 but, 'As Yahweh lives, the one who brought up the people of Israel from the land of the north and from the lands where he had scattered them.' For I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their ancestors. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Behold! I will send for many fishermen—this is Yahweh's declaration—so they will fish the people out. After this I will send for many hunters so they will hunt for them among all the mountains and hills, and in rock crevices. +\v 17 For my eye is on all their ways; they cannot be hidden from before me. Their iniquity cannot be concealed from before my eyes. +\v 18 I will first pay back double for their iniquity and sin for their polluting of my land with their disgusting idol figures, and for their filling my inheritance with their disgusting idols." + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 Yahweh, you are my stronghold and my refuge, my place of safety in the day of distress. +\q The nations will go to you from the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our ancestors inherited deceit. +\q They are empty; there is no profit in them. +\q +\v 20 Do people make gods for themselves? But they are not gods." +\q +\v 21 Therefore see! I will cause them to know in this time, I will cause them to know my hand and my power, +\q so they will know that Yahweh is my name. + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\q +\v 1 "The sin of Judah is written with an iron stylus having a diamond point. +\q It is engraved on the tablet of their hearts and on the horns of your altars. +\q +\v 2 Even their children remember their altars and their Asherah poles +\q that were beside the spreading trees and on the high hills. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 My mountain in the open country, +\q and your wealth and all your treasures I will give away as plunder, +\q together with your high places, +\q because of the sin you committed in all your territories. + +\q +\v 4 You will lose the inheritance that I gave to you. +\q I will enslave you to your enemies in a land that you do not know, +\q for you have ignited a fire in my wrath, which will burn forever." + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Yahweh says, "The person who trusts in mankind is accursed; +\q he makes flesh his strength but turns his heart away from Yahweh. +\q +\v 6 For he will be like a small bush in the Arabah and will not see anything good coming. +\q He will stay in the stony places in the wilderness, barren land without inhabitants. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 But the person who trusts in Yahweh is blessed, for Yahweh is his reason for confidence. +\q +\v 8 For he will be like a tree planted by water, its roots will spread out by the stream. +\q It will not fear the heat when it comes, for its leaves are always green. +\q It is not anxious in a year of drought, and it will not stop producing fruit. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 The heart is more deceitful than anything else. It is sick; who can understand it? +\q +\v 10 I am Yahweh, the one who searches through the mind, who tests the hearts. +\q I give to each person according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. +\q +\v 11 A partridge hatches an egg that she did not lay. Someone may become rich unjustly, +\q but when half his days are over, those riches will abandon him, and in the end he will be a fool." + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 "The place of our temple is a glorious throne, elevated from the beginning. +\q +\v 13 Yahweh is the hope of Israel. All who abandon you will be put to shame; those in the land who turn away from you will be written in the earth, +\q for they have forsaken Yahweh, the fountain of living waters. +\q +\v 14 Heal me, Yahweh, and I will be healed! Rescue me, and I will be rescued. For you are my song of praise. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 See, they are saying to me, 'Where is the word of Yahweh? Let it come!' +\q +\v 16 As for me, I did not run from being a shepherd following you. I did not long for the day of disaster. +\q You know the proclamations that came from my lips. They were made in your presence. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Do not be a terror to me. You are my refuge on the day of calamity. +\q +\v 18 May my pursuers be ashamed, but do not let me be ashamed. May they be dismayed, but do not let me be dismayed. +\q Send the day of disaster against them and shatter them with a double share of destruction." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Yahweh said this to me: "Go and stand in the gate of the people where the kings of Judah enter and where they exit, then in all the other gates of Jerusalem. +\v 20 Say to them, 'Hear the word of Yahweh, kings of Judah and all you people of Judah, and every resident of Jerusalem who comes in through these gates. + +\s5 +\v 21 Yahweh says this: "Be careful for the sake of your lives and do not carry a burden on the Sabbath day to bring it to the gates of Jerusalem. +\v 22 Do not bring a load out from your house on the Sabbath day. Do not do any work, but set apart the Sabbath day, just as I commanded your ancestors to do."' +\v 23 They did not listen or pay attention, but stiffened their neck so they would not hear me nor accept discipline. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 It will happen that if you truly listen to me—this is Yahweh's declaration—and do not bring a load to the gates of this city on the Sabbath day but instead set apart the Sabbath day to Yahweh and not do any work on it, +\v 25 then kings, princes, and those who sit on David's throne will come to the gates of this city in chariots and with horses, they and their leaders, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever. + +\s5 +\v 26 They will come from the cities of Judah and from all around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and the lowlands, from the mountains, and from the Negev, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, thank offerings to the house of Yahweh. +\v 27 But if you do not listen to me—to set apart the Sabbath day and to not carry heavy loads and to not enter the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day—then I will light a fire in its gates, and it will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem, and it cannot be put out." + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, +\v 2 "Arise and go out to the potter's house, for I will have you hear my word there." +\v 3 So I went out to the potter's house, and behold! The potter was working on the potter's wheel. +\v 4 But the object of clay that he was molding was ruined in his hand, so he changed his mind and made another object that seemed good in his eyes to do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 6 "Should I not be able to act like this potter with you, house of Israel?—this is Yahweh's declaration. Behold! Like clay in a potter's hand—that is how you are in my hand, house of Israel. +\v 7 At one moment, I may proclaim something about a nation or a kingdom, that I will drive it out, tear it down, or destroy it. +\v 8 But if the nation about which I have made that proclamation turns from its evil, then I will relent from the disaster that I was planning to bring upon it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 At another moment, I may proclaim something about a nation or a kingdom, that I will build it up or plant it. +\v 10 But if it does evil in my eyes by not listening to my voice, then I will stop the good that I had said I would do for them. + +\s5 +\v 11 So now, speak to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and say, 'Yahweh says this: See, I am about to form disaster against you. I am about to devise a plan against you. Repent, each person from his wicked way, so your ways and your practices will bring good to you.' +\v 12 But they will say, 'This is no use. We will act according to our own plans. Each one of us will do what his evil, stubborn heart desires.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Therefore Yahweh says this, 'Ask the nations, who has ever heard of such a thing as this? +\q The virgin Israel has committed a horrible act. +\q +\v 14 Does the snow in Lebanon ever leave the rocky hills on its sides? +\q Are the mountain streams coming from far away ever destroyed, those cold streams? + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Yet my people have forgotten me. They have made offerings to useless idols and been made to stumble in their paths; +\q they have left the ancient paths to walk lesser paths. +\q +\v 16 Their land will become a horror, an object of everlasting hissing. +\q Everyone who passes by her will shudder and shake his head. +\q +\v 17 I will scatter them before their enemies like an eastern wind. I will show them my back, and not my face, on the day of their disaster.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 So the people said, "Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, since the law will never perish from the priests, or advice from the wise men, or words from the prophets. Come, let us attack him with our words and no longer pay attention to anything he proclaims." +\q +\v 19 Pay attention to me, Yahweh, and listen to the voice of my enemies. +\q +\v 20 Will disaster from them really be my reward for being good to them? For they have dug a pit for me. +\q Remember how I stood before you to speak for their welfare, to cause your fury to turn away from them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Therefore hand over their children to famine, and give them to the hands of those who use the sword. +\q So let their women become bereaved and widows, and their men be killed, and their young men killed by the sword in battle. +\q +\v 22 Let a distressed shout be heard from their houses, as you suddenly bring raiders against them. +\q For they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden traps for my feet. +\q +\v 23 But you, Yahweh, you know all of their plans against me to kill me. +\q Do not forgive their iniquities and sins. Do not wipe their sins away from you. +\q Instead, let them be overthrown before you. Act against them in the time of your wrath. + + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh said this, "Go and purchase a potter's clay flask while you are with the elders of the people and the priests. + +\v 2 Then go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom at the entry of the Broken Pottery Gate, and there proclaim the words that I will tell you. +\v 3 Say, 'Hear the word of Yahweh, kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, "See, I am about to bring disaster on this place, and the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. + +\s5 +\v 4 I will do this because they have abandoned me and profaned this place. In this place they offer sacrifices to other gods that they did not know. They, their ancestors, and the kings of Judah have also filled this place with innocent blood. +\v 5 They built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to him—something that I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. + + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Therefore, see, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when this place will no longer be called Topheth, the Valley of Ben Hinnom, for it will be the Valley of Slaughter. +\v 7 In this place I will make the plans of Judah and Jerusalem useless. I will make them to fall by the sword before their enemies and by the hand of the ones seeking their lives. +Then I will give their corpses as food to the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth. +\v 8 Then I will make this city a ruin and the object of hissing, for everyone passing by it will shudder and hiss regarding all of its plagues. +\v 9 I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters; each man will consume the flesh of his neighbor in the siege and in the anguish brought on them by their enemies and the ones seeking their lives."' + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then you will break the clay flask in the sight of the men who went with you. +\v 11 You will say to them, 'Yahweh of hosts says this: I will do this same thing to this people and this city—this is Yahweh's declaration—just as Jeremiah shattered the clay flask so that it could not be repaired again. People will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no place left for any more dead. + +\s5 +\v 12 This is what I will do to this place and its inhabitants when I make this city like Topheth—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\v 13 so the houses of Jerusalem and of the kings of Judah will become like Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops the unclean people worship all the stars of the heavens and pour out drink offerings to other gods.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then Jeremiah went from Topheth, where Yahweh had sent him to prophesy. He stood in the courtyard of Yahweh's house and he said to all the people, +\v 15 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'See, I am about to bring to this city and to all of its towns all the disaster that I have proclaimed against it, since they stiffened their neck and +refused to listen to my words.'" + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 Pashhur son of Immer the priest—he was a leading officer—heard Jeremiah prophesying these words before Yahweh's house. +\v 2 So Pashhur beat Jeremiah the prophet and then placed him in the stocks that were at the Upper Gate of Benjamin in Yahweh's house. + +\s5 +\v 3 It happened on the next day that Pashhur brought Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, "Yahweh has not called your name Pashhur, but you are Magor Missabib. +\v 4 For Yahweh says this, 'Look, I will make you an object of horror, you and all of your loved ones, for they will fall by the sword of their enemies and your eyes will see it. I will give all of Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon. He will make them captives in Babylon or attack them with the sword. + +\s5 +\v 5 I will give him all the wealth of this city and all of its riches, all of its precious items and all the treasures of the kings of Judah. I will place these things in the hand of your enemies, and they will seize them. They will take them and bring them to Babylon. +\v 6 But you, Pashhur, and all the inhabitants of your house will go into captivity. You will go to Babylon and die there. You and all of your loved ones to whom you prophesied +deceitful things will be buried there.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 "Yahweh, you deceived me, and I was deceived. You are stronger than I, and you overpowered me. +\q I have become a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. +\q +\v 8 For whenever I have spoken, I have called out and proclaimed, 'Violence and destruction.' +\q Then Yahweh's word has become for me reproach and mocking every day. +\q +\v 9 If I say, 'I will not think about Yahweh anymore. I will not speak any longer in his name.' +\q Then it is like a fire in my heart, held within my bones. So I struggle to contain it but I cannot. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 I have heard rumors of terror from many people all around. 'Report! We must report it!' +\q Those who are close to me watch to see if I will fall. 'Perhaps he can be tricked. +\q If so, we can overpower him and take our revenge on him.' +\q +\v 11 But Yahweh is with me like a powerful warrior, so the ones pursuing me will stagger. +\q They will not defeat me. They will be greatly ashamed, because they will not succeed. +\q They will have unending shame, it will never be forgotten. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 But Yahweh of hosts, you examine the righteous and see the mind and the heart. +\q Let me see your vengeance on them for I have committed my cause to you. +\q +\v 13 Sing to Yahweh! Praise Yahweh! +\q For he has rescued the lives of those who are oppressed from the hand of evildoers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Let the day when I was born be cursed. +\q Do not let the day that my mother bore me be blessed. +\q +\v 15 Let the man who informed my father be cursed, +\q the one who said, 'A male child has been born to you,' causing great joy. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Let that man be like the cities that Yahweh overthrew and he did not have compassion on them. +\q Let him hear a cry for help in the dawn, a battle cry at noontime, +\q +\v 17 because he did not kill me in the womb, making my mother to be my tomb, +\q a womb that was pregnant forever. +\q +\v 18 Why is it that I came out from the womb to see troubles and agony, +\q so that my days are filled with shame?" + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh when King Zedekiah sent Pashhur son of Malkijah and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest to him. They said to him, +\v 2 "Seek advice from Yahweh on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is making war on us. Perhaps Yahweh will do miracles for us, as in times past, and will make him withdraw from us." + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 So Jeremiah said to them, "This is what you must say to Zedekiah, +\v 4 'Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: See, I am about to turn back the instruments of war that are in your hand, with which you are fighting against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans +who are closing you in from outside the walls! For I will gather them in the middle of this city. +\v 5 Then I myself will fight against you with a raised hand and a strong arm, and with wrath, fury, and great anger. + +\s5 +\v 6 For I will attack the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a severe plague. +\v 7 After this—this is Yahweh's declaration—Zedekiah king of Judah, his servants, the people, and whoever remains in this city after the plague, the sword, and the famine, I will give them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those seeking their life. Then he will kill them with the edge of the sword. He will not pity them, spare them, or have compassion.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then to this people you must say, 'Yahweh says this: See, I am about to place before you the way of life and the way of death. +\v 9 Anyone staying in this city will die by the sword, famine, and plague; but anyone going out and falling on his knees before the Chaldeans who have closed in against you will live. He will escape with his life. +\v 10 For I have set my face against this city in order to bring disaster and not to bring good—this is Yahweh's declaration. It has been given into the hand of the king of Babylon and he will burn it.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Concerning the house of the king of Judah, listen to the word of Yahweh. +\q +\v 12 House of David, Yahweh says, 'Bring about justice in the morning. +\q Rescue the one who has been robbed by the hand of the oppressor, +\q or my fury will go out like fire and burn, +\q and there is no one who can quench it, because of your evil deeds. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 See, inhabitant of the valley! I am against you, rock of the plain—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q I am against anyone who is saying, "Who will come down to attack us?" or "Who will enter our houses?" +\q +\v 14 I have assigned the fruit of your practices to come against you—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q and I will light a fire in the thickets, and it will consume everything around it.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 This is what Yahweh says, "Go down to the house of the king of Judah and proclaim this word there. +\v 2 Say, 'King of Judah, listen to the word of Yahweh—you who sit on David's throne—you, and your servants, and your people who come through these gates. +\v 3 Yahweh says this, "Perform justice and righteousness, and anyone who has been robbed—rescue him from the hand of the oppressor. Do not mistreat any foreigner in your land, or any orphan or widow. Do not commit violence or pour out innocent blood in this place. + +\s5 +\v 4 For if you truly do these things, then kings sitting on David's throne will enter the gates of this house riding in a chariot and on horses, he, his servants, and his people! +\v 5 But if you do not listen to these words from me that I have announced—this is Yahweh's declaration—then this royal house will become a ruin."' + +\s5 +\v 6 For Yahweh says this concerning the house of the king of Judah, +\q 'You are like Gilead, or like the summit of Lebanon to me. Yet I will turn you into a wilderness, +\q into cities with no inhabitants. +\q +\v 7 For I have designated destroyers to come against you! Men with their weapons +\q will cut off the best of your cedars and let them fall into the fire. + +\s5 +\v 8 Then many nations will pass by this city. Each person will say to the next, "Why has Yahweh acted in this way toward this great city?" +\q +\v 9 Then the other will answer, "Because they abandoned the covenant of Yahweh their God and bowed down to other gods and worshiped them." + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Do not weep for the one who is dead or mourn for him; but weep bitterly for him who is about to go away, +\q because he will never return and see his native land again.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 For Yahweh says this about Jehoahaz son of Josiah king of Judah, who served as king instead of Josiah his father, 'He has gone from this place and will not come back. +\v 12 He will die there in the place to where they have exiled him, and he will never again see this land.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, +\q who makes his neighbor work for him for nothing, and he does not give him his wages; +\q +\v 14 he says, 'I will build for myself a large house with spacious upper rooms.' +\q So he cuts out large windows for it, and he panels it with cedar, and he paints it red. + +\s5 +\v 15 Is this what makes you a good king, that you wanted to have boards of cedar? +\q Did not your father also eat and drink, yet do justice and righteousness? Then things went well for him. +\q +\v 16 He judged in favor of the poor and needy. It was good then. Is this not what it means to know me?—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 17 But there is nothing in your eyes and heart except worry for your unjust profit and for pouring out innocent blood, +\q for producing oppression and crushing of others. +\p +\v 18 Therefore this is what Yahweh says about Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah: +\q They will not lament for him, saying, +\q 'Woe, my brother!' or 'Woe, my sister!' +\q They will not lament for him, saying, +\q 'Woe, master!' or 'Woe, majesty!' +\q +\v 19 He will be buried with a donkey's burial, +\q dragged away and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Go up Lebanon's mountains and shout. Lift your voice in Bashan. +\q Shout from the Abarim mountains, for all of your friends will be destroyed. +\q +\v 21 I spoke to you when you were safe, but you said, 'I will not listen.' +\q This was your custom since your youth, for you have not listened to my voice. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 The wind will shepherd away all your shepherds, and your friends will go into captivity. +\q Then you will certainly be ashamed and humiliated by all of your evil deeds. +\q +\v 23 You who live in 'Lebanon,' who is nestled in cedar buildings, +\q how you will be pitied when the labor pains come upon you, pain like that of a woman in labor!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 "As I live—this is Yahweh's declaration—even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet on my right hand, I would tear you off. +\v 25 For I have given you to the hand of the ones seeking your life and to the hand of those before whom you are afraid, even to the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans. +\v 26 I will throw you and your mother who bore you into another land, a country where you were not born, and there you will die. + +\s5 +\v 27 About this land to which they will want to return, they will not come back here. +\q +\v 28 Is this a despised and shattered vessel? Is this man Jehoiachin a pot that pleases no one? +\q Why have they thrown him and his descendants out, and have poured them out into a land that they did not know? + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 Land, Land, Land! Hear the word of Yahweh! +\q +\v 30 Yahweh says this, 'Write about this man Jehoiachin: He will be childless. +\q He will not prosper during his days, and no one among his descendants will achieve success +\q or ever again sit on David's throne and rule over Judah.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture—this is Yahweh's declaration." +\v 2 Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says this concerning the shepherds who are shepherding his people, "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away. You have not cared for them. So I am about to punish you for the evil you have done—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 3 I myself will gather the remnant of my flock from all of the lands where I have driven them, and I will return them to a grazing place, where they will be fruitful and increase. +\v 4 Then I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them so they will no longer fear or be shattered. None of them will go missing—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 See, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will raise up for David a righteous branch. +\q He will reign as king; he will act wisely and cause justice and righteousness in the land. +\q +\v 6 In his days Judah will be rescued, and Israel will live in security. +\q Then this is the name by which he will be called: Yahweh is our righteousness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Therefore see, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when they will no longer say, 'As Yahweh lives, who brought the people of Israel up from the land of Egypt.' +\v 8 Instead they will say, 'As Yahweh lives, who brought up and who led back the descendants of the house of Israel from the northern land and all the lands where they had been driven.' Then they will live in their own land." + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Regarding the prophets, my heart is broken in me, and all of my bones tremble. I have become like a drunk man, +\q like a man whom wine has overpowered, because of Yahweh and his holy words. +\q +\v 10 For the land is full of adulterers. Because of these the land is dried up. +\q The meadows in the wilderness dry up. These prophets' paths are wicked; their power is not used in a right manner. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 "For both the prophets and the priests are polluted. I even found their wickedness in my house!—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q +\v 12 therefore their way will be like a slippery place in the darkness. They will be pushed down. They will fall in it. +\q For I will send disaster against them in the year of their punishment—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 For I have seen the prophets in Samaria doing what is repulsive: +\q They prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray. +\q +\v 14 Among the prophets in Jerusalem I have seen horrible things: +\q They commit adultery and walk in deceit. +\q They strengthen the hands of evildoers; no one turns back from his evildoing. +\q All of them have become like Sodom to me and its inhabitants like Gomorrah!" +\q +\v 15 Therefore Yahweh of hosts says this concerning the prophets, +\q "Look, I am about to make them eat wormwood and drink poisonous water, +\q for pollution has gone out from the prophets of Jerusalem to all the land." + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Yahweh of hosts says this, "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. +\q They have deluded you! They are announcing visions from their own minds, not from Yahweh's mouth. +\q +\v 17 They are constantly saying to those who dishonor me, 'Yahweh declares there will be peace for you.' +\q For everyone walking in the stubbornness of his own heart says, 'Disaster will not come upon you.' +\q +\v 18 Yet who has stood in Yahweh's council meeting? Who sees and hears his word? +\q Who pays attention to his word and listens? + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 See, there is a storm coming from Yahweh! His fury is going out, and a tempest is whirling about. +\q It is whirling around the heads of the wicked. +\q +\v 20 Yahweh's wrath will not return until it has carried out and brought into being his heart's intentions. +\q In the final days, you will understand it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 I did not send out these prophets. They just appeared. +\q I did not proclaim anything to them, but they have still prophesied. +\q +\v 22 For if they had stood in my council meeting, they would have caused my people to hear my word; +\q they would have caused them to turn from their wicked words and corrupt practices. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 Am I only a God nearby—this is Yahweh's declaration—and not also a God far away? +\q +\v 24 Can anyone hide in a secret place so I cannot see him?—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q and do I not fill the heavens and the earth?—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 I have heard what the prophets have said, those who were prophesying deceit in my name. They said, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' +\v 26 How long will this go on, prophets who prophesy lies from their minds, and who prophesy from the deceit in their hearts? +\v 27 They are planning on making my people forget my name with the dreams that they report, each one to his neighbor, just as their ancestors forgot my name in favor of Baal's name. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 The prophet who has a dream, let him report the dream. But the one to whom I have declared something, let him declare my word truthfully. What does straw have to do with grain?—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\v 29 Is not my word like fire?—this is Yahweh's declaration—and like a hammer that shatters a rock into pieces? +\v 30 So see, I am against the prophets—this is Yahweh's declaration—anyone who steals words from another person and says they come from me. + +\s5 +\v 31 See, I am against the prophets—this is Yahweh's declaration—who use their tongues to prophesy proclamations. +\v 32 See, I am against the prophets who dream deceitfully—this is Yahweh's declaration—and then proclaim them and in this way mislead my people with their deceit and boasting. I am against them, for I have not sentf them out nor given them commands. So they will certainly not help this people—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 When these people, or a prophet, or a priest asks you, 'What is the burden of Yahweh?' you will say to them, 'You are the burden, and I will cast you off'—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\v 34 As for the prophets, priests, and people who are saying, 'This is the burden of Yahweh' I will punish that man and his house. + +\s5 +\v 35 You continue to say, each person to his neighbor and each man to his brother, 'What did Yahweh answer?' and 'What did Yahweh declare?' +\v 36 But you must no longer talk about the 'burden of Yahweh,' for the burden is every man's own word, and you have perverted the words of the living God, Yahweh of hosts, our God. + +\s5 +\v 37 This is what you will say to the prophet, 'What answer did Yahweh give you? or 'What did Yahweh say?' +\v 38 But if you say, 'The burden of Yahweh', this is what Yahweh says: +\q 'Because you have said these words, 'The burden of Yahweh,' when I sent to you, saying, 'You will not say, "The burden of Yahweh,"' +\q +\v 39 therefore, behold, I am about to pick you up and throw you away from me, along with the city that I gave you and your ancestors. +\q +\v 40 Then I will put everlasting shame and insult on you that will not be forgotten.'" + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 Yahweh showed me something. Behold, two baskets of figs were placed before Yahweh's temple. (This vision happened after Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took into exile Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, the officials of Judah, the craftsmen and the metalworkers from Jerusalem and brought them to Babylon.) +\v 2 One basket of figs was very good, like first ripe figs, but the other basket of figs was so very bad that they could not be eaten. +\v 3 Yahweh said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "Figs. Figs that are very good and figs that are so very bad they cannot be eaten." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 5 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: I will look on the exiles of Judah for their benefit, just like these good figs, the exiles whom I have sent out from this place to the land of Chaldea. +\v 6 I will set my eyes on them for good and restore them to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down. I will plant them, and not uproot them. +\v 7 Then I will give them a heart to know me, for I am Yahweh. They will be my people and I will be their God, so they will turn to me with all their heart. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 But like the bad figs that are too bad to be eaten—this is what Yahweh says—I will act in this way with Zedekiah, king of Judah, with his officials, and with the rest of Jerusalem who remain in this land or go to stay in the land of Egypt. +\v 9 I will turn them into a frightening thing, a disaster, in the sight of all the kingdoms on earth, a disgrace and a subject for proverbs, taunts, and curses in every place where I will have driven them. +\v 10 I will send out sword, famine, and plague against them, until they are destroyed from the land that I gave them and their ancestors." + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah about all the people of Judah. It came in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah. That was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar, +king of Babylon. +\v 2 Jeremiah the prophet proclaimed this to all the people of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 3 He said, "For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah until this day, Yahweh's words have been coming to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. +\v 4 Yahweh sent out all his servants the prophets to you again and again, but you have not listened or paid any attention. + +\s5 +\v 5 These prophets said, 'Let each man turn from his wicked way and the corruption of his practices and return to the land that Yahweh gave in ancient times to your ancestors and to you, as a permanent gift. +\v 6 So do not walk after other gods to worship them or bow down to them, and do not provoke him with the work of your hands so that he does you harm.' + +\s5 +\v 7 But you have not listened to me—this is Yahweh's declaration—so you have provoked me with the work of your hands to do harm to you. +\v 8 So Yahweh of hosts says this, 'Because you did not listen to my words, +\v 9 see, I am about to send out a command to gather all the peoples of the north—this is Yahweh's declaration—with Nebuchadnezzar my servant, king of Babylon, and bring them against this land and its inhabitants, and against all the nations around you. For I will set them apart for destruction. I will turn them into a horror, an object for hissing, and an unending desolation. + +\s5 +\v 10 I will put an end to the sound of joy and sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride, the sound of the millstones and the light of the lamp. +\v 11 Then all of this land will become a desolation and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then it will happen when seventy years have been completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans—this is Yahweh's declaration—for their iniquity and make it an unending desolation. +\v 13 Then I will carry out against that land all the words that I had spoken, and everything written in this book that Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations. +\v 14 For also many other nations and great kings will make slaves out of these nations. I will repay them for their deeds and the works of their hands.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 For Yahweh, God of Israel, said this to me, "Take this cup of the wine of fury from my hand and make all the nations to which I am sending you drink it. +\v 16 For they will drink and then stumble about and rant madly before the sword that I am sending out among them." + +\s5 +\v 17 So I took the cup from Yahweh's hand, and I made all the nations to which Yahweh had sent me drink it: +\v 18 Jerusalem, the cities of Judah and her kings and officials—to turn them into ruins and something terrifying, and into an object for hissing and cursing, as they are at this present day. +\s5 +\v 19 Other nations also had to drink it: Pharaoh king of Egypt and his servants; his officials and all his people; +\v 20 all people of mixed heritage and all the kings of the land of Uz; all the kings of the land of Philistia—Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod; +\v 21 Edom and Moab and the people of Ammon. + +\s5 +\v 22 The kings of Tyre and Sidon, the kings of the coasts on the other side of the sea, +\v 23 Dedan, Tema, and Buz with all the ones who cut the hair on the sides of their heads, they also had to drink it. + +\s5 +\v 24 All the kings of Arabia and all the kings of people of mixed heritage who live in the wilderness; +\v 25 all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes; +\v 26 all the kings of the north, the ones close by and the ones far away—everyone with his brother and all the kingdoms of the world that are on the surface of the earth, all of them had to drink the cup from Yahweh's hand. Finally, the king of Babylon will also drink from that cup. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Yahweh said to me, "Now you must say to them, 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Drink and become drunk, then vomit, fall down, and do not rise before the sword that I am sending among you.' +\v 28 Then it will happen that if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink, you will say to them, 'Yahweh of hosts says this: You must certainly drink it. +\v 29 For see, I am about to bring disaster on the city that is called by my name, and should you yourselves be free from punishment? You will not be free, for I am calling a sword against all the inhabitants of the land!—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 You must prophesy all these words against them, and say to them, +\q 'Yahweh will roar from the heights +\q and he will shout with his voice from his holy dwelling, +\q and he will roar mightily against his fold; +\q and he will shout, like those who tread the grapes +\q against all those who live on the earth. +\q +\v 31 The sound of battle will resound to the ends of the earth, +\q for Yahweh brings charges against the nations, +\q and he brings judgment on all flesh. +\q He will hand over the wicked ones to the sword—this is Yahweh's declaration.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 Yahweh of hosts says this, +\q 'See, disaster is going out from nation to nation, +\q and a great storm is beginning from the farthest parts of the earth. +\q +\v 33 Then those killed by Yahweh will on that day extend from one end of the earth to the other; +\q they will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. +\q They will be like dung on the ground. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 Wail, shepherds, and shout for help! +\q Roll about in the dust, +\q you leaders of the flock, +\q for the days of your slaughter have come; +\q you will be scattered when you fall like fine pottery. +\q +\v 35 There is no refuge for the shepherds, there will be no escape for the leaders of the flock. +\q +\v 36 Hear the cries of the shepherds and the wails of the leaders of the flock, +\q for Yahweh is destroying their pastures. + +\s5 +\q +\v 37 So the peaceful pastures will be devastated because of Yahweh's fierce anger. +\q +\v 38 Like a young lion, he has left his den, for their land will become a horror because of the oppressor's anger, +\q because of his angry wrath.'" +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the oppressor's anger \fqa* , some ancient copies and modern versions have \fqa the oppressor's sword \fqa* . \f* + + + + + +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, this word came from Yahweh, saying, +\v 2 "Yahweh says this: Stand in the courtyard of my house and speak about all the cities of Judah who come to worship at my house. Proclaim all the words that I have commanded you to say to them. Do not cut short any word! +\v 3 It may be that they will listen, that each man will turn from his wicked ways, so I will relent concerning the disaster that I am planning to bring on them because of the wickedness of their practices. + +\s5 +\v 4 So you must say to them, 'Yahweh says this: If you do not listen to me so as to walk in my law that I have placed before you— +\v 5 if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets whom I am persistently sending to you—but you have not listened!— +\v 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh; I will turn this city into a curse in the sight of all the nations on earth.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 The priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah announcing these words in Yahweh's house. +\v 8 So it happened that when Jeremiah had finished announcing all that Yahweh commanded him to say to all the people, the priests, prophets, and all the people seized him and said, "You will certainly die! +\v 9 Why have you prophesied in Yahweh's name and said that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will become desolate, with no inhabitant?" For all the people had formed a mob against Jeremiah in Yahweh's house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then the officials of Judah heard these words and went up from the king's house to Yahweh's house. They sat in the gateway at the New Gate of Yahweh's house. +\v 11 The priests and the prophets spoke to the officials and to all the people. They said, "It is right for this man to die, for he prophesied against this city, just as you heard with your own ears!" +\v 12 So Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people and said, "Yahweh has sent me out to prophesy against this house and this city, to say all the words that you have heard. + +\s5 +\v 13 So now, improve your ways and your practices, and listen to the voice of Yahweh your God so that he will relent concerning the disaster that he has proclaimed against you. +\v 14 I myself—look at me!—am in your hand. Do to me what is good and right in your eyes. +\v 15 But you must surely know that if you kill me, then you are bringing innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and its inhabitants, for Yahweh has truly sent me to you to proclaim all these words for your ears." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and prophets, "It is not right for this man to die, for he has proclaimed things to us in the name of Yahweh our God." +\v 17 Then men from the elders of the land rose up and spoke to the entire assembly of the people. + +\s5 +\v 18 They said, "Micah the Morashite was prophesying in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. He spoke to all the people of Judah and said, 'Yahweh of hosts says this: +\q Zion will become a plowed field, +\q Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, +\q and the hill of the temple will become a thicket.' +\v 19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all of Judah put him to death? Did he not fear Yahweh and appease the face of Yahweh so that Yahweh would relent concerning the disaster that he proclaimed to them? So will we do greater evil against our own lives?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Meanwhile there was another man who prophesied in the name of Yahweh—Uriah son of Shemaiah from Kiriath Jearim—he also prophesied against this city and this land, agreeing with all of Jeremiah's words. +\v 21 But when King Jehoiakim and all his soldiers and officials heard his word, then the king tried to put him to death, but Uriah heard and was afraid, so he ran away and went to Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then King Jehoiakim sent out men to go to Egypt—Elnathan son of Akbor and men to go into Egypt after Uriah. +\v 23 They took Uriah out from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim. Then Jehoiakim killed him with a sword and sent his corpse out to the graves of the ordinary people. +\v 24 But the hand of Ahikam son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so he was not given into the hand of the people to be put to death. + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 In the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh. +\f + \ft Although most Hebrew copies have \fqa Jehoiakim \fqa* , most modern versions have \fqa Zedekiah \fqa* , because the events in this chapter occur during his reign. \f* +\v 2 This is what Yahweh said to me, "Make fetters and a yoke for yourself. Place them on your neck. +\v 3 Then send them out to the king of Edom, the king of Moab, the king of the people of Ammon, the king of Tyre, and to the king of Sidon. Send them by the hand of those kings' ambassadors who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah. +\v 4 Give commands to them for their masters and say, 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: This is what you must say to your masters, + +\s5 +\v 5 "I myself made the earth by my great strength and my raised arm. I also made the people and animals on the earth, and I give it to anyone who is right in my eyes. +\v 6 So now, I myself am giving all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, my servant. Also, I am giving the living things in the fields to him to serve him. +\v 7 For all the nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until the time for his land comes. Then many nations and great kings will subdue him. + +\s5 +\v 8 So the nation and the kingdom that does not serve Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and that does not put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon—I will punish that nation with the sword, with famine, and with the plague—this is Yahweh's declaration—until I have destroyed it by his hand. + +\s5 +\v 9 So do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your seers, your soothsayers, and sorcerers, who have been speaking to you and saying, 'Do not serve the king of Babylon.' +\v 10 For they are prophesying deceit to you in order to send you far away from your lands, for I will drive you away, and you will die. +\v 11 But the nation that places its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serves him, I will allow it to rest in its land—this is Yahweh's declaration—and they will cultivate it and make their homes in it."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah and gave him this message, "Place your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him and his people, and you will live. +\v 13 Why will you die—you and your people—by the sword, famine, and plague, just as I have declared about the nation that refuses to serve the king of Babylon? + +\s5 +\v 14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who speak to you and say, 'Do not serve the king of Babylon,' for they are prophesying lies to you. +\v 15 'For I have not sent them out—this is Yahweh's declaration—for they are prophesying deceit in my name so that I will drive you out and you will perish, both you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 I proclaimed this to the priests and all the people and said, "Yahweh says this: Do not listen to the words of your prophets who prophesy to you and say, 'Look! The objects belonging to Yahweh's house are being returned from Babylon now!' They are prophesying lies to you. +\v 17 Do not listen to them. You should serve the king of Babylon and live. Why should this city become a ruin? +\v 18 If they are prophets, and if the word of Yahweh has truly come to them, let them beg Yahweh of hosts not to send to Babylon the objects that remain in his house, the house of the king of Judah, and Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 19 Yahweh of hosts says this about the pillars, the large basin known as "The Sea" and its base, and the rest of the objects that remain in this city— +\v 20 the objects that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he carried Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 21 Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this about the objects that remain in the house of Yahweh, the house of the king of Judah, and Jerusalem, +\v 22 'They will be brought to Babylon, and they will remain there until the day I have set to come for them—this is Yahweh's declaration—then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.'" +\s5 +\c 28 +\p +\v 1 It happened in that year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year and the fifth month, Hananiah son of Azzur the prophet, who was from Gibeon, spoke to me in Yahweh's house in front of the priests and all the people. He said, +\v 2 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: I have broken the yoke imposed by the king of Babylon. + +\s5 +\v 3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the objects belonging to Yahweh's house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took from this place and transported to Babylon. +\v 4 Then I will bring back to this place Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the captives of Judah who were sent to Babylon—this is Yahweh's declaration—for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 So Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Hananiah the prophet in front of the priests and to all the people who stood in Yahweh's house. +\v 6 Jeremiah the prophet said, "May Yahweh do this! May Yahweh confirm the words that you prophesied and bring back to this place the objects belonging to Yahweh's house, and all the captives from Babylon. +\v 7 However, listen to the word that I am proclaiming in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. + +\s5 +\v 8 The prophets who existed before me and you from long ago also prophesied about many nations and against great kingdoms, about war, famine, and plague. +\v 9 So the prophet who prophesies that there will be peace—if his word comes true, then it will be known that he is indeed a prophet sent out by Yahweh." + +\s5 +\v 10 But Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke it. +\v 11 Then Hananiah spoke in front of all the people and said, "Yahweh says this: Just like this, within two years I will break from off the neck of every nation the yoke imposed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon." Then Jeremiah the prophet went on his way. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 After Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, +\v 13 "Go and speak to Hananiah and say, 'Yahweh says this: You broke a yoke of wood, but I will make instead a yoke of iron.' +\v 14 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: I have placed a yoke of iron on the neck of all of these nations to serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I have also given him the wild beasts in the fields to rule over." + +\s5 +\v 15 Next Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen Hananiah! Yahweh has not sent you, but you yourself have caused this people to believe in lies. +\v 16 So Yahweh says this: Look, I am about to send you out from the earth. You will die this year, since you proclaimed rebellion against Yahweh." +\v 17 In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died. + + + +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 These are the words in the scroll that Jeremiah the prophet sent out from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the captives and to the priests, prophets, and all the people that Nebuchadnezzar exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. +\v 2 This was after Jehoiachin the king, the queen mother, and the high officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen had been sent away from Jerusalem. +\v 3 He sent this scroll by the hand of Elasah son of Shapan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah whom Zedekiah, king of Judah, had sent to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. + +\s5 +\v 4 The scroll said, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this to all the captives whom I caused to be exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon, +\v 5 'Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit. + +\s5 +\v 6 Take wives and give birth to sons and daughters. Then take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands. Let them give birth to sons and daughters and increase there +so you do not become too few. +\v 7 Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be exiled, and intercede with me on its behalf since there will be peace for you if it is at peace.' + +\s5 +\v 8 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that you yourselves are having. +\v 9 For they are prophesying deceitfully to you in my name. I did not send them—this is Yahweh's declaration.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 For Yahweh says this, 'When Babylon has ruled you for seventy years, I will help you and carry out my good word for you to bring you back to this place. +\v 11 For I myself know the plans that I have for you—this is Yahweh's declaration—plans for peace and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. + +\s5 +\v 12 Then you will call to me, and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. +\v 13 For you will seek me and find me, since you will seek me with all your heart. +\v 14 Then I will be found by you—this is Yahweh's declaration—and I will bring back your fortunes; I will gather you from all the nations and places where I scattered you—this is Yahweh's declaration—for I will bring you back to the place from where I caused you to be exiled.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Since you said that Yahweh has raised up prophets for us in Babylon, +\v 16 Yahweh says this to the king who sits on the throne of David and to all the people who are staying in that city, your brothers who have not gone out with you into captivity— +\v 17 Yahweh of hosts says this, 'See, I am about to send sword, famine, and disease on them. For I will make them like rotten figs that are too bad to be eaten. + +\s5 +\v 18 Then I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague and make them a horrible sight to all the kingdoms on earth—a horror, an object of curses and hissing, and a shameful thing among all the nations where I scattered her. +\v 19 This is because they did not listen to my word—this is Yahweh's declaration—that I sent out to them through my servants the prophets. I repeatedly sent them, but you would not listen—this is Yahweh's declaration.' + +\s5 +\v 20 So you yourselves listen to the word of Yahweh, all you exiles whom he has sent out from Jerusalem to Babylon, +\p +\v 21 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who prophesy falsely to you in my name: See, I am about to put them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will kill them before your eyes. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then a curse will be spoken about these persons by all the captives of Judah in Babylon. The curse will say: May Yahweh make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in fire. +\v 23 This will happen because of the shameful things they did in Israel when they committed adultery with their neighbor's wives and declared false words in my name, things that I never commanded them to say. +For I am the one who knows; I am the witness—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 "About Shemaiah the Nehelamite, say this: +\v 25 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Because you sent out letters in your own name to all the people in Jerusalem, to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, +and to all the priests, and said, +\v 26 "Yahweh has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, for you to be in charge of Yahweh's house. You are in control of all the people who rave and make themselves into prophets. You should put them in stocks and chains. + +\s5 +\v 27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who makes himself into a prophet against you? +\v 28 For he has sent to us in Babylon and said, 'It will be a long time. Build houses and live in them, and plant gardens and eat their fruit."'" +\v 29 Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet. + +\s5 +\v 30 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, +\v 31 "Send word to all the exiles and say, 'Yahweh says this about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you when I myself did not send him, and he has led you to believe lies, +\v 32 therefore Yahweh says this: Look, I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. There will not be a man for him to stay among this people. He will not see the good that I will do for my people—this is Yahweh's declaration—for he has proclaimed rebellion against Yahweh.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 30 +\p +\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying, +\v 2 "This is what Yahweh, God of Israel, says, 'Write in a scroll all the words that I have spoken to you. +\v 3 For look, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah. I, Yahweh, have said it. For I will bring them back to the land that I gave their ancestors, and they will possess it.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 These are the words that Yahweh declared concerning Israel and Judah, +\v 5 "For Yahweh says this, +\q 'We have heard a trembling voice of dread and not of peace. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Ask and see if a man bears a child. +\q Why do I see every young man with his hand on his loins like a woman bearing a child? +\q Why have all their faces become pale? +\q +\v 7 Woe! For that day will be great, with none like it. +\q It will be a time of anxiety for Jacob, but he will be rescued from it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 For it will be in that day—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts—that I will break the yoke off your neck, and I will shatter your chains, so foreigners will no longer enslave you. +\q +\v 9 But they will worship Yahweh their God and serve David their king, whom I will make king over them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 So you, my servant Jacob, do not fear—this is Yahweh's declaration—and do not be dismayed, Israel. +\q For see, I am about to bring you back from far away, and your descendants from the land of captivity. +\q Jacob will return and be at peace; he will be secure, and there will be no more terror. +\q +\v 11 For I am with you—this is Yahweh's declaration—to save you. Then I will bring a complete end +\q to all the nations where I have scattered you. But I will certainly not put an end to you, +\q though I discipline you justly and will certainly not leave you unpunished.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 For Yahweh says this, 'Your injury is incurable; your wound is infected. +\q +\v 13 There is no one to plead your case; there is no remedy for your wound to heal you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 All of your lovers have forgotten you. They will not look for you, +\q for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy and the discipline of a cruel master +\q because of your many iniquities and your innumerable sins. +\q +\v 15 Why do you call for help for your injury? Your pain is incurable. +\q Because of your many iniquities, your innumerable sins, I have done these things to you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 So everyone who consumes you will be consumed, and all of your adversaries will go into captivity. +\q For the ones who have plundered you will become plunder, and I will make all of the ones despoiling you a spoil. +\q +\v 17 For I will bring healing on you; I will heal you of your wounds—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q I will do this because they called you: Outcast. No one cares for this Zion.'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Yahweh says this, "See, I am about to bring back the fortunes of Jacob's tents and have compassion on his homes. +\q Then a city will be built on the heap of ruins, and a stronghold will exist again where it used to be. +\q +\v 19 Then a song of praise and a sound of merriment will go out from them, +\q for I will increase them and not diminish them; I will honor them so they will not be humbled. + + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Then their people will be like before, and their assembly will be established before me +\q when I punish all the ones who are now tormenting them. +\q +\v 21 Their leader will come from among them. He will emerge from their midst +\q when I draw him near and when he approaches me. +\q If I do not do this, who would dare come close to me?—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 22 Then you will be my people, and I will be your God. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 See, the tempest of Yahweh, his fury, has gone out. It is a continual tempest. +\q It will whirl on the heads of the wicked people. +\q +\v 24 Yahweh's wrath will not return until it has carried out and brought into being his heart's intentions. +\q In the final days, you will understand it." + + + + +\s5 +\c 31 +\p +\v 1 "At that time—this is Yahweh's declaration—I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people." +\v 2 Yahweh says this, +\q "The people who have survived the sword have found favor in the wilderness; I will go out to give rest to Israel." +\q +\v 3 Yahweh appeared to me in the past and said, "I have loved you, Israel, with everlasting love. +\q So I have drawn you toward myself with covenant faithfulness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 I will build you up again so you will be built, virgin Israel. +\q You will again pick up your tambourines and go out with happy dances. +\q +\v 5 You will plant vineyards again on the mountains of Samaria; the farmers will plant and put the fruit to good use. +\q +\v 6 For a day will come when the watchmen in the mountains of Ephraim will proclaim, +\q 'Arise, let us go up to Zion to Yahweh our God.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 For Yahweh says this, "Shout for joy over Jacob! Shout in gladness for the chief people of the nations! Let praise be heard. Say, 'Yahweh has rescued his people, the remnant of Israel.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 See, I am about to bring them from the northern lands. I will gather them from the farthest parts of the earth. +\q The blind and lame will be among them; +\q pregnant women and those who are about to give birth will be with them. +\q A great assembly will return here. +\q +\v 9 They will come weeping; I will lead them as they make their pleas. I will have them journey to streams of water +\q on a straight road. They will not stumble on it, for I will be a father to Israel, +\q and Ephraim will be my firstborn." + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 "Hear the word of Yahweh, nations. Report along the coasts in the distance. +\q You nations must say, 'The one who scattered Israel is gathering her up and keeping her as a shepherd keeps his sheep.' +\q +\v 11 For Yahweh has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from the hand that was too strong for him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Then they will come and rejoice on the heights of Zion. Their faces will shine because of Yahweh's goodness, +\q over the corn and the new wine, over the oil and the offspring of the flocks and herds. +\q For their lives will become like a watered garden, and they will never again feel any more sorrow. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Then virgins will rejoice with dancing, and young and old men will be together. +\q For I will change their mourning into celebration. I will have compassion on them and cause them to rejoice instead of sorrowing. +\q +\v 14 Then I will saturate the lives of the priests in abundance. +\q My people will fill themselves with my goodness—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Yahweh says this: "A voice is heard in Ramah, wailing and bitter weeping. +\q It is Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted over them, for they live no longer." + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Yahweh says this, "Hold your voice back from weeping and your eyes from tears; +\q there is a reward for your work—this is Yahweh's declaration—your children will return from the land of the enemy. +\q +\v 17 There is hope for your future—this is Yahweh's declaration—your descendants will return inside their borders." + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 "I have certainly heard Ephraim sorrowing, 'You punished me, and I have been punished like an untrained calf. +\q Bring me back and I will be brought back, for you are Yahweh my God. +\q +\v 19 For after I turned back to you, I was sorry; after I was trained, I slapped my thigh. +\q I was ashamed and humiliated, for I have borne the guilt of my youth.' +\q +\v 20 Is not Ephraim my precious child? Is he not my dear, delightful son? +\q For whenever I speak against him, I certainly still call him to my loving mind. In this way my heart longs for him. +\q I will certainly have compassion on him—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Place road signs for yourself. Set up guideposts for yourself. Set your mind on the right path, +\q the way you should take. Come back, virgin Israel! Come back to these cities of yours. +\q +\v 22 How long will you waver, faithless daughter? +\q For Yahweh has created something new on earth—a woman surrounds a strong man. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, says this, "When I bring back the people to their land, they will say this in the land of Judah and its cities, 'May Yahweh bless you, you righteous place where he lives, you holy mountain.' +\v 24 For Judah and all his cities will live together there, as will farmers and shepherds with their flocks. +\v 25 For I will cause those who are weary to drink, and I fill up those who are faint." +\v 26 After this I awoke, and I realized that my sleep had been refreshing. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 "Look, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will sow the houses of Israel and Judah with the descendants of man and beast. +\v 28 In the past, I kept them under surveillance in order to uproot them and to tear them down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring them harm. But in the coming days, I will watch over them, in order to build them up and to plant them—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 29 In those days no one will say any longer, +\q 'Fathers have eaten sour grapes, but the children's teeth are dulled.' +\v 30 For each man will die in his own iniquity; everyone who eats sour grapes, his teeth will be dulled. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Look, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. +\v 32 It will not be like the covenant that I established with their fathers in the days when I took them by their hand to bring them out from the land of Egypt. Those were the days when they broke my covenant, although I was a husband for them—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 33 But this is the covenant that I will establish with the house of Israel after these days—this is Yahweh's declaration: I will place my law within them and will write it on their heart, +for I will be their God, and they will be my people. +\v 34 Then each man will no longer teach his neighbor, or a man teach his brother and say, 'Know Yahweh!' For all of them, from the smallest of them to the greatest, will know me—this is Yahweh's declaration—for I will forgive their iniquity and will no longer call their sins to mind." + +\s5 +\q +\v 35 Yahweh says this—Yahweh, the one who makes the sun to shine by day and arranges the moon and stars to shine by night. He is the one who sets the sea in motion so that its waves roar. Yahweh of hosts is his name. He says this, +\q +\v 36 "Only if these permanent things vanish from my sight—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q will Israel's descendants ever stop from forever being a nation before me." + +\s5 +\q +\v 37 Yahweh says this, "Only if the highest heavens can be measured, +\q and only if the earth's foundation below can be discovered, will I reject all of Israel's descendants +\q because of all that they have done—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 "Look, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when the city will be rebuilt for me, from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. +\v 39 Then the measuring line will go out again farther, to the hill of Gareb and around Goah. +\v 40 The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the terraced fields going out to the Kidron Valley as far as the corner of the Horse Gate on the east, will be set apart for Yahweh. The city will not be pulled up or overthrown again, forever." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 32 +\p +\v 1 The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. +\v 2 At that time, the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard at the house of the king of Judah. + +\s5 +\v 3 Zedekiah king of Judah had imprisoned him and said, "Why do you prophesy and say, 'Yahweh says this: Look, I am about to give over this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it. +\v 4 Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the hand of the Chaldeans, for he will certainly be given into the hand of the king of Babylon. His mouth will speak to the king's mouth, and his eyes will see the king's eyes. +\v 5 He will take Zekediah to Babylon, and he will remain there until I have dealt with him—this is Yahweh's declaration. Though you fight against the Chaldeans, you will not succeed.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Jeremiah said, "The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 7 'Look, Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is coming to you and will say, "Buy my field that is in Anathoth for yourself, for the right to buy it belongs to you."'" + +\s5 +\v 8 Then, as Yahweh had declared, Hanamel, the son of my uncle, came to me in the courtyard of the guard, and he said to me, "Buy my field that is in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, for the right of inheritance is yours, and the right to buy it belongs to you. Buy it for yourself." Then I knew that this was Yahweh's word. +\v 9 So I bought the field in Anathoth from Hanamel, the son of my uncle, and I weighed out for him the silver, seventeen shekels in weight. + +\s5 +\v 10 Then I wrote in a scroll and sealed it, and had witnesses witness it. Then I weighed the silver in the scales. +\v 11 Next I took the deed of purchase that was sealed, following the command and the statutes, as well as the unsealed deed. +\v 12 I gave the sealed scroll to Baruch son of Neriah son of Mahseiah in front of Hanamel, the son of my uncle, and the witnesses who had written in the sealed scroll, and in front of all the Judeans who sat in the courtyard of the guard. + +\s5 +\v 13 So I gave a command to Baruch before them. I said, +\v 14 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Take these documents, both this receipt of purchase that is sealed and the unsealed copies of the deed of purchase, and put them in a clay jar so they will last for a long time. +\v 15 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 After I gave the receipt of purchase to Baruch son of Neriah, I prayed to Yahweh and said, +\v 17 "Woe, Lord Yahweh! Look! You alone have made the heavens and the earth by your great strength and with your raised arm. Nothing you say is too difficult for you to do. +\v 18 You show covenant faithfulness to thousands and pour the guilt of men into the laps of their children after them. You are the great and mighty God; Yahweh of hosts is your name. + +\s5 +\v 19 You are great in wisdom and mighty in deeds, for your eyes are open to all the ways of people, to give to each man what his conduct and deeds deserve. +\v 20 You did signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. To this present day here in Israel and among all mankind, you have made your name famous. +\v 21 For you brought your people Israel out from the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand, with a raised arm, and with great terror. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then you gave them this land—which you had sworn to their ancestors to give to them—a land flowing with milk and honey. +\v 23 So they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or live in obedience to your law. They did nothing of what you had commanded them to do, so you brought all this disaster on them. + +\s5 +\v 24 Look! The siege mounds have reached up to the city to capture it. For because of +sword, famine, and plague, the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans who are fighting against it. For what you have said would happen is happening, and see, you are watching. +\v 25 Then you yourself said to me, "Purchase a field for yourself with silver and have witnesses witness it, even though this city is being given into the hand of the Chaldeans." + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, +\v 27 "Look! I am Yahweh, God of all mankind. Is anything too difficult for me to do? +\v 28 Therefore Yahweh says this, 'See, I am about to give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans and Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He will capture it. + +\s5 +\v 29 The Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come and set fire to this city and burn it, along with the houses on the roofs of which the people worshiped Baal and poured out drink offerings to other gods in order to provoke me. +\v 30 For the people of Israel and Judah have certainly been people who have been doing evil before my eyes since their youth. The people of Israel have certainly offended me with the practices of their hands—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 31 Yahweh declares that this city has been a provocation of my wrath and fury since the day that they built it. It has been that right up to this present day. So I will remove it from before my face +\v 32 because of all the wickedness of the people of Israel and Judah, the things that they have done to provoke me—they, their kings, princes, priests, prophets, and every person in Judah and inhabitant of Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 33 They turned their backs to me instead of their faces, though I had eagerly taught them. I tried to teach them, but not one of them listened in order to receive correction. +\v 34 They set up their abominable idols in the house that is called by my name, to defile it. +\v 35 They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom in order to put their sons and daughters in the fire for Molech. I did not command them. It never entered my mind that they should do this detestable thing and so cause Judah to sin.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 So now therefore, I, Yahweh, the God of Israel, say this concerning this city, the city about which you are saying, 'It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, famine, and plague.' +\v 37 See, I am about to gather them from every land where I had driven them in my wrath, fury, and great anger. I am about to bring them back to this place and enable them to live in security. + +\s5 +\v 38 Then they will be my people, and I will be their God. +\v 39 I will give them one heart and one way to honor me every day so it will be good for them and their descendants after them. +\v 40 Then I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. I will set honor for me in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from me. + +\s5 +\v 41 Then I will rejoice in doing good to them. I will faithfully plant them in this land with all my heart and all my life. +\p +\v 42 For Yahweh says this, 'Just as I have brought all this great disaster on this people, so I will bring on them all the good things that I have said I would do for them. +\s5 +\v 43 Then fields will be bought in this land, about which you are saying, "This is a ruined land, which has neither man nor beast. It has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans." +\v 44 They will buy fields with silver and write in sealed scrolls. They will assemble witnesses in the land of Benjamin, all around Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, in the cities in the hill country and in the lowlands, and in the cities of the Negev. For I will bring back their fortunes—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 33 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut within the courtyard of the guard, saying, +\v 2 "Yahweh the maker, says this—Yahweh, who forms in order to establish—Yahweh is his name, +\v 3 'Call to me, and I will answer you. I will demonstrate great things to you, mysteries that you do not understand.' + +\s5 +\v 4 For Yahweh, God of Israel, says this concerning the houses in this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that are torn down because of the siege ramps and the sword, +\v 5 'The Chaldeans are coming to fight and to fill the houses with corpses of people whom I will kill in my wrath and fury, when I hide my face from this city because of all their wickedness. + +\s5 +\v 6 But see, I am about to bring healing and a cure, for I will heal them and will bring to them abundance, peace, and faithfulness. +\v 7 For I will bring back the fortunes of Judah and Israel; I will build them up as in the beginning. +\v 8 Then I will purify them from all the iniquity that they have committed against me. I will pardon all the iniquities that they have done against me, and all the ways that they rebelled against me. +\v 9 For this city will become for me an object of joy, a song of praise and honor for all the nations of the earth who will hear of all the good things that I am going to do for it. Then they will fear and tremble because of all the good things and the peace that I will give to it.' + + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Yahweh says this, 'In this place about which you are now saying, "It is desolate, a place with neither man nor beast," in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate having neither man nor beast, there will be heard again +\v 11 the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride, the sound of those who say, while they bring thank offerings to the house of Yahweh, "Give thanks to Yahweh of hosts, for Yahweh is good, and his unfailing love lasts forever!" For I will restore the fortunes of the land to what they were before,' says Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Yahweh of hosts says this: 'In this desolate place, where now there is neither man nor beast—in all its cities there will again be pastures where shepherds can rest their flocks. +\v 13 In the cities in the hill country, the lowlands, and the Negev,in the land of Benjamin and all around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the ones counting them,' says Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 'Look! Days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will do what I have promised for the house of Israel and the house of Judah. +\v 15 In those days and in that time I will make a righteous branch to grow for David, and he will carry out justice and righteousness in the land. +\v 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in security, for this is what she will be called, "Yahweh is our righteousness."' +\s5 +\v 17 For Yahweh says this: 'A man from David's line will never be lacking to sit on the throne of the house of Israel, +\v 18 nor will a man from the Levitical priests be lacking before me to raise burnt offerings, to burn food offerings, and to perform grain offerings all the time.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, +\v 20 "Yahweh says this: 'If you can break my covenant with day and night so that there will no longer be day or night at their proper times, +\v 21 then you will be able to break my covenant with David my servant, so that he will no longer have a son to sit on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests, my servants. +\v 22 As the hosts of heaven cannot be counted, and as the sand of the seashores cannot be measured, so I will increase the descendants of David my servant and the Levites who serve before me.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, +\v 24 "Have you not considered what this people has declared when they said, 'The two families that Yahweh chose, now he has rejected them'? In this way they despise my people, saying that they are no longer a nation in their sight. + +\s5 +\v 25 I, Yahweh, say this, 'If I have not established the covenant of day and night, and if I have not fixed the laws of heaven and earth, +\v 26 then I will reject the descendants of Jacob and David my servant, and not bring from them a person to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and show mercy to them.'" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 34 +\p +\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all of his army, together with all the kingdoms of the earth, the domains under his power, and all their people were waging war against Jerusalem and all of her cities, saying: +\v 2 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and say to him, 'Yahweh says this: Look, I am about to give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon. He will burn it. +\v 3 You will not escape from his hand, for you will certainly be seized and given into his hand. Your eyes will look at the eyes of the king of Babylon; he will speak directly to you as you go to Babylon.' + +\s5 +\v 4 Listen to the word of Yahweh, Zedekiah king of Judah! Yahweh says this concerning you, 'You will not die by the sword. +\v 5 You will die in peace. As in the funeral burning of your ancestors, the kings who were before you, they will burn your body. They will say, "Woe, master!" They will lament for you. Now I have spoken—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 So Jeremiah the prophet proclaimed to Zedekiah king of Judah all these words in Jerusalem. +\v 7 The army of the king of Babylon made war against Jerusalem and all the remaining cities of Judah: Lachish and Azekah. These cities of Judah remained as fortified cities. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem, to proclaim freedom to them +\v 9 that each man must free his Hebrew slaves, both male and female, so one was to make a slave of a Jew, who was his brother. + +\s5 +\v 10 So all the leaders and people entered into the covenant that each person would free his male and female slaves so that they would not be enslaved any longer. They obeyed and set them free. +\v 11 But after this they changed their minds. They brought back the slaves whom they had freed. They forced them to become slaves again. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, +\v 13 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this, 'I myself made a covenant with your ancestors on the day that I brought them out from the land of Egypt, out from the house of slavery. That was when I said, +\v 14 "At the end of every seven years, each man must send away his brother, his fellow Hebrew who had sold himself to you and served you for six years. Send him away in freedom." But your ancestors did not listen to me or incline their ears to me. + +\s5 +\v 15 Now you yourselves repented and began to do what is right in my eyes. You proclaimed freedom, each man to his neighbor, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name. +\v 16 But then you turned and polluted my name; you caused each man to bring back his male and female slaves, the ones whom you had sent out to go where they wished. You forced them to become your slaves again.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Therefore Yahweh says this, 'You yourselves have not listened to me. You should have proclaimed freedom, every one of you, to your brothers and fellow Israelites. So look! I am about to proclaim freedom to you—this is Yahweh's declaration—freedom for the sword, the plague, and famine, for I am going to make you a horrible thing in the sight of every kingdom on earth. +\v 18 Then I will deal with the people who have broken my covenant, who did not keep the words of the covenant that they established before me when they cut a bull in two and walked between its parts, +\v 19 and then the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the eunuchs and the priests, and all the people of the land walked between the parts of the bull. + +\s5 +\v 20 I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who are seeking their lives. Their bodies will be food for the birds of the skies and the beasts on the earth. +\v 21 So I will give Zedekiah king of Judah and his leaders into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who are seeking their life, and into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon that has risen up against you. +\v 22 Look, I am about to give a command—this is Yahweh's declaration—and will bring them back to this city to wage war against it and take it, and to burn it. For I will turn the cities of Judah into ruined places in which there will be no inhabitants.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 35 +\p +\v 1 The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, saying, +\v 2 "Go to the family of the Rekabites and speak with them. Then bring them to my house, into one of the rooms there, and give them wine to drink." + +\s5 +\v 3 So I took Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah son of Habazziniah and his brothers, all his sons, and all the family of the Rekabites. +\v 4 I took them to the house of Yahweh, into the rooms of the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, the man of God. These rooms were beside the room of the leaders, which was above the room of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the gatekeeper. + +\s5 +\v 5 Then I placed bowls and cups full of wine in front of the Rekabites and said to them, "Drink some wine." +\v 6 But they said, "We will not drink any wine, for our ancestor, Jonadab son of Rekab, commanded us, 'Do not drink any wine, neither you nor your descendants, forever. +\v 7 Also, do not build any houses, sow any seeds, or plant any vineyards; this is not for you. For you must live in tents all your days, so that you might live many days in the land where you are staying as foreigners.' + +\s5 +\v 8 We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab son of Rekab, our ancestor, in all that he commanded us, to never drink wine all of our days, we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters. +\v 9 We will never build houses to live in, and there will be no vineyard, field, or seed in our possession. +\v 10 We have lived in tents and we have obeyed and done all that Jonadab our ancestor commanded us. +\v 11 But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon attacked the land, we said, 'Come, we must go to Jerusalem to escape from the Chaldean and Aramean armies.' So we are living in Jerusalem." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah, saying, +\v 13 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'Go and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, "Will you not receive correction and listen to my words? +—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\v 14 The words of Jonadab son of Rekab that he gave to his sons as a command, not to drink any wine, have been observed to this very day. They have obeyed their ancestor's command. But as for me, I myself have been making persistent proclamations to you, but you do not listen to me. + +\s5 +\v 15 I sent out to you all my servants, the prophets. I was persistent in sending them to say, 'Let each person turn from his wicked way and do good deeds; let no one walk any longer after other gods and worship them. Instead, come back to the land that I gave to you and your ancestors.' Yet you will not listen to me or pay attention to me. +\v 16 For the descendants of Jonadab son of Rekab have observed the commands of their ancestor that he gave them, but this people refuses to listen to me."' + +\s5 +\v 17 So Yahweh, God of hosts and God of Israel, says this, 'Look, I am bringing upon Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem, all the disasters I pronounced against them because I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: You have listened to the commands of Jonadab your ancestor and have kept them all—you have obeyed all that he commanded you to do— +\v 19 so Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'There will always be someone descended from Jonadab son of Rekab to serve me.'" + + +\s5 +\c 36 +\p +\v 1 It came about in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, and he said, +\v 2 "Take a scroll for yourself and write on it all the words that I have told you concerning Israel and Judah, and every nation. Do this for everything I have told from the days of Josiah until this very day. +\v 3 Perhaps the people of Judah will listen to all the disasters that I intend to bring on them. Perhaps everyone will turn away from his wicked way, so I can forgive their iniquity and their sin." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote in a scroll, at Jeremiah's dictation, all the words of Yahweh spoken to him. +\v 5 Next Jeremiah gave a command to Baruch. He said, "I am in prison and cannot go to Yahweh's house. +\v 6 So you must go and read from the scroll that you wrote at my dictation. On the day of the fast, you must read Yahweh's words in the hearing of the people in his house, and also in the hearing of all of Judah who have come from their cities. Proclaim these words to them. + +\s5 +\v 7 Perhaps their pleas for mercy will come before Yahweh. Perhaps each person will turn from his wicked way, since the wrath and fury that Yahweh has proclaimed against this people are severe." +\v 8 So Baruch son of Neriah did everything that Jeremiah the prophet had commanded him to do. He read aloud the words of Yahweh in the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 It came about in the fifth year and ninth month of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, that all the people in Jerusalem and the people who came to Jerusalem from the cities of Judah proclaimed a fast in honor of Yahweh. +\v 10 Baruch read aloud Jeremiah's words in the house of Yahweh, from the room of Gemariah son of Shaphan the scribe, in the upper courtyard, by the gate of the entrance to the house of Yahweh. He did this in the hearing of all the people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Now Micaiah son of Gemariah son of Shaphan heard all of Yahweh's words in the scroll. +\v 12 He went down to the house of the king, to the secretary's room. Look, all the officials were sitting there: Elishama the secretary, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Akbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the officials. + +\s5 +\v 13 Then Micaiah reported to them all the words that he had heard that Baruch read aloud in the hearing of the people. +\v 14 So all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah son of Shelemiah son of Cushi, to Baruch. Jehudi said to Baruch, "Take the scroll in your hand, the scroll from which you were reading in the hearing of the people, and come." So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and went to the officials. +\v 15 Then they said to him, "Sit down and read this in our hearing." So Baruch read the scroll. + +\s5 +\v 16 It happened that when they heard all these words, each man turned in fear to the one next to him and said to Baruch, "We must certainly report all of these words to the king." +\v 17 Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, how did you come to write all these words at Jeremiah's dictation?" +\v 18 Baruch said to them, "He dictated all these words to me, and I wrote them in ink on this scroll." +\v 19 Then the officials said to Baruch, "Go, hide yourself, and Jeremiah, too. Do not let anyone know where you are." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 So they put the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, and they went to the king in the courtyard and they reported everything in the hearing of the king. +\v 21 Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll. Jehudi took it from the room of Elishama the secretary. Then he read it in the hearing of the king and all the officials who were standing beside him. +\v 22 Now the king was staying in the winter house in the ninth month, and a brazier was burning in front of him. + +\s5 +\v 23 It happened that as Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut it off with a knife and throw it into the fire in the brazier until all of the scroll was destroyed. +\v 24 But neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words were frightened, nor did they tear their clothes. + +\s5 +\v 25 Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah had even urged the king not to burn the scroll, but he did not listen to them. +\v 26 Then the king commanded Jerahmeel, a relative, Seraiah son of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet, but Yahweh had hidden them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah after the king had burned the scroll and the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah's dictation, saying, +\v 28 "Go back, take another scroll for yourself, and write in it all the words that were on the original scroll, the one that Jehoiakim king of Judah burned. +\v 29 Then you must say this to Jehoiakim king of Judah: 'You burned that scroll, saying, "Why have you written on it, 'The king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, for he will destroy both man and beast in it'?"'" + +\s5 +\v 30 Therefore Yahweh says this concerning you, Jehoiakim king of Judah: "No descendant of yours will ever sit on the throne of David. As for you, your corpse will be thrown out into the heat of day and the frost of night. +\v 31 For I will punish you, your descendants, and your servants for the iniquity of you all. I will bring on you, on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and on every person in Judah all the disasters with which I have threatened you with, but to which you paid no attention." + +\s5 +\v 32 So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch son of Neriah the scribe. Baruch wrote on it at Jeremiah's dictation all the words that had been in the scroll burned by Jehoiakim king of Judah. Furthermore, many other similar words were added to this scroll. +\s5 +\c 37 +\p +\v 1 Now Zedekiah son of Josiah reigned as king instead of Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had made Zedekiah king over the land of Judah. +\v 2 But Zedekiah, his servants, and the people of the land did not listen to the words of Yahweh that he proclaimed by the hand of Jeremiah the prophet. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 So King Zedekiah, Jehukal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest sent a message to Jeremiah the prophet. They said, "Pray on our behalf +to Yahweh our God." +\v 4 Now Jeremiah was coming and going among the people, for he had not yet been put in prison. +\v 5 Pharaoh's army came out from Egypt, and the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the news about them and left Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Then the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, +\v 7 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this: This is what you will say to the king of Judah, because he has sent you to seek advice from me, 'See, Pharaoh's army, which came to help you, is about to go back to Egypt, its own land. +\v 8 The Chaldeans will return. They will fight against this city, capture it, and burn it.' + +\s5 +\v 9 Yahweh says this: Do not deceive yourselves by saying, 'Surely the Chaldeans are leaving us,' for they will not leave. +\v 10 Even if you had defeated the entire Chaldean army that is fighting you so that only wounded men were left in their tents, they would get up and burn this city." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 So it was when the Chaldean army had left Jerusalem as Pharaoh's army was coming, +\v 12 then Jeremiah went out from Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin. He wanted to take possession of a tract of land there among his people. +\v 13 As he was in the Benjamin Gate, a chief guard was there. His name was Irijah son of Shelemiah son of Hananiah. He grabbed hold of Jeremiah the prophet and said, "You are deserting to the Chaldeans." + +\s5 +\v 14 But Jeremiah said, "That is not true. I am not deserting to the Chaldeans." But Irijah did not listen to him. He took Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. +\v 15 The officials were angry with Jeremiah. They beat him and put him in prison, which had been the house of Jonathan the scribe, for they had turned it into a prison. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So Jeremiah was put into an underground cell, where he stayed for many days. +\v 17 Then King Zedekiah sent someone who brought him to the palace. In his house, the king asked him privately, "Is there any word from Yahweh?" Jeremiah answered, "There is a word: You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon." + +\s5 +\v 18 Then Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "How have I sinned against you, your servants, or this people so that you have placed me in prison? +\v 19 Where are your prophets, the ones who prophesied for you and said the king of Babylon will not come against you or against this land? +\v 20 But now listen, my master the king! Let my pleas come before you. Do not return me to the house of Jonathan the scribe, or I will die there." + +\s5 +\v 21 So King Zedekiah gave an order. His servants confined Jeremiah in the courtyard of the guard. A loaf of bread was given him every day from the street of the bakers, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard. + +\s5 +\c 38 +\p +\v 1 Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehukal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard the words that Jeremiah was declaring to all the people. He was saying, +\v 2 "Yahweh says this: Anyone staying in this city will be killed by sword, famine, and plague. But anyone who goes out to the Chaldeans will survive. He will escape with his own life, and live. +\v 3 Yahweh says this: This city will be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it." + +\s5 +\v 4 So the officials said to the king, "Let this man die, for in this way he is weakening the hands of the fighting men who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people. He is proclaiming these words, for this man is not working for safety for this people, but disaster." +\v 5 So King Zedekiah said, "Look, he is in your hand since there is no king able to resist you." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern of Malkijah, son of the king. The cistern was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah down on ropes. There was no water in the cistern, but it was muddy, and he sank down into the mud. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Now Ebed-Melek the Cushite was one of the eunuchs in the king's house. He heard that they had placed Jeremiah in the cistern. Now the king was sitting at the Benjamin Gate. +\v 8 So Ebed-Melek went from the king's house and spoke with the king. He said, +\v 9 "My master the king, these men have done evil with the way they have treated Jeremiah the prophet. They threw him into a cistern for him to die in it from hunger, since there is no more food in the city." + +\s5 +\v 10 Then the king gave a command to Ebed-Melek the Cushite. He said, "Take command of thirty men from here and take Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies." +\v 11 So Ebed-Melek took command of those men and went to the king's house, to a storeroom for clothing under the house. From there he took rags and worn-out clothing and then let them down by ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. + +\s5 +\v 12 Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, "Put the rags and worn-out clothing under your arms and on top of the ropes." So Jeremiah did so. +\v 13 Then they pulled Jeremiah by the ropes. In this way they brought him up from the cistern. So Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then King Zedekiah sent word and brought Jeremiah the prophet to himself, to the third entrance in Yahweh's house. The king said to Jeremiah, "I want to ask you something. Do not keep the answer from me." +\v 15 Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I answer you, will you not certainly kill me? But if I give you advice, you will not listen to me." +\v 16 But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in private and said, "As Yahweh lives, the one who made us, I will not kill you or give you into the hand of those men who are seeking your life." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 So Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "Yahweh, God of hosts, God of Israel, says this: If you indeed go out to the officials of the king of Babylon then you will live, and this city will not be burned. You and your family will live. +\v 18 But if you do not go out to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city will be given into the hand of the Chaldeans. They will burn it, and you will not escape from their hand." + +\s5 +\v 19 King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "But I am afraid of the people of Judah who have deserted to the Chaldeans, because I might be given over into their hand, for them to treat me badly." + +\s5 +\v 20 Jeremiah said, "They will not give you over to them. Obey the message from Yahweh that I am telling you, so that things will go well for you, and so that you will live. +\v 21 But if you refuse to go out, this is what Yahweh has shown me. + +\s5 +\v 22 Look! All the women who are left in your house, king of Judah, will be brought out to the officials of the king of Babylon. These women will say to you, +\q 'You have been deceived by your friends; they have ruined you. +\q Your feet are now sunk into the mud, and your friends will run away.' +\m +\v 23 For all of your wives and children will be brought out to the Chaldeans, and you yourself will not escape from their hand. You will be captured by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Do not inform anyone about these words, so that you do not die. +\v 25 If the officials hear that I have talked with you, and if they come and say to you, 'Tell us what you said to the king and do not hide it from us, or we will kill you,' +\v 26 then you must say to them, 'I made a humble plea before the king that he would not return me to the house of Jonathan to die there.'" + +\s5 +\v 27 Then all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him, so he answered them as the king had instructed him. So they stopped talking with him, because they had not heard the conversation between Jeremiah and the king. +\v 28 So Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured. + + +\s5 +\c 39 +\p +\v 1 In the ninth year and tenth month of Zedekiah king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem and besieged it. +\v 2 In the eleventh year and fourth month of Zedekiah, on the ninth day of the month, the city was broken into. +\v 3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the middle gate: Nebo-Sarsekim, Samgar Nebo, and Sarsechim, an important official. Nebo-Sarsekim was a high official and all the rest were the officials of the king of Babylon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 It happened that when Zedekiah, king of Judah, and all his fighting men saw them, they fled. They went out at night from the city by the king's garden path, through the gate between the two walls. The king went out in the direction of the Arabah. +\v 5 But the army of Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of the Jordan River valley near Jericho. Then they captured him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him. + +\s5 +\v 6 The king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his own eyes at Riblah. He also slaughtered all the noblemen of Judah. +\v 7 Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him in bronze chains in order to take him to Babylon. + +\s5 +\v 8 Then the Chaldeans burned the king's house and the people's houses. They also tore down the walls of Jerusalem. +\v 9 Nebuzaradan, the commander of the king's bodyguards, took into exile the rest of the people who were left in the city. This included the people who had deserted to the Chaldeans and the rest of the people who were left in the city. +\v 10 But Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards allowed the poorest people who had nothing for themselves to remain in the land of Judah. He gave them vineyards and fields on that same day. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had given an order about Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards. He had said, +\v 12 "Take him and care for him. Do not harm him. Do for him anything he tells you." +\v 13 So Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards, Nebushazban the high eunuch, Nergal-Sharezer the high official, and all the most important officials of the king of Babylon sent men out. +\v 14 Their men took Jeremiah from the courtyard of the guard and entrusted him to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, to take him home, so Jeremiah stayed among the people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Now the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah while he was under arrest in the courtyard of the guard, saying, +\v 16 "Speak to Ebed-Melek the Cushite and say, 'Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: See, I am about to carry out my words against this city for disaster and not for good. For they will all come true before you on that day. + +\s5 +\v 17 But I will rescue you on that day—this is Yahweh's declaration—and you will not be given into the hand of the men whom you fear. +\v 18 For I will certainly rescue you. You will not fall by the sword. You will escape with your life, since you trust in me—this was Yahweh's declaration.'" +\s5 +\c 40 +\p +\v 1 The word came to Jeremiah from Yahweh after Nebuzaradan the commander of the king's bodyguards had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound with chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being carried into exile to Babylon. +\v 2 The chief guard took Jeremiah and said to him, "Yahweh your God decreed this disaster for this place. + +\s5 +\v 3 So Yahweh brought it about. He did just as he had decreed, since you people sinned against him and did not obey his voice. That is why this thing has happened to you people. +\v 4 But now look! I have released you today from the chains that were on your hands. If it is good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will take care of you. But if it is not good in your eyes to come with me to Babylon, then do not do so. Look at all the land before you. Go where it is good and right in your eyes to go." + +\s5 +\v 5 When Jeremiah did not reply, Nebuzaradan said, "Go to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has put in charge of the cities of Judah. Stay with him among the people or go wherever it is good in your eyes to go." The commander of the king's bodyguards gave him food and a gift, and then sent him away. +\v 6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, at Mizpah. He stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Now some commanders of Judean soldiers who were still in the countryside—they and their men—heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah son of Ahikam governor over the land. They also heard that he had put him in charge of the men, women, and children who were the poorest people in the land, those who had not been exiled to Babylon. +\v 8 So they went to Gedaliah at Mizpah. These men were Ishmael son of Nethaniah; Johanan and Jonathan, sons of Kareah; Seraiah son of Tanhumeth; the sons of Ephai the Netophathite; and Jaazaniah son of the Maakathite—they and their men. + +\s5 +\v 9 Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan took an oath to them and to their men and said to them, "Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you. +\v 10 Look, I am living in Mizpah to meet with the Chaldeans who came to us. So harvest wine, summer fruit, and oil and store them in your containers. Live in the cities that you have occupied." + +\s5 +\v 11 Then all the Judeans in Moab, among the people of Ammon, and in Edom, and in every land heard that the king of Babylon had allowed a remnant of Judah to stay, that he had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan over them. +\v 12 So all the Judeans returned from every place where they had been scattered. They came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah. They harvested wine and summer +fruit in great abundance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders in the countryside came to Gedaliah at Mizpah. +\v 14 They said to him, "Do you realize that Baalis king of the people of Ammon sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to murder you?" But Gedaliah son of Ahikim did not believe them. + +\s5 +\v 15 So Johanan son of Kareah spoke privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah and said, "Allow me to go kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah. No one will suspect me. Why should he kill you? Why allow all of Judah that has been gathered to you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah destroyed?" +\v 16 But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, "Do not do this thing, for you are telling lies about Ishmael." +\s5 +\c 41 +\p +\v 1 But it happened that in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, from the royal family, and some officers of the king, came—ten men were with him—to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, at Mizpah. They ate food together there in Mizpah. +\v 2 But Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and the ten men who were with him rose up and attacked Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, with the sword. Ishmael killed Gedaliah, whom the king of Babylon had put in charge of the land. +\v 3 Then Ishmael killed all the Judeans who were with Gedaliah in Mizpah and the Chaldean fighting men found there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Then it was the second day after the killing of Gedaliah, but no one knew. +\v 5 Some men came from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria—eighty men who had shaved their beard, torn their clothes, and cut themselves—with food offerings and frankincense in their hands to go to Yahweh's house. + +\s5 +\v 6 So Ishmael son of Nethaniah went out from Mizpah to meet them as they went, walking and weeping. Then it happened that as he encountered them, he said to them, "Come to Gedaliah son of Ahikam!" +\v 7 It came about that when they came into the city, Ishmael son of Nethaniah slaughtered them and threw them into a pit, he and the men who were with him. + +\s5 +\v 8 But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, "Do not kill us, for there are provisions of ours in a field: Wheat and barley, oil and honey." So he did not kill them with their other companions. +\v 9 The cistern where Ishmael threw all the dead bodies that he had killed, was a large cistern that King Asa dug to make a defense against King Baasha of Israel. Ishmael son of Nethaniah filled it in with the dead. + +\s5 +\v 10 Next Ishmael captured all the other people who were in Mizpah, the king's daughters and all the people who were left in Mizpah whom Nebuzaradan the chief guard had assigned to Gedaliah son of Ahikam. So Ishmael son of Nethaniah captured them and went to cross over to the people of Ammon. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 But Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him heard of all the harm that Ishmael son of Nethaniah had done. +\v 12 So they took all their men and went to fight against Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They found him at the great pool of Gibeon. + +\s5 +\v 13 Then it happened that when all the people who were with Ishmael saw Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders who were with him, they were very happy. +\v 14 So all the people whom Ishmael had captured at Mizpah turned around and went to Johanan son of Kareah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 But Ishmael son of Nethaniah fled with eight men from Johanan. He went to the people of Ammon. +\v 16 Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him took from Mizpah all the people who had been rescued from Ishmael son of Nethaniah. This was after Ishmael had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam. Johanan and his companions took the strong men, the fighting men, the women and children, and the eunuchs who had been rescued at Gibeon. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then they went and stayed for a while in Geruth Kimham, which is near Bethlehem. They were going to go to Egypt +\v 18 because of the Chaldeans. They were afraid of them since Ishmael son of Nethaniah had killed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had put in charge of the land. + +\s5 +\c 42 +\p +\v 1 Then all the army commanders and Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest approached Jeremiah the prophet. +\v 2 They said to him, "Let our pleas come before you. Pray for us to Yahweh your God for these people who remain since we are so few in number, as you see. +\v 3 Ask Yahweh your God to tell us the way we should go and what we should do." + +\s5 +\v 4 So Jeremiah the prophet said to them, "I have heard you. Look, I will pray to Yahweh your God as you have requested. Whatever Yahweh answers, I will tell you. I will keep nothing back from you." +\v 5 They said to Jeremiah, "May Yahweh be a true and faithful witness against us, if we do not do everything that Yahweh your God tells us to do. +\v 6 Whether it is good or if it is bad, we will obey the voice of Yahweh our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of Yahweh our God." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 At the end of ten days, the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah. +\v 8 So Jeremiah called to Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders with him, and to all the people from the least to the greatest. +\v 9 Then he said to them, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel—to whom you sent me so I might lay your pleas before him—says, +\v 10 'If you go back and live in this land, then I will build you and not tear you down; I will plant you and not pull you up, for I will turn back the disaster that I have brought on you. + +\s5 +\v 11 Do not fear the king of Babylon, whom you are fearing. Do not fear him—this is Yahweh's declaration—since I am with you to save you and rescue you from his hand. +\v 12 For I will give you mercy. I will have compassion on you, and I will bring you back to your land. + +\s5 +\v 13 But suppose that you say, "We will not stay in this land"—if you do not listen to my voice, the voice of Yahweh your God. +\v 14 Suppose that you say, "No! We will go to the land of Egypt, where we will not see any war, where we will not hear the sound of the trumpet, and we will not go hungry for food. We will live there." + +\s5 +\v 15 Now listen to this word of Yahweh, you remnant of Judah. Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'If you actually set out to go to Egypt, to go and live there, +\v 16 then the sword that you fear will overtake you there in the land of Egypt. The famine that you are worrying about will pursue you to Egypt, and you will die there. +\v 17 So it will happen that all the men who set out to go to Egypt to live there will die by sword, famine, or plague. There will be no survivor of them, no one to escape the disaster that I will bring on them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: Just as my wrath and my fury were poured out on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, in the same way my fury will be poured out on you if you go to Egypt. You will become an object of cursing and a horror, an object for speaking curses, and something dishonorable, and you will not see this place again.'" +\v 19 Then Jeremiah said, "Yahweh has spoken concerning you—the remnant of Judah. Do not go to Egypt! You certainly know that I have been a witness against you today. + +\s5 +\v 20 For you fatally deceived yourselves when you sent me to Yahweh your God and said, 'Pray to Yahweh our God for us. Everything that Yahweh our God says, tell us, and we will carry it out.' +\v 21 For I have reported to you today, but you have not listened to the voice of Yahweh your God or to anything about which he sent me to you. +\v 22 So now, you should certainly know that you will die by sword, famine, and plague in the place where you desired to go to live." + + +\s5 +\c 43 +\p +\v 1 It happened that Jeremiah finished proclaiming to all the people all the words of Yahweh their God that Yahweh their God had told him to say. +\v 2 Azariah son of Hoshaiah, Johanan son of Kareah, and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are telling lies. Yahweh our God has not sent you to say, 'Do not go to Egypt to live there.' +\v 3 For Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, for you to cause our death and to make us captives in Babylon." + +\s5 +\v 4 So Johanan son of Kareah, all the princes of the army, and all the people refused to listen to Yahweh's voice to live in the land of Judah. +\v 5 Johanan son of Kareah and all the army commanders took away all the remnant of Judah who had returned from all the nations where they had been scattered to live in the land of Judah. +\v 6 They took the men and women, the children and the king's daughters, and every person whom Nebuzaradan, the commander of the king's bodyguards, had let remain with Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan. They also took Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch son of Neriah. +\v 7 They went to the land of Egypt, to Tahpanhes, because they did not listen to Yahweh's voice. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 So the word of Yahweh came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying, +\v 9 "Take some large stones in your hand, and, in the sight of the people of Judah, hide them in the mortar in the pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes." +\v 10 Then say to them, "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'See, I am about to send messengers to take Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon as my servant. I will place his throne over these stones that you, Jeremiah, have buried. Nebuchadnezzar will place his pavilion over them. + +\s5 +\v 11 For he will come and attack the land of Egypt. Anyone who is assigned to death will be given to death. Anyone who is assigned to captivity will be taken captive. Anyone who is assigned to the sword will be given to the sword. +\v 12 Then I will light a fire in the temples of Egypt's gods. Nebuchadnezzar will burn them or capture them. He will clean out the land of Egypt just as shepherds clean vermin off their clothes. He will go out from that place in victory. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa I will light a fire \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions have \fqa he will light a fire \fqa* . \f* +\v 13 He will break the stone pillars at Heliopolis in the land of Egypt. He will burn the temples of Egypt's gods.'" + + +\s5 +\c 44 +\p +\v 1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Judeans who lived in the land of Egypt, the ones staying in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and in Upper Egypt. +\v 2 "Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: You yourselves have seen all the disasters that I brought on Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah. See, they are ruins today. There is no one to live in them. +\v 3 This is because of the wicked things they did to offend me by going to burn incense and to worship other gods. These were gods that neither they themselves, nor you, nor your ancestors knew. + +\s5 +\v 4 So I repeatedly sent all of my servants the prophets to them. I sent them to say, 'Stop doing these abominable things that I hate.' +\v 5 But they did not listen. They refused to pay attention or turn from their wickedness in burning incense to other gods. +\v 6 So my fury and my wrath were poured out and kindled a fire in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. So they became ruins and devastations, as at this present day." + +\s5 +\v 7 So now Yahweh the God of hosts and the God of Israel, says this, "Why are you doing great wickedness against yourselves? Why are you causing yourselves to be cut off from among Judah—men and women, children and babies? No remnant of you will be left. +\v 8 By your wickedness you have offended me with the deeds of your hands, by burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you have gone to live. You have gone there so that you will be destroyed, so that you will be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth. + +\s5 +\v 9 Have you forgotten the wickedness committed by your ancestors and the wickedness committed by the kings of Judah and their wives? Have you forgotten the evil committed by yourselves and your wives in the land of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem? +\v 10 To this day, they still are not humbled. They do not honor my law or decrees that I placed before them and their ancestors, nor do they walk in them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Therefore Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, "See, I am about to set my face against you to bring disaster to you and to destroy all of Judah. +\v 12 For I will take the remnant of Judah that has set out to go to the land of Egypt to live there. I will do this so that they will all perish in the land of Egypt. They will fall by sword and famine. From the least to the greatest they will perish by sword and famine. They will die and will become an object of swearing, cursing, reproaching, and a horrible thing. + +\s5 +\v 13 For I will punish the people inhabiting the land of Egypt just as I punished Jerusalem with the sword, with famine, and with the plague, +\v 14 so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone to live in the land of Egypt will escape or survive or return to the land of Judah, to which they desire to return and live; and none of them will return except a few who escaped from there." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, and all the women who were in the great assembly, and all the people who were living in Lower and Upper Egypt, answered Jeremiah. +\v 16 They said, "About the word that you have told us in Yahweh's name—we will not listen to you. +\v 17 For we will certainly do all the things that we said we would do—burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her just as we, our ancestors, our kings, and our leaders did in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem. Then we will be filled with food and will prosper, without experiencing any disaster. + +\s5 +\v 18 When we refrained from doing these things, not offering incense to the queen of heaven and not pouring out drink offerings to her, we were all suffering poverty and were dying by sword and famine." +\v 19 The women said, "When we were making incense offerings before the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, was it against our husbands that we did these things, making cakes in her image and pouring out drink offerings to her?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then Jeremiah said to all the people—to the men and women, and all the people who answered him—he proclaimed and said, +\v 21 "Did not Yahweh remember the incense that you burned in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem—you and your ancestors, your kings and leaders, and the people of the land? For Yahweh calls this to mind; it comes to his thoughts. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then he was no longer able to bear it because of your wicked practices, because of the abominations that you did. Then your land became a desolation, a horror, and a curse so there was no longer an inhabitant as at this present day. +\v 23 Because you burned incense and sinned against Yahweh, and because you would not listen to his voice, his law, his statutes, or his covenant decrees, this disaster against you has happened as at this present day." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then Jeremiah said to all the people and all the women, "Hear the word of Yahweh, all of Judah who are in the land of Egypt. +\v 25 Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, 'You and your wives both have said with your mouths and carried out with your hands what you said, "We will certainly carry out the vows that we made to worship the queen of heaven, to pour out drink offerings to her." Now fulfill your vows; carry them out.' + +\s5 +\v 26 So then, hear the word of Yahweh, all of Judah who are staying in the land of Egypt, 'See, I have sworn by my great name—says Yahweh. My name will no longer be called upon by the mouths of any of the men of Judah in all the land of Egypt, you who now say, "As the Lord Yahweh lives." +\v 27 See, I am watching over them for disaster and not for good. Every person of Judah in the land of Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all finished. +\v 28 Then the survivors of the sword will return from the land of Egypt to the land of Judah, only a small number of them. So all the remnant of Judah who went to the land of Egypt to live there will know whose word will stand—mine or theirs. + +\s5 +\v 29 This will be the sign for you—this is Yahweh's declaration—that I am setting against you in this place, so that you will know that my words will certainly attack you with disaster.' +\v 30 Yahweh says this, 'Look, I am about to give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies and into the hand of those who seek to kill him. It will the same as when I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who sought his life.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 45 +\p +\v 1 This is the word that Jeremiah the prophet told Baruch son of Neriah. This happened when he wrote in a scroll these words at Jeremiah's dictation—this was in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah, and he said, +\v 2 "Yahweh, God of Israel, says this to you, Baruch: +\v 3 You have said, 'Woe is me, for Yahweh has added agony to my pain. My groaning has wearied me; I find no rest.' + +\s5 +\v 4 This is what you must say to him: 'Yahweh says this: See, what I built, I am now tearing down. What I planted, I am now pulling up—I will do this throughout all the earth. +\v 5 But are you hoping for great things for yourself? Do not hope for that. For see, disaster is coming on all humanity—this is Yahweh's declaration—but I am giving you your life as your plunder everywhere you will go.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 46 +\p +\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations. +\v 2 For Egypt: "This is about the army of Pharaoh Necho, king of Egypt that was at Carchemish by the Euphrates river. This was the army that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah: +\q +\v 3 Get the small shields and the large shields ready, and go forward to fight. +\q +\v 4 Put the harness on the horses; mount up on the horses and take your stand with your helmets on; +\q polish the spears and put on your armor. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 What am I seeing here? They are filled with terror and are running away, for their soldiers are defeated. +\q They are running for safety and are not looking back. Terror is all around—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q +\v 6 the swift cannot run away, and the soldiers cannot escape. +\q They stumble in the north and fall beside the Euphrates River. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Who is this who rises like the Nile, whose waters toss up and down like the rivers? +\q +\v 8 Egypt rises like the Nile, like rivers of water that rise and fall. +\q Egypt says, 'I will go up and I will cover the earth. I will destroy cities and their inhabitants. +\q +\v 9 Go up, horses. Be angry, you chariots. Let the soldiers go out, +\q Cush and Put, men skillful with a shield, and Ludim, men skillful at bending their bows.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 That day will be the day of vengeance for the Lord Yahweh of hosts, and he will avenge himself on his foes. +\q The sword will devour and be satisfied. It will drink its fill of their blood. For there will be a sacrifice +\q to the Yahweh Lord of hosts in the northern land by the Euphrates River. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Go up to Gilead and obtain medicine, virgin daughter of Egypt. +\q It is useless that you put much medicine on yourself. There is no cure for you. +\q +\v 12 The nations have heard of your disgrace. The earth is filled with your laments, +\q for soldier stumbles against soldier; both of them fall together." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 This is the word that Yahweh told Jeremiah the prophet when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came and attacked the land of Egypt: +\q +\v 14 "Announce in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol, Memphis, and Tahpanhes. +\q 'Take your station and prepare yourself, for the sword will devour those around you.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Why are your mighty ones face-down on the ground? They will not stand, because I, Yahweh, have pushed them to the ground. +\q +\v 16 He increases the numbers of those who stumble. Each soldier falls against the next one. They are saying, 'Get up. Let us go home. +\q Let us go back to our own people, to our native land. Let us leave this sword that is beating us down.' +\q +\v 17 They proclaimed there, 'Pharaoh the king of Egypt is only a noise, one who has let his opportunity slip away.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 As I live—declares the King, whose name is Yahweh of hosts— +\q someone will come like Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel by the sea. +\q +\v 19 Pack for yourselves baggage to carry into exile, you who live in Egypt. +\q For Memphis will become a waste, it will lie in ruins and no one will live there. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 Egypt is a very beautiful young cow, but a stinging insect is coming from the north. It is coming. +\q +\v 21 The hired soldiers in her midst are like a fattened bull, but they will also turn away and run away. +\q They will not stand together, for the day of their disaster is coming against them, the time of their punishment. +\q +\v 22 Egypt hisses like a snake and crawls away, for her enemies are marching against her. +\q They are going toward her like woodcutters with axes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 They will cut down the forests—this is Yahweh's declaration—although it is very dense. +\q For the enemies will be more numerous than locusts, unable to be counted. +\q +\v 24 The daughter of Egypt will be made ashamed. She will be given into the hand of people from the north." +\m + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, says, "See, I am about to punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh, Egypt and her gods, her kings the Pharaohs, and those who trust in them. +\v 26 I am giving them into the hand of the ones seeking their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his servants. Then after this Egypt will be inhabited as in previous days—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 But you, my servant Jacob, do not fear. Do not be dismayed, Israel, for see, I am about to bring you back from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Then Jacob will return, find peace, and be secure, and there will be no one to terrify him. +\v 28 You, my servant Jacob, do not fear—this is Yahweh's declaration—for I am with you, so I will bring complete destruction against all the nations where I scattered you. But I will not destroy you completely. Yet I will discipline you justly and will certainly not leave you unpunished." + + + +\s5 +\c 47 +\p +\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines. This word came to him before Pharaoh attacked Gaza. +\q +\v 2 "Yahweh says this: See, floods of water are rising in the north. They will be like an overflowing river! +\q Then they will overflow the land and everything in it, its cities and its inhabitants! So everyone will shout for help, +\q and all the inhabitants of the land will lament. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 At the sound of the stamping of their strong horses' hooves, +\q at the roar of their chariots and the noise of their wheels, +\q fathers will not help their children because of their own weakness. +\q +\v 4 For the day is coming that will devastate all of the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon +\q every survivor who wants to help them. For Yahweh is devastating the Philistines, +\q those who remain from the island of Caphtor. + +\s5 +\v 5 Baldness will come upon Gaza. As for Ashkelon, the people who are left in their valley will be made silent. +\q How long will you cut yourself in mourning? +\q +\v 6 Woe, sword of Yahweh! How long will it be until you become silent? +\q Go back to your scabbard! Stop and be silent. +\q +\v 7 How can you be quiet, for Yahweh has commanded you. +\q He has summoned you to attack Ashkelon and against the coastlands along the sea." + + + + +\s5 +\c 48 +\p +\v 1 To Moab, Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this, +\q "Woe to Nebo, for it has been devastated. Kiriathaim has been captured and humiliated. +\q Her fortress has been crushed and disgraced. +\q +\v 2 The honor of Moab is no more. Their enemies in Heshbon plotted disaster against her. +\q They said, 'Come and let us destroy her as a nation. Madmen will also perish—a sword will go after you.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Listen! A sound of screaming is coming from Horonaim, where there is ruin and great destruction. +\q +\v 4 Moab has been destroyed. Her children have made their cries heard. +\q +\v 5 They go up the hill of Luhith weeping, +\q for on the way down to Horonaim, screams are heard because of the destruction. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Flee! Save your lives and become like a juniper bush in the wilderness. +\q +\v 7 For because of your trust in your practices and your wealth, you also will be captured. +\q Then Chemosh will go away into captivity, together with his priests and leaders. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 For the destroyer will come to every city; no city will escape. +\q So the valley will perish and the plain will be devastated, as Yahweh has said. +\q +\v 9 Give wings to Moab, for she must certainly fly away. +\q Her cities will become a wasteland, where there is no one to live in them. +\q +\v 10 May anyone who is lazy in doing Yahweh's work be cursed! May anyone who keeps his sword back from shedding blood be cursed! + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Moab has felt secure since he was young. He is like his wine +\q that has never been poured from pot to pot. He has never gone into captivity. +\q Therefore he tastes as good as ever; his flavor remains unchanged. +\q +\v 12 So see, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will send him those who will tip him over and pour out all his pots and shatter his jars. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh just as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their object of trust. +\q +\v 14 How can you say, 'We are soldiers, powerful fighting men'? + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Moab will be devastated and its cities attacked. For its finest young men have gone down to the place of slaughter. This is the king's declaration! Yahweh of hosts is his name. +\q +\v 16 Moab's disaster is soon to happen; calamity is hurrying quickly. +\q +\v 17 All you who are around Moab, wail; and all you who know its fame, +\q shout this, 'Woe, the strong staff, the honored rod, has been broken.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Come down from your honored place and sit on the dry ground, you daughter living in Dibon. +\q For the one who will destroy Moab is attacking you, +\q the one who will destroy your strongholds. +\q +\v 19 Stand on the road and watch, you people who live in Aroer. +\q Ask the ones who are fleeing and escaping. Say, 'What has happened?' +\q +\v 20 Moab has been shamed, for it has been shattered. +\q Howl and lament; shout for help. +\q Tell it to people by the Arnon River that Moab has been devastated. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Now punishment has come to the hill country, +\q to Holon, Jahzah, and Mephaath, +\q +\v 22 to Dibon, Nebo, and Beth Diblathaim, +\q +\v 23 to Kiriathaim, Beth Gamul, and Beth Meon, +\q +\v 24 To Kerioth and Bozrah, +\q and to all the cities in the land of Moab— +\q the farthest and the closest cities. +\q +\v 25 The horn of Moab has been hacked off; its arm has been broken—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Make him drunk, because he acted proudly against Yahweh. Let Moab wallow in his vomit, and let him be an object of ridicule. +\v 27 For did not Israel become an object for laughter to you? Was he found among thieves, so that you shook your head at him as often as you spoke about him? + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Abandon the cities and camp on the cliffs, inhabitants of Moab. +\q Become like a dove that is nesting over the mouth of a hole in the rocks. +\q +\v 29 We have heard of Moab's pride—his arrogance, +\q his haughtiness, his pride, his self-glory and the conceit in his heart. + +\s5 +\v 30 This is Yahweh's declaration—I myself know his defiant speech, which amounts to nothing, like his deeds. + +\q +\v 31 So I will howl a lament for Moab, and I will shout in sorrow for all of Moab. +\q I will lament for the people of Kir Hareseth. +\q +\v 32 I will weep for you more than I did for Jazer, vine of Sibmah! Your branches passed across the Salt Sea and reached +\q as far as Jazer. The destroyers have attacked your summer fruit and your wine. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 So celebration and rejoicing have been taken away from the fruit trees and the land of Moab. +\q I have put an end to the wine from their winepresses. They will not tread with joyful shouts. Any shouts will not be shouts of joy. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 From the shouts at Heshbon as far as Elealeh, their sound is heard at Jahaz, from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath Shelishiyah, since even the waters of Nimrim have dried up. +\v 35 For I will put an end to anyone in Moab who makes sacrifices on the high places and burns incense to his gods—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\s5 +\v 36 So my heart is lamenting for Moab like a flute. My heart is lamenting like flutes for the people of Kir Hareseth. The riches they gained are gone. +\v 37 For every head is bald and every beard shaved. Incisions are on every hand, and sackcloth is around their waists. + +\s5 +\v 38 There is mourning everywhere, on every flat roof of Moab and in Moab's plazas. For I have destroyed Moab like pots that no one wants—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 39 How it has been shattered! How they howl in their lamenting! Moab turns its back in shame! So Moab will become an object of derision and a terror to all those who are around him." + +\s5 +\v 40 For Yahweh says this, "See, the enemy will come flying like an eagle, spreading out his wings over Moab. +\q +\v 41 Kerioth has been captured, and its strongholds have been seized. +\q For in that day the hearts of Moab's soldiers will be like the hearts of women in birth labor. + +\s5 +\q +\v 42 So Moab will be destroyed and be no longer a people, because he made himself to be great against Yahweh. +\q +\v 43 Terror and the pit, and a trap are coming on you, inhabitant of Moab—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 44 Anyone who flees because of terror will fall into the pit, +\q and anyone who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the trap, for I will bring this on them +\q in the year of my vengeance against them—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 45 The ones who flee will stand in the shadow of Heshbon without any strength, for fire will go out from Heshbon, +\q flame from the middle of Sihon. It will devour the forehead of Moab and the top of the heads of the boastful people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 46 Woe to you, Moab! Chemosh's people are destroyed, +\q For your sons are taken as captives and your daughters into captivity. +\q +\v 47 But I will restore the fortunes of Moab in later days—this is Yahweh's declaration." +\q The judgment on Moab ends here. + + + +\s5 +\c 49 +\m +\q +\v 1 About the people of Ammon, Yahweh says this, +\q "Does Israel have no children? Is there no one to inherit anything in Israel? +\q Why does Molech occupy Gad, and his people live in its cities? +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Molech \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa their king \fqa* . \f* +\q +\v 2 So look, the days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will sound the signal for battle +\q against Rabbah among the people of Ammon, so it will become a deserted heap and its villages will be set on fire. +\q For Israel will possess those who possessed him," says Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 "Howl in lament, Heshbon, for Ai will be devastated! Shout out, daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth. +\q Lament and run about in futility, for Molech is going into captivity, +\q together with his priests and leaders. +\q +\v 4 Why do you brag about your valleys, your valleys that are so fruitful, faithless daughter? +\q you who trust in your wealth and say, 'Who will come against me?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 See, I am about to bring terror on you—this is the declaration of Lord Yahweh of hosts— +\q this terror will come from all those who surround you. Each one of you will be scattered before it. +\q There will be no one to gather those running away. +\q +\v 6 But after this I will restore the fortunes of the people of Ammon—this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 About Edom, Yahweh of hosts says this, "Is there no longer any wisdom to be found in Teman? +\q Has good advice disappeared from those who have understanding? Has their wisdom become corrupted? +\q +\v 8 Flee! Turn back! Stay in holes in the ground, inhabitants of Dedan. +\q For I am bringing the disaster of Esau on him at the time that I punish him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 If grape harvesters came to you, would they not leave a little bit behind? +\q If thieves came in the night, would they not steal only as much as they wanted? +\q +\v 10 But I have stripped Esau bare. I have revealed his hiding places. +\q So he will not be able to hide himself. His children, his brothers, and his neighbors are destroyed, and he is gone. +\q +\v 11 Leave your orphans behind. I will take care of their lives, and your widows can trust in me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 For Yahweh says this, "See, those who did not deserve it must certainly drink some of the cup. Do you yourself think you will go without punishment? You will not, for you will certainly drink. +\v 13 For I have sworn by myself—this is Yahweh's declaration—that Bozrah will become a horror, a disgrace, a devastation, and an object for cursing. All of its cities will become devastations forever. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 I have heard news from Yahweh, and a messenger has been sent out to the nations, +\q 'Gather together and attack her. Get ready for battle.' +\q +\v 15 "For see, I have made you small compared to the other nations, despised by people. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 As for your fearsomeness, your heart's pride has deceived you, inhabitants of places on the cliff, +\q you who have occupied the highest hills so that you may make your nest high like an eagle. +\q I will bring you down from there—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Edom will become a horror to everyone passing by it. +\q Every such person will tremble and hiss because all of its disasters. +\q +\v 18 Like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors," says Yahweh, +\q "no one will live there; no person will stay there. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 See, he will go up like a lion from the forests of the Jordan to the green pasturelands. +\q For I will quickly make Edom run from it, and I will put someone who will be chosen in charge of it. +\q For who is like me, and who will summon me? What shepherd is able to resist me?" + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 "So listen to the plans that Yahweh has decided against Edom, +\q the plans that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman. +\q They will certainly be dragged away, even the smallest flock. +\q Their pasturelands will be turned into ruined places. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 At the sound of their falling the earth shakes. The sound of distressed shouts is heard at the Sea of Reeds. +\q +\v 22 See, someone will attack like an eagle, and swoop down and spread his wings over Bozrah. +\q Then on that day, the hearts of Edom's soldiers will become like the heart of a woman in birth labor." + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 About Damascus: "Hamath and Arpad will be ashamed, for they have heard news of disaster. +\q They melt away! They become as troubled as the sea, which cannot stay calm. +\q +\v 24 Damascus has become very weak. It turns away to flee; terror seizes it. +\q Distress and pain seize it, like the pain of a woman giving birth. +\q +\v 25 How has the city of praise not been forsaken, the town of my joy? + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Therefore its young men will fall in its plazas, +\q and all the fighting men will perish on that day—this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts." +\q +\v 27 "For I will light a fire on the wall of Damascus, and it will devour the strongholds of Ben Hadad." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 About Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, Yahweh says this to Nebuchadnezzar (now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon was going to attack these places): +\q "Arise and attack Kedar and destroy those people of the east. +\q +\v 29 Their tents and their flocks will be taken, +\q along with their tent curtains and all of their equipment; +\q their camels will be led away from them, +\q and men will shout to them, "Terror is on every side!" + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 Flee! Wander far away! Stay in holes in the ground, inhabitants of Hazor—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devised a plan against you. Flee! Turn back! +\q +\v 31 Arise! Attack the nation at ease, that lives in safety," says Yahweh. +\q "They have no gates or bars in them, and its people live by themselves. + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 For their camels will become plunder, and the abundance of their property will become war plunder. +\q Then I will scatter to every wind those who cut the corners of their hair, +\q and I will bring disaster on them from every side—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 33 Hazor will become a lair of jackals, a permanent wasteland. +\q No one will live there; no human being will stay there." + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the prophet about Elam. This happened at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, and he said, +\v 35 "Yahweh of hosts says this: See, I am about to break the bowmen of Elam, the main part of their power. +\q +\v 36 For I will bring the four winds from the four corners of the heavens, +\q and I will scatter the people of Elam to all of those winds. There is no nation +\q to which those scattered from Elam will not go. + +\s5 +\q +\v 37 So I will shatter Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their lives. +\q for I will bring disaster against them, the fury of my wrath—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q and I will send the sword after them until I have annihilated them. +\q +\v 38 Then I will put my throne in Elam and will destroy its king and leaders from there—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q +\v 39 and it will happen in later days that I will bring back the fortunes of Elam—this is Yahweh's declaration." + + + +\s5 +\c 50 +\p +\v 1 This is the word that Yahweh declared about Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, by the hand of Jeremiah the prophet, +\q +\v 2 "Report to the nations and cause them to listen. Lift up a signal and cause them to listen. Do not conceal it. +\q Say, 'Babylon is taken. Bel is made ashamed. Marduk is dismayed. Its idols are put to shame; its images are dismayed.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 A nation from the north will arise against it, and make her land a desolation. +\q No one will live in it; both man and beast will flee away. +\q +\v 4 In those days and at that time—this is Yahweh's declaration—the people of Israel and the people of Judah +\q will come together to go with weeping and seek Yahweh their God. +\q +\v 5 They will ask the way to Zion and will set off toward it, saying, +\q We will go and join ourselves to Yahweh in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 My people have been a lost flock. Their shepherds have led them astray in the mountains; +\q they have turned them around from hill to hill. They went, they forgot the place where they had lived. +\q +\v 7 Everyone who went out to them devoured them. Their adversaries said, 'We are not guilty, +\q because they sinned against Yahweh, their true home—Yahweh, the hope of their ancestors.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Leave from the midst of Babylon; go out from the land of the Chaldeans; +\q be like male goats that leave before the rest of the flock does. +\q +\v 9 For see, I am about to set in motion and raise up a group of great nations from the north against Babylon. +\q They will arrange themselves against her. Babylon will be captured from there. +\q Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed. +\q +\v 10 Chaldea will become plunder. All those who plunder it will be satisfied—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 You rejoice, you celebrate the plundering of my inheritance; +\q you jump around like a calf stamping in its pasture; +\q you neigh like a powerful horse. +\q +\v 12 So your mother will be greatly ashamed; the one who bore you will be embarrassed. +\q See, she will be the least of nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. +\q +\v 13 Because of Yahweh's anger, Babylon will not be inhabited, but will be a complete devastation. +\q Everyone who passes by will shudder because of Babylon and will hiss because all of its wounds. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Arrange yourselves against Babylon all around her. Everyone who bends a bow must shoot at her. +\q Do not keep back any of your arrows, for she has sinned against Yahweh. +\q +\v 15 Raise a shout against her all around! She has surrendered; her towers have fallen; +\q her walls are torn down, for this is Yahweh's vengeance. +\q Take vengeance on her! Do to her just as she has done! + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Destroy both the farmer who sows seed and the one who uses a sickle at the time of harvest in Babylon. +\q Let each person turn back to his own people from the oppressor's sword; let them flee to their own land. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Israel is a sheep scattered and driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him; +\q then after this, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon broke his bones. +\v 18 Therefore Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, says this: See, I am about to punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 I will restore Israel to his homeland; he will graze on Carmel and Bashan. +\q Then he will be satisfied in the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead. +\q +\v 20 In those days and at that time, says Yahweh, iniquity will be looked for in Israel, +\q but none will be found. I will inquire about the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant that I spare." + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 "Arise against the land of Merathaim, against it and the ones inhabiting Pekod. +\q Put them to the sword and set them apart for destruction—this is Yahweh's declaration—do everything that I am commanding you. +\q +\v 22 The sounds of battle and enormous destruction are in the land. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 How the hammer of all the lands has been cut apart and destroyed. +\q How Babylon has become a destroyed place among the nations. +\q +\v 24 I have set a trap for you and you were taken, Babylon, and you did not know it! +\q You were found and captured, because you opposed Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 Yahweh has opened his armory and is bringing out the weapons for carrying out his anger. +\q There is work for the Lord Yahweh of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans. +\q +\v 26 Attack her from far away. Open her granaries and pile her up like heaps of grain. +\q Set her apart for destruction. Leave no remnant of her. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 Kill all her bulls. Send them down to the place of slaughter. +\q Woe to them, for their day has come—the time for their punishment. +\q +\v 28 There is the sound of those fleeing, of those who are survivors, from the land of Babylon. +\q These will report the vengeance of Yahweh our God for Zion, and vengeance for his temple." + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 "Summon the archers against Babylon—all those who bend their bows. +\q Camp against her, and let no one escape. +\q Repay her for what she has done. +\q Do to her by the measure she has used. +\q For she had defied Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel. +\q +\v 30 So her young men will fall in the city squares, +\q and all her fighting men will be destroyed on that day +\q —this is Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 "See, I am against you, proud one—this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh of hosts— +\q for your day has come, proud one, the time when I will punish you. +\q +\v 32 So the proud ones will stumble and fall. No one will raise them up. +\q I will light a fire in their cities; it will devour everything around him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 Yahweh of hosts says this: The people of Israel are oppressed, together with the people of Judah. +\q All the ones who captured them still hold them; they refuse to let them go. +\q +\v 34 The one who rescues them is strong. Yahweh of hosts is his name. He will truly plead their case, +\q in order to bring rest to the land, and to bring strife to the ones inhabiting Babylon. + +\s5 +\q +\v 35 A sword is against the Chaldeans—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q and against the inhabitants of Babylon, her leaders, and her wise men. +\q +\v 36 A sword against those who say empty words! They will become fools! +\q A sword against her soldiers! They will be filled with terror. +\q +\v 37 A sword is coming against their horses, their chariots and all of the people who are in the midst of Babylon, +\q so they will become like women. A sword is coming against her storerooms, and they will be plundered. + +\s5 +\q +\v 38 A drought is coming on her waters, so they will become dry. +\q For she is a land of worthless idols, and they act like people made insane by their dreadful idols. +\q +\v 39 So desert beasts with the jackals will inhabit there, and the young of ostriches will live in her. +\q For all time, she will no longer be inhabited. From generation to generation, she will not be lived in. +\q +\v 40 Just as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q no one will live there; no person will stay in her." +\s5 +\q +\v 41 "See, a people is coming from the north; +\q a great nation and many kings +\q are being stirred up from the farthest parts of the earth. +\q +\v 42 They will pick up bows and spears. They are cruel and have no compassion. +\q Their sound is like the sea roar, +\q and they are riding on horses, +\q set out in order as men for battle, against you, +\q daughter of Babylon. + +\s5 +\q +\v 43 The king of Babylon heard the reports about them and his hands fell limp in distress. +\q Anguish seized him like a woman giving birth. + +\s5 +\q +\v 44 Behold! He goes up like a lion from the heights of the Jordan to the enduring grazing place +\q For I will quickly cause them to run from it, and I will put someone who will be chosen in charge of it. +\q For who is like me, and who will summon me? What shepherd is able to resist me? + +\s5 +\q +\v 45 So listen to the plans that Yahweh has decided against Babylon, +\q the plans that he has planned against the land of the Chaldeans. They will certainly be dragged away, +\q even the smallest flock. Their pasturelands will be turned into ruined places. +\q +\v 46 At the sound of conquered Babylon the earth shakes, and their shout of distress is heard among the nations." + + + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 51 +\m +\q +\v 1 "Yahweh says this: See, I am about to stir up a wind of destruction against Babylon +\q and against those who live in Leb Kamai. +\q +\v 2 I will send foreigners to Babylon. They will scatter her and devastate her land, +\q for they will come against her from all around on the day of disaster. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Do not let the archers bend their bows; do not let them put on armor. +\q Do not spare her young men; set her whole army apart for destruction. +\q +\v 4 For the wounded people will fall in the land of the Chaldeans; those who are killed will fall in her streets. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 For Israel and Judah are not forsaken by their God, by Yahweh of hosts, +\q although their land is filled with offenses committed against the Holy One of Israel. +\q +\v 6 Flee from the midst of Babylon; let each man save himself. Do not perish in her iniquity. +\q For it is the time of Yahweh's vengeance. He will repay all of it to her. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Babylon was a golden cup in the hand of Yahweh that made all the world drunk; +\q nations drank her wine and became insane. +\q +\v 8 Babylon will fall suddenly and be destroyed. +\q Wail for her! Give her medicine for her pain; perhaps she can be healed. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 'We wished to heal Babylon, but she is not healed. Let us all leave her and go away, +\q to our own land. For her guilt reaches up to the heavens; it is piled up to the clouds. +\q +\v 10 Yahweh has declared our innocence. Come, let us tell in Zion +\q the deeds of Yahweh our God.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Sharpen the arrows and take up the shields. Yahweh is stirring up +\q the spirit of the king of the Medes in a plan to destroy Babylon. +\q This is for Yahweh's vengeance, vengeance for the destruction of his temple. +\q +\v 12 Lift up a banner over Babylon's walls; make the watch strong; set up watchmen; prepare the ambushes; +\q for the LORD will do what he has said concerning the inhabitants of Babylon. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 You people who live by many streams of water, you people who are rich with treasures, +\q your end has come. The thread of your life is now cut short. +\q +\v 14 Yahweh of hosts has sworn by his own life, 'I will fill you with your enemies, like a locust plague; +\q they will raise a battle cry against you.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 He has made the earth by his power; he set in place the world by his wisdom. +\q By his understanding he stretched out the heavens. +\q +\v 16 When he thunders, there is the roar of waters in the heavens, for he brings up the mist from the ends of the earth. +\q He makes lightning for rain and sends out wind from his storehouses. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Every man has become ignorant, without knowledge. Every metalworker is put to shame by his idols. +\q For his cast images are frauds, and there is no life in them. +\q +\v 18 They are useless, the work of mockers; they will perish at the time of their punishment. +\q +\v 19 But God, the portion of Jacob, is not like these, for he is the molder of all things. Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; +\q Yahweh of hosts is his name. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 You are my war hammer, my weapon for battle. +\q With you I will smash nations and destroy kingdoms. +\q +\v 21 With you I will smash horses and their riders; with you I will smash chariots and their drivers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 With you I will smash each man and woman; with you I will smash the old and the young. +\q With you I will smash the young men and the virgin girls. +\q +\v 23 With you I will smash the shepherds and their flocks; with you I will smash the plowmen and their teams. +\q With you I will smash the governors and officials. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 For in your sight I will pay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea +\q for all of the evil that they did in Zion—this is Yahweh's declaration. + + +\s5 +\q +\v 25 See, I am against you, mountain of destruction—this is Yahweh's declaration—which destroys the whole earth. +\q I will stretch out my hand against you, and roll you down from the cliffs, +\q and make you a burned-out mountain. +\q +\v 26 So they will not take from you any stone to construct a building's corner or foundation; +\q for you will become an everlasting devastation—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 Lift up a banner over the earth. Blow the trumpet over the nations. Call the nations to attack her: +\q Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. +\q Appoint a commander to attack her; bring up horses like swarming locusts. +\q +\v 28 Prepare the nations to attack her: The kings of the Medes and his governors, +\q all of his officials and all the lands under his rule. + +\s5 +\q +\v 29 For the land will shake and be in anguish, since Yahweh's plans continue against Babylon, +\q to make the land of Babylon a wasteland where there is no inhabitant. + +\s5 +\q +\v 30 The soldiers in Babylon have stopped fighting; they stay in their strongholds. +\q Their strength has failed; they have become women—her homes are on fire, the bars of her gates are broken. +\q +\v 31 A messenger runs to proclaim to another messenger, and a runner tells another runner +\q to report to the king of Babylon that his city has been taken from end to end. +\q +\v 32 So the fords over the river are seized; the enemy is burning the reed marshes, +\q and Babylon's fighting men are confused. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 For Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, says this: The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor. +\q It is time to trample her down. In a little while the time of harvest will come to her. + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 'Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has devoured me, +\q he has driven me into confusion and has made me an empty pot. +\q Like a monster he has swallowed me, +\q he has filled his stomach with my delicious foods, +\q and then he has spit me out.' +\q +\v 35 The one who lives in Zion will say, 'May the violence done to me and my flesh be on Babylon.' +\q Jerusalem will say, 'May my blood be on the inhabitants of Chaldea.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 36 Therefore Yahweh says this: See, I am about to plead your case and bring about vengeance for you. +\q For I will dry up Babylon's waters and make her springs run dry. +\q +\v 37 Babylon will become heaps of rubble, a den of jackals, a horror, +\q an object of hissing, where there are no inhabitants. + +\s5 +\q +\v 38 The Babylonians will roar together like young lions. They will growl like lion cubs. +\q +\v 39 When they become hot with greed, I will make a feast for them; I will make them drunk so they become happy, +\q and then sleep an unending sleep and not wake up—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q +\v 40 I will send them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats. + +\s5 +\q +\v 41 How Babylon has been captured! So the praise of all the earth is seized. +\q How Babylon has become a ruined place among the nations. +\q +\v 42 The sea has come up over Babylon! She is covered with its roaring waves. + +\s5 +\q +\v 43 Her cities have become a desolation, a dry land and a wilderness, +\q a land that no one inhabits, and no human being passes through. +\q +\v 44 So I will punish Bel in Babylon; I will bring out from his mouth what he swallowed, +\q and the nations will no longer flow to him with their offerings. The walls of Babylon will fall. + +\s5 +\q +\v 45 Go out from her midst, my people. Let each of you save his own life from the fury of my wrath. +\q +\v 46 Do not let your hearts be timid or fear the news that is heard in the land, +\q for the news will come one year. After it in the next year there will be news, +\q and violence will be in the land. Ruler will be against ruler. + +\s5 +\q +\v 47 Therefore, see, days are coming when I will punish the carved idols of Babylon. +\q All of her land will be ashamed, and all of her slaughtered ones will fall in her midst. +\q +\v 48 Then the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them will rejoice over Babylon. +\q For destroyers will come for her from the north—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 49 As Babylon has made the killed of Israel fall, +\q so the killed of all her land will fall in Babylon. + +\s5 +\q +\v 50 Survivors of the sword, go away! Do not stay still. +\q Call Yahweh to mind from far away; let Jerusalem come to mind. +\q +\v 51 We are ashamed, for we have heard insults; reproach has covered our faces, +\q for foreigners have entered the holy places of Yahweh's house. + +\s5 +\q +\v 52 Therefore, see, days are coming—this is Yahweh's declaration—when I will punish her carved idols, +\q and the wounded people will groan in all of her land. +\q +\v 53 For even if Babylon went up to the heavens or fortified her highest fortresses, +\q destroyers would come from me to her—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 54 A shout of distress came from Babylon, a great collapse from the land of the Chaldeans. +\q +\v 55 For Yahweh is destroying Babylon. He is causing her loud voice to perish. +\q Their enemies roar like the waves of many waters; their noise becomes very strong. +\q +\v 56 For the destroyers have come against her—against Babylon!—and her warriors have been captured. +\q Their bows are broken, for Yahweh is the God of vengeance; he will surely carry out this repayment. + +\s5 +\q +\v 57 For I will make her princes, her sages, her officials, and her soldiers drunk, +\q and they will sleep in an unending sleep and never wake up +\q —this is the King's declaration: Yahweh of hosts is his name. +\q +\v 58 Yahweh of hosts says this: The thick walls of Babylon will be completely demolished, +\q and her high gates will be burned. +\q Then the peoples coming to her aid will labor uselessly; everything that the nations try to do for her will be burned up." + +\s5 +\q +\v 59 This is the word that Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah son of Neriah +\q son of Mahseiah when he went with Zedekiah king of Judah to Babylon +\q in the fourth year of his reign. Now Seraiah was a chief officer. +\v 60 For Jeremiah had written in a scroll about all the disaster that was going to come on Babylon—all these words that were written about Babylon. + +\s5 +\v 61 Jeremiah said to Seraiah, "When you go to Babylon, then you will see and you will read these words aloud. +\v 62 Then you will say, 'Yahweh, you yourself have declared that you would destroy this place, and that no man or animal will live in it, and it will be desolate forever.' + +\s5 +\v 63 Then when you have finished reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the middle of the Euphrates. +\v 64 Say, 'Babylon will sink like this. It will not arise because of the disaster that I am sending against it, and they will fall.'" Jeremiah's words end here. + + + + +\s5 +\c 52 +\p +\v 1 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal; she was the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah. +\v 2 He did what was evil in the sight of Yahweh; he did everything that Jehoiakim had done. +\v 3 Through Yahweh's anger, all these events happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until he drove them from before himself. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. + +\s5 +\v 4 It happened that in the ninth year of the reign of King Zedekiah, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar, +king of Babylon, came with all his army against Jerusalem. They camped opposite it, and they built a siege wall around it. +\v 5 So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign. + +\s5 +\v 6 By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. +\v 7 Then the city was broken into, and all the fighting men fled and went out of the city at night by the way of the gate that was between the two walls, by the king's garden, although the Chaldeans were all around the city. So they went in the direction of the Arabah. +\v 8 But the army of Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of the Jordan River valley near Jericho. All his army was scattered away from him. + +\s5 +\v 9 They captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him. +\v 10 The king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his own eyes, and at Riblah he also slaughtered all the leaders of Judah. +\v 11 Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes, bound him in bronze chains, and brought him to Babylon. The king of Babylon put him in prison until the day of his death. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Now in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan came to Jerusalem. He was the commander of the king's bodyguards and a servant of the king of Babylon. +\v 13 He burned the house of Yahweh, the king's palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; also every important building in the city he burned. +\v 14 As for the walls around Jerusalem, all the army of the Babylonians who were with the commander of the bodyguards destroyed them. + +\s5 +\v 15 As for the poorest people, the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the craftsmen— +Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguards, took some of them away into exile. + +\v 16 But Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguards, left some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 As for the bronze pillars that belonged to the house of Yahweh, and the stands, and the large bronze basin called "The Sea" that were in the house of +Yahweh, the Chaldeans broke them into pieces and carried all the bronze back to Babylon. +\v 18 The pots, shovels, lamp trimmers, bowls, and all the utensils of bronze with which the priests had served in the temple—the Chaldeans took them all away. +\v 19 The basins and the incense burners, the bowls, pots, lampstands, pans, and basins that were made of gold, and those made of silver—the commander of the king's guard took them away as well. + +\s5 +\v 20 The two pillars, the large bronze basin known as "The Sea," and the twelve bronze bulls that were under the stands, things that Solomon had made for the house of Yahweh, contained more bronze than could be weighed. +\v 21 The pillars were eighteen cubits high each, and a line around each one measured twelve cubits. Each was four fingers thick and hollow. +\s5 +\v 22 A capital of bronze was on top of it. The capital was five cubits high, with latticework and pomegranates all around. It was all made of bronze. The other pillar and its pomegranates were the same as the first. +\v 23 So there were ninety-six pomegranates on the capital's sides, and one hundred pomegranates above the surrounding latticework. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 The commander of the bodyguards took prisoner Seraiah, the high priest, together with Zephaniah, the second priest, and the three gatekeepers. +\v 25 From the city he took prisoner an officer who was in charge of soldiers, and seven men of those who advised the king, who were still in the city. He also took prisoner the king's army officer responsible for drafting men into the army, along with sixty important men from the land who were in the city. + +\s5 +\v 26 Then Nebuzaradan, the commander of the bodyguards, took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. +\v 27 The king of Babylon put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. In this way, Judah went out of its land into exile. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 These were the people who Nebuchadnezzar exiled: In the seventh year, 3,023 Judeans. +\v 29 In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he took 832 people from Jerusalem. +\v 30 In the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, the commander of the king's bodyguards, exiled 745 Judean people. All the exiled people totaled 4,600. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 It happened later in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin, king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, that Awel-Marduk, king of Babylon released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. This happened in the year that Awel-Marduk began to reign. + +\s5 +\v 32 He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat more honorable than that of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. +\v 33 Awel-Marduk removed Jehoiachin's prison clothes, and Jehoiachin ate regularly at the king's table for the rest of his life, +\v 34 and a regular food allowance was given to him every day for the rest of his life until his death. + diff --git a/25-LAM.usfm b/25-LAM.usfm index c000ada3..225c9789 100644 --- a/25-LAM.usfm +++ b/25-LAM.usfm @@ -122,125 +122,125 @@ \v 22 Let all their wickedness come before you. \q deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my transgressions. \q My groans are many and my heart is faint. - -\s5 -\c 2 -\m -\q -\v 1 The Lord has covered the daughter of Zion under the cloud of his anger. -\q He has thrown the splendor of Israel down from heaven to earth. -\q He has not remembered his footstool on the day of his anger. -\q -\v 2 The Lord has swallowed up and has had no compassion on all the towns of Jacob. -\q In the days of his anger he has thrown down the fortified cities of the daughter of Judah; -\q in dishonor he has brought down to the ground the kingdom and its rulers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 With fierce anger he has cut off every horn of Israel. -\q He has withdrawn his right hand from before the enemy. -\q He has burned up Jacob like a blazing fire that devours everything around it. -\q -\v 4 Like an enemy he has bent his bow toward us, -\q with his right is ready to shoot. -\q He has slaughtered all who had been so pleasing to him in the tent of the daughter of Zion; -\q he has poured out his wrath like fire. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 The Lord has become like an enemy. He has swallowed up Israel. -\q He has swallowed up all her palaces. He has destroyed her strongholds. -\q He has increased mourning and lamentation within the daughter of Judah. -\q -\v 6 He has attacked his tabernacle like a garden hut. He has destroyed the place of the solemn assembly. -\q Yahweh has caused both solemn assembly and Sabbath to be forgotten in Zion, -\q for he has despised both king and priest in the indignation of his anger. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 The Lord has rejected his altar and disowned his sanctuary. -\q He has given over the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. -\q They have raised a shout in the house of Yahweh, as on the day of an appointed feast. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Yahweh decided to destroy the city wall of the daughter of Zion. -\q He has stretched out the measuring line and has not withheld his hand from destroying the wall. -\q He has made the ramparts and wall to lament; together they wasted away. -\q -\v 9 Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has destroyed and broken the bars of her gate. -\q Her king and her princes are among the nations, the law is no more -\q and her prophets find no vision from Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. -\q They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. -\q The virgins of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 My eyes have failed from their tears; my stomach churns; -\q my inner parts are poured out to the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, -\q children and infants faint in the streets of the city. -\q -\v 12 They say to their mothers, "Where is grain and wine?" -\q as they faint like a wounded man in the streets of the city, -\q their lives are poured out on the bosom of their mothers. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 What can I say to you, daughter of Jerusalem? -\q To what can I compare to you, that I may comfort you, virgin daughter of Zion? -\q Your wound is as great as the sea. Who can heal you? -\q -\v 14 Your prophets have seen false and worthless visions for you. -\q They have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, -\q but for you they gave utterances that are false and misleading. -\s5 -\q -\v 15 All those who pass along the road clap their hands at you. -\q They hiss and shake their heads against the daughter of Jerusalem and say, -\q "Is this the city that they called 'The Perfection of Beauty,' 'The Joy for All of Earth'?" -\q -\v 16 All your enemies open their mouths against you. -\q They sneer and grind their teeth and say, "We have swallowed her up! -\q This is the day we have waited for! We have lived to see it!" - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 Yahweh has done what he planned to do. He has fulfilled his word. -\q He has overthrown you without pity, -\q for he has permitted the enemy to rejoice over you; he has lifted up the horn of your enemies. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Their heart cried out to the Lord, -\q walls of the daughter of Zion! Make your tears flow down like a river day and night. -\q Give yourself no relief, your eyes no relief. -\q -\v 19 Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! -\q Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. -\q Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children who faint with hunger at the corner of every street." - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 See, Yahweh, and consider those you have dealt in this way. -\q Should women eat the fruit of their wombs, the children whom they have cared for? -\q Should priest and prophet be slaughtered in the sanctuary of the Lord? - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 Both the young and the old lie on the dust of the streets. -\q My young women and my young men have fallen by the sword; -\q you have slaughtered them without taking pity on them. -\q -\v 22 You have summoned, as you would call the people to a feast day, my terrors on every side, on the day of the anger of Yahweh no one escaped or survived; -\q those I cared for and raised, -\q my enemy has destroyed. - - - + +\s5 +\c 2 +\m +\q +\v 1 The Lord has covered the daughter of Zion under the cloud of his anger. +\q He has thrown the splendor of Israel down from heaven to earth. +\q He has not remembered his footstool on the day of his anger. +\q +\v 2 The Lord has swallowed up and has had no compassion on all the towns of Jacob. +\q In the days of his anger he has thrown down the fortified cities of the daughter of Judah; +\q in dishonor he has brought down to the ground the kingdom and its rulers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 With fierce anger he has cut off every horn of Israel. +\q He has withdrawn his right hand from before the enemy. +\q He has burned up Jacob like a blazing fire that devours everything around it. +\q +\v 4 Like an enemy he has bent his bow toward us, +\q with his right is ready to shoot. +\q He has slaughtered all who had been so pleasing to him in the tent of the daughter of Zion; +\q he has poured out his wrath like fire. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 The Lord has become like an enemy. He has swallowed up Israel. +\q He has swallowed up all her palaces. He has destroyed her strongholds. +\q He has increased mourning and lamentation within the daughter of Judah. +\q +\v 6 He has attacked his tabernacle like a garden hut. He has destroyed the place of the solemn assembly. +\q Yahweh has caused both solemn assembly and Sabbath to be forgotten in Zion, +\q for he has despised both king and priest in the indignation of his anger. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 The Lord has rejected his altar and disowned his sanctuary. +\q He has given over the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. +\q They have raised a shout in the house of Yahweh, as on the day of an appointed feast. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Yahweh decided to destroy the city wall of the daughter of Zion. +\q He has stretched out the measuring line and has not withheld his hand from destroying the wall. +\q He has made the ramparts and wall to lament; together they wasted away. +\q +\v 9 Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has destroyed and broken the bars of her gate. +\q Her king and her princes are among the nations, the law is no more +\q and her prophets find no vision from Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. +\q They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. +\q The virgins of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 My eyes have failed from their tears; my stomach churns; +\q my inner parts are poured out to the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, +\q children and infants faint in the streets of the city. +\q +\v 12 They say to their mothers, "Where is grain and wine?" +\q as they faint like a wounded man in the streets of the city, +\q their lives are poured out on the bosom of their mothers. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 What can I say to you, daughter of Jerusalem? +\q To what can I compare to you, that I may comfort you, virgin daughter of Zion? +\q Your wound is as great as the sea. Who can heal you? +\q +\v 14 Your prophets have seen false and worthless visions for you. +\q They have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, +\q but for you they gave utterances that are false and misleading. +\s5 +\q +\v 15 All those who pass along the road clap their hands at you. +\q They hiss and shake their heads against the daughter of Jerusalem and say, +\q "Is this the city that they called 'The Perfection of Beauty,' 'The Joy for All of Earth'?" +\q +\v 16 All your enemies open their mouths against you. +\q They sneer and grind their teeth and say, "We have swallowed her up! +\q This is the day we have waited for! We have lived to see it!" + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 Yahweh has done what he planned to do. He has fulfilled his word. +\q He has overthrown you without pity, +\q for he has permitted the enemy to rejoice over you; he has lifted up the horn of your enemies. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Their heart cried out to the Lord, +\q walls of the daughter of Zion! Make your tears flow down like a river day and night. +\q Give yourself no relief, your eyes no relief. +\q +\v 19 Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! +\q Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. +\q Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children who faint with hunger at the corner of every street." + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 See, Yahweh, and consider those you have dealt in this way. +\q Should women eat the fruit of their wombs, the children whom they have cared for? +\q Should priest and prophet be slaughtered in the sanctuary of the Lord? + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 Both the young and the old lie on the dust of the streets. +\q My young women and my young men have fallen by the sword; +\q you have slaughtered them without taking pity on them. +\q +\v 22 You have summoned, as you would call the people to a feast day, my terrors on every side, on the day of the anger of Yahweh no one escaped or survived; +\q those I cared for and raised, +\q my enemy has destroyed. + + + \s5 diff --git a/26-EZK.usfm b/26-EZK.usfm index b69f92af..c172cba2 100644 --- a/26-EZK.usfm +++ b/26-EZK.usfm @@ -142,44 +142,44 @@ - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 "But you, son of man, take a brick for yourself and place it before you. Then carve the city of Jerusalem on it. -\v 2 Then lay siege against it, and build forts against it. Raise up an assault ramp against it and set camps around it. Place battering rams all around it. -\v 3 Then take for yourself an iron pan and use it as an iron wall between yourself and the city and set your face against it, for it will be under siege, and you are to put the siege against it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Then, lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel on it; you will carry their sin for the number of the days that you lie down against the house of Israel. -\v 5 I myself am assigning to you one day to represent each year of their punishment: 390 days! In this way, you will carry the sin of the house of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 6 When you have completed these days, then lie down a second time on your right side, for you will carry the sin of the house of Judah for forty days. I am assigning to you one day for each year. -\v 7 Set your face toward Jerusalem that is under siege, and with your arm uncovered prophesy against it. -\v 8 For behold! I am placing bonds on you so you will not turn from one side to the other until you have completed the days of your siege. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Take for yourself wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them in a single container and make bread for yourself according to the number of the days that you will lie upon your side. For 390 days you will eat it. -\v 10 The food you will eat will be by weight, twenty shekels per day, and you will eat it at set times each day. -\v 11 Then you will drink water, measured out to a sixth of a hin, and you will drink it at set times. - -\s5 -\v 12 You will eat it as barley cakes, but you will bake it on excrement of human dung within their sight!" -\v 13 For Yahweh says, "This means that the bread that the people of Israel will eat will be unclean, there among the nations where I will banish them." - -\s5 -\v 14 But I said, "Alas, Lord Yahweh! I have never been unclean! I have never eaten either anything that died or anything killed by animals, from my youth until now, and foul meat has never entered my mouth!" -\v 15 So he said to me, "Look! I have given you cow manure instead of human dung so you can prepare your bread over that." - -\s5 -\v 16 He also said to me, "Son of man! Behold! I am breaking the staff of bread in Jerusalem, and they will eat bread while rationing it in anxiety and drink water while rationing it in trembling. -\v 17 Because they will lack bread and water, every man will be dismayed at his brother and waste away because of their iniquity." - - - + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 "But you, son of man, take a brick for yourself and place it before you. Then carve the city of Jerusalem on it. +\v 2 Then lay siege against it, and build forts against it. Raise up an assault ramp against it and set camps around it. Place battering rams all around it. +\v 3 Then take for yourself an iron pan and use it as an iron wall between yourself and the city and set your face against it, for it will be under siege, and you are to put the siege against it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Then, lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel on it; you will carry their sin for the number of the days that you lie down against the house of Israel. +\v 5 I myself am assigning to you one day to represent each year of their punishment: 390 days! In this way, you will carry the sin of the house of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 6 When you have completed these days, then lie down a second time on your right side, for you will carry the sin of the house of Judah for forty days. I am assigning to you one day for each year. +\v 7 Set your face toward Jerusalem that is under siege, and with your arm uncovered prophesy against it. +\v 8 For behold! I am placing bonds on you so you will not turn from one side to the other until you have completed the days of your siege. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Take for yourself wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them in a single container and make bread for yourself according to the number of the days that you will lie upon your side. For 390 days you will eat it. +\v 10 The food you will eat will be by weight, twenty shekels per day, and you will eat it at set times each day. +\v 11 Then you will drink water, measured out to a sixth of a hin, and you will drink it at set times. + +\s5 +\v 12 You will eat it as barley cakes, but you will bake it on excrement of human dung within their sight!" +\v 13 For Yahweh says, "This means that the bread that the people of Israel will eat will be unclean, there among the nations where I will banish them." + +\s5 +\v 14 But I said, "Alas, Lord Yahweh! I have never been unclean! I have never eaten either anything that died or anything killed by animals, from my youth until now, and foul meat has never entered my mouth!" +\v 15 So he said to me, "Look! I have given you cow manure instead of human dung so you can prepare your bread over that." + +\s5 +\v 16 He also said to me, "Son of man! Behold! I am breaking the staff of bread in Jerusalem, and they will eat bread while rationing it in anxiety and drink water while rationing it in trembling. +\v 17 Because they will lack bread and water, every man will be dismayed at his brother and waste away because of their iniquity." + + + \s5 \c 5 @@ -846,2211 +846,2211 @@ - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, present a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel. -\v 3 Say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: -\q A large eagle with large wings and long pinions, full of feathers, -\q and that was multicolored went to Lebanon and took hold of the top of a cedar tree. -\q -\v 4 It broke off the tips of the branches and took them to the land of Canaan; -\q he planted it in a city of merchants. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 He also took some seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil. -\q He placed it beside a large body of water like a willow. -\q -\v 6 Then it sprouted and became a spreading vine low to the ground. -\q Its branches turned toward him, and its roots grew under it. -\q So it became a vine and produced branches and sent out shoots. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers. -\q Behold! This vine turned its roots toward the eagle, -\q and it spread out its branches toward the eagle from the place it had been planted so it would be watered. -\q -\v 8 It had been planted in good soil beside a large body of water -\q so it would produce branches and sprout fruit, to become a magnificent vine.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Say to the people, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Will it prosper? -\q Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it withers, and all its fresh growth will wither? -\q No strong arm or many people will be needed to pull it out by its roots. -\q -\v 10 So behold! After it has been planted, will it grow? Will it not wither when the eastern wind touches it? -\q It will completely wither away in the garden plot where it sprouted.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 12 "Speak to the rebellious house, 'Do you not know what these things mean? Behold! The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and took her king and her princes and brought them to him in Babylon. - -\s5 -\v 13 Then he took a royal descendant, made a covenant with him, and brought him under an oath. He took away the powerful people of the land, -\v 14 so the kingdom might become lowly and not lift itself up. By keeping his covenant the land will survive. - -\s5 -\v 15 But the king of Jerusalem rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt to acquire horses and an army. Will he succeed? Will the one doing these things escape? If he breaks the covenant, will he escape? -\v 16 As I live!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—he will surely die in the land of the king who made him king, the king whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke. He will die in the middle of Babylon. -\s5 -\v 17 Pharaoh with his mighty army and a great company of men will not help him in battle, when ramps are constructed and siege walls are built up to cut off many lives. -\v 18 For the king despised his oath by breaking the covenant. Behold, he reached out with his hand to make a promise and yet he did all these things. He will not escape. - -\s5 -\v 19 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: As I live, was it not my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke? So I will bring his punishment on his head! -\v 20 I will spread my net out over him, and he will be caught in my hunting net. Then I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there for his treason that he committed when he betrayed me! -\v 21 All of his refugees in his armies will fall by the sword, and the ones who remain will be scattered in every direction. Then you will know that I am Yahweh; I have declared this would happen." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'So I myself will take away the highest part of the cedar tree, and I will plant it away from its tender branches. I will break it off, and I myself will plant it on a high mountain. -\v 23 I will plant it on the mountains of Israel so it will bear branches and produce fruit, and it will become a majestic cedar so that every winged bird will live under it. They will nest in the shade of its branches. - -\s5 -\v 24 Then all the trees of the field will know that I am Yahweh. I bring down the high trees and I raise up the low trees. I wither the watered tree and I cause the dried tree to bloom. I am Yahweh, I have declared that this will happen; and I have done it.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, -\v 2 "What do you mean, you who use this proverb concerning the land of Israel and say, -\q 'Fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are made blunt'? - -\s5 -\v 3 As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—there will certainly no longer be any occasion for you to use this proverb in Israel. -\v 4 Behold! Every life belong to me—the life of the father as well as the life of the son, they belong to me! The soul who sins is the one who will die! - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 What can be said about a man who is righteous and who carries out justice and righteousness— -\v 6 if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, and he does not defile his neighbor's wife, nor approached a woman during her monthly period, is he a righteous man? - -\s5 -\v 7 What can be said about a man who does not oppress anyone, and he gives back to the debtor what was put up as security for a loan, and he does not commit theft but gives his food to the hungry and he covers the naked with clothes, is he a righteous man? - -\s5 -\v 8 What can be said about a man who does not charge too much interest for the money he loans, and he does not take too much profit for what he sells? It is said of him that he carries out justice and establishes faithfulness between people. -\v 9 If that man walks in my statutes and keeps my decrees to act faithfully, then the promise for this righteous man is this: He will surely live!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 But suppose that he has a violent son who sheds blood and does any one of these things that were mentioned, -\f + \ft Some ancient copies and many modern versions leave out \fqa to a brother \fqa* . \f* -\v 11 (though his father has not done any of these things). He eats upon the mountains and he defiles his neighbor's wife, what can be said about him? - -\s5 -\v 12 This man oppresses the poor and needy, and he seizes and robs, and he does not return a pledge, and he lifts up his eyes to the idols and commits disgusting actions, -\v 13 and he lends out money at too high interest and he makes too much profit on what he sells, should that man live? Surely he will not! He will certainly die and his blood will be on him because he has done all these detestable things. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 But behold! Suppose there is a man who bears a son, and his son sees all the sins that his father has committed, and though he sees them, he does not do those things. -\v 15 That son does not eat upon the mountains, and he does not lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, and he does not defile his neighbor's wife, what can be said about him? - -\s5 -\v 16 That son does not oppress anyone, or seize a pledge, or take stolen things, but instead gives his food to the hungry and covers up the naked with clothes. -\v 17 That son does not oppress anyone or take interest that is too high or make too much profit for a loan, but he carries out my decrees and walks according to my statutes; that son will not die for his father's sin: He will surely live! - -\s5 -\v 18 His father, since he oppressed others by extortion and robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people—behold, he will die in his iniquity. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 But you say, 'Why does the son not bear the iniquity of his father?' Because the son carries out justice and righteousness and keeps all my statutes; he does them. He will surely live! -\v 20 The one who sins, he is the one who will die. A son will not bear his father's iniquity, and a father will not bear his son's iniquity. The righteousness of the one who acts rightly will be on himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be on himself. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 But if the wicked turns away from all his sins that he has done, and keeps all my statutes and performs justice and righteousness, then he will certainly live and not die. -\v 22 All the transgressions that he has committed will not be called to mind against him. He will live by the righteousness that he practices. - -\s5 -\v 23 Do I greatly rejoice over the death of the wicked—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—and not in his turning away from his way so that he may live? - -\s5 -\v 24 But if the righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and practices abominations like all the abominations that the wicked person does, then will he live? All the righteousness that he had done will not be called to mind when he betrays me in his treason. So he will die in the sins that he committed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 But you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair!' Listen, house of Israel! Are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? -\v 26 When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity and dies because of them, then he will die in the iniquity that he has done. - -\s5 -\v 27 But when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has done and performs justice and righteousness, then he will preserve his life. -\v 28 For he has seen and turned away from all the transgressions that he had done. He will surely live, and he will not die. - -\s5 -\v 29 But the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair!' How is my way not fair, house of Israel? It is your ways that are not fair. -\v 30 Therefore I will judge each man among you according to his ways, house of Israel!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. Repent and turn away from all your transgressions so that they will not be stumbling blocks of iniquity against you. - -\s5 -\v 31 Throw away from yourselves all of the transgressions that you have committed; make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? -\v 32 For I have no delight in the death of the one who dies—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—so repent and live!" - - - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 "Now you, take up a lamentation against the leaders of Israel -\v 2 and say, -\q 'Who was your mother? A lioness, she lived with a lion's son; -\q in the midst of young lions, she nurtured her cubs. -\q -\v 3 She is the one who raised up one of her cubs to become a young lion, a lion who learned to tear apart his victims, and then he devoured men. -\q -\v 4 Then the nations heard about him. He was caught in their trap, and they brought him with hooks to the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Then she saw that although she had waited for his return, her expectation was now gone, so she took another of her cubs and raised him to become a young lion. -\q -\v 6 This young lion roamed about in the midst of lions. He was a young lion and learned to tear his victims; he devoured men. -\q -\v 7 He seized their widows and ruined their cities. -\q The land and its fullness were abandoned because of the sound of his roaring. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa He seized their widows \fqa* , some ancient copies and many modern versions have \fqa He destroyed their fortresses \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 But the nations came against him from the surrounding provinces; -\q they spread their nets over him. He was caught in their trap. -\q -\v 9 With hooks they put him in a cage and then they brought him to the king of Babylon. -\q They brought him to the strongholds so that his voice would no longer be heard on the mountains of Israel. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Your mother was like a vine planted in your blood beside the water. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa in your blood \fqa* , some ancient copies and many modern versions have \fqa in your vineyard \fqa* . \f* -\q it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundance of water. -\q -\v 11 It had strong branches that were used for rulers' scepters, -\q and its size was exalted above the branches, -\q and its height was seen by the greatness of its foliage. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 But the vine was uprooted in fury and thrown down to the earth, and an eastern wind dried out its fruit. -\q Its strong branches were broken off and withered and fire consumed them. -\q -\v 13 So now it is planted in the wilderness, in a land of drought and thirst. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 For fire went out from her large branches and consumed its fruit. -\q There is no strong branch on it, no scepter to rule.' This is a lamentation and will be sung as a lamentation." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 It came about in the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, that elders of Israel came to inquire of Yahweh and sat before me. - -\s5 -\v 2 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 3 "Son of man, declare to the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Have you come to inquire of me? As I live, I will not be inquired of by you!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.' - -\s5 -\v 4 Will you judge them? Will you judge, son of man? Let them know about their fathers' abominations. -\v 5 Say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day that I chose Israel and raised my hand to swear an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I raised my hand to swear an oath to them. I said, "I am Yahweh your God"— -\v 6 on that day I raised my hand to swear an oath to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had carefully selected for them. It was flowing with milk and honey; it was the most beautiful ornament among all the lands. - -\s5 -\v 7 I said to them, "Let each man throw away the detestable things from before his eyes and the idols of Egypt. Do not make yourselves unclean; I am Yahweh your God." - -\s5 -\v 8 But they rebelled against me and were unwilling to listen to me. Each man did not throw away the detestable things from before his eyes nor forsake the idols of Egypt, so I determined to pour out my fury upon them to satisfy my wrath among them in the middle of the land of Egypt. -\v 9 I acted for my name's sake so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were staying. I made myself known to them, in their eyes, by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 So I sent them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. -\v 11 Then I gave them my statutes and made my decrees known to them, by which a man will live if he obeys them. -\v 12 I also gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between myself and them, for them to know that I am Yahweh who makes them holy. - -\s5 -\v 13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes; instead, they rejected my decrees, by which a man will live if he obeys them. They greatly profaned my Sabbaths, so I said I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness in order to end them. -\v 14 But I acted for my name's sake so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out of Egypt. - -\s5 -\v 15 So I myself also raised my hand to swear an oath to them in the wilderness not to bring them into the land that I had been going to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey, which was the most beautiful ornament among all the lands. -\v 16 I swore this because they had rejected my decrees and did not walk in my statutes, and they profaned my Sabbaths, since their hearts walked after their idols. -\v 17 But my eye spared them from their destruction and I did not annihilate them in the wilderness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 I said to their sons and daughters in the wilderness, "Do not walk according to the statutes of your parents; do not keep their decrees or profane yourselves with idols. -\v 19 I am Yahweh your God, walk in my statutes; keep my decrees and obey them. -\v 20 Keep my Sabbaths holy so that they will be a sign between me and you, so that you will know that I am Yahweh your God." - -\s5 -\v 21 But their sons and daughters rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes or keep my decrees, by which a man might live if he obeys them. They profaned my Sabbaths, so I determined to pour out my fury upon them to satisfy my wrath against them in the wilderness. -\v 22 But I turned my hand away and acted for my name's sake, so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought out the Israelites. - -\s5 -\v 23 I myself also lifted up my hand to swear to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands. -\v 24 I decided to do this since they had not obeyed my decrees, and since they had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths. Their eyes were longing after their fathers' idols. - -\s5 -\v 25 Then I also gave them statutes that were not good, and decrees by which they could not live. -\v 26 I made them unclean by their gifts when they made a sacrifice of every firstborn of the womb and put them into the fire. I did this in order to terrify them so they might know that I am Yahweh!' - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: In this also your fathers blasphemed me when they were unfaithful to me. -\v 28 When I brought them into the land that I had sworn to give them, and then whenever they saw any high hill and leafy tree, they offered their sacrifices, they provoked me by their offerings, and there they also burned their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings. -\v 29 Then I said to them, "What is this high place where you bring offerings there?" So the name is called Bamah to this day.' - -\s5 -\v 30 Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Why do you make yourselves unclean with the ways of your fathers? So why do you act like prostitutes, searching for disgusting things? -\v 31 For when you offer up your gifts and you put your sons into the fire, to this day you make yourselves unclean with all your idols. So why should I let you question me, house of Israel? As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I will not let you question me. -\v 32 The thought that is forming in your mind will never happen. You say, "Let us be like the other nations, like the clans in the other lands who worship wood and stone." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I will certainly reign over you with a mighty hand, a raised arm, and fury that will be poured out on you. -\v 34 I will bring you out from the other peoples and will gather you out of the countries among whom you have been scattered. I will do this with a mighty hand and with fury poured out. -\v 35 Then I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will judge you face to face. - -\s5 -\v 36 As I judged your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so also I will judge you—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. -\v 37 I will cause you to pass under my rod, and I will make you obey the requirements of the covenant. -\v 38 I will purge from among you the rebels and those who revolt against me. I will send them out from the land where they are staying as foreigners, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 39 So to you, house of Israel, the Lord Yahweh says this: Each of you should go to his own idols. Worship them if you will refuse to listen to me, but you must no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and your idols. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 For on my holy mountain, on the mountain peak of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—all of the house of Israel will worship me there in the land. I will be pleased to require your offerings there, and also the firstfruits of your tribute with all your holy things. -\v 41 I will accept you like fragrant incense when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. I will show myself as holy among you for the nations to see. - -\s5 -\v 42 Then, when I bring you to the land of Israel, to the land that I have lifted up my hand to swear to give to your fathers, you will know that I am Yahweh. -\v 43 There you will call to mind your conduct and all of your deeds by which you defiled yourselves, and you will despise yourselves in your own eyes for all your evil deeds that you have done. -\v 44 So you will know that I am Yahweh when I do this to you because of my name's sake, and not because of your evil deeds, and not because of your corrupt deeds, house of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 45 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 46 "Son of man, set your face toward the southern lands, and speak against the south; prophesy against the forest of the Negev. -\v 47 Say to the forest of the Negev, 'This is Yahweh's declaration—the Lord Yahweh says this: See, I will set a fire among you. It will devour every fresh tree and every dried tree among you. The fiery flame will not be quenched; every face from the south to the north will be burned. - -\s5 -\v 48 Then all flesh will see that I am Yahweh when I light the fire, and it will not be quenched.'" -\v 49 Then I said, "Alas! Lord Yahweh, they are saying of me, 'Is he not a mere teller of parables?'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and speak against the sanctuaries; prophesy against the land of Israel. -\v 3 Say to the land of Israel, 'Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you! I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off both the righteous person and the wicked person from you! - -\s5 -\v 4 In order for me to cut off both the righteous and the wicked from you, my sword will go out from its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north. -\v 5 Then all flesh will know that I, Yahweh, have drawn my sword from its sheath. It will no longer hold back!' - -\s5 -\v 6 As for you, son of man, groan as your loins break! In bitterness groan before their eyes! -\v 7 Then it will happen that they will ask you, 'For what reason are you groaning?' Then you will say, 'Because of the news that is coming, for every heart will faint away, and every hand will falter! Every spirit will grow faint, and every knee will flow like water. Behold! It is coming and it will be like this!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 9 "Son of man, prophesy and say, 'The Lord says this: -\q "Say: A sword! A sword! It will be sharpened and polished! - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 It will be sharpened in order to engage in great slaughter! It will be polished in order to be like lightning! -\q Should we rejoice in my son's scepter? The coming sword hates every such rod! -\q -\v 11 So the sword will be given to be polished, and then to be grasped by the hand! -\q The sword is sharpened and it is polished and it is to be given into the hand of the one who kills!"'" - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Call for help and lament, son of man! For that sword has come against my people! It is against all the leaders of Israel. -\q They are thrown against the sword with my people. Therefore, slap your thigh! -\q -\v 13 For there is a trial, but what if the scepter does not last?—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Now you, son of man, prophesy and hit your two hands together, for the sword will attack even a third time! -\q A sword for the ones to be slaughtered! It is a sword for the many to be slaughtered, piercing them everywhere! - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 In order to melt their hearts and to multiply their fallen, I have set the slaughter of the sword against their gates! Woe! It is made like lightning, set free to butcher! -\q -\v 16 You, sword! Strike to the right! Strike to the left! Go wherever your face is turned. -\q -\v 17 For I will also hit my two hands together, and then I will bring my fury to rest! I, Yahweh, declare it!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, -\v 19 "Now you, son of man, assign two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to come. The two roads will start in the same land, and a signpost will mark one of them as leading to a city. -\v 20 Mark one road for the Babylonian army to come to Rabbah, the city of the Ammonites. Mark the other to lead the army to Judah and the city of Jerusalem, which is fortified. - -\s5 -\v 21 For the king of Babylon will stop at the crossroads, at the junction, in order to practice divination. He will shake some arrows and ask direction from some idols and he will examine a liver. -\q -\v 22 In his right hand will be an omen about Jerusalem, to set battering rams against it, to open his mouth to order the slaughter, -\q to sound a war cry, to set battering rams against the gates, -\q to build a ramp, and to erect siege towers. -\q -\v 23 It will seem to be a useless omen in the eyes -\q of the ones in Jerusalem, those who had sworn an oath to the Babylonians! But the king will accuse them of violating their treaty in order to besiege them! - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Because you have made your guilt to be remembered, -\q making your transgressions to be revealed, so that in all your actions your sins will be seen— -\q because you have done this you will be taken in hand. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 As for you, profane and wicked ruler of Israel, whose day of punishment has come, and whose time of committing iniquity has ended, -\q -\v 26 the Lord Yahweh says this to you: Remove the turban and take off the crown! Things will no longer be the same! Exalt the lowly and humble the exalted! -\q -\v 27 A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! It will not be restored until the one comes who is assigned to execute judgment. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 So you, son of man, prophesy and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this to the people of Ammon concerning their coming disgrace: A sword, a sword is drawn! It is sharpened for the slaughter in order to devour, so it will be like lightning! -\v 29 While prophets see empty visions for you, while they perform rituals to come up with lies for you, this sword will lie on the necks of the wicked who are about to be killed, whose day of punishment has come and whose time of iniquity is about to end. - -\s5 -\v 30 Return the sword to its sheath. In the place of your creation, in the land of your origin, I will judge you! -\v 31 I will pour out my indignation on you! I will fan the fire of my rage against you and put you into the hand of cruel men, craftsmen of destruction! - -\s5 -\v 32 You will become fuel for the fire! Your blood will be in the midst of the land. You will not be remembered, for I, Yahweh have declared this!'" - - - -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Now you, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the city of blood? Make her know all her abominations. -\v 3 You must say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: This is a city that pours out blood in her midst so that her time may come; a city that makes idols to make herself unclean. - -\s5 -\v 4 You are guilty by the blood that you have poured out, and are made unclean by the idols that you have made. For you have drawn your days close and approached your final years. Therefore I will make you a reproach to the nations and a derision in the sight of every land. -\v 5 Both those who are near and those who are far away from you will mock you, you unclean city, with the reputation known everywhere as being full of confusion. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Behold! The rulers of Israel, each one by his own power, have come to you to pour out blood. -\v 7 They have dishonored fathers and mothers within you, and they have performed oppression on the foreigners in your midst. They have mistreated the orphans and the widows within you. -\v 8 You have despised my holy things and have profaned my Sabbaths. -\v 9 Slanderous men have come among you in order to pour out blood, and they eat on the mountains. They perform wickedness in your midst. - -\s5 -\v 10 In this city men uncover the nakedness of their father. Within the city they have violated unclean women during their menstrual period. -\v 11 Men who commit abominations with their neighbors' wives, and men who make their own daughters-in-law shamefully unclean; men who abuse their own sisters—daughters of their own fathers—all these are among you. -\v 12 These men take bribes among you in order to pour out blood. You have taken interest and gained too much profit, you have damaged your neighbors through oppression, and you have forgotten me—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 See! With my hand I have struck the dishonest gain that you have made, and the bloodshed that is in your midst. -\v 14 Will your heart stand, will your hands be strong on the days when I myself will deal with you? I, Yahweh, am declaring this, and I will do it. -\v 15 So I will scatter you among the nations and disperse you through the lands. In this way, I will purge your uncleanness from you. -\v 16 So you will become unclean in the eyes of the nations. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.'" -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa you will become unclean \fqa* , some ancient copies have \fqa I will give you your inheritance \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Next the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 18 "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are the leftovers of bronze and tin, and iron and lead in your midst. They will be like the dross of silver in your furnace. -\v 19 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Because all of you have become like dross, therefore, behold! I am about to gather you into the center of Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 20 As a collection of silver and bronze, iron, lead and tin in the midst of the furnace must have fire blown against it, I will melt you. So I will gather you in my -wrath and fury. I will put you there and blow the fire on it to melt it; so will I gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will put you there and pour you out. -\v 21 So I will gather you and blow against you with the fire of my wrath so that you will be poured out in her midst. -\v 22 As melting silver in the middle of a furnace, you will be melted down in its midst, and you will know that I, Yahweh, have poured out my fury against you!'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 24 "Son of man, say to her, 'You are a land that has not been cleansed. There is no rain on the day of wrath! -\v 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion tearing apart a victim. They consume life and take precious wealth; they make many widows within her! -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa There is a conspiracy of her prophets within her \fqa* , some ancient copies have \fqa whose princes \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\v 26 Her priests do violence to my law, and they profane my holy things. They do not distinguish between holy things and profane things, and do not teach the difference between the unclean and the clean. They hide their eyes from my Sabbaths so that I am profaned in their midst. -\v 27 Her princes within her are like wolves tearing apart their victims. They pour out blood and destroy life, to make a profit dishonestly. -\v 28 Her prophets have painted them over with whitewash; they see false visions and predict falsehoods to them. They say "The Lord Yahweh says this" when Yahweh has not spoken. - -\s5 -\v 29 The people of the land have oppressed through extortion and plundered through robbery, and they mistreat the poor and needy, and oppress the foreigner without justice. - -\s5 -\v 30 So I searched for a man from them who would build up a wall and who would stand before me in its breach for the land so I would not destroy it, but I found no one. -\v 31 So I will pour out my indignation upon them. I will finish them with the fire of my indignation and set their way on their own heads—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother. -\v 3 They acted as prostitutes in Egypt in the time of their youth. They acted as prostitutes there. Their breasts were squeezed and their virgin nipples were fondled there. -\v 4 Their names were Oholah—the older sister—and Oholibah—her younger sister. Then they became mine and bore sons and daughters. Their names mean this: Oholah means Samaria, and Oholibah means Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 But Oholah acted as a prostitute even when she was mine; she lusted for her lovers, for the Assyrians who were dominant, -\v 6 the governor who wore violet, and for his officials, who were strong and handsome, all of them men riding on horses. -\v 7 So she gave herself as a prostitute to them, to all the best of Assyria's men, and she made herself unclean with everyone she lusted for—and with all their idols. - -\s5 -\v 8 For she had not left her prostitute behavior behind in Egypt, when they had slept with her when she had been a young girl, when they first began to fondle her virgin breasts, when they first began to pour out their promiscuous behavior on her. -\v 9 Therefore I gave her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians for whom she lusted. -\v 10 They uncovered her nakedness, took her sons and daughters, killed her with the sword, and she became notorious among other women, so they executed judgment on her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Her sister Oholibah saw this, but she lusted even more passionately and acted like a prostitute even more than her sister. -\v 12 She lusted for the Assyrians, the governors and the dominating officials who dressed impressively, who were men riding horses. All of them were strong, handsome men. -\v 13 I saw that she had made herself unclean. It was the same for both sisters. - -\s5 -\v 14 Then she increased her prostitution even more. She saw men carved on walls, figures of Chaldeans painted in red, -\v 15 wearing belts around their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads. All of them had the appearance of officers of chariot troops, the likeness of sons of Babylonia, whose native land is Chaldea. - -\s5 -\v 16 As soon as her eyes saw them, she lusted for them, so she sent out messengers to them in Chaldea. -\v 17 Then the Babylonians came to her and to her bed of lust, and they made her unclean with their promiscuousness. By what she had done she was made unclean, so she turned herself away from them in disgust. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 When she displayed her acts of prostitution and uncovered her nakedness, -\q I turned away from her, just as I had turned away in disgust from her sister. -\q -\v 19 Then she increased her prostitution as she remembered the days of her youth, -\q when she was a prostitute in the land of Egypt. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 So she lusted for her lovers, -\q whose private parts were like those of donkeys, and whose reproductive emissions were like those of horses. -\q -\v 21 This is how you committed shameful acts of your youth, when the Egyptians fondled your nipples and squeezed your young breasts. - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Therefore, Oholibah, the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold! I will turn your lovers against you. -\q Those from whom you turned away, I will bring them against you from every side: -\q -\v 23 the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, -\q strong, handsome men, governors and commanders, all of them are officers and men of reputation, all of them riding on horses. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 They will come against you with weapons, and with chariots and wagons, and with a great crowd of people. -\q They will set large shields, small shields, and helmets against you all around. -\q I will give them the opportunity to punish you, and they will punish you with their actions. -\q -\v 25 For I will set my jealous anger on you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will cut off your noses and your ears, and your survivors will fall by the sword. They will take away your sons and your daughters, and your survivors will be devoured by fire. - -\s5 -\v 26 They will strip you of your clothes and take away all of your jewelry. -\v 27 So I will remove your shameful behavior from you and your acts of prostitution from the land of Egypt. You will not lift up your eyes toward them with longing, and you will think of Egypt no longer.' - -\s5 -\v 28 For the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold! I will give you into the hand of the ones you hate, back into the hand of the ones from whom you had turned away. -\v 29 They will deal with you hatefully; they will take all your possessions and abandon you naked and bare, and your nakedness will be uncovered just as when you engaged in promiscuity and prostitutions. - -\s5 -\v 30 These things will be done to you in your acting like a prostitute, lusting after nations by which you became unclean with their idols. -\v 31 You have walked in the way of your sister, so I will put her cup of punishment into your hand.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 32 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'You will drink your sister's cup that is deep and large. -\q You will become a laughingstock and a subject for derision—this cup contains a great amount. - -\s5 -\q -\v 33 You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, -\q the cup of horror and devastation; -\q the cup of your sister Samaria. -\q -\v 34 You will drink it and drain it empty; then you will shatter it and tear your breasts with the pieces. -\q For I have declared it—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.' - -\s5 -\v 35 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Because you have forgotten me and thrown me away behind your back, so also you will bear the consequences of your shameful behavior and acts of sexual immorality.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Yahweh said to me, "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? So present to them their disgusting actions, -\v 37 since they have committed adultery, and since there is blood on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and they have even put their sons into the fire, as food for their idols. - -\s5 -\v 38 Then they continue to do this to me: They make my sanctuary unclean, and on the same day they defile my Sabbaths. -\v 39 For when they had slaughtered their children for their idols, then they came to my sanctuary on the same day to defile it! So behold! This is what they have done in the middle of my house. - -\s5 -\v 40 You sent out for men who came from far away, to whom messengers had been sent—now behold. They indeed came, those for whom you bathed, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry. -\v 41 There you sat on a beautiful bed and at a table arranged before it where you placed my incense and my oil. - -\s5 -\v 42 So the sound of a noisy crowd was around her; including all kinds of men, even Sabeans were brought in from the wilderness, and they put bracelets on their hands and beautiful crowns on their heads. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 Then I said of her who was worn out by adultery, 'Now they will be sexually immoral with her, and she with them.' -\v 44 They went in to her and slept with her as men go in to be with a prostitute. In this way they slept with Oholah and Oholibah, who were immoral women. -\v 45 But righteous men will pass judgment and punish them as adulteresses, and they will punish them with the sentence for those who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands. - -\s5 -\v 46 So the Lord Yahweh says this: I will raise up a company against them and give them up to be terrorized and plundered. -\v 47 Then that company will stone them with stones and cut them down with their swords. They will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses. - -\s5 -\v 48 For I will remove shameful behavior from the land and discipline all the women so they will no longer act like prostitutes. -\v 49 So they will set your shameful behavior against you. You will bear the guilt of your sins with your idols, and in this way you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh." - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, write for yourself the name of this day, this exact day, for this exact day the king of Babylon has besieged Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 3 So speak a proverb against this rebellious house, a parable. Say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: -\q Place the cooking pot. Place it and pour water into it. -\q -\v 4 Gather pieces of food within it, every good piece—the thigh and shoulder— -\q and fill it with the best bones. -\q -\v 5 Take the best of the flock and pile up the bones under it. -\q Bring it to a boil and cook the bones in it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Woe to the city of blood, a cooking pot that has rust in it and that rust will not come out of it. Take piece after piece from it, but do not cast lots for it. - -\s5 -\v 7 For her blood is in the midst of her. She has set it on the smooth rock; she has not poured it out on the ground to cover it with dust, -\v 8 so it brings fury up to exact vengeance. I placed her blood on the smooth rock so it could not be covered. - -\s5 -\v 9 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this: Woe to the city of blood. I will also enlarge the pile of wood. -\v 10 Stack up the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well and mix in the spices and let the bones be charred. - -\s5 -\v 11 Then set the pot on its coals empty, in order to heat and scorch its bronze, so its uncleanness within it will be melted, its corrosion consumed.' -\v 12 She has become weary because of toil, but her corrosion has not gone out of her by the fire. - -\s5 -\v 13 Your shameful behavior is in your uncleanness, because I cleaned you, but still you would not become clean. You will still not be free from your uncleanness until my fury rests from you. - -\s5 -\v 14 I, Yahweh, have declared it, and I will do it. I will not relent nor will I rest from it. As your ways were, and as your activities, they will judge you!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 16 "Son of man! Behold, I am taking the desire of your eyes from you with a plague, but you must not mourn nor weep, and your tears must not flow. -\v 17 You must groan silently. Do not conduct a funeral for the dead. Tie your turban on you and place your sandals on your feet, but do not veil your facial hair or eat the bread of men who mourn for having lost their wives." - -\s5 -\v 18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. In the morning I did what I had been commanded to do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 The people asked me, "Will you not tell us what these things mean, the things that you are doing?" -\v 20 So I said to them, "The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 21 'Say to the house of Israel, the Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I will desecrate my sanctuary—the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul, and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind will fall by the sword. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then you will do exactly as I have done: you will not veil your facial hair, nor eat the bread of mourning men! -\v 23 Instead, your turbans will be on your heads, and your sandals on your feet; you will not mourn nor weep, for you will melt away in your iniquities, and each man will groan for his brother. -\v 24 So Ezekiel will be a sign for you, as everything that he has done you will do when this comes. Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh!'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 "But you, son of man, on the day that I capture their temple, which is their joy, their pride, and what they see and desire—and when I take away their sons and daughters— -\v 26 on that day, a refugee will come to you to give you the news! -\v 27 On that day your mouth will be opened up to that refugee and you will speak—you will no longer be silent. You will be a sign for them so that they will know that I am Yahweh." - - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, set your face against the people of Ammon and prophesy against them. - -\s5 -\v 3 Say to the people of Ammon, 'Hear the word of the Lord Yahweh. This is what the Lord Yahweh says: Because you said, "Aha!" over my sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile, -\v 4 therefore, behold, I am giving you to a people in the east as their possession. They will set up camp against you and set up their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and they will drink your milk. -\v 5 I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and the people of Ammon a field for flocks. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 6 For the Lord Yahweh says this: You have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, and rejoiced with all the contempt within you against the land of Israel. -\v 7 Therefore, behold! I will strike you with my hand and give you as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples and make you perish from among the countries! I will destroy you, and you will know that I am Yahweh.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'Because Moab and Seir say, "Behold! The house of Judah is like every other nation." -\v 9 Therefore, behold! I will open the slopes of Moab, starting at his cities on the border—the splendor of Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim— -\v 10 to the people of the east who have been against the people of Ammon. I will give them up as a possession so that the people of Ammon will not be remembered among the nations. -\v 11 So I will perform judgments against Moab, and they will know that I am Yahweh.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'Edom has taken vengeance against the house of Judah and has committed wrong in doing so. -\v 13 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this: I will strike Edom with my hand and destroy every person and animal there. I will make them a ruined, abandoned place, from Teman to Dedan. They will fall by the sword. - -\s5 -\v 14 I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will do to Edom according to my anger and my fury, and they will know my vengeance—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.' - - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'The Philistines have taken vengeance with malice and from within themselves they tried to destroy Judah again and again. -\v 16 So this is what the Lord Yahweh says: Behold! I will reach out with my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Kerethites and destroy the remnant who are along the seacoast. -\v 17 For I will take great vengeance against them with furious acts of punishment, so they will know that I am Yahweh, when I take my vengeance on them.'" - - - -\s5 -\c 26 -\p -\v 1 So it was in the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, 'Aha! The gates of the people are broken! She has turned to me; I will be filled up because she is ruined.' - -\s5 -\v 3 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold! I am against you, Tyre, and I will raise up many nations against you like the sea raises its waves. -\v 4 They will destroy the walls of Tyre and tear down her towers. I will sweep her dust away and make her like a bare rock. - -\s5 -\v 5 She will become a place for nets to dry out in the midst of the sea, since I have declared it—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—and she will become plunder for the nations. -\v 6 Her daughters who are in the fields will be slaughtered by the swords, and they will know that I am Yahweh.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 For this is what Yahweh says: Behold, from the north I am bringing Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, against Tyre, with horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a great many people. -\v 8 He will kill your daughters in the field. He will set up a siege work and build a ramp against your walls and raise up shields against you. - -\s5 -\v 9 He will place his battering rams to hit against your walls, and his tools will tear down your towers. -\v 10 His horses will be so many that their dust will cover you. Your walls will shake with the sound of horsemen, wagons, and chariots. When he enters your gates, he will enter as men come into a city whose walls have been broken down. -\v 11 The hoofs of his horses will trample all of your streets. He will kill your people with the sword and your mighty stone pillars will fall to the ground. - -\s5 -\v 12 They will plunder your riches and loot your merchandise. They will tear down your walls and destroy your luxurious homes. Your stones, your timber, and the rubble they will throw into the waters. -\v 13 I will stop the noise of your songs. The sound of your harps will be heard no more. -\v 14 I will make you a bare rock, you will become a place where nets are spread out to dry. You will never be built again, for I, Lord Yahweh have spoken—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 The Lord Yahweh says this to Tyre, 'Will not the islands quake with the sound of your downfall, and with the groans of the wounded when the terrible slaughter is in your midst? -\v 16 Then all the princes of the sea will step down from their thrones and remove their robes and cast off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling, they will sit on the ground and tremble every moment, and they will be appalled because of you. - -\s5 -\v 17 They will lift up a lament for you and say to you, -\q How you, who were inhabited by sailors, have been destroyed. The famous city that was so strong—it is now gone from the sea. -\q The ones living in her once spread a terror about themselves upon everyone who lived near them. -\q -\v 18 Now the coasts tremble on the day of your downfall. -\q The islands in the sea are terrified, because you have died.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 For the Lord Yahweh says this: When I make you a desolate city, like the other cities that are not inhabited, when I raise up the deeps against you, and when the great waters cover you, -\v 20 then I will bring you down to the people of ancient times, like the others who have gone down into the pit; for I will make you live in the lowest realms of the earth as in ruins of ancient times. Because of this you will not come back and stand in the land of the living. -\f + \ft The expression \fqa and stand in the land of the living \fqa* is supplied by an ancient version. The Hebrew has \fqa I will place glory in the land of the living \fqa* , which does not seem to fit the context here. \f* -\v 21 I will place disaster on you, and you will be no more forever. Then you will be sought, but you will never be found ever again—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." - - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 Again the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Now you, son of man, begin a lamentation concerning Tyre, -\v 3 and say to Tyre, who lives within the gates of the sea, merchants of peoples to many islands, the Lord Yahweh says this to you: -\q Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders have perfected your beauty. -\q -\v 5 They have made all your planks with cypress from Mount Hermon; -\q they took cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 They made your oars from the oaks of Bashan; -\q they made your decks out of cypress wood from Cyprus, and they overlaid them with ivory. -\q -\v 7 Your sails were made from colorful linen from Egypt that served as your banner; -\q the colors of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah are used for the awning on your boat. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Those who were living in Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; -\q the sages of Tyre were within you; they were your pilots. -\q -\v 9 Highly experienced craftsmen from Byblos filled your seams; -\q all the ships of the sea and their sailors among you were carrying your merchandise for trade. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Persia, Lydia, and Libya were in your army, your men of war. -\q they hung shield and helmet within you; they showed your splendor. -\q -\v 11 The men of Arvad and Helek in your army were on your walls surrounding you, and the people of Gammad were in your towers. They hung up their shields on your walls all around you! They completed your beauty. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Tarshish was a trading partner with you because of your abundant wealth of goods to sell: Silver, iron, tin, and lead. They bought and sold your wares! -\v 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech—they traded slaves and in items made of bronze. They handled your merchandise. - -\s5 -\v 14 Beth Togarmah provided horses, stallions, and mules as your merchandise. -\v 15 The men of Rhodes were your traders on many coasts. Merchandise was in your hand; they sent back horn, ivory, and ebony as tribute! - -\s5 -\v 16 Aram was a dealer in your many products; they provided emeralds, purple, colored cloth, fine fabric, pearls, and rubies as your merchandise. -\v 17 Judah and the land of Israel were trading with you. They provided wheat from Minnith, cakes, honey, oil, and balsam as your merchandise. -\v 18 Damascus was a trader of all your products, of all your enormous wealth, and of the wine of Helbon and the wool of Zahar. - -\s5 -\v 19 Dan and Javan from Izal provided you with merchandise of wrought iron, cinnamon, and calamus. This became merchandise for you. -\v 20 Dedan was your dealer in fine saddle blankets. -\v 21 Arabia and all the chiefs of Kedar were traders with you; they provided you with lambs, rams and goats. - -\s5 -\v 22 The traders of Sheba and Raamah came to sell you the best of every spice and in all kinds of precious gems; they traded gold for your merchandise. -\v 23 Haran, Kanneh, and Eden were traders with you, along with Sheba, Ashur, and Kilmad. - -\s5 -\v 24 These were your dealers in ornate robes of violet cloths with woven colors, and in blankets of multicolored, embroidered, and well-woven cloth in your marketplaces. -\v 25 The ships of Tarshish were the transporters of your merchandise! -\q So you were filled up, heavily laden with cargo in the heart of the seas! - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Your rowers have brought you into vast seas; -\q the eastern wind has broken you in the middle of them. -\q -\v 27 Your wealth, merchandise, and trade goods; your sailors and pilots, and ship builders; your traders of merchandise and all the men of war who are in you, and all your crew—they will sink into the depths of the sea on the day of your destruction. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 Cities at the sea will tremble at the sound of your pilots' cry; -\q -\v 29 All those who handle oars will come down from their ships; -\q mariners and all the pilots on the sea will stand on the land. -\q -\v 30 Then they will make you listen to their voice and will wail bitterly; -\q they will cast dust up on their heads. They will roll about in ashes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 31 They will shave their heads bald for you and bind themselves with sackcloth, -\q and they will weep bitterly over you and they will cry out. -\q -\v 32 They will lift up their wails of lamentation for you and sing dirges over you, -\q Who is like Tyre, who has now been brought to silence in the middle of the sea? -\q -\v 33 When your merchandise went ashore from the sea, it satisfied many peoples; -\q you enriched the kings of the earth with your great wealth and merchandise! - -\s5 -\q -\v 34 But when you were shattered by the seas, by deep waters, -\q your merchandise and all your crew sank! -\q -\v 35 All the inhabitants of the coasts were appalled at you, -\q and their kings shuddered in horror! Their faces trembled! -\q -\v 36 The merchants of the people hiss at you; -\q you have become a horror, and you will be no more forever." - - - -\s5 -\c 28 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Your heart is arrogant! You have said, "I am a god! I will sit in the seat of the gods in the heart of the seas!" Even though you are a man and not a god, you make your heart like the heart of a god; -\v 3 you think that you are wiser than Daniel, and that no secret amazes you! - -\s5 -\v 4 You have made yourself wealthy with wisdom and skill, and obtained gold and silver in your treasuries! -\v 5 By great wisdom and by your trading, you have multiplied your wealth, so your heart is arrogant because of your wealth. - -\s5 -\v 6 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this: Because you have made your heart like the heart of a god, -\v 7 I will therefore bring foreigners against you, terrifying men from other nations. They will bring their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, and they will profane your splendor. - -\s5 -\v 8 They will send you down to the pit, and you will die the death of those who die in the heart of the seas. -\v 9 Will you truly say, "I am a god" to the face of one who kills you? You are a man and not God, and you will be in the hand of the one who pierces you. -\v 10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of foreigners, for I have declared it—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 The word of Yahweh came again to me, saying, -\v 12 "Son of man, lift up a lament for the king of Tyre and say to him, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. -\v 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone covered you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made from gold. It was on the day you were created that they were prepared. - - - -\s5 -\v 14 I placed you on the holy mountain of God as the cherub I anointed to guard mankind. You were in the midst of the fiery stones where you walked about. -\v 15 You had integrity in your ways from the day you were created until injustice was found within you. - -\s5 -\v 16 Through your great trade you were filled with violence, and so you sinned. So I threw you out of the mountain of God, as a one who was defiled, and I destroyed you, guardian cherub, and drove you from among the fiery stones. -\v 17 Your heart was arrogant with your beauty; you ruined your wisdom because of your splendor. I have sent you down to the earth. I have placed you before kings so they may see you. - -\s5 -\v 18 Because of your many sins and your dishonest trade, you have defiled your holy places. So I have made fire come out from you; it will consume you. I will turn you into ashes on the earth in the sight of all who look at you. -\v 19 All the ones who knew you among the peoples will shudder at you; they will be horrified, and you will be no more forever.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 21 "Son of man, set your face against Sidon and prophesy against her. -\v 22 Say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you, Sidon! For I will be glorified in your midst so your people will know that I am Yahweh when I execute justice within you. I will be shown to be holy in you. - -\s5 -\v 23 I will send out a plague in you and blood in your streets, and the slain will fall in your midst. When the sword comes against you from all around, then you will know that I am Yahweh. -\v 24 Then there will no longer be pricking briars and painful thorns for the house of Israel from all those around her who despise her people, so they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh!' - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they were scattered, and when I am set apart among them, so the nations may see, then they will make their homes in the land I will give to my servant Jacob. -\v 26 Then they will live securely within her and build houses, plant vineyards, and live securely when I execute justice on all the ones who now despise them from all around; so they will know that I am Yahweh their God!'" - - - -\s5 -\c 29 -\p -\v 1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month on the twelfth day of the month, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt; prophesy against him and against all of Egypt. -\v 3 Declare and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: -\q Behold! I am against you, Pharaoh, king of Egypt. -\q You, the great sea monster that lurks in the midst of the river, -\q that says, "My river is my own. I have made it for myself." - -\s5 -\v 4 For I will place hooks in your jaw, and the fish of your Nile will cling to your scales; I will lift you up from the middle of your river along with all the fish of the river that cling to your scales. -\q -\v 5 I will throw you down into the wilderness, you and all the fish from your river. -\q You will fall on the open field; you will not be gathered nor lifted up. -\q I will give you as food to the living things of the earth and to the birds of the heavens. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, -\q because they have been a reed stalk to the house of Israel. -\q -\v 7 When they took hold of you in their hand, you broke and tore open their shoulder; -\q and when they leaned on you, you were broken, and you caused their legs to be unsteady. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I will bring a sword against you. I will cut off both man and beast from you. -\v 9 So the land of Egypt will become desolate and a ruin. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, because the sea monster had said, "The river is mine, for I have made it." -\v 10 Therefore, behold! I am against you and against your river, so I will give the land of Egypt over to desolation and waste, and you will become a wasteland from the Migdol to Syene and the borders of Cush. - -\s5 -\v 11 No man's foot will pass through it, and no wild animal's foot will pass through it. It will not be inhabited for forty years. -\v 12 For I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of uninhabited lands, and its cities in the midst of wasted cities will become a desolation for forty years; then I will scatter Egypt among the nations, and I will disperse them though the lands. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 For the Lord Yahweh says this: At the end of forty years I will gather Egypt from the peoples among whom they were scattered. -\v 14 I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the region of Pathros, to the land of their origin. Then they will be a lowly kingdom there. - -\s5 -\v 15 It will be the lowliest of the kingdoms, and it will not be lifted up any more among the nations. I will diminish them so they will no longer rule over nations. -\v 16 The Egyptians will no longer be a reason for confidence for the house of Israel. Instead, they will be a reminder of the iniquity that Israel committed when they turned to Egypt for help. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then it came about in the twenty-seventh year on the first of the first month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 18 "Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon stationed his army to do hard work against Tyre. Every head was rubbed until it was made bald, and every shoulder was made raw. Yet he and his army received no payment from Tyre for the hard work that he carried out against it. - -\s5 -\v 19 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold! I am giving the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and he will take away its wealth, plunder its possessions, and carry off all he finds there; that will be his army's wages. -\v 20 I have given him the land of Egypt as the wages for the work they did for me—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 21 On that day I will make a horn sprout up for the house of Israel, and I make you speak in their midst, so that they will know that I am Yahweh.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 30 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, prophesy and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: -\q Wail, "Woe is the coming day." -\q -\v 3 The day is near. The day is near for Yahweh. It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for nations. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Then a sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the killed people fall in Egypt— -\q when they take her wealth, and when her foundations are ruined. -\p -\v 5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, and Libya, together with the people belonging to the covenant—they will all fall by the sword. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Yahweh says this: -\q So the ones who support Egypt will fall, and the pride of her strength will go down. -\q From Migdol to Syene their soldiers will fall by the sword—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. -\m -\v 7 They will be appalled in the midst of the abandoned lands, and their cities will be among all the ruined cities. - -\s5 -\v 8 Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I set fire in Egypt, and when all of her helpers are destroyed. -\v 9 In that day messengers will go out from before me in ships to terrorize a secure Cush, and there will be anguish among them on the day of Egypt's doom. For behold! It is coming. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The Lord Yahweh says this: I will make an end of the multitudes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. -\v 11 He and his army with him, the terror of nations, will be brought to destroy the land; they will draw out their swords against Egypt and fill the land with dead people. - -\s5 -\v 12 I will make the rivers into dry ground, and I will sell the land into the hand of wicked men. I will make the land and its fullness desolate by the hand of strangers—I, Yahweh, have spoken. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 The Lord Yahweh says this: I will destroy idols, and I will bring an end to the worthless idols of Memphis. There will no longer be a prince in the land of Egypt, and I will put terror on the land of Egypt. -\v 14 Then I will make Pathros desolate and set fire in Zoan, and I will execute acts of judgment on Thebes. - -\s5 -\v 15 For I will pour out my fury on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the multitude of Thebes. -\v 16 Then I will set fire in Egypt; Pelusium will be in great agony, Thebes will be broken up, and Memphis will face enemies every day. - -\s5 -\v 17 The young men in Heliopolis and Bubastis will fall by the sword, and their cities will go into captivity. -\v 18 In Tahpanhes, the day will hold back its light when I break the yoke of Egypt there, and the pride of her strength will be finished. There will be a cloud covering her, and her daughters will walk into captivity. -\v 19 I will execute acts of judgment in Egypt, so they will know that I am Yahweh.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then it came about in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 21 "Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Behold! It has not been bound up, or set to heal with a bandage, so that it will become strong enough to grasp a sword. - -\s5 -\v 22 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold, I am against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. For I will break his arm, both the strong one and the broken one, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. -\v 23 Then I will scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them among the lands. -\v 24 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and place my sword in his hand so that I might destroy Pharaoh's arms. He will groan before the king of Babylon with the groans of a dying man. - -\s5 -\v 25 For I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, while Pharaoh's arms will fall. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon; for he will attack the land of Egypt with it. -\v 26 So I will scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them through the lands. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 31 -\p -\v 1 Then it came about in the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, say to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and to his multitudes around him, -\q 'In your greatness, who are you like? - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Behold! Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, giving shade to the forest, -\q and the tallest in height, and the branches formed its treetop. -\q -\v 4 Many waters made it tall; the deep waters made it huge. Rivers flowed all around its area, -\q for their channels stretched out to all the trees in the field. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Its great height was more than any of the other trees in the field, and its branches became very many; -\q its branches grew long because of many waters as they grew. -\q -\v 6 Every bird of the heavens nested in its branches, while every living thing of the field gave birth to its young under its foliage. -\q All of the many nations lived under its shade. -\q -\v 7 For it was beautiful in its greatness and the length of its branches, for its roots were in many waters. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Cedars in the garden of God could not equal it. -\q None among the cypress trees matched its branches, and the plane tree could not equal its boughs. -\q There was no other tree in the garden of God that was like it in its beauty. -\q -\v 9 I made it beautiful with its many branches -\q and all the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God envied it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Because it was tall in height, and it set its treetop between its branches, it lifted up its heart because of its height. -\v 11 I have given it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations, to deal with it according to what its wickedness deserves. I have thrown it out. - -\s5 -\v 12 Foreigners who were the terror of all the nations cut it off and left it to die. Its branches fell on the mountains and all the valleys, and its boughs lay broken in all the ravines of the land. Then all the nations on earth came out from under its shade and they went away from it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 All the birds of the sky rested on the trunk of the fallen tree, -\q and every animal of the field came to its branches. -\p -\v 14 This happened so that no other trees that grow by the waters will lift up their foliage to the height of the tallest trees, and that no other trees that grow beside the waters will reach up to that height. All of them have been assigned to death, to the earth below, among the children of humanity, with those that go down to the pit. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day when the cedar went down to Sheol I brought mourning to the earth. I covered the deep waters over it, and I held back the ocean waters. I kept back the great waters, and I brought mourning to Lebanon for him. So all the trees of the field mourned because of it. - -\s5 -\v 16 I brought shuddering to the nations at the sound of its downfall, when I threw it down to Sheol with those who went down into the pit. So I comforted all the trees of Eden in the lowest parts of the earth. These had been the choicest and best trees of Lebanon; the trees that drank the waters. - -\s5 -\v 17 For they also went down with it to Sheol, to the ones who had been killed by the sword. These were its strong arm, those nations who had lived in its shade. -\v 18 Which of the trees in Eden was your equal in glory and greatness? For you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the lowest parts of the earth among the uncircumcised; you will live with those who were killed by the sword.' -\p This is Pharaoh and all of his multitudes—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." - - - -\s5 -\c 32 -\p -\v 1 Then it happened in the twelfth month of the twelfth year, on the first of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, lift up a lament concerning Pharaoh the king of Egypt; say to him, 'You are like a young lion among the nations, -\q but you are like a monster in the seas; you churn up the water, -\q you stir up the waters with your feet and muddy their waters. - -\s5 -\v 3 The Lord Yahweh says this: -\q So I will spread my net over you in the assembly of many peoples, and they will lift you up in my net. -\q -\v 4 I will abandon you in the land. I will throw you into a field -\q and cause all the birds of the heavens to settle on you; the hunger of all living animals on earth will be satisfied by you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 For I will put your flesh on the mountains, and I will fill the valleys with your worm-filled corpse. -\q -\v 6 Then I will pour your blood over the mountains, -\q and the stream beds will be filled with your blood. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Then when I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; -\q I will cover the sun with clouds, and the moon will not shine its light. -\q -\v 8 All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you, -\q and I will put darkness over your land—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 9 So I will terrify the heart of many peoples in lands that you do not know, when I bring about your collapse among the nations, among lands that you have not known. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa when I bring about your collapse among the nations \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions have \fqa when I take you into captivity among the nations \fqa* . \f* -\v 10 I will shock many peoples concerning you; their kings will shudder in horror concerning you when I swing my sword before them. Every moment each one will tremble because of you, on the day of your downfall. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 For the Lord Yahweh says this: The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you. -\q -\v 12 I will cause your multitudes to fall by warriors' swords—each warrior a terror of nations. -\q These warriors will devastate the pride of Egypt and destroy all of its multitudes. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 For I will destroy all the livestock from beside the plentiful waters; -\q the foot of man will no longer stir the waters up, neither will the hooves of cattle stir them. -\q -\v 14 Then I will calm their waters and make their rivers run like oil— -\q this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 When I make the land of Egypt an abandoned place, when the land is made bare of all its fullness, -\q when I attack all the inhabitants in her, they will know that I am Yahweh. -\q -\v 16 There will be a lament; the daughters of the nations will lament over her; they will lament over Egypt, -\q over all her multitudes they will lament—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then it happened in the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\q -\v 18 "Son of man, weep for the multitudes of Egypt and bring them down— -\q her and the daughters of majestic nations—to the lowest earth with those who have gone down to the pit. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 'Are you really more beautiful than anyone else? Go down and lie down with the uncircumcised.' -\q -\v 20 They will fall among those who were killed by the sword. The sword has been drawn! She has been given to the sword; they will seize her and her multitudes. -\q -\v 21 The strongest of the warriors in Sheol will declare about Egypt and her allies, -\q 'They have come down here! They will lie with the uncircumcised, with those who were killed by the sword.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 22 Assyria is there with all her assembly. Her graves surround her; -\q all of them were killed by the sword. -\q -\v 23 Those whose graves are set in the recesses of the pit are there, with all her assembly. -\q Her graves surround all of those who were killed, who fell by the sword, -\q those who brought terror on the land of the living. - -\s5 -\q -\v 24 Elam is there with all her multitudes. Her graves surround her; all of them were killed. -\q Those who fell by the sword, who have gone down uncircumcised to the lowest parts of the earth, -\q who brought their terrors on the land of the living and who carry their own shame, together with the ones going down to the pit. -\q -\v 25 They set a bedroll for Elam and all her multitudes in the midst of the slain; her graves surround her. -\q All of them are uncircumcised, pierced by the sword, because they had brought their terrors on the land of the living. -\q So they carry their own shame, together with the ones going down to the pit among all those who have been killed, those who are going down to the pit. Elam is among all those who were killed. - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 Meshech, Tubal, and all their multitudes are there! Their graves surround them. -\q All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword, because they had brought their terrors on the land of the living. -\q -\v 27 They do not lie with the fallen warriors of the uncircumcised who have gone down to Sheol -\q with all their weapons of war, and with their swords placed under their heads -\q and their iniquities over their bones. For they were the terror of warriors in the land of the living. - -\s5 -\q -\v 28 So you, Egypt, will be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised! You will lie alongside those who were pierced by the sword. -\p -\v 29 Edom is there with her kings and all her leaders. They have been placed in their strength with those killed by the sword. With the uncircumcised they lie, with those who have gone down to the pit. - -\s5 -\v 30 The princes of the north are there—all of them and all the Sidonians who went down with the ones who had been pierced. They were powerful and made others to be afraid, but now they are there in shame, uncircumcised with those who were pierced by the sword. They carry their own shame, together with the ones going down to the pit. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Pharaoh will look and be comforted about all his multitudes who were pierced by the sword—Pharaoh and all his army—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. -\v 32 I put him as my terrifying one in the land of the living, but he will be laid down in the midst of the uncircumcised, among those pierced by the sword, Pharaoh and all his multitudes—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." - - - -\s5 -\c 33 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, declare this to your people; say to them, 'When I bring a sword against any land, then the people of that land take one man from among themselves and make him a watchman for them. -\v 3 He looks for the sword as it comes on the land, and he blows his horn to warn the people! -\v 4 If the people hear the sound of the horn but do not pay attention, and if the sword comes and kills them, then each one's blood is on his own head. - -\s5 -\v 5 If someone hears the sound of the horn and pays no attention, his blood is on him; but if he pays attention, he will save his own life. -\p -\v 6 However, if the watchman sees the sword as it is coming, but if he does not blow the horn, with the result that the people are not warned, and if the sword comes and takes anyone's life, then that person dies in his own sin, but I will require his blood from the watchman.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Now you yourself, son of man! I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; you will hear the words from my mouth and warn them on my behalf. -\v 8 If I say to a wicked person, 'Wicked one, you will surely die!' but if you do not announce this so as to warn the wicked about his way, then he who is wicked will die in his sin, but I will require his blood from your hand! -\v 9 But you, if you warn the wicked about his way, so that he might turn back from it, and if he does not turn back from his way, then he will die in his sin, but you yourself will have saved your own life. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 So you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'You are saying this, "Our transgressions and our sins are on us, and we are decaying in them! How can we live?"' -\v 11 Say to them, 'As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I do not delight in the death of the wicked, for if the wicked repents from his way, then he will live! Repent! Repent from your wicked ways! For why should you die, house of Israel?' - -\s5 -\v 12 So now you, son of man, say to your people, 'The righteousness of a righteous person will not save him if he sins! The wickedness of a wicked person will not cause him to perish if he repents from his sin! For the righteous person will not be able to live because of his righteousness if he sins. -\v 13 If I say to the righteous, "He will surely live!" and if he trusts in his righteousness and then commits injustice, I will not call to mind any of his righteousness. He will die for the wickedness he committed. - -\s5 -\v 14 So if I say to the wicked, "You will surely die," but if he then repents from his sins and does what is just and right— -\v 15 if he restores the loan guarantee that he wickedly demanded, or if he makes restitution for what he has stolen, and if he walks in the statutes that give life and no longer commits sin—then he will surely live. He will not die. -\v 16 None of the sins that he has committed will be called to mind for him. He has acted justly and rightly, and so, he will surely live! - - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 But your people say, "The way of the Lord is not fair!" but it is your ways that are not fair! -\v 18 When the righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits sin, then he will die in it! -\v 19 When the wicked turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and righteous, he will live because of those things! -\v 20 But you people say, "The way of the Lord is not fair!" I will judge each of you according to his way, house of Israel!'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 It happened in the twelfth year, on the fifth day of the tenth month of our captivity, that a fugitive came to me from Jerusalem and said, "The city has been captured!" -\v 22 The hand of Yahweh had been on me in the evening before the fugitive came, and my mouth was opened by the time that he came to me in the dawn. So my mouth was open; I was no longer mute! - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 24 "Son of man, the ones inhabiting those ruins in the land of Israel are talking and say, 'Abraham was only one person, and he inherited the land, but we are many! The land has been given to us as a possession.' - -\s5 -\v 25 Therefore say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: You eat blood, and you lift up your eyes towards your idols, then you pour out people's blood. Should you really possess the land? -\v 26 You have depended on your swords and have done disgusting things; each man defiles his neighbor's wife. Should you really possess the land?' - -\s5 -\v 27 You will say this to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: As I live, surely the ones in the ruins will fall by the sword, and I will give those in the fields to the living creatures as food, and those in fortresses and in caves will die of plagues. -\v 28 Then I will turn the land into a desolation and a horror, and the pride of its might will end, for the mountains of Israel will be deserted, and there will be no one to pass through them.' -\v 29 So they will know that I am Yahweh, when I make the land a desolation and a horror because of all the abominations that they have done. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 So now you, son of man—your people are saying things about you beside the walls and the gates of the houses, and each says to one another—each man to his brother, 'Let us go and listen to the prophet's word that comes out from Yahweh!' -\v 31 So my people will come to you, as they often do, and will sit in front of you and listen to your words, but they will not obey them. Right words are in their mouths, but their hearts are going after unjust profit. - -\s5 -\v 32 For you are like a lovely song to them, a beautiful sound that is well played on a stringed instrument, so they will listen to your words, but none of them will obey them. -\v 33 So when all of this happens—behold! it will happen!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them." - - - -\s5 -\c 34 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who are shepherding themselves. Should not shepherds guard the flock? -\v 3 You eat the fatty portions and you dress in wool. You slaughter the fatlings of the flock. You do not shepherd at all. - -\s5 -\v 4 You have not strengthened those who have diseases, nor do you heal the ones who are ill. You do not bind up the ones who are broken, and you do not restore the outcasts or seek the lost. Instead, you rule over them through strength and violence. -\v 5 Then they were scattered without a shepherd, and they became food for all the living beasts in the fields, after they were scattered. -\v 6 My flock strays on all of the mountains and on every high hill, and it is dispersed over the entire surface of the earth. Yet no one is searching for them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh: -\v 8 As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—because my flock has become plunder and food for all the beasts in the fields, because there was no shepherd and none of my shepherds sought my flock, but the shepherds guarded themselves and did not shepherd my flock. - -\s5 -\v 9 Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh: -\v 10 The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against the shepherds, and I will require my flock from their hand. Then I will dismiss them from shepherding the flock; neither will the shepherds any longer shepherd themselves since I will take away my flock from their mouths, so that my flock will no longer be food for them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 For the Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I myself will seek out my flock and I will look after them, -\v 12 like a shepherd seeking his flock on the day he is within the midst of his scattered flock. Thus I will seek my flock, and I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on the day of clouds and darkness. -\v 13 Then I will bring them out from among the peoples; I will gather them from the lands and bring them to their land. I will put them in pastures on the mountainsides of Israel, by the streams, and in every settlement in the land. - -\s5 -\v 14 I will put them in good pastures; the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing places. They will lie down there in good places for grazing, in abundant pastures, and they will graze on the mountains of Israel. -\v 15 I myself will shepherd my flock, and I myself will make them lie down—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration— -\v 16 I will seek the lost and restore the outcast. I will bind up the broken sheep and heal the sick sheep but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd with justice. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 So now you, my flock—this is what the Lord Yahweh says—behold, I will be a judge between sheep and sheep and between rams and male goats. -\v 18 Is it not enough to feed on the good pasture, that you must trample down with your feet what is left of the pasture; and to drink from clear waters, that you must muddy the rivers with your feet? -\v 19 Must my sheep eat what you have trampled with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this to them: Behold! I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the thin ones, -\v 21 for you have pushed them with your sides and shoulders, and you have gored all of the weak ones with your horns until you have scattered them away from the land. - -\s5 -\v 22 I will save my flock and they will no longer be plunder, and I will judge between one sheep and another! -\v 23 I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will shepherd them, he will feed them, and he will be their shepherd. -\v 24 For I, Yahweh, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among them—I, Yahweh, have declared this. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Then I will make a covenant of peace with them and remove the evil wild animals from the land, so that they will live securely in the wilderness and safely sleep in the forests. -\v 26 I will also bring blessings on them and on the places around my hill, for I will send out showers in due season. These will be showers of blessing. -\v 27 Then the trees of the field will produce their fruit, and the earth will yield its produce. My sheep will be secure in their land; then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I break the bars of their yoke, and when I rescue them from the hand of those who enslaved them. - -\s5 -\v 28 They will no longer be plunder for the nations, and the wild animals on the earth will no longer devour them. For they will live securely, and no one will frighten them. -\v 29 For I will provide them a land known for its crops; so they will not be victims of famine in the land, and they will not bear the scorn of the nations. - -\s5 -\v 30 Then they will know that I, Yahweh their God, am with them. They are my people, the house of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. -\v 31 For you are my sheep, the flock of my pasture, and my people, and I am your God—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" - - - -\s5 -\c 35 -\p -\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it. -\v 3 Say to it, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will strike you with my hand and make you a desolation and a horror. - -\s5 -\v 4 I will make your cities ruins, and you yourself will become desolate; then you will know that I am Yahweh. -\v 5 Because you have always been hostile to the people of Israel, and because you poured them out into the hands of the sword at the time of their distress, at the time their punishment was at its greatest. -\v 6 Therefore, as I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I will prepare you for bloodshed, and bloodshed will pursue you! Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you. - -\s5 -\v 7 I will make Mount Seir a complete desolation when I cut off from it anyone who passes through and returns again. -\v 8 I will fill its mountains with those who were killed; on your high hills and valleys and in all your streams those who were killed by the sword will fall. -\v 9 I will make you a perpetual desolation. Your cities will not be inhabited, but you will know that I am Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 You have said, "These two nations and these two lands will become mine, and we will possess them," even when Yahweh was present with them. -\v 11 Therefore, as I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—so I will do according to your anger and according to your jealousy that you had in your hatred of Israel, and I will show myself to them when I judge you. - -\s5 -\v 12 So you will know that I am Yahweh. I have heard all the insults you spoke against the mountains of Israel, when you said, "They have been destroyed; they have been given over to us to devour." -\v 13 You exalted yourselves against me with what you said, and you multiplied the words you said against me; and I heard it all. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 The Lord Yahweh says this: I will make you a desolation, while the entire earth rejoices. -\v 15 As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the people of Israel because of its desolation, I will do the same to you. You will become a desolation, Mount Seir, and all of Edom—all of it! Then they will know that I am Yahweh.'" - - - -\s5 -\c 36 -\p -\v 1 "Now you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, 'Mountains of Israel, listen to the word of Yahweh. -\v 2 The Lord Yahweh says this: The enemy has said about you, "Aha!" and "The ancient high places have become our possession."' -\v 3 Therefore prophesy and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Because of your desolation and because of the attacks that came on you from all sides, you have become a possession of the other nations; you have been the subject of slanderous lips and tongues, and of people's stories. - -\s5 -\v 4 Therefore, mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord Yahweh: The Lord Yahweh says this to the mountains and the high hills, to the streambeds and valleys, to the uninhabited desolations and the forsaken cities that have become plunder and a subject of mocking for the other nations that surround them— -\v 5 therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: I have certainly spoken in the fire of my fury against the other nations, against Edom and all who took my land for themselves as a possession, against all those who had both joy in their heart and disdain in their spirit, as they seized my land that they might claim its pasturelands for themselves.' -\v 6 Therefore, prophesy to the land of Israel and say to the mountains and to the high hills, to the streambeds and to the valleys, 'the Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! In my fury and in my anger I am declaring this because you have borne the insults of nations. - -\s5 -\v 7 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this: I myself will lift up my hand to swear that the nations that surround you will certainly carry their own shame. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 But you, mountains of Israel, you will grow branches and bear fruit for my people Israel, since they will soon come back to you. -\v 9 For behold, I am for you, and I treat you with favor; you will be plowed and sown with seed. - -\s5 -\v 10 So I will multiply upon you the number of your people, even the whole house of Israel. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. -\v 11 I will multiply man and beast on you mountains so that they will multiply and be fruitful. Then I will cause you to be inhabited as you previously were, and I will make you prosper more than you did in the past, for you will know that I am Yahweh. -\v 12 I will bring men, my people Israel, to walk on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance, and you will no longer cause their children to die. - -\s5 -\v 13 The Lord Yahweh says this: Because they are saying to you, "You devour people, and your nation's children have died," -\v 14 therefore you will not consume people any longer, and you will no longer make your nation mourn their deaths. This is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. -\v 15 Nor will I allow you to hear the insults of the nations any longer; you will no longer have to bear the shame of the peoples or cause your nation to fall—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 17 "Son of man, when the house of Israel inhabited their land, they defiled it with their ways and their deeds. Their ways were like the unclean menstruation of a woman before me. -\v 18 So I poured out my fury against them for the blood that they poured out on the land and for their pollution of it by their idols. - -\s5 -\v 19 I scattered them among the nations; they were dispersed through the lands. I judged them according to their ways and their deeds. -\v 20 Then they went to the nations, and wherever they went, they profaned my holy name when people said of them, 'Are these really the people of Yahweh? For they have been thrown out of his land.' -\v 21 But I had compassion for my holy name that the house of Israel had defiled among the nations, when they went there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: I am not doing this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations everywhere you have gone. -\v 23 For I will make my great name holy, which you have profaned among the nations—in the midst of the nations, you profaned it. Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—when you see that I am holy. - -\s5 -\v 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from every land, and I will bring you to your land. -\v 25 Then I will sprinkle pure water on you so you will be purified from all of your impurities, and I will purify you from all of your idols. - -\s5 -\v 26 I will give you a new heart and a new spirit in your innermost parts, and I will take away the heart of stone from your flesh. For I will give you a heart of flesh. -\v 27 I will set my Spirit in you and enable you to walk in my statutes and keep my decrees, so you will do them. -\v 28 Then you will inhabit the land that I gave to your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. - -\s5 -\v 29 For I will save you from all of your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and multiply it. I will no longer put famine upon you. -\v 30 I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field so that you will no longer bear the shame of famine among the nations. -\v 31 Then you will think of your wicked ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will show loathing on your faces because of your own sins and your disgusting deeds. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 I am not doing this for your sake—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—let this be known to you. So be ashamed and disgraced because of your ways, house of Israel. -\v 33 The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day that I purify you from all your iniquity, I will cause you to inhabit the cities and to rebuild the ruined places. -\v 34 For you will plow the ruined land until it is no longer a ruin before the eyes of all who pass by. - -\s5 -\v 35 Then they will say, "This land was desolate, but it has become like the garden of Eden; the desolate cities and the uninhabited ruins that were torn down are now fortified and inhabited." -\v 36 Then the other nations around you will know that I am Yahweh, that I built up the ruins and replanted the abandoned places. I am Yahweh. I have declared it and I will do it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 The Lord Yahweh says this: Again I will be asked by the house of Israel to do this for them, to increase them like a flock of people. -\v 38 Like the flock is set apart for sacrifices, like the flock in Jerusalem at her appointed feasts, so will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people and they will know that I am Yahweh.'" - - - -\s5 -\c 37 -\p -\v 1 The hand of Yahweh was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of Yahweh and set me down in the midst of a valley; it was full of bones. -\v 2 Then he made me pass through them round and round. Behold! A great many of them were in the valley. Behold! They were very dry. -\v 3 He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live again?" So I said, "Lord Yahweh, you alone know." - -\s5 -\v 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones. Listen to the word of Yahweh. -\v 5 The Lord Yahweh says this to these bones: Behold! I am about to put breath into you, and you will live. -\v 6 I will place sinews over you and bring flesh onto you. I will cover you with skin and put breath within you so you will live. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; as I prophesied, behold, a sound came, that of shaking. Then the bones drew together—bone against bone. -\v 8 I looked and, behold, sinews were now on them, and flesh grew up and skin covered them. But there was still no breath in them. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Yahweh said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Breath, come from the four winds, and breathe on these who have been killed, so they may live.'" -\v 10 So I prophesied as I was commanded; the breath came into them and they lived. Then they stood on their feet, a very great army. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then Yahweh said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the entire house of Israel. Behold! They are saying, 'Our bones have dried up, and our hope is gone. We have been cut off.' -\v 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I will open your graves and lift you out from them, my people. I will bring you back to the land of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 13 Then you will know that I am Yahweh, when I open your graves and bring you out from them, my people. -\v 14 I will place my Spirit within you so you will live, and I will cause you to rest in your land when you know that I am Yahweh. I declare and will do it—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 16 "So now you, son of man, take one stick for yourself and write on it, 'For Judah and for the people of Israel, his companions.' Then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the branch of Ephraim, and for all the people of Israel, their companions.' -\v 17 Bring both of them together into one stick, so that they become one in your hand. - -\s5 -\v 18 When your people speak to you and say, 'Will you not tell us what these things of yours mean?' -\v 19 then say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am taking the branch of Joseph that is in the hand of Ephraim and the tribes of Israel his companions and joining it to the branch of Judah, so that they will make one branch, and they will become one in my hand.' -\v 20 Hold in your hand the branches that you wrote on before their eyes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Declare to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am about to take the people of Israel from among the nations where they went. I will gather them from the surrounding lands and I will bring them to their land. -\v 22 I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and there will be one king as king over all of them, and they will no longer be two nations. They will no longer be divided into two kingdoms. -\v 23 Then they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, their disgusting things, or any of their other sins. For I will save them from all of their faithless actions with which they have sinned, and I will purify them, so they will be my people and I will be their God. -\f + \ft Some ancient and most modern versions read in this way: \fqa from all of their faithless actions \fqa* . However, the Hebrew text reads \fqa from their dwelling places \fqa* , which many think makes little sense in this context. \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 David my servant will be king over them. So there will be one shepherd over them all, and they will walk according to my decrees and they will keep my statutes and obey them. -\v 25 They will live in the land that I have given to my servant Jacob, where your fathers had stayed. They will live in it forever—they, their children, and their grandchildren, for David my servant will be their chief forever. - -\s5 -\v 26 I will establish a covenant of peace with them. It will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will establish them and multiply them and set my holy place in their midst forever. -\v 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. -\v 28 Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh who sets Israel apart, when my holy place is among them forever.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 38 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, -\v 2 "Son of man, set your face toward Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; and prophesy against him. -\v 3 Say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. - -\s5 -\v 4 So I will turn you around and set hooks in your jaw; I will send you out with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all of them dressed in full armor, a great company with large shields and small shields, all of them holding swords! -\v 5 Persia, Cush, and Libya are with them, all of them with shields and helmets! -\v 6 Gomer and all her troops, and Beth Togarmah, from the far parts of the north, and all its troops! Many peoples are with you! - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Get ready! Yes, prepare yourself and your troops assembled with you, and be their commander. -\v 8 You will be called after many days, and after some years you will go to a land that has recovered from the sword and that has been gathered from many peoples, gathered back to the mountains of Israel that had been a continuous ruin. But the land's people will be brought out of the peoples, and they will live in safety, all of them! -\v 9 So you will go up as a storm goes; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, all the many soldiers with you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The Lord Yahweh says this: It will happen on that day that plans will form in your heart, and you will devise wicked schemes.' -\v 11 Then you will say, 'I will go up to the open land; I will go to the quiet people living in safety, all of them living where there are no walls or bars, and where there are no city gates. -\v 12 I will capture booty and steal plunder, in order to bring my hand against the ruins that are newly inhabited, and against the people gathered from the nations, people who are gaining livestock and property, and who are living at the center of the earth.' - -\s5 -\v 13 Sheba and Dedan, and the traders of Tarshish along with all its young warriors will say to you, 'Have you come to plunder? Have you assembled your armies to take away spoil, to carry off silver and gold, to take their livestock and property and to haul away much plunder?' - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: On that day, when my people Israel are living securely, will you not learn about them? -\v 15 You will come from your place far away in the north with a great army, all of them riding on horses, a great company, a large army. -\v 16 You will attack my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, so the nations might know me when I show myself through you, Gog, to be holy before their eyes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 The Lord Yahweh says this: Are you not the one of whom I spoke in former days by the hand of my servants, the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in their own time for years that I would bring you against them? -\v 18 So it will come to be in that day when Gog attacks the land of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—my wrath will mount up in my anger. - -\s5 -\v 19 In my zeal and in the fire of my anger, I declare that on that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. -\v 20 They will shake before me—the fish of the sea and the birds of the skies, the beasts of the fields, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth, and every person who is on the surface of the land. The mountains will be thrown down and the cliffs will fall, until every wall falls to the earth. - -\s5 -\v 21 I will summon a sword against him on all my mountains—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—each man's sword will be against his brother. -\v 22 Then I will judge him by plague and blood; and overflowing rain and hailstones and burning sulfur I will rain down upon him and his troops and the many nations that are with him. -\v 23 For I will show my greatness and my holiness and I will make myself known in the eyes of the many nations, and they will know that I am Yahweh.'" - - - -\s5 -\c 39 -\p -\v 1 "Now you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you, Gog, chief of Meshech and Tubal. -\v 2 I will turn you and lead you on; I will bring you up from the far north and bring you to the mountains of Israel. -\v 3 Then I will knock your bow out of your left hand and make the arrows fall from your right hand. - -\s5 -\v 4 You will fall dead on the mountains of Israel—you and all your troops and the soldiers who are with you. I will give you to the birds of prey and the wild beasts of the fields for food. -\v 5 You will fall dead on the surface of the field, for I myself declare it—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. -\v 6 Then I will send out fire on Magog and on those living in safety on the coasts, and they will know that I am Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 7 For I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will no longer allow my holy name to be profaned; the nations will know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel. -\v 8 Behold! The day is coming, and it will take place—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 9 The ones living in the cities of Israel will go out and they will use weapons to kindle and make fires and burn them—small shields, large shields, bows, arrows, the clubs and spears; they will make fires with them for seven years. -\v 10 They will not gather wood from the fields or cut down trees from the forests, since they will burn the weapons; they will take from those who wanted to take from them; they will plunder those who wanted to plunder them—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then it will happen on that day that I will make a place there for Gog—a grave in Israel, a valley for those who journey to the east of the sea. It will block those who wish to cross over. There they will bury Gog with all his multitudes. They will call it the Valley of Hamon Gog. - -\s5 -\v 12 For seven months the house of Israel will bury them in order to purify the land. -\v 13 For all the people of the land will bury them; it will be a memorable day for them when I am glorified—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 14 Then they will designate men to continually go through the land, to find those who were traveling through, but who died and their bodies remained on the surface of the land, so that they may bury them, in order to cleanse the land. At the end of the seventh month they will begin their search. -\v 15 As these men pass through the land, when they see any human bone, they will put a marker by it, until gravediggers come and bury it in the Valley of Hamon Gog. -\v 16 There will be a city there by the name of Hamonah. In this way they will purify the land. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Now to you, son of man, the Lord Yahweh says this: Say to all the winged birds and all the wild beasts in the fields, 'Gather together and come. Gather from all around to the sacrifice that I myself am making for you, a large sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, so that you may consume flesh and drink blood. -\v 18 You will consume the flesh of warriors and drink the blood of the princes of the earth; they will be rams, lambs, goats, and bulls, they were all fattened in Bashan. - -\s5 -\v 19 Then you will eat fat to your satisfaction; you will drink blood until drunkenness; this will be the sacrifice that I will slaughter for you. -\v 20 You will be satisfied at my table with horse, chariot, warrior, and every man of war—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.' - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see my judgment that I perform and my hand that I have set against them. -\v 22 The house of Israel will know that I am Yahweh their God from that day onward. - -\s5 -\v 23 The nations will know that the house of Israel went into captivity because of their iniquity by which they betrayed me, so I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries so that all of them fell by the sword. -\v 24 I did to them according to their uncleanness and their sins, when I hid my face from them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and I will have compassion on all the house of Israel, when I act with zeal for my holy name. -\v 26 Then they will bear their shame and all the treason in which they betrayed me. They will forget all this when they rest in their land in safety, with no one to terrify them. -\v 27 When I restore them from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, I will show myself to be holy in the sight of many nations. - -\s5 -\v 28 Then they will know that I am Yahweh their God, for I sent them into captivity among the nations, but then I will gather them back to their land. I will not leave any of them among the nations. -\v 29 I will no longer hide my face from them when I pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." - - - -\s5 -\c 40 -\p -\v 1 In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity at the beginning of the year on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was captured—on that same day, the hand of Yahweh was upon me and he took me there. -\v 2 In visions from God he brought me to the land of Israel. He brought me to rest on a very high mountain; to the south were what appeared to be buildings of a city. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then he brought me there. Behold, a man! His appearance was like the appearance of bronze. A linen cord and a measuring stick were in his hand, and he stood in the city gate. -\v 4 The man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and listen with your ears, and fix your mind on all that I am revealing to you, for you were brought here so I could reveal them to you. Report everything that you will see to the house of Israel." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 There was a wall surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring stick in the man's hand was six long cubits. Each long cubit was a cubit and a handbreadth in length. So he measured the wall, and it was one measuring stick thick and one rod high. -\v 6 Then he went to the temple gate that faced east. He went up its steps and measured the threshold of the gate—one stick in depth. -\f + \ft After \fqa one stick in depth \fqa* , the Hebrew text reads in addition: \fqa one threshold one stick in depth" \fqa* . Many modern versions, however, leave this expression out, because it seems to be a repetition of preceding text. \f* - -\v 7 The guard chambers were each one stick in length and one stick in width; there were five cubits between any two of the chambers, and the threshold of the temple gate by the temple portico was one stick deep. - -\s5 -\v 8 He measured the portico of the gate; it was one stick in length. -\v 9 He measured the portico of the gate. It was one stick deep. The doorposts were two cubits in width. This was the portico of the gate facing the temple. -\v 10 There were three guard chambers on either side of the east gate, and each of them had the same measurement, and the walls that separated them had the same measurement. - -\s5 -\v 11 Then the man measured the width of the gateway entrance—ten cubits; and he measured the length of the gateway entrance—thirteen cubits. -\v 12 He measured the wall that was bordering the front of the chambers—one cubit high. The chambers measured six cubits on each side. -\v 13 Then he measured the gateway from the roof of one chamber to that of the next chamber—twenty-five cubits, from the entrance of the first chamber to that of the second. - -\s5 -\v 14 Then he measured the wall that went between the guard chambers—sixty cubits in length; he measured as far as the gate's portico. -\v 15 The entrance from the front of the gate to the other end of the gate's portico was fifty cubits. -\v 16 There were closed windows toward the chambers and toward their pillars within the gates all around; and likewise for the porches. The were windows all around the inside, and each jamb was decorated with palm trees. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then the man brought me to the outer courtyard of the temple. Behold, there were rooms, and there was pavement in the courtyard, with thirty rooms next to the pavement. -\v 18 The pavement went up to the side of the gates, and its width was the same as the gates' length. This was the lower pavement. -\v 19 Then the man measured the distance from the front of the lower gate to the front of the inner gate; it was one hundred cubits on the east side, and the same on the north side. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then he measured the length and width of the gate that was at the north of the outer court. -\v 21 There were three chambers on either side of that gate, and the gate and its portico measured the same as the main gate—fifty cubits in total length and twenty-five cubits in width. - -\s5 -\v 22 Its windows, portico, chambers, and its palm trees corresponded to the gate that faced east. Seven steps went up to it and to its portico. -\v 23 There was a gate to the inner courtyard in front of the gate facing north, just as also there was a gate to the east; the man measured from one gate to the other gate—one hundred cubits in distance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Next the man brought me to the gate of the southern entrance, and its walls and portico measured the same as the other outer gates. -\v 25 There were closed windows in the gateway and its portico just as at that gate. The south gate and its portico measured fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. - -\s5 -\v 26 There were seven steps up to the gate and its portico, and there were carvings of palm trees on the walls on either side. -\v 27 There was a gate to the inner courtyard on the southern side, and the man measured from that gate to the gate of the south entrance—one hundred cubits in distance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Then the man brought me to the inner courtyard by way of its southern gate, which had the same measurements as the other gates. -\v 29 Its chambers, walls, and porticos measured the same as the other gates; there were windows all around in the portico. The inner gate and its portico measured fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. -\v 30 There were also porticos all around the inner wall; these were twenty-five cubits in length and five cubits in width. -\v 31 This portico faced the outer courtyard with carved palm trees on its walls and eight steps going up to it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 Then the man brought me to the inner courtyard by the eastern way and measured the gate, which had the same measurements as the other gates. -\v 33 Its chambers, walls, and portico measured the same as the other gates, and there were windows all around. The inner gate and its portico measured fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. -\v 34 Its portico faced the outer courtyard; it had palm trees on either side of it and eight steps going up it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 Next the man brought me to the northern gate and measured it; it measured the same as the other gates. -\v 36 Its chambers, walls, and portico measured the same as the other gates, and there were windows all around. The gateway and its portico measured fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. -\v 37 Its portico faced the outer courtyard; it had palm trees on either side of it and eight steps going up it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 There was a room with a door by each of the inner gateways. This was where they rinsed the burnt offerings. -\v 39 There were two tables on each side of each portico, on which the burnt offering was slaughtered, and also the sin offering and the guilt offering. - -\s5 -\v 40 By the wall of the courtyard, going up to the gate to the north, there were two tables. Also on the other side there were two tables at the gate's portico. -\v 41 There were four tables on either side by the gate; they slaughtered animals on the eight tables. - -\s5 -\v 42 There were four tables of cut stone for the burnt offerings, one and a half cubits in length, one and a half cubits in width, and one cubit tall. On them they laid the tools with which they slaughtered the burnt offerings for the sacrifices. -\v 43 Two-pronged hooks a handbreadth in length were fastened in the portico all around, and the flesh of the offerings would be put on the tables. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 On the outside of the inner gate, within the inner courtyard, were singers' chambers, one on the north side facing south, and the other on the south side facing north. -\v 45 Then the man said to me, "This room facing south is for the priests who are on duty in the temple. - -\s5 -\v 46 The room facing north is for the priests on duty at the altar. These are the sons of Zadok who come near to Yahweh to serve him; they are among the sons of Levi." -\v 47 Next he measured the courtyard—one hundred cubits in length and one hundred cubits in width in a square, with the altar in front of the house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 48 Then the man brought me to the portico of the house and measured its doorposts—they were five cubits thick on either side. The entryway itself was fourteen cubits in width, and the walls on each side of it were three cubits in width. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the walls on each side of it were three cubits in width \fqa* , the Hebrew text reads \fqa the entrance was three cubits in width \fqa* , but this seems to be a mistake, judging from the preceding words in this verse. \f* -\v 49 The length of the portico was twenty cubits, and its depth was eleven cubits. There were steps that went up to it and columns that stood on either side of it. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa steps \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa ten steps \fqa* . \f* -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa eleven cubits \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa twelve cubits \fqa* . \f* - - - - -\s5 -\c 41 -\p -\v 1 Then the man brought me into the temple's holy place and measured the doorposts—six cubits in width on either side. -\f + \ft After \fqa six cubits in width on either side \fqa* , most ancient copies and some modern versions add \fqa the width of the tent \fqa* . \f* -\v 2 The width of the doorway was ten cubits; the wall on each side was five cubits in length. Then the man measured the dimensions of the holy place—forty cubits in length and twenty cubits in width. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then the man went into the very holy place and measured the posts of the doorway—two cubits, and the doorway was six cubits in width. The walls on either side were seven cubits in width. -\v 4 Then he measured the room's length—twenty cubits. Its width—twenty cubits to the front of the temple hall. Then he said to me, "This is the most holy place." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Then the man measured the wall of the house—it was six cubits thick. The width of each side room around the house was four cubits in width. -\v 6 There were side rooms on three levels, one room above another, thirty rooms on each level. There were ledges around the wall of the house, to support all of the side rooms, for there was no support put in the wall of the house. -\v 7 So the side rooms widened and went around going up, for the house went around higher and higher all around; the rooms widened as the house went up, and a stairway went up to the highest level, through the middle level. - -\s5 -\v 8 Then I saw a raised part all around the house, the foundation for the side chambers; it measured a full stick in height—six cubits. -\v 9 The width of the wall of the side rooms on the outside was five cubits. There was an open space to the outside of these rooms in the sanctuary. - -\s5 -\v 10 On the other side of this open space were the priests' outer side rooms; this space was twenty cubits in width all around the sanctuary. -\v 11 There were doors into the side rooms from another open space—one doorway was on the north side, and the other on the south side. The width of this open area was five cubits all around. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 The building that faced the courtyard on the west side was seventy cubits in width. Its wall measured five cubits thick all around, and it was ninety cubits in length. -\v 13 Then the man measured the sanctuary—one hundred cubits in length. The separated building, its wall, and the courtyard also measured one hundred cubits in length. -\v 14 The width of the front of the courtyard in front of the sanctuary was also one hundred cubits. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then the man measured the length of the building behind the sanctuary, to its west, and the galleries on either side—one hundred cubits. The holy place and the portico, -\v 16 the inner walls and the windows, including the narrow windows, and the galleries all around on three levels, were all paneled in wood. -\v 17 Above the entryway to the inner sanctuary and spaced along the walls there was a measured pattern. - -\s5 -\v 18 It was decorated with cherubim and palm trees; with a palm tree between each cherub, and each cherub had two faces: -\v 19 the face of a man looked toward a palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion looked toward a palm tree on the other side. They were carved all around the entire house. -\v 20 From the ground to above the doorway, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the outer wall of the house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 The gate posts of the holy place were square. Their appearance was like the appearance of -\v 22 the wooden altar in front of the holy place, which was three cubits high and two cubits in length on each side. Its corner posts, base, and frame were made of wood. Then the man said to me, "This is the table that stands before Yahweh." -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Their appearance was like the appearance of the wooden altar in front of the holy place, which was \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa They all looked like each other. The wooden altar in front of the holy place was \fqa* . \f* -\v 23 There were double doors for the holy place and the most holy place. -\v 24 These doors had two hinged door panels each, two panels for one door and two panels for the other. - -\s5 -\v 25 Carved on them—on the doors of the holy place—were cherubim and palm trees just as the walls were decorated, and there was a wooden roof over the portico at the front. -\v 26 There were narrow windows and palm trees on either side of the portico. These were the side rooms of the house, and they also had overhanging roofs. - - - -\s5 -\c 42 -\p -\v 1 Next the man sent me out to the outer courtyard on the north side, and he brought me to rooms in front of the outer courtyard and the northern outer wall. -\v 2 Those rooms were one hundred cubits along their front and fifty cubits in width. -\v 3 Some of those rooms faced the inner courtyard and were twenty cubits away from the sanctuary. There were three levels of rooms, and the ones above looked down on the ones below and were open to them, having a walkway. Some of the rooms looked out onto the outer courtyard. - -\s5 -\v 4 A passage ten cubits in width and one hundred cubits in length ran in front of the rooms. The rooms' doors were toward the north. -\f + \ft Some ancient versions and many modern versions read \fqa one hundred cubits \fqa* . Ancient Hebrew copies and some modern versions read \fqa one cubit.\f* -\v 5 But the upper halls were smaller, for the walkways took away from them more space than they did in the lowest and middle levels of the building. -\v 6 For the halls on the third story had no columns, unlike the courtyards, which did have columns. So the highest level's rooms were smaller in size compared to the rooms in the lowest and middle levels. - -\s5 -\v 7 The outside wall ran along the rooms toward the outer courtyard, the courtyard that was in front of the rooms. That wall was fifty cubits in length. -\v 8 The length of the rooms of the outer courtyard was fifty cubits, and the rooms facing the sanctuary were one hundred cubits in length. -\v 9 There was an entrance to the lowest rooms from the east side, coming from the outer courtyard. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Along the wall of the outer courtyard on the eastern side of the outer courtyard, in front of the sanctuary's inner courtyard, there were also rooms -\f + \ft Hebrew and some modern versions read \fqa on the eastern side \fqa* . However, some ancient copies and most modern versions read \fqa on the southern side \fqa* . \f* -\v 11 with a walkway in front of them. They were as the appearance of the rooms on the northern side. They had the same length and breadth and the same exits and arrangements and doors. -\v 12 On the south side were doors into rooms that were just the same as on the north side. A passage on the inside had a door at its head, and the passage opened into the various rooms. On the east side there was a doorway into the passage at one end. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then the man said to me, "The northern rooms and the southern rooms that are in front of the outer courtyard are holy rooms where the priests who work nearest to Yahweh may eat the most holy food. They will put the most holy things there—the food offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering—for this is a holy place. -\v 14 When the priests enter there, they must not go out of the holy place to the outer court, without laying aside the clothes in which they served, since these are holy. So they must dress in other clothes before going near the people." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 The man completed measuring the inner house and then took me out to the gate that faced the east and measured all the surrounding area there. - -\s5 -\v 16 He measured the east side with a measuring stick—five hundred cubits with the measuring stick. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa five hundred cubits \fqa* , which some ancient and most modern versions read, Hebrew reads \fqa five hundred measuring sticks \fqa* , which seems to be an error. \f* -\v 17 He measured the north side—five hundred cubits with the measuring stick. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa five hundred cubits, \fqa* which some ancient and most modern versions read, Hebrew reads \fqa five hundred measuring sticks \fqa* , which seems to be an error. \f* -\v 18 He also measured the south side—five hundred cubits with the measuring stick. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa five hundred cubits \fqa* , which some ancient and most modern versions read, Hebrew reads \fqa five hundred measuring sticks \fqa* , which seems to be an error. \f* -\v 19 He also turned and measured the west side—five hundred cubits with the measuring stick. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa five hundred cubits \fqa* , which some ancient and most modern versions read, Hebrew reads \fqa five hundred measuring sticks \fqa* , which seems to be an error. \f* - -\s5 -\v 20 He measured it on four sides. It had a wall around it that was five hundred cubits in length, and five hundred cubits in width, to separate the holy from that which is common. - - - -\s5 -\c 43 -\p -\v 1 The man then brought me to the gate that opened to the east. -\v 2 Behold! The glory of the God of Israel came from the east; his voice was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. - -\s5 -\v 3 It was according to the appearance of the vision that I saw, according to the vision that I saw when he had come\f + \ft Instead of \fqa when he had come,\fqa* which some Hebrew copies and some ancient and many modern versions read, the Hebrew reads \fqa when I came. \f* to destroy the city, and the visions were like the vision that I saw at the Kebar Canal—and I fell to my face. - -\v 4 So the glory of Yahweh came to the house by way of the gate that opened to the east. -\v 5 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court. Behold! The glory of Yahweh was filling the house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 The man was standing beside me, and I heard someone else speaking to me from the house. -\v 7 He said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet, where I will live in the midst of the people of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no longer profane my holy name—they or their kings—with their faithlessness or with the corpses of their kings at their high places. -\v 8 They will no longer profane my holy name by putting their threshold next to my threshold, and their gateposts next to my gateposts, with nothing but a wall between me and them. They profaned my holy name with their disgusting actions, so I consumed them with my anger. - -\s5 -\v 9 Now let them remove their faithlessness and the corpses of their kings from before me, and I will live in their midst forever. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Son of man, you yourself must tell the house of Israel about this house so they will be ashamed of their iniquities. They should think about this description. -\v 11 For if they are ashamed of all that they have done, then reveal to them the design of the house, its details, its exits, its entrances, and all its designs, all its decrees and rules. Then write this down before their eyes so they will keep to all its design and all its rules, so as to obey them. - -\s5 -\v 12 This is the regulation for the house: From the peak of the hill to all the surrounding border around it, it will be most holy. Behold! This is the regulation for the house. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 These will be the measurements of the altar in cubits—that cubit being a regular cubit and a handbreadth in length. So the gutter around the altar will be a cubit deep, and its width will also be a cubit. The border around its surrounding edge will be one span. This will be the base of the altar. -\v 14 From the gutter at the ground level up to the lower ledge of the altar is two cubits, and that ledge itself is one cubit in width. Then from the small ledge up to the large edge of the altar, it is four cubits, and the large edge is a cubit in width. - -\s5 -\v 15 The hearth on the altar for the burnt offerings is four cubits high, and there are four horns pointing upward on the hearth. -\v 16 The hearth is twelve cubits in length and twelve cubits in width, a square. -\v 17 Its border is fourteen cubits in length and fourteen cubits in width on each of its four sides, and its rim is a half cubit in width. The gutter is a cubit in width all around with its steps facing east." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Next he said to me, "Son of man, the Lord Yahweh says this: These are the regulations for the altar on the day they make it, for raising the burnt offering onto it, and for sprinkling blood on it. -\v 19 You will give a bull from the cattle as a sin offering for the Levitical priests who are the descendants of Zadok, those who come near to me to serve me—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 20 Then you will take some of its blood and place it on the altar's four horns and the four sides of its edge and on the surrounding rim; you will cleanse it and make atonement for it. -\v 21 Then take the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the appointed part of the temple area outside of the sanctuary. - -\s5 -\v 22 Then on the second day you will offer a male goat without blemish from the goats as a sin offering; the priests will cleanse the altar just as they cleansed it with the bull. -\v 23 When you finish its cleansing, offer an unblemished bull from the cattle and an unblemished ram from the flock. -\v 24 Offer them before Yahweh; the priests will throw salt onto them and raise them up as a burnt offering to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 25 You must prepare a male goat as a sin offering daily for seven days, and the priests must also prepare an unblemished bull of the cattle and unblemished ram from the flock. -\v 26 They must atone for the altar for seven days and purify it, and in this way they must consecrate it. -\v 27 They must complete these days, and on the eighth day and onward it will come about that the priests will prepare your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar, and I will accept you—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." - - - -\s5 -\c 44 -\p -\v 1 Then the man brought me back to the outer sanctuary gate that faced east; it was closed tightly. -\v 2 Yahweh said to me, "This gate has been sealed shut; it will not be opened. No man will go through it, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has come through it, so it has been closed tightly. -\v 3 The ruler of Israel will sit in it to eat food before Yahweh. He will enter by way of the gate's portico and go out the same way." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Then he brought me by way of the northern gate to the front of the temple, and I looked, and behold, the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh, and I fell on my face. -\v 5 Then Yahweh said to me, "Son of man, set your heart and look with your eyes and listen with your ears to all that I am declaring to you, to all the statutes of the house of Yahweh and all its regulations. Think about the house's entrance and exits. - -\s5 -\v 6 Then say to the rebellious ones, the house of Israel, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Let all of your disgusting actions be enough for you, house of Israel— -\v 7 that you brought foreigners with uncircumcised hearts and uncircumcised flesh to be in my sanctuary, profaning my house, while you were offering me food, fat and blood—you have broken my covenant by all your disgusting actions. - -\s5 -\v 8 You have not carried out your duties regarding my holy things, but you appointed others to take up your duties, and you assigned them to care for my holy place. -\v 9 The Lord Yahweh says this: No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, from any of those who live among the people of Israel, may enter my holy place. - -\s5 -\v 10 Yet the Levites went far from me—they wandered away from me, going after their idols—but they will pay for their sin. -\v 11 They are servants in my sanctuary, watching the gates of the house and serving in the house and they slaughter the burnt offerings and the people's sacrifices, and they will stand before the people and serve them. -\v 12 But because they performed the sacrifices before their idols, they became stumbling blocks for sin for the house of Israel. Therefore I will lift up my hand to swear an oath against them—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—they will bear their punishment. - -\s5 -\v 13 They will not come near me to act as my priests or to approach any of my holy things, the most holy things. Instead, they will bear their reproach and their guilt for the disgusting actions that they have done. -\v 14 But I will place them as keepers of the work in the house, for all of its duties and everything that is done in it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Then the Levitical priests, those sons of Zadok who fulfilled the duties of my sanctuary when the people of Israel were wandering away from me—they will come near me to worship me. They will stand before me to offer me the fat and the blood—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. -\v 16 They will come to my sanctuary; they will approach my table to worship me and to fulfill their duties to me. - -\s5 -\v 17 So it will be that when they come to the gates of the inner courtyard, they will have to dress in linen clothes, for they must not come in wool inside the gates of the inner court and its house. -\v 18 There should be linen turbans on their heads and linen underclothes on their hips. They must not dress in clothes that make them sweat. - -\s5 -\v 19 When they go out to the outer courtyard, to the outer courtyard in order to go to the people, they must take off the clothes they wore when they served; they must take them off and lay them down in a holy room, so they do not make other people holy by contact with their special clothing. - -\s5 -\v 20 Also they must neither shave their heads nor allow their hair to hang loosely, but they must trim the hair of their heads. -\v 21 No priest may drink wine when he comes to the inner court, -\v 22 nor take a widow or a divorced woman as a wife for himself, but only a virgin from the line of the house of Israel or a widow who was previously married to a priest. - -\s5 -\v 23 For they will teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane; they will make them know the unclean from the clean. -\v 24 In a dispute they will stand to judge with my decrees; they must be just. They will keep my law and my statutes in every feast, and they will celebrate my holy Sabbaths. - -\s5 -\v 25 They will not go to a dead person so as to become unclean, unless it is their father or mother, son or daughter, brother or a sister who has not slept with a man; otherwise, they will become unclean. -\v 26 After a priest has become unclean, they will count off a period of seven days for him. -\v 27 On the day he enters the holy place, into the inner courtyard to serve in the holy place, he must bring a sin offering for himself—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 This will be their inheritance: I am their inheritance, and you must give them no property in Israel; I will be their property! -\v 29 They will eat the food offerings, the sin offerings, the guilt offerings, and everything devoted to Yahweh in Israel, will be theirs. - -\s5 -\v 30 The best of the firstfruits of all things and every contribution, anything from all of your contributions will belong to the priests, and you will give the best of your meal offerings to the priests so that blessing may rest on your house. -\v 31 The priests will not eat any carcass or animal torn by a beast, whether bird or beast. - - -\s5 -\c 45 -\p -\v 1 When you cast lots to divide up the land as an inheritance, you must make an offering to Yahweh; this offering will be a holy part of the land, twenty-five thousand cubits in length, and ten thousand cubits in width. It will be holy, all its area round about. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa ten thousand \fqa* , which the Hebrew text and some modern versions have, some ancient copies and many modern versions have \fqa twenty thousand \fqa* . \f* -\v 2 From this there will be a five hundred cubits by five hundred cubits square surrounding the holy place, with a surrounding border fifty cubits in width. - -\s5 -\v 3 From this area you will measure a portion that is twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width; it will be the sanctuary, the most holy place. -\v 4 It will be a holy place in the land for the priests who serve Yahweh, who come near Yahweh to serve him. It will be a place for their houses and a holy area for the holy place. -\v 5 So it will be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width, and it will be for towns for the Levites who serve in the house. - -\s5 -\v 6 You will designate an area for the city, five thousand cubits in width and twenty-five thousand in length, that will be next to the area reserved for the holy place; this city will belong to all the house of Israel. -\v 7 The prince's land will be on both sides of the area reserved for the holy place and the city. It will be to their west and to their east. The length will correspond to the length of one of those portions, from the west to the east. - -\s5 -\v 8 This land will be property for the prince in Israel. My princes will no longer oppress my people; instead, they will give the land to the house of Israel, for their tribes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 The Lord Yahweh says this: It is enough for you, princes of Israel! Remove violence and strife; do justice and righteousness! Quit your evictions of my people!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. -\v 10 You must have accurate scales, accurate ephahs, and accurate baths! -\v 11 The ephah and the bath will be the same amount, so that a bath will be a tenth of a homer; the ephah will be a tenth of a homer. Their measure will be corresponding to the homer. -\v 12 The shekel will be twenty gerahs; sixty shekels will make a mina for you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 This is the contribution that you must present: A sixth of an ephah for every homer of wheat, and you will give a sixth of an ephah for every homer of barley. -\v 14 The regulation offering of oil will be a tenth of a bath for every cor (which is ten baths), or for every homer, since a homer is also ten baths. -\v 15 One sheep or goat from the flock for every two hundred animals from the watered regions of Israel will be used for any burnt offering or peace offering to make atonement for the people—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\v 16 All the people of the land will give this contribution to the prince in Israel. -\v 17 It will be the prince's responsibility to furnish animals for the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the drink offerings at the festivals and the new moon celebrations, and on the Sabbath days—all the fixed festivals of the house of Israel. He will provide for the sin offerings, the grain offerings, the burnt offerings, and the peace offerings for atonement on behalf of the house of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 The Lord Yahweh says this: In the first month, on the first day of the month, you will take an unblemished bull from the herd and perform a sin offering for the sanctuary. -\v 19 The priest will take some of the blood of the sin offering and place it on the doorposts of the house and on the four corners of the border of the altar, and on the doorposts of the gate to the inner court. -\v 20 You will do this on the seventh of the month for each person's sin by accident or ignorance; in this way you will atone for the temple. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 In the first month on the fourteenth day of the month, there will be for you a festival, a seven-day festival. You will eat unleavened bread. -\v 22 On that day, the prince will prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bull as a sin offering. - -\s5 -\v 23 For the seven days of the festival, the prince will prepare a burnt offering for Yahweh: Seven bulls and seven unblemished rams each day for seven days, and a male goat each day as a sin offering. -\v 24 Then the prince will perform a food offering of an ephah for each bull and an ephah for each ram with a hin of oil for each ephah. - -\s5 -\v 25 In the seventh month on the fifteenth day of the month, at the festival, the prince will perform offerings on these seven days: Sin offerings, burnt offerings, food offerings, and offerings of oil. - - - -\s5 -\c 46 -\p -\v 1 The Lord Yahweh says this: The gate of the inner courtyard, facing east, will be shut for the six days of work, but on the Sabbath it will be opened, and on the day of the new moon it will be opened. -\v 2 The prince will enter the outer courtyard by the way of the gate and its portico from outside, and he will stand before the doorposts of the inner gate while the priests perform his burnt offering and peace offering. Then he will worship at the threshold of the inner gate and go out, but the gate will not be shut until evening. - -\s5 -\v 3 The people of the land will also worship before Yahweh at the entrance to this gate on the Sabbaths and new moons. -\v 4 The burnt offering that the prince offers to Yahweh on the Sabbath day will be six unblemished lambs and an unblemished ram. -\v 5 The grain offering with the ram will be an ephah, and the grain offering with the lambs will be what he wishes to give, and a hin of oil with each ephah of grain. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 On the day of the new moon he must offer an unblemished bull from a herd, six lambs, and an unblemished ram. -\v 7 He must make a grain offering of an ephah for the bull and an ephah for the ram, and what he wishes to give for the lambs, and a hin of oil for every ephah of grain. -\v 8 When the prince enters by the way of the gate and its portico, he must leave by the same way. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 But when the people of the land come before Yahweh at the appointed festivals, anyone entering through the north gate to worship must leave through the south gate; and anyone entering through the south gate must leave through the north gate. No one may turn back to the gate through which he entered, for he must go out straight ahead. -\v 10 The prince must be in their midst; when they go in, he must go in, and when they leave, he must leave. - -\s5 -\v 11 At the festivals, the grain offering must be an ephah of grain for the bull and an ephah for the ram, and whatever he wishes to give with the lambs, and a hin of oil for every ephah. -\v 12 When the prince gives a freewill offering, either a burnt offering or a peace offering to Yahweh, the gate facing east will be opened for him. He will offer his burnt offering offering or his peace offering as he does it on the Sabbath day. Then he must go out, and after he has gone out the gate will be shut. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 In addition, you will give an unblemished lamb one year old as a burnt offering to Yahweh daily; you will do this morning after morning. -\v 14 You will give a grain offering with it morning after morning, a sixth of an ephah and a third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour of the grain offering for Yahweh, according to a permanent statute. -\v 15 They will prepare the lamb, the grain offering, and the oil morning after morning, a permanent burnt offering. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 The Lord Yahweh says this: If the prince gives a gift to any of his sons, it is his inheritance. It will be the property of his sons, it is an inheritance. -\v 17 But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, then it will be that servant's until the year of liberty, and then it will return to the prince. His inheritance will certainly be for his sons. -\v 18 The prince will not take the people's inheritance away from their own property; he must provide for his sons from his own property so that my people will not be scattered, each man from his own property.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Next the man brought me through the entrance at the gate to the holy rooms for the priests, which faced north and behold! There was a place toward the west. -\v 20 He said to me, "This is the place where the priests must boil the guilt offering and the sin offering and where they must bake the grain offering. They must not bring the offerings into the outer courtyard, for then the people would be consecrated." - -\s5 -\v 21 Then he brought me to the outer courtyard and he led me past the four corners of that courtyard, and I saw that in at every corner of the courtyard there was a another court. -\v 22 In the four corners of the outer courtyard there were four small courtyards, forty cubits in length and thirty in width. There the same dimensions for all four of the courtyards. -\f + \ft The Hebrew word translated here as \fqa small \fqa* is unclear. It is translated in this way by some ancient and some modern versions. However, other modern versions translate it differently. \f* -\v 23 There was a row made of stone all around the four of them, and cooking hearths were under the stone row. -\v 24 The man said to me, "These are the places where the temple servants will boil the people's sacrifices." - - - -\s5 -\c 47 -\p -\v 1 Then the man took me back to the entrance to the temple, and there was water flowing out from under the temple threshold of the house toward the east—for the front of the temple faced east—and the water was flowing down the south side of the temple, to the right of the altar. -\v 2 So he brought me out through the northern gate and led around to the gate facing east, and there the water was flowing from this gate on its south side. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 As the man was going toward the east, there was a measuring line in his hand; he measured off one thousand cubits and brought me through the water to ankle-deep water. -\v 4 Then he measured one thousand cubits again and brought me through the water to knee-deep water; and he measured another thousand cubits and brought me to hip-deep water. -\v 5 Next he measured off another thousand cubits, but it was a river that I could not cross through because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—it was a river that could not be crossed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 The man said to me, "Son of man, do you see this?" and he brought me out and had me walk back along the riverbank. -\v 7 As I walked back, there the riverbank had many trees on this side and also the other side. -\v 8 The man said to me, "This water is going out to the eastern territory and down to the Arabah; this water flows into the Salt Sea and will make it fresh. - -\s5 -\v 9 It will be that every living creature that swarms will live where the water goes; there will be many fish, for these waters flow there. It will make the salt water fresh. Everything will live wherever the river goes. -\v 10 Then it will happen that fishermen of En Gedi will stand by the water, and there will be a place to dry out the fishing nets by En Eglaim. There will be many kinds of fish in the Salt Sea, like the fish in the Great Sea for their abundance. - -\s5 -\v 11 But the Salt Sea's swamps and marshes will not be made fresh; they will be for providing salt. -\v 12 Beside this river on its banks, on both sides, all kinds of trees will grow that bear food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will never fail to grow. Each month the trees will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves will be for healing. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 The Lord Yahweh says this: This will be the way that you divide the land up for the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph will have two portions. -\v 14 You are to divide equally what I lifted up my hand and swore to give to your fathers. This land will come to you as an inheritance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 This will be the boundary of the land on the north side from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon, and then to Zedad. -\f + \ft The Hebrew text reads \fqa by way of Hethlon, and then to Zedad \fqa* , but some modern versions imitate 48:1 and add \fqa Lebo Hamath \fqa* . \f* -\v 16 Then the boundary will go to Berothah, to Sibraim, which is between Damascus and Hamath, and then to Hazer Hattikon, which is beside the boundary of Hauran. -\v 17 So the boundary will go from the sea to Hazar Enan on the border with Damascus and Hamath to the north. This will be the north side. - -\s5 -\v 18 On the east side, between Hauran and Damascus and between Gilead and the land of Israel will be the Jordan River. You must measure from the border to the eastern sea; all of this will be the eastern border. -\f + \ft The Hebrew text reads \fqa You must measure from the border to the eastern sea \fqa* . However, some ancient and modern versions read \fqa to the eastern sea as far as Tamar \fqa* . \f* - - -\v 19 Then the south side, the boundary goes south of Tamar to the waters of Meribah Kadesh, the brook of Egypt to the Great Sea, and the southern side toward the south. -\v 20 Then the western boundary will be the Great Sea to where it goes opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western side. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 In this way you will divide this land for yourselves, for the tribes of Israel. -\v 22 So you will distribute the inheritances for yourselves and for the foreigners in your midst, those who have given birth to children in your midst and who are, with you, like the native born people of Israel. You will cast lots for inheritances among the tribes of Israel. -\v 23 Then it will happen that the foreigner will be with the tribe among whom he is living. You must give him an inheritance—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." - - -\s5 -\c 48 -\p -\v 1 These are the names of the tribes. The tribe of Dan will receive one portion of land; its boundary will run along the northern boundary of Israel by way of Hethlon and Lebo Hamath. Its boundary will go on to Hazar Enan and along the border with Damascus to the north and then on to Hamath. Dan's boundary will go from east all the way to the Great Sea. -\v 2 Adjoining the border of Dan, from the east side to the west, Asher will have one portion. -\v 3 Adjoining the border of Asher from the east side to the west, Naphtali will have one portion. - -\s5 -\v 4 Adjoining the border of Naphtali from the east side to the west, Manasseh will have one portion. -\v 5 Adjoining the border of Manasseh from the east side to the west, Ephraim will have one portion. -\v 6 Adjoining the border of Ephraim from the east side to the west, Reuben will have one portion. -\v 7 Adjoining the border of Reuben from the east side to the west, Judah will have one portion. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 The offering of land that you will make will be along the border with Judah and extend from the east side to the west side; it will be twenty-five thousand cubits in width. Its length will correspond to one tribe's portion from the east side to the west side, and the temple will be in the middle of it. -\v 9 This land that you will offer up to Yahweh will be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand cubits in width. - -\s5 -\v 10 These will be the assignments of this holy portion of land: The priests will have land assigned to them measuring twenty-five thousand cubits in length on the north side; ten thousand cubits in width on the west side; ten thousand cubits in width on the east side; and twenty-five thousand cubits in length on the south side, with the holy place of Yahweh in the middle of it. -\v 11 This will be for the consecration of the priests of the line of Zadok, who have served me faithfully and who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did. -\v 12 The offering for them will be a portion of this most holy land, extending to the border of the Levites. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 The Levites' land along the border with the priests' land will be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand cubits in width. The entire length of the two tracts of land will be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and twenty thousand cubits in width. -\v 14 They must not sell it or exchange it; none of this firstfruits of the land of Israel must ever be separated from these tracts, for it all is holy to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 The remaining land, five thousand cubits in width and twenty-five thousand cubits in length, will be for the collective use of the city, the houses, and the pastureland; the city will be in its midst. -\v 16 These will be the city's measurements: The north side will be 4,500 cubits in length; the south side will be 4,500 cubits in length; the east side will be 4,500 cubits in length; and the west side will be 4,500 cubits in length. - -\s5 -\v 17 There will be pasture for the city toward the north, 250 cubits deep; to the south, 250 cubits deep; to the east, 250 cubits deep, and to the west, 250 cubits deep. -\v 18 The remaining area of the holy offering will stretch for ten thousand cubits to the east and ten thousand cubits to the west. It will stretch along the border of the holy offering, and its produce will be food for those working in the city. - -\s5 -\v 19 The people who work in the city, people belong to all the tribes of Israel, will farm that land. -\v 20 All the land offering will measure twenty-five thousand cubits by twenty-five thousand cubits. In this way you will make the holy offering of land, together with the land for the city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 The rest of the land on either side of the holy offering and the city area will be for the prince. The prince's tract of land to the east will extend for twenty-five thousand cubits from boundary of the holy offering to the eastern border—and his tract to the west will extend for twenty-five thousand cubits to the western border. In the middle will be the holy offering, and the holy place of the temple will be in its midst. -\v 22 The land extending from the property of the Levites and the area of the city in its midst will be for for the prince; it will be between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin—this land will be for the prince. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 As for the remaining tribes, their portions will also run from the eastern side to the west side. Benjamin will receive one portion. -\v 24 Adjoining the border of Benjamin from the east side to the west, Simeon will have one portion. -\v 25 Adjoining the border of Simeon from the east side to the west, Issachar will have one portion. -\v 26 Adjoining the border of Issachar from the east side to the west, Zebulun will have one portion. - -\s5 -\v 27 To the south of Zebulun's boundary, running from the east side to the west side, will be the land of Gad—one portion. -\v 28 The southern boundary of Gad will extend from Tamar to the waters of Meribah Kadesh, and farther to the brook of Egypt, and then to the Great Sea. -\v 29 This is the land for which you will cast lots; it will be the inheritance of the tribes of Israel. These will be their portions. This is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 These will be the exits from the city: On the north side, which will measure 4,500 cubits in length, -\v 31 will be three gates, named for tribes of Israel: -one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi. -\v 32 On the east side, which will measure 4,500 cubits in length, will be three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan. - -\s5 -\v 33 On the east side, which is 4,500 cubits in length, will be three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun. -\v 34 On the west side, which will measure 4,500 cubits, will be three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali. -\v 35 The distance around the city will be eighteen thousand cubits; from that day on, the city's name will be "Yahweh Is There." - + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, present a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel. +\v 3 Say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: +\q A large eagle with large wings and long pinions, full of feathers, +\q and that was multicolored went to Lebanon and took hold of the top of a cedar tree. +\q +\v 4 It broke off the tips of the branches and took them to the land of Canaan; +\q he planted it in a city of merchants. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 He also took some seed of the land and planted it in fertile soil. +\q He placed it beside a large body of water like a willow. +\q +\v 6 Then it sprouted and became a spreading vine low to the ground. +\q Its branches turned toward him, and its roots grew under it. +\q So it became a vine and produced branches and sent out shoots. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 But there was another great eagle with large wings and many feathers. +\q Behold! This vine turned its roots toward the eagle, +\q and it spread out its branches toward the eagle from the place it had been planted so it would be watered. +\q +\v 8 It had been planted in good soil beside a large body of water +\q so it would produce branches and sprout fruit, to become a magnificent vine.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Say to the people, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Will it prosper? +\q Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it withers, and all its fresh growth will wither? +\q No strong arm or many people will be needed to pull it out by its roots. +\q +\v 10 So behold! After it has been planted, will it grow? Will it not wither when the eastern wind touches it? +\q It will completely wither away in the garden plot where it sprouted.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 12 "Speak to the rebellious house, 'Do you not know what these things mean? Behold! The king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and took her king and her princes and brought them to him in Babylon. + +\s5 +\v 13 Then he took a royal descendant, made a covenant with him, and brought him under an oath. He took away the powerful people of the land, +\v 14 so the kingdom might become lowly and not lift itself up. By keeping his covenant the land will survive. + +\s5 +\v 15 But the king of Jerusalem rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt to acquire horses and an army. Will he succeed? Will the one doing these things escape? If he breaks the covenant, will he escape? +\v 16 As I live!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—he will surely die in the land of the king who made him king, the king whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he broke. He will die in the middle of Babylon. +\s5 +\v 17 Pharaoh with his mighty army and a great company of men will not help him in battle, when ramps are constructed and siege walls are built up to cut off many lives. +\v 18 For the king despised his oath by breaking the covenant. Behold, he reached out with his hand to make a promise and yet he did all these things. He will not escape. + +\s5 +\v 19 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: As I live, was it not my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke? So I will bring his punishment on his head! +\v 20 I will spread my net out over him, and he will be caught in my hunting net. Then I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there for his treason that he committed when he betrayed me! +\v 21 All of his refugees in his armies will fall by the sword, and the ones who remain will be scattered in every direction. Then you will know that I am Yahweh; I have declared this would happen." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'So I myself will take away the highest part of the cedar tree, and I will plant it away from its tender branches. I will break it off, and I myself will plant it on a high mountain. +\v 23 I will plant it on the mountains of Israel so it will bear branches and produce fruit, and it will become a majestic cedar so that every winged bird will live under it. They will nest in the shade of its branches. + +\s5 +\v 24 Then all the trees of the field will know that I am Yahweh. I bring down the high trees and I raise up the low trees. I wither the watered tree and I cause the dried tree to bloom. I am Yahweh, I have declared that this will happen; and I have done it.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, +\v 2 "What do you mean, you who use this proverb concerning the land of Israel and say, +\q 'Fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are made blunt'? + +\s5 +\v 3 As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—there will certainly no longer be any occasion for you to use this proverb in Israel. +\v 4 Behold! Every life belong to me—the life of the father as well as the life of the son, they belong to me! The soul who sins is the one who will die! + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 What can be said about a man who is righteous and who carries out justice and righteousness— +\v 6 if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, and he does not defile his neighbor's wife, nor approached a woman during her monthly period, is he a righteous man? + +\s5 +\v 7 What can be said about a man who does not oppress anyone, and he gives back to the debtor what was put up as security for a loan, and he does not commit theft but gives his food to the hungry and he covers the naked with clothes, is he a righteous man? + +\s5 +\v 8 What can be said about a man who does not charge too much interest for the money he loans, and he does not take too much profit for what he sells? It is said of him that he carries out justice and establishes faithfulness between people. +\v 9 If that man walks in my statutes and keeps my decrees to act faithfully, then the promise for this righteous man is this: He will surely live!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 But suppose that he has a violent son who sheds blood and does any one of these things that were mentioned, +\f + \ft Some ancient copies and many modern versions leave out \fqa to a brother \fqa* . \f* +\v 11 (though his father has not done any of these things). He eats upon the mountains and he defiles his neighbor's wife, what can be said about him? + +\s5 +\v 12 This man oppresses the poor and needy, and he seizes and robs, and he does not return a pledge, and he lifts up his eyes to the idols and commits disgusting actions, +\v 13 and he lends out money at too high interest and he makes too much profit on what he sells, should that man live? Surely he will not! He will certainly die and his blood will be on him because he has done all these detestable things. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 But behold! Suppose there is a man who bears a son, and his son sees all the sins that his father has committed, and though he sees them, he does not do those things. +\v 15 That son does not eat upon the mountains, and he does not lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, and he does not defile his neighbor's wife, what can be said about him? + +\s5 +\v 16 That son does not oppress anyone, or seize a pledge, or take stolen things, but instead gives his food to the hungry and covers up the naked with clothes. +\v 17 That son does not oppress anyone or take interest that is too high or make too much profit for a loan, but he carries out my decrees and walks according to my statutes; that son will not die for his father's sin: He will surely live! + +\s5 +\v 18 His father, since he oppressed others by extortion and robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people—behold, he will die in his iniquity. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 But you say, 'Why does the son not bear the iniquity of his father?' Because the son carries out justice and righteousness and keeps all my statutes; he does them. He will surely live! +\v 20 The one who sins, he is the one who will die. A son will not bear his father's iniquity, and a father will not bear his son's iniquity. The righteousness of the one who acts rightly will be on himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be on himself. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 But if the wicked turns away from all his sins that he has done, and keeps all my statutes and performs justice and righteousness, then he will certainly live and not die. +\v 22 All the transgressions that he has committed will not be called to mind against him. He will live by the righteousness that he practices. + +\s5 +\v 23 Do I greatly rejoice over the death of the wicked—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—and not in his turning away from his way so that he may live? + +\s5 +\v 24 But if the righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and practices abominations like all the abominations that the wicked person does, then will he live? All the righteousness that he had done will not be called to mind when he betrays me in his treason. So he will die in the sins that he committed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 But you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair!' Listen, house of Israel! Are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? +\v 26 When the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity and dies because of them, then he will die in the iniquity that he has done. + +\s5 +\v 27 But when a wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has done and performs justice and righteousness, then he will preserve his life. +\v 28 For he has seen and turned away from all the transgressions that he had done. He will surely live, and he will not die. + +\s5 +\v 29 But the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair!' How is my way not fair, house of Israel? It is your ways that are not fair. +\v 30 Therefore I will judge each man among you according to his ways, house of Israel!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. Repent and turn away from all your transgressions so that they will not be stumbling blocks of iniquity against you. + +\s5 +\v 31 Throw away from yourselves all of the transgressions that you have committed; make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? +\v 32 For I have no delight in the death of the one who dies—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—so repent and live!" + + + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 "Now you, take up a lamentation against the leaders of Israel +\v 2 and say, +\q 'Who was your mother? A lioness, she lived with a lion's son; +\q in the midst of young lions, she nurtured her cubs. +\q +\v 3 She is the one who raised up one of her cubs to become a young lion, a lion who learned to tear apart his victims, and then he devoured men. +\q +\v 4 Then the nations heard about him. He was caught in their trap, and they brought him with hooks to the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Then she saw that although she had waited for his return, her expectation was now gone, so she took another of her cubs and raised him to become a young lion. +\q +\v 6 This young lion roamed about in the midst of lions. He was a young lion and learned to tear his victims; he devoured men. +\q +\v 7 He seized their widows and ruined their cities. +\q The land and its fullness were abandoned because of the sound of his roaring. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa He seized their widows \fqa* , some ancient copies and many modern versions have \fqa He destroyed their fortresses \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 But the nations came against him from the surrounding provinces; +\q they spread their nets over him. He was caught in their trap. +\q +\v 9 With hooks they put him in a cage and then they brought him to the king of Babylon. +\q They brought him to the strongholds so that his voice would no longer be heard on the mountains of Israel. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Your mother was like a vine planted in your blood beside the water. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa in your blood \fqa* , some ancient copies and many modern versions have \fqa in your vineyard \fqa* . \f* +\q it was fruitful and full of branches because of the abundance of water. +\q +\v 11 It had strong branches that were used for rulers' scepters, +\q and its size was exalted above the branches, +\q and its height was seen by the greatness of its foliage. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 But the vine was uprooted in fury and thrown down to the earth, and an eastern wind dried out its fruit. +\q Its strong branches were broken off and withered and fire consumed them. +\q +\v 13 So now it is planted in the wilderness, in a land of drought and thirst. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 For fire went out from her large branches and consumed its fruit. +\q There is no strong branch on it, no scepter to rule.' This is a lamentation and will be sung as a lamentation." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 It came about in the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, that elders of Israel came to inquire of Yahweh and sat before me. + +\s5 +\v 2 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 3 "Son of man, declare to the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Have you come to inquire of me? As I live, I will not be inquired of by you!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.' + +\s5 +\v 4 Will you judge them? Will you judge, son of man? Let them know about their fathers' abominations. +\v 5 Say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day that I chose Israel and raised my hand to swear an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob, and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I raised my hand to swear an oath to them. I said, "I am Yahweh your God"— +\v 6 on that day I raised my hand to swear an oath to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had carefully selected for them. It was flowing with milk and honey; it was the most beautiful ornament among all the lands. + +\s5 +\v 7 I said to them, "Let each man throw away the detestable things from before his eyes and the idols of Egypt. Do not make yourselves unclean; I am Yahweh your God." + +\s5 +\v 8 But they rebelled against me and were unwilling to listen to me. Each man did not throw away the detestable things from before his eyes nor forsake the idols of Egypt, so I determined to pour out my fury upon them to satisfy my wrath among them in the middle of the land of Egypt. +\v 9 I acted for my name's sake so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations among whom they were staying. I made myself known to them, in their eyes, by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 So I sent them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. +\v 11 Then I gave them my statutes and made my decrees known to them, by which a man will live if he obeys them. +\v 12 I also gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between myself and them, for them to know that I am Yahweh who makes them holy. + +\s5 +\v 13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes; instead, they rejected my decrees, by which a man will live if he obeys them. They greatly profaned my Sabbaths, so I said I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness in order to end them. +\v 14 But I acted for my name's sake so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out of Egypt. + +\s5 +\v 15 So I myself also raised my hand to swear an oath to them in the wilderness not to bring them into the land that I had been going to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey, which was the most beautiful ornament among all the lands. +\v 16 I swore this because they had rejected my decrees and did not walk in my statutes, and they profaned my Sabbaths, since their hearts walked after their idols. +\v 17 But my eye spared them from their destruction and I did not annihilate them in the wilderness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 I said to their sons and daughters in the wilderness, "Do not walk according to the statutes of your parents; do not keep their decrees or profane yourselves with idols. +\v 19 I am Yahweh your God, walk in my statutes; keep my decrees and obey them. +\v 20 Keep my Sabbaths holy so that they will be a sign between me and you, so that you will know that I am Yahweh your God." + +\s5 +\v 21 But their sons and daughters rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes or keep my decrees, by which a man might live if he obeys them. They profaned my Sabbaths, so I determined to pour out my fury upon them to satisfy my wrath against them in the wilderness. +\v 22 But I turned my hand away and acted for my name's sake, so it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought out the Israelites. + +\s5 +\v 23 I myself also lifted up my hand to swear to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands. +\v 24 I decided to do this since they had not obeyed my decrees, and since they had rejected my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths. Their eyes were longing after their fathers' idols. + +\s5 +\v 25 Then I also gave them statutes that were not good, and decrees by which they could not live. +\v 26 I made them unclean by their gifts when they made a sacrifice of every firstborn of the womb and put them into the fire. I did this in order to terrify them so they might know that I am Yahweh!' + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: In this also your fathers blasphemed me when they were unfaithful to me. +\v 28 When I brought them into the land that I had sworn to give them, and then whenever they saw any high hill and leafy tree, they offered their sacrifices, they provoked me by their offerings, and there they also burned their fragrant incense and poured out their drink offerings. +\v 29 Then I said to them, "What is this high place where you bring offerings there?" So the name is called Bamah to this day.' + +\s5 +\v 30 Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Why do you make yourselves unclean with the ways of your fathers? So why do you act like prostitutes, searching for disgusting things? +\v 31 For when you offer up your gifts and you put your sons into the fire, to this day you make yourselves unclean with all your idols. So why should I let you question me, house of Israel? As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I will not let you question me. +\v 32 The thought that is forming in your mind will never happen. You say, "Let us be like the other nations, like the clans in the other lands who worship wood and stone." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I will certainly reign over you with a mighty hand, a raised arm, and fury that will be poured out on you. +\v 34 I will bring you out from the other peoples and will gather you out of the countries among whom you have been scattered. I will do this with a mighty hand and with fury poured out. +\v 35 Then I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will judge you face to face. + +\s5 +\v 36 As I judged your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so also I will judge you—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. +\v 37 I will cause you to pass under my rod, and I will make you obey the requirements of the covenant. +\v 38 I will purge from among you the rebels and those who revolt against me. I will send them out from the land where they are staying as foreigners, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 39 So to you, house of Israel, the Lord Yahweh says this: Each of you should go to his own idols. Worship them if you will refuse to listen to me, but you must no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and your idols. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 For on my holy mountain, on the mountain peak of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—all of the house of Israel will worship me there in the land. I will be pleased to require your offerings there, and also the firstfruits of your tribute with all your holy things. +\v 41 I will accept you like fragrant incense when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. I will show myself as holy among you for the nations to see. + +\s5 +\v 42 Then, when I bring you to the land of Israel, to the land that I have lifted up my hand to swear to give to your fathers, you will know that I am Yahweh. +\v 43 There you will call to mind your conduct and all of your deeds by which you defiled yourselves, and you will despise yourselves in your own eyes for all your evil deeds that you have done. +\v 44 So you will know that I am Yahweh when I do this to you because of my name's sake, and not because of your evil deeds, and not because of your corrupt deeds, house of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 45 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 46 "Son of man, set your face toward the southern lands, and speak against the south; prophesy against the forest of the Negev. +\v 47 Say to the forest of the Negev, 'This is Yahweh's declaration—the Lord Yahweh says this: See, I will set a fire among you. It will devour every fresh tree and every dried tree among you. The fiery flame will not be quenched; every face from the south to the north will be burned. + +\s5 +\v 48 Then all flesh will see that I am Yahweh when I light the fire, and it will not be quenched.'" +\v 49 Then I said, "Alas! Lord Yahweh, they are saying of me, 'Is he not a mere teller of parables?'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, and speak against the sanctuaries; prophesy against the land of Israel. +\v 3 Say to the land of Israel, 'Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you! I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off both the righteous person and the wicked person from you! + +\s5 +\v 4 In order for me to cut off both the righteous and the wicked from you, my sword will go out from its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north. +\v 5 Then all flesh will know that I, Yahweh, have drawn my sword from its sheath. It will no longer hold back!' + +\s5 +\v 6 As for you, son of man, groan as your loins break! In bitterness groan before their eyes! +\v 7 Then it will happen that they will ask you, 'For what reason are you groaning?' Then you will say, 'Because of the news that is coming, for every heart will faint away, and every hand will falter! Every spirit will grow faint, and every knee will flow like water. Behold! It is coming and it will be like this!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 9 "Son of man, prophesy and say, 'The Lord says this: +\q "Say: A sword! A sword! It will be sharpened and polished! + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 It will be sharpened in order to engage in great slaughter! It will be polished in order to be like lightning! +\q Should we rejoice in my son's scepter? The coming sword hates every such rod! +\q +\v 11 So the sword will be given to be polished, and then to be grasped by the hand! +\q The sword is sharpened and it is polished and it is to be given into the hand of the one who kills!"'" + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Call for help and lament, son of man! For that sword has come against my people! It is against all the leaders of Israel. +\q They are thrown against the sword with my people. Therefore, slap your thigh! +\q +\v 13 For there is a trial, but what if the scepter does not last?—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Now you, son of man, prophesy and hit your two hands together, for the sword will attack even a third time! +\q A sword for the ones to be slaughtered! It is a sword for the many to be slaughtered, piercing them everywhere! + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 In order to melt their hearts and to multiply their fallen, I have set the slaughter of the sword against their gates! Woe! It is made like lightning, set free to butcher! +\q +\v 16 You, sword! Strike to the right! Strike to the left! Go wherever your face is turned. +\q +\v 17 For I will also hit my two hands together, and then I will bring my fury to rest! I, Yahweh, declare it!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 The word of Yahweh came to me again, saying, +\v 19 "Now you, son of man, assign two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to come. The two roads will start in the same land, and a signpost will mark one of them as leading to a city. +\v 20 Mark one road for the Babylonian army to come to Rabbah, the city of the Ammonites. Mark the other to lead the army to Judah and the city of Jerusalem, which is fortified. + +\s5 +\v 21 For the king of Babylon will stop at the crossroads, at the junction, in order to practice divination. He will shake some arrows and ask direction from some idols and he will examine a liver. +\q +\v 22 In his right hand will be an omen about Jerusalem, to set battering rams against it, to open his mouth to order the slaughter, +\q to sound a war cry, to set battering rams against the gates, +\q to build a ramp, and to erect siege towers. +\q +\v 23 It will seem to be a useless omen in the eyes +\q of the ones in Jerusalem, those who had sworn an oath to the Babylonians! But the king will accuse them of violating their treaty in order to besiege them! + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Because you have made your guilt to be remembered, +\q making your transgressions to be revealed, so that in all your actions your sins will be seen— +\q because you have done this you will be taken in hand. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 As for you, profane and wicked ruler of Israel, whose day of punishment has come, and whose time of committing iniquity has ended, +\q +\v 26 the Lord Yahweh says this to you: Remove the turban and take off the crown! Things will no longer be the same! Exalt the lowly and humble the exalted! +\q +\v 27 A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! It will not be restored until the one comes who is assigned to execute judgment. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 So you, son of man, prophesy and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this to the people of Ammon concerning their coming disgrace: A sword, a sword is drawn! It is sharpened for the slaughter in order to devour, so it will be like lightning! +\v 29 While prophets see empty visions for you, while they perform rituals to come up with lies for you, this sword will lie on the necks of the wicked who are about to be killed, whose day of punishment has come and whose time of iniquity is about to end. + +\s5 +\v 30 Return the sword to its sheath. In the place of your creation, in the land of your origin, I will judge you! +\v 31 I will pour out my indignation on you! I will fan the fire of my rage against you and put you into the hand of cruel men, craftsmen of destruction! + +\s5 +\v 32 You will become fuel for the fire! Your blood will be in the midst of the land. You will not be remembered, for I, Yahweh have declared this!'" + + + +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Now you, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the city of blood? Make her know all her abominations. +\v 3 You must say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: This is a city that pours out blood in her midst so that her time may come; a city that makes idols to make herself unclean. + +\s5 +\v 4 You are guilty by the blood that you have poured out, and are made unclean by the idols that you have made. For you have drawn your days close and approached your final years. Therefore I will make you a reproach to the nations and a derision in the sight of every land. +\v 5 Both those who are near and those who are far away from you will mock you, you unclean city, with the reputation known everywhere as being full of confusion. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Behold! The rulers of Israel, each one by his own power, have come to you to pour out blood. +\v 7 They have dishonored fathers and mothers within you, and they have performed oppression on the foreigners in your midst. They have mistreated the orphans and the widows within you. +\v 8 You have despised my holy things and have profaned my Sabbaths. +\v 9 Slanderous men have come among you in order to pour out blood, and they eat on the mountains. They perform wickedness in your midst. + +\s5 +\v 10 In this city men uncover the nakedness of their father. Within the city they have violated unclean women during their menstrual period. +\v 11 Men who commit abominations with their neighbors' wives, and men who make their own daughters-in-law shamefully unclean; men who abuse their own sisters—daughters of their own fathers—all these are among you. +\v 12 These men take bribes among you in order to pour out blood. You have taken interest and gained too much profit, you have damaged your neighbors through oppression, and you have forgotten me—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 See! With my hand I have struck the dishonest gain that you have made, and the bloodshed that is in your midst. +\v 14 Will your heart stand, will your hands be strong on the days when I myself will deal with you? I, Yahweh, am declaring this, and I will do it. +\v 15 So I will scatter you among the nations and disperse you through the lands. In this way, I will purge your uncleanness from you. +\v 16 So you will become unclean in the eyes of the nations. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.'" +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa you will become unclean \fqa* , some ancient copies have \fqa I will give you your inheritance \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Next the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 18 "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are the leftovers of bronze and tin, and iron and lead in your midst. They will be like the dross of silver in your furnace. +\v 19 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Because all of you have become like dross, therefore, behold! I am about to gather you into the center of Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 20 As a collection of silver and bronze, iron, lead and tin in the midst of the furnace must have fire blown against it, I will melt you. So I will gather you in my +wrath and fury. I will put you there and blow the fire on it to melt it; so will I gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will put you there and pour you out. +\v 21 So I will gather you and blow against you with the fire of my wrath so that you will be poured out in her midst. +\v 22 As melting silver in the middle of a furnace, you will be melted down in its midst, and you will know that I, Yahweh, have poured out my fury against you!'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 24 "Son of man, say to her, 'You are a land that has not been cleansed. There is no rain on the day of wrath! +\v 25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in her midst, like a roaring lion tearing apart a victim. They consume life and take precious wealth; they make many widows within her! +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa There is a conspiracy of her prophets within her \fqa* , some ancient copies have \fqa whose princes \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\v 26 Her priests do violence to my law, and they profane my holy things. They do not distinguish between holy things and profane things, and do not teach the difference between the unclean and the clean. They hide their eyes from my Sabbaths so that I am profaned in their midst. +\v 27 Her princes within her are like wolves tearing apart their victims. They pour out blood and destroy life, to make a profit dishonestly. +\v 28 Her prophets have painted them over with whitewash; they see false visions and predict falsehoods to them. They say "The Lord Yahweh says this" when Yahweh has not spoken. + +\s5 +\v 29 The people of the land have oppressed through extortion and plundered through robbery, and they mistreat the poor and needy, and oppress the foreigner without justice. + +\s5 +\v 30 So I searched for a man from them who would build up a wall and who would stand before me in its breach for the land so I would not destroy it, but I found no one. +\v 31 So I will pour out my indignation upon them. I will finish them with the fire of my indignation and set their way on their own heads—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother. +\v 3 They acted as prostitutes in Egypt in the time of their youth. They acted as prostitutes there. Their breasts were squeezed and their virgin nipples were fondled there. +\v 4 Their names were Oholah—the older sister—and Oholibah—her younger sister. Then they became mine and bore sons and daughters. Their names mean this: Oholah means Samaria, and Oholibah means Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 But Oholah acted as a prostitute even when she was mine; she lusted for her lovers, for the Assyrians who were dominant, +\v 6 the governor who wore violet, and for his officials, who were strong and handsome, all of them men riding on horses. +\v 7 So she gave herself as a prostitute to them, to all the best of Assyria's men, and she made herself unclean with everyone she lusted for—and with all their idols. + +\s5 +\v 8 For she had not left her prostitute behavior behind in Egypt, when they had slept with her when she had been a young girl, when they first began to fondle her virgin breasts, when they first began to pour out their promiscuous behavior on her. +\v 9 Therefore I gave her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians for whom she lusted. +\v 10 They uncovered her nakedness, took her sons and daughters, killed her with the sword, and she became notorious among other women, so they executed judgment on her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Her sister Oholibah saw this, but she lusted even more passionately and acted like a prostitute even more than her sister. +\v 12 She lusted for the Assyrians, the governors and the dominating officials who dressed impressively, who were men riding horses. All of them were strong, handsome men. +\v 13 I saw that she had made herself unclean. It was the same for both sisters. + +\s5 +\v 14 Then she increased her prostitution even more. She saw men carved on walls, figures of Chaldeans painted in red, +\v 15 wearing belts around their waists, with flowing turbans on their heads. All of them had the appearance of officers of chariot troops, the likeness of sons of Babylonia, whose native land is Chaldea. + +\s5 +\v 16 As soon as her eyes saw them, she lusted for them, so she sent out messengers to them in Chaldea. +\v 17 Then the Babylonians came to her and to her bed of lust, and they made her unclean with their promiscuousness. By what she had done she was made unclean, so she turned herself away from them in disgust. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 When she displayed her acts of prostitution and uncovered her nakedness, +\q I turned away from her, just as I had turned away in disgust from her sister. +\q +\v 19 Then she increased her prostitution as she remembered the days of her youth, +\q when she was a prostitute in the land of Egypt. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 So she lusted for her lovers, +\q whose private parts were like those of donkeys, and whose reproductive emissions were like those of horses. +\q +\v 21 This is how you committed shameful acts of your youth, when the Egyptians fondled your nipples and squeezed your young breasts. + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Therefore, Oholibah, the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold! I will turn your lovers against you. +\q Those from whom you turned away, I will bring them against you from every side: +\q +\v 23 the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, +\q strong, handsome men, governors and commanders, all of them are officers and men of reputation, all of them riding on horses. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 They will come against you with weapons, and with chariots and wagons, and with a great crowd of people. +\q They will set large shields, small shields, and helmets against you all around. +\q I will give them the opportunity to punish you, and they will punish you with their actions. +\q +\v 25 For I will set my jealous anger on you, and they will deal with you in fury. They will cut off your noses and your ears, and your survivors will fall by the sword. They will take away your sons and your daughters, and your survivors will be devoured by fire. + +\s5 +\v 26 They will strip you of your clothes and take away all of your jewelry. +\v 27 So I will remove your shameful behavior from you and your acts of prostitution from the land of Egypt. You will not lift up your eyes toward them with longing, and you will think of Egypt no longer.' + +\s5 +\v 28 For the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold! I will give you into the hand of the ones you hate, back into the hand of the ones from whom you had turned away. +\v 29 They will deal with you hatefully; they will take all your possessions and abandon you naked and bare, and your nakedness will be uncovered just as when you engaged in promiscuity and prostitutions. + +\s5 +\v 30 These things will be done to you in your acting like a prostitute, lusting after nations by which you became unclean with their idols. +\v 31 You have walked in the way of your sister, so I will put her cup of punishment into your hand.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 32 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'You will drink your sister's cup that is deep and large. +\q You will become a laughingstock and a subject for derision—this cup contains a great amount. + +\s5 +\q +\v 33 You will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow, +\q the cup of horror and devastation; +\q the cup of your sister Samaria. +\q +\v 34 You will drink it and drain it empty; then you will shatter it and tear your breasts with the pieces. +\q For I have declared it—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.' + +\s5 +\v 35 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Because you have forgotten me and thrown me away behind your back, so also you will bear the consequences of your shameful behavior and acts of sexual immorality.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Yahweh said to me, "Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? So present to them their disgusting actions, +\v 37 since they have committed adultery, and since there is blood on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and they have even put their sons into the fire, as food for their idols. + +\s5 +\v 38 Then they continue to do this to me: They make my sanctuary unclean, and on the same day they defile my Sabbaths. +\v 39 For when they had slaughtered their children for their idols, then they came to my sanctuary on the same day to defile it! So behold! This is what they have done in the middle of my house. + +\s5 +\v 40 You sent out for men who came from far away, to whom messengers had been sent—now behold. They indeed came, those for whom you bathed, painted your eyes, and adorned yourself with jewelry. +\v 41 There you sat on a beautiful bed and at a table arranged before it where you placed my incense and my oil. + +\s5 +\v 42 So the sound of a noisy crowd was around her; including all kinds of men, even Sabeans were brought in from the wilderness, and they put bracelets on their hands and beautiful crowns on their heads. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 Then I said of her who was worn out by adultery, 'Now they will be sexually immoral with her, and she with them.' +\v 44 They went in to her and slept with her as men go in to be with a prostitute. In this way they slept with Oholah and Oholibah, who were immoral women. +\v 45 But righteous men will pass judgment and punish them as adulteresses, and they will punish them with the sentence for those who shed blood, because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands. + +\s5 +\v 46 So the Lord Yahweh says this: I will raise up a company against them and give them up to be terrorized and plundered. +\v 47 Then that company will stone them with stones and cut them down with their swords. They will kill their sons and daughters and burn down their houses. + +\s5 +\v 48 For I will remove shameful behavior from the land and discipline all the women so they will no longer act like prostitutes. +\v 49 So they will set your shameful behavior against you. You will bear the guilt of your sins with your idols, and in this way you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh." + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, and on the tenth day of the month, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, write for yourself the name of this day, this exact day, for this exact day the king of Babylon has besieged Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 3 So speak a proverb against this rebellious house, a parable. Say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: +\q Place the cooking pot. Place it and pour water into it. +\q +\v 4 Gather pieces of food within it, every good piece—the thigh and shoulder— +\q and fill it with the best bones. +\q +\v 5 Take the best of the flock and pile up the bones under it. +\q Bring it to a boil and cook the bones in it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Woe to the city of blood, a cooking pot that has rust in it and that rust will not come out of it. Take piece after piece from it, but do not cast lots for it. + +\s5 +\v 7 For her blood is in the midst of her. She has set it on the smooth rock; she has not poured it out on the ground to cover it with dust, +\v 8 so it brings fury up to exact vengeance. I placed her blood on the smooth rock so it could not be covered. + +\s5 +\v 9 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this: Woe to the city of blood. I will also enlarge the pile of wood. +\v 10 Stack up the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well and mix in the spices and let the bones be charred. + +\s5 +\v 11 Then set the pot on its coals empty, in order to heat and scorch its bronze, so its uncleanness within it will be melted, its corrosion consumed.' +\v 12 She has become weary because of toil, but her corrosion has not gone out of her by the fire. + +\s5 +\v 13 Your shameful behavior is in your uncleanness, because I cleaned you, but still you would not become clean. You will still not be free from your uncleanness until my fury rests from you. + +\s5 +\v 14 I, Yahweh, have declared it, and I will do it. I will not relent nor will I rest from it. As your ways were, and as your activities, they will judge you!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 16 "Son of man! Behold, I am taking the desire of your eyes from you with a plague, but you must not mourn nor weep, and your tears must not flow. +\v 17 You must groan silently. Do not conduct a funeral for the dead. Tie your turban on you and place your sandals on your feet, but do not veil your facial hair or eat the bread of men who mourn for having lost their wives." + +\s5 +\v 18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. In the morning I did what I had been commanded to do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 The people asked me, "Will you not tell us what these things mean, the things that you are doing?" +\v 20 So I said to them, "The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 21 'Say to the house of Israel, the Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I will desecrate my sanctuary—the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul, and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind will fall by the sword. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then you will do exactly as I have done: you will not veil your facial hair, nor eat the bread of mourning men! +\v 23 Instead, your turbans will be on your heads, and your sandals on your feet; you will not mourn nor weep, for you will melt away in your iniquities, and each man will groan for his brother. +\v 24 So Ezekiel will be a sign for you, as everything that he has done you will do when this comes. Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh!'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 "But you, son of man, on the day that I capture their temple, which is their joy, their pride, and what they see and desire—and when I take away their sons and daughters— +\v 26 on that day, a refugee will come to you to give you the news! +\v 27 On that day your mouth will be opened up to that refugee and you will speak—you will no longer be silent. You will be a sign for them so that they will know that I am Yahweh." + + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, set your face against the people of Ammon and prophesy against them. + +\s5 +\v 3 Say to the people of Ammon, 'Hear the word of the Lord Yahweh. This is what the Lord Yahweh says: Because you said, "Aha!" over my sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile, +\v 4 therefore, behold, I am giving you to a people in the east as their possession. They will set up camp against you and set up their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and they will drink your milk. +\v 5 I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and the people of Ammon a field for flocks. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 6 For the Lord Yahweh says this: You have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, and rejoiced with all the contempt within you against the land of Israel. +\v 7 Therefore, behold! I will strike you with my hand and give you as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples and make you perish from among the countries! I will destroy you, and you will know that I am Yahweh.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'Because Moab and Seir say, "Behold! The house of Judah is like every other nation." +\v 9 Therefore, behold! I will open the slopes of Moab, starting at his cities on the border—the splendor of Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim— +\v 10 to the people of the east who have been against the people of Ammon. I will give them up as a possession so that the people of Ammon will not be remembered among the nations. +\v 11 So I will perform judgments against Moab, and they will know that I am Yahweh.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'Edom has taken vengeance against the house of Judah and has committed wrong in doing so. +\v 13 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this: I will strike Edom with my hand and destroy every person and animal there. I will make them a ruined, abandoned place, from Teman to Dedan. They will fall by the sword. + +\s5 +\v 14 I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will do to Edom according to my anger and my fury, and they will know my vengeance—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.' + + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'The Philistines have taken vengeance with malice and from within themselves they tried to destroy Judah again and again. +\v 16 So this is what the Lord Yahweh says: Behold! I will reach out with my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Kerethites and destroy the remnant who are along the seacoast. +\v 17 For I will take great vengeance against them with furious acts of punishment, so they will know that I am Yahweh, when I take my vengeance on them.'" + + + +\s5 +\c 26 +\p +\v 1 So it was in the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, 'Aha! The gates of the people are broken! She has turned to me; I will be filled up because she is ruined.' + +\s5 +\v 3 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold! I am against you, Tyre, and I will raise up many nations against you like the sea raises its waves. +\v 4 They will destroy the walls of Tyre and tear down her towers. I will sweep her dust away and make her like a bare rock. + +\s5 +\v 5 She will become a place for nets to dry out in the midst of the sea, since I have declared it—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—and she will become plunder for the nations. +\v 6 Her daughters who are in the fields will be slaughtered by the swords, and they will know that I am Yahweh.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 For this is what Yahweh says: Behold, from the north I am bringing Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, against Tyre, with horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a great many people. +\v 8 He will kill your daughters in the field. He will set up a siege work and build a ramp against your walls and raise up shields against you. + +\s5 +\v 9 He will place his battering rams to hit against your walls, and his tools will tear down your towers. +\v 10 His horses will be so many that their dust will cover you. Your walls will shake with the sound of horsemen, wagons, and chariots. When he enters your gates, he will enter as men come into a city whose walls have been broken down. +\v 11 The hoofs of his horses will trample all of your streets. He will kill your people with the sword and your mighty stone pillars will fall to the ground. + +\s5 +\v 12 They will plunder your riches and loot your merchandise. They will tear down your walls and destroy your luxurious homes. Your stones, your timber, and the rubble they will throw into the waters. +\v 13 I will stop the noise of your songs. The sound of your harps will be heard no more. +\v 14 I will make you a bare rock, you will become a place where nets are spread out to dry. You will never be built again, for I, Lord Yahweh have spoken—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 The Lord Yahweh says this to Tyre, 'Will not the islands quake with the sound of your downfall, and with the groans of the wounded when the terrible slaughter is in your midst? +\v 16 Then all the princes of the sea will step down from their thrones and remove their robes and cast off their embroidered garments. They will clothe themselves with trembling, they will sit on the ground and tremble every moment, and they will be appalled because of you. + +\s5 +\v 17 They will lift up a lament for you and say to you, +\q How you, who were inhabited by sailors, have been destroyed. The famous city that was so strong—it is now gone from the sea. +\q The ones living in her once spread a terror about themselves upon everyone who lived near them. +\q +\v 18 Now the coasts tremble on the day of your downfall. +\q The islands in the sea are terrified, because you have died.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 For the Lord Yahweh says this: When I make you a desolate city, like the other cities that are not inhabited, when I raise up the deeps against you, and when the great waters cover you, +\v 20 then I will bring you down to the people of ancient times, like the others who have gone down into the pit; for I will make you live in the lowest realms of the earth as in ruins of ancient times. Because of this you will not come back and stand in the land of the living. +\f + \ft The expression \fqa and stand in the land of the living \fqa* is supplied by an ancient version. The Hebrew has \fqa I will place glory in the land of the living \fqa* , which does not seem to fit the context here. \f* +\v 21 I will place disaster on you, and you will be no more forever. Then you will be sought, but you will never be found ever again—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." + + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 Again the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Now you, son of man, begin a lamentation concerning Tyre, +\v 3 and say to Tyre, who lives within the gates of the sea, merchants of peoples to many islands, the Lord Yahweh says this to you: +\q Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders have perfected your beauty. +\q +\v 5 They have made all your planks with cypress from Mount Hermon; +\q they took cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 They made your oars from the oaks of Bashan; +\q they made your decks out of cypress wood from Cyprus, and they overlaid them with ivory. +\q +\v 7 Your sails were made from colorful linen from Egypt that served as your banner; +\q the colors of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah are used for the awning on your boat. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Those who were living in Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; +\q the sages of Tyre were within you; they were your pilots. +\q +\v 9 Highly experienced craftsmen from Byblos filled your seams; +\q all the ships of the sea and their sailors among you were carrying your merchandise for trade. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Persia, Lydia, and Libya were in your army, your men of war. +\q they hung shield and helmet within you; they showed your splendor. +\q +\v 11 The men of Arvad and Helek in your army were on your walls surrounding you, and the people of Gammad were in your towers. They hung up their shields on your walls all around you! They completed your beauty. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Tarshish was a trading partner with you because of your abundant wealth of goods to sell: Silver, iron, tin, and lead. They bought and sold your wares! +\v 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech—they traded slaves and in items made of bronze. They handled your merchandise. + +\s5 +\v 14 Beth Togarmah provided horses, stallions, and mules as your merchandise. +\v 15 The men of Rhodes were your traders on many coasts. Merchandise was in your hand; they sent back horn, ivory, and ebony as tribute! + +\s5 +\v 16 Aram was a dealer in your many products; they provided emeralds, purple, colored cloth, fine fabric, pearls, and rubies as your merchandise. +\v 17 Judah and the land of Israel were trading with you. They provided wheat from Minnith, cakes, honey, oil, and balsam as your merchandise. +\v 18 Damascus was a trader of all your products, of all your enormous wealth, and of the wine of Helbon and the wool of Zahar. + +\s5 +\v 19 Dan and Javan from Izal provided you with merchandise of wrought iron, cinnamon, and calamus. This became merchandise for you. +\v 20 Dedan was your dealer in fine saddle blankets. +\v 21 Arabia and all the chiefs of Kedar were traders with you; they provided you with lambs, rams and goats. + +\s5 +\v 22 The traders of Sheba and Raamah came to sell you the best of every spice and in all kinds of precious gems; they traded gold for your merchandise. +\v 23 Haran, Kanneh, and Eden were traders with you, along with Sheba, Ashur, and Kilmad. + +\s5 +\v 24 These were your dealers in ornate robes of violet cloths with woven colors, and in blankets of multicolored, embroidered, and well-woven cloth in your marketplaces. +\v 25 The ships of Tarshish were the transporters of your merchandise! +\q So you were filled up, heavily laden with cargo in the heart of the seas! + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Your rowers have brought you into vast seas; +\q the eastern wind has broken you in the middle of them. +\q +\v 27 Your wealth, merchandise, and trade goods; your sailors and pilots, and ship builders; your traders of merchandise and all the men of war who are in you, and all your crew—they will sink into the depths of the sea on the day of your destruction. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 Cities at the sea will tremble at the sound of your pilots' cry; +\q +\v 29 All those who handle oars will come down from their ships; +\q mariners and all the pilots on the sea will stand on the land. +\q +\v 30 Then they will make you listen to their voice and will wail bitterly; +\q they will cast dust up on their heads. They will roll about in ashes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 31 They will shave their heads bald for you and bind themselves with sackcloth, +\q and they will weep bitterly over you and they will cry out. +\q +\v 32 They will lift up their wails of lamentation for you and sing dirges over you, +\q Who is like Tyre, who has now been brought to silence in the middle of the sea? +\q +\v 33 When your merchandise went ashore from the sea, it satisfied many peoples; +\q you enriched the kings of the earth with your great wealth and merchandise! + +\s5 +\q +\v 34 But when you were shattered by the seas, by deep waters, +\q your merchandise and all your crew sank! +\q +\v 35 All the inhabitants of the coasts were appalled at you, +\q and their kings shuddered in horror! Their faces trembled! +\q +\v 36 The merchants of the people hiss at you; +\q you have become a horror, and you will be no more forever." + + + +\s5 +\c 28 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Your heart is arrogant! You have said, "I am a god! I will sit in the seat of the gods in the heart of the seas!" Even though you are a man and not a god, you make your heart like the heart of a god; +\v 3 you think that you are wiser than Daniel, and that no secret amazes you! + +\s5 +\v 4 You have made yourself wealthy with wisdom and skill, and obtained gold and silver in your treasuries! +\v 5 By great wisdom and by your trading, you have multiplied your wealth, so your heart is arrogant because of your wealth. + +\s5 +\v 6 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this: Because you have made your heart like the heart of a god, +\v 7 I will therefore bring foreigners against you, terrifying men from other nations. They will bring their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, and they will profane your splendor. + +\s5 +\v 8 They will send you down to the pit, and you will die the death of those who die in the heart of the seas. +\v 9 Will you truly say, "I am a god" to the face of one who kills you? You are a man and not God, and you will be in the hand of the one who pierces you. +\v 10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of foreigners, for I have declared it—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 The word of Yahweh came again to me, saying, +\v 12 "Son of man, lift up a lament for the king of Tyre and say to him, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. +\v 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone covered you: ruby, topaz, emerald, chrysolite, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made from gold. It was on the day you were created that they were prepared. + + + +\s5 +\v 14 I placed you on the holy mountain of God as the cherub I anointed to guard mankind. You were in the midst of the fiery stones where you walked about. +\v 15 You had integrity in your ways from the day you were created until injustice was found within you. + +\s5 +\v 16 Through your great trade you were filled with violence, and so you sinned. So I threw you out of the mountain of God, as a one who was defiled, and I destroyed you, guardian cherub, and drove you from among the fiery stones. +\v 17 Your heart was arrogant with your beauty; you ruined your wisdom because of your splendor. I have sent you down to the earth. I have placed you before kings so they may see you. + +\s5 +\v 18 Because of your many sins and your dishonest trade, you have defiled your holy places. So I have made fire come out from you; it will consume you. I will turn you into ashes on the earth in the sight of all who look at you. +\v 19 All the ones who knew you among the peoples will shudder at you; they will be horrified, and you will be no more forever.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 21 "Son of man, set your face against Sidon and prophesy against her. +\v 22 Say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you, Sidon! For I will be glorified in your midst so your people will know that I am Yahweh when I execute justice within you. I will be shown to be holy in you. + +\s5 +\v 23 I will send out a plague in you and blood in your streets, and the slain will fall in your midst. When the sword comes against you from all around, then you will know that I am Yahweh. +\v 24 Then there will no longer be pricking briars and painful thorns for the house of Israel from all those around her who despise her people, so they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh!' + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 The Lord Yahweh says this, 'When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they were scattered, and when I am set apart among them, so the nations may see, then they will make their homes in the land I will give to my servant Jacob. +\v 26 Then they will live securely within her and build houses, plant vineyards, and live securely when I execute justice on all the ones who now despise them from all around; so they will know that I am Yahweh their God!'" + + + +\s5 +\c 29 +\p +\v 1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month on the twelfth day of the month, the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt; prophesy against him and against all of Egypt. +\v 3 Declare and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: +\q Behold! I am against you, Pharaoh, king of Egypt. +\q You, the great sea monster that lurks in the midst of the river, +\q that says, "My river is my own. I have made it for myself." + +\s5 +\v 4 For I will place hooks in your jaw, and the fish of your Nile will cling to your scales; I will lift you up from the middle of your river along with all the fish of the river that cling to your scales. +\q +\v 5 I will throw you down into the wilderness, you and all the fish from your river. +\q You will fall on the open field; you will not be gathered nor lifted up. +\q I will give you as food to the living things of the earth and to the birds of the heavens. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, +\q because they have been a reed stalk to the house of Israel. +\q +\v 7 When they took hold of you in their hand, you broke and tore open their shoulder; +\q and when they leaned on you, you were broken, and you caused their legs to be unsteady. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I will bring a sword against you. I will cut off both man and beast from you. +\v 9 So the land of Egypt will become desolate and a ruin. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, because the sea monster had said, "The river is mine, for I have made it." +\v 10 Therefore, behold! I am against you and against your river, so I will give the land of Egypt over to desolation and waste, and you will become a wasteland from the Migdol to Syene and the borders of Cush. + +\s5 +\v 11 No man's foot will pass through it, and no wild animal's foot will pass through it. It will not be inhabited for forty years. +\v 12 For I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of uninhabited lands, and its cities in the midst of wasted cities will become a desolation for forty years; then I will scatter Egypt among the nations, and I will disperse them though the lands. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 For the Lord Yahweh says this: At the end of forty years I will gather Egypt from the peoples among whom they were scattered. +\v 14 I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the region of Pathros, to the land of their origin. Then they will be a lowly kingdom there. + +\s5 +\v 15 It will be the lowliest of the kingdoms, and it will not be lifted up any more among the nations. I will diminish them so they will no longer rule over nations. +\v 16 The Egyptians will no longer be a reason for confidence for the house of Israel. Instead, they will be a reminder of the iniquity that Israel committed when they turned to Egypt for help. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then it came about in the twenty-seventh year on the first of the first month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 18 "Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon stationed his army to do hard work against Tyre. Every head was rubbed until it was made bald, and every shoulder was made raw. Yet he and his army received no payment from Tyre for the hard work that he carried out against it. + +\s5 +\v 19 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold! I am giving the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and he will take away its wealth, plunder its possessions, and carry off all he finds there; that will be his army's wages. +\v 20 I have given him the land of Egypt as the wages for the work they did for me—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 21 On that day I will make a horn sprout up for the house of Israel, and I make you speak in their midst, so that they will know that I am Yahweh.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 30 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, prophesy and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: +\q Wail, "Woe is the coming day." +\q +\v 3 The day is near. The day is near for Yahweh. It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for nations. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Then a sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the killed people fall in Egypt— +\q when they take her wealth, and when her foundations are ruined. +\p +\v 5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, and Libya, together with the people belonging to the covenant—they will all fall by the sword. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Yahweh says this: +\q So the ones who support Egypt will fall, and the pride of her strength will go down. +\q From Migdol to Syene their soldiers will fall by the sword—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. +\m +\v 7 They will be appalled in the midst of the abandoned lands, and their cities will be among all the ruined cities. + +\s5 +\v 8 Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I set fire in Egypt, and when all of her helpers are destroyed. +\v 9 In that day messengers will go out from before me in ships to terrorize a secure Cush, and there will be anguish among them on the day of Egypt's doom. For behold! It is coming. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The Lord Yahweh says this: I will make an end of the multitudes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. +\v 11 He and his army with him, the terror of nations, will be brought to destroy the land; they will draw out their swords against Egypt and fill the land with dead people. + +\s5 +\v 12 I will make the rivers into dry ground, and I will sell the land into the hand of wicked men. I will make the land and its fullness desolate by the hand of strangers—I, Yahweh, have spoken. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 The Lord Yahweh says this: I will destroy idols, and I will bring an end to the worthless idols of Memphis. There will no longer be a prince in the land of Egypt, and I will put terror on the land of Egypt. +\v 14 Then I will make Pathros desolate and set fire in Zoan, and I will execute acts of judgment on Thebes. + +\s5 +\v 15 For I will pour out my fury on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the multitude of Thebes. +\v 16 Then I will set fire in Egypt; Pelusium will be in great agony, Thebes will be broken up, and Memphis will face enemies every day. + +\s5 +\v 17 The young men in Heliopolis and Bubastis will fall by the sword, and their cities will go into captivity. +\v 18 In Tahpanhes, the day will hold back its light when I break the yoke of Egypt there, and the pride of her strength will be finished. There will be a cloud covering her, and her daughters will walk into captivity. +\v 19 I will execute acts of judgment in Egypt, so they will know that I am Yahweh.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then it came about in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 21 "Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Behold! It has not been bound up, or set to heal with a bandage, so that it will become strong enough to grasp a sword. + +\s5 +\v 22 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Behold, I am against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. For I will break his arm, both the strong one and the broken one, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. +\v 23 Then I will scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them among the lands. +\v 24 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and place my sword in his hand so that I might destroy Pharaoh's arms. He will groan before the king of Babylon with the groans of a dying man. + +\s5 +\v 25 For I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, while Pharaoh's arms will fall. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon; for he will attack the land of Egypt with it. +\v 26 So I will scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them through the lands. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 31 +\p +\v 1 Then it came about in the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, say to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and to his multitudes around him, +\q 'In your greatness, who are you like? + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Behold! Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon with beautiful branches, giving shade to the forest, +\q and the tallest in height, and the branches formed its treetop. +\q +\v 4 Many waters made it tall; the deep waters made it huge. Rivers flowed all around its area, +\q for their channels stretched out to all the trees in the field. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Its great height was more than any of the other trees in the field, and its branches became very many; +\q its branches grew long because of many waters as they grew. +\q +\v 6 Every bird of the heavens nested in its branches, while every living thing of the field gave birth to its young under its foliage. +\q All of the many nations lived under its shade. +\q +\v 7 For it was beautiful in its greatness and the length of its branches, for its roots were in many waters. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Cedars in the garden of God could not equal it. +\q None among the cypress trees matched its branches, and the plane tree could not equal its boughs. +\q There was no other tree in the garden of God that was like it in its beauty. +\q +\v 9 I made it beautiful with its many branches +\q and all the trees of Eden that were in the garden of God envied it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Because it was tall in height, and it set its treetop between its branches, it lifted up its heart because of its height. +\v 11 I have given it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations, to deal with it according to what its wickedness deserves. I have thrown it out. + +\s5 +\v 12 Foreigners who were the terror of all the nations cut it off and left it to die. Its branches fell on the mountains and all the valleys, and its boughs lay broken in all the ravines of the land. Then all the nations on earth came out from under its shade and they went away from it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 All the birds of the sky rested on the trunk of the fallen tree, +\q and every animal of the field came to its branches. +\p +\v 14 This happened so that no other trees that grow by the waters will lift up their foliage to the height of the tallest trees, and that no other trees that grow beside the waters will reach up to that height. All of them have been assigned to death, to the earth below, among the children of humanity, with those that go down to the pit. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day when the cedar went down to Sheol I brought mourning to the earth. I covered the deep waters over it, and I held back the ocean waters. I kept back the great waters, and I brought mourning to Lebanon for him. So all the trees of the field mourned because of it. + +\s5 +\v 16 I brought shuddering to the nations at the sound of its downfall, when I threw it down to Sheol with those who went down into the pit. So I comforted all the trees of Eden in the lowest parts of the earth. These had been the choicest and best trees of Lebanon; the trees that drank the waters. + +\s5 +\v 17 For they also went down with it to Sheol, to the ones who had been killed by the sword. These were its strong arm, those nations who had lived in its shade. +\v 18 Which of the trees in Eden was your equal in glory and greatness? For you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the lowest parts of the earth among the uncircumcised; you will live with those who were killed by the sword.' +\p This is Pharaoh and all of his multitudes—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." + + + +\s5 +\c 32 +\p +\v 1 Then it happened in the twelfth month of the twelfth year, on the first of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, lift up a lament concerning Pharaoh the king of Egypt; say to him, 'You are like a young lion among the nations, +\q but you are like a monster in the seas; you churn up the water, +\q you stir up the waters with your feet and muddy their waters. + +\s5 +\v 3 The Lord Yahweh says this: +\q So I will spread my net over you in the assembly of many peoples, and they will lift you up in my net. +\q +\v 4 I will abandon you in the land. I will throw you into a field +\q and cause all the birds of the heavens to settle on you; the hunger of all living animals on earth will be satisfied by you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 For I will put your flesh on the mountains, and I will fill the valleys with your worm-filled corpse. +\q +\v 6 Then I will pour your blood over the mountains, +\q and the stream beds will be filled with your blood. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Then when I extinguish you, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; +\q I will cover the sun with clouds, and the moon will not shine its light. +\q +\v 8 All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you, +\q and I will put darkness over your land—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 9 So I will terrify the heart of many peoples in lands that you do not know, when I bring about your collapse among the nations, among lands that you have not known. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa when I bring about your collapse among the nations \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions have \fqa when I take you into captivity among the nations \fqa* . \f* +\v 10 I will shock many peoples concerning you; their kings will shudder in horror concerning you when I swing my sword before them. Every moment each one will tremble because of you, on the day of your downfall. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 For the Lord Yahweh says this: The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you. +\q +\v 12 I will cause your multitudes to fall by warriors' swords—each warrior a terror of nations. +\q These warriors will devastate the pride of Egypt and destroy all of its multitudes. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 For I will destroy all the livestock from beside the plentiful waters; +\q the foot of man will no longer stir the waters up, neither will the hooves of cattle stir them. +\q +\v 14 Then I will calm their waters and make their rivers run like oil— +\q this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 When I make the land of Egypt an abandoned place, when the land is made bare of all its fullness, +\q when I attack all the inhabitants in her, they will know that I am Yahweh. +\q +\v 16 There will be a lament; the daughters of the nations will lament over her; they will lament over Egypt, +\q over all her multitudes they will lament—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then it happened in the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\q +\v 18 "Son of man, weep for the multitudes of Egypt and bring them down— +\q her and the daughters of majestic nations—to the lowest earth with those who have gone down to the pit. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 'Are you really more beautiful than anyone else? Go down and lie down with the uncircumcised.' +\q +\v 20 They will fall among those who were killed by the sword. The sword has been drawn! She has been given to the sword; they will seize her and her multitudes. +\q +\v 21 The strongest of the warriors in Sheol will declare about Egypt and her allies, +\q 'They have come down here! They will lie with the uncircumcised, with those who were killed by the sword.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 22 Assyria is there with all her assembly. Her graves surround her; +\q all of them were killed by the sword. +\q +\v 23 Those whose graves are set in the recesses of the pit are there, with all her assembly. +\q Her graves surround all of those who were killed, who fell by the sword, +\q those who brought terror on the land of the living. + +\s5 +\q +\v 24 Elam is there with all her multitudes. Her graves surround her; all of them were killed. +\q Those who fell by the sword, who have gone down uncircumcised to the lowest parts of the earth, +\q who brought their terrors on the land of the living and who carry their own shame, together with the ones going down to the pit. +\q +\v 25 They set a bedroll for Elam and all her multitudes in the midst of the slain; her graves surround her. +\q All of them are uncircumcised, pierced by the sword, because they had brought their terrors on the land of the living. +\q So they carry their own shame, together with the ones going down to the pit among all those who have been killed, those who are going down to the pit. Elam is among all those who were killed. + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 Meshech, Tubal, and all their multitudes are there! Their graves surround them. +\q All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword, because they had brought their terrors on the land of the living. +\q +\v 27 They do not lie with the fallen warriors of the uncircumcised who have gone down to Sheol +\q with all their weapons of war, and with their swords placed under their heads +\q and their iniquities over their bones. For they were the terror of warriors in the land of the living. + +\s5 +\q +\v 28 So you, Egypt, will be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised! You will lie alongside those who were pierced by the sword. +\p +\v 29 Edom is there with her kings and all her leaders. They have been placed in their strength with those killed by the sword. With the uncircumcised they lie, with those who have gone down to the pit. + +\s5 +\v 30 The princes of the north are there—all of them and all the Sidonians who went down with the ones who had been pierced. They were powerful and made others to be afraid, but now they are there in shame, uncircumcised with those who were pierced by the sword. They carry their own shame, together with the ones going down to the pit. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Pharaoh will look and be comforted about all his multitudes who were pierced by the sword—Pharaoh and all his army—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. +\v 32 I put him as my terrifying one in the land of the living, but he will be laid down in the midst of the uncircumcised, among those pierced by the sword, Pharaoh and all his multitudes—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." + + + +\s5 +\c 33 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, declare this to your people; say to them, 'When I bring a sword against any land, then the people of that land take one man from among themselves and make him a watchman for them. +\v 3 He looks for the sword as it comes on the land, and he blows his horn to warn the people! +\v 4 If the people hear the sound of the horn but do not pay attention, and if the sword comes and kills them, then each one's blood is on his own head. + +\s5 +\v 5 If someone hears the sound of the horn and pays no attention, his blood is on him; but if he pays attention, he will save his own life. +\p +\v 6 However, if the watchman sees the sword as it is coming, but if he does not blow the horn, with the result that the people are not warned, and if the sword comes and takes anyone's life, then that person dies in his own sin, but I will require his blood from the watchman.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Now you yourself, son of man! I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; you will hear the words from my mouth and warn them on my behalf. +\v 8 If I say to a wicked person, 'Wicked one, you will surely die!' but if you do not announce this so as to warn the wicked about his way, then he who is wicked will die in his sin, but I will require his blood from your hand! +\v 9 But you, if you warn the wicked about his way, so that he might turn back from it, and if he does not turn back from his way, then he will die in his sin, but you yourself will have saved your own life. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 So you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'You are saying this, "Our transgressions and our sins are on us, and we are decaying in them! How can we live?"' +\v 11 Say to them, 'As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I do not delight in the death of the wicked, for if the wicked repents from his way, then he will live! Repent! Repent from your wicked ways! For why should you die, house of Israel?' + +\s5 +\v 12 So now you, son of man, say to your people, 'The righteousness of a righteous person will not save him if he sins! The wickedness of a wicked person will not cause him to perish if he repents from his sin! For the righteous person will not be able to live because of his righteousness if he sins. +\v 13 If I say to the righteous, "He will surely live!" and if he trusts in his righteousness and then commits injustice, I will not call to mind any of his righteousness. He will die for the wickedness he committed. + +\s5 +\v 14 So if I say to the wicked, "You will surely die," but if he then repents from his sins and does what is just and right— +\v 15 if he restores the loan guarantee that he wickedly demanded, or if he makes restitution for what he has stolen, and if he walks in the statutes that give life and no longer commits sin—then he will surely live. He will not die. +\v 16 None of the sins that he has committed will be called to mind for him. He has acted justly and rightly, and so, he will surely live! + + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 But your people say, "The way of the Lord is not fair!" but it is your ways that are not fair! +\v 18 When the righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits sin, then he will die in it! +\v 19 When the wicked turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and righteous, he will live because of those things! +\v 20 But you people say, "The way of the Lord is not fair!" I will judge each of you according to his way, house of Israel!'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 It happened in the twelfth year, on the fifth day of the tenth month of our captivity, that a fugitive came to me from Jerusalem and said, "The city has been captured!" +\v 22 The hand of Yahweh had been on me in the evening before the fugitive came, and my mouth was opened by the time that he came to me in the dawn. So my mouth was open; I was no longer mute! + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 24 "Son of man, the ones inhabiting those ruins in the land of Israel are talking and say, 'Abraham was only one person, and he inherited the land, but we are many! The land has been given to us as a possession.' + +\s5 +\v 25 Therefore say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: You eat blood, and you lift up your eyes towards your idols, then you pour out people's blood. Should you really possess the land? +\v 26 You have depended on your swords and have done disgusting things; each man defiles his neighbor's wife. Should you really possess the land?' + +\s5 +\v 27 You will say this to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: As I live, surely the ones in the ruins will fall by the sword, and I will give those in the fields to the living creatures as food, and those in fortresses and in caves will die of plagues. +\v 28 Then I will turn the land into a desolation and a horror, and the pride of its might will end, for the mountains of Israel will be deserted, and there will be no one to pass through them.' +\v 29 So they will know that I am Yahweh, when I make the land a desolation and a horror because of all the abominations that they have done. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 So now you, son of man—your people are saying things about you beside the walls and the gates of the houses, and each says to one another—each man to his brother, 'Let us go and listen to the prophet's word that comes out from Yahweh!' +\v 31 So my people will come to you, as they often do, and will sit in front of you and listen to your words, but they will not obey them. Right words are in their mouths, but their hearts are going after unjust profit. + +\s5 +\v 32 For you are like a lovely song to them, a beautiful sound that is well played on a stringed instrument, so they will listen to your words, but none of them will obey them. +\v 33 So when all of this happens—behold! it will happen!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them." + + + +\s5 +\c 34 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who are shepherding themselves. Should not shepherds guard the flock? +\v 3 You eat the fatty portions and you dress in wool. You slaughter the fatlings of the flock. You do not shepherd at all. + +\s5 +\v 4 You have not strengthened those who have diseases, nor do you heal the ones who are ill. You do not bind up the ones who are broken, and you do not restore the outcasts or seek the lost. Instead, you rule over them through strength and violence. +\v 5 Then they were scattered without a shepherd, and they became food for all the living beasts in the fields, after they were scattered. +\v 6 My flock strays on all of the mountains and on every high hill, and it is dispersed over the entire surface of the earth. Yet no one is searching for them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh: +\v 8 As I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—because my flock has become plunder and food for all the beasts in the fields, because there was no shepherd and none of my shepherds sought my flock, but the shepherds guarded themselves and did not shepherd my flock. + +\s5 +\v 9 Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh: +\v 10 The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against the shepherds, and I will require my flock from their hand. Then I will dismiss them from shepherding the flock; neither will the shepherds any longer shepherd themselves since I will take away my flock from their mouths, so that my flock will no longer be food for them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 For the Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I myself will seek out my flock and I will look after them, +\v 12 like a shepherd seeking his flock on the day he is within the midst of his scattered flock. Thus I will seek my flock, and I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on the day of clouds and darkness. +\v 13 Then I will bring them out from among the peoples; I will gather them from the lands and bring them to their land. I will put them in pastures on the mountainsides of Israel, by the streams, and in every settlement in the land. + +\s5 +\v 14 I will put them in good pastures; the high mountains of Israel will be their grazing places. They will lie down there in good places for grazing, in abundant pastures, and they will graze on the mountains of Israel. +\v 15 I myself will shepherd my flock, and I myself will make them lie down—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration— +\v 16 I will seek the lost and restore the outcast. I will bind up the broken sheep and heal the sick sheep but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd with justice. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 So now you, my flock—this is what the Lord Yahweh says—behold, I will be a judge between sheep and sheep and between rams and male goats. +\v 18 Is it not enough to feed on the good pasture, that you must trample down with your feet what is left of the pasture; and to drink from clear waters, that you must muddy the rivers with your feet? +\v 19 Must my sheep eat what you have trampled with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this to them: Behold! I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the thin ones, +\v 21 for you have pushed them with your sides and shoulders, and you have gored all of the weak ones with your horns until you have scattered them away from the land. + +\s5 +\v 22 I will save my flock and they will no longer be plunder, and I will judge between one sheep and another! +\v 23 I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will shepherd them, he will feed them, and he will be their shepherd. +\v 24 For I, Yahweh, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among them—I, Yahweh, have declared this. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Then I will make a covenant of peace with them and remove the evil wild animals from the land, so that they will live securely in the wilderness and safely sleep in the forests. +\v 26 I will also bring blessings on them and on the places around my hill, for I will send out showers in due season. These will be showers of blessing. +\v 27 Then the trees of the field will produce their fruit, and the earth will yield its produce. My sheep will be secure in their land; then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I break the bars of their yoke, and when I rescue them from the hand of those who enslaved them. + +\s5 +\v 28 They will no longer be plunder for the nations, and the wild animals on the earth will no longer devour them. For they will live securely, and no one will frighten them. +\v 29 For I will provide them a land known for its crops; so they will not be victims of famine in the land, and they will not bear the scorn of the nations. + +\s5 +\v 30 Then they will know that I, Yahweh their God, am with them. They are my people, the house of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. +\v 31 For you are my sheep, the flock of my pasture, and my people, and I am your God—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" + + + +\s5 +\c 35 +\p +\v 1 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it. +\v 3 Say to it, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will strike you with my hand and make you a desolation and a horror. + +\s5 +\v 4 I will make your cities ruins, and you yourself will become desolate; then you will know that I am Yahweh. +\v 5 Because you have always been hostile to the people of Israel, and because you poured them out into the hands of the sword at the time of their distress, at the time their punishment was at its greatest. +\v 6 Therefore, as I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—I will prepare you for bloodshed, and bloodshed will pursue you! Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you. + +\s5 +\v 7 I will make Mount Seir a complete desolation when I cut off from it anyone who passes through and returns again. +\v 8 I will fill its mountains with those who were killed; on your high hills and valleys and in all your streams those who were killed by the sword will fall. +\v 9 I will make you a perpetual desolation. Your cities will not be inhabited, but you will know that I am Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 You have said, "These two nations and these two lands will become mine, and we will possess them," even when Yahweh was present with them. +\v 11 Therefore, as I live—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—so I will do according to your anger and according to your jealousy that you had in your hatred of Israel, and I will show myself to them when I judge you. + +\s5 +\v 12 So you will know that I am Yahweh. I have heard all the insults you spoke against the mountains of Israel, when you said, "They have been destroyed; they have been given over to us to devour." +\v 13 You exalted yourselves against me with what you said, and you multiplied the words you said against me; and I heard it all. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 The Lord Yahweh says this: I will make you a desolation, while the entire earth rejoices. +\v 15 As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the people of Israel because of its desolation, I will do the same to you. You will become a desolation, Mount Seir, and all of Edom—all of it! Then they will know that I am Yahweh.'" + + + +\s5 +\c 36 +\p +\v 1 "Now you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, 'Mountains of Israel, listen to the word of Yahweh. +\v 2 The Lord Yahweh says this: The enemy has said about you, "Aha!" and "The ancient high places have become our possession."' +\v 3 Therefore prophesy and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Because of your desolation and because of the attacks that came on you from all sides, you have become a possession of the other nations; you have been the subject of slanderous lips and tongues, and of people's stories. + +\s5 +\v 4 Therefore, mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord Yahweh: The Lord Yahweh says this to the mountains and the high hills, to the streambeds and valleys, to the uninhabited desolations and the forsaken cities that have become plunder and a subject of mocking for the other nations that surround them— +\v 5 therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: I have certainly spoken in the fire of my fury against the other nations, against Edom and all who took my land for themselves as a possession, against all those who had both joy in their heart and disdain in their spirit, as they seized my land that they might claim its pasturelands for themselves.' +\v 6 Therefore, prophesy to the land of Israel and say to the mountains and to the high hills, to the streambeds and to the valleys, 'the Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! In my fury and in my anger I am declaring this because you have borne the insults of nations. + +\s5 +\v 7 Therefore, the Lord Yahweh says this: I myself will lift up my hand to swear that the nations that surround you will certainly carry their own shame. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 But you, mountains of Israel, you will grow branches and bear fruit for my people Israel, since they will soon come back to you. +\v 9 For behold, I am for you, and I treat you with favor; you will be plowed and sown with seed. + +\s5 +\v 10 So I will multiply upon you the number of your people, even the whole house of Israel. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. +\v 11 I will multiply man and beast on you mountains so that they will multiply and be fruitful. Then I will cause you to be inhabited as you previously were, and I will make you prosper more than you did in the past, for you will know that I am Yahweh. +\v 12 I will bring men, my people Israel, to walk on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance, and you will no longer cause their children to die. + +\s5 +\v 13 The Lord Yahweh says this: Because they are saying to you, "You devour people, and your nation's children have died," +\v 14 therefore you will not consume people any longer, and you will no longer make your nation mourn their deaths. This is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. +\v 15 Nor will I allow you to hear the insults of the nations any longer; you will no longer have to bear the shame of the peoples or cause your nation to fall—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 17 "Son of man, when the house of Israel inhabited their land, they defiled it with their ways and their deeds. Their ways were like the unclean menstruation of a woman before me. +\v 18 So I poured out my fury against them for the blood that they poured out on the land and for their pollution of it by their idols. + +\s5 +\v 19 I scattered them among the nations; they were dispersed through the lands. I judged them according to their ways and their deeds. +\v 20 Then they went to the nations, and wherever they went, they profaned my holy name when people said of them, 'Are these really the people of Yahweh? For they have been thrown out of his land.' +\v 21 But I had compassion for my holy name that the house of Israel had defiled among the nations, when they went there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: I am not doing this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations everywhere you have gone. +\v 23 For I will make my great name holy, which you have profaned among the nations—in the midst of the nations, you profaned it. Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—when you see that I am holy. + +\s5 +\v 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from every land, and I will bring you to your land. +\v 25 Then I will sprinkle pure water on you so you will be purified from all of your impurities, and I will purify you from all of your idols. + +\s5 +\v 26 I will give you a new heart and a new spirit in your innermost parts, and I will take away the heart of stone from your flesh. For I will give you a heart of flesh. +\v 27 I will set my Spirit in you and enable you to walk in my statutes and keep my decrees, so you will do them. +\v 28 Then you will inhabit the land that I gave to your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. + +\s5 +\v 29 For I will save you from all of your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and multiply it. I will no longer put famine upon you. +\v 30 I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field so that you will no longer bear the shame of famine among the nations. +\v 31 Then you will think of your wicked ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will show loathing on your faces because of your own sins and your disgusting deeds. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 I am not doing this for your sake—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—let this be known to you. So be ashamed and disgraced because of your ways, house of Israel. +\v 33 The Lord Yahweh says this: On the day that I purify you from all your iniquity, I will cause you to inhabit the cities and to rebuild the ruined places. +\v 34 For you will plow the ruined land until it is no longer a ruin before the eyes of all who pass by. + +\s5 +\v 35 Then they will say, "This land was desolate, but it has become like the garden of Eden; the desolate cities and the uninhabited ruins that were torn down are now fortified and inhabited." +\v 36 Then the other nations around you will know that I am Yahweh, that I built up the ruins and replanted the abandoned places. I am Yahweh. I have declared it and I will do it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 The Lord Yahweh says this: Again I will be asked by the house of Israel to do this for them, to increase them like a flock of people. +\v 38 Like the flock is set apart for sacrifices, like the flock in Jerusalem at her appointed feasts, so will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people and they will know that I am Yahweh.'" + + + +\s5 +\c 37 +\p +\v 1 The hand of Yahweh was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of Yahweh and set me down in the midst of a valley; it was full of bones. +\v 2 Then he made me pass through them round and round. Behold! A great many of them were in the valley. Behold! They were very dry. +\v 3 He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live again?" So I said, "Lord Yahweh, you alone know." + +\s5 +\v 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones. Listen to the word of Yahweh. +\v 5 The Lord Yahweh says this to these bones: Behold! I am about to put breath into you, and you will live. +\v 6 I will place sinews over you and bring flesh onto you. I will cover you with skin and put breath within you so you will live. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; as I prophesied, behold, a sound came, that of shaking. Then the bones drew together—bone against bone. +\v 8 I looked and, behold, sinews were now on them, and flesh grew up and skin covered them. But there was still no breath in them. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Yahweh said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Breath, come from the four winds, and breathe on these who have been killed, so they may live.'" +\v 10 So I prophesied as I was commanded; the breath came into them and they lived. Then they stood on their feet, a very great army. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then Yahweh said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the entire house of Israel. Behold! They are saying, 'Our bones have dried up, and our hope is gone. We have been cut off.' +\v 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I will open your graves and lift you out from them, my people. I will bring you back to the land of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 13 Then you will know that I am Yahweh, when I open your graves and bring you out from them, my people. +\v 14 I will place my Spirit within you so you will live, and I will cause you to rest in your land when you know that I am Yahweh. I declare and will do it—this is Yahweh's declaration.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 16 "So now you, son of man, take one stick for yourself and write on it, 'For Judah and for the people of Israel, his companions.' Then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the branch of Ephraim, and for all the people of Israel, their companions.' +\v 17 Bring both of them together into one stick, so that they become one in your hand. + +\s5 +\v 18 When your people speak to you and say, 'Will you not tell us what these things of yours mean?' +\v 19 then say to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am taking the branch of Joseph that is in the hand of Ephraim and the tribes of Israel his companions and joining it to the branch of Judah, so that they will make one branch, and they will become one in my hand.' +\v 20 Hold in your hand the branches that you wrote on before their eyes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Declare to them, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am about to take the people of Israel from among the nations where they went. I will gather them from the surrounding lands and I will bring them to their land. +\v 22 I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and there will be one king as king over all of them, and they will no longer be two nations. They will no longer be divided into two kingdoms. +\v 23 Then they will no longer defile themselves with their idols, their disgusting things, or any of their other sins. For I will save them from all of their faithless actions with which they have sinned, and I will purify them, so they will be my people and I will be their God. +\f + \ft Some ancient and most modern versions read in this way: \fqa from all of their faithless actions \fqa* . However, the Hebrew text reads \fqa from their dwelling places \fqa* , which many think makes little sense in this context. \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 David my servant will be king over them. So there will be one shepherd over them all, and they will walk according to my decrees and they will keep my statutes and obey them. +\v 25 They will live in the land that I have given to my servant Jacob, where your fathers had stayed. They will live in it forever—they, their children, and their grandchildren, for David my servant will be their chief forever. + +\s5 +\v 26 I will establish a covenant of peace with them. It will be an everlasting covenant with them. I will establish them and multiply them and set my holy place in their midst forever. +\v 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. +\v 28 Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh who sets Israel apart, when my holy place is among them forever.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 38 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, +\v 2 "Son of man, set your face toward Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; and prophesy against him. +\v 3 Say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. + +\s5 +\v 4 So I will turn you around and set hooks in your jaw; I will send you out with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all of them dressed in full armor, a great company with large shields and small shields, all of them holding swords! +\v 5 Persia, Cush, and Libya are with them, all of them with shields and helmets! +\v 6 Gomer and all her troops, and Beth Togarmah, from the far parts of the north, and all its troops! Many peoples are with you! + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Get ready! Yes, prepare yourself and your troops assembled with you, and be their commander. +\v 8 You will be called after many days, and after some years you will go to a land that has recovered from the sword and that has been gathered from many peoples, gathered back to the mountains of Israel that had been a continuous ruin. But the land's people will be brought out of the peoples, and they will live in safety, all of them! +\v 9 So you will go up as a storm goes; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, all the many soldiers with you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The Lord Yahweh says this: It will happen on that day that plans will form in your heart, and you will devise wicked schemes.' +\v 11 Then you will say, 'I will go up to the open land; I will go to the quiet people living in safety, all of them living where there are no walls or bars, and where there are no city gates. +\v 12 I will capture booty and steal plunder, in order to bring my hand against the ruins that are newly inhabited, and against the people gathered from the nations, people who are gaining livestock and property, and who are living at the center of the earth.' + +\s5 +\v 13 Sheba and Dedan, and the traders of Tarshish along with all its young warriors will say to you, 'Have you come to plunder? Have you assembled your armies to take away spoil, to carry off silver and gold, to take their livestock and property and to haul away much plunder?' + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: On that day, when my people Israel are living securely, will you not learn about them? +\v 15 You will come from your place far away in the north with a great army, all of them riding on horses, a great company, a large army. +\v 16 You will attack my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, so the nations might know me when I show myself through you, Gog, to be holy before their eyes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 The Lord Yahweh says this: Are you not the one of whom I spoke in former days by the hand of my servants, the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in their own time for years that I would bring you against them? +\v 18 So it will come to be in that day when Gog attacks the land of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—my wrath will mount up in my anger. + +\s5 +\v 19 In my zeal and in the fire of my anger, I declare that on that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. +\v 20 They will shake before me—the fish of the sea and the birds of the skies, the beasts of the fields, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth, and every person who is on the surface of the land. The mountains will be thrown down and the cliffs will fall, until every wall falls to the earth. + +\s5 +\v 21 I will summon a sword against him on all my mountains—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—each man's sword will be against his brother. +\v 22 Then I will judge him by plague and blood; and overflowing rain and hailstones and burning sulfur I will rain down upon him and his troops and the many nations that are with him. +\v 23 For I will show my greatness and my holiness and I will make myself known in the eyes of the many nations, and they will know that I am Yahweh.'" + + + +\s5 +\c 39 +\p +\v 1 "Now you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Behold! I am against you, Gog, chief of Meshech and Tubal. +\v 2 I will turn you and lead you on; I will bring you up from the far north and bring you to the mountains of Israel. +\v 3 Then I will knock your bow out of your left hand and make the arrows fall from your right hand. + +\s5 +\v 4 You will fall dead on the mountains of Israel—you and all your troops and the soldiers who are with you. I will give you to the birds of prey and the wild beasts of the fields for food. +\v 5 You will fall dead on the surface of the field, for I myself declare it—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. +\v 6 Then I will send out fire on Magog and on those living in safety on the coasts, and they will know that I am Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 7 For I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will no longer allow my holy name to be profaned; the nations will know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel. +\v 8 Behold! The day is coming, and it will take place—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 9 The ones living in the cities of Israel will go out and they will use weapons to kindle and make fires and burn them—small shields, large shields, bows, arrows, the clubs and spears; they will make fires with them for seven years. +\v 10 They will not gather wood from the fields or cut down trees from the forests, since they will burn the weapons; they will take from those who wanted to take from them; they will plunder those who wanted to plunder them—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then it will happen on that day that I will make a place there for Gog—a grave in Israel, a valley for those who journey to the east of the sea. It will block those who wish to cross over. There they will bury Gog with all his multitudes. They will call it the Valley of Hamon Gog. + +\s5 +\v 12 For seven months the house of Israel will bury them in order to purify the land. +\v 13 For all the people of the land will bury them; it will be a memorable day for them when I am glorified—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 14 Then they will designate men to continually go through the land, to find those who were traveling through, but who died and their bodies remained on the surface of the land, so that they may bury them, in order to cleanse the land. At the end of the seventh month they will begin their search. +\v 15 As these men pass through the land, when they see any human bone, they will put a marker by it, until gravediggers come and bury it in the Valley of Hamon Gog. +\v 16 There will be a city there by the name of Hamonah. In this way they will purify the land. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Now to you, son of man, the Lord Yahweh says this: Say to all the winged birds and all the wild beasts in the fields, 'Gather together and come. Gather from all around to the sacrifice that I myself am making for you, a large sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, so that you may consume flesh and drink blood. +\v 18 You will consume the flesh of warriors and drink the blood of the princes of the earth; they will be rams, lambs, goats, and bulls, they were all fattened in Bashan. + +\s5 +\v 19 Then you will eat fat to your satisfaction; you will drink blood until drunkenness; this will be the sacrifice that I will slaughter for you. +\v 20 You will be satisfied at my table with horse, chariot, warrior, and every man of war—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration.' + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see my judgment that I perform and my hand that I have set against them. +\v 22 The house of Israel will know that I am Yahweh their God from that day onward. + +\s5 +\v 23 The nations will know that the house of Israel went into captivity because of their iniquity by which they betrayed me, so I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries so that all of them fell by the sword. +\v 24 I did to them according to their uncleanness and their sins, when I hid my face from them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Therefore the Lord Yahweh says this: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob, and I will have compassion on all the house of Israel, when I act with zeal for my holy name. +\v 26 Then they will bear their shame and all the treason in which they betrayed me. They will forget all this when they rest in their land in safety, with no one to terrify them. +\v 27 When I restore them from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, I will show myself to be holy in the sight of many nations. + +\s5 +\v 28 Then they will know that I am Yahweh their God, for I sent them into captivity among the nations, but then I will gather them back to their land. I will not leave any of them among the nations. +\v 29 I will no longer hide my face from them when I pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." + + + +\s5 +\c 40 +\p +\v 1 In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity at the beginning of the year on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was captured—on that same day, the hand of Yahweh was upon me and he took me there. +\v 2 In visions from God he brought me to the land of Israel. He brought me to rest on a very high mountain; to the south were what appeared to be buildings of a city. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then he brought me there. Behold, a man! His appearance was like the appearance of bronze. A linen cord and a measuring stick were in his hand, and he stood in the city gate. +\v 4 The man said to me, "Son of man, look with your eyes and listen with your ears, and fix your mind on all that I am revealing to you, for you were brought here so I could reveal them to you. Report everything that you will see to the house of Israel." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 There was a wall surrounding the temple area. The length of the measuring stick in the man's hand was six long cubits. Each long cubit was a cubit and a handbreadth in length. So he measured the wall, and it was one measuring stick thick and one rod high. +\v 6 Then he went to the temple gate that faced east. He went up its steps and measured the threshold of the gate—one stick in depth. +\f + \ft After \fqa one stick in depth \fqa* , the Hebrew text reads in addition: \fqa one threshold one stick in depth" \fqa* . Many modern versions, however, leave this expression out, because it seems to be a repetition of preceding text. \f* + +\v 7 The guard chambers were each one stick in length and one stick in width; there were five cubits between any two of the chambers, and the threshold of the temple gate by the temple portico was one stick deep. + +\s5 +\v 8 He measured the portico of the gate; it was one stick in length. +\v 9 He measured the portico of the gate. It was one stick deep. The doorposts were two cubits in width. This was the portico of the gate facing the temple. +\v 10 There were three guard chambers on either side of the east gate, and each of them had the same measurement, and the walls that separated them had the same measurement. + +\s5 +\v 11 Then the man measured the width of the gateway entrance—ten cubits; and he measured the length of the gateway entrance—thirteen cubits. +\v 12 He measured the wall that was bordering the front of the chambers—one cubit high. The chambers measured six cubits on each side. +\v 13 Then he measured the gateway from the roof of one chamber to that of the next chamber—twenty-five cubits, from the entrance of the first chamber to that of the second. + +\s5 +\v 14 Then he measured the wall that went between the guard chambers—sixty cubits in length; he measured as far as the gate's portico. +\v 15 The entrance from the front of the gate to the other end of the gate's portico was fifty cubits. +\v 16 There were closed windows toward the chambers and toward their pillars within the gates all around; and likewise for the porches. The were windows all around the inside, and each jamb was decorated with palm trees. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then the man brought me to the outer courtyard of the temple. Behold, there were rooms, and there was pavement in the courtyard, with thirty rooms next to the pavement. +\v 18 The pavement went up to the side of the gates, and its width was the same as the gates' length. This was the lower pavement. +\v 19 Then the man measured the distance from the front of the lower gate to the front of the inner gate; it was one hundred cubits on the east side, and the same on the north side. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then he measured the length and width of the gate that was at the north of the outer court. +\v 21 There were three chambers on either side of that gate, and the gate and its portico measured the same as the main gate—fifty cubits in total length and twenty-five cubits in width. + +\s5 +\v 22 Its windows, portico, chambers, and its palm trees corresponded to the gate that faced east. Seven steps went up to it and to its portico. +\v 23 There was a gate to the inner courtyard in front of the gate facing north, just as also there was a gate to the east; the man measured from one gate to the other gate—one hundred cubits in distance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Next the man brought me to the gate of the southern entrance, and its walls and portico measured the same as the other outer gates. +\v 25 There were closed windows in the gateway and its portico just as at that gate. The south gate and its portico measured fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. + +\s5 +\v 26 There were seven steps up to the gate and its portico, and there were carvings of palm trees on the walls on either side. +\v 27 There was a gate to the inner courtyard on the southern side, and the man measured from that gate to the gate of the south entrance—one hundred cubits in distance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Then the man brought me to the inner courtyard by way of its southern gate, which had the same measurements as the other gates. +\v 29 Its chambers, walls, and porticos measured the same as the other gates; there were windows all around in the portico. The inner gate and its portico measured fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. +\v 30 There were also porticos all around the inner wall; these were twenty-five cubits in length and five cubits in width. +\v 31 This portico faced the outer courtyard with carved palm trees on its walls and eight steps going up to it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 Then the man brought me to the inner courtyard by the eastern way and measured the gate, which had the same measurements as the other gates. +\v 33 Its chambers, walls, and portico measured the same as the other gates, and there were windows all around. The inner gate and its portico measured fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. +\v 34 Its portico faced the outer courtyard; it had palm trees on either side of it and eight steps going up it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 Next the man brought me to the northern gate and measured it; it measured the same as the other gates. +\v 36 Its chambers, walls, and portico measured the same as the other gates, and there were windows all around. The gateway and its portico measured fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in width. +\v 37 Its portico faced the outer courtyard; it had palm trees on either side of it and eight steps going up it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 There was a room with a door by each of the inner gateways. This was where they rinsed the burnt offerings. +\v 39 There were two tables on each side of each portico, on which the burnt offering was slaughtered, and also the sin offering and the guilt offering. + +\s5 +\v 40 By the wall of the courtyard, going up to the gate to the north, there were two tables. Also on the other side there were two tables at the gate's portico. +\v 41 There were four tables on either side by the gate; they slaughtered animals on the eight tables. + +\s5 +\v 42 There were four tables of cut stone for the burnt offerings, one and a half cubits in length, one and a half cubits in width, and one cubit tall. On them they laid the tools with which they slaughtered the burnt offerings for the sacrifices. +\v 43 Two-pronged hooks a handbreadth in length were fastened in the portico all around, and the flesh of the offerings would be put on the tables. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 On the outside of the inner gate, within the inner courtyard, were singers' chambers, one on the north side facing south, and the other on the south side facing north. +\v 45 Then the man said to me, "This room facing south is for the priests who are on duty in the temple. + +\s5 +\v 46 The room facing north is for the priests on duty at the altar. These are the sons of Zadok who come near to Yahweh to serve him; they are among the sons of Levi." +\v 47 Next he measured the courtyard—one hundred cubits in length and one hundred cubits in width in a square, with the altar in front of the house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 48 Then the man brought me to the portico of the house and measured its doorposts—they were five cubits thick on either side. The entryway itself was fourteen cubits in width, and the walls on each side of it were three cubits in width. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the walls on each side of it were three cubits in width \fqa* , the Hebrew text reads \fqa the entrance was three cubits in width \fqa* , but this seems to be a mistake, judging from the preceding words in this verse. \f* +\v 49 The length of the portico was twenty cubits, and its depth was eleven cubits. There were steps that went up to it and columns that stood on either side of it. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa steps \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa ten steps \fqa* . \f* +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa eleven cubits \fqa* , some ancient and modern versions read \fqa twelve cubits \fqa* . \f* + + + + +\s5 +\c 41 +\p +\v 1 Then the man brought me into the temple's holy place and measured the doorposts—six cubits in width on either side. +\f + \ft After \fqa six cubits in width on either side \fqa* , most ancient copies and some modern versions add \fqa the width of the tent \fqa* . \f* +\v 2 The width of the doorway was ten cubits; the wall on each side was five cubits in length. Then the man measured the dimensions of the holy place—forty cubits in length and twenty cubits in width. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then the man went into the very holy place and measured the posts of the doorway—two cubits, and the doorway was six cubits in width. The walls on either side were seven cubits in width. +\v 4 Then he measured the room's length—twenty cubits. Its width—twenty cubits to the front of the temple hall. Then he said to me, "This is the most holy place." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Then the man measured the wall of the house—it was six cubits thick. The width of each side room around the house was four cubits in width. +\v 6 There were side rooms on three levels, one room above another, thirty rooms on each level. There were ledges around the wall of the house, to support all of the side rooms, for there was no support put in the wall of the house. +\v 7 So the side rooms widened and went around going up, for the house went around higher and higher all around; the rooms widened as the house went up, and a stairway went up to the highest level, through the middle level. + +\s5 +\v 8 Then I saw a raised part all around the house, the foundation for the side chambers; it measured a full stick in height—six cubits. +\v 9 The width of the wall of the side rooms on the outside was five cubits. There was an open space to the outside of these rooms in the sanctuary. + +\s5 +\v 10 On the other side of this open space were the priests' outer side rooms; this space was twenty cubits in width all around the sanctuary. +\v 11 There were doors into the side rooms from another open space—one doorway was on the north side, and the other on the south side. The width of this open area was five cubits all around. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 The building that faced the courtyard on the west side was seventy cubits in width. Its wall measured five cubits thick all around, and it was ninety cubits in length. +\v 13 Then the man measured the sanctuary—one hundred cubits in length. The separated building, its wall, and the courtyard also measured one hundred cubits in length. +\v 14 The width of the front of the courtyard in front of the sanctuary was also one hundred cubits. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then the man measured the length of the building behind the sanctuary, to its west, and the galleries on either side—one hundred cubits. The holy place and the portico, +\v 16 the inner walls and the windows, including the narrow windows, and the galleries all around on three levels, were all paneled in wood. +\v 17 Above the entryway to the inner sanctuary and spaced along the walls there was a measured pattern. + +\s5 +\v 18 It was decorated with cherubim and palm trees; with a palm tree between each cherub, and each cherub had two faces: +\v 19 the face of a man looked toward a palm tree on one side, and the face of a young lion looked toward a palm tree on the other side. They were carved all around the entire house. +\v 20 From the ground to above the doorway, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the outer wall of the house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 The gate posts of the holy place were square. Their appearance was like the appearance of +\v 22 the wooden altar in front of the holy place, which was three cubits high and two cubits in length on each side. Its corner posts, base, and frame were made of wood. Then the man said to me, "This is the table that stands before Yahweh." +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa Their appearance was like the appearance of the wooden altar in front of the holy place, which was \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa They all looked like each other. The wooden altar in front of the holy place was \fqa* . \f* +\v 23 There were double doors for the holy place and the most holy place. +\v 24 These doors had two hinged door panels each, two panels for one door and two panels for the other. + +\s5 +\v 25 Carved on them—on the doors of the holy place—were cherubim and palm trees just as the walls were decorated, and there was a wooden roof over the portico at the front. +\v 26 There were narrow windows and palm trees on either side of the portico. These were the side rooms of the house, and they also had overhanging roofs. + + + +\s5 +\c 42 +\p +\v 1 Next the man sent me out to the outer courtyard on the north side, and he brought me to rooms in front of the outer courtyard and the northern outer wall. +\v 2 Those rooms were one hundred cubits along their front and fifty cubits in width. +\v 3 Some of those rooms faced the inner courtyard and were twenty cubits away from the sanctuary. There were three levels of rooms, and the ones above looked down on the ones below and were open to them, having a walkway. Some of the rooms looked out onto the outer courtyard. + +\s5 +\v 4 A passage ten cubits in width and one hundred cubits in length ran in front of the rooms. The rooms' doors were toward the north. +\f + \ft Some ancient versions and many modern versions read \fqa one hundred cubits \fqa* . Ancient Hebrew copies and some modern versions read \fqa one cubit.\f* +\v 5 But the upper halls were smaller, for the walkways took away from them more space than they did in the lowest and middle levels of the building. +\v 6 For the halls on the third story had no columns, unlike the courtyards, which did have columns. So the highest level's rooms were smaller in size compared to the rooms in the lowest and middle levels. + +\s5 +\v 7 The outside wall ran along the rooms toward the outer courtyard, the courtyard that was in front of the rooms. That wall was fifty cubits in length. +\v 8 The length of the rooms of the outer courtyard was fifty cubits, and the rooms facing the sanctuary were one hundred cubits in length. +\v 9 There was an entrance to the lowest rooms from the east side, coming from the outer courtyard. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Along the wall of the outer courtyard on the eastern side of the outer courtyard, in front of the sanctuary's inner courtyard, there were also rooms +\f + \ft Hebrew and some modern versions read \fqa on the eastern side \fqa* . However, some ancient copies and most modern versions read \fqa on the southern side \fqa* . \f* +\v 11 with a walkway in front of them. They were as the appearance of the rooms on the northern side. They had the same length and breadth and the same exits and arrangements and doors. +\v 12 On the south side were doors into rooms that were just the same as on the north side. A passage on the inside had a door at its head, and the passage opened into the various rooms. On the east side there was a doorway into the passage at one end. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then the man said to me, "The northern rooms and the southern rooms that are in front of the outer courtyard are holy rooms where the priests who work nearest to Yahweh may eat the most holy food. They will put the most holy things there—the food offering, the sin offering, and the guilt offering—for this is a holy place. +\v 14 When the priests enter there, they must not go out of the holy place to the outer court, without laying aside the clothes in which they served, since these are holy. So they must dress in other clothes before going near the people." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 The man completed measuring the inner house and then took me out to the gate that faced the east and measured all the surrounding area there. + +\s5 +\v 16 He measured the east side with a measuring stick—five hundred cubits with the measuring stick. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa five hundred cubits \fqa* , which some ancient and most modern versions read, Hebrew reads \fqa five hundred measuring sticks \fqa* , which seems to be an error. \f* +\v 17 He measured the north side—five hundred cubits with the measuring stick. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa five hundred cubits, \fqa* which some ancient and most modern versions read, Hebrew reads \fqa five hundred measuring sticks \fqa* , which seems to be an error. \f* +\v 18 He also measured the south side—five hundred cubits with the measuring stick. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa five hundred cubits \fqa* , which some ancient and most modern versions read, Hebrew reads \fqa five hundred measuring sticks \fqa* , which seems to be an error. \f* +\v 19 He also turned and measured the west side—five hundred cubits with the measuring stick. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa five hundred cubits \fqa* , which some ancient and most modern versions read, Hebrew reads \fqa five hundred measuring sticks \fqa* , which seems to be an error. \f* + +\s5 +\v 20 He measured it on four sides. It had a wall around it that was five hundred cubits in length, and five hundred cubits in width, to separate the holy from that which is common. + + + +\s5 +\c 43 +\p +\v 1 The man then brought me to the gate that opened to the east. +\v 2 Behold! The glory of the God of Israel came from the east; his voice was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. + +\s5 +\v 3 It was according to the appearance of the vision that I saw, according to the vision that I saw when he had come\f + \ft Instead of \fqa when he had come,\fqa* which some Hebrew copies and some ancient and many modern versions read, the Hebrew reads \fqa when I came. \f* to destroy the city, and the visions were like the vision that I saw at the Kebar Canal—and I fell to my face. + +\v 4 So the glory of Yahweh came to the house by way of the gate that opened to the east. +\v 5 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court. Behold! The glory of Yahweh was filling the house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 The man was standing beside me, and I heard someone else speaking to me from the house. +\v 7 He said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet, where I will live in the midst of the people of Israel forever. The house of Israel will no longer profane my holy name—they or their kings—with their faithlessness or with the corpses of their kings at their high places. +\v 8 They will no longer profane my holy name by putting their threshold next to my threshold, and their gateposts next to my gateposts, with nothing but a wall between me and them. They profaned my holy name with their disgusting actions, so I consumed them with my anger. + +\s5 +\v 9 Now let them remove their faithlessness and the corpses of their kings from before me, and I will live in their midst forever. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Son of man, you yourself must tell the house of Israel about this house so they will be ashamed of their iniquities. They should think about this description. +\v 11 For if they are ashamed of all that they have done, then reveal to them the design of the house, its details, its exits, its entrances, and all its designs, all its decrees and rules. Then write this down before their eyes so they will keep to all its design and all its rules, so as to obey them. + +\s5 +\v 12 This is the regulation for the house: From the peak of the hill to all the surrounding border around it, it will be most holy. Behold! This is the regulation for the house. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 These will be the measurements of the altar in cubits—that cubit being a regular cubit and a handbreadth in length. So the gutter around the altar will be a cubit deep, and its width will also be a cubit. The border around its surrounding edge will be one span. This will be the base of the altar. +\v 14 From the gutter at the ground level up to the lower ledge of the altar is two cubits, and that ledge itself is one cubit in width. Then from the small ledge up to the large edge of the altar, it is four cubits, and the large edge is a cubit in width. + +\s5 +\v 15 The hearth on the altar for the burnt offerings is four cubits high, and there are four horns pointing upward on the hearth. +\v 16 The hearth is twelve cubits in length and twelve cubits in width, a square. +\v 17 Its border is fourteen cubits in length and fourteen cubits in width on each of its four sides, and its rim is a half cubit in width. The gutter is a cubit in width all around with its steps facing east." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Next he said to me, "Son of man, the Lord Yahweh says this: These are the regulations for the altar on the day they make it, for raising the burnt offering onto it, and for sprinkling blood on it. +\v 19 You will give a bull from the cattle as a sin offering for the Levitical priests who are the descendants of Zadok, those who come near to me to serve me—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 20 Then you will take some of its blood and place it on the altar's four horns and the four sides of its edge and on the surrounding rim; you will cleanse it and make atonement for it. +\v 21 Then take the bull for the sin offering and burn it in the appointed part of the temple area outside of the sanctuary. + +\s5 +\v 22 Then on the second day you will offer a male goat without blemish from the goats as a sin offering; the priests will cleanse the altar just as they cleansed it with the bull. +\v 23 When you finish its cleansing, offer an unblemished bull from the cattle and an unblemished ram from the flock. +\v 24 Offer them before Yahweh; the priests will throw salt onto them and raise them up as a burnt offering to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 25 You must prepare a male goat as a sin offering daily for seven days, and the priests must also prepare an unblemished bull of the cattle and unblemished ram from the flock. +\v 26 They must atone for the altar for seven days and purify it, and in this way they must consecrate it. +\v 27 They must complete these days, and on the eighth day and onward it will come about that the priests will prepare your burnt offerings and your peace offerings on the altar, and I will accept you—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." + + + +\s5 +\c 44 +\p +\v 1 Then the man brought me back to the outer sanctuary gate that faced east; it was closed tightly. +\v 2 Yahweh said to me, "This gate has been sealed shut; it will not be opened. No man will go through it, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has come through it, so it has been closed tightly. +\v 3 The ruler of Israel will sit in it to eat food before Yahweh. He will enter by way of the gate's portico and go out the same way." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Then he brought me by way of the northern gate to the front of the temple, and I looked, and behold, the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh, and I fell on my face. +\v 5 Then Yahweh said to me, "Son of man, set your heart and look with your eyes and listen with your ears to all that I am declaring to you, to all the statutes of the house of Yahweh and all its regulations. Think about the house's entrance and exits. + +\s5 +\v 6 Then say to the rebellious ones, the house of Israel, 'The Lord Yahweh says this: Let all of your disgusting actions be enough for you, house of Israel— +\v 7 that you brought foreigners with uncircumcised hearts and uncircumcised flesh to be in my sanctuary, profaning my house, while you were offering me food, fat and blood—you have broken my covenant by all your disgusting actions. + +\s5 +\v 8 You have not carried out your duties regarding my holy things, but you appointed others to take up your duties, and you assigned them to care for my holy place. +\v 9 The Lord Yahweh says this: No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and flesh, from any of those who live among the people of Israel, may enter my holy place. + +\s5 +\v 10 Yet the Levites went far from me—they wandered away from me, going after their idols—but they will pay for their sin. +\v 11 They are servants in my sanctuary, watching the gates of the house and serving in the house and they slaughter the burnt offerings and the people's sacrifices, and they will stand before the people and serve them. +\v 12 But because they performed the sacrifices before their idols, they became stumbling blocks for sin for the house of Israel. Therefore I will lift up my hand to swear an oath against them—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration—they will bear their punishment. + +\s5 +\v 13 They will not come near me to act as my priests or to approach any of my holy things, the most holy things. Instead, they will bear their reproach and their guilt for the disgusting actions that they have done. +\v 14 But I will place them as keepers of the work in the house, for all of its duties and everything that is done in it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Then the Levitical priests, those sons of Zadok who fulfilled the duties of my sanctuary when the people of Israel were wandering away from me—they will come near me to worship me. They will stand before me to offer me the fat and the blood—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. +\v 16 They will come to my sanctuary; they will approach my table to worship me and to fulfill their duties to me. + +\s5 +\v 17 So it will be that when they come to the gates of the inner courtyard, they will have to dress in linen clothes, for they must not come in wool inside the gates of the inner court and its house. +\v 18 There should be linen turbans on their heads and linen underclothes on their hips. They must not dress in clothes that make them sweat. + +\s5 +\v 19 When they go out to the outer courtyard, to the outer courtyard in order to go to the people, they must take off the clothes they wore when they served; they must take them off and lay them down in a holy room, so they do not make other people holy by contact with their special clothing. + +\s5 +\v 20 Also they must neither shave their heads nor allow their hair to hang loosely, but they must trim the hair of their heads. +\v 21 No priest may drink wine when he comes to the inner court, +\v 22 nor take a widow or a divorced woman as a wife for himself, but only a virgin from the line of the house of Israel or a widow who was previously married to a priest. + +\s5 +\v 23 For they will teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane; they will make them know the unclean from the clean. +\v 24 In a dispute they will stand to judge with my decrees; they must be just. They will keep my law and my statutes in every feast, and they will celebrate my holy Sabbaths. + +\s5 +\v 25 They will not go to a dead person so as to become unclean, unless it is their father or mother, son or daughter, brother or a sister who has not slept with a man; otherwise, they will become unclean. +\v 26 After a priest has become unclean, they will count off a period of seven days for him. +\v 27 On the day he enters the holy place, into the inner courtyard to serve in the holy place, he must bring a sin offering for himself—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 This will be their inheritance: I am their inheritance, and you must give them no property in Israel; I will be their property! +\v 29 They will eat the food offerings, the sin offerings, the guilt offerings, and everything devoted to Yahweh in Israel, will be theirs. + +\s5 +\v 30 The best of the firstfruits of all things and every contribution, anything from all of your contributions will belong to the priests, and you will give the best of your meal offerings to the priests so that blessing may rest on your house. +\v 31 The priests will not eat any carcass or animal torn by a beast, whether bird or beast. + + +\s5 +\c 45 +\p +\v 1 When you cast lots to divide up the land as an inheritance, you must make an offering to Yahweh; this offering will be a holy part of the land, twenty-five thousand cubits in length, and ten thousand cubits in width. It will be holy, all its area round about. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa ten thousand \fqa* , which the Hebrew text and some modern versions have, some ancient copies and many modern versions have \fqa twenty thousand \fqa* . \f* +\v 2 From this there will be a five hundred cubits by five hundred cubits square surrounding the holy place, with a surrounding border fifty cubits in width. + +\s5 +\v 3 From this area you will measure a portion that is twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width; it will be the sanctuary, the most holy place. +\v 4 It will be a holy place in the land for the priests who serve Yahweh, who come near Yahweh to serve him. It will be a place for their houses and a holy area for the holy place. +\v 5 So it will be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width, and it will be for towns for the Levites who serve in the house. + +\s5 +\v 6 You will designate an area for the city, five thousand cubits in width and twenty-five thousand in length, that will be next to the area reserved for the holy place; this city will belong to all the house of Israel. +\v 7 The prince's land will be on both sides of the area reserved for the holy place and the city. It will be to their west and to their east. The length will correspond to the length of one of those portions, from the west to the east. + +\s5 +\v 8 This land will be property for the prince in Israel. My princes will no longer oppress my people; instead, they will give the land to the house of Israel, for their tribes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 The Lord Yahweh says this: It is enough for you, princes of Israel! Remove violence and strife; do justice and righteousness! Quit your evictions of my people!—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. +\v 10 You must have accurate scales, accurate ephahs, and accurate baths! +\v 11 The ephah and the bath will be the same amount, so that a bath will be a tenth of a homer; the ephah will be a tenth of a homer. Their measure will be corresponding to the homer. +\v 12 The shekel will be twenty gerahs; sixty shekels will make a mina for you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 This is the contribution that you must present: A sixth of an ephah for every homer of wheat, and you will give a sixth of an ephah for every homer of barley. +\v 14 The regulation offering of oil will be a tenth of a bath for every cor (which is ten baths), or for every homer, since a homer is also ten baths. +\v 15 One sheep or goat from the flock for every two hundred animals from the watered regions of Israel will be used for any burnt offering or peace offering to make atonement for the people—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\v 16 All the people of the land will give this contribution to the prince in Israel. +\v 17 It will be the prince's responsibility to furnish animals for the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the drink offerings at the festivals and the new moon celebrations, and on the Sabbath days—all the fixed festivals of the house of Israel. He will provide for the sin offerings, the grain offerings, the burnt offerings, and the peace offerings for atonement on behalf of the house of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 The Lord Yahweh says this: In the first month, on the first day of the month, you will take an unblemished bull from the herd and perform a sin offering for the sanctuary. +\v 19 The priest will take some of the blood of the sin offering and place it on the doorposts of the house and on the four corners of the border of the altar, and on the doorposts of the gate to the inner court. +\v 20 You will do this on the seventh of the month for each person's sin by accident or ignorance; in this way you will atone for the temple. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 In the first month on the fourteenth day of the month, there will be for you a festival, a seven-day festival. You will eat unleavened bread. +\v 22 On that day, the prince will prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bull as a sin offering. + +\s5 +\v 23 For the seven days of the festival, the prince will prepare a burnt offering for Yahweh: Seven bulls and seven unblemished rams each day for seven days, and a male goat each day as a sin offering. +\v 24 Then the prince will perform a food offering of an ephah for each bull and an ephah for each ram with a hin of oil for each ephah. + +\s5 +\v 25 In the seventh month on the fifteenth day of the month, at the festival, the prince will perform offerings on these seven days: Sin offerings, burnt offerings, food offerings, and offerings of oil. + + + +\s5 +\c 46 +\p +\v 1 The Lord Yahweh says this: The gate of the inner courtyard, facing east, will be shut for the six days of work, but on the Sabbath it will be opened, and on the day of the new moon it will be opened. +\v 2 The prince will enter the outer courtyard by the way of the gate and its portico from outside, and he will stand before the doorposts of the inner gate while the priests perform his burnt offering and peace offering. Then he will worship at the threshold of the inner gate and go out, but the gate will not be shut until evening. + +\s5 +\v 3 The people of the land will also worship before Yahweh at the entrance to this gate on the Sabbaths and new moons. +\v 4 The burnt offering that the prince offers to Yahweh on the Sabbath day will be six unblemished lambs and an unblemished ram. +\v 5 The grain offering with the ram will be an ephah, and the grain offering with the lambs will be what he wishes to give, and a hin of oil with each ephah of grain. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 On the day of the new moon he must offer an unblemished bull from a herd, six lambs, and an unblemished ram. +\v 7 He must make a grain offering of an ephah for the bull and an ephah for the ram, and what he wishes to give for the lambs, and a hin of oil for every ephah of grain. +\v 8 When the prince enters by the way of the gate and its portico, he must leave by the same way. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 But when the people of the land come before Yahweh at the appointed festivals, anyone entering through the north gate to worship must leave through the south gate; and anyone entering through the south gate must leave through the north gate. No one may turn back to the gate through which he entered, for he must go out straight ahead. +\v 10 The prince must be in their midst; when they go in, he must go in, and when they leave, he must leave. + +\s5 +\v 11 At the festivals, the grain offering must be an ephah of grain for the bull and an ephah for the ram, and whatever he wishes to give with the lambs, and a hin of oil for every ephah. +\v 12 When the prince gives a freewill offering, either a burnt offering or a peace offering to Yahweh, the gate facing east will be opened for him. He will offer his burnt offering offering or his peace offering as he does it on the Sabbath day. Then he must go out, and after he has gone out the gate will be shut. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 In addition, you will give an unblemished lamb one year old as a burnt offering to Yahweh daily; you will do this morning after morning. +\v 14 You will give a grain offering with it morning after morning, a sixth of an ephah and a third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour of the grain offering for Yahweh, according to a permanent statute. +\v 15 They will prepare the lamb, the grain offering, and the oil morning after morning, a permanent burnt offering. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 The Lord Yahweh says this: If the prince gives a gift to any of his sons, it is his inheritance. It will be the property of his sons, it is an inheritance. +\v 17 But if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, then it will be that servant's until the year of liberty, and then it will return to the prince. His inheritance will certainly be for his sons. +\v 18 The prince will not take the people's inheritance away from their own property; he must provide for his sons from his own property so that my people will not be scattered, each man from his own property.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Next the man brought me through the entrance at the gate to the holy rooms for the priests, which faced north and behold! There was a place toward the west. +\v 20 He said to me, "This is the place where the priests must boil the guilt offering and the sin offering and where they must bake the grain offering. They must not bring the offerings into the outer courtyard, for then the people would be consecrated." + +\s5 +\v 21 Then he brought me to the outer courtyard and he led me past the four corners of that courtyard, and I saw that in at every corner of the courtyard there was a another court. +\v 22 In the four corners of the outer courtyard there were four small courtyards, forty cubits in length and thirty in width. There the same dimensions for all four of the courtyards. +\f + \ft The Hebrew word translated here as \fqa small \fqa* is unclear. It is translated in this way by some ancient and some modern versions. However, other modern versions translate it differently. \f* +\v 23 There was a row made of stone all around the four of them, and cooking hearths were under the stone row. +\v 24 The man said to me, "These are the places where the temple servants will boil the people's sacrifices." + + + +\s5 +\c 47 +\p +\v 1 Then the man took me back to the entrance to the temple, and there was water flowing out from under the temple threshold of the house toward the east—for the front of the temple faced east—and the water was flowing down the south side of the temple, to the right of the altar. +\v 2 So he brought me out through the northern gate and led around to the gate facing east, and there the water was flowing from this gate on its south side. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 As the man was going toward the east, there was a measuring line in his hand; he measured off one thousand cubits and brought me through the water to ankle-deep water. +\v 4 Then he measured one thousand cubits again and brought me through the water to knee-deep water; and he measured another thousand cubits and brought me to hip-deep water. +\v 5 Next he measured off another thousand cubits, but it was a river that I could not cross through because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—it was a river that could not be crossed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 The man said to me, "Son of man, do you see this?" and he brought me out and had me walk back along the riverbank. +\v 7 As I walked back, there the riverbank had many trees on this side and also the other side. +\v 8 The man said to me, "This water is going out to the eastern territory and down to the Arabah; this water flows into the Salt Sea and will make it fresh. + +\s5 +\v 9 It will be that every living creature that swarms will live where the water goes; there will be many fish, for these waters flow there. It will make the salt water fresh. Everything will live wherever the river goes. +\v 10 Then it will happen that fishermen of En Gedi will stand by the water, and there will be a place to dry out the fishing nets by En Eglaim. There will be many kinds of fish in the Salt Sea, like the fish in the Great Sea for their abundance. + +\s5 +\v 11 But the Salt Sea's swamps and marshes will not be made fresh; they will be for providing salt. +\v 12 Beside this river on its banks, on both sides, all kinds of trees will grow that bear food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will never fail to grow. Each month the trees will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves will be for healing. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 The Lord Yahweh says this: This will be the way that you divide the land up for the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph will have two portions. +\v 14 You are to divide equally what I lifted up my hand and swore to give to your fathers. This land will come to you as an inheritance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 This will be the boundary of the land on the north side from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon, and then to Zedad. +\f + \ft The Hebrew text reads \fqa by way of Hethlon, and then to Zedad \fqa* , but some modern versions imitate 48:1 and add \fqa Lebo Hamath \fqa* . \f* +\v 16 Then the boundary will go to Berothah, to Sibraim, which is between Damascus and Hamath, and then to Hazer Hattikon, which is beside the boundary of Hauran. +\v 17 So the boundary will go from the sea to Hazar Enan on the border with Damascus and Hamath to the north. This will be the north side. + +\s5 +\v 18 On the east side, between Hauran and Damascus and between Gilead and the land of Israel will be the Jordan River. You must measure from the border to the eastern sea; all of this will be the eastern border. +\f + \ft The Hebrew text reads \fqa You must measure from the border to the eastern sea \fqa* . However, some ancient and modern versions read \fqa to the eastern sea as far as Tamar \fqa* . \f* + + +\v 19 Then the south side, the boundary goes south of Tamar to the waters of Meribah Kadesh, the brook of Egypt to the Great Sea, and the southern side toward the south. +\v 20 Then the western boundary will be the Great Sea to where it goes opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western side. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 In this way you will divide this land for yourselves, for the tribes of Israel. +\v 22 So you will distribute the inheritances for yourselves and for the foreigners in your midst, those who have given birth to children in your midst and who are, with you, like the native born people of Israel. You will cast lots for inheritances among the tribes of Israel. +\v 23 Then it will happen that the foreigner will be with the tribe among whom he is living. You must give him an inheritance—this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration." + + +\s5 +\c 48 +\p +\v 1 These are the names of the tribes. The tribe of Dan will receive one portion of land; its boundary will run along the northern boundary of Israel by way of Hethlon and Lebo Hamath. Its boundary will go on to Hazar Enan and along the border with Damascus to the north and then on to Hamath. Dan's boundary will go from east all the way to the Great Sea. +\v 2 Adjoining the border of Dan, from the east side to the west, Asher will have one portion. +\v 3 Adjoining the border of Asher from the east side to the west, Naphtali will have one portion. + +\s5 +\v 4 Adjoining the border of Naphtali from the east side to the west, Manasseh will have one portion. +\v 5 Adjoining the border of Manasseh from the east side to the west, Ephraim will have one portion. +\v 6 Adjoining the border of Ephraim from the east side to the west, Reuben will have one portion. +\v 7 Adjoining the border of Reuben from the east side to the west, Judah will have one portion. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 The offering of land that you will make will be along the border with Judah and extend from the east side to the west side; it will be twenty-five thousand cubits in width. Its length will correspond to one tribe's portion from the east side to the west side, and the temple will be in the middle of it. +\v 9 This land that you will offer up to Yahweh will be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand cubits in width. + +\s5 +\v 10 These will be the assignments of this holy portion of land: The priests will have land assigned to them measuring twenty-five thousand cubits in length on the north side; ten thousand cubits in width on the west side; ten thousand cubits in width on the east side; and twenty-five thousand cubits in length on the south side, with the holy place of Yahweh in the middle of it. +\v 11 This will be for the consecration of the priests of the line of Zadok, who have served me faithfully and who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did. +\v 12 The offering for them will be a portion of this most holy land, extending to the border of the Levites. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 The Levites' land along the border with the priests' land will be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand cubits in width. The entire length of the two tracts of land will be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and twenty thousand cubits in width. +\v 14 They must not sell it or exchange it; none of this firstfruits of the land of Israel must ever be separated from these tracts, for it all is holy to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 The remaining land, five thousand cubits in width and twenty-five thousand cubits in length, will be for the collective use of the city, the houses, and the pastureland; the city will be in its midst. +\v 16 These will be the city's measurements: The north side will be 4,500 cubits in length; the south side will be 4,500 cubits in length; the east side will be 4,500 cubits in length; and the west side will be 4,500 cubits in length. + +\s5 +\v 17 There will be pasture for the city toward the north, 250 cubits deep; to the south, 250 cubits deep; to the east, 250 cubits deep, and to the west, 250 cubits deep. +\v 18 The remaining area of the holy offering will stretch for ten thousand cubits to the east and ten thousand cubits to the west. It will stretch along the border of the holy offering, and its produce will be food for those working in the city. + +\s5 +\v 19 The people who work in the city, people belong to all the tribes of Israel, will farm that land. +\v 20 All the land offering will measure twenty-five thousand cubits by twenty-five thousand cubits. In this way you will make the holy offering of land, together with the land for the city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 The rest of the land on either side of the holy offering and the city area will be for the prince. The prince's tract of land to the east will extend for twenty-five thousand cubits from boundary of the holy offering to the eastern border—and his tract to the west will extend for twenty-five thousand cubits to the western border. In the middle will be the holy offering, and the holy place of the temple will be in its midst. +\v 22 The land extending from the property of the Levites and the area of the city in its midst will be for for the prince; it will be between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin—this land will be for the prince. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 As for the remaining tribes, their portions will also run from the eastern side to the west side. Benjamin will receive one portion. +\v 24 Adjoining the border of Benjamin from the east side to the west, Simeon will have one portion. +\v 25 Adjoining the border of Simeon from the east side to the west, Issachar will have one portion. +\v 26 Adjoining the border of Issachar from the east side to the west, Zebulun will have one portion. + +\s5 +\v 27 To the south of Zebulun's boundary, running from the east side to the west side, will be the land of Gad—one portion. +\v 28 The southern boundary of Gad will extend from Tamar to the waters of Meribah Kadesh, and farther to the brook of Egypt, and then to the Great Sea. +\v 29 This is the land for which you will cast lots; it will be the inheritance of the tribes of Israel. These will be their portions. This is the Lord Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 These will be the exits from the city: On the north side, which will measure 4,500 cubits in length, +\v 31 will be three gates, named for tribes of Israel: +one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi. +\v 32 On the east side, which will measure 4,500 cubits in length, will be three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan. + +\s5 +\v 33 On the east side, which is 4,500 cubits in length, will be three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun. +\v 34 On the west side, which will measure 4,500 cubits, will be three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali. +\v 35 The distance around the city will be eighteen thousand cubits; from that day on, the city's name will be "Yahweh Is There." + diff --git a/27-DAN.usfm b/27-DAN.usfm index 1b6b45ba..6cc75183 100644 --- a/27-DAN.usfm +++ b/27-DAN.usfm @@ -4,651 +4,651 @@ \toc1 The Book of Daniel \toc2 Daniel \toc3 Dan -\mt Daniel - -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia came to Jerusalem and surrounded the city to cut off all supplies to it. -\v 2 The Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar victory over Jehoiakim king of Judah, and he gave him some of the sacred objects from the house of God. He brought them into the land of Babylonia, to the house of his god, and he placed the sacred objects in his god's treasury. - -\s5 -\v 3 The king spoke to Ashpenaz, his chief official, to bring in some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility— -\v 4 young men without blemish, attractive in appearance, skillful in all wisdom, filled with knowledge and understanding, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the Babylonians' literature and language. -\v 5 The king counted out for them a daily portion of his delicacies and some of the wine that he drank. These young men were to be trained for three years, and after that, they would serve the king. - -\s5 -\v 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, some of the people of Judah. -\v 7 The chief official gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 But Daniel intended in his mind that he would not pollute himself with the king's delicacies or with the wine that he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official that he might not pollute himself. -\v 9 Now God gave Daniel favor and compassion through the respect that the chief official had for him. -\v 10 The chief official said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my master the king. He has commanded what food and drink you should have. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men of your own age? The king might have my head because of you." - -\s5 -\v 11 Then Daniel spoke to the steward whom the chief official had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. -\v 12 He said, "Please test us, your servants, for ten days. Give us only some vegetables to eat and water to drink. -\v 13 Then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the king's delicacies, and treat us, your servants, based on what you see." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 So the steward agreed with him to do this, and he tested them for ten days. -\v 15 At the end of ten days their appearance was more healthy, and they were better nourished, than all the young men who ate the king's delicacies. -\v 16 So the steward took away their delicacies and their wine and gave them only vegetables. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and insight in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel could understand all kinds of visions and dreams. -\v 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. - -\s5 -\v 19 The king spoke with them, and among the whole group there were none to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They stood before the king, ready to serve him. -\v 20 In every question of wisdom and understanding that the king asked them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and those who claimed to speak with the dead, who were in his entire kingdom. -\v 21 Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he had dreams. His mind was troubled, and he could not sleep. -\v 2 Then the king summoned the magicians and those who claimed to speak with the dead. He also called the sorcerers and wise men. He wanted them to tell him about his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. - -\s5 -\v 3 The king said to them, "I have had a dream, and my mind is anxious to know what the dream means." -\v 4 Then the wise men spoke to the king in Aramaic, "King, live forever! Tell the dream to us, your servants, and we will reveal the meaning." - -\s5 -\v 5 The king replied to the wise men, "This matter has been settled. If you do not reveal the dream to me and interpret it, your bodies will be torn apart and your houses made into rubbish heaps. -\v 6 But if you will tell me the dream and its meaning, you will receive gifts from me, a reward, and great honor. So tell to me the dream and its meaning." - -\s5 -\v 7 They replied again and said, "Let the king tell us, his servants, the dream and we will tell you its meaning." -\v 8 The king answered, "I know for certain that you want more time because you see how firm my decision is about this. -\v 9 But if you do not tell me the dream, there is only one sentence for you. You have decided to prepare false and deceptive words that you agreed together to say to me until I change my mind. So then, tell me the dream, and then I will know you can interpret it for me." - -\s5 -\v 10 The wise men replied to the king, "There is not a man on earth able to meet the king's demand. There is no great and powerful king who has demanded such a thing from any magician, or from anyone who claims to speak with the dead, or from a wise man. -\v 11 What the king demands is difficult, and there is no one who can tell it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans." - -\s5 -\v 12 This made the king angry and very furious, and he gave an order to destroy all those in Babylon who were known for their wisdom. -\v 13 So the decree went out that all those who were known for their wisdom were to be put to death. Because of this decree, they searched for Daniel and his friends so they could be put to death. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch the commander of the king's bodyguard, who had come to kill all those in Babylon who were known for their wisdom. -\v 15 Daniel asked the king's commander, "Why is the king's decree so urgent?" So Arioch told Daniel what had happened. -\v 16 Then Daniel went in and requested an appointment with the king so that he could present the interpretation to the king. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Daniel went to his house and explained to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, what had happened. -\v 18 He urged them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and they might not be killed with the rest of the men of Babylon who were known for their wisdom. -\s5 -\v 19 That night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven -\v 20 and said, -\q "Praise the name of God forever and ever; -\q for wisdom and power belong to him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 21 He changes the times -\q and seasons; -\q he removes kings -\q and places kings on their thrones. -\q He gives wisdom to the wise -\q and knowledge to those who have understanding. -\q -\v 22 He reveals the deep and hidden things -\q because he knows what is in the darkness, -\q and the light lives with him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 23 God of my ancestors, -I thank you and praise you -\q for the wisdom and power you gave to me. -\q Now you have made known to me -what we requested from you; -\q you made known to us the matter that concerns the king." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch (the one the king appointed to kill everyone who was wise in Babylon). He went and said to him, "Do not kill the wise men in Babylon. Take me to the king and I will show the king the interpretation of his dream." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Then Arioch quickly brought in Daniel before the king and said, "I have found among the exiles of Judah a man who will reveal the meaning of the king's dream." -\v 26 The king said to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me the dream that I saw and its meaning?" - -\s5 -\v 27 Daniel answered the king and said, "The mystery that the king has asked about cannot be revealed by those who have wisdom, nor by those who claim to speak with the dead, nor by magicians, and not by astrologers. -\v 28 Nevertheless, there is a God who lives in the heavens, who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, what will happen in the days to come. These were your dream and the visions of your mind as you lay on your bed. - -\s5 -\v 29 As for you, king, your thoughts on your bed were about things to come, and the one who reveals mysteries has made known to you what is about to happen. -\v 30 As for me, this mystery was not revealed to me because of any wisdom that I have more than any other living person. This mystery was revealed to me so that you, king, may understand the meaning, and so that you may know the thoughts deep within you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 King, you looked up and you saw a large statue. This statue, which was very powerful and bright, stood before you. Its brightness was terrifying. -\v 32 The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its breast and arms were of silver. Its middle and its thighs were made of bronze, -\v 33 and its legs were made of iron. Its feet were made partly of iron and partly of clay. - -\s5 -\v 34 You looked up, and a stone was cut out, although not by human hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and it shattered them. -\v 35 Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold at the same time were broken into pieces and became like the chaff of the threshing floors in the summer. The wind carried them away and there was no trace of them left. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 This was your dream. Now we will tell the king the meaning. -\v 37 You, king, are king of the kings to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the honor. -\v 38 He has given into your hand the place where the human beings live. He has given over the animals of the fields and the birds of the heavens into your hand, and he has made you rule over them all. You are the statue's head of gold. - -\s5 -\v 39 After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze will rule over all the earth. - -\s5 -\v 40 There will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks other things into pieces and shatters everything. It will shatter all these things and crush them. -\s5 -\v 41 Just as you saw, the feet and toes were partly made of baked clay and partly made of iron, so it will be a divided kingdom; some of the strength of iron will be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. -\v 42 As the toes of the feet were partly made of iron and partly made of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. -\v 43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so the people will be a mixture; they will not stay together, just as iron does not mix with clay. - -\s5 -\v 44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be conquered by another people. It will break the other kingdoms into pieces and put an end to all of them, and it will remain forever. -\v 45 Just as you saw, a stone was cut out of the mountain, but not by human hands. It broke the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold into pieces. The great God has made known to you, king, what will happen after this. The dream is true and this interpretation is reliable." - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face before Daniel and honored him; he commanded that an offering be made and that incense be offered up to him. -\v 47 The king said to Daniel, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and the one who reveals mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery." -\s5 -\v 48 Then the king made Daniel highly honored and gave him many wonderful gifts. He made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. Daniel became chief governor over the wisest men of Babylon. -\v 49 Daniel made a request of the king, and the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be administrators over the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained in the king's palace. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue that was sixty cubits tall and six cubits wide. He set it up in the Plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. -\v 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar sent messages out to gather together the provincial governors, regional governors, and local governors, together with the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the high officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the statue that he had set up. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then the provincial governors, regional governors, and local governors, together with the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the high officials of the provinces gathered together to the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They stood before it. -\v 4 Then a herald loudly shouted, "You are commanded, peoples, nations, and languages, -\v 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and prostrate yourselves to the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. - -\s5 -\v 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship, at that very moment, will be thrown into a blazing furnace." -\v 7 So when all the peoples heard the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and prostrated themselves to the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Now at this time certain Chaldeans came and brought accusations against the Jews. -\v 9 They said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, "King, live forever! -\v 10 You, king, have made a decree that every person who hears the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, must fall down and prostrate himself to the golden statue. - -\s5 -\v 11 Whoever does not fall down and worship must be thrown into a blazing furnace. -\v 12 Now there are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon; their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, king, pay no attention to you. They will not worship or serve your gods, or prostrate themselves before the golden statue you have set up." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, filled with anger and rage, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought to him. So they brought these men before the king. -\v 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Have you made your minds up, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not worship my gods or prostrate yourselves to the golden statue that I have set up? - -\s5 -\v 15 Now if you are ready—when you hear the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music—to fall down and prostrate yourselves to the statue that I have made, all will be well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. Who is the god who is able to rescue you out of my hands?" - -\s5 -\v 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. -\v 17 If there is an answer, it is that our God whom we serve is able to keep us safe from the blazing furnace, and he will rescue us out of your hand, king. -\v 18 But if not, let it be known to you, king, that we will not worship your gods, and we will not prostrate ourselves to the golden statue you set up." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage; the look on his face changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than it was normally heated. -\v 20 Then he commanded some very strong men in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the blazing furnace. - -\s5 -\v 21 They were tied up still wearing their robes, tunics, turbans, and other clothing, and they were thrown into the blazing furnace. -\v 22 Because the king's command was strictly followed and the furnace was very hot, the flames killed the men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. -\v 23 These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell into the blazing furnace while they were tied up. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was amazed and stood up quickly. He asked his advisors, "Did we not throw three men tied up into the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, king." -\v 25 He said, "But I see four men who are not tied up walking around in the fire, and they are not hurt. The brilliance of the fourth is like a son of the gods." - -\s5 -\v 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near the door of the blazing furnace and called out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of God Most High, come out! Come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. -\v 27 The provincial governors, regional governors, other governors, and the king's counselors who had gathered together saw these men. The fire had not hurt their bodies; the hair on their heads was not singed; their robes were not harmed; and there was no smell of fire on them. -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Nebuchadnezzar said, "Let us praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his messenger and given his message to his servants. They trusted in him when they set aside my command, and they gave up their bodies rather than worship or prostrate themselves to any god except their God. - -\s5 -\v 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego must be torn apart, and that their houses must be made into rubbish heaps because there is no other god who is able to save like this." -\v 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 King Nebuchadnezzar sent this decree to all peoples, nations, and languages who lived on the earth: "May your peace increase. -\v 2 It has seemed good to me to tell you about the signs and wonders that the Most High has done for me. -\q -\v 3 How great are his signs, -\q and how mighty are his wonders! -\q His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, -\q and his dominion lasts from generation to generation." - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living happily in my house, and I was enjoying prosperity in my palace. -\v 5 But a dream I had made me afraid. As I lay there, the images I saw and the visions in my mind troubled me. -\v 6 So I gave a decree to bring before me all the men of Babylon who had wisdom so they could interpret the dream for me. -\s5 -\v 7 Then came the magicians, those who claimed to speak with the dead, the wise men, and the astrologers. I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. -\v 8 But at last Daniel came in—the one who is named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream. -\v 9 "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me what I saw in my dream and what it means. - -\s5 -\v 10 These were the sights that I saw in my mind as I lay upon my bed: I looked, and there was a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was very great. -\v 11 The tree grew and became strong. Its top reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of the whole earth. -\v 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and on it was food for all. The wild animals found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches. All living creatures were fed from it. - -\s5 -\v 13 I saw in my mind as I lay on my bed, and a holy messenger came down from the heavens. -\v 14 He shouted and said, 'Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds fly away from its branches. - -\s5 -\v 15 Leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the middle of the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the heavens. Let it live with the animals among the plants on the ground. -\v 16 Let his mind be changed from a man's mind, and let an animal's mind be given to him until seven years pass by. - -\s5 -\v 17 This decision is by the decree reported by the messenger. It is a decision made by the holy ones so that those who are alive may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and gives them to anyone he wishes to place over them, even to the most humble men.' -\v 18 I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had this dream. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the men with wisdom in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able to do so, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then Daniel, who was also named Belteshazzar, was greatly upset for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar replied, "My master, may the dream be for those who hate you; may its interpretation be for your enemies. - -\s5 -\v 20 The tree that you saw—which grew and became strong, and whose top reached up to the heavens, and which could be seen to the ends of the whole earth— -\v 21 whose leaves were beautiful, and whose fruit was abundant, so that in it was food for all, and under it the animals of the field found shade, and in which the birds of the heavens lived— -\v 22 this tree is you, king, you who have grown so strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your authority reaches to the ends of the earth. - -\s5 -\v 23 You, king, saw a holy messenger coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the middle of the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the heavens. Let it live with the wild animals in the fields until seven years pass by.' - -\s5 -\v 24 This is the interpretation, king. It is a decree of the Most High that has reached you, my master the king. -\v 25 You will be driven from among men, and you will live with the wild animals in the fields. You will be made to eat grass like an ox, and you will be wet with the dew from the heavens, and seven years will pass by until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and that he gives them to anyone he wishes. - -\s5 -\v 26 As it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, in this way your kingdom will be returned to you from the time you learn that heaven rules. -\v 27 Therefore, king, let my advice be acceptable to you. Stop sinning and do what is right. Turn away from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, and it may be that your prosperity will be extended." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28-29 All these things happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, -\v 30 and he said, "Is this not the great Babylon, which I have built for my royal residence, for the glory of my majesty?" - -\s5 -\v 31 While the words were still on the lips of the king, a voice came from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, it is announced to you that this kingdom has been taken away from you. -\v 32 You will be driven away from people, and your home will be with the wild animals in the fields. You will be made to eat grass like an ox. Seven years will pass until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and he gives them to anyone he wishes." - -\s5 -\v 33 This decree against Nebuchadnezzar was carried out immediately. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew from the heavens. His hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails became like birds' claws. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was given back to me. -\q "I praised the Most High, -\q and I honored and glorified the one who lives forever. -\q For his reign is an everlasting reign, -\q and his kingdom endures from all generations to all generations. - -\s5 -\q -\v 35 All the earth's inhabitants are considered by him to be as nothing; -\q he does among the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth -\q whatever suits his will. -\q No one can stop him or challenge him. No one can say to him, 'Why have you done this?'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 At the same time that my sanity returned to me, my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my noblemen sought my favor. I was brought back to my throne, and even more greatness was given to me. -\v 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, extol, and honor the King of heaven, for all his deeds are right, and his ways are just. He can humble those who walk in their own pride. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his noblemen, and he drank wine in front of all one thousand of them. -\v 2 While Belshazzar tasted the wine, he gave orders to bring the containers made of gold or silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem, from which he, his noblemen, and his wives and concubines could drink. - -\s5 -\v 3 The servants brought the gold containers that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God, in Jerusalem. The king, his noblemen, and his wives and concubines drank from them. -\v 4 They drank the wine and praised their idols made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared in front of the lampstand and wrote on the plaster wall in the king's palace. The king could see part of the hand as it wrote. -\v 6 Then the king's face changed and his thoughts frightened him; his limbs could not support him, and his knees were knocking together. - -\s5 -\v 7 The king shouted a command to bring in those who claimed to speak with the dead, wise men, and astrologers. The king said to those known for their wisdom in Babylon, "Whoever explains this writing and its meaning will be clothed with purple and will have a gold chain around his neck. He will have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom." - -\s5 -\v 8 Then all the king's men who were known for their wisdom came in, but they could not read the writing or explain its meaning to the king. -\v 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed and the look on his face changed. His noblemen were perplexed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Now the queen came into the banquet house because of what the king and his nobles had said. The queen said, "King, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you. Do not let the look on your face change. - -\s5 -\v 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods was found in him. King Nebuchadnezzar, your father the king, made him chief of the magicians, as well as chief of those who speak with the dead, of the wise men, and of the astrologers. -\v 12 An excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, explaining riddles and solving problems—these qualities were found in this man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now call for Daniel and he will tell you the meaning of what has been written." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, "You are that Daniel, one of the people of the exiles of Judah, whom my father the king brought out of Judah. -\v 14 I have heard about you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. - -\s5 -\v 15 Now the men known for wisdom and those who claim to speak with the dead have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not make known the interpretation of it. -\v 16 I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and tell me its meaning, you will be clothed with purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then Daniel answered before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another person. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to you, king, and will tell you the meaning. -\v 18 As for you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty. -\v 19 Because of the greatness God gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared him. He put to death those he wanted to die, and he kept alive those he wished to live. He raised up those he wanted, and he humbled those he wished. -\s5 -\v 20 But when his heart was arrogant and his spirit was hardened so that he acted presumptuously, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and they took away his majesty. -\v 21 He was driven away from humanity, he had the mind of an animal, and he lived with the wild donkeys. He ate grass like an ox. His body was wet with the dew from the heavens until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of people and that he sets over them anyone he wishes. -\s5 -\v 22 You his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. -\v 23 You have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. From his house they brought you the containers that you, your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from, and you praised the idols made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—idols that do not see, hear, or know anything. You have not honored the God who holds your breath in his hand and who knows all your ways. -\v 24 Then God sent out a hand from his presence and this writing was done. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 This is the writing that was done: 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Pharsin.' -\v 26 This is its meaning: 'Mene,' 'God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end.' -\v 27 'Tekel,' 'you are weighed in the scales and are found lacking.' -\v 28 'Peres,' 'your kingdom is divided and is given to the Medes and Persians.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Then Belshazzar gave a command, and they clothed Daniel with purple. A chain of gold was put around his neck, and the king made a proclamation about him that he would have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom. -\v 30 That night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed, -\v 31 and Darius the Mede received the kingdom when he was about sixty-two years old. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 It pleased Darius to appoint over the kingdom 120 provincial governors who would rule over all the kingdom. -\v 2 Over them there were three chief administrators, and Daniel was one of them. These chief administrators were appointed so that they might supervise the provincial governors, so that the king should suffer no loss. -\v 3 Daniel was distinguished above the other chief administrators and the provincial governors because he had an extraordinary spirit. The king was planning to put him over the whole kingdom. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Then the other chief administrators and the provincial governors looked for mistakes in the work Daniel did for the kingdom, but they could find no corruption or failure in his duty because he was faithful. No mistakes or negligence was found in him. -\v 5 Then these men said, "We cannot find any reason to complain against this Daniel unless we find something against him regarding the law of his God." - -\s5 -\v 6 Then these administrators and governors brought a plan before the king. They said to him, "King Darius, may you live forever! -\v 7 All the chief administrators of the kingdom, the regional governors, and the provincial governors, the advisors, and the governors have consulted together and decided that you, the king, should issue a decree and should enforce it, so that whoever makes a petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, king, that person must be thrown into the den of lions. - -\s5 -\v 8 Now, King, issue a decree and sign the document so that it may not be changed, as directed by the laws of the Medes and Persians, so it cannot be repealed." -\v 9 So king Darius signed the document making the decree into a law. -\s5 -\p -\v 10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed into law, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his upper room toward Jerusalem), and he got down on his knees, as he did three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done before. -\v 11 Then these men who had formed the plot together saw Daniel make requests and seek help from God. -\s5 -\v 12 Then they approached the king and spoke with him about his decree: "Did you not make a decree that everyone who makes a petition to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, king, must be throw into the den of lions?" The king answered, "The matter is settled, as directed by the law of the Medes and Persians; it cannot be repealed." - -\s5 -\v 13 Then they replied to the king, "That person Daniel, who is one of the people of the exile from Judah, pays no attention to you, king, or to the decree that you have signed. He prays to his God three times a day." -\v 14 When the king heard this, he was terribly distressed, and he applied his mind to rescue Daniel from this ruling. He labored until sunset to try to save Daniel. - -\s5 -\v 15 Then these men who had formed the plot gathered together with the king and said to him, "Know, king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree or statute that the king issues can be changed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then the king gave an order, and they brought in Daniel, and they threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you." - -\s5 -\v 17 A stone was brought over the entrance to the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. -\v 18 Then the king went to his palace and he went through the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then at daybreak the king got up and he quickly went to the lions' den. -\v 20 As he came near to the den, he called out to Daniel in a sad voice, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to save you from the lions?" - -\s5 -\v 21 Then said Daniel to the king, "King, live forever! -\v 22 My God has sent his messenger and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me. For I was found blameless before him and also before you, king, and I have done you no harm." -\s5 -\v 23 Then the king was very happy. He gave an order that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den. No harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 The king gave an order, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel and threw them into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the floor, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones to pieces. -\v 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that live in all the earth: -\q "May peace increase for you. - -\s5 -\v 26 I hereby make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, -\q for he is the living God and lives forever, -\q and his kingdom shall not be destroyed; -\q his dominion shall be to the end. -\q -\v 27 He makes us safe and rescues us, -\q and he does signs and wonders -\q in heaven and in earth; -\q he has kept Daniel safe from the strength of the lions." - -\s5 -\v 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and during the reign of Cyrus the Persian. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylonia, Daniel had a dream and visions in his mind while lying on his bed. Then he wrote down what he had seen in the dream. He wrote down the most important events: -\v 2 Daniel explained, "In my vision at night I saw that the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. -\v 3 Four large animals, each one different from the other, came up out of the sea. -\s5 -\v 4 The first was like a lion but had eagle's wings. As I was looking, its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground and made to stand on two feet, like a man. The mind of a man was given to it. -\v 5 Then there was a second animal, like a bear, and it was bending over; it had three ribs between its teeth in its mouth. It was told, 'Get up and devour many people.' -\s5 -\v 6 After this I looked again. There was another animal, one that looked like a leopard. On its back it had four wings like bird wings, and it had four heads. It was given authority to rule. -\v 7 After this I saw in my dream at night a fourth animal, terrifying, frightening, and very strong. It had large iron teeth; it devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled underfoot what was left. It was different from the other animals, and it had ten horns. - -\s5 -\v 8 While I was considering the horns, I looked and saw another horn grow up among them, a little horn. Three of the first horns were wrenched out by the roots. I saw in this horn eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that was boasting about great things. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 As I looked, -\q thrones were set in place, -\q and the Ancient of Days took his seat. -\q His clothing was as white as snow, -\q and the hair of his head was like pure wool. -\q His throne was flames of fire, -\q and its wheels were burning fire. - -\s5 -\v 10 A river of fire flowed out from before him; -\q millions served him, -\q and one hundred million were standing before him. -\q The court was in session, -\q and the books were opened. - -\s5 -\v 11 I continued to look because of the boastful words spoken by the horn. I watched while the animal was killed, and its body was destroyed, and it was given over to be burned up. -\v 12 As for the rest of the four animals, their authority to rule was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a period of time. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 In my visions that night, -\q I saw one coming with the clouds of heaven like a son of man; -\q he came to the Ancient of Days -\q and was presented before him. -\q -\v 14 Authority to rule and glory and royal power were given to him -\q so that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. -\q His authority to rule is an everlasting authority that will not pass away, -\q and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved inside of me, and the visions I saw in my mind troubled me. -\v 16 I approached one of them standing there and asked him to show me the meaning of these things. - -\s5 -\v 17 'These large animals, four in number, are four kings that will arise from the earth. -\v 18 But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and they will possess it forever and ever.' - -\s5 -\v 19 Then I wanted to know more about the fourth animal—it was so different from the others and very horrifying with its iron teeth and bronze claws; it devoured, broke into pieces, and trampled on what was left with its feet. -\v 20 I wanted to know about the ten horns on its head, and about the other horn that grew up, and before which the three horns fell down. I wanted to know about the horn that had eyes and about the mouth that boasted about great things and that seemed greater than its companions. - -\s5 -\v 21 As I looked, this horn waged war against the holy people and was defeating them -\v 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and justice was given to the holy people of the Most High. Then the time came when the holy people received the kingdom. -\s5 -\p -\v 23 This is what that person said, 'As for the fourth animal, -\q it will be a fourth kingdom on earth -\q that will be different from all the other kingdoms. -\q It will devour the whole earth, -\q and it will trample it down -\q and break it into pieces. -\q -\v 24 As for the ten horns, -\q out of this kingdom ten kings will arise, -\q and another will arise after them. -\q He will be different from the previous ones, -\q and he will conquer the three kings. - -\s5 -\v 25 He will speak words against the Most High -\q and will oppress the holy people of the Most High God. -\q He will try to change the festivals and the law. -\q These things will be given into his hand -\q for one year, two years, and half a year. -\q -\v 26 But the court will be in session, -\q and they will take his royal power away -\q to be consumed and destroyed at the end. - -\s5 -\v 27 The kingdom and the dominion, -\q and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, -\q will be given to the people -\q who belong to the holy people of the Most High. -\q His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, -\q and all other kingdoms will serve and obey him.' -\p -\v 28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me and my face changed in appearance. But I kept these things to myself." - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, I, Daniel, had a vision appear to me (after the one that appeared to me at first). -\v 2 I saw in the vision, as I was looking, that I was in the fortress of Susa in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal. - -\s5 -\v 3 I looked up and saw before me a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal. One horn was longer than the other, but the longer one grew more slowly than the shorter and was passed up in length by it. -\v 4 I saw the ram charging west, then north, and then south; no other animal could stand before him. None of them was able to rescue anyone out of his hand. He did whatever he wanted, and he became great. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 As I was thinking about this, I saw a male goat come from the west, who went across the surface of the whole earth, running fast, not seeming to touch the ground. The goat had a large horn between his eyes. -\v 6 He came to the ram who had two horns—I had seen the ram standing on the bank of the canal—and the goat ran toward the ram in a powerful rage. -\s5 -\v 7 I saw the goat come close to the ram. He was very angry at the ram, and he hit the ram and broke off its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand before him. The goat knocked him down to the ground and trampled on him. There was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. -\v 8 Then the goat became very large. But when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in its place four other large horns grew up that pointed toward the four winds of the heavens. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Out of one of them grew another horn, little at first, but which became very large in the south, in the east, and in the land of beauty. -\v 10 It became so large as to engage in war with the army of heaven. Some of that army and some of the stars were thrown down to the earth, and it trampled on them. - -\s5 -\v 11 It made itself to be as great as the commander of the army. It took away from him the regular burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was polluted. -\v 12 Because of rebellion, the army will be given over to the goat's horn, and the burnt offering will be stopped. The horn will throw truth down to the ground, and it will succeed in what it does. - -\s5 -\v 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking and another holy one answering him, "How long will these things last, this vision about the burnt offering, the sin that brings destruction, the handing over of the sanctuary, and heaven's army being trampled on?" -\v 14 He said to me, "It will last for 2,300 evenings and mornings. After that the sanctuary will be put right." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I tried to understand it. Then there stood before me one who looked like a man. -\v 16 I heard a man's voice calling between the banks of the Ulai Canal. He said, "Gabriel, help this man understand the vision." -\v 17 So he came near where I stood. When he came, I was frightened and prostrated myself on the ground. He said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end." - -\s5 -\v 18 When he spoke to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and made me stand up. -\v 19 He said, "See, I will show you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time for the end. - -\s5 -\v 20 As for the ram you saw, the one that had two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia. -\v 21 The male goat is the king of Greece. The large horn between his eyes is the first king. - -\s5 -\v 22 As for the horn that was broken, in the place of which four others arose—four kingdoms will arise from his nation, but not with his great power. -\v 23 At the latter time of those kingdoms, when the transgressors shall have reached their limit, a grim-faced king, one who is very intelligent, will arise. - -\s5 -\v 24 His power will be great—but not by his own power. He will be amazing in what he destroys; he will act and succeed. He will destroy powerful people, people among the holy ones. -\v 25 By his craftiness he will make deceit prosper under his hand. He will become great in his own mind. He will unexpectedly destroy many people. He will even rise up against the King of kings, and he will be broken, but not by any human hand. -\s5 -\v 26 The vision about the evenings and mornings that has been told is true. But seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future." - -\s5 -\v 27 Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay weak for several days. Then I got up, and went about the king's business. But I was appalled by the vision, and there was no one who understood it. - - - +\mt Daniel + +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylonia came to Jerusalem and surrounded the city to cut off all supplies to it. +\v 2 The Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar victory over Jehoiakim king of Judah, and he gave him some of the sacred objects from the house of God. He brought them into the land of Babylonia, to the house of his god, and he placed the sacred objects in his god's treasury. + +\s5 +\v 3 The king spoke to Ashpenaz, his chief official, to bring in some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility— +\v 4 young men without blemish, attractive in appearance, skillful in all wisdom, filled with knowledge and understanding, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the Babylonians' literature and language. +\v 5 The king counted out for them a daily portion of his delicacies and some of the wine that he drank. These young men were to be trained for three years, and after that, they would serve the king. + +\s5 +\v 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, some of the people of Judah. +\v 7 The chief official gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 But Daniel intended in his mind that he would not pollute himself with the king's delicacies or with the wine that he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official that he might not pollute himself. +\v 9 Now God gave Daniel favor and compassion through the respect that the chief official had for him. +\v 10 The chief official said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my master the king. He has commanded what food and drink you should have. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men of your own age? The king might have my head because of you." + +\s5 +\v 11 Then Daniel spoke to the steward whom the chief official had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. +\v 12 He said, "Please test us, your servants, for ten days. Give us only some vegetables to eat and water to drink. +\v 13 Then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the king's delicacies, and treat us, your servants, based on what you see." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 So the steward agreed with him to do this, and he tested them for ten days. +\v 15 At the end of ten days their appearance was more healthy, and they were better nourished, than all the young men who ate the king's delicacies. +\v 16 So the steward took away their delicacies and their wine and gave them only vegetables. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and insight in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel could understand all kinds of visions and dreams. +\v 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. + +\s5 +\v 19 The king spoke with them, and among the whole group there were none to compare with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They stood before the king, ready to serve him. +\v 20 In every question of wisdom and understanding that the king asked them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and those who claimed to speak with the dead, who were in his entire kingdom. +\v 21 Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, he had dreams. His mind was troubled, and he could not sleep. +\v 2 Then the king summoned the magicians and those who claimed to speak with the dead. He also called the sorcerers and wise men. He wanted them to tell him about his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. + +\s5 +\v 3 The king said to them, "I have had a dream, and my mind is anxious to know what the dream means." +\v 4 Then the wise men spoke to the king in Aramaic, "King, live forever! Tell the dream to us, your servants, and we will reveal the meaning." + +\s5 +\v 5 The king replied to the wise men, "This matter has been settled. If you do not reveal the dream to me and interpret it, your bodies will be torn apart and your houses made into rubbish heaps. +\v 6 But if you will tell me the dream and its meaning, you will receive gifts from me, a reward, and great honor. So tell to me the dream and its meaning." + +\s5 +\v 7 They replied again and said, "Let the king tell us, his servants, the dream and we will tell you its meaning." +\v 8 The king answered, "I know for certain that you want more time because you see how firm my decision is about this. +\v 9 But if you do not tell me the dream, there is only one sentence for you. You have decided to prepare false and deceptive words that you agreed together to say to me until I change my mind. So then, tell me the dream, and then I will know you can interpret it for me." + +\s5 +\v 10 The wise men replied to the king, "There is not a man on earth able to meet the king's demand. There is no great and powerful king who has demanded such a thing from any magician, or from anyone who claims to speak with the dead, or from a wise man. +\v 11 What the king demands is difficult, and there is no one who can tell it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans." + +\s5 +\v 12 This made the king angry and very furious, and he gave an order to destroy all those in Babylon who were known for their wisdom. +\v 13 So the decree went out that all those who were known for their wisdom were to be put to death. Because of this decree, they searched for Daniel and his friends so they could be put to death. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch the commander of the king's bodyguard, who had come to kill all those in Babylon who were known for their wisdom. +\v 15 Daniel asked the king's commander, "Why is the king's decree so urgent?" So Arioch told Daniel what had happened. +\v 16 Then Daniel went in and requested an appointment with the king so that he could present the interpretation to the king. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Daniel went to his house and explained to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, what had happened. +\v 18 He urged them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and they might not be killed with the rest of the men of Babylon who were known for their wisdom. +\s5 +\v 19 That night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven +\v 20 and said, +\q "Praise the name of God forever and ever; +\q for wisdom and power belong to him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 21 He changes the times +\q and seasons; +\q he removes kings +\q and places kings on their thrones. +\q He gives wisdom to the wise +\q and knowledge to those who have understanding. +\q +\v 22 He reveals the deep and hidden things +\q because he knows what is in the darkness, +\q and the light lives with him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 23 God of my ancestors, +I thank you and praise you +\q for the wisdom and power you gave to me. +\q Now you have made known to me +what we requested from you; +\q you made known to us the matter that concerns the king." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch (the one the king appointed to kill everyone who was wise in Babylon). He went and said to him, "Do not kill the wise men in Babylon. Take me to the king and I will show the king the interpretation of his dream." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Then Arioch quickly brought in Daniel before the king and said, "I have found among the exiles of Judah a man who will reveal the meaning of the king's dream." +\v 26 The king said to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me the dream that I saw and its meaning?" + +\s5 +\v 27 Daniel answered the king and said, "The mystery that the king has asked about cannot be revealed by those who have wisdom, nor by those who claim to speak with the dead, nor by magicians, and not by astrologers. +\v 28 Nevertheless, there is a God who lives in the heavens, who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, what will happen in the days to come. These were your dream and the visions of your mind as you lay on your bed. + +\s5 +\v 29 As for you, king, your thoughts on your bed were about things to come, and the one who reveals mysteries has made known to you what is about to happen. +\v 30 As for me, this mystery was not revealed to me because of any wisdom that I have more than any other living person. This mystery was revealed to me so that you, king, may understand the meaning, and so that you may know the thoughts deep within you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 King, you looked up and you saw a large statue. This statue, which was very powerful and bright, stood before you. Its brightness was terrifying. +\v 32 The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its breast and arms were of silver. Its middle and its thighs were made of bronze, +\v 33 and its legs were made of iron. Its feet were made partly of iron and partly of clay. + +\s5 +\v 34 You looked up, and a stone was cut out, although not by human hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and it shattered them. +\v 35 Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold at the same time were broken into pieces and became like the chaff of the threshing floors in the summer. The wind carried them away and there was no trace of them left. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 This was your dream. Now we will tell the king the meaning. +\v 37 You, king, are king of the kings to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the honor. +\v 38 He has given into your hand the place where the human beings live. He has given over the animals of the fields and the birds of the heavens into your hand, and he has made you rule over them all. You are the statue's head of gold. + +\s5 +\v 39 After you, another kingdom will arise that is inferior to you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze will rule over all the earth. + +\s5 +\v 40 There will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks other things into pieces and shatters everything. It will shatter all these things and crush them. +\s5 +\v 41 Just as you saw, the feet and toes were partly made of baked clay and partly made of iron, so it will be a divided kingdom; some of the strength of iron will be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. +\v 42 As the toes of the feet were partly made of iron and partly made of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. +\v 43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so the people will be a mixture; they will not stay together, just as iron does not mix with clay. + +\s5 +\v 44 In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be conquered by another people. It will break the other kingdoms into pieces and put an end to all of them, and it will remain forever. +\v 45 Just as you saw, a stone was cut out of the mountain, but not by human hands. It broke the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold into pieces. The great God has made known to you, king, what will happen after this. The dream is true and this interpretation is reliable." + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face before Daniel and honored him; he commanded that an offering be made and that incense be offered up to him. +\v 47 The king said to Daniel, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and the one who reveals mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery." +\s5 +\v 48 Then the king made Daniel highly honored and gave him many wonderful gifts. He made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. Daniel became chief governor over the wisest men of Babylon. +\v 49 Daniel made a request of the king, and the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be administrators over the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained in the king's palace. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue that was sixty cubits tall and six cubits wide. He set it up in the Plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. +\v 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar sent messages out to gather together the provincial governors, regional governors, and local governors, together with the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the high officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the statue that he had set up. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then the provincial governors, regional governors, and local governors, together with the counselors, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the high officials of the provinces gathered together to the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They stood before it. +\v 4 Then a herald loudly shouted, "You are commanded, peoples, nations, and languages, +\v 5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and prostrate yourselves to the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. + +\s5 +\v 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship, at that very moment, will be thrown into a blazing furnace." +\v 7 So when all the peoples heard the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and prostrated themselves to the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Now at this time certain Chaldeans came and brought accusations against the Jews. +\v 9 They said to Nebuchadnezzar the king, "King, live forever! +\v 10 You, king, have made a decree that every person who hears the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music, must fall down and prostrate himself to the golden statue. + +\s5 +\v 11 Whoever does not fall down and worship must be thrown into a blazing furnace. +\v 12 Now there are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon; their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, king, pay no attention to you. They will not worship or serve your gods, or prostrate themselves before the golden statue you have set up." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, filled with anger and rage, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought to him. So they brought these men before the king. +\v 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Have you made your minds up, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not worship my gods or prostrate yourselves to the golden statue that I have set up? + +\s5 +\v 15 Now if you are ready—when you hear the sounds of the horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, and pipes, and all kinds of music—to fall down and prostrate yourselves to the statue that I have made, all will be well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. Who is the god who is able to rescue you out of my hands?" + +\s5 +\v 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. +\v 17 If there is an answer, it is that our God whom we serve is able to keep us safe from the blazing furnace, and he will rescue us out of your hand, king. +\v 18 But if not, let it be known to you, king, that we will not worship your gods, and we will not prostrate ourselves to the golden statue you set up." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage; the look on his face changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than it was normally heated. +\v 20 Then he commanded some very strong men in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to throw them into the blazing furnace. + +\s5 +\v 21 They were tied up still wearing their robes, tunics, turbans, and other clothing, and they were thrown into the blazing furnace. +\v 22 Because the king's command was strictly followed and the furnace was very hot, the flames killed the men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. +\v 23 These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell into the blazing furnace while they were tied up. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was amazed and stood up quickly. He asked his advisors, "Did we not throw three men tied up into the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, king." +\v 25 He said, "But I see four men who are not tied up walking around in the fire, and they are not hurt. The brilliance of the fourth is like a son of the gods." + +\s5 +\v 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near the door of the blazing furnace and called out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of God Most High, come out! Come here!" Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. +\v 27 The provincial governors, regional governors, other governors, and the king's counselors who had gathered together saw these men. The fire had not hurt their bodies; the hair on their heads was not singed; their robes were not harmed; and there was no smell of fire on them. +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Nebuchadnezzar said, "Let us praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his messenger and given his message to his servants. They trusted in him when they set aside my command, and they gave up their bodies rather than worship or prostrate themselves to any god except their God. + +\s5 +\v 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego must be torn apart, and that their houses must be made into rubbish heaps because there is no other god who is able to save like this." +\v 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 King Nebuchadnezzar sent this decree to all peoples, nations, and languages who lived on the earth: "May your peace increase. +\v 2 It has seemed good to me to tell you about the signs and wonders that the Most High has done for me. +\q +\v 3 How great are his signs, +\q and how mighty are his wonders! +\q His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, +\q and his dominion lasts from generation to generation." + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was living happily in my house, and I was enjoying prosperity in my palace. +\v 5 But a dream I had made me afraid. As I lay there, the images I saw and the visions in my mind troubled me. +\v 6 So I gave a decree to bring before me all the men of Babylon who had wisdom so they could interpret the dream for me. +\s5 +\v 7 Then came the magicians, those who claimed to speak with the dead, the wise men, and the astrologers. I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. +\v 8 But at last Daniel came in—the one who is named Belteshazzar after the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods—and I told him the dream. +\v 9 "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me what I saw in my dream and what it means. + +\s5 +\v 10 These were the sights that I saw in my mind as I lay upon my bed: I looked, and there was a tree in the middle of the earth, and its height was very great. +\v 11 The tree grew and became strong. Its top reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of the whole earth. +\v 12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and on it was food for all. The wild animals found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches. All living creatures were fed from it. + +\s5 +\v 13 I saw in my mind as I lay on my bed, and a holy messenger came down from the heavens. +\v 14 He shouted and said, 'Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves, and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds fly away from its branches. + +\s5 +\v 15 Leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the middle of the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the heavens. Let it live with the animals among the plants on the ground. +\v 16 Let his mind be changed from a man's mind, and let an animal's mind be given to him until seven years pass by. + +\s5 +\v 17 This decision is by the decree reported by the messenger. It is a decision made by the holy ones so that those who are alive may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and gives them to anyone he wishes to place over them, even to the most humble men.' +\v 18 I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had this dream. Now you, Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because none of the men with wisdom in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you are able to do so, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then Daniel, who was also named Belteshazzar, was greatly upset for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, "Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar replied, "My master, may the dream be for those who hate you; may its interpretation be for your enemies. + +\s5 +\v 20 The tree that you saw—which grew and became strong, and whose top reached up to the heavens, and which could be seen to the ends of the whole earth— +\v 21 whose leaves were beautiful, and whose fruit was abundant, so that in it was food for all, and under it the animals of the field found shade, and in which the birds of the heavens lived— +\v 22 this tree is you, king, you who have grown so strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your authority reaches to the ends of the earth. + +\s5 +\v 23 You, king, saw a holy messenger coming down from heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the middle of the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew from the heavens. Let it live with the wild animals in the fields until seven years pass by.' + +\s5 +\v 24 This is the interpretation, king. It is a decree of the Most High that has reached you, my master the king. +\v 25 You will be driven from among men, and you will live with the wild animals in the fields. You will be made to eat grass like an ox, and you will be wet with the dew from the heavens, and seven years will pass by until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and that he gives them to anyone he wishes. + +\s5 +\v 26 As it was commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, in this way your kingdom will be returned to you from the time you learn that heaven rules. +\v 27 Therefore, king, let my advice be acceptable to you. Stop sinning and do what is right. Turn away from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, and it may be that your prosperity will be extended." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28-29 All these things happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace in Babylon, +\v 30 and he said, "Is this not the great Babylon, which I have built for my royal residence, for the glory of my majesty?" + +\s5 +\v 31 While the words were still on the lips of the king, a voice came from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, it is announced to you that this kingdom has been taken away from you. +\v 32 You will be driven away from people, and your home will be with the wild animals in the fields. You will be made to eat grass like an ox. Seven years will pass until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of people and he gives them to anyone he wishes." + +\s5 +\v 33 This decree against Nebuchadnezzar was carried out immediately. He was driven away from people. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew from the heavens. His hair grew as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails became like birds' claws. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was given back to me. +\q "I praised the Most High, +\q and I honored and glorified the one who lives forever. +\q For his reign is an everlasting reign, +\q and his kingdom endures from all generations to all generations. + +\s5 +\q +\v 35 All the earth's inhabitants are considered by him to be as nothing; +\q he does among the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth +\q whatever suits his will. +\q No one can stop him or challenge him. No one can say to him, 'Why have you done this?'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 At the same time that my sanity returned to me, my majesty and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My counselors and my noblemen sought my favor. I was brought back to my throne, and even more greatness was given to me. +\v 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, extol, and honor the King of heaven, for all his deeds are right, and his ways are just. He can humble those who walk in their own pride. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his noblemen, and he drank wine in front of all one thousand of them. +\v 2 While Belshazzar tasted the wine, he gave orders to bring the containers made of gold or silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem, from which he, his noblemen, and his wives and concubines could drink. + +\s5 +\v 3 The servants brought the gold containers that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God, in Jerusalem. The king, his noblemen, and his wives and concubines drank from them. +\v 4 They drank the wine and praised their idols made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared in front of the lampstand and wrote on the plaster wall in the king's palace. The king could see part of the hand as it wrote. +\v 6 Then the king's face changed and his thoughts frightened him; his limbs could not support him, and his knees were knocking together. + +\s5 +\v 7 The king shouted a command to bring in those who claimed to speak with the dead, wise men, and astrologers. The king said to those known for their wisdom in Babylon, "Whoever explains this writing and its meaning will be clothed with purple and will have a gold chain around his neck. He will have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom." + +\s5 +\v 8 Then all the king's men who were known for their wisdom came in, but they could not read the writing or explain its meaning to the king. +\v 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed and the look on his face changed. His noblemen were perplexed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Now the queen came into the banquet house because of what the king and his nobles had said. The queen said, "King, live forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble you. Do not let the look on your face change. + +\s5 +\v 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods was found in him. King Nebuchadnezzar, your father the king, made him chief of the magicians, as well as chief of those who speak with the dead, of the wise men, and of the astrologers. +\v 12 An excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, explaining riddles and solving problems—these qualities were found in this man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now call for Daniel and he will tell you the meaning of what has been written." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then Daniel was brought before the king. The king said to him, "You are that Daniel, one of the people of the exiles of Judah, whom my father the king brought out of Judah. +\v 14 I have heard about you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. + +\s5 +\v 15 Now the men known for wisdom and those who claim to speak with the dead have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not make known the interpretation of it. +\v 16 I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and tell me its meaning, you will be clothed with purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then Daniel answered before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another person. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to you, king, and will tell you the meaning. +\v 18 As for you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, greatness, honor, and majesty. +\v 19 Because of the greatness God gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared him. He put to death those he wanted to die, and he kept alive those he wished to live. He raised up those he wanted, and he humbled those he wished. +\s5 +\v 20 But when his heart was arrogant and his spirit was hardened so that he acted presumptuously, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and they took away his majesty. +\v 21 He was driven away from humanity, he had the mind of an animal, and he lived with the wild donkeys. He ate grass like an ox. His body was wet with the dew from the heavens until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of people and that he sets over them anyone he wishes. +\s5 +\v 22 You his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. +\v 23 You have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. From his house they brought you the containers that you, your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from, and you praised the idols made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—idols that do not see, hear, or know anything. You have not honored the God who holds your breath in his hand and who knows all your ways. +\v 24 Then God sent out a hand from his presence and this writing was done. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 This is the writing that was done: 'Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Pharsin.' +\v 26 This is its meaning: 'Mene,' 'God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end.' +\v 27 'Tekel,' 'you are weighed in the scales and are found lacking.' +\v 28 'Peres,' 'your kingdom is divided and is given to the Medes and Persians.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Then Belshazzar gave a command, and they clothed Daniel with purple. A chain of gold was put around his neck, and the king made a proclamation about him that he would have the authority of the third highest ruler in the kingdom. +\v 30 That night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed, +\v 31 and Darius the Mede received the kingdom when he was about sixty-two years old. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 It pleased Darius to appoint over the kingdom 120 provincial governors who would rule over all the kingdom. +\v 2 Over them there were three chief administrators, and Daniel was one of them. These chief administrators were appointed so that they might supervise the provincial governors, so that the king should suffer no loss. +\v 3 Daniel was distinguished above the other chief administrators and the provincial governors because he had an extraordinary spirit. The king was planning to put him over the whole kingdom. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Then the other chief administrators and the provincial governors looked for mistakes in the work Daniel did for the kingdom, but they could find no corruption or failure in his duty because he was faithful. No mistakes or negligence was found in him. +\v 5 Then these men said, "We cannot find any reason to complain against this Daniel unless we find something against him regarding the law of his God." + +\s5 +\v 6 Then these administrators and governors brought a plan before the king. They said to him, "King Darius, may you live forever! +\v 7 All the chief administrators of the kingdom, the regional governors, and the provincial governors, the advisors, and the governors have consulted together and decided that you, the king, should issue a decree and should enforce it, so that whoever makes a petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, king, that person must be thrown into the den of lions. + +\s5 +\v 8 Now, King, issue a decree and sign the document so that it may not be changed, as directed by the laws of the Medes and Persians, so it cannot be repealed." +\v 9 So king Darius signed the document making the decree into a law. +\s5 +\p +\v 10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed into law, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his upper room toward Jerusalem), and he got down on his knees, as he did three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done before. +\v 11 Then these men who had formed the plot together saw Daniel make requests and seek help from God. +\s5 +\v 12 Then they approached the king and spoke with him about his decree: "Did you not make a decree that everyone who makes a petition to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, king, must be throw into the den of lions?" The king answered, "The matter is settled, as directed by the law of the Medes and Persians; it cannot be repealed." + +\s5 +\v 13 Then they replied to the king, "That person Daniel, who is one of the people of the exile from Judah, pays no attention to you, king, or to the decree that you have signed. He prays to his God three times a day." +\v 14 When the king heard this, he was terribly distressed, and he applied his mind to rescue Daniel from this ruling. He labored until sunset to try to save Daniel. + +\s5 +\v 15 Then these men who had formed the plot gathered together with the king and said to him, "Know, king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree or statute that the king issues can be changed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then the king gave an order, and they brought in Daniel, and they threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you." + +\s5 +\v 17 A stone was brought over the entrance to the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles so that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. +\v 18 Then the king went to his palace and he went through the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then at daybreak the king got up and he quickly went to the lions' den. +\v 20 As he came near to the den, he called out to Daniel in a sad voice, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to save you from the lions?" + +\s5 +\v 21 Then said Daniel to the king, "King, live forever! +\v 22 My God has sent his messenger and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me. For I was found blameless before him and also before you, king, and I have done you no harm." +\s5 +\v 23 Then the king was very happy. He gave an order that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted up out of the den. No harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 The king gave an order, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel and threw them into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the floor, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones to pieces. +\v 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that live in all the earth: +\q "May peace increase for you. + +\s5 +\v 26 I hereby make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, +\q for he is the living God and lives forever, +\q and his kingdom shall not be destroyed; +\q his dominion shall be to the end. +\q +\v 27 He makes us safe and rescues us, +\q and he does signs and wonders +\q in heaven and in earth; +\q he has kept Daniel safe from the strength of the lions." + +\s5 +\v 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and during the reign of Cyrus the Persian. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylonia, Daniel had a dream and visions in his mind while lying on his bed. Then he wrote down what he had seen in the dream. He wrote down the most important events: +\v 2 Daniel explained, "In my vision at night I saw that the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. +\v 3 Four large animals, each one different from the other, came up out of the sea. +\s5 +\v 4 The first was like a lion but had eagle's wings. As I was looking, its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground and made to stand on two feet, like a man. The mind of a man was given to it. +\v 5 Then there was a second animal, like a bear, and it was bending over; it had three ribs between its teeth in its mouth. It was told, 'Get up and devour many people.' +\s5 +\v 6 After this I looked again. There was another animal, one that looked like a leopard. On its back it had four wings like bird wings, and it had four heads. It was given authority to rule. +\v 7 After this I saw in my dream at night a fourth animal, terrifying, frightening, and very strong. It had large iron teeth; it devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled underfoot what was left. It was different from the other animals, and it had ten horns. + +\s5 +\v 8 While I was considering the horns, I looked and saw another horn grow up among them, a little horn. Three of the first horns were wrenched out by the roots. I saw in this horn eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that was boasting about great things. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 As I looked, +\q thrones were set in place, +\q and the Ancient of Days took his seat. +\q His clothing was as white as snow, +\q and the hair of his head was like pure wool. +\q His throne was flames of fire, +\q and its wheels were burning fire. + +\s5 +\v 10 A river of fire flowed out from before him; +\q millions served him, +\q and one hundred million were standing before him. +\q The court was in session, +\q and the books were opened. + +\s5 +\v 11 I continued to look because of the boastful words spoken by the horn. I watched while the animal was killed, and its body was destroyed, and it was given over to be burned up. +\v 12 As for the rest of the four animals, their authority to rule was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a period of time. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 In my visions that night, +\q I saw one coming with the clouds of heaven like a son of man; +\q he came to the Ancient of Days +\q and was presented before him. +\q +\v 14 Authority to rule and glory and royal power were given to him +\q so that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. +\q His authority to rule is an everlasting authority that will not pass away, +\q and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved inside of me, and the visions I saw in my mind troubled me. +\v 16 I approached one of them standing there and asked him to show me the meaning of these things. + +\s5 +\v 17 'These large animals, four in number, are four kings that will arise from the earth. +\v 18 But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and they will possess it forever and ever.' + +\s5 +\v 19 Then I wanted to know more about the fourth animal—it was so different from the others and very horrifying with its iron teeth and bronze claws; it devoured, broke into pieces, and trampled on what was left with its feet. +\v 20 I wanted to know about the ten horns on its head, and about the other horn that grew up, and before which the three horns fell down. I wanted to know about the horn that had eyes and about the mouth that boasted about great things and that seemed greater than its companions. + +\s5 +\v 21 As I looked, this horn waged war against the holy people and was defeating them +\v 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and justice was given to the holy people of the Most High. Then the time came when the holy people received the kingdom. +\s5 +\p +\v 23 This is what that person said, 'As for the fourth animal, +\q it will be a fourth kingdom on earth +\q that will be different from all the other kingdoms. +\q It will devour the whole earth, +\q and it will trample it down +\q and break it into pieces. +\q +\v 24 As for the ten horns, +\q out of this kingdom ten kings will arise, +\q and another will arise after them. +\q He will be different from the previous ones, +\q and he will conquer the three kings. + +\s5 +\v 25 He will speak words against the Most High +\q and will oppress the holy people of the Most High God. +\q He will try to change the festivals and the law. +\q These things will be given into his hand +\q for one year, two years, and half a year. +\q +\v 26 But the court will be in session, +\q and they will take his royal power away +\q to be consumed and destroyed at the end. + +\s5 +\v 27 The kingdom and the dominion, +\q and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, +\q will be given to the people +\q who belong to the holy people of the Most High. +\q His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, +\q and all other kingdoms will serve and obey him.' +\p +\v 28 Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me and my face changed in appearance. But I kept these things to myself." + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, I, Daniel, had a vision appear to me (after the one that appeared to me at first). +\v 2 I saw in the vision, as I was looking, that I was in the fortress of Susa in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal. + +\s5 +\v 3 I looked up and saw before me a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal. One horn was longer than the other, but the longer one grew more slowly than the shorter and was passed up in length by it. +\v 4 I saw the ram charging west, then north, and then south; no other animal could stand before him. None of them was able to rescue anyone out of his hand. He did whatever he wanted, and he became great. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 As I was thinking about this, I saw a male goat come from the west, who went across the surface of the whole earth, running fast, not seeming to touch the ground. The goat had a large horn between his eyes. +\v 6 He came to the ram who had two horns—I had seen the ram standing on the bank of the canal—and the goat ran toward the ram in a powerful rage. +\s5 +\v 7 I saw the goat come close to the ram. He was very angry at the ram, and he hit the ram and broke off its two horns. The ram was powerless to stand before him. The goat knocked him down to the ground and trampled on him. There was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. +\v 8 Then the goat became very large. But when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in its place four other large horns grew up that pointed toward the four winds of the heavens. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Out of one of them grew another horn, little at first, but which became very large in the south, in the east, and in the land of beauty. +\v 10 It became so large as to engage in war with the army of heaven. Some of that army and some of the stars were thrown down to the earth, and it trampled on them. + +\s5 +\v 11 It made itself to be as great as the commander of the army. It took away from him the regular burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was polluted. +\v 12 Because of rebellion, the army will be given over to the goat's horn, and the burnt offering will be stopped. The horn will throw truth down to the ground, and it will succeed in what it does. + +\s5 +\v 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking and another holy one answering him, "How long will these things last, this vision about the burnt offering, the sin that brings destruction, the handing over of the sanctuary, and heaven's army being trampled on?" +\v 14 He said to me, "It will last for 2,300 evenings and mornings. After that the sanctuary will be put right." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I tried to understand it. Then there stood before me one who looked like a man. +\v 16 I heard a man's voice calling between the banks of the Ulai Canal. He said, "Gabriel, help this man understand the vision." +\v 17 So he came near where I stood. When he came, I was frightened and prostrated myself on the ground. He said to me, "Understand, son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end." + +\s5 +\v 18 When he spoke to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and made me stand up. +\v 19 He said, "See, I will show you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time for the end. + +\s5 +\v 20 As for the ram you saw, the one that had two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia. +\v 21 The male goat is the king of Greece. The large horn between his eyes is the first king. + +\s5 +\v 22 As for the horn that was broken, in the place of which four others arose—four kingdoms will arise from his nation, but not with his great power. +\v 23 At the latter time of those kingdoms, when the transgressors shall have reached their limit, a grim-faced king, one who is very intelligent, will arise. + +\s5 +\v 24 His power will be great—but not by his own power. He will be amazing in what he destroys; he will act and succeed. He will destroy powerful people, people among the holy ones. +\v 25 By his craftiness he will make deceit prosper under his hand. He will become great in his own mind. He will unexpectedly destroy many people. He will even rise up against the King of kings, and he will be broken, but not by any human hand. +\s5 +\v 26 The vision about the evenings and mornings that has been told is true. But seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future." + +\s5 +\v 27 Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay weak for several days. Then I got up, and went about the king's business. But I was appalled by the vision, and there was no one who understood it. + + + \s5 diff --git a/28-HOS.usfm b/28-HOS.usfm index da28ed94..e1774e67 100644 --- a/28-HOS.usfm +++ b/28-HOS.usfm @@ -647,116 +647,116 @@ \q Judah has fortified many cities, \q but I will send fire on his cities; \q it will destroy his fortresses. - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\m -\q -\v 1 Do not rejoice, Israel, -\q with joy like the other peoples. -\q For you have been unfaithful, -\q forsaking your God. -\q You love to pay the wages a prostitute requires -\q on all the threshing floors. -\q -\v 2 But the threshing floor and the winepress will not feed them; -\q the new wine will fail them. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 They will not continue to live in Yahweh's land; -\q instead, Ephraim will return to Egypt, -\q and one day they will eat unclean food in Assyria. -\q -\v 4 They will pour out no wine offerings to Yahweh, -\q neither will they be pleasing to him. -\q Their sacrifices will be to them like mourners' food: -\q all who eat it will be defiled. -\q For their food will be for themselves only; -\q it will not come into the house of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 What will you do on the day of an appointed festival, -\q on the day of a festival for Yahweh? -\q -\v 6 For, look, if they escape from destruction, -\q Egypt will gather them, -\q and Memphis will bury them. -\q As for their treasures of silver— -\q sharp briers will possess them, -\q and thorns will fill their tents. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 The days for punishment are coming; -\q the days for retribution are coming. -\q Let all Israel know these things. -\q The prophet is a fool, -\q and the inspired man is insane, -\q because of your great iniquity -\q and great hostility. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 The prophet is the watchman for my God over Ephraim. -\q But a bird snare is on all of his paths, -\q and hostility toward him is in the house of his God. -\q -\v 9 They have deeply corrupted themselves -\q as in the days of Gibeah. -\q God will call to mind their iniquity, -\q and he will punish their sins. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Yahweh says, "When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the wilderness. -\q Like the very first fruit of the season on the fig tree, I found your fathers. -\q But they went to Baal Peor, -\q and they devoted themselves to that shameful idol. -\q They became as detestable as the idol they loved. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird. -\q There will be no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception. -\q -\v 12 Though they have brought up children, -\q I will take them away so that none of them is left. -\q Woe to them when I turn away from them! - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 I have seen Ephraim, just like Tyre, planted in a meadow, -\q but Ephraim will bring out his children to someone who will slaughter them." -\q -\v 14 Give them, Yahweh—what will you give them? -\q Give them a miscarrying womb and breasts that give no milk. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 "Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, -\q that is where I began to hate them. -\q Because of their sinful deeds, -\q I will drive them out of my house. -\q I will love them no more; -\q all their officials are rebels. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 Ephraim is diseased, -\q and their root is dried up; -\q they bear no fruit. -\q Even if they have children, -\q I will put their beloved children to death." -\q -\v 17 My God will reject them -\q because they have not obeyed him. -\q They will become wanderers among the nations. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\m +\q +\v 1 Do not rejoice, Israel, +\q with joy like the other peoples. +\q For you have been unfaithful, +\q forsaking your God. +\q You love to pay the wages a prostitute requires +\q on all the threshing floors. +\q +\v 2 But the threshing floor and the winepress will not feed them; +\q the new wine will fail them. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 They will not continue to live in Yahweh's land; +\q instead, Ephraim will return to Egypt, +\q and one day they will eat unclean food in Assyria. +\q +\v 4 They will pour out no wine offerings to Yahweh, +\q neither will they be pleasing to him. +\q Their sacrifices will be to them like mourners' food: +\q all who eat it will be defiled. +\q For their food will be for themselves only; +\q it will not come into the house of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 What will you do on the day of an appointed festival, +\q on the day of a festival for Yahweh? +\q +\v 6 For, look, if they escape from destruction, +\q Egypt will gather them, +\q and Memphis will bury them. +\q As for their treasures of silver— +\q sharp briers will possess them, +\q and thorns will fill their tents. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 The days for punishment are coming; +\q the days for retribution are coming. +\q Let all Israel know these things. +\q The prophet is a fool, +\q and the inspired man is insane, +\q because of your great iniquity +\q and great hostility. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 The prophet is the watchman for my God over Ephraim. +\q But a bird snare is on all of his paths, +\q and hostility toward him is in the house of his God. +\q +\v 9 They have deeply corrupted themselves +\q as in the days of Gibeah. +\q God will call to mind their iniquity, +\q and he will punish their sins. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Yahweh says, "When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the wilderness. +\q Like the very first fruit of the season on the fig tree, I found your fathers. +\q But they went to Baal Peor, +\q and they devoted themselves to that shameful idol. +\q They became as detestable as the idol they loved. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird. +\q There will be no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception. +\q +\v 12 Though they have brought up children, +\q I will take them away so that none of them is left. +\q Woe to them when I turn away from them! + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 I have seen Ephraim, just like Tyre, planted in a meadow, +\q but Ephraim will bring out his children to someone who will slaughter them." +\q +\v 14 Give them, Yahweh—what will you give them? +\q Give them a miscarrying womb and breasts that give no milk. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 "Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, +\q that is where I began to hate them. +\q Because of their sinful deeds, +\q I will drive them out of my house. +\q I will love them no more; +\q all their officials are rebels. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 Ephraim is diseased, +\q and their root is dried up; +\q they bear no fruit. +\q Even if they have children, +\q I will put their beloved children to death." +\q +\v 17 My God will reject them +\q because they have not obeyed him. +\q They will become wanderers among the nations. + + + \s5 diff --git a/29-JOL.usfm b/29-JOL.usfm index 093a4abd..3d71db42 100644 --- a/29-JOL.usfm +++ b/29-JOL.usfm @@ -4,107 +4,107 @@ \toc1 The Book of Joel \toc2 Joel \toc3 Jol -\mt Joel \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Joel son of Pethuel. -\q -\v 2 Hear this, you elders, -\q and listen, all you inhabitants of the land. -\q Has anything like this happened in your days -\q or in the days of your ancestors? -\q -\v 3 Tell your children about it, -\q and let your children tell their children, -\q and their children the next generation. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 What the swarming locust has left the great locust has eaten; -\q what the great locust has left the grasshopper has eaten; -\q and what the grasshopper has left the caterpillar has eaten. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! -\q Wail, all you drinkers of wine, -\q because the sweet wine has been cut off from you. -\q -\v 6 For a nation has come up upon my land, -\q strong and without number. -\q His teeth are the teeth of a lion, -\q and he has the teeth of a lioness. -\q -\v 7 He has made my vineyard into a terrifying place -\q and has stripped my fig tree bare. -\q He has stripped its bark and thrown it away; -\q the branches are bare white. - -\s5 -\q -\v 8 Mourn like a virgin dressed in sackcloth for the death of her young husband. -\q -\v 9 The grain offering and the drink offering have been cut off from Yahweh's house. -\q The priests, Yahweh's servants, mourn. -\q -\v 10 The fields are ruined, -\q the ground is mourning because the grain has been destroyed. -\q The new wine has dried up, -\q the oil fails. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Be ashamed, you farmers, -\q and wail, you vine growers, -\q for the wheat and the barley. -\q For the harvest of the fields has perished. -\q -\v 12 The vines have withered and the fig trees have dried up, -\q the pomegranate trees, also the palm trees, and the apple trees— -\q all the trees of the field have withered. -\q For joy has withered away from the descendants of mankind. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Put on sackcloth and mourn, you priests! -\q Wail, you servants of the altar. -\q Come, lie all night in sackcloth, you servants of my God. -\q For the grain offering and the drink offering have been withheld from the house of your God. -\q -\v 14 Call for a holy fast, -\q and call a holy assembly. -\q Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land -\q to the house of Yahweh your God, -\q and cry to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 Alas for the day! -\q For the day of Yahweh is almost here. -\q With it will come destruction from the Almighty. -\q -\v 16 Has not food been cut off from before our eyes, -\q and joy and gladness from the house of our God? -\q -\v 17 The seeds rot under their clods, -\q the granaries are desolate, -\q and the barns have been broken down, -\q for the grain has withered. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 How the animals groan! -\q The herds of cattle are suffering -\q because they have no pasture. -\q Also, the flocks of sheep suffer. -\q -\v 19 Yahweh, I cry to you. -\q For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, -\q and flames have burned all the trees of the fields. -\q -\v 20 Even the animals of the fields pant for you, -\q for the water brooks have dried up, -\q and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. +\mt Joel \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Joel son of Pethuel. +\q +\v 2 Hear this, you elders, +\q and listen, all you inhabitants of the land. +\q Has anything like this happened in your days +\q or in the days of your ancestors? +\q +\v 3 Tell your children about it, +\q and let your children tell their children, +\q and their children the next generation. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 What the swarming locust has left the great locust has eaten; +\q what the great locust has left the grasshopper has eaten; +\q and what the grasshopper has left the caterpillar has eaten. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! +\q Wail, all you drinkers of wine, +\q because the sweet wine has been cut off from you. +\q +\v 6 For a nation has come up upon my land, +\q strong and without number. +\q His teeth are the teeth of a lion, +\q and he has the teeth of a lioness. +\q +\v 7 He has made my vineyard into a terrifying place +\q and has stripped my fig tree bare. +\q He has stripped its bark and thrown it away; +\q the branches are bare white. + +\s5 +\q +\v 8 Mourn like a virgin dressed in sackcloth for the death of her young husband. +\q +\v 9 The grain offering and the drink offering have been cut off from Yahweh's house. +\q The priests, Yahweh's servants, mourn. +\q +\v 10 The fields are ruined, +\q the ground is mourning because the grain has been destroyed. +\q The new wine has dried up, +\q the oil fails. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Be ashamed, you farmers, +\q and wail, you vine growers, +\q for the wheat and the barley. +\q For the harvest of the fields has perished. +\q +\v 12 The vines have withered and the fig trees have dried up, +\q the pomegranate trees, also the palm trees, and the apple trees— +\q all the trees of the field have withered. +\q For joy has withered away from the descendants of mankind. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Put on sackcloth and mourn, you priests! +\q Wail, you servants of the altar. +\q Come, lie all night in sackcloth, you servants of my God. +\q For the grain offering and the drink offering have been withheld from the house of your God. +\q +\v 14 Call for a holy fast, +\q and call a holy assembly. +\q Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land +\q to the house of Yahweh your God, +\q and cry to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 Alas for the day! +\q For the day of Yahweh is almost here. +\q With it will come destruction from the Almighty. +\q +\v 16 Has not food been cut off from before our eyes, +\q and joy and gladness from the house of our God? +\q +\v 17 The seeds rot under their clods, +\q the granaries are desolate, +\q and the barns have been broken down, +\q for the grain has withered. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 How the animals groan! +\q The herds of cattle are suffering +\q because they have no pasture. +\q Also, the flocks of sheep suffer. +\q +\v 19 Yahweh, I cry to you. +\q For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, +\q and flames have burned all the trees of the fields. +\q +\v 20 Even the animals of the fields pant for you, +\q for the water brooks have dried up, +\q and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. \s5 diff --git a/30-AMO.usfm b/30-AMO.usfm index 135afce4..734db315 100644 --- a/30-AMO.usfm +++ b/30-AMO.usfm @@ -544,140 +544,140 @@ Judah, and also in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash king of Israel, two years b \q whose name is the God of hosts. - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\m -\q -\v 1 Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, -\q and to those who are secure in the hill country of Samaria, -\q the notable men of the best of the nations, -\q to whom the house of Israel comes for help! -\q -\v 2 Your leaders say, "Go to Kalneh and look; -\q from there go to Hamath, the great city; -\q then go down to Gath of the Philistines. -\q Are they better than your two kingdoms? -\q Is their border larger than your border?" - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Woe to those who put off the day of disaster -\q and make the throne of violence come near. -\q -\v 4 They lie on beds of ivory -\q and lounge on their couches. -\q They eat lambs from the flock -\q and calves from the stall. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 They sing foolish songs to the music of the harp; -\q they improvise on instruments as David did. -\q -\v 6 They drink wine from bowls -\q and anoint themselves with the finest oils, -\q but they do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 So they will now go into exile with the first exiles, -\q and the feasts of those who lounge about will pass away. -\q -\v 8 "I, the Lord Yahweh, have sworn by myself -\q —this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts, -\q I detest the pride of Jacob; -\q I hate his fortresses. -\q Therefore I will hand over the city with all that is in it." - -\s5 - -\v 9 It will come about that -if there are ten men left in one house, they will all die. -\v 10 When a man's relative comes to take their bodies up—the one who is to cremate them after bringing the corpses out of the house—if he says to the person in the house, "Is there anyone with you?" What if that person says, "No." Then he will say, "Be quiet, for we must not mention Yahweh's name." - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 For, look, Yahweh will give a command, -\q and the big house will be smashed to pieces, -\q and the little house to bits. - -\s5 -\q -\v 12 Do horses run on the rocky cliffs? -\q Does one plow there with oxen? -\q Yet you have turned justice into poison -\q and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness. -\q -\v 13 You who rejoice over Lo Debar, -\q who say, "Have we not taken Karnaim by our own strength?" - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 "But look, I will raise up against you a nation, -\q house of Israel—this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts. -\q They will afflict you -\q from Lebo Hamath to the brook of the Arabah." - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 This is what the Lord Yahweh showed me. Look, he formed a locust swarm when the spring crop began to come up, -and, look, it was the late crop after the king's harvest. -\v 2 When they finished eating the vegetation of the land, then I said, "Lord Yahweh, please forgive; how will Jacob survive? For he is so small." -\v 3 Yahweh relented concerning this. "It will not happen," he said. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 This is what the Lord Yahweh showed me: Look, the Lord Yahweh called on fire to judge. It dried the vast, deep water under the earth and would have devoured the land, also. -\v 5 But I said, "Lord Yahweh, please stop; how will Jacob survive? For he is so small." -\v 6 Yahweh relented concerning this, "This also will not happen," said the Lord Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 This is what he showed me: Look, the Lord stood beside a wall, with a plumb line in his hand. -\v 8 Yahweh said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "Look, I will put a -plumb line among my people Israel. I will spare them no longer. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 The high places of Isaac will be destroyed, -\q the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined, -\q and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent a message to Jeroboam, king of Israel: "Amos has conspired against you in the middle -of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. -\v 11 For this is what Amos said, -\q 'Jeroboam will die by the sword, -\q and Israel will surely go into exile away from his land.'" - -\s5 -\v 12 Amaziah said to Amos, "Seer, go, run back to the land of Judah, and there eat bread and prophesy. -\v 13 But do not prophesy anymore here at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal house." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then Amos said to Amaziah, "I am not a prophet nor a prophet's son. I am a herdsman, and I take care of sycamore fig trees. -\v 15 But Yahweh took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' - -\s5 -\v 16 Now hear the word of Yahweh. You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not -speak against the house of Isaac.' -\v 17 Therefore this is what Yahweh says, -\q 'Your wife will be a prostitute in the city; -\q your sons and your daughters will fall by the sword; -\q your land will be measured and divided up; -\q you will die in an unclean land, -\q and Israel will surely go into exile from his land.'" - - + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\m +\q +\v 1 Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, +\q and to those who are secure in the hill country of Samaria, +\q the notable men of the best of the nations, +\q to whom the house of Israel comes for help! +\q +\v 2 Your leaders say, "Go to Kalneh and look; +\q from there go to Hamath, the great city; +\q then go down to Gath of the Philistines. +\q Are they better than your two kingdoms? +\q Is their border larger than your border?" + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Woe to those who put off the day of disaster +\q and make the throne of violence come near. +\q +\v 4 They lie on beds of ivory +\q and lounge on their couches. +\q They eat lambs from the flock +\q and calves from the stall. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 They sing foolish songs to the music of the harp; +\q they improvise on instruments as David did. +\q +\v 6 They drink wine from bowls +\q and anoint themselves with the finest oils, +\q but they do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 So they will now go into exile with the first exiles, +\q and the feasts of those who lounge about will pass away. +\q +\v 8 "I, the Lord Yahweh, have sworn by myself +\q —this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts, +\q I detest the pride of Jacob; +\q I hate his fortresses. +\q Therefore I will hand over the city with all that is in it." + +\s5 + +\v 9 It will come about that +if there are ten men left in one house, they will all die. +\v 10 When a man's relative comes to take their bodies up—the one who is to cremate them after bringing the corpses out of the house—if he says to the person in the house, "Is there anyone with you?" What if that person says, "No." Then he will say, "Be quiet, for we must not mention Yahweh's name." + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 For, look, Yahweh will give a command, +\q and the big house will be smashed to pieces, +\q and the little house to bits. + +\s5 +\q +\v 12 Do horses run on the rocky cliffs? +\q Does one plow there with oxen? +\q Yet you have turned justice into poison +\q and the fruit of righteousness into bitterness. +\q +\v 13 You who rejoice over Lo Debar, +\q who say, "Have we not taken Karnaim by our own strength?" + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 "But look, I will raise up against you a nation, +\q house of Israel—this is the declaration of the Lord Yahweh, the God of hosts. +\q They will afflict you +\q from Lebo Hamath to the brook of the Arabah." + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 This is what the Lord Yahweh showed me. Look, he formed a locust swarm when the spring crop began to come up, +and, look, it was the late crop after the king's harvest. +\v 2 When they finished eating the vegetation of the land, then I said, "Lord Yahweh, please forgive; how will Jacob survive? For he is so small." +\v 3 Yahweh relented concerning this. "It will not happen," he said. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 This is what the Lord Yahweh showed me: Look, the Lord Yahweh called on fire to judge. It dried the vast, deep water under the earth and would have devoured the land, also. +\v 5 But I said, "Lord Yahweh, please stop; how will Jacob survive? For he is so small." +\v 6 Yahweh relented concerning this, "This also will not happen," said the Lord Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 This is what he showed me: Look, the Lord stood beside a wall, with a plumb line in his hand. +\v 8 Yahweh said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "Look, I will put a +plumb line among my people Israel. I will spare them no longer. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 The high places of Isaac will be destroyed, +\q the sanctuaries of Israel will be ruined, +\q and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Then Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, sent a message to Jeroboam, king of Israel: "Amos has conspired against you in the middle +of the house of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words. +\v 11 For this is what Amos said, +\q 'Jeroboam will die by the sword, +\q and Israel will surely go into exile away from his land.'" + +\s5 +\v 12 Amaziah said to Amos, "Seer, go, run back to the land of Judah, and there eat bread and prophesy. +\v 13 But do not prophesy anymore here at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary and a royal house." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then Amos said to Amaziah, "I am not a prophet nor a prophet's son. I am a herdsman, and I take care of sycamore fig trees. +\v 15 But Yahweh took me from tending the flock and said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' + +\s5 +\v 16 Now hear the word of Yahweh. You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not +speak against the house of Isaac.' +\v 17 Therefore this is what Yahweh says, +\q 'Your wife will be a prostitute in the city; +\q your sons and your daughters will fall by the sword; +\q your land will be measured and divided up; +\q you will die in an unclean land, +\q and Israel will surely go into exile from his land.'" + + \s5 diff --git a/32-JON.usfm b/32-JON.usfm index 76203cd3..0db47fe5 100644 --- a/32-JON.usfm +++ b/32-JON.usfm @@ -4,121 +4,121 @@ \toc1 The Book of Jonah \toc2 Jonah \toc3 Jon -\mt Jonah \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Now the word of Yahweh came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, -\v 2 "Get up and go to Nineveh, that great city, and speak out against it, because their wickedness has risen up before me." -\v 3 But Jonah got up to run away from the presence of Yahweh and go to Tarshish. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and boarded the ship to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of Yahweh. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 But Yahweh sent out a great wind on the sea and it became a mighty storm on the sea. Soon it appeared that the ship was going to be broken up. -\v 5 Then the sailors became very afraid and each man cried out to his own god. They threw the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten it. But Jonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship, and he was lying there deeply asleep. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 So the captain came to him and said to him, "What are you doing sleeping? Get up! Call upon your god! Maybe your god will notice us and we will not perish." -\p -\v 7 They all said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know who is the cause of this evil that is happening to us." So they threw lots, and the lot fell to Jonah. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Then they said to Jonah, "Please tell us who is the cause of this evil that is happening to us. What is your occupation, and where did you come from? What is your country, and from which people are you?" -\v 9 Jonah said to them, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land." -\v 10 Then the men were even more afraid and said to Jonah, "What is this that you have done?" For the men knew that he was running away from the presence of Yahweh, because he had told them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Then they said to Jonah, "What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down for us?" For the sea became more and more violent. -\v 12 Jonah said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will be calm for you, for I know that it is because of me that this great storm is happening to you." -\p -\v 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get them back to the land, but they could not do it because the sea was becoming more and more violent against them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Therefore they cried out to Yahweh and said, "We beg you, Yahweh, we beg you, do not let us perish on account of this man's life, and do not lay upon us the guilt of his death, because you, Yahweh, have done just as it pleased you." -\v 15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped raging. -\v 16 Then the men feared Yahweh very much. They offered sacrifices to Yahweh and made vows. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Now Yahweh had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\nb -\v 1 Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh his God from the fish's stomach. -\v 2 He said, -\q "I called out to Yahweh about my distress -\q and he answered me; -\q from the belly of Sheol I cried out for help! -\q You heard my voice. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 You had thrown me into the depths, into the heart of the seas, -\q and the currents surrounded me; -\q all your waves and billows -\q passed over me. -\q -\v 4 I said, 'I am driven out from before your eyes; -\q yet I will again look toward your holy temple.' - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 The waters closed around me up to my neck; -\q the deep was all around me; -\q seaweed wrapped around my head. -\q -\v 6 I went down to the bases of the mountains; -\q the earth with its bars closed upon me forever. -\q Yet you brought up my life from the pit, Yahweh, my God! - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 When my soul fainted within me, I called Yahweh to mind; -\q then my prayer came to you, to your holy temple. -\q -\v 8 They give attention to useless gods -\q while they forsake loving faithfulness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 But as for me, I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving; -\q I will fulfill that which I have vowed. -\q Salvation comes from Yahweh!" -\m -\v 10 Then Yahweh spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah upon the dry land. - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to Jonah a second time, saying, -\v 2 "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I command you to give." -\v 3 So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was a very large city, one of three days' journey. - -\s5 -\v 4 Jonah began to enter the city and after a day's journey he called out and said, "In forty days Nineveh will be overthrown." -\v 5 The people of Nineveh believed God and they proclaimed a fast. They all put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them down to the least of them. - -\s5 -\v 6 Soon the news reached the king of Nineveh. He rose up from his throne, took off his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. -\v 7 He sent out a proclamation that said, "In Nineveh, by the authority of the king and his nobles, let neither man nor animal, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not eat, nor drink water. - -\s5 -\v 8 But let both man and animal be covered with sackcloth and let them cry out loudly to God. Let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. -\v 9 Who knows? God may relent and change his mind and turn away from his fierce anger so that we do not perish." - -\s5 -\v 10 God saw what they did, that they turned from their evil ways. So then God changed his mind about the punishment that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. - - - +\mt Jonah \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Now the word of Yahweh came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, +\v 2 "Get up and go to Nineveh, that great city, and speak out against it, because their wickedness has risen up before me." +\v 3 But Jonah got up to run away from the presence of Yahweh and go to Tarshish. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and boarded the ship to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of Yahweh. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 But Yahweh sent out a great wind on the sea and it became a mighty storm on the sea. Soon it appeared that the ship was going to be broken up. +\v 5 Then the sailors became very afraid and each man cried out to his own god. They threw the ship's cargo into the sea to lighten it. But Jonah had gone down into the innermost parts of the ship, and he was lying there deeply asleep. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 So the captain came to him and said to him, "What are you doing sleeping? Get up! Call upon your god! Maybe your god will notice us and we will not perish." +\p +\v 7 They all said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots, so that we may know who is the cause of this evil that is happening to us." So they threw lots, and the lot fell to Jonah. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Then they said to Jonah, "Please tell us who is the cause of this evil that is happening to us. What is your occupation, and where did you come from? What is your country, and from which people are you?" +\v 9 Jonah said to them, "I am a Hebrew; and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land." +\v 10 Then the men were even more afraid and said to Jonah, "What is this that you have done?" For the men knew that he was running away from the presence of Yahweh, because he had told them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Then they said to Jonah, "What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down for us?" For the sea became more and more violent. +\v 12 Jonah said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will be calm for you, for I know that it is because of me that this great storm is happening to you." +\p +\v 13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get them back to the land, but they could not do it because the sea was becoming more and more violent against them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Therefore they cried out to Yahweh and said, "We beg you, Yahweh, we beg you, do not let us perish on account of this man's life, and do not lay upon us the guilt of his death, because you, Yahweh, have done just as it pleased you." +\v 15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped raging. +\v 16 Then the men feared Yahweh very much. They offered sacrifices to Yahweh and made vows. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Now Yahweh had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights. + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\nb +\v 1 Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh his God from the fish's stomach. +\v 2 He said, +\q "I called out to Yahweh about my distress +\q and he answered me; +\q from the belly of Sheol I cried out for help! +\q You heard my voice. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 You had thrown me into the depths, into the heart of the seas, +\q and the currents surrounded me; +\q all your waves and billows +\q passed over me. +\q +\v 4 I said, 'I am driven out from before your eyes; +\q yet I will again look toward your holy temple.' + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 The waters closed around me up to my neck; +\q the deep was all around me; +\q seaweed wrapped around my head. +\q +\v 6 I went down to the bases of the mountains; +\q the earth with its bars closed upon me forever. +\q Yet you brought up my life from the pit, Yahweh, my God! + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 When my soul fainted within me, I called Yahweh to mind; +\q then my prayer came to you, to your holy temple. +\q +\v 8 They give attention to useless gods +\q while they forsake loving faithfulness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 But as for me, I will sacrifice to you with a voice of thanksgiving; +\q I will fulfill that which I have vowed. +\q Salvation comes from Yahweh!" +\m +\v 10 Then Yahweh spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah upon the dry land. + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 The word of Yahweh came to Jonah a second time, saying, +\v 2 "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I command you to give." +\v 3 So Jonah got up and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of Yahweh. Now Nineveh was a very large city, one of three days' journey. + +\s5 +\v 4 Jonah began to enter the city and after a day's journey he called out and said, "In forty days Nineveh will be overthrown." +\v 5 The people of Nineveh believed God and they proclaimed a fast. They all put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them down to the least of them. + +\s5 +\v 6 Soon the news reached the king of Nineveh. He rose up from his throne, took off his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. +\v 7 He sent out a proclamation that said, "In Nineveh, by the authority of the king and his nobles, let neither man nor animal, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not eat, nor drink water. + +\s5 +\v 8 But let both man and animal be covered with sackcloth and let them cry out loudly to God. Let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. +\v 9 Who knows? God may relent and change his mind and turn away from his fierce anger so that we do not perish." + +\s5 +\v 10 God saw what they did, that they turned from their evil ways. So then God changed his mind about the punishment that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. + + + \s5 diff --git a/33-MIC.usfm b/33-MIC.usfm index 33e67ae3..34b035de 100644 --- a/33-MIC.usfm +++ b/33-MIC.usfm @@ -260,102 +260,102 @@ \q and the hill of the temple will become a thicket. - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\m -\q -\v 1 But in the last days it will come about -\q that the mountain of Yahweh's house -\q will be established over the other mountains. -\q It will be exalted above the hills, -\q and peoples will stream to it. - -\s5 -\q -\v 2 Many nations will go and say, -\q "Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, -\q to the house of the God of Jacob. -\q He will teach us his ways, -\q and we will walk in his paths." -\q For from Zion the law will go out, -\q and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. -\q -\v 3 He will judge among many peoples -\q and will decide concerning numerous nations far away. -\q They will beat their swords into plowshares -\q and their spears into pruning hooks. -\q Nation will not lift up sword against nation, -\q nor will they train for war any longer. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 Instead, they will sit every person under his vine -\q and under his fig tree. -\q No one will make them afraid, -\q for the mouth of Yahweh of hosts has spoken. -\q -\v 5 For all the peoples walk, -\q each one, in the name of their god. -\q But we will walk in the name of Yahweh our God -\q forever and ever. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 "On that day"—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q "I will assemble the lame -\q and gather the outcast, -\q those whom I have afflicted. -\q -\v 7 I will turn the lame into a remnant, -\q and the ones driven away into a strong nation, -\q and I, Yahweh, will reign over them on Mount Zion, -\q now and forever. -\q -\v 8 As for you, watchtower for the flock, -\q hill of the daughter of Zion— -\q to you it will come, your former dominion will be restored, -\q the kingdom that belongs to the daughter of Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Now, why do you shout so loudly? -\q Is there no king among you? -\q Has your counselor died? -\q Is this why pain grips you like that of a woman in labor? -\q -\v 10 Be in pain -\q and labor to give birth, -\q daughter of Zion, -\q like a woman in labor. -\q For now you will you go out of the city, -\q live in the field, -\q and go to Babylon. -\q There you will be rescued. -\q There Yahweh will rescue you -\q from the hand of your enemies. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Now many nations are assembled against you; -\q they say, 'Let her be defiled; -\q let our eyes gloat over Zion.' -\q -\v 12 They do not know Yahweh's thoughts, -\q neither do they understand his plans, -\q for he has gathered them like sheaves for the threshing floor. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion, -\q for I will make your horn to be iron, -\q and I will make your hooves to be bronze. -\q You will crush many peoples and you will devote their unjust wealth to Yahweh, -\q their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\m +\q +\v 1 But in the last days it will come about +\q that the mountain of Yahweh's house +\q will be established over the other mountains. +\q It will be exalted above the hills, +\q and peoples will stream to it. + +\s5 +\q +\v 2 Many nations will go and say, +\q "Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, +\q to the house of the God of Jacob. +\q He will teach us his ways, +\q and we will walk in his paths." +\q For from Zion the law will go out, +\q and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. +\q +\v 3 He will judge among many peoples +\q and will decide concerning numerous nations far away. +\q They will beat their swords into plowshares +\q and their spears into pruning hooks. +\q Nation will not lift up sword against nation, +\q nor will they train for war any longer. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 Instead, they will sit every person under his vine +\q and under his fig tree. +\q No one will make them afraid, +\q for the mouth of Yahweh of hosts has spoken. +\q +\v 5 For all the peoples walk, +\q each one, in the name of their god. +\q But we will walk in the name of Yahweh our God +\q forever and ever. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 "On that day"—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q "I will assemble the lame +\q and gather the outcast, +\q those whom I have afflicted. +\q +\v 7 I will turn the lame into a remnant, +\q and the ones driven away into a strong nation, +\q and I, Yahweh, will reign over them on Mount Zion, +\q now and forever. +\q +\v 8 As for you, watchtower for the flock, +\q hill of the daughter of Zion— +\q to you it will come, your former dominion will be restored, +\q the kingdom that belongs to the daughter of Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Now, why do you shout so loudly? +\q Is there no king among you? +\q Has your counselor died? +\q Is this why pain grips you like that of a woman in labor? +\q +\v 10 Be in pain +\q and labor to give birth, +\q daughter of Zion, +\q like a woman in labor. +\q For now you will you go out of the city, +\q live in the field, +\q and go to Babylon. +\q There you will be rescued. +\q There Yahweh will rescue you +\q from the hand of your enemies. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Now many nations are assembled against you; +\q they say, 'Let her be defiled; +\q let our eyes gloat over Zion.' +\q +\v 12 They do not know Yahweh's thoughts, +\q neither do they understand his plans, +\q for he has gathered them like sheaves for the threshing floor. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion, +\q for I will make your horn to be iron, +\q and I will make your hooves to be bronze. +\q You will crush many peoples and you will devote their unjust wealth to Yahweh, +\q their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth." + + + \s5 @@ -450,230 +450,230 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\m -\q -\v 1 Now listen to what Yahweh says, -\q "Arise and state your case before the mountains; -\q let the hills hear your voice. -\q -\v 2 Listen to Yahweh's lawsuit, you mountains, -\q and you enduring foundations of the earth. -\q For Yahweh has a lawsuit with his people, -\q and he will fight in court against Israel." - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 "My people, what have I done to you? -\q How have I wearied you? -\q Testify against me! -\q -\v 4 For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt -\q and rescued you out of the house of bondage. -\q I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to you. -\q -\v 5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, -\q and how Balaam son of Beor answered him -\q as you went from Shittim to Gilgal, -\q so you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh." - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 What should I bring to Yahweh, -\q as I bow down to the high God? -\q Should I come to him with burnt offerings, -\q with calves a year old? -\q -\v 7 Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, -\q or with ten thousand rivers of oil? -\q Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, -\q the fruit of my body for my own sin? -\q -\v 8 He has told you, man, -\q what is good, -\q and what Yahweh requires from you: -\q Act justly, -\q love kindness, -\q and walk humbly with your God. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 The voice of Yahweh is making a proclamation to the city— -\q even now wisdom acknowledges your name: -\q "Pay attention to the rod, -\q and to the one who has put it in place. -\f + \ft Instead of the Hebrew text's reading of \fqa Pay attention to the rod and to the one who has put it into place \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa Listen, tribe, and those assembled together in the city \fqa* . \f* -\q -\v 10 There is wealth in the houses of the wicked that is dishonest, -\q and false measures that are abominable. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 Should I consider a person to be innocent if he uses fraudulent scales, -\q with a bag of deceptive weights? -\q -\v 12 The rich men are full of violence, -\q the inhabitants have spoken lies, -\q and their tongue in their mouth is deceitful. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 Therefore I will strike you with a terrible blow, -\q and I will make you desolate because of your sins. -\q -\v 14 You will eat but not be satisfied; -\q your emptiness will remain inside you. -\q You will store goods away but not save, -\q and what you do save I will give to the sword. -\f + \ft Parts of this verse are difficult to understand, because there are two Hebrew words in it whose meanings are not known. As a result, various other readings have been proposed that some modern versions follow. \f* -\q -\v 15 You will sow but not reap; -\q you will tread the olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; -\q you will press grapes but drink no wine. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 The regulations made by Omri have been kept, -\q and all the deeds of the house of Ahab. -\q You walk by their advice. -\q So I will make you, city, a ruin, -\q and you inhabitants an object of hissing, -\q and you will bear the reproach of my people." -\f + \ft The Hebrew text has \fqa you will bear the reproach of my people \fqa* , but an ancient Greek version has \fqa you will bear the scorn of the nations \fqa* . Some modern versions follow this reading. \f* - - - - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\m -\q -\v 1 Woe is me! -\q I have become like the gathering of summer fruit, -\q and like the grapes that have been gleaned; -\q there is no grape cluster to eat, -\q no ripe early fig that my soul desires. -\q -\v 2 Faithful people have disappeared from the land; -\q there is no upright person in all mankind. -\q They all lie in wait to shed blood; -\q each one hunts his own brother with a net. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 Their hands are very good at doing harm: -\q the ruler asks for money, -\q the judge is ready for bribes, -\q and the powerful man is saying to others what he wants to obtain. -\q Thus they plot together. -\q -\v 4 The best of them is like a brier, -\q the most upright is worse than a thorn hedge. -\q It is the day foretold by your watchmen, -\q the day of your punishment. -\q Now is the time of their confusion. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Do not trust any neighbor; -\q put no confidence in any friend. -\q Be careful about what you say -\q even to the woman who lies in your arms. -\q -\v 6 For a son dishonors his father, -\q a daughter rises up against her mother, -\q and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. -\q A man's enemies are the people of his own house. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 But as for me, I will look to Yahweh. -\q I will wait for the God of my salvation; -\q my God will hear me. -\q -\v 8 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy. -\q After I fall, -\q I will rise. -\q When I sit in darkness, -\q Yahweh will be a light for me. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Because I sinned against Yahweh, -\q I will bear his rage -\q until he pleads my cause, -\q and executes judgment for me. -\q He will bring me to the light, -\q and I will see him rescue me in his justice. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 Then my enemy will see it, -\q and shame will cover the one who said to me, -\q "Where is Yahweh your God?" -\q My eyes will look at her; -\q she will be trampled down like the mud in the streets. - -\s5 -\q -\v 11 A day to build your walls will come; -\q on that day the boundaries will be extended very far. -\q -\v 12 On that day your people will come to you, -\q from Assyria and the cities in Egypt, -\q from Egypt to the River, -\q from sea to sea, -\q and from mountain to mountain. -\q -\v 13 But the land will be desolate -\q because of the people who are living there, -\q because of the fruit of their actions. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 Shepherd your people with your rod, -\q the flock of your inheritance. -\q They live alone in a thicket, -\q in the midst of a pastureland. -\q Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead -\q as in the old days. -\q -\v 15 As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, -\q I will show them wonders. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 The nations will see and be ashamed -\q of all their power. -\q They will put their hands on their mouths; -\q their ears will be deaf. -\q -\v 17 They will lick the dust like a snake, -\q like creatures that crawl on the earth. -\q They will come out of their dens with fear; -\q they will come with fear to you, Yahweh our God, -\q and they will be afraid because of you. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Who is a God like you— -\q who takes away sin, -\q who passes over the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? -\q He does not keep his anger forever, -\q because he delights in his covenant faithfulness. - -\s5 -\q -\v 19 You will again have compassion on us; -\q you will trample our iniquities under your feet. -\q You will throw all our sins into the depths of the sea. -\q -\v 20 You will give truth to Jacob -\q and covenant faithfulness to Abraham, -\q as you swore to our ancestors in ancient days. - - + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\m +\q +\v 1 Now listen to what Yahweh says, +\q "Arise and state your case before the mountains; +\q let the hills hear your voice. +\q +\v 2 Listen to Yahweh's lawsuit, you mountains, +\q and you enduring foundations of the earth. +\q For Yahweh has a lawsuit with his people, +\q and he will fight in court against Israel." + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 "My people, what have I done to you? +\q How have I wearied you? +\q Testify against me! +\q +\v 4 For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt +\q and rescued you out of the house of bondage. +\q I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to you. +\q +\v 5 My people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, +\q and how Balaam son of Beor answered him +\q as you went from Shittim to Gilgal, +\q so you may know the righteous acts of Yahweh." + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 What should I bring to Yahweh, +\q as I bow down to the high God? +\q Should I come to him with burnt offerings, +\q with calves a year old? +\q +\v 7 Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, +\q or with ten thousand rivers of oil? +\q Should I give my firstborn for my transgression, +\q the fruit of my body for my own sin? +\q +\v 8 He has told you, man, +\q what is good, +\q and what Yahweh requires from you: +\q Act justly, +\q love kindness, +\q and walk humbly with your God. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 The voice of Yahweh is making a proclamation to the city— +\q even now wisdom acknowledges your name: +\q "Pay attention to the rod, +\q and to the one who has put it in place. +\f + \ft Instead of the Hebrew text's reading of \fqa Pay attention to the rod and to the one who has put it into place \fqa* , some modern versions have \fqa Listen, tribe, and those assembled together in the city \fqa* . \f* +\q +\v 10 There is wealth in the houses of the wicked that is dishonest, +\q and false measures that are abominable. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 Should I consider a person to be innocent if he uses fraudulent scales, +\q with a bag of deceptive weights? +\q +\v 12 The rich men are full of violence, +\q the inhabitants have spoken lies, +\q and their tongue in their mouth is deceitful. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 Therefore I will strike you with a terrible blow, +\q and I will make you desolate because of your sins. +\q +\v 14 You will eat but not be satisfied; +\q your emptiness will remain inside you. +\q You will store goods away but not save, +\q and what you do save I will give to the sword. +\f + \ft Parts of this verse are difficult to understand, because there are two Hebrew words in it whose meanings are not known. As a result, various other readings have been proposed that some modern versions follow. \f* +\q +\v 15 You will sow but not reap; +\q you will tread the olives but not anoint yourselves with oil; +\q you will press grapes but drink no wine. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 The regulations made by Omri have been kept, +\q and all the deeds of the house of Ahab. +\q You walk by their advice. +\q So I will make you, city, a ruin, +\q and you inhabitants an object of hissing, +\q and you will bear the reproach of my people." +\f + \ft The Hebrew text has \fqa you will bear the reproach of my people \fqa* , but an ancient Greek version has \fqa you will bear the scorn of the nations \fqa* . Some modern versions follow this reading. \f* + + + + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\m +\q +\v 1 Woe is me! +\q I have become like the gathering of summer fruit, +\q and like the grapes that have been gleaned; +\q there is no grape cluster to eat, +\q no ripe early fig that my soul desires. +\q +\v 2 Faithful people have disappeared from the land; +\q there is no upright person in all mankind. +\q They all lie in wait to shed blood; +\q each one hunts his own brother with a net. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 Their hands are very good at doing harm: +\q the ruler asks for money, +\q the judge is ready for bribes, +\q and the powerful man is saying to others what he wants to obtain. +\q Thus they plot together. +\q +\v 4 The best of them is like a brier, +\q the most upright is worse than a thorn hedge. +\q It is the day foretold by your watchmen, +\q the day of your punishment. +\q Now is the time of their confusion. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Do not trust any neighbor; +\q put no confidence in any friend. +\q Be careful about what you say +\q even to the woman who lies in your arms. +\q +\v 6 For a son dishonors his father, +\q a daughter rises up against her mother, +\q and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. +\q A man's enemies are the people of his own house. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 But as for me, I will look to Yahweh. +\q I will wait for the God of my salvation; +\q my God will hear me. +\q +\v 8 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy. +\q After I fall, +\q I will rise. +\q When I sit in darkness, +\q Yahweh will be a light for me. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Because I sinned against Yahweh, +\q I will bear his rage +\q until he pleads my cause, +\q and executes judgment for me. +\q He will bring me to the light, +\q and I will see him rescue me in his justice. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 Then my enemy will see it, +\q and shame will cover the one who said to me, +\q "Where is Yahweh your God?" +\q My eyes will look at her; +\q she will be trampled down like the mud in the streets. + +\s5 +\q +\v 11 A day to build your walls will come; +\q on that day the boundaries will be extended very far. +\q +\v 12 On that day your people will come to you, +\q from Assyria and the cities in Egypt, +\q from Egypt to the River, +\q from sea to sea, +\q and from mountain to mountain. +\q +\v 13 But the land will be desolate +\q because of the people who are living there, +\q because of the fruit of their actions. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 Shepherd your people with your rod, +\q the flock of your inheritance. +\q They live alone in a thicket, +\q in the midst of a pastureland. +\q Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead +\q as in the old days. +\q +\v 15 As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, +\q I will show them wonders. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 The nations will see and be ashamed +\q of all their power. +\q They will put their hands on their mouths; +\q their ears will be deaf. +\q +\v 17 They will lick the dust like a snake, +\q like creatures that crawl on the earth. +\q They will come out of their dens with fear; +\q they will come with fear to you, Yahweh our God, +\q and they will be afraid because of you. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Who is a God like you— +\q who takes away sin, +\q who passes over the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? +\q He does not keep his anger forever, +\q because he delights in his covenant faithfulness. + +\s5 +\q +\v 19 You will again have compassion on us; +\q you will trample our iniquities under your feet. +\q You will throw all our sins into the depths of the sea. +\q +\v 20 You will give truth to Jacob +\q and covenant faithfulness to Abraham, +\q as you swore to our ancestors in ancient days. + + diff --git a/35-HAB.usfm b/35-HAB.usfm index be2fb13f..8018060f 100644 --- a/35-HAB.usfm +++ b/35-HAB.usfm @@ -168,95 +168,95 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 The prayer of Habakkuk the prophet: -\f + \ft The Hebrew text adds the expression \fqa on shigionoth \fqa* , which may refer to musical directions for singers. \f* -\q -\v 2 Yahweh, I have heard your report, and I am afraid. -\q Yahweh, revive your work in the midst of these times; in the midst of these times make it known; -\q remember to have compassion in your wrath. - -\s5 -\q -\v 3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. \qs Selah. \qs* -\q His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 With brightness like the light, two-pronged rays flash from his hand; -\q and there he hid his power. -\q -\v 5 Deadly disease went before him, -\q and the plague followed him. - -\s5 -\q -\v 6 He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations. -\q Even the eternal mountains were shattered, and the everlasting hills bowed down. -\q His path is everlasting. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction, and the fabric of the tents in the land of Midian trembling. -\q -\v 8 Was Yahweh angry at the rivers? Was your wrath against the rivers, -\q or your fury against the sea, -\q when you rode upon your horses and your victorious chariots? - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 You have brought out your bow without a cover; you put arrows to your bow! \qs Selah. \qs* -\q You divided the earth with rivers. - -\q -\v 10 The mountains saw you and twisted in pain. -\q Downpours of water passed over them; the deep sea raised a shout. -\q It lifted up its waves. -\s5 -\q -\v 11 The sun and moon stood still in their high places -\q at the flash of your arrows as they fly, -\q at the lightning of your flashing spear. -\q -\v 12 You have marched over the earth with indignation. In wrath you have threshed the nations. - -\s5 -\q -\v 13 You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed one. -\q You shatter the head of the house of the wicked to lay bare from the base up to the neck. \qs Selah. \qs* - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 You have pierced the head of his warriors with his own arrows since they came like a storm to scatter us, -\q their gloating was like one who devours the poor in a hiding place. -\q -\v 15 You have traveled over the sea with your horses, and heaped up the great waters. - -\s5 -\q -\v 16 I heard, and my inner parts trembled! My lips quivered at the sound. -\q Decay comes into my bones, and under myself I tremble -\q as I wait quietly for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us. - -\s5 -\q2 -\v 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no produce from the vines; -\q2 and though the produce of the olive tree disappoints and the fields yield no food; -\q2 and though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, this is what I will do. -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Still, I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful because of the God of my salvation. -\q -\v 19 The Lord Yahweh is my strength -\q and he makes my feet like the deer's. -\q He makes me go forward on my high places. -\q3 —To the music director, on my stringed instruments. - - - - - + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 The prayer of Habakkuk the prophet: +\f + \ft The Hebrew text adds the expression \fqa on shigionoth \fqa* , which may refer to musical directions for singers. \f* +\q +\v 2 Yahweh, I have heard your report, and I am afraid. +\q Yahweh, revive your work in the midst of these times; in the midst of these times make it known; +\q remember to have compassion in your wrath. + +\s5 +\q +\v 3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. \qs Selah. \qs* +\q His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 With brightness like the light, two-pronged rays flash from his hand; +\q and there he hid his power. +\q +\v 5 Deadly disease went before him, +\q and the plague followed him. + +\s5 +\q +\v 6 He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations. +\q Even the eternal mountains were shattered, and the everlasting hills bowed down. +\q His path is everlasting. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction, and the fabric of the tents in the land of Midian trembling. +\q +\v 8 Was Yahweh angry at the rivers? Was your wrath against the rivers, +\q or your fury against the sea, +\q when you rode upon your horses and your victorious chariots? + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 You have brought out your bow without a cover; you put arrows to your bow! \qs Selah. \qs* +\q You divided the earth with rivers. + +\q +\v 10 The mountains saw you and twisted in pain. +\q Downpours of water passed over them; the deep sea raised a shout. +\q It lifted up its waves. +\s5 +\q +\v 11 The sun and moon stood still in their high places +\q at the flash of your arrows as they fly, +\q at the lightning of your flashing spear. +\q +\v 12 You have marched over the earth with indignation. In wrath you have threshed the nations. + +\s5 +\q +\v 13 You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed one. +\q You shatter the head of the house of the wicked to lay bare from the base up to the neck. \qs Selah. \qs* + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 You have pierced the head of his warriors with his own arrows since they came like a storm to scatter us, +\q their gloating was like one who devours the poor in a hiding place. +\q +\v 15 You have traveled over the sea with your horses, and heaped up the great waters. + +\s5 +\q +\v 16 I heard, and my inner parts trembled! My lips quivered at the sound. +\q Decay comes into my bones, and under myself I tremble +\q as I wait quietly for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us. + +\s5 +\q2 +\v 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no produce from the vines; +\q2 and though the produce of the olive tree disappoints and the fields yield no food; +\q2 and though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, this is what I will do. +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Still, I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful because of the God of my salvation. +\q +\v 19 The Lord Yahweh is my strength +\q and he makes my feet like the deer's. +\q He makes me go forward on my high places. +\q3 —To the music director, on my stringed instruments. + + + + + diff --git a/36-ZEP.usfm b/36-ZEP.usfm index 0e059322..cc17a528 100644 --- a/36-ZEP.usfm +++ b/36-ZEP.usfm @@ -4,80 +4,80 @@ \toc1 The Book of Zephaniah \toc2 Zephaniah \toc3 Zep -\mt Zephaniah \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi son of Gedaliah son of Amariah son of -Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah. -\q -\v 2 "I will utterly destroy everything from off the surface of the earth—this is Yahweh's declaration. -\q -\v 3 I will destroy man and beast; I will destroy the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, -\q the ruins along with the wicked. -\q For I will cut off man from the surface of the earth—this is Yahweh's declaration. - -\s5 -\q -\v 4 I will reach out with my hand over Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. -\q I will cut off every remnant of Baal from this place and the names of the idolatrous people among the priests, -\q -\v 5 the people who on the housetops worship the heavenly bodies, -\q and the people who worship and swear to Yahweh but who also swear by their king. -\f + \ft The Hebrew text has \fqa by their king \fqa* , but some modern versions read \fqa by Milcom \fqa* , the name of a pagan god that many people worshiped. \f* -\q -\v 6 I will also cut off those who have turned away from following Yahweh, those who neither seek Yahweh nor ask for his guidance." - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Be silent before the Lord Yahweh! For the day of Yahweh is near; -\q Yahweh has prepared the sacrifice and set apart his guests. -\q -\v 8 "It will come about on the day of Yahweh's sacrifice, -\q that I will punish the princes and the king's sons, -\q and everyone dressed in foreign clothes. -\q -\v 9 On that day I will punish all those who leap over the threshold, -\q those who fill their master's house with violence and deceit. - -\s5 -\q -\v 10 So it will be on that day—this is Yahweh's declaration— -\q that a cry of distress will come from the Fish Gate, wailing from the Second District, -\q and a great crashing sound from the hills. -\q -\v 11 Wail, inhabitants of the Market District, -\q for all the merchants will be ruined; all those who weigh out silver will be cut off. -\s5 -\q -\v 12 It will come about at that time that -\q I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men -\q who have settled into their wine and say in their heart, -\q 'Yahweh will not do anything, either good or evil.' -\q -\v 13 Their wealth will become plunder, and their houses will be an abandoned devastation! -\q They will build houses but not live in them, and plant vineyards but not drink their wine. - -\s5 -\q -\v 14 The great day of Yahweh is near, near and hurrying quickly! -\q The sound of the day of Yahweh will be that of a warrior crying bitterly! -\q -\v 15 That day will be a day of fury, a day of distress and anguish, -\q a day of storm and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, -\q a day of clouds and thick darkness. -\q -\v 16 It will be a day of trumpets and alarms -\q against the fortified cities and the high battlements. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 For I will bring distress upon mankind, so that they will walk about like blind men -\q since they have sinned against Yahweh. -\q Their blood will be poured out like dust, and their inner parts like dung. -\q -\v 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them -\q on the day of Yahweh's fury. In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, -\q for he will bring a complete, a terrible end of all the inhabitants of the earth." +\mt Zephaniah \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 This is the word of Yahweh that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi son of Gedaliah son of Amariah son of +Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah. +\q +\v 2 "I will utterly destroy everything from off the surface of the earth—this is Yahweh's declaration. +\q +\v 3 I will destroy man and beast; I will destroy the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, +\q the ruins along with the wicked. +\q For I will cut off man from the surface of the earth—this is Yahweh's declaration. + +\s5 +\q +\v 4 I will reach out with my hand over Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. +\q I will cut off every remnant of Baal from this place and the names of the idolatrous people among the priests, +\q +\v 5 the people who on the housetops worship the heavenly bodies, +\q and the people who worship and swear to Yahweh but who also swear by their king. +\f + \ft The Hebrew text has \fqa by their king \fqa* , but some modern versions read \fqa by Milcom \fqa* , the name of a pagan god that many people worshiped. \f* +\q +\v 6 I will also cut off those who have turned away from following Yahweh, those who neither seek Yahweh nor ask for his guidance." + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Be silent before the Lord Yahweh! For the day of Yahweh is near; +\q Yahweh has prepared the sacrifice and set apart his guests. +\q +\v 8 "It will come about on the day of Yahweh's sacrifice, +\q that I will punish the princes and the king's sons, +\q and everyone dressed in foreign clothes. +\q +\v 9 On that day I will punish all those who leap over the threshold, +\q those who fill their master's house with violence and deceit. + +\s5 +\q +\v 10 So it will be on that day—this is Yahweh's declaration— +\q that a cry of distress will come from the Fish Gate, wailing from the Second District, +\q and a great crashing sound from the hills. +\q +\v 11 Wail, inhabitants of the Market District, +\q for all the merchants will be ruined; all those who weigh out silver will be cut off. +\s5 +\q +\v 12 It will come about at that time that +\q I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men +\q who have settled into their wine and say in their heart, +\q 'Yahweh will not do anything, either good or evil.' +\q +\v 13 Their wealth will become plunder, and their houses will be an abandoned devastation! +\q They will build houses but not live in them, and plant vineyards but not drink their wine. + +\s5 +\q +\v 14 The great day of Yahweh is near, near and hurrying quickly! +\q The sound of the day of Yahweh will be that of a warrior crying bitterly! +\q +\v 15 That day will be a day of fury, a day of distress and anguish, +\q a day of storm and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, +\q a day of clouds and thick darkness. +\q +\v 16 It will be a day of trumpets and alarms +\q against the fortified cities and the high battlements. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 For I will bring distress upon mankind, so that they will walk about like blind men +\q since they have sinned against Yahweh. +\q Their blood will be poured out like dust, and their inner parts like dung. +\q +\v 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them +\q on the day of Yahweh's fury. In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, +\q for he will bring a complete, a terrible end of all the inhabitants of the earth." \s5 diff --git a/38-ZEC.usfm b/38-ZEC.usfm index 76e95002..00c6999a 100644 --- a/38-ZEC.usfm +++ b/38-ZEC.usfm @@ -621,52 +621,52 @@ Then the father and mother who bore him will pierce him when he prophesies. \q and they will say, 'Yahweh is my God!'" - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 Behold! A day for Yahweh is coming when your plunder will be divided in your midst. -\v 2 For I will gather every nation against Jerusalem for battle and the city will be captured. The houses will be plundered and the women raped. Half of the city will go out into captivity, but the remainder of the people will not be cut off from the city. - -\s5 -\v 3 But Yahweh will go out and wage war against those nations as when he wages war on the day of battle. -\v 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is beside Jerusalem to the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in half between the east and the west by a very great valley and half of the mountain will go back toward the north and half toward the south. - -\s5 -\v 5 Then you will flee down the valley between Yahweh's mountains, for the valley between those mountains will reach to Azel. You will flee just as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah. Then Yahweh my God will come and all the holy ones will be with him. - -\s5 -\v 6 On that day there will be no light, but no cold or frost either. -\v 7 On that day, a day known only to Yahweh, there will no longer be day or night, for the evening will be a time of light. -\v 8 On that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem. Half of them will flow to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Yahweh will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be Yahweh, the one God, and his name alone. -\v 10 All the land will be like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will continue to be raised up and remain in its own place, from the Benjamin Gate to the place where the first gate was, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses. -\v 11 The people will live in Jerusalem and there will be no more complete destruction from God against them. Jerusalem will live in safety. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 This will be the plague with which Yahweh will attack all the peoples that waged war against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot away even as they are standing on their feet. Their eyes will rot in their sockets and their tongues will rot in their mouths. -\v 13 On that day that great fear from Yahweh will come among them. Each one will seize the hand of another, and the hand of one will be raised up against the hand of another. -\s5 -\v 14 Judah will also fight against Jerusalem. They will gather the wealth of all the surrounding nations—gold, silver, and fine clothes in great abundance. -\v 15 A plague will also be on the horses and the mules, the camels and the donkeys, and on every animal in those camps will also suffer that same plague. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then it will happen that all who remain in those nations that came against Jerusalem will instead go up from year to year to worship the king, Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the Festival of Shelters. -\v 17 It will happen that if anyone from all the nations of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the king, Yahweh of hosts, then Yahweh will not bring rain on them. -\v 18 If the nation of Egypt does not go up, then they will not receive rain. A plague from Yahweh will attack the nations that do not go up to keep the Festival of Shelters. - -\s5 -\v 19 This will be the punishment for Egypt and the punishment for every nation that does not go up to keep the Festival of Shelters. - -\s5 -\v 20 But on that day, the bells of the horses will say, "Set apart to Yahweh," and the basins in Yahweh's house will be like the bowls before the altar. -\v 21 For every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be set apart to Yahweh of hosts and everyone who brings a sacrifice will eat from them and boil in them. On that day traders will no longer be in the house of Yahweh of hosts. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 Behold! A day for Yahweh is coming when your plunder will be divided in your midst. +\v 2 For I will gather every nation against Jerusalem for battle and the city will be captured. The houses will be plundered and the women raped. Half of the city will go out into captivity, but the remainder of the people will not be cut off from the city. + +\s5 +\v 3 But Yahweh will go out and wage war against those nations as when he wages war on the day of battle. +\v 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is beside Jerusalem to the east. The Mount of Olives will be split in half between the east and the west by a very great valley and half of the mountain will go back toward the north and half toward the south. + +\s5 +\v 5 Then you will flee down the valley between Yahweh's mountains, for the valley between those mountains will reach to Azel. You will flee just as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah. Then Yahweh my God will come and all the holy ones will be with him. + +\s5 +\v 6 On that day there will be no light, but no cold or frost either. +\v 7 On that day, a day known only to Yahweh, there will no longer be day or night, for the evening will be a time of light. +\v 8 On that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem. Half of them will flow to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Yahweh will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be Yahweh, the one God, and his name alone. +\v 10 All the land will be like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem will continue to be raised up and remain in its own place, from the Benjamin Gate to the place where the first gate was, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's winepresses. +\v 11 The people will live in Jerusalem and there will be no more complete destruction from God against them. Jerusalem will live in safety. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 This will be the plague with which Yahweh will attack all the peoples that waged war against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot away even as they are standing on their feet. Their eyes will rot in their sockets and their tongues will rot in their mouths. +\v 13 On that day that great fear from Yahweh will come among them. Each one will seize the hand of another, and the hand of one will be raised up against the hand of another. +\s5 +\v 14 Judah will also fight against Jerusalem. They will gather the wealth of all the surrounding nations—gold, silver, and fine clothes in great abundance. +\v 15 A plague will also be on the horses and the mules, the camels and the donkeys, and on every animal in those camps will also suffer that same plague. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then it will happen that all who remain in those nations that came against Jerusalem will instead go up from year to year to worship the king, Yahweh of hosts, and to keep the Festival of Shelters. +\v 17 It will happen that if anyone from all the nations of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the king, Yahweh of hosts, then Yahweh will not bring rain on them. +\v 18 If the nation of Egypt does not go up, then they will not receive rain. A plague from Yahweh will attack the nations that do not go up to keep the Festival of Shelters. + +\s5 +\v 19 This will be the punishment for Egypt and the punishment for every nation that does not go up to keep the Festival of Shelters. + +\s5 +\v 20 But on that day, the bells of the horses will say, "Set apart to Yahweh," and the basins in Yahweh's house will be like the bowls before the altar. +\v 21 For every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be set apart to Yahweh of hosts and everyone who brings a sacrifice will eat from them and boil in them. On that day traders will no longer be in the house of Yahweh of hosts. + + + diff --git a/39-MAL.usfm b/39-MAL.usfm index a9e45f11..76c2c35f 100644 --- a/39-MAL.usfm +++ b/39-MAL.usfm @@ -4,132 +4,132 @@ \toc1 The Book of Malachi \toc2 Malachi \toc3 Mal -\mt Malachi -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 The declaration of the word of Yahweh to Israel by the hand of Malachi. -\p -\v 2 "I have loved you," says Yahweh. But you say, "How have you loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares Yahweh. "Yet I have loved Jacob, -\v 3 but Esau I have hated. I have made his mountains an abandoned devastation, and I have made his inheritance a place for the jackals of the wilderness." - -\s5 -\v 4 If Edom says, "We are beaten down, but we will rebuild the ruins," Yahweh of hosts will say, "They -may rebuild, but I will throw down again. Others will call them 'The country of wickedness' and 'The people whom Yahweh has cursed forever.' -\v 5 Your own eyes will see this, and you will say, 'Yahweh is great beyond the borders of Israel.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 "A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. If I, then, am a father, where is my honor? If I am a master, where is the reverence for me?" says Yahweh of hosts to you priests, who despise my name. "But you say, 'How have we despised your name?' -\v 7 By offering polluted bread upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted you?' By saying that Yahweh's table is contemptible. - -\s5 -\v 8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not evil? When you offer the lame and sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor! Will he accept you or will he lift up your face?" says Yahweh of hosts. -\v 9 Now you keep asking the face of God, that he may be gracious to us. But Yahweh of hosts says that with such an offering in your hand, would he lift up any of your faces? - -\s5 -\v 10 "Oh, if only there were one of you who would shut the temple gates, so that you might not light fires on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you," says Yahweh of hosts, "and I will not accept any offering from your hand. -\v 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name -will be great among the nations and in every place incense and pure offerings will be offered in my name. For my name will be great among the nations," says Yahweh of hosts. -\v 12 "But you are profaning it when you say the Lord's table is polluted, and that its fruit, its food, is to be despised. - -\s5 -\v 13 You also say, 'How tiresome this is,' and you snort at it," says Yahweh of hosts. "You bring what has been taken by a wild animal or is lame or sick; and this you bring as your offering. Should I accept this from your hand?" says Yahweh. -\v 14 "May the deceiver be cursed who has a male animal in his flock and vows to give it to me, and yet sacrifices to me, the Lord, what is flawed! For I am a great king," says Yahweh of hosts, "and my name will be honored among the nations." - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Now you priests, this command is for you. -\v 2 "If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it on your heart to give honor to my name," says Yahweh of hosts, "then I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them, because you are not laying my command on your heart. - -\s5 -\v 3 See, I am about to rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the dung from your festivals, and he will take you away with it. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa rebuke your descendants \fqa* , which the Hebrew text has, some ancient and modern versions have \fqa cut off your shoulder \fqa* (or \fqa arm \fqa* ) \fqa* . Some other modern versions have \fqa corrupt your descendants \fqa* . \f* -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa he will take you away with it \fqa* , which is in the Hebrew text, some ancient and modern versions have \fqa I will take you away from beside me \fqa* , that is, \fqa from my presence \fqa* . \f* -\v 4 You will know that I have sent this command to you, and that my covenant may continue to be with Levi," says Yahweh of hosts. - -\s5 -\v 5 "My covenant with him was life and peace, and I gave them to him; I gave him fear, and he feared me, and he stood in awe of my name. -\v 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and he turned many away from sin. -\v 7 For a priest's lips should keep knowledge and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is a messenger of Yahweh of hosts. - -\s5 -\v 8 But you have turned away from the true path. You have caused many to stumble with respect to the law. You have broken the covenant of Levi," says Yahweh of hosts. -\v 9 "So I also, I have made you contemptible and vile before all the people, because you have not kept my ways, but have instead shown partiality with regard to the instruction." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Is there not one father for us all? Has not one God created us? Why are we faithless each man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers? -\v 11 Judah has been faithless. A disgusting thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the holy place of Yahweh which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. -\v 12 May Yahweh cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, the one who is awake and the one who answers, even if he is bringing an offering to Yahweh of hosts. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the one who is awake and the one who answers \fqa* , some versions have other expressions such as \fqa the master and the one who studies \fqa* . \f* - -\s5 -\v 13 You also do this: You cover the altar of Yahweh with tears, with weeping and sighing, because he still does not turn toward the offering or accept it with favor from your hand. - -\s5 -\v 14 But you say, "Why does he not?" Because Yahweh was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have been faithless, even though she was your companion and your wife by covenant. -\v 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of his spirit? Then why did he make you one? Because he was seeking an offspring from God. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. -\v 16 "For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and the one who covers his garment with violence," says Yahweh of hosts. "So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not be faithless." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 You have wearied Yahweh with your words. But you say, "How have we wearied him?" By saying, "Everyone who does evil is good in the eyes of Yahweh, and he delights in them," or "Where is the God of justice?" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 "See, I am about to send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, see, he will come," says Yahweh of hosts. -\p -\v 2 But who will be able to endure the day of his coming? Who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire and like -laundry soap. -\v 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi. He will refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings of righteousness to Yahweh. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to Yahweh, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years. -\v 5 "Then I will approach you for judgment. I will quickly become a witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers, the false witnesses, and against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, those who oppress the widow and the fatherless, against those who turn away the foreigner, and against those who do not honor me," says Yahweh of hosts. - -\s5 -\v 6 "For I, Yahweh, have not changed; therefore you, sons of Jacob, have not come to an end. -\p -\v 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I -will return to you," says Yahweh of hosts. "But you say, 'How will we return?' - -\s5 -\v 8 Would a person rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings. -\v 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation. - -\s5 -\v 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of hosts, "if I do not open to you the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you, until there is no more room for it all. -\v 11 I will speak against those who destroy your crops, so that they do not destroy the harvest of your land. Your vines in the fields will not lose their fruit," says Yahweh of hosts. -\v 12 "All the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight," says Yahweh of hosts. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 "Your words against me have been strong," says Yahweh. "But you say, 'What have we said among ourselves against you?' -\v 14 You have said, 'It is useless to serve God. What profit is it that we have kept his requirements or walked mournfully before Yahweh of hosts? -\v 15 So now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper, but they even test God and escape.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Then those who feared Yahweh spoke with one another. Yahweh paid attention and listened, and a book of remembrance was -written before him about those who feared Yahweh and honored his name. - -\s5 -\v 17 "They will be mine," says Yahweh of hosts, "my own treasured possession, on the day that I act. I will -pity them, as a man pities his own son who serves him. -\v 18 Then once again you will distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who worships God and one who does not worship -him. - - +\mt Malachi +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 The declaration of the word of Yahweh to Israel by the hand of Malachi. +\p +\v 2 "I have loved you," says Yahweh. But you say, "How have you loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares Yahweh. "Yet I have loved Jacob, +\v 3 but Esau I have hated. I have made his mountains an abandoned devastation, and I have made his inheritance a place for the jackals of the wilderness." + +\s5 +\v 4 If Edom says, "We are beaten down, but we will rebuild the ruins," Yahweh of hosts will say, "They +may rebuild, but I will throw down again. Others will call them 'The country of wickedness' and 'The people whom Yahweh has cursed forever.' +\v 5 Your own eyes will see this, and you will say, 'Yahweh is great beyond the borders of Israel.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 "A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. If I, then, am a father, where is my honor? If I am a master, where is the reverence for me?" says Yahweh of hosts to you priests, who despise my name. "But you say, 'How have we despised your name?' +\v 7 By offering polluted bread upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted you?' By saying that Yahweh's table is contemptible. + +\s5 +\v 8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not evil? When you offer the lame and sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor! Will he accept you or will he lift up your face?" says Yahweh of hosts. +\v 9 Now you keep asking the face of God, that he may be gracious to us. But Yahweh of hosts says that with such an offering in your hand, would he lift up any of your faces? + +\s5 +\v 10 "Oh, if only there were one of you who would shut the temple gates, so that you might not light fires on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you," says Yahweh of hosts, "and I will not accept any offering from your hand. +\v 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name +will be great among the nations and in every place incense and pure offerings will be offered in my name. For my name will be great among the nations," says Yahweh of hosts. +\v 12 "But you are profaning it when you say the Lord's table is polluted, and that its fruit, its food, is to be despised. + +\s5 +\v 13 You also say, 'How tiresome this is,' and you snort at it," says Yahweh of hosts. "You bring what has been taken by a wild animal or is lame or sick; and this you bring as your offering. Should I accept this from your hand?" says Yahweh. +\v 14 "May the deceiver be cursed who has a male animal in his flock and vows to give it to me, and yet sacrifices to me, the Lord, what is flawed! For I am a great king," says Yahweh of hosts, "and my name will be honored among the nations." + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Now you priests, this command is for you. +\v 2 "If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it on your heart to give honor to my name," says Yahweh of hosts, "then I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them, because you are not laying my command on your heart. + +\s5 +\v 3 See, I am about to rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the dung from your festivals, and he will take you away with it. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa rebuke your descendants \fqa* , which the Hebrew text has, some ancient and modern versions have \fqa cut off your shoulder \fqa* (or \fqa arm \fqa* ) \fqa* . Some other modern versions have \fqa corrupt your descendants \fqa* . \f* +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa he will take you away with it \fqa* , which is in the Hebrew text, some ancient and modern versions have \fqa I will take you away from beside me \fqa* , that is, \fqa from my presence \fqa* . \f* +\v 4 You will know that I have sent this command to you, and that my covenant may continue to be with Levi," says Yahweh of hosts. + +\s5 +\v 5 "My covenant with him was life and peace, and I gave them to him; I gave him fear, and he feared me, and he stood in awe of my name. +\v 6 True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and he turned many away from sin. +\v 7 For a priest's lips should keep knowledge and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is a messenger of Yahweh of hosts. + +\s5 +\v 8 But you have turned away from the true path. You have caused many to stumble with respect to the law. You have broken the covenant of Levi," says Yahweh of hosts. +\v 9 "So I also, I have made you contemptible and vile before all the people, because you have not kept my ways, but have instead shown partiality with regard to the instruction." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Is there not one father for us all? Has not one God created us? Why are we faithless each man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers? +\v 11 Judah has been faithless. A disgusting thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the holy place of Yahweh which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. +\v 12 May Yahweh cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, the one who is awake and the one who answers, even if he is bringing an offering to Yahweh of hosts. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa the one who is awake and the one who answers \fqa* , some versions have other expressions such as \fqa the master and the one who studies \fqa* . \f* + +\s5 +\v 13 You also do this: You cover the altar of Yahweh with tears, with weeping and sighing, because he still does not turn toward the offering or accept it with favor from your hand. + +\s5 +\v 14 But you say, "Why does he not?" Because Yahweh was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have been faithless, even though she was your companion and your wife by covenant. +\v 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of his spirit? Then why did he make you one? Because he was seeking an offspring from God. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. +\v 16 "For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and the one who covers his garment with violence," says Yahweh of hosts. "So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not be faithless." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 You have wearied Yahweh with your words. But you say, "How have we wearied him?" By saying, "Everyone who does evil is good in the eyes of Yahweh, and he delights in them," or "Where is the God of justice?" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 "See, I am about to send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, see, he will come," says Yahweh of hosts. +\p +\v 2 But who will be able to endure the day of his coming? Who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire and like +laundry soap. +\v 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi. He will refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings of righteousness to Yahweh. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to Yahweh, as in the days of old, and as in ancient years. +\v 5 "Then I will approach you for judgment. I will quickly become a witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers, the false witnesses, and against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, those who oppress the widow and the fatherless, against those who turn away the foreigner, and against those who do not honor me," says Yahweh of hosts. + +\s5 +\v 6 "For I, Yahweh, have not changed; therefore you, sons of Jacob, have not come to an end. +\p +\v 7 From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I +will return to you," says Yahweh of hosts. "But you say, 'How will we return?' + +\s5 +\v 8 Would a person rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings. +\v 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation. + +\s5 +\v 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh of hosts, "if I do not open to you the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you, until there is no more room for it all. +\v 11 I will speak against those who destroy your crops, so that they do not destroy the harvest of your land. Your vines in the fields will not lose their fruit," says Yahweh of hosts. +\v 12 "All the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight," says Yahweh of hosts. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 "Your words against me have been strong," says Yahweh. "But you say, 'What have we said among ourselves against you?' +\v 14 You have said, 'It is useless to serve God. What profit is it that we have kept his requirements or walked mournfully before Yahweh of hosts? +\v 15 So now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper, but they even test God and escape.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Then those who feared Yahweh spoke with one another. Yahweh paid attention and listened, and a book of remembrance was +written before him about those who feared Yahweh and honored his name. + +\s5 +\v 17 "They will be mine," says Yahweh of hosts, "my own treasured possession, on the day that I act. I will +pity them, as a man pities his own son who serves him. +\v 18 Then once again you will distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who worships God and one who does not worship +him. + + \s5 diff --git a/41-MAT.usfm b/41-MAT.usfm index 150efe75..6914d363 100644 --- a/41-MAT.usfm +++ b/41-MAT.usfm @@ -115,41 +115,41 @@ \v 23 and went and lived in a city called Nazareth. This fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying, -\v 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." -\v 3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, -\q "The voice of one calling out in the wilderness, -\q 'Make ready the way of the Lord, -\q make his paths straight.'" -\m - -\s5 -\v 4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. -\v 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan River went out to him. -\v 6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. - -\s5 -\v 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him for baptism, he said to them, "You offspring of poisonous snakes, who warned you to flee from the wrath that is coming? -\v 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. -\v 9 Do not think of saying among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham even out of these stones. - -\s5 -\v 10 Already the ax has been placed against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. -\v 11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But he who comes after me is mightier than I, and I am not worthy even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. -\v 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather his wheat into the storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. -\v 14 But John kept trying to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" -\v 15 Jesus responded and said to him, "Permit it now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John permitted him. - -\s5 -\v 16 After he was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting upon him. -\v 17 Behold, a voice came out of the heavens saying, "This is my beloved Son. I am very pleased with him." +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying, +\v 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." +\v 3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, +\q "The voice of one calling out in the wilderness, +\q 'Make ready the way of the Lord, +\q make his paths straight.'" +\m + +\s5 +\v 4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. +\v 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan River went out to him. +\v 6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins. + +\s5 +\v 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him for baptism, he said to them, "You offspring of poisonous snakes, who warned you to flee from the wrath that is coming? +\v 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. +\v 9 Do not think of saying among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham even out of these stones. + +\s5 +\v 10 Already the ax has been placed against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. +\v 11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But he who comes after me is mightier than I, and I am not worthy even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. +\v 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather his wheat into the storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. +\v 14 But John kept trying to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" +\v 15 Jesus responded and said to him, "Permit it now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then John permitted him. + +\s5 +\v 16 After he was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting upon him. +\v 17 Behold, a voice came out of the heavens saying, "This is my beloved Son. I am very pleased with him." \s5 \c 4 \p @@ -214,122 +214,122 @@ \v 23 Jesus went about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people. \v 24 The news about him went out into all of Syria, and the people brought to him all those who were sick, ill with various diseases and pains, those possessed by demons, and the epileptic and paralytic. Jesus healed them. \v 25 Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. -\v 2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, -\p -\q -\v 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, -\q2 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -\q -\v 4 Blessed are those who mourn, -\q2 for they will be comforted. - -\s5 -\q -\v 5 Blessed are the meek, -\q2 for they will inherit the earth. -\q -\v 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, -\q2 for they will be filled. -\q -\v 7 Blessed are the merciful, -\q2 for they will obtain mercy. -\q -\v 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, -\q2 for they will see God. - -\s5 -\q -\v 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, -\q2 for they will be called sons of God. -\q -\v 10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, -\q2 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for my sake. -\v 12 Rejoice and be very glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For in this way people persecuted the prophets who lived before you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? It is never again good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. -\v 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. - -\s5 -\v 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but rather on the lampstand, and it shines for everyone in the house. -\v 16 Let your light shine before people in such a way that they see your good deeds and praise your Father who is in heaven. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have come not to destroy them, but to fulfill them. -\v 18 For truly I say to you that until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things have been accomplished. - -\s5 -\v 19 Therefore whoever breaks the least one of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. -\v 20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 You have heard that it was said to them in ancient times, 'Do not kill,' and, 'Whoever kills will be in danger of the judgment.' -\v 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'You worthless person!' will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. - -\s5 -\v 23 Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you, -\v 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go on your way. First be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. - -\s5 -\v 25 Agree with your accuser quickly while you are with him on the way to court, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. -\v 26 Truly I say to you, you will never come out from there until you have paid the last bit of money you owe. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' -\v 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. - -\s5 -\v 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than that your whole body should be thrown into hell. -\v 30 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than that your whole body should go into hell. - -\s5 -\v 31 It was also said, 'Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' -\v 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress. Whoever marries her after she has been divorced commits adultery. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 Again, you have heard that it was said to those in ancient times, 'Do not swear a false oath, but carry out your oaths to the Lord.' -\v 34 But I say to you, swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; -\v 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. - -\s5 -\v 36 Neither swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. -\v 37 But let your speech be, 'Yes, yes,' or 'No, no.' Anything that is more than this is from the evil one. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' -\v 39 But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. Instead, whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. - -\s5 -\v 40 If anyone wishes to go to court with you and takes away your coat, let that person also have your cloak. -\v 41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. -\v 42 Give to anyone who asks you, and do not turn away from anyone who wishes to borrow from you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' -\v 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, -\f + \ft The best ancient copies omit \fqa Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you. \f* - -\v 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. - -\s5 -\v 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you get? Do not even the tax collectors do the same thing? -\v 47 If you greet only your brothers, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same thing? -\v 48 Therefore you must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. +\v 2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, +\p +\q +\v 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, +\q2 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. +\q +\v 4 Blessed are those who mourn, +\q2 for they will be comforted. + +\s5 +\q +\v 5 Blessed are the meek, +\q2 for they will inherit the earth. +\q +\v 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, +\q2 for they will be filled. +\q +\v 7 Blessed are the merciful, +\q2 for they will obtain mercy. +\q +\v 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, +\q2 for they will see God. + +\s5 +\q +\v 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, +\q2 for they will be called sons of God. +\q +\v 10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, +\q2 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for my sake. +\v 12 Rejoice and be very glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For in this way people persecuted the prophets who lived before you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? It is never again good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. +\v 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. + +\s5 +\v 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but rather on the lampstand, and it shines for everyone in the house. +\v 16 Let your light shine before people in such a way that they see your good deeds and praise your Father who is in heaven. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets. I have come not to destroy them, but to fulfill them. +\v 18 For truly I say to you that until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things have been accomplished. + +\s5 +\v 19 Therefore whoever breaks the least one of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. +\v 20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will in no way enter the kingdom of heaven. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 You have heard that it was said to them in ancient times, 'Do not kill,' and, 'Whoever kills will be in danger of the judgment.' +\v 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, 'You worthless person!' will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. + +\s5 +\v 23 Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you, +\v 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go on your way. First be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. + +\s5 +\v 25 Agree with your accuser quickly while you are with him on the way to court, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. +\v 26 Truly I say to you, you will never come out from there until you have paid the last bit of money you owe. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' +\v 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. + +\s5 +\v 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than that your whole body should be thrown into hell. +\v 30 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than that your whole body should go into hell. + +\s5 +\v 31 It was also said, 'Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' +\v 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress. Whoever marries her after she has been divorced commits adultery. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 Again, you have heard that it was said to those in ancient times, 'Do not swear a false oath, but carry out your oaths to the Lord.' +\v 34 But I say to you, swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; +\v 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool for his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. + +\s5 +\v 36 Neither swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. +\v 37 But let your speech be, 'Yes, yes,' or 'No, no.' Anything that is more than this is from the evil one. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' +\v 39 But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. Instead, whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. + +\s5 +\v 40 If anyone wishes to go to court with you and takes away your coat, let that person also have your cloak. +\v 41 Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. +\v 42 Give to anyone who asks you, and do not turn away from anyone who wishes to borrow from you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 You have heard that it was said, 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' +\v 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, +\f + \ft The best ancient copies omit \fqa Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you. \f* + +\v 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. + +\s5 +\v 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you get? Do not even the tax collectors do the same thing? +\v 47 If you greet only your brothers, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same thing? +\v 48 Therefore you must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. \s5 @@ -410,136 +410,136 @@ \v 34 Therefore, do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day has enough evil of its own. - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. -\v 2 For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure that you measure, it will be measured out to you. - -\s5 -\v 3 Why do you look at the tiny piece of straw that is in your brother's eye, but you do not notice the log that is in your own eye? -\v 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take out the piece of straw that is in your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? -\v 5 You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the piece of straw that is in your brother's eye. - -\s5 -\v 6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls in front of the hogs. Otherwise they may trample them underfoot, and then turn and tear you to pieces. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. -\v 8 For everyone who asks, receives; everyone who seeks, finds; and to the person who knocks, it will be opened. -\v 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? -\v 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? - -\s5 -\v 11 Therefore, if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him? -\v 12 Therefore, whatever things you want people to do to you, you should also do to them, for this is the law and the prophets. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many people who go through it. -\v 14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but are truly ravenous wolves. -\v 16 By their fruits you will know them. Do people gather grapes from a thornbush or figs from thistles? -\v 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but the bad tree produces bad fruit. - -\s5 -\v 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. -\v 19 Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. -\v 20 So then, you will recognize them by their fruits. - -\s5 -\v 21 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. -\v 22 Many people will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, in your name drive out demons, and in your name do many mighty deeds?' -\v 23 Then will I openly declare to them, 'I never knew you! Get away from me, you evildoers!' - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Therefore, everyone who hears my words and obeys them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. -\v 25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall down, for it was built on the rock. - -\s5 -\v 26 But everyone who hears my words and does not obey them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. -\v 27 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and struck that house, and it fell, and its destruction was complete." - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 It came about that when Jesus finished speaking these words, the crowds were astonished by his teaching, -\v 29 for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 When Jesus had come down from the hill, large crowds followed him. -\v 2 Behold, a leper came to him and bowed before him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." -\v 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing. Be clean." Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. - -\s5 -\v 4 Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to any man. Go on your way, and show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 When Jesus had entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to him and asked him, -\v 6 saying, "Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed and in terrible pain." -\v 7 Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." - -\s5 -\v 8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, only say the word and my servant will be healed. -\v 9 For I also am a man who is placed under authority, and I have soldiers under me. I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another one, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." -\v 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those who were following him, "Truly I say to you, I have not found anyone with such faith in Israel. -\s5 -\v 11 I tell you, many will come from the east and the west, and they will recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. -\v 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth." -\v 13 Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! As you have believed, so may it be done for you." And the servant was healed at that very hour. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 When Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. -\v 15 Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and started serving him. - -\s5 -\v 16 When evening had come, the people brought to Jesus many who were possessed by demons. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. -\v 17 In this way was fulfilled that which had been spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "He himself took our sickness and bore our diseases." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Now when Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave instructions to leave for the other side of the Sea of Galilee. -\v 19 Then a scribe came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." -\v 20 Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." - -\s5 -\v 21 Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." -\v 22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 When Jesus had entered a boat, his disciples followed him into it. -\v 24 Behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But Jesus was asleep. -\v 25 The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are about to die!" - -\s5 -\v 26 Jesus said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. Then there was a great calm. -\v 27 The men marveled and said, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 When Jesus had come to the other side and to the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They were coming out of the tombs and were very violent, so that no traveler could pass that way. -\v 29 Behold, they cried out and said, "What do we have to do with you, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the set time?" - -\s5 -\v 30 Now a herd of many pigs was there feeding, not too far away from them. -\v 31 The demons kept imploring Jesus and saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into that herd of pigs." -\v 32 Jesus said to them, "Go!" The demons came out and went into the pigs; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep hill into the sea and they died in the water. - -\s5 -\v 33 Those who had been tending the pigs ran away and they went into the city and reported everything, especially what had happened to the men who had been possessed by demons. -\v 34 Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. +\v 2 For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure that you measure, it will be measured out to you. + +\s5 +\v 3 Why do you look at the tiny piece of straw that is in your brother's eye, but you do not notice the log that is in your own eye? +\v 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take out the piece of straw that is in your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? +\v 5 You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the piece of straw that is in your brother's eye. + +\s5 +\v 6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls in front of the hogs. Otherwise they may trample them underfoot, and then turn and tear you to pieces. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. +\v 8 For everyone who asks, receives; everyone who seeks, finds; and to the person who knocks, it will be opened. +\v 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? +\v 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? + +\s5 +\v 11 Therefore, if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him? +\v 12 Therefore, whatever things you want people to do to you, you should also do to them, for this is the law and the prophets. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many people who go through it. +\v 14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but are truly ravenous wolves. +\v 16 By their fruits you will know them. Do people gather grapes from a thornbush or figs from thistles? +\v 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but the bad tree produces bad fruit. + +\s5 +\v 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. +\v 19 Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. +\v 20 So then, you will recognize them by their fruits. + +\s5 +\v 21 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven. +\v 22 Many people will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, in your name drive out demons, and in your name do many mighty deeds?' +\v 23 Then will I openly declare to them, 'I never knew you! Get away from me, you evildoers!' + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Therefore, everyone who hears my words and obeys them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. +\v 25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall down, for it was built on the rock. + +\s5 +\v 26 But everyone who hears my words and does not obey them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. +\v 27 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and struck that house, and it fell, and its destruction was complete." + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 It came about that when Jesus finished speaking these words, the crowds were astonished by his teaching, +\v 29 for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 When Jesus had come down from the hill, large crowds followed him. +\v 2 Behold, a leper came to him and bowed before him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." +\v 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing. Be clean." Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. + +\s5 +\v 4 Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to any man. Go on your way, and show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 When Jesus had entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to him and asked him, +\v 6 saying, "Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed and in terrible pain." +\v 7 Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." + +\s5 +\v 8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, only say the word and my servant will be healed. +\v 9 For I also am a man who is placed under authority, and I have soldiers under me. I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another one, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." +\v 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those who were following him, "Truly I say to you, I have not found anyone with such faith in Israel. +\s5 +\v 11 I tell you, many will come from the east and the west, and they will recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. +\v 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth." +\v 13 Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! As you have believed, so may it be done for you." And the servant was healed at that very hour. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 When Jesus had come into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. +\v 15 Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and started serving him. + +\s5 +\v 16 When evening had come, the people brought to Jesus many who were possessed by demons. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. +\v 17 In this way was fulfilled that which had been spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "He himself took our sickness and bore our diseases." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Now when Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave instructions to leave for the other side of the Sea of Galilee. +\v 19 Then a scribe came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." +\v 20 Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." + +\s5 +\v 21 Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." +\v 22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 When Jesus had entered a boat, his disciples followed him into it. +\v 24 Behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But Jesus was asleep. +\v 25 The disciples came to him and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are about to die!" + +\s5 +\v 26 Jesus said to them, "Why are you afraid, you of little faith?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. Then there was a great calm. +\v 27 The men marveled and said, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 When Jesus had come to the other side and to the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They were coming out of the tombs and were very violent, so that no traveler could pass that way. +\v 29 Behold, they cried out and said, "What do we have to do with you, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the set time?" + +\s5 +\v 30 Now a herd of many pigs was there feeding, not too far away from them. +\v 31 The demons kept imploring Jesus and saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into that herd of pigs." +\v 32 Jesus said to them, "Go!" The demons came out and went into the pigs; and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep hill into the sea and they died in the water. + +\s5 +\v 33 Those who had been tending the pigs ran away and they went into the city and reported everything, especially what had happened to the men who had been possessed by demons. +\v 34 Behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. \s5 @@ -624,88 +624,88 @@ -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal all kinds of disease and all kinds of sickness. - -\s5 -\v 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles were these. The first, Simon (whom he also called Peter), and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee, and John his brother; -\v 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; -\v 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who would betray him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 These twelve Jesus sent out. He instructed them and said, "Do not go to any place where Gentiles live, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans. -\v 6 Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; -\v 7 and as you go, preach and say, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' - -\s5 -\v 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. -\v 9 Do not carry any gold, silver, or copper in your purses. -\v 10 Do not take a traveling bag for your journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals, or a staff, for a laborer deserves his food. - -\s5 -\v 11 Whatever city or village you enter, find who is worthy in it, and stay there until you leave. -\v 12 As you enter into the house, greet it. -\v 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace come back to you. - -\s5 -\v 14 As for those who do not receive you or listen to your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. -\v 15 Truly I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 See, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. -\v 17 Watch out for people! They will deliver you up to councils, and they will whip you in their synagogues. -\v 18 Then you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. - -\s5 -\v 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you will speak, for what to say will be given to you in that hour. -\v 20 For it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak in you. - -\s5 -\v 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. -\v 22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But whoever endures to the end, that person will be saved. -\v 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to the next, for truly I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man has come. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a servant above his master. -\v 25 It is enough for the disciple that he should be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much worse would be the names they call the members of his household! - -\s5 -\v 26 Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known. -\v 27 What I tell you in the darkness, say in the daylight, and what you hear softly in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. - -\s5 -\v 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. Instead, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. -\v 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. -\v 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. -\v 31 Do not fear. You are more valuable than many sparrows. - -\s5 -\v 32 Therefore everyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. -\v 33 But he who denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 Do not think that I came to bring peace upon the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. -\v 35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. -\v 36 A man's enemies will be those of his own household. - -\s5 -\v 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. -\v 38 He who does not pick up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. -\v 39 He who finds his life will lose it. But he who loses his life for my sake will find it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 He who welcomes you welcomes me, and he who welcomes me also welcomes him who sent me. -\v 41 He who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and he who welcomes a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. - -\s5 -\v 42 Whoever gives to one of these little ones, even a cup of cold water to drink, because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he will in no way lose his reward." +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal all kinds of disease and all kinds of sickness. + +\s5 +\v 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles were these. The first, Simon (whom he also called Peter), and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee, and John his brother; +\v 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; +\v 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who would betray him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 These twelve Jesus sent out. He instructed them and said, "Do not go to any place where Gentiles live, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans. +\v 6 Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel; +\v 7 and as you go, preach and say, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' + +\s5 +\v 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. +\v 9 Do not carry any gold, silver, or copper in your purses. +\v 10 Do not take a traveling bag for your journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals, or a staff, for a laborer deserves his food. + +\s5 +\v 11 Whatever city or village you enter, find who is worthy in it, and stay there until you leave. +\v 12 As you enter into the house, greet it. +\v 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace come back to you. + +\s5 +\v 14 As for those who do not receive you or listen to your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. +\v 15 Truly I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 See, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. +\v 17 Watch out for people! They will deliver you up to councils, and they will whip you in their synagogues. +\v 18 Then you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. + +\s5 +\v 19 When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you will speak, for what to say will be given to you in that hour. +\v 20 For it is not you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father who will speak in you. + +\s5 +\v 21 Brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. +\v 22 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But whoever endures to the end, that person will be saved. +\v 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to the next, for truly I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man has come. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a servant above his master. +\v 25 It is enough for the disciple that he should be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much worse would be the names they call the members of his household! + +\s5 +\v 26 Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known. +\v 27 What I tell you in the darkness, say in the daylight, and what you hear softly in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. + +\s5 +\v 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul. Instead, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. +\v 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. +\v 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. +\v 31 Do not fear. You are more valuable than many sparrows. + +\s5 +\v 32 Therefore everyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. +\v 33 But he who denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven. + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 Do not think that I came to bring peace upon the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. +\v 35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. +\v 36 A man's enemies will be those of his own household. + +\s5 +\v 37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. +\v 38 He who does not pick up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. +\v 39 He who finds his life will lose it. But he who loses his life for my sake will find it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 He who welcomes you welcomes me, and he who welcomes me also welcomes him who sent me. +\v 41 He who welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and he who welcomes a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. + +\s5 +\v 42 Whoever gives to one of these little ones, even a cup of cold water to drink, because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he will in no way lose his reward." \s5 @@ -882,203 +882,203 @@ \v 48 But Jesus answered and said to him who told him, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" \v 49 Then he stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said, "See, here are my mother and my brothers! \v 50 For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, that person is my brother, and sister, and mother." -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. -\v 2 A very large crowd gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat in it, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Jesus said many things to them in parables. He said, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow seed. -\v 4 As he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and devoured them. -\v 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil. Immediately they sprang up, because the soil had no depth. -\v 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched because they had no root, and they withered away. - -\s5 -\v 7 Other seeds fell among the thorn plants. The thorn plants grew up and choked them. -\v 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. -\v 9 He who has ears, let him listen." - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 The disciples came and said to Jesus, "Why do you talk to the crowd in parables?" -\v 11 Jesus answered and said to them, "You have been given the privilege of understanding mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. -\v 12 Because whoever has, even more will be given. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. - -\s5 -\v 13 This is why I talk to them in parables: Though they are seeing, they do not see; and though they are hearing, they do not hear, or understand. -\v 14 To them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, that which says, -\q 'While hearing you will hear, but you will in no way understand; -\q while seeing you will see, but you will in no way perceive. - -\s5 -\q -\v 15 For this people's heart has become dull, -\q and they are hard of hearing, -\q and they have closed their eyes, -\q so they should not see with their eyes, -\q or hear with their ears, -\q or understand with their hearts, -\q so they would turn again, -\q and I would heal them.' -\m - -\s5 -\v 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. -\v 17 Truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things that you see, and did not see them. They desired to hear the things that you hear, and did not hear them. - -\s5 -\v 18 Listen then to the parable of the farmer who sowed his seed. -\v 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the seed that was sown beside the road. - -\s5 -\v 20 What was sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, -\v 21 yet he has no root in himself and he endures for a while. When tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, he quickly falls away. - -\s5 -\v 22 What was sown among the thorn plants, this is the person who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. -\v 23 What was sown on the good soil, this is the person who hears the word and understands it. He bears fruit and makes a crop, yielding one hundred times as much as was planted, some sixty, and some thirty times as much." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Jesus presented another parable to them. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. -\v 25 But while people slept, his enemy came and also sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away. -\v 26 When the blades sprouted and then produced their crop, then the weeds appeared also. - -\s5 -\v 27 The servants of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How does it now have weeds?' -\v 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'So do you want us to go and pull them out?' - -\s5 -\v 29 The landowner said, 'No. Because while you are pulling out the weeds, you might uproot the wheat with them. -\v 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First pull out the weeds and tie them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Then Jesus presented another parable to them. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. -\v 32 This seed is indeed the smallest of all other seeds. But when it has grown, it is greater than the garden plants. It becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." - -\s5 -\v 33 Jesus then told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the dough had risen." - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; and he said nothing to them without a parable. -\v 35 This was in order that what had been said through the prophet might come true, when he said, -\q "I will open my mouth in parables. -\q I will say things that were hidden from the foundation of the world." - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Then Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." -\v 37 Jesus answered and said, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. -\v 38 The field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, -\v 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are angels. - -\s5 -\v 40 Therefore, as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the world. -\v 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all the things that cause sin, and those who commit iniquity. -\v 42 They will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. -\v 43 Then will the righteous people shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him listen. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it and hid it. In his joy he goes, sells everything he possesses, and buys that field. -\v 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a merchant looking for valuable pearls. -\v 46 When he found one pearl of very great value, he went and sold everything that he possessed and bought it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea, and that gathered creatures of every kind. -\v 48 When it was filled, the fishermen drew it up on the beach. Then they sat down and gathered the good things into containers, but the worthless things they threw away. - -\s5 -\v 49 It will be this way at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous. -\v 50 They will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 51 Have you understood all these things?" The disciples said to him, "Yes." -\v 52 Then Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is the owner of a house, who draws out old and new things from his treasure." -\v 53 Then it came about that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from that place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 54 Then Jesus entered his own region and taught the people in their synagogue. The result was that they were astonished and said, "Where does this man get his wisdom and these miracles from? -\v 55 Is not this man the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? Are not his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? -\v 56 Are not all his sisters with us? Where did he get all these things?" - - -\s5 -\v 57 They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own family." -\v 58 He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 About that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus. -\v 2 He said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead ones. Therefore these powers are at work in him." - -\s5 -\v 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. -\v 4 For John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her as your wife." -\v 5 Herod would have put him to death, but he feared the people, because they regarded him as a prophet. - -\s5 -\v 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst and pleased Herod. -\v 7 In response, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. - -\s5 -\v 8 After being instructed by her mother, she said, "Give me here, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist." -\v 9 The king was very upset by her request, but because of his oath and because of all those at dinner with him, he ordered that it should be done. -\s5 -\v 10 He sent and beheaded John in the prison. -\v 11 Then his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl and she took it to her mother. -\v 12 Then his disciples came, took up the corpse, and buried it. After this, they went and told Jesus. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to an isolated place. When the crowds heard of it, they followed him on foot from the cities. -\v 14 Then Jesus came before them and saw the large crowd. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. - -\s5 -\v 15 When the evening had come, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the day is already over. Dismiss the crowds, so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves." - -\s5 -\v 16 But Jesus said to them, "They have no need to go away. You give them something to eat." -\v 17 They said to him, "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish." -\v 18 Jesus said, "Bring them to me." - -\s5 -\v 19 Then Jesus ordered the crowd to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. Looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd. -\v 20 They all ate and were filled. Then they took up what remained of the broken pieces of food—twelve baskets full. -\v 21 Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he sent away the crowds. -\v 23 After he had sent away the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. -\v 24 But the boat was now a long way from land, being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was blowing against them. - -\s5 -\v 25 In the fourth watch of the night Jesus approached them, walking on the sea. -\v 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, "It is a ghost," and they cried out in fear. -\v 27 But Jesus spoke to them right away and said, "Be brave! It is I! Do not be afraid." - -\s5 -\v 28 Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." -\v 29 Jesus said, "Come." So Peter got out from the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus. -\v 30 But when Peter saw the wind, he became afraid. As he began to sink, he cried out and said, "Lord, save me!" - -\s5 -\v 31 Jesus immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of Peter, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" -\v 32 Then when Jesus and Peter went into the boat, the wind ceased blowing. -\v 33 Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, "Truly you are the Son of God." - -\s5 -\p -\v 34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. -\v 35 When the men in that place recognized Jesus, they sent messages everywhere into the surrounding area, and they brought to him everyone who was sick. -\v 36 They begged him that they might just touch the edge of his garment, and as many as touched it were healed. +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. +\v 2 A very large crowd gathered around him, so he got into a boat and sat in it, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Jesus said many things to them in parables. He said, "Behold, a farmer went out to sow seed. +\v 4 As he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and devoured them. +\v 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil. Immediately they sprang up, because the soil had no depth. +\v 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched because they had no root, and they withered away. + +\s5 +\v 7 Other seeds fell among the thorn plants. The thorn plants grew up and choked them. +\v 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty. +\v 9 He who has ears, let him listen." + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 The disciples came and said to Jesus, "Why do you talk to the crowd in parables?" +\v 11 Jesus answered and said to them, "You have been given the privilege of understanding mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. +\v 12 Because whoever has, even more will be given. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. + +\s5 +\v 13 This is why I talk to them in parables: Though they are seeing, they do not see; and though they are hearing, they do not hear, or understand. +\v 14 To them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, that which says, +\q 'While hearing you will hear, but you will in no way understand; +\q while seeing you will see, but you will in no way perceive. + +\s5 +\q +\v 15 For this people's heart has become dull, +\q and they are hard of hearing, +\q and they have closed their eyes, +\q so they should not see with their eyes, +\q or hear with their ears, +\q or understand with their hearts, +\q so they would turn again, +\q and I would heal them.' +\m + +\s5 +\v 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. +\v 17 Truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things that you see, and did not see them. They desired to hear the things that you hear, and did not hear them. + +\s5 +\v 18 Listen then to the parable of the farmer who sowed his seed. +\v 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the seed that was sown beside the road. + +\s5 +\v 20 What was sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, +\v 21 yet he has no root in himself and he endures for a while. When tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, he quickly falls away. + +\s5 +\v 22 What was sown among the thorn plants, this is the person who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. +\v 23 What was sown on the good soil, this is the person who hears the word and understands it. He bears fruit and makes a crop, yielding one hundred times as much as was planted, some sixty, and some thirty times as much." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Jesus presented another parable to them. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. +\v 25 But while people slept, his enemy came and also sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away. +\v 26 When the blades sprouted and then produced their crop, then the weeds appeared also. + +\s5 +\v 27 The servants of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How does it now have weeds?' +\v 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'So do you want us to go and pull them out?' + +\s5 +\v 29 The landowner said, 'No. Because while you are pulling out the weeds, you might uproot the wheat with them. +\v 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First pull out the weeds and tie them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Then Jesus presented another parable to them. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. +\v 32 This seed is indeed the smallest of all other seeds. But when it has grown, it is greater than the garden plants. It becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." + +\s5 +\v 33 Jesus then told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the dough had risen." + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; and he said nothing to them without a parable. +\v 35 This was in order that what had been said through the prophet might come true, when he said, +\q "I will open my mouth in parables. +\q I will say things that were hidden from the foundation of the world." + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Then Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." +\v 37 Jesus answered and said, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. +\v 38 The field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, +\v 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are angels. + +\s5 +\v 40 Therefore, as the weeds are gathered up and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the world. +\v 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all the things that cause sin, and those who commit iniquity. +\v 42 They will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. +\v 43 Then will the righteous people shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him listen. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it and hid it. In his joy he goes, sells everything he possesses, and buys that field. +\v 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a merchant looking for valuable pearls. +\v 46 When he found one pearl of very great value, he went and sold everything that he possessed and bought it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea, and that gathered creatures of every kind. +\v 48 When it was filled, the fishermen drew it up on the beach. Then they sat down and gathered the good things into containers, but the worthless things they threw away. + +\s5 +\v 49 It will be this way at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous. +\v 50 They will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 51 Have you understood all these things?" The disciples said to him, "Yes." +\v 52 Then Jesus said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is the owner of a house, who draws out old and new things from his treasure." +\v 53 Then it came about that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from that place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 54 Then Jesus entered his own region and taught the people in their synagogue. The result was that they were astonished and said, "Where does this man get his wisdom and these miracles from? +\v 55 Is not this man the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? Are not his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? +\v 56 Are not all his sisters with us? Where did he get all these things?" + + +\s5 +\v 57 They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own family." +\v 58 He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 About that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus. +\v 2 He said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead ones. Therefore these powers are at work in him." + +\s5 +\v 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. +\v 4 For John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her as your wife." +\v 5 Herod would have put him to death, but he feared the people, because they regarded him as a prophet. + +\s5 +\v 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst and pleased Herod. +\v 7 In response, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. + +\s5 +\v 8 After being instructed by her mother, she said, "Give me here, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist." +\v 9 The king was very upset by her request, but because of his oath and because of all those at dinner with him, he ordered that it should be done. +\s5 +\v 10 He sent and beheaded John in the prison. +\v 11 Then his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl and she took it to her mother. +\v 12 Then his disciples came, took up the corpse, and buried it. After this, they went and told Jesus. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to an isolated place. When the crowds heard of it, they followed him on foot from the cities. +\v 14 Then Jesus came before them and saw the large crowd. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. + +\s5 +\v 15 When the evening had come, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the day is already over. Dismiss the crowds, so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves." + +\s5 +\v 16 But Jesus said to them, "They have no need to go away. You give them something to eat." +\v 17 They said to him, "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish." +\v 18 Jesus said, "Bring them to me." + +\s5 +\v 19 Then Jesus ordered the crowd to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. Looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd. +\v 20 They all ate and were filled. Then they took up what remained of the broken pieces of food—twelve baskets full. +\v 21 Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he sent away the crowds. +\v 23 After he had sent away the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. +\v 24 But the boat was now a long way from land, being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was blowing against them. + +\s5 +\v 25 In the fourth watch of the night Jesus approached them, walking on the sea. +\v 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, "It is a ghost," and they cried out in fear. +\v 27 But Jesus spoke to them right away and said, "Be brave! It is I! Do not be afraid." + +\s5 +\v 28 Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." +\v 29 Jesus said, "Come." So Peter got out from the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus. +\v 30 But when Peter saw the wind, he became afraid. As he began to sink, he cried out and said, "Lord, save me!" + +\s5 +\v 31 Jesus immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of Peter, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" +\v 32 Then when Jesus and Peter went into the boat, the wind ceased blowing. +\v 33 Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, "Truly you are the Son of God." + +\s5 +\p +\v 34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. +\v 35 When the men in that place recognized Jesus, they sent messages everywhere into the surrounding area, and they brought to him everyone who was sick. +\v 36 They begged him that they might just touch the edge of his garment, and as many as touched it were healed. \s5 \c 15 @@ -1348,70 +1348,70 @@ - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 It came about that when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came to the region of Judea that is beyond the Jordan River. -\v 2 Great crowds followed him, and he healed them there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Pharisees came to him, testing him, saying to him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?" -\v 4 Jesus answered and said, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female? - -\s5 -\v 5 He who made them also said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? -\v 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one tear apart." - -\s5 -\v 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of divorce and then to send her away?" -\v 8 He said to them, "For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not that way. -\v 9 I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and the man who marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery." -\s5 -\v 10 The disciples said to Jesus, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is not good to marry." -\v 11 But Jesus said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those who are allowed to accept it. -\v 12 For there are eunuchs who were that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this teaching, let him receive it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then some little children were brought to him so that he would lay his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. -\v 14 But Jesus said, "Permit the little children, and do not forbid them to come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such ones." -\v 15 He placed his hands on the children, and then he went away from there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Behold, a man came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, what good thing must I do that I may have eternal life?" -\v 17 Jesus said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? Only one is good, but if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." - -\s5 -\v 18 The man said to him, "Which commandments?" Jesus said, "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, -\v 19 honor your father and your mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." - -\s5 -\v 20 The young man said to him, "All these things I have obeyed. What do I still need?" -\v 21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." -\v 22 But when the young man heard what Jesus said, he went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. -\v 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." - -\s5 -\v 25 When the disciples heard it, they were very astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" -\v 26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." -\v 27 Then Peter answered and said to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" - -\s5 -\v 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, in the new age when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. - -\s5 -\v 29 Every one who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or land for my name's sake, will receive one hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. -\v 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. - - - + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 It came about that when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came to the region of Judea that is beyond the Jordan River. +\v 2 Great crowds followed him, and he healed them there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Pharisees came to him, testing him, saying to him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?" +\v 4 Jesus answered and said, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female? + +\s5 +\v 5 He who made them also said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? +\v 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one tear apart." + +\s5 +\v 7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of divorce and then to send her away?" +\v 8 He said to them, "For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not that way. +\v 9 I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and the man who marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery." +\s5 +\v 10 The disciples said to Jesus, "If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is not good to marry." +\v 11 But Jesus said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those who are allowed to accept it. +\v 12 For there are eunuchs who were that way from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to receive this teaching, let him receive it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then some little children were brought to him so that he would lay his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. +\v 14 But Jesus said, "Permit the little children, and do not forbid them to come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such ones." +\v 15 He placed his hands on the children, and then he went away from there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Behold, a man came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, what good thing must I do that I may have eternal life?" +\v 17 Jesus said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? Only one is good, but if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments." + +\s5 +\v 18 The man said to him, "Which commandments?" Jesus said, "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, +\v 19 honor your father and your mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." + +\s5 +\v 20 The young man said to him, "All these things I have obeyed. What do I still need?" +\v 21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." +\v 22 But when the young man heard what Jesus said, he went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. +\v 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." + +\s5 +\v 25 When the disciples heard it, they were very astonished and said, "Who then can be saved?" +\v 26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." +\v 27 Then Peter answered and said to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" + +\s5 +\v 28 Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, in the new age when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. + +\s5 +\v 29 Every one who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or land for my name's sake, will receive one hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. +\v 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. + + + \s5 \c 20 \p @@ -1674,187 +1674,187 @@ \v 45 If David then calls the Christ 'Lord,' how is he David's son?" \v 46 No one was able to answer him a word, and no man dared ask him any more questions from that day on. - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. -\v 2 He said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. -\v 3 Therefore whatever they command you to do, do these things and observe them. But do not imitate their deeds, for they say things but then do not do them. -\s5 -\v 4 Yes, they bind heavy burdens that are difficult to carry, and then they put them on people's shoulders. But they themselves will not move a finger to carry them. -\v 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by people. For they make their phylacteries wide, and they enlarge the edges of their garments. - -\s5 -\v 6 They love the chief places at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues, -\v 7 and special greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi' by people. - -\s5 -\v 8 But you must not be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all you are brothers. -\v 9 And call no man on earth your father, for you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. -\v 10 Neither must you be called 'teacher,' for you have only one teacher, the Christ. - -\s5 -\v 11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. -\v 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven against people. For you do not enter it yourselves, and neither do you allow those about to enter to do so. -\v 14 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit verse 14 (some copies add the verse after verse 12). \fqa Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, while you make a show of long prayers. You will therefore receive greater condemnation. \f* -\v 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you go over sea and land to make one convert, and when he has become one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Woe to you, you blind guides, you who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing. But whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound to his oath.' -\v 17 You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold holy? - -\s5 -\v 18 And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing. But whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is bound to his oath.' -\v 19 You blind people! Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift holy? - -\s5 -\v 20 Therefore, he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it. -\v 21 The one who swears by the temple, swears by it and by the one who lives in it, -\v 22 and the one who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, but you have left undone the weightier matters of the law—justice and mercy and faith. But these you ought to have done and not to have left the other undone. -\v 24 You blind guides, you who strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. -\v 26 You blind Pharisee! Clean first the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside may become clean also. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. -\v 28 In the same way, you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous. -\v 30 You say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been participants with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' -\v 31 Therefore you testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who killed the prophets. - -\s5 -\v 32 You also fill up the measure of your fathers. -\v 33 You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of hell? - -\s5 -\v 34 Therefore, see, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some you will whip in your synagogues and drive them out from city to city. -\v 35 The result is that upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar. -\v 36 Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often did I long to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! -\v 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. -\v 39 For I say to you, You will not see me from now on until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" - - - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 Jesus went out from the temple and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to point out to him the buildings of the temple. -\v 2 But he answered and said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone will be left on another that will not be torn down." - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" -\v 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray. -\v 5 For many will come in my name. They will say, 'I am the Christ,' and will lead many astray. - -\s5 -\v 6 You will hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not troubled, for these things must happen; but the end is not yet. -\v 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. -\v 8 But all these things are only the beginning of birth pains. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you. You will be hated by all the nations for my name's sake. -\v 10 Then many will stumble, and betray one another and hate one another. -\v 11 Many false prophets will rise up and lead many astray. -\s5 -\v 12 Because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold. -\v 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. -\v 14 This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (let the reader understand), -\v 16 "let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, -\v 17 let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house, -\v 18 and let him who is in the field not return to take his cloak. - -\s5 -\v 19 But woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing infants in those days! -\v 20 Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on a Sabbath. -\v 21 For there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be again. -\v 22 Unless those days are shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. - -\s5 -\v 23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There is the Christ!' do not believe it. -\v 24 For false Christs and false prophets will come and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. -\v 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. - -\s5 -\v 26 Therefore, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out to the wilderness. Or, 'See, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. -\v 27 For as the lightning shines out from the east and flashes all the way to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. -\v 28 Wherever a dead animal is, there the vultures will gather. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. - -\s5 -\v 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. -\v 31 He will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as the branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. -\v 33 So also, when you see all these things, you should know that he is near, at the very gates. - -\s5 -\v 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all of these things will have happened. -\v 35 Heaven and the earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. - -\s5 -\v 36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. - -\s5 -\v 37 As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. -\v 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark, -\v 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away—so will be the coming of the Son of Man. - -\s5 -\v 40 Then two men will be in a field—one will be taken, and one will be left. -\v 41 Two women will be grinding with a mill—one will be taken, and one will be left. -\v 42 Therefore be on your guard, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come. -\s5 -\v 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been on guard and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. -\v 44 Therefore you must also be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour that you do not expect. - -\s5 -\p -\v 45 So who is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has set over his household in order to give them their food at the right time? -\v 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find doing that when he comes. -\v 47 Truly I say to you that the master will set him over everything that he owns. - -\s5 -\v 48 But if an evil servant says in his heart, 'My master has been delayed,' -\v 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards; -\v 50 then the master of that servant will come on a day that the servant does not expect and at an hour that he does not know. -\v 51 His master will cut him in pieces and make his fate the same as that of the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples. +\v 2 He said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. +\v 3 Therefore whatever they command you to do, do these things and observe them. But do not imitate their deeds, for they say things but then do not do them. +\s5 +\v 4 Yes, they bind heavy burdens that are difficult to carry, and then they put them on people's shoulders. But they themselves will not move a finger to carry them. +\v 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by people. For they make their phylacteries wide, and they enlarge the edges of their garments. + +\s5 +\v 6 They love the chief places at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues, +\v 7 and special greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi' by people. + +\s5 +\v 8 But you must not be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all you are brothers. +\v 9 And call no man on earth your father, for you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. +\v 10 Neither must you be called 'teacher,' for you have only one teacher, the Christ. + +\s5 +\v 11 But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. +\v 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven against people. For you do not enter it yourselves, and neither do you allow those about to enter to do so. +\v 14 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit verse 14 (some copies add the verse after verse 12). \fqa Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, while you make a show of long prayers. You will therefore receive greater condemnation. \f* +\v 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you go over sea and land to make one convert, and when he has become one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Woe to you, you blind guides, you who say, 'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing. But whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound to his oath.' +\v 17 You blind fools! Which is greater, the gold or the temple that makes the gold holy? + +\s5 +\v 18 And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing. But whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is bound to his oath.' +\v 19 You blind people! Which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift holy? + +\s5 +\v 20 Therefore, he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it. +\v 21 The one who swears by the temple, swears by it and by the one who lives in it, +\v 22 and the one who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, but you have left undone the weightier matters of the law—justice and mercy and faith. But these you ought to have done and not to have left the other undone. +\v 24 You blind guides, you who strain out a gnat but swallow a camel! + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. +\v 26 You blind Pharisee! Clean first the inside of the cup and of the plate, so that the outside may become clean also. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. +\v 28 In the same way, you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous. +\v 30 You say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been participants with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' +\v 31 Therefore you testify against yourselves that you are sons of those who killed the prophets. + +\s5 +\v 32 You also fill up the measure of your fathers. +\v 33 You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of hell? + +\s5 +\v 34 Therefore, see, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some you will whip in your synagogues and drive them out from city to city. +\v 35 The result is that upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar. +\v 36 Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often did I long to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! +\v 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. +\v 39 For I say to you, You will not see me from now on until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" + + + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 Jesus went out from the temple and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to point out to him the buildings of the temple. +\v 2 But he answered and said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone will be left on another that will not be torn down." + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" +\v 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray. +\v 5 For many will come in my name. They will say, 'I am the Christ,' and will lead many astray. + +\s5 +\v 6 You will hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not troubled, for these things must happen; but the end is not yet. +\v 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. +\v 8 But all these things are only the beginning of birth pains. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you. You will be hated by all the nations for my name's sake. +\v 10 Then many will stumble, and betray one another and hate one another. +\v 11 Many false prophets will rise up and lead many astray. +\s5 +\v 12 Because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold. +\v 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. +\v 14 This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations. Then the end will come. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (let the reader understand), +\v 16 "let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, +\v 17 let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house, +\v 18 and let him who is in the field not return to take his cloak. + +\s5 +\v 19 But woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing infants in those days! +\v 20 Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on a Sabbath. +\v 21 For there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be again. +\v 22 Unless those days are shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. + +\s5 +\v 23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There is the Christ!' do not believe it. +\v 24 For false Christs and false prophets will come and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. +\v 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. + +\s5 +\v 26 Therefore, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out to the wilderness. Or, 'See, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. +\v 27 For as the lightning shines out from the east and flashes all the way to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. +\v 28 Wherever a dead animal is, there the vultures will gather. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. + +\s5 +\v 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. +\v 31 He will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as the branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. +\v 33 So also, when you see all these things, you should know that he is near, at the very gates. + +\s5 +\v 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all of these things will have happened. +\v 35 Heaven and the earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. + +\s5 +\v 36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. + +\s5 +\v 37 As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. +\v 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entered the ark, +\v 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away—so will be the coming of the Son of Man. + +\s5 +\v 40 Then two men will be in a field—one will be taken, and one will be left. +\v 41 Two women will be grinding with a mill—one will be taken, and one will be left. +\v 42 Therefore be on your guard, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come. +\s5 +\v 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been on guard and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. +\v 44 Therefore you must also be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour that you do not expect. + +\s5 +\p +\v 45 So who is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has set over his household in order to give them their food at the right time? +\v 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find doing that when he comes. +\v 47 Truly I say to you that the master will set him over everything that he owns. + +\s5 +\v 48 But if an evil servant says in his heart, 'My master has been delayed,' +\v 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards; +\v 50 then the master of that servant will come on a day that the servant does not expect and at an hour that he does not know. +\v 51 His master will cut him in pieces and make his fate the same as that of the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. + + + \s5 @@ -2087,135 +2087,135 @@ \v 73 After a little while those who were standing by came and said to Peter, "Surely you are also one of them, for the way you speak gives you away." \v 74 Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man," and immediately a rooster crowed. \v 75 Peter remembered the words that Jesus had said, "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times." Then he went outside and wept bitterly. - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death. -\v 2 They bound him, led him away, and delivered him to Pilate the governor. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, -\v 4 and said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself." -\v 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went out and hanged himself. - -\s5 -\v 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, "It is not lawful to put this into the treasury, because it is the price of blood." -\v 7 They discussed the matter together and with the money bought the potter's field in which to bury strangers. -\v 8 For this reason that field has been called, "The Field of Blood" to this day. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then that which had been spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, -\v 10 and they gave it for the potter's field, as the Lord had directed me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him, "You say so." -\v 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. -\v 13 Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear all the charges against you?" -\v 14 But he did not answer even one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed. - -\s5 -\v 15 Now at the feast it was the custom of the governor to release one prisoner chosen by the crowd. -\v 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. - -\s5 -\v 17 So when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Who do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" -\v 18 He knew that they had handed Jesus over to him because of envy. -\v 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him and said, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man. For I have suffered much today because of a dream I had about him." - -\s5 -\v 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas, and have Jesus killed. -\v 21 The governor asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas." -\v 22 Pilate said to them, "What should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all answered, "Crucify him." - -\s5 -\v 23 Then he said, "Why, what crime has he done?" But they cried out even louder, "Crucify him." -\v 24 So when Pilate saw that he could not do anything, but instead a riot was starting, he took water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, "I am innocent of the blood of this innocent man. See to it yourselves." - -\s5 -\v 25 All the people said, "May his blood be on us and our children." -\v 26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but he scourged Jesus and handed him over to be crucified. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the government headquarters and gathered the whole company of soldiers. -\v 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. -\v 29 They made a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. They knelt down before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" - -\s5 -\v 30 They spat on him, and they took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. -\v 31 When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him and put his own garments on him, and led him away to crucify him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 As they came out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they forced to go with them so that he might carry his cross. -\v 33 They came to a place called Golgotha, which means "The Place of a Skull." -\v 34 They gave him wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he tasted it, he would not drink. - -\s5 -\v 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his garments by casting lots, -\v 36 and they sat and kept guard over him. -\v 37 Above his head they put the charge against him, which read "This is Jesus, the king of the Jews." - -\s5 -\v 38 Two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right of him and one on the left. -\v 39 Those who passed by insulted him, shaking their heads -\v 40 and saying, "You who were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!" - -\s5 -\v 41 In the same way the chief priests were mocking him, along with the scribes and elders, and said, -\v 42 "He saved others, but he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel. Let him come down off the cross, and then we will believe in him. - -\s5 -\v 43 He trusts in God, let God rescue him now, if God consents to release him. For he even said, 'I am the Son of God.'" -\v 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also spoke insults to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 45 Now from the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. -\v 46 About the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice and said, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" -\v 47 When some of those who were standing there heard it, they said, "He is calling for Elijah." - -\s5 -\v 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed staff, and gave it to him to drink. -\v 49 The rest of them said, "Leave him alone. Let us see whether Elijah comes to save him." -\v 50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. - -\s5 -\v 51 Behold, the curtain of the temple was split in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks split apart. -\v 52 The tombs were opened, and the bodies of many godly people who had fallen asleep were raised. -\v 53 They came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. - -\s5 -\v 54 Now when the centurion and those who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they became very afraid and said, "Truly this was the Son of God." -\v 55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for him were there looking on from a distance. -\v 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. - -\s5 -\p -\v 57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. -\v 58 He approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. - -\s5 -\v 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, -\v 60 and laid it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and went away. -\v 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. - -\s5 -\p -\v 62 The next day, which was the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together with Pilate. -\v 63 They said, "Sir, we remember that when that deceiver was alive, he said, 'After three days will I rise again.' -\v 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, otherwise his disciples may come and steal him and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead ones,' and the last deception will be worse than the first." - -\s5 -\v 65 Pilate said to them, "Take a guard. Go and make it as secure as you can." -\v 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and placing the guard. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death. +\v 2 They bound him, led him away, and delivered him to Pilate the governor. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, +\v 4 and said, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself." +\v 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went out and hanged himself. + +\s5 +\v 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, "It is not lawful to put this into the treasury, because it is the price of blood." +\v 7 They discussed the matter together and with the money bought the potter's field in which to bury strangers. +\v 8 For this reason that field has been called, "The Field of Blood" to this day. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then that which had been spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, "They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, +\v 10 and they gave it for the potter's field, as the Lord had directed me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him, "You say so." +\v 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. +\v 13 Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear all the charges against you?" +\v 14 But he did not answer even one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed. + +\s5 +\v 15 Now at the feast it was the custom of the governor to release one prisoner chosen by the crowd. +\v 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. + +\s5 +\v 17 So when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Who do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" +\v 18 He knew that they had handed Jesus over to him because of envy. +\v 19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him and said, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man. For I have suffered much today because of a dream I had about him." + +\s5 +\v 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas, and have Jesus killed. +\v 21 The governor asked them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas." +\v 22 Pilate said to them, "What should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all answered, "Crucify him." + +\s5 +\v 23 Then he said, "Why, what crime has he done?" But they cried out even louder, "Crucify him." +\v 24 So when Pilate saw that he could not do anything, but instead a riot was starting, he took water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, "I am innocent of the blood of this innocent man. See to it yourselves." + +\s5 +\v 25 All the people said, "May his blood be on us and our children." +\v 26 Then he released Barabbas to them, but he scourged Jesus and handed him over to be crucified. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the government headquarters and gathered the whole company of soldiers. +\v 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. +\v 29 They made a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand. They knelt down before him and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" + +\s5 +\v 30 They spat on him, and they took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. +\v 31 When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him and put his own garments on him, and led him away to crucify him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 As they came out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they forced to go with them so that he might carry his cross. +\v 33 They came to a place called Golgotha, which means "The Place of a Skull." +\v 34 They gave him wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he tasted it, he would not drink. + +\s5 +\v 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his garments by casting lots, +\v 36 and they sat and kept guard over him. +\v 37 Above his head they put the charge against him, which read "This is Jesus, the king of the Jews." + +\s5 +\v 38 Two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right of him and one on the left. +\v 39 Those who passed by insulted him, shaking their heads +\v 40 and saying, "You who were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!" + +\s5 +\v 41 In the same way the chief priests were mocking him, along with the scribes and elders, and said, +\v 42 "He saved others, but he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel. Let him come down off the cross, and then we will believe in him. + +\s5 +\v 43 He trusts in God, let God rescue him now, if God consents to release him. For he even said, 'I am the Son of God.'" +\v 44 In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also spoke insults to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 45 Now from the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. +\v 46 About the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice and said, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" +\v 47 When some of those who were standing there heard it, they said, "He is calling for Elijah." + +\s5 +\v 48 Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed staff, and gave it to him to drink. +\v 49 The rest of them said, "Leave him alone. Let us see whether Elijah comes to save him." +\v 50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. + +\s5 +\v 51 Behold, the curtain of the temple was split in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks split apart. +\v 52 The tombs were opened, and the bodies of many godly people who had fallen asleep were raised. +\v 53 They came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. + +\s5 +\v 54 Now when the centurion and those who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they became very afraid and said, "Truly this was the Son of God." +\v 55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for him were there looking on from a distance. +\v 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. + +\s5 +\p +\v 57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. +\v 58 He approached Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. + +\s5 +\v 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, +\v 60 and laid it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and went away. +\v 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. + +\s5 +\p +\v 62 The next day, which was the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together with Pilate. +\v 63 They said, "Sir, we remember that when that deceiver was alive, he said, 'After three days will I rise again.' +\v 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, otherwise his disciples may come and steal him and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead ones,' and the last deception will be worse than the first." + +\s5 +\v 65 Pilate said to them, "Take a guard. Go and make it as secure as you can." +\v 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and placing the guard. + + + \s5 diff --git a/42-MRK.usfm b/42-MRK.usfm index e6f2e8c6..e84daaa6 100644 --- a/42-MRK.usfm +++ b/42-MRK.usfm @@ -393,109 +393,109 @@ \v 41 He took the hand of the child and said to her, "Talitha, koum!" which being translated would be, "Little girl, I say to you, get up." \v 42 Immediately the child got up and walked (for she was twelve years of age). They were immediately astonished with overwhelming amazement. \v 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know about this. Then he told them to give her something to eat. -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 He went out from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. -\v 2 When the Sabbath came, he taught in the synagogue. Many people heard him and they were amazed. They said, "Where did he get these teachings?" "What is this wisdom that has been given to him?" "What are these miracles that he does with his hands?" -\v 3 "Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are his sisters not here with us?" They were offended by Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household." -\v 5 He was unable to do any mighty work, except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. -\v 6 He was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went around the villages teaching. -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Then he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits, -\v 8 and instructed them to take nothing for their journey, except a staff—no bread, no bag, and no money in their belts— -\v 9 but to wear sandals, and not to wear two tunics. - -\s5 -\v 10 He said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, remain until you go away from there. -\v 11 If any town will not receive you or listen to you, when you leave that place, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony to them." - -\s5 -\v 12 They went out and proclaimed that people should turn away from their sins. -\v 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 King Herod heard this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist had been raised from the dead ones and because of this, these miraculous powers are at work in him." -\v 15 Some others said, "He is Elijah." Still others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets in ancient times." -\s5 -\v 16 But when Herod heard this he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." -\v 17 For Herod sent to have John arrested and he had him bound in prison on account of Herodias (his brother Philip's wife), because he had married her. - -\s5 -\v 18 For John told Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." -\v 19 But Herodias held on to anger against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not, -\v 20 for Herod feared John; he knew that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. Listening to him made him greatly upset, yet he heard him gladly. -\s5 -\v 21 Then the opportunity came when Herod had his birthday and he made a dinner for his officials, and his commanders, and leaders of Galilee. -\v 22 The daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced for them, and she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you." - -\s5 -\v 23 He swore to her saying, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." -\v 24 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask him for?" She said, "The head of John the Baptist." -\v 25 She immediately hurried back to the king, and she asked, saying, "I want you to give me, right now, the head of John the Baptist on a wooden platter." - -\s5 -\v 26 Though this deeply grieved the king, he could not refuse her request because of the oath he had made and because of his dinner guests. -\v 27 So the king sent a soldier from his guard and commanded him to bring him John's head. The guard went and beheaded him in the prison. -\v 28 He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. -\v 29 When his disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him told him all that they had done and taught. -\v 31 Then he said to them, "Come away by yourselves into a deserted place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. -\v 32 So they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. - -\s5 -\v 33 But they saw them leaving and many recognized them, and they ran there together on foot from all the towns, and they arrived there before them. -\v 34 When they came ashore, he saw a great crowd and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things. - -\s5 -\v 35 When the hour was late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place and the hour is already late. -\v 36 Send them away so that they may go into the nearby countryside and villages to buy something to eat for themselves." - -\s5 -\v 37 But he answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "Can we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?" -\v 38 He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five loaves and two fish." - -\s5 -\v 39 He commanded all the people to sit down in groups upon the green grass. -\v 40 They sat down in groups; groups of hundreds and fifties. -\v 41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven he blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. - -\s5 -\v 42 They all ate until they were satisfied. -\v 43 They took up broken pieces of bread, twelve baskets full, and also pieces of the fish. -\v 44 There were five thousand men who ate the loaves. - -\s5 -\p -\v 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he sent the crowd away. -\v 46 When they were gone, he went up the mountain to pray. -\v 47 Evening came, and the boat was now in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on land. - -\s5 -\v 48 He saw that they straining against the oars, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he wanted to pass by them. -\v 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought he was a ghost and cried out, -\v 50 because they saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said to them, "Be courageous! It is I! Do not be afraid!" - -\s5 -\v 51 He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased blowing. They were completely amazed. -\v 52 For they had not understood what the loaves meant. Instead, their hearts were hardened. - -\s5 -\p -\v 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and anchored the boat. -\v 54 When they came out of the boat, the people recognized him immediately, -\v 55 and they ran throughout the whole region and began to bring the sick on their mats to wherever they heard he was. - -\s5 -\v 56 Wherever he entered into villages, or cities, or into the country, they would put the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch the edge of his garment, and as many as touched him were healed. +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 He went out from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. +\v 2 When the Sabbath came, he taught in the synagogue. Many people heard him and they were amazed. They said, "Where did he get these teachings?" "What is this wisdom that has been given to him?" "What are these miracles that he does with his hands?" +\v 3 "Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are his sisters not here with us?" They were offended by Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household." +\v 5 He was unable to do any mighty work, except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. +\v 6 He was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went around the villages teaching. +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Then he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits, +\v 8 and instructed them to take nothing for their journey, except a staff—no bread, no bag, and no money in their belts— +\v 9 but to wear sandals, and not to wear two tunics. + +\s5 +\v 10 He said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, remain until you go away from there. +\v 11 If any town will not receive you or listen to you, when you leave that place, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony to them." + +\s5 +\v 12 They went out and proclaimed that people should turn away from their sins. +\v 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 King Herod heard this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist had been raised from the dead ones and because of this, these miraculous powers are at work in him." +\v 15 Some others said, "He is Elijah." Still others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets in ancient times." +\s5 +\v 16 But when Herod heard this he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." +\v 17 For Herod sent to have John arrested and he had him bound in prison on account of Herodias (his brother Philip's wife), because he had married her. + +\s5 +\v 18 For John told Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." +\v 19 But Herodias held on to anger against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not, +\v 20 for Herod feared John; he knew that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. Listening to him made him greatly upset, yet he heard him gladly. +\s5 +\v 21 Then the opportunity came when Herod had his birthday and he made a dinner for his officials, and his commanders, and leaders of Galilee. +\v 22 The daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced for them, and she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for anything you want and I will give it to you." + +\s5 +\v 23 He swore to her saying, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." +\v 24 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask him for?" She said, "The head of John the Baptist." +\v 25 She immediately hurried back to the king, and she asked, saying, "I want you to give me, right now, the head of John the Baptist on a wooden platter." + +\s5 +\v 26 Though this deeply grieved the king, he could not refuse her request because of the oath he had made and because of his dinner guests. +\v 27 So the king sent a soldier from his guard and commanded him to bring him John's head. The guard went and beheaded him in the prison. +\v 28 He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. +\v 29 When his disciples heard of this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him told him all that they had done and taught. +\v 31 Then he said to them, "Come away by yourselves into a deserted place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. +\v 32 So they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. + +\s5 +\v 33 But they saw them leaving and many recognized them, and they ran there together on foot from all the towns, and they arrived there before them. +\v 34 When they came ashore, he saw a great crowd and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things. + +\s5 +\v 35 When the hour was late, his disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place and the hour is already late. +\v 36 Send them away so that they may go into the nearby countryside and villages to buy something to eat for themselves." + +\s5 +\v 37 But he answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "Can we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?" +\v 38 He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five loaves and two fish." + +\s5 +\v 39 He commanded all the people to sit down in groups upon the green grass. +\v 40 They sat down in groups; groups of hundreds and fifties. +\v 41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven he blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. + +\s5 +\v 42 They all ate until they were satisfied. +\v 43 They took up broken pieces of bread, twelve baskets full, and also pieces of the fish. +\v 44 There were five thousand men who ate the loaves. + +\s5 +\p +\v 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he sent the crowd away. +\v 46 When they were gone, he went up the mountain to pray. +\v 47 Evening came, and the boat was now in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on land. + +\s5 +\v 48 He saw that they straining against the oars, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he wanted to pass by them. +\v 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought he was a ghost and cried out, +\v 50 because they saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said to them, "Be courageous! It is I! Do not be afraid!" + +\s5 +\v 51 He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased blowing. They were completely amazed. +\v 52 For they had not understood what the loaves meant. Instead, their hearts were hardened. + +\s5 +\p +\v 53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and anchored the boat. +\v 54 When they came out of the boat, the people recognized him immediately, +\v 55 and they ran throughout the whole region and began to bring the sick on their mats to wherever they heard he was. + +\s5 +\v 56 Wherever he entered into villages, or cities, or into the country, they would put the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch the edge of his garment, and as many as touched him were healed. \s5 \c 7 \p diff --git a/43-LUK.usfm b/43-LUK.usfm index c63518df..6686e54b 100644 --- a/43-LUK.usfm +++ b/43-LUK.usfm @@ -4,872 +4,872 @@ \toc1 The Gospel of Luke \toc2 Luke \toc3 Luk -\mt Luke\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Many have tried to set in order a narrative about those matters that have been fulfilled among us, -\v 2 just as they handed them to us, who from the beginning have been eyewitnesses and servants of the message. -\v 3 So to me also it seemed good—having accurately investigated the course of all these things from the beginning—to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus. -\v 4 This is so that you might know the truth about the things that you were taught. -\s5 -\p -\v 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah, from the division of Abijah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. -\v 6 They were both righteous before God, obeying all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. -\v 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old by this time. -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Now it came about that Zechariah was in God's presence, carrying out the priestly duties in the order of his division. -\v 9 According to the customary way of choosing which priest would serve, he had been chosen by lot to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. -\v 10 The whole crowd of people was praying outside at the hour when the incense was burned. -\s5 -\v 11 Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him and stood at the right side of the incense altar. -\v 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and fear fell on him. -\v 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son. You will call his name John. -\s5 -\v 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. -\v 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. -\s5 -\v 16 Many of the people of Israel will be turned to the Lord their God. -\v 17 He will go before the face of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will do this to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, so that the disobedient will walk in the wisdom of the just—to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him." -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is very old." -\v 19 The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, to bring you this good news. -\v 20 Behold! You will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place. This is because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at the right time." - -\s5 -\v 21 Now the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised that he was spending so much time in the temple. -\v 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision while he was in the temple. He kept on making signs to them and remained silent. -\v 23 It came about that when the days of his service were over, he went to his house. -\s5 -\p -\v 24 After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept herself hidden. She said, -\v 25 "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked at me with favor in order to take away my shame before people." -\s5 -\p -\v 26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, -\v 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph. He belonged to the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. -\v 28 He came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." -\v 29 But she was very confused by his words and she wondered what kind of greeting this could be. -\s5 -\v 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. -\v 31 See, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son. You will call his name 'Jesus.' -\v 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. -\v 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom." -\s5 -\v 34 Mary said to the angel, "How will this happen, since I have not slept with any man?" -\v 35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will come over you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. -\s5 -\v 36 See, your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. This is the sixth month for her, she who was called barren. -\v 37 For nothing will be impossible for God." -\v 38 Mary said, "See, I am the female servant of the Lord. Let it be for me according to your message." Then the angel left her. -\s5 -\p -\v 39 Then Mary arose in those days and quickly went into the hill country, to a city in Judea. -\v 40 She went into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. -\v 41 Now it happened that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. -\s5 -\v 42 She raised her voice and said loudly, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. -\v 43 Why has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? -\v 44 For see, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. -\v 45 Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were told her from the Lord." - -\s5 -\v 46 Mary said, -\q "My soul praises the Lord, -\q -\v 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior. - -\s5 -\q -\v 48 For he has looked at the low condition of his female servant. -\q For see, from now on all generations will call me blessed. -\q -\v 49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me, -\q and his name is holy. -\s5 -\q -\v 50 His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. -\q -\v 51 He has displayed strength with his arm; -\q he has scattered those who were proud about the thoughts of their hearts. -\s5 -\q -\v 52 He has thrown down princes from their thrones -\q and he has raised up those of low condition. -\q -\v 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, -\q but the rich he has sent away empty. - -\s5 -\q -\v 54 He has given help to Israel his servant, -\q so as to remember to show mercy -\q -\v 55 (as he said to our fathers) to Abraham and his descendants forever." -\s5 -\p -\v 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her house. -\p -\v 57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to deliver her baby and she gave birth to a son. -\v 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. -\s5 -\p -\v 59 Now it happened on the eighth day that they came to circumcise the child. They would have called him "Zechariah," after the name of his father. -\v 60 But his mother answered and said, "No. He will be called John." -\v 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." -\s5 -\v 62 They made signs to his father as to how he wanted him to be named. -\v 63 His father asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." They all were astonished at this. -\s5 -\v 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was freed. He spoke and praised God. -\v 65 Fear came on all who lived around them. All these matters were spread throughout all the hill country of Judea. -\v 66 All who heard them stored them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child become?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. -\s5 -\p -\v 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, -\q -\v 68 "Praised be the Lord, the God of Israel, -\q for he has come to help and he has accomplished redemption for his people. -\s5 -\q -\v 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us -\q in the house of his servant David, -\q -\v 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who were in ancient times. -\q -\v 71 He will bring salvation from our enemies -\q and from the hand of all who hate us. -\s5 -\q -\v 72 He will do this to show mercy to our fathers -\q and to remember his holy covenant, -\q -\v 73 the oath that he spoke to Abraham our father. -\q -\v 74 He swore to grant to us that we, having been delivered out of the hand of our enemies, -\q would serve him without fear, -\q -\v 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. - -\s5 -\q -\v 76 Yes, and you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, -\q for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his paths, -\q to prepare people for his coming, -\q -\v 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people -\q by the forgiveness of their sins. -\s5 -\q -\v 78 This will happen because of the tender mercy of our God, -\q because of which the sunrise from on high will come to help us, -\q -\v 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. -\q He will do this to guide our feet into the path of peace." -\s5 -\p -\v 80 Now the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Now in those days, it came about that Caesar Augustus sent out a decree ordering that a census be taken of all the people living in the world. -\v 2 This was the first census made while Quirinius was governor of Syria. -\v 3 So everyone went to his own city to be registered for the census. -\s5 -\v 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. -\v 5 He went there to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. - -\s5 -\v 6 Now it came about that while they were there, the time came for her to deliver her baby. -\v 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn child, and she wrapped him in long strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 There were shepherds in that region who were staying in the fields, guarding their flock at night. -\v 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. - -\s5 -\v 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, because I bring you the good news that will bring great joy to all the people. -\v 11 Today a savior was born for you in the city of David! He is Christ the Lord! -\v 12 This is the sign that will be given to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." -\s5 -\v 13 Suddenly there was together with the angel a great, heavenly army praising God and saying, -\q1 -\v 14 "Glory to God in the highest, -\q1 and may there be peace on earth among people -\q1 with whom he is pleased." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 It came about that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." -\v 16 They hurried there and found Mary and Joseph, and saw the baby lying in the manger. - -\s5 -\v 17 After they had seen him, they made known what had been said to them about this child. -\v 18 All who heard it were amazed at what was spoken to them by the shepherds. -\v 19 But Mary kept thinking about all the things she had heard, treasuring them in her heart. -\v 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything that they had heard and seen, just as it had been spoken to them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 When it was the end of the eighth day, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name he had been given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 When the required number of days for their purification had passed, according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought him up to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. -\v 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb will be set apart to the Lord." -\v 24 So they offered a sacrifice according to what was said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." - -\s5 -\v 25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout. He was looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. -\v 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. - -\s5 -\v 27 Led by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple. When the parents brought in the infant Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, -\v 28 he took him into his arms and praised God and he said, -\q1 -\v 29 "Now let your servant depart in peace, Lord, according to your word. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, -\q1 -\v 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: -\q1 -\v 32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 The child's father and mother were amazed at the things which were spoken concerning him. -\v 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the downfall and rising up of many people in Israel and for a sign that is rejected— -\v 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." -\s5 -\v 36 A prophetess named Anna was there. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived with her husband for seven years after her virginity, -\v 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple but was serving with fastings and prayers, night and day. -\v 38 At that very hour she came near to them and began giving thanks to God and she spoke about the child to everyone who had been waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 39 When they had finished everything they were required to do according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. -\p -\v 40 The child grew and became strong, increasing in wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. -\v 42 When he was twelve years old, they again went up at the customary time for the feast. -\v 43 After they had stayed the full number of days for the feast, they began to return home. But the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know it. -\v 44 They assumed that he was with the group that was traveling with them, so they traveled a day's journey. Then they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. - -\s5 -\v 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem and started looking for him there. -\v 46 It came about that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. -\v 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. - -\s5 -\v 48 When they saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Listen, your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." -\v 49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" -\v 50 But they did not understand what he meant by those words. - -\s5 -\v 51 Then he went back home with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. -\p -\v 52 But Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and increased in favor with God and people. -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, -\v 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. -\s5 -\v 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. -\s5 -\v 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, -\q1 "A voice of one calling out in the wilderness, -\q1 'Make ready the way of the Lord, -\q1 make his paths straight. - -\s5 -\q1 -\v 5 Every valley will be filled, -\q1 and every mountain and hill will be made low, -\q1 and the crooked roads will be made straight, -\q1 and the uneven places will be built into roads, -\q1 -\v 6 and all flesh will see the salvation of God.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 So John said to the crowds who were coming out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to run away from the wrath that is coming? -\s5 -\v 8 Therefore, produce fruits that are worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. -\s5 -\v 9 Even now the ax is set against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire." - -\s5 -\v 10 Then the crowds kept asking him, saying, "What then are we to do?" -\v 11 He answered and said to them, "If someone has two tunics, he should share it with a person who has none, and the one having food should do the same." -\s5 -\v 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?" -\v 13 He said to them, "Do not collect more money than you have been ordered to collect." - -\s5 -\v 14 Some soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, and do not accuse anyone falsely. Be content with your wages." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Now as the people were eagerly expecting the Christ to come, everyone was wondering in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ. -\v 16 John answered by saying to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy even to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. - -\s5 -\v 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 With many other exhortations also, John preached good news to the people. -\v 19 When Herod the tetrarch had been reproved for marrying his brother's wife Herodias, and for all the other evil things that Herod had done, -\v 20 he added this to them all, that he locked John up in prison. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Now it came about, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while he was praying, the heavens opened, -\v 22 and the Holy Spirit in bodily form came down on him like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 When Jesus began his ministry, he was about thirty years of age. He was the son (as it was assumed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, -\v 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph. -\s5 -\v 25 Joseph was the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, -\v 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda. - -\s5 -\v 27 Joda was the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Salathiel, the son of Neri, -\v 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, -\v 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi. - -\s5 -\v 30 Levi was the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, -\v 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, -\v 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon. - -\s5 -\v 33 Nahshon was the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, -\v 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, -\v 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah. - -\s5 -\v 36 Shelah was the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, -\v 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, -\v 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Then Jesus, being full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness -\v 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of that time he was hungry. - -\s5 -\v 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." -\v 4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" - -\s5 -\v 5 Then the devil was leading Jesus up to a high place and he showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant of time. -\v 6 The devil said to him, "I will give to you all this authority and all their splendor, for they have been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. -\v 7 So then, if you will bow down and worship me, it will be yours." - -\s5 -\v 8 But Jesus answered and said to him, "It is written, 'You will worship the Lord your God, and you will serve only him.'" - -\s5 -\v 9 Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem and put him on the very highest point of the temple building, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. -\v 10 For it is written, -\q1 'He will give orders to his angels regarding you, to protect you,' -\q1 -\v 11 and, 'They will lift you up in their hands, -\q1 so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Answering him, Jesus said, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" -\p -\v 13 When the devil had finished testing Jesus, he went away and left him until another time. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the entire surrounding region. -\v 15 Then he began to teach in their synagogues and he was praised by all. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 He came into Nazareth, where he had been raised, and as was his custom, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and he stood up to read aloud. -\v 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the scroll and found the place where it was written, - -\s5 -\q1 \v 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, -\q1 because he anointed me to tell good news to the poor. -\q1 He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives, -\q1 and recovery of sight to the blind, -\q1 to set free those who are oppressed, -\q1 \v 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. -\v 21 He began to speak to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." -\v 22 Everyone there spoke well of him and they were amazed at the gracious words which were coming out of his mouth, and they asked, "Is this not the son of Joseph?" - -\s5 -\v 23 He said to them, "Surely you will say this proverb to me, 'Doctor, heal yourself. Whatever we heard that you did in Capernaum, do the same in your hometown.'" -\v 24 But he said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is received in his own hometown. - -\s5 -\v 25 But in truth I tell you that there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, and a great famine came upon all the land. -\v 26 But Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath in Sidon, to a widow living there. -\v 27 There were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet, but none of them were healed except Naaman the Syrian." -\s5 -\v 28 All the people in the synagogue were filled with rage when they heard these things. -\v 29 They got up, forced him out of the town, and led him to the cliff of the hill on which their town was built, so they might throw him off the cliff. -\v 30 But he passed through the middle of them and he went to another place. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and he began to teach them on the Sabbath. -\v 32 They were astonished at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. -\s5 -\v 33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, -\v 34 "Ah! What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" - -\s5 -\v 35 Jesus rebuked the demon, saying, "Do not speak and come out of him!" When the demon had thrown the man down in the middle of them, he came out of him, and did not harm him in any way. -\v 36 All the people were very amazed, and they kept talking about it with one another. They said, "What kind of words are these? He commands the unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out." -\v 37 So news about him began to spread into every part of the surrounding region. - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 Then Jesus left the synagogue and entered into the house of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering with a high fever, and they pleaded with him on her behalf. -\v 39 So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and started serving them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 When the sun was setting, people brought to Jesus everyone who was sick with various kinds of diseases. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. -\v 41 Demons also came out from many of them, crying out and saying, "You are the Son of God!" Jesus rebuked the demons and would not let them speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 When daybreak came, he went out into a solitary place. Crowds of people were looking for him and came to the place where he was. They tried to keep him from going away from them. -\v 43 But he said to them, "I must also preach the good news about the kingdom of God to many other cities, because this is the reason I was sent here." -\p -\v 44 Then he continued to preach in the synagogues throughout Judea. - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Now it happened, while the people were crowding around Jesus and listening to the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. -\v 2 He saw two boats pulled up by the edge of the lake. The fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. -\v 3 Jesus got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put it out in the water a short distance from the land. Then he sat down and taught the people out of the boat. - -\s5 -\v 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Take the boat out into the deeper water and let down your nets for a catch." -\v 5 Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked all night, and caught nothing, but at your word, I will let down the nets." -\v 6 When they had done this, they gathered a very large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. -\v 7 So they motioned to their partners in the other boat that they should come and help them. They came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. - -\s5 -\v 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord." -\v 9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken. -\v 10 This included James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid, because from now on you will catch men." -\v 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 It came about that while he was in one of the cities, a man full of leprosy was there. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." -\v 13 Then Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing. Be clean." Immediately the leprosy left him. - -\s5 -\v 14 He instructed him to tell no one, but told him, "Go on your way, and show yourself to the priest and offer a sacrifice for your cleansing, according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them." - -\s5 -\v 15 But the report about him spread even farther, and large crowds of people came together to hear him teach and to be healed of their sicknesses. -\v 16 But he often withdrew into the deserted places and prayed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 It came about on one of those days that he was teaching, and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there who had come from many different villages in the regions of Galilee and Judea, and also from the town of Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal. - -\s5 -\v 18 Now some men came, carrying on a mat a man that was paralyzed, and they looked for a way to bring him inside in order to lay him down in front of Jesus. -\v 19 They could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, so they went up to the housetop and let the man down through the tiles, on his mat, into the midst of the people, right in front of Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." -\v 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to question this, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" - -\s5 -\v 22 But Jesus, perceiving what they were thinking, answered and said to them, "Why are you questioning this in your hearts? -\v 23 Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you' or to say 'Get up and walk?' -\v 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, I say to you, 'Get up, pick up your mat and go to your house.'" - -\s5 -\v 25 Immediately he got up in front of them and picked up the mat on which he was lying. Then he went away to his house, glorifying God. -\v 26 Everyone was amazed and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen extraordinary things today." - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 After these things happened, Jesus went out from there and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax collector's tent. He said to him, "Follow me." -\v 28 So Levi got up and followed him, leaving everything behind. - -\s5 -\p -\v 29 Then Levi gave a big banquet in his house for Jesus. There were many tax collectors there and other people who were reclining at the table and eating with them. -\v 30 But the Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and other sinful people?" -\v 31 Jesus answered them, "People who are well do not need a physician; only those who are sick. -\v 32 I did not come to call righteous people to repentance, but to call sinners to repentance." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 They said to him, "The disciples of John often fast and pray, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same. But your disciples eat and drink." -\v 34 Jesus said to them, "Can anyone make the wedding attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is still with them? -\v 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, then in those days they will fast." - -\s5 -\v 36 Then Jesus also spoke a parable to them. "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to mend an old garment. If he did that, he would tear the new garment, and the piece of cloth from the new garment would not fit with the cloth of the old garment. - -\s5 -\v 37 No one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does that, the new wine would burst the skins, and the wine would be spilled, and the wineskins would be destroyed. -\v 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. -\v 39 No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.'" - - - -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 Now it happened on a Sabbath that Jesus was going through the grainfields and his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them between their hands and eating the grain. -\v 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing something that is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?" - -\s5 -\v 3 Answering them, Jesus said, "Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and the men who were with him? -\v 4 He went into the house of God, and took the bread of the presence and ate some of it, and also gave some to the men who were with him to eat, even though it was only lawful for the priests to eat it." -\v 5 Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 It happened on another Sabbath that he went into the synagogue and taught the people there. A man was there whose right hand was withered. -\v 7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him closely to see whether he would heal someone on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. -\v 8 But he knew what they were thinking and he said to the man whose hand was withered, "Get up, and stand here in the middle of everyone." So the man got up and stood there. - -\s5 -\v 9 Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?" -\v 10 Then he looked around at them all and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. -\v 11 But they were filled with anger and they talked to each other about what they might do to Jesus. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 It happened in those days that he went out to the mountain to pray. He continued all night in prayer to God. -\v 13 When it was day, he called his disciples to him, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles. - -\s5 -\v 14 The names of the apostles were Simon (whom he also named Peter) and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, -\v 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, -\v 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then Jesus came down the mountain with them and stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. -\v 18 They had come to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. People who were troubled with unclean spirits were also healed. -\v 19 Everyone in the crowd kept trying to touch him because power to heal was coming out from him, and he healed them all. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Then he looked at his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. -\v 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. - -\s5 -\v 22 Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and insult you, because of the Son of Man. -\v 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because you will surely have a great reward in heaven, for their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. - -\s5 -\v 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. -\v 25 Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry later. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep later. - -\s5 -\v 26 Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. -\v 28 Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you. - -\s5 -\v 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer him also the other. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. -\v 30 Give to everyone who asks you. If someone takes away something that belongs to you, do not ask him to give it back to you. - -\s5 -\v 31 As you want people to do to you, you should do the same to them. -\v 32 If you only love people who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. -\v 33 If you do good only to people who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. -\v 34 If you only lend to people who you expect will pay you back, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. - -\s5 -\v 35 But love your enemies and do good to them. Lend expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind toward unthankful and evil people. -\v 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. - -\s5 -\v 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. - -\s5 -\v 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A generous amount—pressed down, shaken together and spilling over—will pour into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 Then he also told them a parable. "Can a blind person guide another blind person? If he did, they would both fall into a pit, would they not? -\v 40 A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. - -\s5 -\v 41 Why do you look at the tiny piece of straw that is in your brother's eye, but you do not notice the log that is in your own eye? -\v 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the piece of straw that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not even see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the piece of straw that is in your brother's eye. - -\s5 -\v 43 For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor is there a rotten tree that produces good fruit. -\v 44 For each tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. For people do not gather figs from a thornbush, nor do they gather grapes from a briar bush. - -\s5 -\v 45 The good man from the good treasure of his heart produces what is good, and the evil man from the evil treasure of his heart produces what is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and yet you do not obey the things that I say? -\v 47 Every person who comes to me and hears my words and obeys them, I will tell you what he is like. -\v 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep in the ground and built the house's foundation on solid rock. When a flood came, the torrent of water flowed against that house, but could not shake it, because it had been well built. - -\s5 -\v 49 But the person who hears my words and does not obey them, he is like a man who built a house on top of the ground without a foundation. When the torrent of water flowed against that house, it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was complete." - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 After Jesus had finished everything he was saying in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. - -\s5 -\p -\v 2 Now a centurion had a slave who was highly regarded by him, and he was sick and about to die. -\v 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. -\v 4 When they had come to Jesus, they asked him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, -\v 5 because he loves our nation, and he is the one who built the synagogue for us." - -\s5 -\v 6 So Jesus continued on his way with them. But when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, because I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. -\v 7 For this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you, but just say a word and my servant will be healed. -\v 8 For I also am a man who is under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another one, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." - -\s5 -\v 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him said, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." -\v 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant was well. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Soon after that, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. -\v 12 As he came near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother (who was a widow), and a rather large crowd from the town was with her. -\v 13 When the Lord saw her, he was deeply moved with compassion for her and said to her, "Do not cry." -\v 14 Then he went up and touched the wooden frame on which they carried the body, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." -\v 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. - -\s5 -\v 16 Then fear overcame all of them, and they kept praising God, saying, "A great prophet has been raised among us" and "God has looked upon his people." -\v 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout the whole of Judea and all the neighboring regions. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 John's disciples told him about all these things. -\v 19 Then John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to say, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" -\v 20 When they had come near to Jesus, the men said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to say, 'Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?'" - -\s5 -\v 21 In that hour he healed many people from sicknesses and afflictions and from evil spirits, and to many blind people he gave sight. -\v 22 Jesus answered and said to them, "After you have gone on your way, report to John what you have seen and heard. Blind people are receiving sight, lame people are walking, lepers are being cleansed, deaf people are hearing, dead people are being raised back to life, and needy people are being told the good news. -\v 23 The person who does not stop believing in me because of my actions is blessed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 After John's messengers had gone away, Jesus began to say to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? -\v 25 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear expensive clothing and who live in luxury are in kings' palaces. - -\v 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. - -\s5 -\v 27 This is he of whom it is written, -\q 'See, I am sending my messenger before your face, -\q2 who will prepare your way before you.' -\m -\v 28 I say to you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is." - -\s5 -\v 29 (When all the people heard this, including the tax collectors, they declared that God is righteous, because they had been baptized with the baptism of John. -\v 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in Jewish law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) - -\s5 -\v 31 "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? -\v 32 They are like children playing in the marketplace, who sit and call to one another and say, 'We played a flute for you, and you did not dance. We sang a funeral song, and you did not cry.' - -\s5 -\v 33 For John the Baptist came eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' -\v 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, he is a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' -\v 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children." - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. So after Jesus entered into the Pharisee's house, he reclined at the table to eat. -\v 37 Behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner. When she found out that he was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. -\v 38 As she stood behind him near his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with perfumed oil. - -\s5 -\v 39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he thought to himself, saying, "If this man were a prophet, then he would know who and what type of woman is touching him, that she is a sinner." -\v 40 Jesus responded and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." He said, "Say it, Teacher!" - -\s5 -\v 41 Jesus said, "A certain moneylender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. -\v 42 When they could not pay him, he forgave them both. Therefore, which of them will love him more?" -\v 43 Simon answered him and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave the most." Jesus said to him, "You have judged correctly." - -\s5 -\v 44 Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, "You see this woman. I have entered into your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. -\v 45 You did not give me a kiss, but from the time I came in she did not stop kissing my feet. - -\s5 -\v 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. -\v 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven—for she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." - - -\s5 -\v 48 Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." -\v 49 Those reclining together began to say among themselves, "Who is this that even forgives sins?" -\v 50 Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 It happened soon afterward that Jesus began traveling around to different cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, -\v 2 as well as certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been driven out; -\v 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's manager; Susanna; and many others, who, out of their possessions, provided for their needs. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 While a large crowd of people was gathering, and people were coming to him from town after town, he told a parable: -\v 5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell beside the road and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. -\v 6 Some fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. - -\s5 -\v 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up together with the seed and choked it. -\v 8 But some fell on good soil and produced a crop that was a hundred times greater." After Jesus had said these things, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. -\v 10 He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but for others I speak in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' - -\s5 -\v 11 Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. -\v 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard, but then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so they may not believe and be saved. -\v 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But they have no root; they believe for a while, and in a time of testing they fall away. - -\s5 -\v 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are people who hear the word, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature. -\v 15 But the seed that fell on the good soil, these are the ones who, hearing the word with an honest and good heart, they hold it securely and bear fruit with patient endurance. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Now, no one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed. Rather, he puts it on a lampstand, so that everyone who enters may see the light. -\v 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made known, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come into the light. -\v 18 So listen carefully, for to the one who has, more will be given to him, but the one who does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Then his mother and brothers came to him, but they could not get near him because of the crowd. -\v 20 He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." -\v 21 But Jesus answered and said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Now one day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." They set sail. -\v 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep. A terrible windstorm came down on the lake, and their boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. - -\s5 -\v 24 Then Jesus' disciples came over to him and woke him up, saying, "Master! Master! We are about to die!" He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and there was a calm. -\v 25 Then he said to them, "Where is your faith?" and they were afraid. While they were afraid they were also amazed, and they asked one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. -\v 27 When Jesus stepped on the land, he was met by a certain man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but among the tombs. - -\s5 -\v 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and he said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me." -\v 29 For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and he would be driven by the demon into the wilderness. - -\s5 -\v 30 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" and he said, "Legion," for many demons had entered into him. -\v 31 They kept begging him not to send them into the abyss. - -\s5 -\v 32 Now a large herd of pigs was there feeding on the hillside. The demons begged him to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. -\v 33 So the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake and was drowned. - -\s5 -\v 34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and told about it in the city and countryside. -\v 35 So the people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out. He was sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. - -\s5 -\v 36 Then those who had seen it told them how the man who had been possessed by demons had been healed. -\v 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart from them, for they were overwhelmed with great fear. So he got into the boat so they could start back. - -\s5 -\v 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged him to let him go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, -\v 39 "Return to your home and give a full account of what God has done for you." The man went on his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what Jesus had done for him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. -\v 41 Behold, a man named Jairus, who was one of the leaders of the synagogue, came and fell down at Jesus' feet, and he begged him to come to his house, -\v 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve years of age, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds of people pressed together around him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 Now a woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years and had spent all her money \f + \ft Scholars are divided whether the phrase \fqa [she] had spent all her money \fqa* should be included here. \f*, and could not be healed by anyone. -\v 44 She came behind Jesus and touched the edge of his coat, and immediately her bleeding stopped. - -\s5 -\v 45 Jesus said, "Who was it who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds of people are all around you and they are pressing in against you." -\v 46 But Jesus said, "Someone did touch me, for I know that power has gone out from me." - -\s5 -\v 47 When the woman saw that she could not escape notice, she came trembling and falling down before him. She declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. -\v 48 Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace." - -\s5 -\p -\v 49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader's house, saying, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the teacher any longer." -\v 50 But when Jesus heard this, he answered Jairus, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be healed." - -\s5 -\v 51 When he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father of the child and her mother. -\v 52 Now all were mourning and wailing for her, but he said, "Do not weep; she is not dead but asleep." -\v 53 But they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. - -\s5 -\v 54 But he took her by the hand and called out, saying, "Child, get up!" -\v 55 Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He ordered them to get her something to eat. -\v 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened. +\mt Luke\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Many have tried to set in order a narrative about those matters that have been fulfilled among us, +\v 2 just as they handed them to us, who from the beginning have been eyewitnesses and servants of the message. +\v 3 So to me also it seemed good—having accurately investigated the course of all these things from the beginning—to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus. +\v 4 This is so that you might know the truth about the things that you were taught. +\s5 +\p +\v 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah, from the division of Abijah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. +\v 6 They were both righteous before God, obeying all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. +\v 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old by this time. +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Now it came about that Zechariah was in God's presence, carrying out the priestly duties in the order of his division. +\v 9 According to the customary way of choosing which priest would serve, he had been chosen by lot to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. +\v 10 The whole crowd of people was praying outside at the hour when the incense was burned. +\s5 +\v 11 Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him and stood at the right side of the incense altar. +\v 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and fear fell on him. +\v 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son. You will call his name John. +\s5 +\v 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. +\v 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. +\s5 +\v 16 Many of the people of Israel will be turned to the Lord their God. +\v 17 He will go before the face of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. He will do this to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, so that the disobedient will walk in the wisdom of the just—to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him." +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is very old." +\v 19 The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, to bring you this good news. +\v 20 Behold! You will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place. This is because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at the right time." + +\s5 +\v 21 Now the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised that he was spending so much time in the temple. +\v 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision while he was in the temple. He kept on making signs to them and remained silent. +\v 23 It came about that when the days of his service were over, he went to his house. +\s5 +\p +\v 24 After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept herself hidden. She said, +\v 25 "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked at me with favor in order to take away my shame before people." +\s5 +\p +\v 26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, +\v 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph. He belonged to the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. +\v 28 He came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." +\v 29 But she was very confused by his words and she wondered what kind of greeting this could be. +\s5 +\v 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. +\v 31 See, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son. You will call his name 'Jesus.' +\v 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. +\v 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom." +\s5 +\v 34 Mary said to the angel, "How will this happen, since I have not slept with any man?" +\v 35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will come over you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. +\s5 +\v 36 See, your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. This is the sixth month for her, she who was called barren. +\v 37 For nothing will be impossible for God." +\v 38 Mary said, "See, I am the female servant of the Lord. Let it be for me according to your message." Then the angel left her. +\s5 +\p +\v 39 Then Mary arose in those days and quickly went into the hill country, to a city in Judea. +\v 40 She went into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. +\v 41 Now it happened that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. +\s5 +\v 42 She raised her voice and said loudly, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. +\v 43 Why has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? +\v 44 For see, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. +\v 45 Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were told her from the Lord." + +\s5 +\v 46 Mary said, +\q "My soul praises the Lord, +\q +\v 47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior. + +\s5 +\q +\v 48 For he has looked at the low condition of his female servant. +\q For see, from now on all generations will call me blessed. +\q +\v 49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me, +\q and his name is holy. +\s5 +\q +\v 50 His mercy lasts from generation to generation for those who fear him. +\q +\v 51 He has displayed strength with his arm; +\q he has scattered those who were proud about the thoughts of their hearts. +\s5 +\q +\v 52 He has thrown down princes from their thrones +\q and he has raised up those of low condition. +\q +\v 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, +\q but the rich he has sent away empty. + +\s5 +\q +\v 54 He has given help to Israel his servant, +\q so as to remember to show mercy +\q +\v 55 (as he said to our fathers) to Abraham and his descendants forever." +\s5 +\p +\v 56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her house. +\p +\v 57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to deliver her baby and she gave birth to a son. +\v 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. +\s5 +\p +\v 59 Now it happened on the eighth day that they came to circumcise the child. They would have called him "Zechariah," after the name of his father. +\v 60 But his mother answered and said, "No. He will be called John." +\v 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." +\s5 +\v 62 They made signs to his father as to how he wanted him to be named. +\v 63 His father asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." They all were astonished at this. +\s5 +\v 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was freed. He spoke and praised God. +\v 65 Fear came on all who lived around them. All these matters were spread throughout all the hill country of Judea. +\v 66 All who heard them stored them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child become?" For the hand of the Lord was with him. +\s5 +\p +\v 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, +\q +\v 68 "Praised be the Lord, the God of Israel, +\q for he has come to help and he has accomplished redemption for his people. +\s5 +\q +\v 69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us +\q in the house of his servant David, +\q +\v 70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who were in ancient times. +\q +\v 71 He will bring salvation from our enemies +\q and from the hand of all who hate us. +\s5 +\q +\v 72 He will do this to show mercy to our fathers +\q and to remember his holy covenant, +\q +\v 73 the oath that he spoke to Abraham our father. +\q +\v 74 He swore to grant to us that we, having been delivered out of the hand of our enemies, +\q would serve him without fear, +\q +\v 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. + +\s5 +\q +\v 76 Yes, and you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, +\q for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his paths, +\q to prepare people for his coming, +\q +\v 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people +\q by the forgiveness of their sins. +\s5 +\q +\v 78 This will happen because of the tender mercy of our God, +\q because of which the sunrise from on high will come to help us, +\q +\v 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. +\q He will do this to guide our feet into the path of peace." +\s5 +\p +\v 80 Now the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Now in those days, it came about that Caesar Augustus sent out a decree ordering that a census be taken of all the people living in the world. +\v 2 This was the first census made while Quirinius was governor of Syria. +\v 3 So everyone went to his own city to be registered for the census. +\s5 +\v 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. +\v 5 He went there to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. + +\s5 +\v 6 Now it came about that while they were there, the time came for her to deliver her baby. +\v 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn child, and she wrapped him in long strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 There were shepherds in that region who were staying in the fields, guarding their flock at night. +\v 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. + +\s5 +\v 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, because I bring you the good news that will bring great joy to all the people. +\v 11 Today a savior was born for you in the city of David! He is Christ the Lord! +\v 12 This is the sign that will be given to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." +\s5 +\v 13 Suddenly there was together with the angel a great, heavenly army praising God and saying, +\q1 +\v 14 "Glory to God in the highest, +\q1 and may there be peace on earth among people +\q1 with whom he is pleased." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 It came about that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." +\v 16 They hurried there and found Mary and Joseph, and saw the baby lying in the manger. + +\s5 +\v 17 After they had seen him, they made known what had been said to them about this child. +\v 18 All who heard it were amazed at what was spoken to them by the shepherds. +\v 19 But Mary kept thinking about all the things she had heard, treasuring them in her heart. +\v 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything that they had heard and seen, just as it had been spoken to them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 When it was the end of the eighth day, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name he had been given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 When the required number of days for their purification had passed, according to the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary brought him up to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. +\v 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb will be set apart to the Lord." +\v 24 So they offered a sacrifice according to what was said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." + +\s5 +\v 25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout. He was looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. +\v 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. + +\s5 +\v 27 Led by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple. When the parents brought in the infant Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, +\v 28 he took him into his arms and praised God and he said, +\q1 +\v 29 "Now let your servant depart in peace, Lord, according to your word. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, +\q1 +\v 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: +\q1 +\v 32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 The child's father and mother were amazed at the things which were spoken concerning him. +\v 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the downfall and rising up of many people in Israel and for a sign that is rejected— +\v 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." +\s5 +\v 36 A prophetess named Anna was there. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old. She had lived with her husband for seven years after her virginity, +\v 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple but was serving with fastings and prayers, night and day. +\v 38 At that very hour she came near to them and began giving thanks to God and she spoke about the child to everyone who had been waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 39 When they had finished everything they were required to do according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. +\p +\v 40 The child grew and became strong, increasing in wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. +\v 42 When he was twelve years old, they again went up at the customary time for the feast. +\v 43 After they had stayed the full number of days for the feast, they began to return home. But the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know it. +\v 44 They assumed that he was with the group that was traveling with them, so they traveled a day's journey. Then they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. + +\s5 +\v 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem and started looking for him there. +\v 46 It came about that after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. +\v 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. + +\s5 +\v 48 When they saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Listen, your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." +\v 49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" +\v 50 But they did not understand what he meant by those words. + +\s5 +\v 51 Then he went back home with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. +\p +\v 52 But Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and increased in favor with God and people. +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, +\v 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. +\s5 +\v 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. +\s5 +\v 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, +\q1 "A voice of one calling out in the wilderness, +\q1 'Make ready the way of the Lord, +\q1 make his paths straight. + +\s5 +\q1 +\v 5 Every valley will be filled, +\q1 and every mountain and hill will be made low, +\q1 and the crooked roads will be made straight, +\q1 and the uneven places will be built into roads, +\q1 +\v 6 and all flesh will see the salvation of God.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 So John said to the crowds who were coming out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to run away from the wrath that is coming? +\s5 +\v 8 Therefore, produce fruits that are worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. +\s5 +\v 9 Even now the ax is set against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire." + +\s5 +\v 10 Then the crowds kept asking him, saying, "What then are we to do?" +\v 11 He answered and said to them, "If someone has two tunics, he should share it with a person who has none, and the one having food should do the same." +\s5 +\v 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?" +\v 13 He said to them, "Do not collect more money than you have been ordered to collect." + +\s5 +\v 14 Some soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, and do not accuse anyone falsely. Be content with your wages." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Now as the people were eagerly expecting the Christ to come, everyone was wondering in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ. +\v 16 John answered by saying to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy even to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. + +\s5 +\v 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 With many other exhortations also, John preached good news to the people. +\v 19 When Herod the tetrarch had been reproved for marrying his brother's wife Herodias, and for all the other evil things that Herod had done, +\v 20 he added this to them all, that he locked John up in prison. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Now it came about, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while he was praying, the heavens opened, +\v 22 and the Holy Spirit in bodily form came down on him like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 When Jesus began his ministry, he was about thirty years of age. He was the son (as it was assumed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, +\v 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph. +\s5 +\v 25 Joseph was the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, +\v 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda. + +\s5 +\v 27 Joda was the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Salathiel, the son of Neri, +\v 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, +\v 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi. + +\s5 +\v 30 Levi was the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, +\v 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, +\v 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon. + +\s5 +\v 33 Nahshon was the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, +\v 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, +\v 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah. + +\s5 +\v 36 Shelah was the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, +\v 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, +\v 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Then Jesus, being full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness +\v 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of that time he was hungry. + +\s5 +\v 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." +\v 4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" + +\s5 +\v 5 Then the devil was leading Jesus up to a high place and he showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant of time. +\v 6 The devil said to him, "I will give to you all this authority and all their splendor, for they have been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. +\v 7 So then, if you will bow down and worship me, it will be yours." + +\s5 +\v 8 But Jesus answered and said to him, "It is written, 'You will worship the Lord your God, and you will serve only him.'" + +\s5 +\v 9 Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem and put him on the very highest point of the temple building, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. +\v 10 For it is written, +\q1 'He will give orders to his angels regarding you, to protect you,' +\q1 +\v 11 and, 'They will lift you up in their hands, +\q1 so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Answering him, Jesus said, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" +\p +\v 13 When the devil had finished testing Jesus, he went away and left him until another time. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the entire surrounding region. +\v 15 Then he began to teach in their synagogues and he was praised by all. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 He came into Nazareth, where he had been raised, and as was his custom, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and he stood up to read aloud. +\v 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the scroll and found the place where it was written, + +\s5 +\q1 \v 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, +\q1 because he anointed me to tell good news to the poor. +\q1 He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives, +\q1 and recovery of sight to the blind, +\q1 to set free those who are oppressed, +\q1 \v 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. +\v 21 He began to speak to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." +\v 22 Everyone there spoke well of him and they were amazed at the gracious words which were coming out of his mouth, and they asked, "Is this not the son of Joseph?" + +\s5 +\v 23 He said to them, "Surely you will say this proverb to me, 'Doctor, heal yourself. Whatever we heard that you did in Capernaum, do the same in your hometown.'" +\v 24 But he said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is received in his own hometown. + +\s5 +\v 25 But in truth I tell you that there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, and a great famine came upon all the land. +\v 26 But Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath in Sidon, to a widow living there. +\v 27 There were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet, but none of them were healed except Naaman the Syrian." +\s5 +\v 28 All the people in the synagogue were filled with rage when they heard these things. +\v 29 They got up, forced him out of the town, and led him to the cliff of the hill on which their town was built, so they might throw him off the cliff. +\v 30 But he passed through the middle of them and he went to another place. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and he began to teach them on the Sabbath. +\v 32 They were astonished at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. +\s5 +\v 33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, +\v 34 "Ah! What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" + +\s5 +\v 35 Jesus rebuked the demon, saying, "Do not speak and come out of him!" When the demon had thrown the man down in the middle of them, he came out of him, and did not harm him in any way. +\v 36 All the people were very amazed, and they kept talking about it with one another. They said, "What kind of words are these? He commands the unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out." +\v 37 So news about him began to spread into every part of the surrounding region. + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 Then Jesus left the synagogue and entered into the house of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering with a high fever, and they pleaded with him on her behalf. +\v 39 So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and started serving them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 When the sun was setting, people brought to Jesus everyone who was sick with various kinds of diseases. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. +\v 41 Demons also came out from many of them, crying out and saying, "You are the Son of God!" Jesus rebuked the demons and would not let them speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 When daybreak came, he went out into a solitary place. Crowds of people were looking for him and came to the place where he was. They tried to keep him from going away from them. +\v 43 But he said to them, "I must also preach the good news about the kingdom of God to many other cities, because this is the reason I was sent here." +\p +\v 44 Then he continued to preach in the synagogues throughout Judea. + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Now it happened, while the people were crowding around Jesus and listening to the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. +\v 2 He saw two boats pulled up by the edge of the lake. The fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. +\v 3 Jesus got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put it out in the water a short distance from the land. Then he sat down and taught the people out of the boat. + +\s5 +\v 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Take the boat out into the deeper water and let down your nets for a catch." +\v 5 Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked all night, and caught nothing, but at your word, I will let down the nets." +\v 6 When they had done this, they gathered a very large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. +\v 7 So they motioned to their partners in the other boat that they should come and help them. They came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. + +\s5 +\v 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord." +\v 9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken. +\v 10 This included James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid, because from now on you will catch men." +\v 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 It came about that while he was in one of the cities, a man full of leprosy was there. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." +\v 13 Then Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing. Be clean." Immediately the leprosy left him. + +\s5 +\v 14 He instructed him to tell no one, but told him, "Go on your way, and show yourself to the priest and offer a sacrifice for your cleansing, according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them." + +\s5 +\v 15 But the report about him spread even farther, and large crowds of people came together to hear him teach and to be healed of their sicknesses. +\v 16 But he often withdrew into the deserted places and prayed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 It came about on one of those days that he was teaching, and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there who had come from many different villages in the regions of Galilee and Judea, and also from the town of Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal. + +\s5 +\v 18 Now some men came, carrying on a mat a man that was paralyzed, and they looked for a way to bring him inside in order to lay him down in front of Jesus. +\v 19 They could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, so they went up to the housetop and let the man down through the tiles, on his mat, into the midst of the people, right in front of Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." +\v 21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to question this, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" + +\s5 +\v 22 But Jesus, perceiving what they were thinking, answered and said to them, "Why are you questioning this in your hearts? +\v 23 Which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you' or to say 'Get up and walk?' +\v 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, I say to you, 'Get up, pick up your mat and go to your house.'" + +\s5 +\v 25 Immediately he got up in front of them and picked up the mat on which he was lying. Then he went away to his house, glorifying God. +\v 26 Everyone was amazed and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen extraordinary things today." + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 After these things happened, Jesus went out from there and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax collector's tent. He said to him, "Follow me." +\v 28 So Levi got up and followed him, leaving everything behind. + +\s5 +\p +\v 29 Then Levi gave a big banquet in his house for Jesus. There were many tax collectors there and other people who were reclining at the table and eating with them. +\v 30 But the Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and other sinful people?" +\v 31 Jesus answered them, "People who are well do not need a physician; only those who are sick. +\v 32 I did not come to call righteous people to repentance, but to call sinners to repentance." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 They said to him, "The disciples of John often fast and pray, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same. But your disciples eat and drink." +\v 34 Jesus said to them, "Can anyone make the wedding attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is still with them? +\v 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, then in those days they will fast." + +\s5 +\v 36 Then Jesus also spoke a parable to them. "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to mend an old garment. If he did that, he would tear the new garment, and the piece of cloth from the new garment would not fit with the cloth of the old garment. + +\s5 +\v 37 No one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does that, the new wine would burst the skins, and the wine would be spilled, and the wineskins would be destroyed. +\v 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. +\v 39 No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.'" + + + +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 Now it happened on a Sabbath that Jesus was going through the grainfields and his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them between their hands and eating the grain. +\v 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing something that is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?" + +\s5 +\v 3 Answering them, Jesus said, "Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and the men who were with him? +\v 4 He went into the house of God, and took the bread of the presence and ate some of it, and also gave some to the men who were with him to eat, even though it was only lawful for the priests to eat it." +\v 5 Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 It happened on another Sabbath that he went into the synagogue and taught the people there. A man was there whose right hand was withered. +\v 7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him closely to see whether he would heal someone on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. +\v 8 But he knew what they were thinking and he said to the man whose hand was withered, "Get up, and stand here in the middle of everyone." So the man got up and stood there. + +\s5 +\v 9 Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?" +\v 10 Then he looked around at them all and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. +\v 11 But they were filled with anger and they talked to each other about what they might do to Jesus. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 It happened in those days that he went out to the mountain to pray. He continued all night in prayer to God. +\v 13 When it was day, he called his disciples to him, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles. + +\s5 +\v 14 The names of the apostles were Simon (whom he also named Peter) and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, +\v 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, +\v 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then Jesus came down the mountain with them and stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. +\v 18 They had come to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. People who were troubled with unclean spirits were also healed. +\v 19 Everyone in the crowd kept trying to touch him because power to heal was coming out from him, and he healed them all. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Then he looked at his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. +\v 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. + +\s5 +\v 22 Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and insult you, because of the Son of Man. +\v 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because you will surely have a great reward in heaven, for their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way. + +\s5 +\v 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. +\v 25 Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry later. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep later. + +\s5 +\v 26 Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. +\v 28 Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you. + +\s5 +\v 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer him also the other. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. +\v 30 Give to everyone who asks you. If someone takes away something that belongs to you, do not ask him to give it back to you. + +\s5 +\v 31 As you want people to do to you, you should do the same to them. +\v 32 If you only love people who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. +\v 33 If you do good only to people who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. +\v 34 If you only lend to people who you expect will pay you back, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. + +\s5 +\v 35 But love your enemies and do good to them. Lend expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind toward unthankful and evil people. +\v 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. + +\s5 +\v 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. + +\s5 +\v 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A generous amount—pressed down, shaken together and spilling over—will pour into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 Then he also told them a parable. "Can a blind person guide another blind person? If he did, they would both fall into a pit, would they not? +\v 40 A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. + +\s5 +\v 41 Why do you look at the tiny piece of straw that is in your brother's eye, but you do not notice the log that is in your own eye? +\v 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the piece of straw that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not even see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the piece of straw that is in your brother's eye. + +\s5 +\v 43 For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor is there a rotten tree that produces good fruit. +\v 44 For each tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. For people do not gather figs from a thornbush, nor do they gather grapes from a briar bush. + +\s5 +\v 45 The good man from the good treasure of his heart produces what is good, and the evil man from the evil treasure of his heart produces what is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and yet you do not obey the things that I say? +\v 47 Every person who comes to me and hears my words and obeys them, I will tell you what he is like. +\v 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep in the ground and built the house's foundation on solid rock. When a flood came, the torrent of water flowed against that house, but could not shake it, because it had been well built. + +\s5 +\v 49 But the person who hears my words and does not obey them, he is like a man who built a house on top of the ground without a foundation. When the torrent of water flowed against that house, it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was complete." + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 After Jesus had finished everything he was saying in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. + +\s5 +\p +\v 2 Now a centurion had a slave who was highly regarded by him, and he was sick and about to die. +\v 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. +\v 4 When they had come to Jesus, they asked him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, +\v 5 because he loves our nation, and he is the one who built the synagogue for us." + +\s5 +\v 6 So Jesus continued on his way with them. But when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, because I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. +\v 7 For this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you, but just say a word and my servant will be healed. +\v 8 For I also am a man who is under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another one, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." + +\s5 +\v 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him said, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." +\v 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant was well. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Soon after that, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. +\v 12 As he came near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother (who was a widow), and a rather large crowd from the town was with her. +\v 13 When the Lord saw her, he was deeply moved with compassion for her and said to her, "Do not cry." +\v 14 Then he went up and touched the wooden frame on which they carried the body, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." +\v 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. + +\s5 +\v 16 Then fear overcame all of them, and they kept praising God, saying, "A great prophet has been raised among us" and "God has looked upon his people." +\v 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout the whole of Judea and all the neighboring regions. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 John's disciples told him about all these things. +\v 19 Then John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to say, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" +\v 20 When they had come near to Jesus, the men said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to say, 'Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?'" + +\s5 +\v 21 In that hour he healed many people from sicknesses and afflictions and from evil spirits, and to many blind people he gave sight. +\v 22 Jesus answered and said to them, "After you have gone on your way, report to John what you have seen and heard. Blind people are receiving sight, lame people are walking, lepers are being cleansed, deaf people are hearing, dead people are being raised back to life, and needy people are being told the good news. +\v 23 The person who does not stop believing in me because of my actions is blessed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 After John's messengers had gone away, Jesus began to say to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? +\v 25 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear expensive clothing and who live in luxury are in kings' palaces. + +\v 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. + +\s5 +\v 27 This is he of whom it is written, +\q 'See, I am sending my messenger before your face, +\q2 who will prepare your way before you.' +\m +\v 28 I say to you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is." + +\s5 +\v 29 (When all the people heard this, including the tax collectors, they declared that God is righteous, because they had been baptized with the baptism of John. +\v 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in Jewish law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) + +\s5 +\v 31 "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? +\v 32 They are like children playing in the marketplace, who sit and call to one another and say, 'We played a flute for you, and you did not dance. We sang a funeral song, and you did not cry.' + +\s5 +\v 33 For John the Baptist came eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' +\v 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, he is a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' +\v 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children." + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. So after Jesus entered into the Pharisee's house, he reclined at the table to eat. +\v 37 Behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner. When she found out that he was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. +\v 38 As she stood behind him near his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with perfumed oil. + +\s5 +\v 39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he thought to himself, saying, "If this man were a prophet, then he would know who and what type of woman is touching him, that she is a sinner." +\v 40 Jesus responded and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." He said, "Say it, Teacher!" + +\s5 +\v 41 Jesus said, "A certain moneylender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. +\v 42 When they could not pay him, he forgave them both. Therefore, which of them will love him more?" +\v 43 Simon answered him and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave the most." Jesus said to him, "You have judged correctly." + +\s5 +\v 44 Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, "You see this woman. I have entered into your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. +\v 45 You did not give me a kiss, but from the time I came in she did not stop kissing my feet. + +\s5 +\v 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. +\v 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven—for she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." + + +\s5 +\v 48 Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." +\v 49 Those reclining together began to say among themselves, "Who is this that even forgives sins?" +\v 50 Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 It happened soon afterward that Jesus began traveling around to different cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, +\v 2 as well as certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been driven out; +\v 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's manager; Susanna; and many others, who, out of their possessions, provided for their needs. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 While a large crowd of people was gathering, and people were coming to him from town after town, he told a parable: +\v 5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell beside the road and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. +\v 6 Some fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. + +\s5 +\v 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up together with the seed and choked it. +\v 8 But some fell on good soil and produced a crop that was a hundred times greater." After Jesus had said these things, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. +\v 10 He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but for others I speak in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' + +\s5 +\v 11 Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. +\v 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard, but then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so they may not believe and be saved. +\v 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But they have no root; they believe for a while, and in a time of testing they fall away. + +\s5 +\v 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are people who hear the word, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature. +\v 15 But the seed that fell on the good soil, these are the ones who, hearing the word with an honest and good heart, they hold it securely and bear fruit with patient endurance. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Now, no one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed. Rather, he puts it on a lampstand, so that everyone who enters may see the light. +\v 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made known, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come into the light. +\v 18 So listen carefully, for to the one who has, more will be given to him, but the one who does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Then his mother and brothers came to him, but they could not get near him because of the crowd. +\v 20 He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." +\v 21 But Jesus answered and said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Now one day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." They set sail. +\v 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep. A terrible windstorm came down on the lake, and their boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. + +\s5 +\v 24 Then Jesus' disciples came over to him and woke him up, saying, "Master! Master! We are about to die!" He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and there was a calm. +\v 25 Then he said to them, "Where is your faith?" and they were afraid. While they were afraid they were also amazed, and they asked one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. +\v 27 When Jesus stepped on the land, he was met by a certain man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but among the tombs. + +\s5 +\v 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and he said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me." +\v 29 For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and he would be driven by the demon into the wilderness. + +\s5 +\v 30 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" and he said, "Legion," for many demons had entered into him. +\v 31 They kept begging him not to send them into the abyss. + +\s5 +\v 32 Now a large herd of pigs was there feeding on the hillside. The demons begged him to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. +\v 33 So the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake and was drowned. + +\s5 +\v 34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and told about it in the city and countryside. +\v 35 So the people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out. He was sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. + +\s5 +\v 36 Then those who had seen it told them how the man who had been possessed by demons had been healed. +\v 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart from them, for they were overwhelmed with great fear. So he got into the boat so they could start back. + +\s5 +\v 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged him to let him go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, +\v 39 "Return to your home and give a full account of what God has done for you." The man went on his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what Jesus had done for him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. +\v 41 Behold, a man named Jairus, who was one of the leaders of the synagogue, came and fell down at Jesus' feet, and he begged him to come to his house, +\v 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve years of age, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds of people pressed together around him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 Now a woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years and had spent all her money \f + \ft Scholars are divided whether the phrase \fqa [she] had spent all her money \fqa* should be included here. \f*, and could not be healed by anyone. +\v 44 She came behind Jesus and touched the edge of his coat, and immediately her bleeding stopped. + +\s5 +\v 45 Jesus said, "Who was it who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds of people are all around you and they are pressing in against you." +\v 46 But Jesus said, "Someone did touch me, for I know that power has gone out from me." + +\s5 +\v 47 When the woman saw that she could not escape notice, she came trembling and falling down before him. She declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. +\v 48 Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace." + +\s5 +\p +\v 49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader's house, saying, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the teacher any longer." +\v 50 But when Jesus heard this, he answered Jairus, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be healed." + +\s5 +\v 51 When he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father of the child and her mother. +\v 52 Now all were mourning and wailing for her, but he said, "Do not weep; she is not dead but asleep." +\v 53 But they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. + +\s5 +\v 54 But he took her by the hand and called out, saying, "Child, get up!" +\v 55 Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He ordered them to get her something to eat. +\v 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened. \s5 \c 9 \p @@ -992,94 +992,94 @@ \s5 \v 61 Then someone else said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to those in my home." \v 62 Jesus replied to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Now after these things, the Lord appointed seventy \f + \ft Many of the best ancient copies read "seventy" but some read "seventy-two" \f* others, and sent them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go. -\v 2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. - -\s5 -\v 3 Go on your way. See, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. -\v 4 Carry no bag of money, no traveler's bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. - -\s5 -\v 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'May peace be on this house!' -\v 6 If a person of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him, but if not, it will return to you. -\v 7 Remain in that same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house. - -\s5 -\v 8 Whatever town you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you, -\v 9 and heal the sick that are there. Say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come close to you.' - -\s5 -\v 10 Whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, -\v 11 'Even the dust from your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you! But know this: The kingdom of God has come near.' -\v 12 I say to you that on the judgment day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. - -\s5 -\v 13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. -\v 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. -\v 15 You, Capernaum, do you think you will be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. - -\s5 -\v 16 The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons submitted to us in your name." -\v 18 Jesus said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven as lightning. -\v 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on serpents, and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will in any way hurt you. -\v 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice only in this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice even more that your names are engraved in heaven." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 At that same time he rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you concealed these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to those who are untaught, like little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well pleasing in your sight." - -\s5 -\v 22 "All things have been entrusted to me from my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." - -\s5 -\v 23 Then he turned around to the disciples and said privately, "Blessed are those who see the things that you see. -\v 24 I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see the things you see, and they did not see them, and to hear the things that you hear, and they did not hear them." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Behold, a certain teacher of the Jewish laws stood up so that he might test him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" -\v 26 Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" -\v 27 He gave an answer and he said, "You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." -\v 28 Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live." - -\s5 -\v 29 But the teacher, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" -\v 30 Jesus answered him and said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers, who stripped him of his belongings, and beat him, and left him half dead. - -\s5 -\v 31 By chance a certain priest was going down that way, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. -\v 32 Similarly a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. - -\s5 -\v 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion. -\v 34 He approached him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. -\v 35 The next day he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said, 'Take care of him and whatever extra you spend, when I return, I will repay you.' - -\s5 -\v 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" -\v 37 The teacher said, "The one who showed mercy to him." Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same." - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 Now as they were traveling along, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. -\v 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and heard his word. - -\s5 -\v 40 But Martha was overly busy with preparing to serve a meal. She came up to Jesus, and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." -\v 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things, -\v 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, which will not be taken away from her." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Now after these things, the Lord appointed seventy \f + \ft Many of the best ancient copies read "seventy" but some read "seventy-two" \f* others, and sent them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go. +\v 2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. + +\s5 +\v 3 Go on your way. See, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. +\v 4 Carry no bag of money, no traveler's bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. + +\s5 +\v 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'May peace be on this house!' +\v 6 If a person of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him, but if not, it will return to you. +\v 7 Remain in that same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house. + +\s5 +\v 8 Whatever town you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you, +\v 9 and heal the sick that are there. Say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come close to you.' + +\s5 +\v 10 Whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, +\v 11 'Even the dust from your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you! But know this: The kingdom of God has come near.' +\v 12 I say to you that on the judgment day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. + +\s5 +\v 13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. +\v 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. +\v 15 You, Capernaum, do you think you will be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. + +\s5 +\v 16 The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons submitted to us in your name." +\v 18 Jesus said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven as lightning. +\v 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on serpents, and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will in any way hurt you. +\v 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice only in this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice even more that your names are engraved in heaven." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 At that same time he rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you concealed these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to those who are untaught, like little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well pleasing in your sight." + +\s5 +\v 22 "All things have been entrusted to me from my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." + +\s5 +\v 23 Then he turned around to the disciples and said privately, "Blessed are those who see the things that you see. +\v 24 I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see the things you see, and they did not see them, and to hear the things that you hear, and they did not hear them." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Behold, a certain teacher of the Jewish laws stood up so that he might test him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" +\v 26 Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" +\v 27 He gave an answer and he said, "You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." +\v 28 Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live." + +\s5 +\v 29 But the teacher, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" +\v 30 Jesus answered him and said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers, who stripped him of his belongings, and beat him, and left him half dead. + +\s5 +\v 31 By chance a certain priest was going down that way, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. +\v 32 Similarly a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. + +\s5 +\v 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion. +\v 34 He approached him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. +\v 35 The next day he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said, 'Take care of him and whatever extra you spend, when I return, I will repay you.' + +\s5 +\v 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" +\v 37 The teacher said, "The one who showed mercy to him." Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same." + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 Now as they were traveling along, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. +\v 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and heard his word. + +\s5 +\v 40 But Martha was overly busy with preparing to serve a meal. She came up to Jesus, and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." +\v 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things, +\v 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, which will not be taken away from her." + + + \s5 @@ -1204,201 +1204,201 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 In the meantime, when many thousands of the people were gathered together, so much that they trampled on each other, he began to say to his disciples first of all, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. - -\s5 -\v 2 But there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known. -\v 3 So whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. - -\s5 -\v 4 I say to you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that they have no more that they can do. -\v 5 But I will warn you about whom to fear. Fear the one who, after he has killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I say to you, fear him. - -\s5 -\v 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. -\v 7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear. You are more valuable than many sparrows. - -\s5 -\v 8 I say to you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God, -\v 9 but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. -\v 10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. - -\s5 -\v 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you will speak in your defense, or what you will say, -\v 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour what you should say." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Then someone from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." -\v 14 Jesus said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or a mediator over you?" -\v 15 He said to them, "Watch that you keep yourselves from all greedy desires, because a person's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions." - -\s5 -\v 16 Then Jesus told them a parable, saying, "The field of a rich man yielded abundantly, -\v 17 and he reasoned with himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I do not have a place to store my crops?' -\v 18 He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all of my grain and other goods. -\v 19 I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Rest easy, eat, drink, be merry."' -\s5 -\v 20 But God said to him, 'Foolish man, tonight your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' -\v 21 That is what someone is like who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life—what you will eat, or about your body—what you will wear. -\v 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. - -\s5 -\v 24 Consider the ravens, that they do not sow or reap. They have no storeroom or barn, but God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! -\v 25 Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his lifespan? -\v 26 If then you are not able to do even that smallest thing, why do you worry about the rest? - -\s5 -\v 27 Consider the lilies—how they grow. They do not labor, neither do they spin. Yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. -\v 28 If God so clothes the grass in the field, which exists today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! - -\s5 -\v 29 Do not look for what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not be anxious. -\v 30 For all the nations of the world look for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. - -\s5 -\v 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. -\v 32 Do not fear, little flock, because your Father is very pleased to give you the kingdom. - -\s5 -\v 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make for yourselves purses which will not wear out—treasure in the heavens that does not run out, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. -\v 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 Let your long clothing be tucked in at your belt, and let your lamps be kept burning, -\v 36 and be like people looking for their master when he returns from the marriage feast, so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open the door for him. - -\s5 -\v 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the master will find watching when he comes. Truly I say to you, he will tuck in his long clothing at his belt, and have them sit down at the table, and he will come and serve them. -\v 38 If the master comes in the second watch of the night, or if even in the third watch, and finds them ready, blessed are those servants. - -\s5 -\v 39 Moreover know this, that if the master of the house had known the hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. -\v 40 Be ready also, because you do not know the hour when the Son of Man comes." - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable only to us, or also to everyone?" -\v 42 The Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager whom his lord will set over his other servants to give them their portion of food at the right time? -\v 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord finds doing that when he comes. -\v 44 Truly I say to you that he will set him over all his property. - -\s5 -\v 45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My lord delays his return,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink, and to become drunk, -\v 46 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he does not expect, and in an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and appoint a place for him with the unfaithful. - -\s5 -\v 47 That servant, having known his lord's will, and not having prepared or done according to his will, will be beaten with many blows. -\v 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating, he will be beaten with a few blows. But everyone who has been given much, from them much will be required, and the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked. - -\s5 -\p -\v 49 I came to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it were already kindled. -\v 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am distressed until it is completed! - -\s5 -\v 51 Do you think that I came to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. -\v 52 For from now on there will be five in one house divided—three people against two, and two people against three. -\v 53 They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." - -\s5 -\p -\v 54 Jesus was saying to the crowds also, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it happens. -\v 55 When a south wind is blowing, you say, 'There will be a scorching heat,' and it happens. -\v 56 Hypocrites, you know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the heavens, but how is it that you do not know how to interpret the present time? - -\s5 -\v 57 Why do you not judge what is right for yourselves? -\v 58 For when you go with your adversary before the magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the matter with him so that he does not drag you to the judge, and so that the judge does not deliver you to the officer, and the officer does not throw you into prison. -\v 59 I say to you, you will never come out from there until you have paid the very last bit of money." - - - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 At that time, some people there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their own sacrifices. -\v 2 Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? -\v 3 No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, all of you will perish in the same way. - -\s5 -\v 4 Or those eighteen people in Siloam on whom a tower fell and killed them, do you think they were worse sinners than other men in Jerusalem? -\v 5 No, I say. But if you do not repent, all of you will also perish." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Jesus told this parable, "Someone had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came and looked for fruit on it but found none. -\v 7 The man said to the gardener, 'Look, for three years I came and tried to find fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down. Why let it waste the ground?' - -\s5 -\v 8 The gardener answered and said, 'Leave it alone this year while I dig around it and put manure on it. -\v 9 If it bears fruit next year, good; but if it does not, cut it down!'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues during the Sabbath. -\v 11 Behold, a woman was there who for eighteen years had a spirit of weakness. She was bent over and was not able to straighten up completely. - -\s5 -\v 12 When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, "Woman, you are freed from your weakness." -\v 13 He placed his hands on her, and immediately she was straightened up and she glorified God. -\v 14 But the synagogue ruler was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. So the ruler answered and said to the crowd, "There are six days in which it is necessary to work. Come and be healed then, not on the Sabbath day." - -\s5 -\v 15 The Lord answered him and said, "Hypocrites! Does not each of you untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead it to drink on the Sabbath? -\v 16 So too this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, should her bonds not be untied on the Sabbath day?" - -\s5 -\v 17 As he said these things, all those who opposed him were ashamed, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he did. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then Jesus said, "What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to? -\v 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and threw into his garden, and it grew into a big tree, and the birds of heaven built their nests in its branches." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Again he said, "To what can I compare the kingdom of God? -\v 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until it spread through all the flour." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Jesus visited each town and village on the way to Jerusalem and taught them. -\v 23 Someone said to him, "Lord, are only a few people to be saved?" So he said to them, -\v 24 "Struggle to enter through the narrow door, because, I say to you, many will want to enter, but will not be able to enter. - -\s5 -\v 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and locks the door, then you will stand outside and pound the door and say, 'Lord, Lord, let us in.' He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you or where you are from.' -\v 26 Then you will say, 'We ate and drank in front of you and you taught in our streets.' -\v 27 But he will reply, 'I say to you, I do not know where you are from. Get away from me, you evildoers!' - -\s5 -\v 28 There will be crying and the grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom, but you are thrown out. -\v 29 They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and be seated at a table in the kingdom of God. -\v 30 Know this, those who are least important will be first, and those who are most important will be last." - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Shortly after, some Pharisees came and said to him, "Go and leave here because Herod wants to kill you." -\v 32 Jesus said, "Go and tell that fox, 'Look, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I will reach my goal.' -\v 33 In any case, it is necessary for me to continue on today, tomorrow, and the following day, since it is not acceptable to kill a prophet away from Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to you. How often I desired to gather your children the way a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you did not desire this. -\v 35 See, your house is abandoned. I say to you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" - - + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 In the meantime, when many thousands of the people were gathered together, so much that they trampled on each other, he began to say to his disciples first of all, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. + +\s5 +\v 2 But there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known. +\v 3 So whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. + +\s5 +\v 4 I say to you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that they have no more that they can do. +\v 5 But I will warn you about whom to fear. Fear the one who, after he has killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I say to you, fear him. + +\s5 +\v 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. +\v 7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear. You are more valuable than many sparrows. + +\s5 +\v 8 I say to you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God, +\v 9 but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. +\v 10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. + +\s5 +\v 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you will speak in your defense, or what you will say, +\v 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour what you should say." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Then someone from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." +\v 14 Jesus said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or a mediator over you?" +\v 15 He said to them, "Watch that you keep yourselves from all greedy desires, because a person's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions." + +\s5 +\v 16 Then Jesus told them a parable, saying, "The field of a rich man yielded abundantly, +\v 17 and he reasoned with himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I do not have a place to store my crops?' +\v 18 He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all of my grain and other goods. +\v 19 I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Rest easy, eat, drink, be merry."' +\s5 +\v 20 But God said to him, 'Foolish man, tonight your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' +\v 21 That is what someone is like who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life—what you will eat, or about your body—what you will wear. +\v 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. + +\s5 +\v 24 Consider the ravens, that they do not sow or reap. They have no storeroom or barn, but God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! +\v 25 Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his lifespan? +\v 26 If then you are not able to do even that smallest thing, why do you worry about the rest? + +\s5 +\v 27 Consider the lilies—how they grow. They do not labor, neither do they spin. Yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. +\v 28 If God so clothes the grass in the field, which exists today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! + +\s5 +\v 29 Do not look for what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not be anxious. +\v 30 For all the nations of the world look for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. + +\s5 +\v 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. +\v 32 Do not fear, little flock, because your Father is very pleased to give you the kingdom. + +\s5 +\v 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make for yourselves purses which will not wear out—treasure in the heavens that does not run out, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. +\v 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 Let your long clothing be tucked in at your belt, and let your lamps be kept burning, +\v 36 and be like people looking for their master when he returns from the marriage feast, so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open the door for him. + +\s5 +\v 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the master will find watching when he comes. Truly I say to you, he will tuck in his long clothing at his belt, and have them sit down at the table, and he will come and serve them. +\v 38 If the master comes in the second watch of the night, or if even in the third watch, and finds them ready, blessed are those servants. + +\s5 +\v 39 Moreover know this, that if the master of the house had known the hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. +\v 40 Be ready also, because you do not know the hour when the Son of Man comes." + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable only to us, or also to everyone?" +\v 42 The Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager whom his lord will set over his other servants to give them their portion of food at the right time? +\v 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord finds doing that when he comes. +\v 44 Truly I say to you that he will set him over all his property. + +\s5 +\v 45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My lord delays his return,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink, and to become drunk, +\v 46 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he does not expect, and in an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and appoint a place for him with the unfaithful. + +\s5 +\v 47 That servant, having known his lord's will, and not having prepared or done according to his will, will be beaten with many blows. +\v 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating, he will be beaten with a few blows. But everyone who has been given much, from them much will be required, and the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked. + +\s5 +\p +\v 49 I came to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it were already kindled. +\v 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am distressed until it is completed! + +\s5 +\v 51 Do you think that I came to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. +\v 52 For from now on there will be five in one house divided—three people against two, and two people against three. +\v 53 They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." + +\s5 +\p +\v 54 Jesus was saying to the crowds also, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it happens. +\v 55 When a south wind is blowing, you say, 'There will be a scorching heat,' and it happens. +\v 56 Hypocrites, you know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the heavens, but how is it that you do not know how to interpret the present time? + +\s5 +\v 57 Why do you not judge what is right for yourselves? +\v 58 For when you go with your adversary before the magistrate, on the way make an effort to settle the matter with him so that he does not drag you to the judge, and so that the judge does not deliver you to the officer, and the officer does not throw you into prison. +\v 59 I say to you, you will never come out from there until you have paid the very last bit of money." + + + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 At that time, some people there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their own sacrifices. +\v 2 Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? +\v 3 No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, all of you will perish in the same way. + +\s5 +\v 4 Or those eighteen people in Siloam on whom a tower fell and killed them, do you think they were worse sinners than other men in Jerusalem? +\v 5 No, I say. But if you do not repent, all of you will also perish." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Jesus told this parable, "Someone had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came and looked for fruit on it but found none. +\v 7 The man said to the gardener, 'Look, for three years I came and tried to find fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down. Why let it waste the ground?' + +\s5 +\v 8 The gardener answered and said, 'Leave it alone this year while I dig around it and put manure on it. +\v 9 If it bears fruit next year, good; but if it does not, cut it down!'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues during the Sabbath. +\v 11 Behold, a woman was there who for eighteen years had a spirit of weakness. She was bent over and was not able to straighten up completely. + +\s5 +\v 12 When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, "Woman, you are freed from your weakness." +\v 13 He placed his hands on her, and immediately she was straightened up and she glorified God. +\v 14 But the synagogue ruler was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. So the ruler answered and said to the crowd, "There are six days in which it is necessary to work. Come and be healed then, not on the Sabbath day." + +\s5 +\v 15 The Lord answered him and said, "Hypocrites! Does not each of you untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead it to drink on the Sabbath? +\v 16 So too this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, should her bonds not be untied on the Sabbath day?" + +\s5 +\v 17 As he said these things, all those who opposed him were ashamed, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he did. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then Jesus said, "What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to? +\v 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and threw into his garden, and it grew into a big tree, and the birds of heaven built their nests in its branches." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Again he said, "To what can I compare the kingdom of God? +\v 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until it spread through all the flour." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Jesus visited each town and village on the way to Jerusalem and taught them. +\v 23 Someone said to him, "Lord, are only a few people to be saved?" So he said to them, +\v 24 "Struggle to enter through the narrow door, because, I say to you, many will want to enter, but will not be able to enter. + +\s5 +\v 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and locks the door, then you will stand outside and pound the door and say, 'Lord, Lord, let us in.' He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you or where you are from.' +\v 26 Then you will say, 'We ate and drank in front of you and you taught in our streets.' +\v 27 But he will reply, 'I say to you, I do not know where you are from. Get away from me, you evildoers!' + +\s5 +\v 28 There will be crying and the grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom, but you are thrown out. +\v 29 They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and be seated at a table in the kingdom of God. +\v 30 Know this, those who are least important will be first, and those who are most important will be last." + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Shortly after, some Pharisees came and said to him, "Go and leave here because Herod wants to kill you." +\v 32 Jesus said, "Go and tell that fox, 'Look, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I will reach my goal.' +\v 33 In any case, it is necessary for me to continue on today, tomorrow, and the following day, since it is not acceptable to kill a prophet away from Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to you. How often I desired to gather your children the way a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you did not desire this. +\v 35 See, your house is abandoned. I say to you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" + + \s5 @@ -1539,239 +1539,239 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 Jesus also said to the disciples, "There was a certain rich man who had a manager, and it was reported to him that this manager was wasting his possessions. -\v 2 So the rich man called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give an account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.' - -\s5 -\v 3 The manager said to himself, 'What should I do, since my master is taking away my management job? I do not have strength to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. -\v 4 I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from my management job, people will welcome me into their houses.' - -\s5 -\v 5 Then the manager called for each one of his master's debtors, and he asked the first one, 'How much do you owe to my master?' -\v 6 He said, 'A hundred baths of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty.' -\v 7 Then the manager said to another, 'How much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred cor of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' - -\s5 -\v 8 The master then commended the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own people than are the children of light. -\v 9 I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous money, so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal dwellings. - -\s5 -\v 10 He who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and he who is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. -\v 11 If you have not been faithful in using unrighteous money, who will trust you with true wealth? -\v 12 If you have not been faithful in using other people's money, who will give you money of your own? - -\s5 -\v 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. -\v 15 He said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. That which is exalted among men is detestable in the sight of God. - -\s5 -\v 16 The law and the prophets were in effect until John came. From that time on, the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone tries to force their way into it. -\v 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the law to become invalid. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from her husband commits adultery. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Now there was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and was enjoying every day his great wealth. -\v 20 A certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, -\v 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. - -\s5 -\v 22 It came about that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, -\v 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus at his side. - -\s5 -\v 24 So he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' - -\s5 -\v 25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. -\v 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been put in place, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot, and no one can cross over from there to us.' - -\s5 -\v 27 The rich man said, 'I beg you, Father Abraham, that you would send him to my father's house— -\v 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, for fear that they also come into this place of torment.' - -\s5 -\v 29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.' -\v 30 The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham, but if someone would go to them from the dead ones, they will repent.' -\v 31 But Abraham said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead ones.'" - - - - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 Jesus said to his disciples, "It is certain there will be things that can cause us to sin, but woe to that person through whom they come! -\v 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. - -\s5 -\v 3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. -\v 4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." -\v 6 The Lord said, "If you had faith as a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. - -\s5 -\v 7 But which of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? -\v 8 Will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and put a belt around your clothes and serve me until I have finished eating and drinking. Then afterward you will eat and drink'? - -\s5 -\v 9 He does not thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded, does he? -\v 10 Even so you also, when you have done everything that you are commanded, should say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have only done what we ought to do.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 It came about that as he traveled to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. -\v 12 As he entered into a certain village, there he was met by ten men who were lepers. They stood far away from him -\v 13 and they lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." - -\s5 -\v 14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." As they went away they were cleansed. -\v 15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God. -\v 16 He bowed down at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. He was a Samaritan. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then Jesus said, "Were not the ten cleansed? Where are the nine? -\v 18 Were there no others who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?" -\v 19 He said to him, "Arise, and go. Your faith has made you well." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with careful observing. -\v 21 Neither will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For look, the kingdom of God is within you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 He said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. -\v 23 Then they will say to you, 'Look, there! Look, here!' But do not go out or run after them, -\v 24 for as the lightning shines brightly when it flashes from one part of the sky to another part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in his day. - -\s5 -\v 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. -\v 26 As it happened in the days of Noah, even so will it also happen in the days of the Son of Man. -\v 27 They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark—and the flood came and destroyed them all. - -\s5 -\v 28 Likewise even as it happened in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. -\v 29 But in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all. - -\s5 -\v 30 After the same manner it will be in the day that the Son of Man is revealed. -\v 31 In that day, do not let him who is on the housetop go down to get his goods out of the house; and do not let him who is in the field return. - -\s5 -\v 32 Remember Lot's wife. -\v 33 Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it. - -\s5 -\v 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken, and the other will be left. -\v 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken, and the other will be left." -\v 36 \f + \ft Luke 17:36 the best ancient copies omit, vs. 36 \fqa There will be two in the field; one will be taken and the other left. \f* - -\s5 -\v 37 They asked him, "Where, Lord?" and he said to them, "Where there is a body, there will the vultures also be gathered together." - - - -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 Then he spoke a parable to them about how they should always pray, and not become discouraged, -\v 2 saying, "In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and he did not respect people. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she came often to him, saying, 'Help me get justice against my opponent.' -\v 4 For a long time he was not willing to help her, but after a while he said to himself, 'Though I do not fear God or respect man, -\v 5 yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will help her get justice, so that she does not wear me out by her constant coming.'" - -\s5 -\v 6 Then the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. -\v 7 Now will not God also bring justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? -\v 8 I say to you that he will bring justice to them speedily. Even so, when the Son of Man comes, will he indeed find faith on the earth?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Then he also spoke this parable to some who were persuaded in themselves that they were righteous and who despised other people, -\v 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray—the one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. - -\s5 -\v 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed these things about himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. -\v 12 I fast two times every week. I give tithes of all that I get.' - -\s5 -\v 13 But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but hit his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' -\v 14 I say to you, this man went back down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 The people were also bringing to him their infants, so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. -\v 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such ones. -\v 17 Truly I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will definitely not enter it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 A certain ruler asked him, saying, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" -\v 19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone. -\v 20 You know the commandments—do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not testify falsely, honor your father and mother." -\v 21 The ruler said, "All these things I have obeyed from the time I was a youth." - -\s5 -\v 22 When Jesus heard that, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. You must sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me." -\v 23 But when the ruler heard these things, he became extremely sad, for he was very rich. - -\s5 -\v 24 Then Jesus, seeing him, became very sad \f + \ft Scholars are divided whether the phrase: "[he] became very sad," should be included here. Compare vs 23. \fqa \f* and said, "How difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God! -\v 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." - -\s5 -\v 26 Those hearing it said, "Then who can be saved?" -\v 27 Jesus answered, "The things which are impossible with people are possible with God." - -\s5 -\v 28 Peter said, "Well, we have left everything that is our own and have followed you." -\v 29 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, I say to you that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, -\v 30 who will not receive much more in this world, and in the world to come, eternal life." - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 After he gathered the twelve to himself, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that have been written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. -\v 32 For he will be given over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon. -\v 33 After whipping him, they will kill him and on the third day he will rise again." - -\s5 -\v 34 They understood none of these things, and this word was hidden from them, and they did not understand the things that were said. - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 It came about that, as Jesus approached Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road begging, -\v 36 and hearing a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. -\v 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. - -\s5 -\v 38 So the blind man cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." -\v 39 The ones who were walking ahead rebuked the blind man, telling him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me." - -\s5 -\v 40 Jesus stood still and commanded that the man be brought to him. Then when the blind man was near, Jesus asked him, -\v 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, I want to receive my sight." - -\s5 -\v 42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you." -\v 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw this, gave praise to God. + + +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 Jesus also said to the disciples, "There was a certain rich man who had a manager, and it was reported to him that this manager was wasting his possessions. +\v 2 So the rich man called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give an account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.' + +\s5 +\v 3 The manager said to himself, 'What should I do, since my master is taking away my management job? I do not have strength to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. +\v 4 I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from my management job, people will welcome me into their houses.' + +\s5 +\v 5 Then the manager called for each one of his master's debtors, and he asked the first one, 'How much do you owe to my master?' +\v 6 He said, 'A hundred baths of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty.' +\v 7 Then the manager said to another, 'How much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred cor of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.' + +\s5 +\v 8 The master then commended the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own people than are the children of light. +\v 9 I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous money, so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal dwellings. + +\s5 +\v 10 He who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and he who is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. +\v 11 If you have not been faithful in using unrighteous money, who will trust you with true wealth? +\v 12 If you have not been faithful in using other people's money, who will give you money of your own? + +\s5 +\v 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. +\v 15 He said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. That which is exalted among men is detestable in the sight of God. + +\s5 +\v 16 The law and the prophets were in effect until John came. From that time on, the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone tries to force their way into it. +\v 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the law to become invalid. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from her husband commits adultery. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Now there was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and was enjoying every day his great wealth. +\v 20 A certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, +\v 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. + +\s5 +\v 22 It came about that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, +\v 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus at his side. + +\s5 +\v 24 So he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' + +\s5 +\v 25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. +\v 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been put in place, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot, and no one can cross over from there to us.' + +\s5 +\v 27 The rich man said, 'I beg you, Father Abraham, that you would send him to my father's house— +\v 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, for fear that they also come into this place of torment.' + +\s5 +\v 29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.' +\v 30 The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham, but if someone would go to them from the dead ones, they will repent.' +\v 31 But Abraham said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead ones.'" + + + + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 Jesus said to his disciples, "It is certain there will be things that can cause us to sin, but woe to that person through whom they come! +\v 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. + +\s5 +\v 3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. +\v 4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." +\v 6 The Lord said, "If you had faith as a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. + +\s5 +\v 7 But which of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? +\v 8 Will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and put a belt around your clothes and serve me until I have finished eating and drinking. Then afterward you will eat and drink'? + +\s5 +\v 9 He does not thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded, does he? +\v 10 Even so you also, when you have done everything that you are commanded, should say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have only done what we ought to do.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 It came about that as he traveled to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. +\v 12 As he entered into a certain village, there he was met by ten men who were lepers. They stood far away from him +\v 13 and they lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." + +\s5 +\v 14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." As they went away they were cleansed. +\v 15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God. +\v 16 He bowed down at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. He was a Samaritan. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then Jesus said, "Were not the ten cleansed? Where are the nine? +\v 18 Were there no others who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?" +\v 19 He said to him, "Arise, and go. Your faith has made you well." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with careful observing. +\v 21 Neither will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For look, the kingdom of God is within you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 He said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. +\v 23 Then they will say to you, 'Look, there! Look, here!' But do not go out or run after them, +\v 24 for as the lightning shines brightly when it flashes from one part of the sky to another part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in his day. + +\s5 +\v 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. +\v 26 As it happened in the days of Noah, even so will it also happen in the days of the Son of Man. +\v 27 They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark—and the flood came and destroyed them all. + +\s5 +\v 28 Likewise even as it happened in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. +\v 29 But in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all. + +\s5 +\v 30 After the same manner it will be in the day that the Son of Man is revealed. +\v 31 In that day, do not let him who is on the housetop go down to get his goods out of the house; and do not let him who is in the field return. + +\s5 +\v 32 Remember Lot's wife. +\v 33 Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it. + +\s5 +\v 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken, and the other will be left. +\v 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken, and the other will be left." +\v 36 \f + \ft Luke 17:36 the best ancient copies omit, vs. 36 \fqa There will be two in the field; one will be taken and the other left. \f* + +\s5 +\v 37 They asked him, "Where, Lord?" and he said to them, "Where there is a body, there will the vultures also be gathered together." + + + +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 Then he spoke a parable to them about how they should always pray, and not become discouraged, +\v 2 saying, "In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and he did not respect people. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she came often to him, saying, 'Help me get justice against my opponent.' +\v 4 For a long time he was not willing to help her, but after a while he said to himself, 'Though I do not fear God or respect man, +\v 5 yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will help her get justice, so that she does not wear me out by her constant coming.'" + +\s5 +\v 6 Then the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. +\v 7 Now will not God also bring justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? +\v 8 I say to you that he will bring justice to them speedily. Even so, when the Son of Man comes, will he indeed find faith on the earth?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Then he also spoke this parable to some who were persuaded in themselves that they were righteous and who despised other people, +\v 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray—the one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. + +\s5 +\v 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed these things about himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. +\v 12 I fast two times every week. I give tithes of all that I get.' + +\s5 +\v 13 But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but hit his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner.' +\v 14 I say to you, this man went back down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 The people were also bringing to him their infants, so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. +\v 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such ones. +\v 17 Truly I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will definitely not enter it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 A certain ruler asked him, saying, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" +\v 19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone. +\v 20 You know the commandments—do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not testify falsely, honor your father and mother." +\v 21 The ruler said, "All these things I have obeyed from the time I was a youth." + +\s5 +\v 22 When Jesus heard that, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. You must sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me." +\v 23 But when the ruler heard these things, he became extremely sad, for he was very rich. + +\s5 +\v 24 Then Jesus, seeing him, became very sad \f + \ft Scholars are divided whether the phrase: "[he] became very sad," should be included here. Compare vs 23. \fqa \f* and said, "How difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God! +\v 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." + +\s5 +\v 26 Those hearing it said, "Then who can be saved?" +\v 27 Jesus answered, "The things which are impossible with people are possible with God." + +\s5 +\v 28 Peter said, "Well, we have left everything that is our own and have followed you." +\v 29 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, I say to you that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, +\v 30 who will not receive much more in this world, and in the world to come, eternal life." + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 After he gathered the twelve to himself, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that have been written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. +\v 32 For he will be given over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon. +\v 33 After whipping him, they will kill him and on the third day he will rise again." + +\s5 +\v 34 They understood none of these things, and this word was hidden from them, and they did not understand the things that were said. + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 It came about that, as Jesus approached Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road begging, +\v 36 and hearing a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. +\v 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. + +\s5 +\v 38 So the blind man cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." +\v 39 The ones who were walking ahead rebuked the blind man, telling him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me." + +\s5 +\v 40 Jesus stood still and commanded that the man be brought to him. Then when the blind man was near, Jesus asked him, +\v 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, I want to receive my sight." + +\s5 +\v 42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you." +\v 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw this, gave praise to God. \s5 \c 19 @@ -1873,111 +1873,111 @@ - - - -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 It came about one day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came to him with the elders. -\v 2 They spoke, saying to him, "Tell us by what authority you do these things? Or who is he that gave you this authority?" - -\s5 -\v 3 He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you a question. Tell me about -\v 4 the baptism of John. Was it from heaven or from men?" - -\s5 -\v 5 They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' -\v 6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." - -\s5 -\v 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. -\v 8 Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 He told the people this parable, "A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to vine growers, and went into another country for a long time. -\v 10 At the appointed time he sent a servant to the vine growers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vine growers beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. - -\s5 -\v 11 He then sent yet another servant and they also beat him, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. -\v 12 He also sent yet a third and they also wounded him, and threw him out. - -\s5 -\v 13 So the lord of the vineyard said, 'What will I do? I will send my beloved son. Maybe they will respect him.' -\v 14 But when the vine growers saw him, they discussed among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' - -\s5 -\v 15 They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the lord of the vineyard do to them? -\v 16 He will come and destroy these vine growers, and will give the vineyard to others." When they heard it, they said, "God forbid!" - -\s5 -\v 17 But Jesus looked at them, and said, "What is the meaning of that which is written: - \q 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? -\m -\v 18 Every one who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. But on whomever it falls, it will crush." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 So the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him in that very hour, for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. -\v 20 Watching him carefully, they sent out spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might find fault with his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor. - -\s5 -\v 21 They asked him, saying, "Teacher, we know that you say and teach rightly, and are not influenced by anyone's position, but you teach the truth about the way of God. -\v 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" - -\s5 -\v 23 But Jesus understood their craftiness, and said to them, -\v 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose image and name is on it?" They said, "Caesar's." - -\s5 -\v 25 He said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God, the things that are God's." -\v 26 They were not able to find fault with what he had said in front of the people, but marvelling at his answer they were silent. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 When some of the Sadducees came to him, the ones who say that there is no resurrection, -\v 28 they asked him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife, and being childless, the man should take the brother's wife, and have a child for his brother. - -\s5 -\v 29 There were seven brothers and the first took a wife, and died childless, -\v 30 and the second as well. -\v 31 The third took her, and likewise the seven also left no children, and died. -\v 32 Afterward the woman also died. -\v 33 In the resurrection then, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as their wife." - -\s5 -\v 34 Jesus said to them, "The sons of this world marry and are given in marriage. -\v 35 But those who are regarded as worthy in that age to receive the resurrection from the dead ones will neither marry nor be given in marriage. -\v 36 Neither can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. - -\s5 -\v 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. -\v 38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, because all live to him." - -\s5 -\v 39 Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have answered well." -\v 40 For they did not dare ask him any more questions. - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Jesus said to them, "How do they say that the Christ is David's son? -\v 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, -\q The Lord said to my Lord, -\q 'Sit at my right hand, -\q -\v 43 until I make your enemies your footstool.' -\m -\v 44 David therefore calls the Christ 'Lord', so how is he David's son?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 45 In the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, -\v 46 "Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love special greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts. -\v 47 They also devour widows' houses, and for a show they make long prayers. Men like this will receive greater condemnation." - - - + + + +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 It came about one day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came to him with the elders. +\v 2 They spoke, saying to him, "Tell us by what authority you do these things? Or who is he that gave you this authority?" + +\s5 +\v 3 He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you a question. Tell me about +\v 4 the baptism of John. Was it from heaven or from men?" + +\s5 +\v 5 They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' +\v 6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." + +\s5 +\v 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from. +\v 8 Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 He told the people this parable, "A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to vine growers, and went into another country for a long time. +\v 10 At the appointed time he sent a servant to the vine growers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vine growers beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. + +\s5 +\v 11 He then sent yet another servant and they also beat him, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. +\v 12 He also sent yet a third and they also wounded him, and threw him out. + +\s5 +\v 13 So the lord of the vineyard said, 'What will I do? I will send my beloved son. Maybe they will respect him.' +\v 14 But when the vine growers saw him, they discussed among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' + +\s5 +\v 15 They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the lord of the vineyard do to them? +\v 16 He will come and destroy these vine growers, and will give the vineyard to others." When they heard it, they said, "God forbid!" + +\s5 +\v 17 But Jesus looked at them, and said, "What is the meaning of that which is written: + \q 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'? +\m +\v 18 Every one who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces. But on whomever it falls, it will crush." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 So the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him in that very hour, for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. +\v 20 Watching him carefully, they sent out spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might find fault with his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor. + +\s5 +\v 21 They asked him, saying, "Teacher, we know that you say and teach rightly, and are not influenced by anyone's position, but you teach the truth about the way of God. +\v 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" + +\s5 +\v 23 But Jesus understood their craftiness, and said to them, +\v 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose image and name is on it?" They said, "Caesar's." + +\s5 +\v 25 He said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God, the things that are God's." +\v 26 They were not able to find fault with what he had said in front of the people, but marvelling at his answer they were silent. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 When some of the Sadducees came to him, the ones who say that there is no resurrection, +\v 28 they asked him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife, and being childless, the man should take the brother's wife, and have a child for his brother. + +\s5 +\v 29 There were seven brothers and the first took a wife, and died childless, +\v 30 and the second as well. +\v 31 The third took her, and likewise the seven also left no children, and died. +\v 32 Afterward the woman also died. +\v 33 In the resurrection then, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as their wife." + +\s5 +\v 34 Jesus said to them, "The sons of this world marry and are given in marriage. +\v 35 But those who are regarded as worthy in that age to receive the resurrection from the dead ones will neither marry nor be given in marriage. +\v 36 Neither can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. + +\s5 +\v 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. +\v 38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, because all live to him." + +\s5 +\v 39 Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have answered well." +\v 40 For they did not dare ask him any more questions. + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Jesus said to them, "How do they say that the Christ is David's son? +\v 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, +\q The Lord said to my Lord, +\q 'Sit at my right hand, +\q +\v 43 until I make your enemies your footstool.' +\m +\v 44 David therefore calls the Christ 'Lord', so how is he David's son?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 45 In the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, +\v 46 "Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love special greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts. +\v 47 They also devour widows' houses, and for a show they make long prayers. Men like this will receive greater condemnation." + + + \s5 @@ -2060,271 +2060,271 @@ -\s5 -\c 22 -\p -\v 1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread was approaching, which is called the Passover. -\v 2 The chief priests and the scribes discussed how they could put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. -\v 4 Judas went to the chief priests and captains and discussed with them how he would betray Jesus to them. - -\s5 -\v 5 They were glad, and agreed to give him money. -\v 6 He consented, and looked for an opportunity to deliver him to them away from the crowd. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover lamb must be sacrificed. -\v 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare for us the Passover meal, so that we may eat it." -\v 9 They asked him, "Where do you want us to make preparations?" - -\s5 -\v 10 He answered them, "Listen, when you have entered the city, a man bearing a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he goes into. -\v 11 Then say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room, where I will eat the Passover with my disciples?"' - -\s5 -\v 12 He will show you a large furnished upper room. Make the preparations there." -\v 13 So they went, and found everything as he had said to them. Then they prepared the Passover meal. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 When the time came, he sat down with the apostles. -\v 15 Then he said to them, "I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. -\v 16 For I say to you, I will not eat it again, until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - -\s5 -\v 17 Then Jesus took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves. -\v 18 For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again, until the kingdom of God comes." - -\s5 -\v 19 Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." -\v 20 He took the cup in the same way after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. - -\s5 -\v 21 But pay attention. The one who betrays me is with me at the table. -\v 22 For the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined. But woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!" -\v 23 They began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who would do this. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Then there arose also a quarrel among them about which of them was considered to be greatest. -\v 25 He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles are masters over them, and the ones who have authority over them are referred to as those who do good to their people. - -\s5 -\v 26 But it must not be like this with you. Instead, let the one who is the greatest among you become like the youngest, and let the one who is the most important become like the one who serves. -\v 27 For who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as one who serves. - -\s5 -\v 28 But you are the ones who have continued with me in my temptations. -\v 29 I give to you a kingdom, even as my Father has given a kingdom to me, -\v 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Simon, Simon, be aware, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat. -\v 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. After you have turned back again, strengthen your brothers." - -\s5 -\v 33 Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." -\v 34 Jesus replied, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, before you deny three times that you know me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 Then Jesus said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, a bag of provisions, or shoes, did you lack anything?" They answered, "Nothing." -\v 36 Then he said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse, let him take it, and also a bag of provisions. The one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. - -\s5 -\v 37 For I say to you, what is written about me must be fulfilled, 'He was counted with the lawless ones.' For what is predicted about me is being fulfilled." -\v 38 Then they said, "Lord, look! Here are two swords." He said to them, "It is enough." - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 After supper, Jesus went, as he often did, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. -\v 40 When they arrived, he said to them, "Pray that you do not enter into temptation." - -\s5 -\v 41 He went away from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed, -\v 42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless not my will, but yours be done." - -\s5 -\v 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. -\v 44 Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. - -\s5 -\v 45 When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of their sorrow, -\v 46 and asked them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray, that you may not enter into temptation." - -\s5 -\p -\v 47 While he was still speaking, behold, a crowd appeared, with Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him, -\v 48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" - -\s5 -\v 49 When those who were around Jesus saw what was happening, they said, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" -\v 50 Then one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. -\v 51 Jesus said, "That is enough!" He touched his ear, and healed him. - -\s5 -\v 52 Jesus said to the chief priests, to the captains of the temple, and to elders who came against him, "Do you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? -\v 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not lay your hands on me. But this is your hour, and the authority of darkness." - -\s5 -\p -\v 54 Seizing him, they led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed from a distance. -\v 55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them. - -\s5 -\v 56 A certain female servant saw him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looked straight at him and said, "This man also was with him." -\v 57 But Peter denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." -\v 58 After a little while someone else saw him, and said, "You are also one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." - -\s5 -\v 59 After about an hour another man insisted and said, "Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean." -\v 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying." Immediately, while he was speaking, a rooster crowed. - -\s5 -\v 61 Turning, the Lord looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, when he said to him, "Before a rooster crows today you will deny me three times." -\v 62 Peter went outside and wept bitterly. - -\s5 -\p -\v 63 Then the men guarding Jesus mocked and beat him. -\v 64 They put a cover over him and asked him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who hit you?" -\v 65 They spoke many other things against Jesus, blaspheming him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. They led him into the council -\v 67 and said, "If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, -\v 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. - -\s5 -\v 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." -\v 70 They all said, "Then you are the Son of God?" Jesus said to them, "You say that I am." -\v 71 They said, "Why do we still need a witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth." - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 The whole company of them rose up, and brought Jesus before Pilate. -\v 2 They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king." - -\s5 -\v 3 Pilate asked him, saying, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him and said, "You say so." -\v 4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no fault in this man." -\v 5 But they were insisting, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place." - -\s5 -\v 6 So when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. -\v 7 When he discovered that he was under Herod's authority, he sent Jesus to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in those days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, because he had wanted to see him for a long time. He had heard about him and he hoped to see some miracle done by him. -\v 9 Herod questioned Jesus in many words, but Jesus answered him nothing. -\v 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, violently accusing him. - -\s5 -\v 11 Herod with his soldiers insulted Jesus and they mocked him. Then they dressed him in elegant clothes and sent him back to Pilate. -\v 12 For Herod and Pilate had become friends with each other that very day (before this they had been enemies with each other). - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the crowd of people, -\v 14 and said to them, "You brought to me this man like a man who is leading the people to act badly, and see, I, having questioned him before you, find no fault in this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. - -\s5 -\v 15 No, nor does Herod, for he sent him back to us, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. -\v 16 I will therefore punish him, and release him." -\v 17 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit Luke 23:17, \fqa Now Pilate was obligated to release to the Jews one prisoner at the feast. \f* - -\s5 -\v 18 But they cried out all together, saying, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!" -\v 19 Barabbas was a man who had been put into prison for a certain rebellion in the city and for murder. - -\s5 -\v 20 Pilate addressed them again, desiring to release Jesus. -\v 21 But they shouted, saying, "Crucify him, crucify him." -\v 22 He said to them a third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found nothing deserving the death penalty in him. Therefore after punishing him, I will release him." - -\s5 -\v 23 But they were insistent with loud voices, demanding for him to be crucified. Their voices convinced Pilate. -\v 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. -\v 25 He released the one they asked for who had been put in prison for rioting and murder. But he delivered up Jesus to their will. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 As they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him to carry, following Jesus. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 A great crowd of the people, and of women who grieved and mourned for him, were following him. -\v 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. - -\s5 -\v 29 For see, the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that did not bear, and the breasts that did not nurse.' -\v 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' -\v 31 For if they do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 Other men, two criminals, were led away with him to be put to death. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 When they came to the place that is called "The Skull," there they crucified him, and the criminals—one on his right and one on his left. -\v 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Then they cast lots, dividing up his garments. - -\s5 -\v 35 The people stood watching while the rulers also were mocking him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, the chosen one." - -\s5 -\v 36 The soldiers also ridiculed him, approaching him, offering him vinegar, -\v 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." -\v 38 There was also a sign over him, "This is the King of the Jews." - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 One of the criminals who was hanging there insulted him by saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." -\v 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence? -\v 41 We indeed are here justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds. But this man did nothing wrong." - -\s5 -\v 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." -\v 43 Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." -\p - -\s5 -\v 44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour -\v 45 as the sun's light failed. Then the curtain of the temple was split down the middle. - -\s5 -\v 46 Crying with a loud voice, Jesus said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Having said this, he died. -\v 47 When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, "Surely this was a righteous man." - -\s5 -\v 48 When all the multitudes who came together to witness this sight saw the things that were done, they returned beating their breasts. -\v 49 But all those who knew him, and the women who followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. - -\s5 -\p -\v 50 Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council. He was a good and righteous man. -\v 51 This man had not agreed with the decision of the Council and their action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. - -\s5 -\v 52 This man, approaching Pilate, asked for the body of Jesus. -\v 53 He took it down, wrapped it in fine linen, and placed it in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid. -\s5 -\v 54 It was the Day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was dawning. -\v 55 The women, who had come with Jesus out of Galilee, followed after and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. -\v 56 They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. -\p Then on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. - - - +\s5 +\c 22 +\p +\v 1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread was approaching, which is called the Passover. +\v 2 The chief priests and the scribes discussed how they could put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. +\v 4 Judas went to the chief priests and captains and discussed with them how he would betray Jesus to them. + +\s5 +\v 5 They were glad, and agreed to give him money. +\v 6 He consented, and looked for an opportunity to deliver him to them away from the crowd. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover lamb must be sacrificed. +\v 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare for us the Passover meal, so that we may eat it." +\v 9 They asked him, "Where do you want us to make preparations?" + +\s5 +\v 10 He answered them, "Listen, when you have entered the city, a man bearing a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he goes into. +\v 11 Then say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room, where I will eat the Passover with my disciples?"' + +\s5 +\v 12 He will show you a large furnished upper room. Make the preparations there." +\v 13 So they went, and found everything as he had said to them. Then they prepared the Passover meal. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 When the time came, he sat down with the apostles. +\v 15 Then he said to them, "I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. +\v 16 For I say to you, I will not eat it again, until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." + +\s5 +\v 17 Then Jesus took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves. +\v 18 For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again, until the kingdom of God comes." + +\s5 +\v 19 Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." +\v 20 He took the cup in the same way after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. + +\s5 +\v 21 But pay attention. The one who betrays me is with me at the table. +\v 22 For the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined. But woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!" +\v 23 They began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who would do this. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Then there arose also a quarrel among them about which of them was considered to be greatest. +\v 25 He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles are masters over them, and the ones who have authority over them are referred to as those who do good to their people. + +\s5 +\v 26 But it must not be like this with you. Instead, let the one who is the greatest among you become like the youngest, and let the one who is the most important become like the one who serves. +\v 27 For who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as one who serves. + +\s5 +\v 28 But you are the ones who have continued with me in my temptations. +\v 29 I give to you a kingdom, even as my Father has given a kingdom to me, +\v 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Simon, Simon, be aware, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat. +\v 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. After you have turned back again, strengthen your brothers." + +\s5 +\v 33 Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." +\v 34 Jesus replied, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, before you deny three times that you know me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 Then Jesus said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, a bag of provisions, or shoes, did you lack anything?" They answered, "Nothing." +\v 36 Then he said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse, let him take it, and also a bag of provisions. The one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. + +\s5 +\v 37 For I say to you, what is written about me must be fulfilled, 'He was counted with the lawless ones.' For what is predicted about me is being fulfilled." +\v 38 Then they said, "Lord, look! Here are two swords." He said to them, "It is enough." + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 After supper, Jesus went, as he often did, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. +\v 40 When they arrived, he said to them, "Pray that you do not enter into temptation." + +\s5 +\v 41 He went away from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed, +\v 42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless not my will, but yours be done." + +\s5 +\v 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. +\v 44 Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. + +\s5 +\v 45 When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of their sorrow, +\v 46 and asked them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray, that you may not enter into temptation." + +\s5 +\p +\v 47 While he was still speaking, behold, a crowd appeared, with Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him, +\v 48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" + +\s5 +\v 49 When those who were around Jesus saw what was happening, they said, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" +\v 50 Then one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. +\v 51 Jesus said, "That is enough!" He touched his ear, and healed him. + +\s5 +\v 52 Jesus said to the chief priests, to the captains of the temple, and to elders who came against him, "Do you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? +\v 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not lay your hands on me. But this is your hour, and the authority of darkness." + +\s5 +\p +\v 54 Seizing him, they led him away, and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed from a distance. +\v 55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them. + +\s5 +\v 56 A certain female servant saw him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looked straight at him and said, "This man also was with him." +\v 57 But Peter denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." +\v 58 After a little while someone else saw him, and said, "You are also one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." + +\s5 +\v 59 After about an hour another man insisted and said, "Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean." +\v 60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying." Immediately, while he was speaking, a rooster crowed. + +\s5 +\v 61 Turning, the Lord looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, when he said to him, "Before a rooster crows today you will deny me three times." +\v 62 Peter went outside and wept bitterly. + +\s5 +\p +\v 63 Then the men guarding Jesus mocked and beat him. +\v 64 They put a cover over him and asked him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who hit you?" +\v 65 They spoke many other things against Jesus, blaspheming him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. They led him into the council +\v 67 and said, "If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, +\v 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. + +\s5 +\v 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." +\v 70 They all said, "Then you are the Son of God?" Jesus said to them, "You say that I am." +\v 71 They said, "Why do we still need a witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth." + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 The whole company of them rose up, and brought Jesus before Pilate. +\v 2 They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king." + +\s5 +\v 3 Pilate asked him, saying, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered him and said, "You say so." +\v 4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no fault in this man." +\v 5 But they were insisting, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place." + +\s5 +\v 6 So when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. +\v 7 When he discovered that he was under Herod's authority, he sent Jesus to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in those days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, because he had wanted to see him for a long time. He had heard about him and he hoped to see some miracle done by him. +\v 9 Herod questioned Jesus in many words, but Jesus answered him nothing. +\v 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, violently accusing him. + +\s5 +\v 11 Herod with his soldiers insulted Jesus and they mocked him. Then they dressed him in elegant clothes and sent him back to Pilate. +\v 12 For Herod and Pilate had become friends with each other that very day (before this they had been enemies with each other). + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the crowd of people, +\v 14 and said to them, "You brought to me this man like a man who is leading the people to act badly, and see, I, having questioned him before you, find no fault in this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. + +\s5 +\v 15 No, nor does Herod, for he sent him back to us, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. +\v 16 I will therefore punish him, and release him." +\v 17 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit Luke 23:17, \fqa Now Pilate was obligated to release to the Jews one prisoner at the feast. \f* + +\s5 +\v 18 But they cried out all together, saying, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!" +\v 19 Barabbas was a man who had been put into prison for a certain rebellion in the city and for murder. + +\s5 +\v 20 Pilate addressed them again, desiring to release Jesus. +\v 21 But they shouted, saying, "Crucify him, crucify him." +\v 22 He said to them a third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found nothing deserving the death penalty in him. Therefore after punishing him, I will release him." + +\s5 +\v 23 But they were insistent with loud voices, demanding for him to be crucified. Their voices convinced Pilate. +\v 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. +\v 25 He released the one they asked for who had been put in prison for rioting and murder. But he delivered up Jesus to their will. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 As they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him to carry, following Jesus. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 A great crowd of the people, and of women who grieved and mourned for him, were following him. +\v 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. + +\s5 +\v 29 For see, the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that did not bear, and the breasts that did not nurse.' +\v 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' +\v 31 For if they do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 Other men, two criminals, were led away with him to be put to death. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 When they came to the place that is called "The Skull," there they crucified him, and the criminals—one on his right and one on his left. +\v 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Then they cast lots, dividing up his garments. + +\s5 +\v 35 The people stood watching while the rulers also were mocking him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, the chosen one." + +\s5 +\v 36 The soldiers also ridiculed him, approaching him, offering him vinegar, +\v 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." +\v 38 There was also a sign over him, "This is the King of the Jews." + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 One of the criminals who was hanging there insulted him by saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us." +\v 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence? +\v 41 We indeed are here justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds. But this man did nothing wrong." + +\s5 +\v 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." +\v 43 Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." +\p + +\s5 +\v 44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour +\v 45 as the sun's light failed. Then the curtain of the temple was split down the middle. + +\s5 +\v 46 Crying with a loud voice, Jesus said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Having said this, he died. +\v 47 When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, "Surely this was a righteous man." + +\s5 +\v 48 When all the multitudes who came together to witness this sight saw the things that were done, they returned beating their breasts. +\v 49 But all those who knew him, and the women who followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. + +\s5 +\p +\v 50 Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council. He was a good and righteous man. +\v 51 This man had not agreed with the decision of the Council and their action. He was from the Judean town of Arimathea; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. + +\s5 +\v 52 This man, approaching Pilate, asked for the body of Jesus. +\v 53 He took it down, wrapped it in fine linen, and placed it in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid. +\s5 +\v 54 It was the Day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was dawning. +\v 55 The women, who had come with Jesus out of Galilee, followed after and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. +\v 56 They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. +\p Then on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. + + + \s5 diff --git a/44-JHN.usfm b/44-JHN.usfm index 46f510d7..1746adf1 100644 --- a/44-JHN.usfm +++ b/44-JHN.usfm @@ -4,557 +4,557 @@ \toc1 The Gospel of John \toc2 John \toc3 Jhn -\mt John\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. -\v 2 This one was in the beginning with God. -\v 3 All things were made through him, and without him there was not one thing made that has been made. - -\s5 -\v 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all men. -\v 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. -\s5 -\v 6 There was a man who was sent from God, whose name was John. -\v 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, that all might believe through him. -\v 8 John was not the light, but came that he might testify about the light. - -\s5 -\v 9 The true light, which gives light to all men, was coming into the world. - -\s5 -\v 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. -\v 11 He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. - -\s5 -\v 12 But to as many as received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. -\v 13 These were not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. - -\s5 -\v 14 The Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen his glory, glory as of the one and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -\v 15 John testified about him and cried out, saying, "This was the one of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is more than me, for he was before me.'" - -\s5 -\v 16 For from his fullness we have all received grace after grace. -\v 17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. -\v 18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only God, who at the side of the Father, he has made him known. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 This is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" -\v 20 He freely stated, and did not deny, but replied, "I am not the Christ." -\v 21 So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." They said, "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." - -\s5 -\v 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" -\v 23 He said, -\q "I am a voice, crying in the wilderness: -\q 'Make the way of the Lord straight,' -\m -just as Isaiah the prophet said." - -\s5 -\v 24 Now some from the Pharisees were sent, -\v 25 and they asked him and said to him, "Why do you baptize then if you are not the Christ nor Elijah nor the prophet?" - -\s5 -\v 26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water. But among you stands someone you do not know. -\v 27 He is the one who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." -\v 28 These things were done in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. - -\s5 -\v 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Look, there is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! -\v 30 This is the one of whom I said, 'The one who comes after me is more than me, for he was before me.' -\v 31 I did not know him, but it was so that he could be revealed to Israel that I came baptizing with water." - -\s5 -\v 32 John testified, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it stayed upon him. -\v 33 I did not recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, he is the one baptizing in the Holy Spirit.' -\v 34 I have both seen and testified that this is the Son of God." - -\s5 -\p -\v 35 Again, the next day, as John was standing with two of his disciples, -\v 36 they saw Jesus walking by, and John said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" - -\s5 -\v 37 His two disciples heard him say this and they followed Jesus. -\v 38 Then Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What do you want?" They replied, "Rabbi (which translated means teacher), where are you staying?" -\v 39 He said to them, "Come and see." Then they came and saw where he was staying; they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. - -\s5 -\v 40 One of the two who heard John speak and then followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. -\v 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated is: Christ). -\v 42 He brought him to Jesus, and Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John, you will be called Cephas" (which translated is: Peter). - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 The next day, when Jesus wanted to leave to go to Galilee, he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." -\v 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. -\v 45 Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, "He of whom Moses wrote in the law, and the prophets, we have found him: Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth." - -\s5 -\v 46 Nathaniel said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." -\v 47 Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him and said about him, "See, a true Israelite, in whom is no deceit!" -\v 48 Nathaniel said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." - -\s5 -\v 49 Nathaniel replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" -\v 50 Jesus replied and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you underneath the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than this." -\v 51 Then he said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. -\v 2 Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding. - -\s5 -\v 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." -\v 4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why do you come to me? My time has not yet come." -\v 5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it." - -\s5 -\v 6 Now there were six stone water pots there used for the Jewish ceremonial washing, each containing two to three metretes. -\v 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water." So they filled them up to the brim. -\v 8 Then he told the servants, "Take some out now and take it to the head waiter." So they did. - -\s5 -\v 9 The head waiter tasted the water that had become wine, but he did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew). Then he called the bridegroom -\v 10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first and then the cheaper wine when they are drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." - -\s5 -\v 11 This first sign Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. - -\s5 -\v 12 After this Jesus, his mother, his brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum and they stayed there for a few days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. -\v 14 He found sellers of oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers were sitting there. - -\s5 -\v 15 So he made a whip of cords and drove all of them out from the temple, including both the sheep and the oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overthrew their tables. -\v 16 To the pigeon sellers he said, "Take these things away from here. Stop making the house of my Father a marketplace." - -\s5 -\v 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." -\v 18 Then the Jewish authorities responded and said to him, "What sign will you show us, since you are doing these things?" -\v 19 Jesus replied, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." - -\s5 -\v 20 Then the Jewish authorities said, "This temple was built in forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" -\v 21 However, he was speaking about the temple of his body. -\v 22 After he was raised from the dead ones, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the scripture and this statement that Jesus had spoken. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he did. -\v 24 But Jesus did not trust in them because he knew them all, -\v 25 because he did not need anyone to testify to him about man, for he knew what was in man. -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now there was a Pharisee whose name was Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. -\v 2 This man came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher that came from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." - -\s5 -\v 3 Jesus replied to him, "Truly, truly, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." -\v 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" - -\s5 -\v 5 Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. -\v 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. - -\s5 -\v 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' -\v 8 The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear its sound, but you do not know where it came from or where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." - -\s5 -\v 9 Nicodemus replied and said to him, "How can these things be?" -\v 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? -\v 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen. Yet you do not accept our testimony. -\s5 -\v 12 If I told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? -\v 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. - -\s5 -\v 14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, -\v 15 so that all who believe in him may have eternal life. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not die but have eternal life. -\v 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but in order to save the world through him. -\v 18 He who believes in him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is already condemned because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. - -\s5 -\v 19 This is the reason for the judgment: The light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. -\v 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light so that his deeds will not be exposed. -\v 21 However, he who practices the truth comes to the light so that it may be plainly seen that his deeds have been done in God." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea. There he spent some time with them and baptized. -\v 23 Now John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there. People were coming to him and were being baptized, -\v 24 for John had not yet been thrown in prison. - -\s5 -\v 25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and a Jew about ceremonial washing. -\v 26 They went to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River, about whom you have testified, look, he is baptizing, and they are all going to him." - -\s5 -\v 27 John replied, "A man cannot receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. -\v 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but instead, 'I have been sent before him.' - -\s5 -\v 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. Now the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the voice of the bridegroom. This, then, is my joy made complete. -\v 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth is from the earth and speaks about the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. -\v 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. -\v 33 He who has received his testimony has confirmed that God is true. - -\s5 -\v 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God. For he does not give the Spirit by measure. -\v 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. -\v 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God stays on him." -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Now when Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that he was making and baptizing more disciples than John -\v 2 (although Jesus himself was not baptizing, but his disciples were), -\v 3 he left Judea and went back again to Galilee. - -\s5 -\v 4 But it was necessary for him to go through Samaria. -\v 5 So he came to a town of Samaria, called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. - -\s5 -\v 6 The well of Jacob was there. Jesus was tired from his journey and sat by the well. It was about the sixth hour. -\v 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me some water to drink." -\v 8 For his disciples had gone away into the town to buy food. - -\s5 -\v 9 Then the Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, being a Jew, are asking me, being a Samaritan woman, for something to drink?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. -\v 10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you had known the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." - -\s5 -\v 11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you do not have a bucket and the well is deep. Where then do you have the living water? -\v 12 You are not greater, are you, than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his cattle?" - -\s5 -\v 13 Jesus replied and said to her, "Everyone who drinks from this water will be thirsty again, -\v 14 but whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. Instead, the water that I will give him will become a fountain of water in him, springing up to eternal life." - -\s5 -\v 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I may not become thirsty and not have to come here to draw water." -\v 16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back here." - -\s5 -\v 17 The woman answered and said to him, "I do not have a husband." Jesus replied, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband,' -\v 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." - -\s5 -\v 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. -\v 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people have to worship." - -\s5 -\v 21 Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, that an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. -\v 22 You worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. - -\s5 -\v 23 However, the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to be his worshipers. -\v 24 God is Spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." - -\s5 -\v 25 The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (the one called Christ). When he comes, he will explain everything to us." -\v 26 Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one speaking to you." - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 At that moment his disciples returned. Now they were wondering why he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or "Why are you speaking with her?" - -\s5 -\v 28 So the woman left her water pot, went back to the town, and said to the people, -\v 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything that I have ever done. This could not be the Christ, could it?" -\v 30 They left the town and came to him. - -\s5 -\v 31 In the meantime, the disciples were urging him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." -\v 32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." -\v 33 So the disciples said to each other, "No one has brought him anything to eat, have they?" - -\s5 -\v 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. -\v 35 Do you not say, 'There are four more months and then the harvest comes'? I am saying to you, look up and see the fields, for they are already ripe for harvest! -\v 36 He who is harvesting receives wages and gathers fruit for everlasting life, so that he who sows and he who harvests may rejoice together. - -\s5 -\v 37 For in this the saying, 'One sows, and another harvests,' is true. -\v 38 I sent you to harvest what you have not worked for. Others have worked, and you have entered into their labor." - -\s5 -\p -\v 39 Many of the Samaritans in that city believed in him because of the report of the woman who was testifying, "He told me everything that I have done." -\v 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. - -\s5 -\v 41 Many more believed because of his word. -\v 42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard, and we know that this one is indeed the savior of the world." - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 After those two days, he departed from there for Galilee. -\v 44 For Jesus himself declared that a prophet has no honor in his own country. -\v 45 When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all the things that he had done in Jerusalem at the -festival, for they had also gone to the festival. - -\s5 -\p -\v 46 Now he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. There was a certain royal official whose son in Capernaum was ill. -\v 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Jesus and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. - -\s5 -\v 48 Jesus then said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe." -\v 49 The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." -\v 50 Jesus said to him, "Go. Your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went away. - -\s5 -\v 51 While he was going down, his servants met him, saying that his son was living. -\v 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to improve. They replied to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." - -\s5 -\v 53 Then the father realized that it was at that hour that Jesus had said to him, "Your son lives." So he himself and his whole household believed. -\v 54 This was the second sign that Jesus did when he came out of Judea to Galilee. -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 After this there was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. -\v 2 Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, and it has five roofed porches. -\v 3 A large number of people who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed were lying there. \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit the phrase, \fqa waiting for the moving of the water \fqa*. \f* -\v 4 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit vs. 4, \fqa For an angel of the Lord went down and stirred up the water at certain times and whoever stepped in while the water was stirring was healed from whatever disease he suffered from \fqa*. \f* - -\s5 -\v 5 A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. -\v 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and after he realized that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healthy?" - -\s5 -\v 7 The sick man replied, "Sir, I do not have anyone to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. When I come, another steps down before me." -\v 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk." - -\s5 -\v 9 Immediately the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. -\p Now that day was a Sabbath. - -\s5 -\v 10 So the Jews said to him who was healed, "It is the Sabbath and you are not permitted to carry your mat." -\v 11 He replied, "He who made me healthy said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" - -\s5 -\v 12 They asked him, "Who is the man that said to you, 'Pick it up and walk'?" -\v 13 However, the one who was healed did not know who it was because Jesus had gone away secretly, for there was a crowd in the place. - -\s5 -\v 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have become healthy! Do not sin anymore, so that something worse will not happen to you." -\v 15 The man went away and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him healthy. - -\s5 -\v 16 Now because of these things the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the Sabbath. -\v 17 Jesus replied to them, "My Father is working even now, and I, too, am working." -\v 18 Because of this, the Jews sought even more to kill him because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal to God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, the Son can do nothing of himself, except only what he sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father is doing, the Son does these things also. -\v 20 For the Father loves the Son and he shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater things than these so that you will be amazed. - -\s5 -\v 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whomever he wishes. -\v 22 For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son -\v 23 so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. - -\s5 -\v 24 Truly, truly, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but he has passed from death to life. - -\s5 -\v 25 Truly, truly, I tell you the time is coming, and is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. - -\s5 -\v 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has also given to the Son so that he has life in himself, -\v 27 and the Father has given the Son authority to carry out judgment because he is the Son of Man. - -\s5 -\v 28 Do not be amazed at this, for there is a time coming in which everyone who is in the tombs will hear his voice -\v 29 and will come out. Those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 I can do nothing from myself. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I am not seeking my own will but the will of him who sent me. -\v 31 If I should testify about myself, my testimony would not be true. -\v 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony that he gives about me is true. - -\s5 -\v 33 You have sent to John, and he has testified the truth. -\v 34 But the testimony that I receive is not from man. I say these things that you might be saved. -\v 35 John was a lamp that was burning and shining, and you were willing to rejoice in his light for a while. - -\s5 -\v 36 Yet the testimony that I have is greater than that of John, for the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me that the Father has sent me. -\v 37 The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have neither heard his voice nor seen his form at any time. -\v 38 You do not have his word remaining in you, for you are not believing in the one whom he has sent. - -\s5 -\v 39 You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and these same scriptures testify about me, -\v 40 and you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. - -\s5 -\v 41 I do not receive praise from men, -\v 42 but I know that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. - -\s5 -\v 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another should come in his own name, you would receive him. -\v 44 How can you believe, you who accept praise from one another but are not seeking the praise that comes from the only God? - -\s5 -\v 45 Do not think that I myself will accuse you before the Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have put your hope. -\v 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. -\v 47 If you do not believe his writings, how are you going to believe my words?" -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. -\v 2 A great crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was doing on those who were sick. -\v 3 Jesus went up the mountain and there he sat down with his disciples. - -\s5 -\v 4 (Now the Passover, the Jewish festival, was near.) -\v 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where are we going to buy bread so that these may eat?" -\v 6 (But Jesus said this to test Philip, for he himself knew what he was going to do.) -\s5 -\v 7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be sufficient for each one to have even a little." -\v 8 One of the disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to Jesus, -\v 9 "There is a boy here who has five bread loaves of barley and two fish, but what are these among so many?" - -\s5 -\v 10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." (Now there was a lot of grass in the place.) So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. -\v 11 Then Jesus took the loaves and after giving thanks, he gave it to those who were sitting. He did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted. -\v 12 When the people were filled, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the broken pieces which remain, so that nothing will be lost." - -\s5 -\v 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. -\v 14 Then, when the people saw this sign that he did, they said, "This truly is the prophet who is to come into the world." -\v 15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and seize him by force to make him king, he withdrew again up the mountain by himself. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 When it became evening, his disciples went down to the sea. -\v 17 They got into a boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was dark by this time, and Jesus had not yet come to them. -\v 18 A strong wind was blowing, and the sea was getting rough. - -\s5 -\v 19 When they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were afraid. -\v 20 But he said to them, "It is I! Do not be afraid." -\v 21 Then they were willing to receive him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land where they were going. - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 The next day, the crowd that had been standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there except the one, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples but that his disciples had gone away alone. -\v 23 However, there were some boats that came from Tiberias close to the place where they had eaten the bread loaves after the Lord had given thanks. - -\s5 -\v 24 When the crowd discovered that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum seeking Jesus. -\v 25 After they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" - -\s5 -\v 26 Jesus replied to them, saying, "Truly, truly, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate some of the bread loaves and were filled. -\v 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but work for the food that endures to eternal life which the Son of Man will give you, for God the Father has set his seal on him." - -\s5 -\v 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, so that we may do the works of God?" -\v 29 Jesus replied and said to them, "This is the work of God: That you believe in the one whom he has sent." - -\s5 -\v 30 So they said to him, "What sign then will you do, so that we may see and believe you? What will you do? -\v 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" - -\s5 -\v 32 Then Jesus replied to them, "Truly, truly, it was not Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but it is my Father who is giving you the true bread from heaven. -\v 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." -\v 34 So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." - -\s5 -\v 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. -\v 36 But I told you that indeed you have seen me, and you do not believe. -\v 37 Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and he who comes to me I will certainly not throw out. - -\s5 -\v 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. -\v 39 This is the will of him who sent me, that I would lose not one of all those whom he has given me, but will raise them up on the last day. -\v 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him would have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day." - -\s5 -\p -\v 41 Then the Jews grumbled about him because he had said, "I am the bread that has come down from heaven." -\v 42 They said, "Is not this Jesus son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" - -\s5 -\v 43 Jesus replied and said to them, "Stop grumbling among yourselves. -\v 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. -\v 45 It is written in the prophets, 'Everyone will be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. - -\s5 -\v 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God—he has seen the Father. -\v 47 Truly, truly, he who believes has eternal life. - -\s5 -\v 48 I am the bread of life. -\v 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. - -\s5 -\v 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that a person may eat some of it and not die. -\v 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats some of this bread, he will live forever. The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." - -\s5 -\p -\v 52 The Jews became angry among themselves and began to argue, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" -\v 53 Then Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in yourselves. - -\s5 -\v 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. -\v 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. -\v 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. - -\s5 -\v 57 As the living Father sent me, and as I live because of the Father, so he who eats me, he will also live because of me. -\v 58 This is the bread that has come down from heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. He who eats this bread will live forever." -\v 59 But Jesus said these things in the synagogue while he was teaching in Capernaum. - -\s5 -\p -\v 60 Then many of his disciples who heard this said, "This is a difficult teaching; who can accept it?" -\v 61 Jesus, because he knew in himself that his disciples were grumbling at this, said to them, "Does this offend you? - -\s5 -\v 62 Then what if you should see the Son of Man going up to where he was before? -\v 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and they are life. - -\s5 -\v 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who were the ones that would not believe and who it was who would betray him. -\v 65 He said, "It is because of this that I said to you that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father." - -\s5 -\p -\v 66 Because of this, many of his disciples went away and no longer walked with him. -\v 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" -\v 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life, -\v 69 and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God \f + \ft The phrase \fqa the Holy One of God \fqa* is in the best ancient copies. Some later copies add an additional description and they read: \fqa the Christ, the Holy One of God. \f*." - -\s5 -\v 70 Jesus said to them, "Did not I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" -\v 71 Now he spoke of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he, one of the twelve, who would betray Jesus. +\mt John\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. +\v 2 This one was in the beginning with God. +\v 3 All things were made through him, and without him there was not one thing made that has been made. + +\s5 +\v 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all men. +\v 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. +\s5 +\v 6 There was a man who was sent from God, whose name was John. +\v 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, that all might believe through him. +\v 8 John was not the light, but came that he might testify about the light. + +\s5 +\v 9 The true light, which gives light to all men, was coming into the world. + +\s5 +\v 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not know him. +\v 11 He came to his own, and his own did not receive him. + +\s5 +\v 12 But to as many as received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. +\v 13 These were not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. + +\s5 +\v 14 The Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen his glory, glory as of the one and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. +\v 15 John testified about him and cried out, saying, "This was the one of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is more than me, for he was before me.'" + +\s5 +\v 16 For from his fullness we have all received grace after grace. +\v 17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. +\v 18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only God, who at the side of the Father, he has made him known. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 This is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" +\v 20 He freely stated, and did not deny, but replied, "I am not the Christ." +\v 21 So they asked him, "What are you then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." They said, "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." + +\s5 +\v 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" +\v 23 He said, +\q "I am a voice, crying in the wilderness: +\q 'Make the way of the Lord straight,' +\m +just as Isaiah the prophet said." + +\s5 +\v 24 Now some from the Pharisees were sent, +\v 25 and they asked him and said to him, "Why do you baptize then if you are not the Christ nor Elijah nor the prophet?" + +\s5 +\v 26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water. But among you stands someone you do not know. +\v 27 He is the one who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." +\v 28 These things were done in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. + +\s5 +\v 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Look, there is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! +\v 30 This is the one of whom I said, 'The one who comes after me is more than me, for he was before me.' +\v 31 I did not know him, but it was so that he could be revealed to Israel that I came baptizing with water." + +\s5 +\v 32 John testified, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven, and it stayed upon him. +\v 33 I did not recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, he is the one baptizing in the Holy Spirit.' +\v 34 I have both seen and testified that this is the Son of God." + +\s5 +\p +\v 35 Again, the next day, as John was standing with two of his disciples, +\v 36 they saw Jesus walking by, and John said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" + +\s5 +\v 37 His two disciples heard him say this and they followed Jesus. +\v 38 Then Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What do you want?" They replied, "Rabbi (which translated means teacher), where are you staying?" +\v 39 He said to them, "Come and see." Then they came and saw where he was staying; they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. + +\s5 +\v 40 One of the two who heard John speak and then followed Jesus was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. +\v 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated is: Christ). +\v 42 He brought him to Jesus, and Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John, you will be called Cephas" (which translated is: Peter). + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 The next day, when Jesus wanted to leave to go to Galilee, he found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." +\v 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. +\v 45 Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, "He of whom Moses wrote in the law, and the prophets, we have found him: Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth." + +\s5 +\v 46 Nathaniel said to him, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." +\v 47 Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him and said about him, "See, a true Israelite, in whom is no deceit!" +\v 48 Nathaniel said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." + +\s5 +\v 49 Nathaniel replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" +\v 50 Jesus replied and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you underneath the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than this." +\v 51 Then he said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Three days later, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. +\v 2 Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding. + +\s5 +\v 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." +\v 4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why do you come to me? My time has not yet come." +\v 5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it." + +\s5 +\v 6 Now there were six stone water pots there used for the Jewish ceremonial washing, each containing two to three metretes. +\v 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water." So they filled them up to the brim. +\v 8 Then he told the servants, "Take some out now and take it to the head waiter." So they did. + +\s5 +\v 9 The head waiter tasted the water that had become wine, but he did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew). Then he called the bridegroom +\v 10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first and then the cheaper wine when they are drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now." + +\s5 +\v 11 This first sign Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. + +\s5 +\v 12 After this Jesus, his mother, his brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum and they stayed there for a few days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. +\v 14 He found sellers of oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money changers were sitting there. + +\s5 +\v 15 So he made a whip of cords and drove all of them out from the temple, including both the sheep and the oxen. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overthrew their tables. +\v 16 To the pigeon sellers he said, "Take these things away from here. Stop making the house of my Father a marketplace." + +\s5 +\v 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for your house will consume me." +\v 18 Then the Jewish authorities responded and said to him, "What sign will you show us, since you are doing these things?" +\v 19 Jesus replied, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." + +\s5 +\v 20 Then the Jewish authorities said, "This temple was built in forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" +\v 21 However, he was speaking about the temple of his body. +\v 22 After he was raised from the dead ones, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the scripture and this statement that Jesus had spoken. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover festival, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he did. +\v 24 But Jesus did not trust in them because he knew them all, +\v 25 because he did not need anyone to testify to him about man, for he knew what was in man. +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now there was a Pharisee whose name was Nicodemus, a Jewish leader. +\v 2 This man came to Jesus at night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher that came from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." + +\s5 +\v 3 Jesus replied to him, "Truly, truly, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." +\v 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" + +\s5 +\v 5 Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. +\v 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. + +\s5 +\v 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' +\v 8 The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear its sound, but you do not know where it came from or where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." + +\s5 +\v 9 Nicodemus replied and said to him, "How can these things be?" +\v 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? +\v 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak what we know, and we testify about what we have seen. Yet you do not accept our testimony. +\s5 +\v 12 If I told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? +\v 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. + +\s5 +\v 14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, +\v 15 so that all who believe in him may have eternal life. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not die but have eternal life. +\v 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to condemn the world, but in order to save the world through him. +\v 18 He who believes in him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is already condemned because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. + +\s5 +\v 19 This is the reason for the judgment: The light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. +\v 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light so that his deeds will not be exposed. +\v 21 However, he who practices the truth comes to the light so that it may be plainly seen that his deeds have been done in God." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea. There he spent some time with them and baptized. +\v 23 Now John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there. People were coming to him and were being baptized, +\v 24 for John had not yet been thrown in prison. + +\s5 +\v 25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and a Jew about ceremonial washing. +\v 26 They went to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River, about whom you have testified, look, he is baptizing, and they are all going to him." + +\s5 +\v 27 John replied, "A man cannot receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. +\v 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but instead, 'I have been sent before him.' + +\s5 +\v 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. Now the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the voice of the bridegroom. This, then, is my joy made complete. +\v 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth is from the earth and speaks about the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. +\v 32 He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. +\v 33 He who has received his testimony has confirmed that God is true. + +\s5 +\v 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God. For he does not give the Spirit by measure. +\v 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. +\v 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God stays on him." +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Now when Jesus knew that the Pharisees had heard that he was making and baptizing more disciples than John +\v 2 (although Jesus himself was not baptizing, but his disciples were), +\v 3 he left Judea and went back again to Galilee. + +\s5 +\v 4 But it was necessary for him to go through Samaria. +\v 5 So he came to a town of Samaria, called Sychar, near the piece of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. + +\s5 +\v 6 The well of Jacob was there. Jesus was tired from his journey and sat by the well. It was about the sixth hour. +\v 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, "Give me some water to drink." +\v 8 For his disciples had gone away into the town to buy food. + +\s5 +\v 9 Then the Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, being a Jew, are asking me, being a Samaritan woman, for something to drink?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. +\v 10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you had known the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." + +\s5 +\v 11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you do not have a bucket and the well is deep. Where then do you have the living water? +\v 12 You are not greater, are you, than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his cattle?" + +\s5 +\v 13 Jesus replied and said to her, "Everyone who drinks from this water will be thirsty again, +\v 14 but whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. Instead, the water that I will give him will become a fountain of water in him, springing up to eternal life." + +\s5 +\v 15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I may not become thirsty and not have to come here to draw water." +\v 16 Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back here." + +\s5 +\v 17 The woman answered and said to him, "I do not have a husband." Jesus replied, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband,' +\v 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." + +\s5 +\v 19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. +\v 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people have to worship." + +\s5 +\v 21 Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, that an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. +\v 22 You worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. + +\s5 +\v 23 However, the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to be his worshipers. +\v 24 God is Spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." + +\s5 +\v 25 The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (the one called Christ). When he comes, he will explain everything to us." +\v 26 Jesus said to her, "I am he, the one speaking to you." + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 At that moment his disciples returned. Now they were wondering why he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or "Why are you speaking with her?" + +\s5 +\v 28 So the woman left her water pot, went back to the town, and said to the people, +\v 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything that I have ever done. This could not be the Christ, could it?" +\v 30 They left the town and came to him. + +\s5 +\v 31 In the meantime, the disciples were urging him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." +\v 32 But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." +\v 33 So the disciples said to each other, "No one has brought him anything to eat, have they?" + +\s5 +\v 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. +\v 35 Do you not say, 'There are four more months and then the harvest comes'? I am saying to you, look up and see the fields, for they are already ripe for harvest! +\v 36 He who is harvesting receives wages and gathers fruit for everlasting life, so that he who sows and he who harvests may rejoice together. + +\s5 +\v 37 For in this the saying, 'One sows, and another harvests,' is true. +\v 38 I sent you to harvest what you have not worked for. Others have worked, and you have entered into their labor." + +\s5 +\p +\v 39 Many of the Samaritans in that city believed in him because of the report of the woman who was testifying, "He told me everything that I have done." +\v 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. + +\s5 +\v 41 Many more believed because of his word. +\v 42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard, and we know that this one is indeed the savior of the world." + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 After those two days, he departed from there for Galilee. +\v 44 For Jesus himself declared that a prophet has no honor in his own country. +\v 45 When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all the things that he had done in Jerusalem at the +festival, for they had also gone to the festival. + +\s5 +\p +\v 46 Now he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. There was a certain royal official whose son in Capernaum was ill. +\v 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Jesus and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. + +\s5 +\v 48 Jesus then said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe." +\v 49 The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." +\v 50 Jesus said to him, "Go. Your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went away. + +\s5 +\v 51 While he was going down, his servants met him, saying that his son was living. +\v 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to improve. They replied to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." + +\s5 +\v 53 Then the father realized that it was at that hour that Jesus had said to him, "Your son lives." So he himself and his whole household believed. +\v 54 This was the second sign that Jesus did when he came out of Judea to Galilee. +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 After this there was a Jewish festival, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. +\v 2 Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, and it has five roofed porches. +\v 3 A large number of people who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed were lying there. \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit the phrase, \fqa waiting for the moving of the water \fqa*. \f* +\v 4 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit vs. 4, \fqa For an angel of the Lord went down and stirred up the water at certain times and whoever stepped in while the water was stirring was healed from whatever disease he suffered from \fqa*. \f* + +\s5 +\v 5 A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. +\v 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and after he realized that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healthy?" + +\s5 +\v 7 The sick man replied, "Sir, I do not have anyone to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. When I come, another steps down before me." +\v 8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk." + +\s5 +\v 9 Immediately the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. +\p Now that day was a Sabbath. + +\s5 +\v 10 So the Jews said to him who was healed, "It is the Sabbath and you are not permitted to carry your mat." +\v 11 He replied, "He who made me healthy said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" + +\s5 +\v 12 They asked him, "Who is the man that said to you, 'Pick it up and walk'?" +\v 13 However, the one who was healed did not know who it was because Jesus had gone away secretly, for there was a crowd in the place. + +\s5 +\v 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you have become healthy! Do not sin anymore, so that something worse will not happen to you." +\v 15 The man went away and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him healthy. + +\s5 +\v 16 Now because of these things the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the Sabbath. +\v 17 Jesus replied to them, "My Father is working even now, and I, too, am working." +\v 18 Because of this, the Jews sought even more to kill him because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal to God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, the Son can do nothing of himself, except only what he sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father is doing, the Son does these things also. +\v 20 For the Father loves the Son and he shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater things than these so that you will be amazed. + +\s5 +\v 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whomever he wishes. +\v 22 For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son +\v 23 so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. + +\s5 +\v 24 Truly, truly, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but he has passed from death to life. + +\s5 +\v 25 Truly, truly, I tell you the time is coming, and is now, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. + +\s5 +\v 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has also given to the Son so that he has life in himself, +\v 27 and the Father has given the Son authority to carry out judgment because he is the Son of Man. + +\s5 +\v 28 Do not be amazed at this, for there is a time coming in which everyone who is in the tombs will hear his voice +\v 29 and will come out. Those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 I can do nothing from myself. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous because I am not seeking my own will but the will of him who sent me. +\v 31 If I should testify about myself, my testimony would not be true. +\v 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony that he gives about me is true. + +\s5 +\v 33 You have sent to John, and he has testified the truth. +\v 34 But the testimony that I receive is not from man. I say these things that you might be saved. +\v 35 John was a lamp that was burning and shining, and you were willing to rejoice in his light for a while. + +\s5 +\v 36 Yet the testimony that I have is greater than that of John, for the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me that the Father has sent me. +\v 37 The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have neither heard his voice nor seen his form at any time. +\v 38 You do not have his word remaining in you, for you are not believing in the one whom he has sent. + +\s5 +\v 39 You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and these same scriptures testify about me, +\v 40 and you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. + +\s5 +\v 41 I do not receive praise from men, +\v 42 but I know that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. + +\s5 +\v 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another should come in his own name, you would receive him. +\v 44 How can you believe, you who accept praise from one another but are not seeking the praise that comes from the only God? + +\s5 +\v 45 Do not think that I myself will accuse you before the Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have put your hope. +\v 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. +\v 47 If you do not believe his writings, how are you going to believe my words?" +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 After these things, Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. +\v 2 A great crowd was following him because they saw the signs that he was doing on those who were sick. +\v 3 Jesus went up the mountain and there he sat down with his disciples. + +\s5 +\v 4 (Now the Passover, the Jewish festival, was near.) +\v 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming to him, he said to Philip, "Where are we going to buy bread so that these may eat?" +\v 6 (But Jesus said this to test Philip, for he himself knew what he was going to do.) +\s5 +\v 7 Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be sufficient for each one to have even a little." +\v 8 One of the disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to Jesus, +\v 9 "There is a boy here who has five bread loaves of barley and two fish, but what are these among so many?" + +\s5 +\v 10 Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." (Now there was a lot of grass in the place.) So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. +\v 11 Then Jesus took the loaves and after giving thanks, he gave it to those who were sitting. He did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted. +\v 12 When the people were filled, he said to his disciples, "Gather up the broken pieces which remain, so that nothing will be lost." + +\s5 +\v 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. +\v 14 Then, when the people saw this sign that he did, they said, "This truly is the prophet who is to come into the world." +\v 15 When Jesus realized that they were about to come and seize him by force to make him king, he withdrew again up the mountain by himself. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 When it became evening, his disciples went down to the sea. +\v 17 They got into a boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was dark by this time, and Jesus had not yet come to them. +\v 18 A strong wind was blowing, and the sea was getting rough. + +\s5 +\v 19 When they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were afraid. +\v 20 But he said to them, "It is I! Do not be afraid." +\v 21 Then they were willing to receive him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land where they were going. + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 The next day, the crowd that had been standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there except the one, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples but that his disciples had gone away alone. +\v 23 However, there were some boats that came from Tiberias close to the place where they had eaten the bread loaves after the Lord had given thanks. + +\s5 +\v 24 When the crowd discovered that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum seeking Jesus. +\v 25 After they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" + +\s5 +\v 26 Jesus replied to them, saying, "Truly, truly, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate some of the bread loaves and were filled. +\v 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but work for the food that endures to eternal life which the Son of Man will give you, for God the Father has set his seal on him." + +\s5 +\v 28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, so that we may do the works of God?" +\v 29 Jesus replied and said to them, "This is the work of God: That you believe in the one whom he has sent." + +\s5 +\v 30 So they said to him, "What sign then will you do, so that we may see and believe you? What will you do? +\v 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" + +\s5 +\v 32 Then Jesus replied to them, "Truly, truly, it was not Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but it is my Father who is giving you the true bread from heaven. +\v 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." +\v 34 So they said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." + +\s5 +\v 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. +\v 36 But I told you that indeed you have seen me, and you do not believe. +\v 37 Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and he who comes to me I will certainly not throw out. + +\s5 +\v 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. +\v 39 This is the will of him who sent me, that I would lose not one of all those whom he has given me, but will raise them up on the last day. +\v 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him would have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day." + +\s5 +\p +\v 41 Then the Jews grumbled about him because he had said, "I am the bread that has come down from heaven." +\v 42 They said, "Is not this Jesus son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" + +\s5 +\v 43 Jesus replied and said to them, "Stop grumbling among yourselves. +\v 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day. +\v 45 It is written in the prophets, 'Everyone will be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. + +\s5 +\v 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God—he has seen the Father. +\v 47 Truly, truly, he who believes has eternal life. + +\s5 +\v 48 I am the bread of life. +\v 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. + +\s5 +\v 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, so that a person may eat some of it and not die. +\v 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats some of this bread, he will live forever. The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." + +\s5 +\p +\v 52 The Jews became angry among themselves and began to argue, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" +\v 53 Then Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in yourselves. + +\s5 +\v 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. +\v 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. +\v 56 He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. + +\s5 +\v 57 As the living Father sent me, and as I live because of the Father, so he who eats me, he will also live because of me. +\v 58 This is the bread that has come down from heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. He who eats this bread will live forever." +\v 59 But Jesus said these things in the synagogue while he was teaching in Capernaum. + +\s5 +\p +\v 60 Then many of his disciples who heard this said, "This is a difficult teaching; who can accept it?" +\v 61 Jesus, because he knew in himself that his disciples were grumbling at this, said to them, "Does this offend you? + +\s5 +\v 62 Then what if you should see the Son of Man going up to where he was before? +\v 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and they are life. + +\s5 +\v 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who were the ones that would not believe and who it was who would betray him. +\v 65 He said, "It is because of this that I said to you that no one can come to me unless it is granted to him by the Father." + +\s5 +\p +\v 66 Because of this, many of his disciples went away and no longer walked with him. +\v 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" +\v 68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life, +\v 69 and we have believed and come to know that you are the Holy One of God \f + \ft The phrase \fqa the Holy One of God \fqa* is in the best ancient copies. Some later copies add an additional description and they read: \fqa the Christ, the Holy One of God. \f*." + +\s5 +\v 70 Jesus said to them, "Did not I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" +\v 71 Now he spoke of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he, one of the twelve, who would betray Jesus. \s5 \c 7 \p @@ -663,115 +663,115 @@ festival, for they had also gone to the festival. \s5 \p \v 53 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit John 7:53-8:11 \f* [Then everyone went to his own house. -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 \f + \ft See the note about John 7:53-8:11 above \f* Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. -\v 2 Early in the morning he came to the temple again, and all the people came; he sat down and taught them. -\v 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery. They placed her in the middle. - -\s5 -\v 4 \f + \ft See the note about John 7:53-8:11 above \f* Then they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. -\v 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such people; what do you say about her?" -\v 6 They said this in order to trap him so that they might have something to accuse him about, but Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. - -\s5 -\v 7 \f + \ft See the note about John 7:53-8:11 above \f* When they continued asking him questions, he stood up and said to them, "The one among you who has no sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." -\v 8 Again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger. - -\s5 -\v 9 \f + \ft See the note about John 7:53-8:11 above \f* When they heard it, they left one by one, beginning with the oldest. Finally Jesus was left alone, with the woman who had been in the middle. -\v 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?" -\v 11 She said, "No one, Lord." Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."] - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." -\v 13 The Pharisees said to him, "You bear witness about yourself; your witness is not true." - -\s5 -\v 14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness about myself, my witness is true. I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I came from or where I am going. -\v 15 You judge according the flesh; I judge no one. -\v 16 Yet if I judge, my judgment is true because I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. - -\s5 -\v 17 Yes, and in your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true. -\v 18 I am he who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me." - -\s5 -\v 19 They said to him, "Where is your father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father; if you had known me, you would have known my Father also." -\v 20 He said these words in the treasury as he taught in the temple, and no one arrested him because his hour had not yet come. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 So again he said to them, "I am going away; you will seek me and will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come." -\v 22 The Jews said, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I am going you cannot come'?" - -\s5 -\v 23 Jesus said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. -\v 24 Therefore, I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins." - -\s5 -\v 25 They said therefore to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "What I have said to you from the beginning. -\v 26 I have many things to speak and to judge about you. However, he who sent me is true; and the things that I heard from him, these things I say to the world." -\v 27 They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. - -\s5 -\v 28 Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then will you know that I AM, and that I do nothing of myself. As the Father taught me, I speak these things. -\v 29 He who sent me is with me, and he has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him." -\v 30 As Jesus was saying these things, many believed in him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples; -\v 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." -\v 33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves of anyone; how can you say, 'You will be set free'?" - -\s5 -\v 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. -\v 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. -\v 36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free. - -\s5 -\v 37 I know that you are Abraham's descendants; you seek to kill me because my word has no place in you. -\v 38 I say what I have seen with my Father, and you also do what you heard from your father." - -\s5 -\v 39 They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. -\v 40 Yet, now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. -\v 41 You do the works of your father." They said to him, "We were not born in sexual immorality; we have one Father: God." - -\s5 -\v 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. -\v 43 Why do you not understand my words? It is because you cannot hear my words. -\v 44 You are of your father, the devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature because he is a liar and the father of lies. - -\s5 -\v 45 Yet, because I speak the truth, you do not believe me. -\v 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? -\v 47 He who is of God hears the words of God; you do not hear them because you are not of God." - -\s5 -\v 48 The Jews answered and said to him, "Do we not truly say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" -\v 49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. - -\s5 -\v 50 I do not seek my glory; there is one seeking and judging. -\v 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." - -\s5 -\v 52 The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets died; but you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' -\v 53 You are not greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? The prophets also died. Who do you make yourself out to be?" - -\s5 -\v 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me—about whom you say that he is your God. -\v 55 You have not known him, but I know him. If I would say, 'I do not know him,' I would be like you, a liar. However, I know him and keep his word. -\v 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at seeing my day; he saw it and was glad." - -\s5 -\v 57 The Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham?" -\v 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." -\v 59 Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 \f + \ft See the note about John 7:53-8:11 above \f* Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. +\v 2 Early in the morning he came to the temple again, and all the people came; he sat down and taught them. +\v 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery. They placed her in the middle. + +\s5 +\v 4 \f + \ft See the note about John 7:53-8:11 above \f* Then they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. +\v 5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such people; what do you say about her?" +\v 6 They said this in order to trap him so that they might have something to accuse him about, but Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. + +\s5 +\v 7 \f + \ft See the note about John 7:53-8:11 above \f* When they continued asking him questions, he stood up and said to them, "The one among you who has no sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." +\v 8 Again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger. + +\s5 +\v 9 \f + \ft See the note about John 7:53-8:11 above \f* When they heard it, they left one by one, beginning with the oldest. Finally Jesus was left alone, with the woman who had been in the middle. +\v 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?" +\v 11 She said, "No one, Lord." Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."] + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." +\v 13 The Pharisees said to him, "You bear witness about yourself; your witness is not true." + +\s5 +\v 14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness about myself, my witness is true. I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I came from or where I am going. +\v 15 You judge according the flesh; I judge no one. +\v 16 Yet if I judge, my judgment is true because I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. + +\s5 +\v 17 Yes, and in your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true. +\v 18 I am he who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me." + +\s5 +\v 19 They said to him, "Where is your father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father; if you had known me, you would have known my Father also." +\v 20 He said these words in the treasury as he taught in the temple, and no one arrested him because his hour had not yet come. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 So again he said to them, "I am going away; you will seek me and will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come." +\v 22 The Jews said, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I am going you cannot come'?" + +\s5 +\v 23 Jesus said to them, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. +\v 24 Therefore, I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins." + +\s5 +\v 25 They said therefore to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "What I have said to you from the beginning. +\v 26 I have many things to speak and to judge about you. However, he who sent me is true; and the things that I heard from him, these things I say to the world." +\v 27 They did not understand that he was speaking to them about the Father. + +\s5 +\v 28 Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then will you know that I AM, and that I do nothing of myself. As the Father taught me, I speak these things. +\v 29 He who sent me is with me, and he has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to him." +\v 30 As Jesus was saying these things, many believed in him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Jesus said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples; +\v 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." +\v 33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves of anyone; how can you say, 'You will be set free'?" + +\s5 +\v 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. +\v 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. +\v 36 Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free. + +\s5 +\v 37 I know that you are Abraham's descendants; you seek to kill me because my word has no place in you. +\v 38 I say what I have seen with my Father, and you also do what you heard from your father." + +\s5 +\v 39 They answered and said to him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. +\v 40 Yet, now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. +\v 41 You do the works of your father." They said to him, "We were not born in sexual immorality; we have one Father: God." + +\s5 +\v 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. +\v 43 Why do you not understand my words? It is because you cannot hear my words. +\v 44 You are of your father, the devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature because he is a liar and the father of lies. + +\s5 +\v 45 Yet, because I speak the truth, you do not believe me. +\v 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe me? +\v 47 He who is of God hears the words of God; you do not hear them because you are not of God." + +\s5 +\v 48 The Jews answered and said to him, "Do we not truly say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?" +\v 49 Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. + +\s5 +\v 50 I do not seek my glory; there is one seeking and judging. +\v 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." + +\s5 +\v 52 The Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets died; but you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' +\v 53 You are not greater than our father Abraham who died, are you? The prophets also died. Who do you make yourself out to be?" + +\s5 +\v 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me—about whom you say that he is your God. +\v 55 You have not known him, but I know him. If I would say, 'I do not know him,' I would be like you, a liar. However, I know him and keep his word. +\v 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at seeing my day; he saw it and was glad." + +\s5 +\v 57 The Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and you have seen Abraham?" +\v 58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." +\v 59 Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. \s5 \c 9 \p @@ -848,87 +848,87 @@ festival, for they had also gone to the festival. \v 39 Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world so that those who do not see may see and so that those who see may become blind." \v 40 Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things and asked him, "Are we also blind?" \v 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin, but now you say, 'We see,' so your sin remains." -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter through the gate into the sheep pen, but climbs up some other way, that man is a thief and a robber. -\v 2 He who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. - -\s5 -\v 3 The gatekeeper opens for him. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. -\v 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. - -\s5 -\v 5 They will not follow a stranger but instead they will avoid him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." -\v 6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they did not understand what these things were that he was saying to them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheep. -\v 8 Everyone who came before me is a thief and a robber, but the sheep did not listen to them. - -\s5 -\v 9 I am the gate. If anyone enters in through me, he will be saved; he will go in and out and will find pasture. -\v 10 The thief does not come if he would not steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they will have life and have it abundantly. - -\s5 -\v 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. -\v 12 The hired servant is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and escapes, and the wolf carries them off and scatters them. -\v 13 He runs away because he is a hired servant and does not care for the sheep. - -\s5 -\v 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me. -\v 15 The Father knows me, and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. -\v 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice so that there will be one flock and one shepherd. - -\s5 -\v 17 This is why the Father loves me: I lay down my life so that I may take it again. -\v 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 A division again occurred among the Jews because of these words. -\v 20 Many of them said, "He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to him?" -\v 21 Others said, "These are not the words of a demon-possessed man. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Then it was time for the Festival of the Dedication in Jerusalem. -\v 23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the porch of Solomon. -\v 24 Then the Jews surrounded him and said to him, "How long will you hold us doubting? If you are the Christ, tell us openly." - -\s5 -\v 25 Jesus replied to them, "I told you, but you do not believe. The works that I do in the name of my Father, these testify concerning me. -\v 26 Yet you do not believe because you are not my sheep. - -\s5 -\v 27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. -\v 28 I give them eternal life; they will never die, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. - -\s5 -\v 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all others, and no one is able to snatch them out of the hand of the Father. -\v 30 I and the Father are one." -\v 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. - -\s5 -\v 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of those works are you stoning me?" -\v 33 The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for any good work, but for blasphemy, because you, a man, are making yourself God." - -\s5 -\v 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'? -\v 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), -\v 36 do you say to him whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? - -\s5 -\v 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. -\v 38 But if I am doing them, even if you do not believe me, believe in the works so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father." -\v 39 They tried to seize him again, but he went away out of their hand. - -\s5 -\p -\v 40 He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and he stayed there. -\v 41 Many people came to him and they said, "John indeed did no signs, but all the things that John has said about this man are true." -\v 42 Many people believed in him there. +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter through the gate into the sheep pen, but climbs up some other way, that man is a thief and a robber. +\v 2 He who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. + +\s5 +\v 3 The gatekeeper opens for him. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. +\v 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. + +\s5 +\v 5 They will not follow a stranger but instead they will avoid him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." +\v 6 Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they did not understand what these things were that he was saying to them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheep. +\v 8 Everyone who came before me is a thief and a robber, but the sheep did not listen to them. + +\s5 +\v 9 I am the gate. If anyone enters in through me, he will be saved; he will go in and out and will find pasture. +\v 10 The thief does not come if he would not steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they will have life and have it abundantly. + +\s5 +\v 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. +\v 12 The hired servant is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and escapes, and the wolf carries them off and scatters them. +\v 13 He runs away because he is a hired servant and does not care for the sheep. + +\s5 +\v 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me. +\v 15 The Father knows me, and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. +\v 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice so that there will be one flock and one shepherd. + +\s5 +\v 17 This is why the Father loves me: I lay down my life so that I may take it again. +\v 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 A division again occurred among the Jews because of these words. +\v 20 Many of them said, "He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to him?" +\v 21 Others said, "These are not the words of a demon-possessed man. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Then it was time for the Festival of the Dedication in Jerusalem. +\v 23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the porch of Solomon. +\v 24 Then the Jews surrounded him and said to him, "How long will you hold us doubting? If you are the Christ, tell us openly." + +\s5 +\v 25 Jesus replied to them, "I told you, but you do not believe. The works that I do in the name of my Father, these testify concerning me. +\v 26 Yet you do not believe because you are not my sheep. + +\s5 +\v 27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. +\v 28 I give them eternal life; they will never die, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. + +\s5 +\v 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all others, and no one is able to snatch them out of the hand of the Father. +\v 30 I and the Father are one." +\v 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. + +\s5 +\v 32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of those works are you stoning me?" +\v 33 The Jews answered him, "We are not stoning you for any good work, but for blasphemy, because you, a man, are making yourself God." + +\s5 +\v 34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'? +\v 35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), +\v 36 do you say to him whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? + +\s5 +\v 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me. +\v 38 But if I am doing them, even if you do not believe me, believe in the works so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father." +\v 39 They tried to seize him again, but he went away out of their hand. + +\s5 +\p +\v 40 He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and he stayed there. +\v 41 Many people came to him and they said, "John indeed did no signs, but all the things that John has said about this man are true." +\v 42 Many people believed in him there. \s5 \c 11 \p @@ -1037,676 +1037,676 @@ festival, for they had also gone to the festival. \s5 \v 56 They were looking for Jesus, and speaking one with another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the festival?" \v 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given an order that if anyone knew where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might seize him. -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead ones, was. -\v 2 So they made him a dinner there, and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of those who was lying down at the table with Jesus. -\v 3 Then Mary took a litra of perfume made of very precious pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus with it, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. - -\s5 -\v 4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, the one who would betray him, said, -\v 5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" -\v 6 Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He had the moneybag and would steal from what was put in it. - -\s5 -\v 7 Jesus said, "Allow her to keep what she has for the day of my burial. -\v 8 You will always have the poor with you. But you will not always have me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Now a large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, and they came, not only for Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead ones. -\v 10 The chief priests conspired together so that they might also put Lazarus to death; -\v 11 for it was because of him that many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 On the next day a great crowd came to the festival. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, -\v 13 they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him and cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel." - -\s5 -\v 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it was written, -\v 15 "Do not fear, daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, sitting on the colt of a donkey." - -\s5 -\v 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. - -\s5 -\v 17 Now the crowd testified that they had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him up from the dead ones. -\v 18 It was also for this reason that the crowd went out to meet him, because they heard that he had done this sign. -\v 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "Look, you can do nothing; see, the world has gone after him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Now certain Greeks were among those who were going up to worship at the festival. -\v 21 These went to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." -\v 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip, and they told Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 23 Jesus answered them and said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. -\v 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it will bear much fruit. - -\s5 -\v 25 He who loves his life will lose it; but he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. -\v 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. - -\s5 -\v 27 Now my soul is troubled and what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this reason I came to this hour. -\v 28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven and said, "I have glorified it and I will glorify it again." -\v 29 Then the crowd that stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." - -\s5 -\v 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come for me, but for you. -\v 31 Now is the judgment of this world: Now will the ruler of this world be thrown out. - -\s5 -\v 32 When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." -\v 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he would die. - -\s5 -\v 34 The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ will stay forever. How can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" -\v 35 Jesus then said to them, "The light will still be with you for a short amount of time. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness does not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. -\v 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may be sons of light." -\p Jesus said these things and then departed and hid from them. - -\s5 -\v 37 Although Jesus had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him -\v 38 so that the word of Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled, in which he said: -\q "Lord, who has believed our report, -\q and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" -\m - -\s5 -\v 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah had also said, -\q -\v 40 "He has blinded their eyes, and he has hardened their hearts; -\q otherwise they would see with their eyes and understand with their hearts, -\q and turn, -\q and I would heal them." -\m - -\s5 -\v 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw the glory of Jesus and spoke of him. -\v 42 But despite that, many of the rulers believed in Jesus; but because of the Pharisees, they did not admit it so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. -\v 43 They loved the praise that comes from people more than the praise that comes from God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 Jesus cried out and said, "The one who believes in me, believes not only in me but also in him who sent me, -\v 45 and the one who sees me sees him who sent me. - -\s5 -\v 46 I have come as a light into the world, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. -\v 47 If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. - -\s5 -\v 48 The one who rejects me and who does not receive my words, has one who judges him. The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. -\v 49 For I did not speak for myself, but it is the Father who sent me, who has given me the command about what to say and what to speak. -\v 50 I know that his command is eternal life, so that is what I say—just as the Father has spoken to me, so I speak." -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 Now it was before the Festival of the Passover. Jesus knew that his hour had come to go out of this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. -\v 2 Now the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 3 He knew that the Father had given everything over into his hands and that he had come from God and was going back to God. -\v 4 He got up from dinner and took off his outer clothing. Then he took a towel and wrapped it around himself. -\v 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and dry them with the towel that he had put around himself. - -\s5 -\v 6 He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" -\v 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand this later." -\v 8 Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." -\v 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, do not only wash my feet, but also my hands and my head." - -\s5 -\v 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed has no need, except to wash his feet, but he is completely clean; you are clean, but not everyone." -\v 11 (For Jesus knew who would betray him; that is why he said, "Not all of you are clean.") - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So when Jesus had washed their feet and taken his garments and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done for you? -\v 13 You call me 'teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are speaking correctly, because so I am. -\v 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash the feet of one another. -\v 15 For I have given you an example so that you should also do just as I did for you. - -\s5 -\v 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is a messenger greater than he who sent him. -\v 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. -\v 18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know those whom I have chosen—but this so that the scripture will be fulfilled: 'He who eats my bread lifted up his heel against me.' - -\s5 -\v 19 I tell you this now before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe that I AM. -\v 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I sent, receives me, and he who receives me, receives him who sent me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 When Jesus said this, he was troubled in spirit. He testified and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you that one of you will betray me." -\v 22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering of whom he was speaking. - -\s5 -\v 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying down at the table against Jesus' side. -\v 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him who he is speaking about." -\v 25 So he leaned back against the side of Jesus and said to him, "Lord, who is it?" - -\s5 -\v 26 Then Jesus answered, "It is the one for whom I will dip the piece of bread and give it him." So when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. -\v 27 Then after the bread, Satan entered into him, so Jesus said to him, "What you are doing, do it quickly." - -\s5 -\v 28 Now no one who was lying down at the table knew why he said this to him. -\v 29 Some thought that, since Judas had the moneybag, Jesus said to him, "Buy what we need to have for the festival," or that he should give something to the poor. -\v 30 After Judas received the bread, he went out immediately. It was night. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. -\v 32 God will glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. -\v 33 Little children, I am with you for still a short amount of time. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' Now I also say this to you. - -\s5 -\v 34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you should love one another; as I have loved you, so also you should love one another. -\v 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another." - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later." -\v 37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." -\v 38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow before you have denied me three times." -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 "Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. -\v 2 In the house of my Father are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going to prepare a place for you. -\v 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am you will also be. - -\s5 -\v 4 You know the way to where I am going." -\v 5 Thomas said to Jesus, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?" -\v 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me. -\v 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you know him and have seen him." - -\s5 -\v 8 Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." -\v 9 Jesus said to him, "I have been with you for so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? - -\s5 -\v 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak from my own authority, but the Father living in me is doing his work. -\v 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, or else believe because of the works themselves. - -\s5 -\v 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will do the works that I do, and he will do greater works than these because I am going to the Father. -\v 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father will be glorified in the Son. -\v 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. - -\s5 -\v 15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments, -\v 16 and I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Comforter so that he will be with you forever— -\v 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive him because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. - -\s5 -\v 18 I will not leave you alone; I will come back to you. -\v 19 Yet a short amount of time and the world will no longer see me, but you see me. Because I live, you will also live. -\v 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and that you are in me, and that I am in you. - -\s5 -\v 21 He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me, and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and I will show myself to him." -\v 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Jesus, "Lord, why is it that you will show yourself to us and not to the world?" - -\s5 -\v 23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and we will make our home with him. -\v 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words. The word that you hear is not from me but from the Father who sent me. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 I have said these things to you, while I am staying with you. -\v 26 However, the Comforter—the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and he will remind you of everything that I said to you. -\v 27 I leave you peace; I give you my peace. I do not give it as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid. - -\s5 -\v 28 You heard that I said to you, 'I am going away, and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I am. -\v 29 Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you will believe. - -\s5 -\v 30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, -\v 31 but in order that the world will know that I love the Father, I do just as the Father commanded me. Let us get up and go from here." -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. -\v 2 He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. - -\s5 -\v 3 You are already clean because of the message that I have spoken to you. -\v 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. - -\s5 -\v 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. -\v 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up, and they gather the branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned up. -\v 7 If you remain in me, and if my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. - -\s5 -\v 8 My Father is glorified in this, that you bear much fruit and so prove that you are my disciples. -\v 9 As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. - -\s5 -\v 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, as I have kept the commandments of my Father and remain in his love. -\v 11 I have spoken these things to you so that my joy will be in you and so that your joy will be complete. - -\s5 -\v 12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. -\v 13 No one has a love greater than this, that he lays down his life for his friends. - -\s5 -\v 14 You are my friends if you do the things that I command you. -\v 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. - -\s5 -\v 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain. This is so that whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. -\v 17 These things I command you, so that you love one another. - -\s5 -\v 18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. -\v 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world and because I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. - -\s5 -\v 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will also keep yours. -\v 21 They will do all these things to you because of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. -\v 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. - -\s5 -\v 23 He who hates me also hates my Father. -\v 24 If I had not done the works that no one else did among them, they would have no sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. -\v 25 But this is in order to fulfill the word that is written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.' - -\s5 -\v 26 When the Comforter—whom I will send to you from the Father, that is, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father—comes, he will testify about me. -\v 27 You are also testifying because you have been with me from the beginning. -\s5 -\c 16 -\p -\v 1 "I have spoken these things to you so that you will not fall away. -\v 2 They will throw you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think that he is offering a service to God. - -\s5 -\v 3 They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me. -\v 4 I have spoken these things to you so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you about these things in the beginning, because I was with you. - -\s5 -\v 5 But now I go to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' -\v 6 But because I have said these things to you, sadness has filled your heart. -\v 7 But truly I tell you, it is better for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. - -\s5 -\v 8 When he comes, the Comforter will prove the world to be wrong about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment— -\v 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; -\v 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, and you will no longer see me; -\v 11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. - -\s5 -\v 12 I have many things to say to you, but you would not understand them now. -\v 13 But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak from himself. But he will say whatever he hears, and he will tell you things that are to come. -\v 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and he will tell it to you. - -\s5 -\v 15 Everything that the Father has is mine. Therefore, I said that the Spirit will take from what is mine and he will tell it to you. -\v 16 In a short amount of time you will no longer see me, and after another short amount of time you will see me." - -\s5 -\v 17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A short amount of time you will no longer see me and after another short amount of time you will see me,' and, 'Because I go to the Father'?" -\v 18 Therefore they said, "What is this that he says, 'A short amount of time'? We do not know what he is talking about." - -\s5 -\v 19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while and you will see me'? -\v 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will be glad. You will become full of sadness, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. -\v 21 When a woman gives birth she has sadness because her hour has come, but when she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers her pain because of her joy that a man has been born into the world. - -\s5 -\v 22 So you have sadness now, but I will see you again, and your heart will be glad, and no one will be able to take away your joy from you. -\v 23 On that day you will not ask me anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. -\v 24 Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive so that your joy will be fulfilled. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 I have said these things to you in figures of speech, but the hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but instead I will tell you plainly about the Father. - -\s5 -\v 26 On that day you will ask in my name and I do not say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, -\v 27 for the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and because you have believed that I came from the Father. -\v 28 I came from the Father, and I have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and I am going to the Father." - -\s5 -\v 29 His disciples said, "See, now you are speaking plainly and you are not using figures of speech. -\v 30 Now we know that you know all things, and you do not need anyone to ask you questions. Because of this, we believe that you have come from God." -\v 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now? - -\s5 -\v 32 See, the hour is coming, yes, and has indeed come, when you will be scattered, everyone to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. -\v 33 I have spoken these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have troubles, but have courage, I have conquered the world." -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 After Jesus said these things, he lifted up his eyes to the heavens and said, "Father, the hour has come, glorify your Son so that the Son will glorify you— -\v 2 just as you gave him authority over all flesh so that he would give eternal life to everyone whom you have given him. - -\s5 -\v 3 This is eternal life: That they know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. -\v 4 I glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work that you have given me to do. -\v 5 Now, Father, glorify me along with yourself with the glory that I had with you before the world was made. - -\s5 -\v 6 I revealed your name to the people whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. -\v 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me comes from you, -\v 8 for I have given them all the words that you gave me. They received them and truly knew that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. - -\s5 -\v 9 I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. -\v 10 Everything that is mine is yours, and yours is mine, and I am glorified in them. -\v 11 I am no longer in the world, but these people are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me so that they will be one, just as we are one. - -\s5 -\v 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I protected them, and not one of them was destroyed, except for the son of destruction, so that the scriptures would be fulfilled. -\v 13 Now I am coming to you, but I am saying these things in the world so that they will have my joy fulfilled in themselves. -\v 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. - -\s5 -\v 15 I do not ask for you to take them away from the world, but for you to keep them from the evil one. -\v 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. -\v 17 Set them apart by the truth. Your word is truth. - -\s5 -\v 18 Just as you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. -\v 19 For their sakes I have set myself apart, so that they themselves may also be set apart in truth. - -\s5 -\v 20 I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word -\v 21 so that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you. I pray that they will also be in us so that the world will believe that you have sent me. - -\s5 -\v 22 The glory that you gave me, I have given to them, so that they will be one, just as we are one: -\v 23 I in them, and you in me—that they may be brought to complete unity, so that the world will know that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you loved me. - -\s5 -\v 24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world. - -\s5 -\v 25 Righteous Father, the world did not know you, but I know you; and these know that you sent me. -\v 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known so that the love with which you have loved me will be in them, and I will be in them." -\s5 -\c 18 -\p -\v 1 After Jesus spoke these words, he went out with his disciples to the other side of the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered. -\v 2 Now Judas, who was going to betray him, also knew the place, for Jesus often went there with his disciples. -\v 3 Then Judas, leading a group of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then Jesus, who knew all the things that were happening to him, went forward and asked them, "Who are you looking for?" -\v 5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am." Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with the soldiers. - -\s5 -\v 6 So when he said to them, "I am," they went backward and fell to the ground. -\v 7 Then again he asked them, "Who are you looking for?" Again they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." - -\s5 -\v 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am. So if you are looking for me, let these go." -\v 9 This was in order to fulfill the word that he said: "Of those whom you have given me, I lost no one." - -\s5 -\v 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. Now the name of the servant was Malchus. -\v 11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword back into its sheath. Should I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So the group of soldiers and the captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and tied him up. -\v 13 They led him first to Annas, for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. -\v 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had given the advice to the Jews that it would be better that one man die for the people. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest; -\v 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the female doorkeeper and he brought Peter in. - -\s5 -\v 17 Then the female servant, the doorkeeper, said to Peter, "Are you not also one of the disciples of this man?" He said, "I am not." -\v 18 Now the servants and the officers were standing there, and they had made a charcoal fire, for it was cold, and they were warming themselves. Peter was also with them, standing there and warming himself. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 The high priest then asked Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. -\v 20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I was always teaching in synagogues and in the temple where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. -\v 21 Why did you ask me? Ask those who have heard me about what I said. Look, these people know what I said." - -\s5 -\v 22 When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing there struck Jesus and said, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" -\v 23 Jesus answered him, "If I spoke wrongly, testify about the wrong, but if rightly, why do you hit me?" -\v 24 Then Annas sent him tied up to Caiaphas the high priest. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. The people then said to him, "Are you not also one of his disciples?" He denied it and said, "I am not." -\v 26 One of the servants of the high priest, who was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" -\v 27 Peter then denied again, and immediately the rooster crowed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the government headquarters. It was early in the morning, and they did not enter the government headquarters so that they would not be defiled but would eat the Passover. -\v 29 So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation are you bringing against this man?" -\v 30 They answered and said to him, "If this man was not an evildoer, we would not have given him over to you." - -\s5 -\v 31 Pilate therefore said to them, "Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death." -\v 32 They said this so that the word of Jesus would be fulfilled which he had spoken to indicate by what kind of death he would die. - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 Then Pilate entered the government headquarters again and called Jesus and he said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" -\v 34 Jesus answered, "Do you speak from yourself, or did others speak to you about me?" -\v 35 Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and the chief priests gave you over to me. What did you do?" - -\s5 -\v 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, then my servants would fight so that I would not be given over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here." -\v 37 Pilate then said to him, "Are you a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this purpose I have come into the world, so that I would bear witness to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." - -\s5 -\v 38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in this man. -\v 39 But you have the custom that I release one person to you at the Passover. So do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?" -\v 40 Then they cried out again and said, "Not this man, but Barabbas." Now Barabbas was a robber. -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and whipped him. -\v 2 The soldiers weaved a crown of thorns. They put it on the head of Jesus and dressed him with a purple garment. -\v 3 They came to him and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and they struck him. - -\s5 -\v 4 Then Pilate went outside again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him outside to you so that you will know that I find no guilt in him." -\v 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, "Look, here is the man!" -\v 6 When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw Jesus, they cried out and said, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him." - -\s5 -\v 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he has to die because he claimed to be the Son of God." -\v 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid, -\v 9 and he entered the government headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where do you come from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. - -\s5 -\v 10 Then Pilate said to him, "Are you not speaking to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" -\v 11 Jesus answered him, "You do not have any power over me except for what has been given to you from above. Therefore, he who gave me over to you has a greater sin." - -\s5 -\v 12 At this answer, Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you release this man, you are not a friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar." -\v 13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place called "The Pavement," but in Hebrew, "Gabbatha." - -\s5 -\v 14 Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover, at about the sixth hour. Pilate said to the Jews, "See, here is your king!" -\v 15 They cried out, "Away with him, away with him; crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Should I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." -\v 16 Then Pilate gave Jesus over to them to be crucified. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 Then they took Jesus, and he went out, carrying the cross for himself, to the place called "The Place of a Skull," which in Hebrew is called "Golgotha." -\v 18 They crucified Jesus there, and with him two other men, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle. - -\s5 -\v 19 Pilate also wrote a sign and put it on the cross. There it was written: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. -\v 20 Many of the Jews read this sign because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. The sign was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This one said, "I am King of the Jews."'" -\v 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, divided them into four shares, one for each of them; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. -\v 24 Then they said to each other, "Let us not tear it, but instead let us cast lots for it to decide whose it will be." This happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled which said, -\q "They divided my garments among themselves -\q and cast lots for my clothing." -\m -This is what the soldiers did. - -\s5 -\v 25 Now standing beside Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. -\v 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, see, your son!" -\v 27 Then he said to the disciple, "See, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her to his own home. - -\s5 -\p -\v 28 After this, knowing that everything was now completed and so that the scriptures would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." -\v 29 A container full of sour wine was placed there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop staff and lifted it up to his mouth. -\v 30 When Jesus had taken the sour wine, he said, "It is finished." He bowed his head and gave up his spirit. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was especially important), asked Pilate to break their legs and to remove them. -\v 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the second man who had been crucified with Jesus. -\v 33 When they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs. - -\s5 -\v 34 However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. -\v 35 The one who saw this has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that what he said is true so that you would also believe. - -\s5 -\v 36 For these things happened in order to fulfill scripture, "Not one of his bones will be broken." -\v 37 Again, another scripture says, "They will look at him whom they pierced." - -\s5 -\p -\v 38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, since he was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission. So Joseph came and took away his body. -\v 39 Nicodemus also came, he who at first had come to Jesus by night. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about one hundred litras in weight. - -\s5 -\v 40 So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, as was the custom of the Jews to bury bodies. -\v 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden was a new tomb in which no person had yet been buried. -\v 42 Because it was the day of preparation for the Jews and because the tomb was close by, they laid Jesus in it. -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 Now early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and she saw the stone rolled away from the tomb. -\v 2 So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, "They took away the Lord out from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." - -\s5 -\v 3 Then Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went to the tomb. -\v 4 They both ran together, and the other disciple quickly ran ahead of Peter and arrived at the tomb first. -\v 5 Then stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go inside. - -\s5 -\v 6 Simon Peter then arrived after him and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there -\v 7 and the cloth that had been on his head. It was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a place by itself. - -\s5 -\v 8 Then the other disciple, the one who first arrived at the tomb, also went in, and he saw and believed. -\v 9 For until that time they still did not know the scripture that he should rise from the dead ones. -\v 10 So the disciples went back home again. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped down into the tomb. -\v 12 She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the foot of where the body of Jesus had lain. -\v 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they took away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him." - -\s5 -\v 14 When she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. -\v 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought that he was the gardener, so she said to him, "Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him away." - -\s5 -\v 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned, and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni" (which means "Teacher"). -\v 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not touch me, for I have not yet gone up to the Father, but go to my brothers and say to them that I will go up to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God." -\v 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that he had said these things to her. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 When it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of where the disciples were, were closed for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle of them and said to them, "Peace to you." -\v 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. - -\s5 -\v 21 Jesus then said to them again, "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." -\v 22 When Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. -\v 23 Whoever's sins you forgive, they are forgiven; whoever's sins you keep back, they are kept back." - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. -\v 25 The other disciples later said to him, "We have seen the Lord." He said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 After eight days his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came while the doors were closed, and stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." -\v 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger and see my hands. Reach here with your hand and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believe." - -\s5 -\v 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God." -\v 29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and believed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, signs that have not been written in this book, -\v 31 but these have been written so that you would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that believing, you would have life in his name. -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how he showed himself: -\v 2 Simon Peter was together with Thomas called Didymus, Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus. -\v 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We, too, will come with you." They went and got into a boat, but they caught nothing during the whole night. - -\s5 -\v 4 Now, when it was already early in the morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. -\v 5 So Jesus said to them, "Young men, do you have anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." -\v 6 He said to them, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they threw their net and were not able to draw it in because of the large number of fish. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied up his outer garment (for he was undressed), and threw himself into the sea. -\v 8 The other disciples came in the boat (for they were not far from the land, about two hundred cubits off), and they were pulling the net full of fish. -\v 9 When they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire there and fish laid on it, with bread. - -\s5 -\v 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." -\v 11 Simon Peter then went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish; 153. There were so many, but the net was not torn. - -\s5 -\v 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. -\v 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them, and the fish also. -\v 14 This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after he had risen from the dead ones. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 After they ate breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" Peter said to him, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." -\v 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter said to him, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep." - -\s5 -\v 17 He said to him a third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" He said to him, "Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. -\v 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to clothe yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you become old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will clothe you and carry you where you will not want to go." - -\s5 -\v 19 Now Jesus said this in order to indicate with what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After he had said this, he said to Peter, "Follow me." - -\s5 -\v 20 Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had also leaned back against the side of Jesus at the dinner and who had said, "Lord, who is the one who will betray you?" -\v 21 Peter saw him and then said to Jesus, "Lord, what will this man do?" - -\s5 -\v 22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you? Follow me." -\v 23 So this statement spread among the brothers, that that disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to Peter that the other disciple would not die, but, "If I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you?" - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and who wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. -\v 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did. If each one were written down, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead ones, was. +\v 2 So they made him a dinner there, and Martha was serving, but Lazarus was one of those who was lying down at the table with Jesus. +\v 3 Then Mary took a litra of perfume made of very precious pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus with it, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. + +\s5 +\v 4 Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples, the one who would betray him, said, +\v 5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" +\v 6 Now he said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He had the moneybag and would steal from what was put in it. + +\s5 +\v 7 Jesus said, "Allow her to keep what she has for the day of my burial. +\v 8 You will always have the poor with you. But you will not always have me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Now a large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, and they came, not only for Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead ones. +\v 10 The chief priests conspired together so that they might also put Lazarus to death; +\v 11 for it was because of him that many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 On the next day a great crowd came to the festival. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, +\v 13 they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him and cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel." + +\s5 +\v 14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it was written, +\v 15 "Do not fear, daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, sitting on the colt of a donkey." + +\s5 +\v 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, they remembered that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him. + +\s5 +\v 17 Now the crowd testified that they had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him up from the dead ones. +\v 18 It was also for this reason that the crowd went out to meet him, because they heard that he had done this sign. +\v 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "Look, you can do nothing; see, the world has gone after him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Now certain Greeks were among those who were going up to worship at the festival. +\v 21 These went to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." +\v 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew went with Philip, and they told Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 23 Jesus answered them and said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. +\v 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it will bear much fruit. + +\s5 +\v 25 He who loves his life will lose it; but he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. +\v 26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. + +\s5 +\v 27 Now my soul is troubled and what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this reason I came to this hour. +\v 28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven and said, "I have glorified it and I will glorify it again." +\v 29 Then the crowd that stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." + +\s5 +\v 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come for me, but for you. +\v 31 Now is the judgment of this world: Now will the ruler of this world be thrown out. + +\s5 +\v 32 When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." +\v 33 He said this to indicate what kind of death he would die. + +\s5 +\v 34 The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ will stay forever. How can you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" +\v 35 Jesus then said to them, "The light will still be with you for a short amount of time. Walk while you have the light, so that darkness does not overtake you. He who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. +\v 36 While you have the light, believe in the light so that you may be sons of light." +\p Jesus said these things and then departed and hid from them. + +\s5 +\v 37 Although Jesus had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him +\v 38 so that the word of Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled, in which he said: +\q "Lord, who has believed our report, +\q and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" +\m + +\s5 +\v 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah had also said, +\q +\v 40 "He has blinded their eyes, and he has hardened their hearts; +\q otherwise they would see with their eyes and understand with their hearts, +\q and turn, +\q and I would heal them." +\m + +\s5 +\v 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw the glory of Jesus and spoke of him. +\v 42 But despite that, many of the rulers believed in Jesus; but because of the Pharisees, they did not admit it so that they would not be banned from the synagogue. +\v 43 They loved the praise that comes from people more than the praise that comes from God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 Jesus cried out and said, "The one who believes in me, believes not only in me but also in him who sent me, +\v 45 and the one who sees me sees him who sent me. + +\s5 +\v 46 I have come as a light into the world, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. +\v 47 If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I have not come to judge the world, but to save the world. + +\s5 +\v 48 The one who rejects me and who does not receive my words, has one who judges him. The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. +\v 49 For I did not speak for myself, but it is the Father who sent me, who has given me the command about what to say and what to speak. +\v 50 I know that his command is eternal life, so that is what I say—just as the Father has spoken to me, so I speak." +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 Now it was before the Festival of the Passover. Jesus knew that his hour had come to go out of this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. +\v 2 Now the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot son of Simon, to betray Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 3 He knew that the Father had given everything over into his hands and that he had come from God and was going back to God. +\v 4 He got up from dinner and took off his outer clothing. Then he took a towel and wrapped it around himself. +\v 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and dry them with the towel that he had put around himself. + +\s5 +\v 6 He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" +\v 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand this later." +\v 8 Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." +\v 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, do not only wash my feet, but also my hands and my head." + +\s5 +\v 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed has no need, except to wash his feet, but he is completely clean; you are clean, but not everyone." +\v 11 (For Jesus knew who would betray him; that is why he said, "Not all of you are clean.") + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So when Jesus had washed their feet and taken his garments and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done for you? +\v 13 You call me 'teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are speaking correctly, because so I am. +\v 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash the feet of one another. +\v 15 For I have given you an example so that you should also do just as I did for you. + +\s5 +\v 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is a messenger greater than he who sent him. +\v 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. +\v 18 I am not speaking about all of you; I know those whom I have chosen—but this so that the scripture will be fulfilled: 'He who eats my bread lifted up his heel against me.' + +\s5 +\v 19 I tell you this now before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe that I AM. +\v 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I sent, receives me, and he who receives me, receives him who sent me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 When Jesus said this, he was troubled in spirit. He testified and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you that one of you will betray me." +\v 22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering of whom he was speaking. + +\s5 +\v 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying down at the table against Jesus' side. +\v 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him who he is speaking about." +\v 25 So he leaned back against the side of Jesus and said to him, "Lord, who is it?" + +\s5 +\v 26 Then Jesus answered, "It is the one for whom I will dip the piece of bread and give it him." So when he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. +\v 27 Then after the bread, Satan entered into him, so Jesus said to him, "What you are doing, do it quickly." + +\s5 +\v 28 Now no one who was lying down at the table knew why he said this to him. +\v 29 Some thought that, since Judas had the moneybag, Jesus said to him, "Buy what we need to have for the festival," or that he should give something to the poor. +\v 30 After Judas received the bread, he went out immediately. It was night. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 When Judas was gone, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. +\v 32 God will glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. +\v 33 Little children, I am with you for still a short amount of time. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' Now I also say this to you. + +\s5 +\v 34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you should love one another; as I have loved you, so also you should love one another. +\v 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another." + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later." +\v 37 Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." +\v 38 Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow before you have denied me three times." +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 "Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. +\v 2 In the house of my Father are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going to prepare a place for you. +\v 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am you will also be. + +\s5 +\v 4 You know the way to where I am going." +\v 5 Thomas said to Jesus, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?" +\v 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me. +\v 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you know him and have seen him." + +\s5 +\v 8 Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." +\v 9 Jesus said to him, "I have been with you for so long and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? + +\s5 +\v 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak from my own authority, but the Father living in me is doing his work. +\v 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, or else believe because of the works themselves. + +\s5 +\v 12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will do the works that I do, and he will do greater works than these because I am going to the Father. +\v 13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father will be glorified in the Son. +\v 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. + +\s5 +\v 15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments, +\v 16 and I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Comforter so that he will be with you forever— +\v 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive him because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. + +\s5 +\v 18 I will not leave you alone; I will come back to you. +\v 19 Yet a short amount of time and the world will no longer see me, but you see me. Because I live, you will also live. +\v 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and that you are in me, and that I am in you. + +\s5 +\v 21 He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me, and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and I will show myself to him." +\v 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Jesus, "Lord, why is it that you will show yourself to us and not to the world?" + +\s5 +\v 23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and we will make our home with him. +\v 24 He who does not love me does not keep my words. The word that you hear is not from me but from the Father who sent me. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 I have said these things to you, while I am staying with you. +\v 26 However, the Comforter—the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and he will remind you of everything that I said to you. +\v 27 I leave you peace; I give you my peace. I do not give it as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not be afraid. + +\s5 +\v 28 You heard that I said to you, 'I am going away, and I will come back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I am. +\v 29 Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you will believe. + +\s5 +\v 30 I will no longer speak much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, +\v 31 but in order that the world will know that I love the Father, I do just as the Father commanded me. Let us get up and go from here." +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. +\v 2 He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and he prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. + +\s5 +\v 3 You are already clean because of the message that I have spoken to you. +\v 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. + +\s5 +\v 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing. +\v 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up, and they gather the branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned up. +\v 7 If you remain in me, and if my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. + +\s5 +\v 8 My Father is glorified in this, that you bear much fruit and so prove that you are my disciples. +\v 9 As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. + +\s5 +\v 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, as I have kept the commandments of my Father and remain in his love. +\v 11 I have spoken these things to you so that my joy will be in you and so that your joy will be complete. + +\s5 +\v 12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. +\v 13 No one has a love greater than this, that he lays down his life for his friends. + +\s5 +\v 14 You are my friends if you do the things that I command you. +\v 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. + +\s5 +\v 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain. This is so that whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. +\v 17 These things I command you, so that you love one another. + +\s5 +\v 18 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. +\v 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world and because I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. + +\s5 +\v 20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will also keep yours. +\v 21 They will do all these things to you because of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. +\v 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. + +\s5 +\v 23 He who hates me also hates my Father. +\v 24 If I had not done the works that no one else did among them, they would have no sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. +\v 25 But this is in order to fulfill the word that is written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.' + +\s5 +\v 26 When the Comforter—whom I will send to you from the Father, that is, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father—comes, he will testify about me. +\v 27 You are also testifying because you have been with me from the beginning. +\s5 +\c 16 +\p +\v 1 "I have spoken these things to you so that you will not fall away. +\v 2 They will throw you out of the synagogues. But the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think that he is offering a service to God. + +\s5 +\v 3 They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me. +\v 4 I have spoken these things to you so that when their hour comes, you will remember that I told you about them. I did not tell you about these things in the beginning, because I was with you. + +\s5 +\v 5 But now I go to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' +\v 6 But because I have said these things to you, sadness has filled your heart. +\v 7 But truly I tell you, it is better for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you. + +\s5 +\v 8 When he comes, the Comforter will prove the world to be wrong about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment— +\v 9 about sin, because they do not believe in me; +\v 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, and you will no longer see me; +\v 11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. + +\s5 +\v 12 I have many things to say to you, but you would not understand them now. +\v 13 But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak from himself. But he will say whatever he hears, and he will tell you things that are to come. +\v 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and he will tell it to you. + +\s5 +\v 15 Everything that the Father has is mine. Therefore, I said that the Spirit will take from what is mine and he will tell it to you. +\v 16 In a short amount of time you will no longer see me, and after another short amount of time you will see me." + +\s5 +\v 17 Then some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he says to us, 'A short amount of time you will no longer see me and after another short amount of time you will see me,' and, 'Because I go to the Father'?" +\v 18 Therefore they said, "What is this that he says, 'A short amount of time'? We do not know what he is talking about." + +\s5 +\v 19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while and you will see me'? +\v 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will be glad. You will become full of sadness, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. +\v 21 When a woman gives birth she has sadness because her hour has come, but when she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers her pain because of her joy that a man has been born into the world. + +\s5 +\v 22 So you have sadness now, but I will see you again, and your heart will be glad, and no one will be able to take away your joy from you. +\v 23 On that day you will not ask me anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. +\v 24 Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive so that your joy will be fulfilled. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 I have said these things to you in figures of speech, but the hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but instead I will tell you plainly about the Father. + +\s5 +\v 26 On that day you will ask in my name and I do not say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, +\v 27 for the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and because you have believed that I came from the Father. +\v 28 I came from the Father, and I have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and I am going to the Father." + +\s5 +\v 29 His disciples said, "See, now you are speaking plainly and you are not using figures of speech. +\v 30 Now we know that you know all things, and you do not need anyone to ask you questions. Because of this, we believe that you have come from God." +\v 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you believe now? + +\s5 +\v 32 See, the hour is coming, yes, and has indeed come, when you will be scattered, everyone to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. +\v 33 I have spoken these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have troubles, but have courage, I have conquered the world." +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 After Jesus said these things, he lifted up his eyes to the heavens and said, "Father, the hour has come, glorify your Son so that the Son will glorify you— +\v 2 just as you gave him authority over all flesh so that he would give eternal life to everyone whom you have given him. + +\s5 +\v 3 This is eternal life: That they know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. +\v 4 I glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work that you have given me to do. +\v 5 Now, Father, glorify me along with yourself with the glory that I had with you before the world was made. + +\s5 +\v 6 I revealed your name to the people whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. +\v 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me comes from you, +\v 8 for I have given them all the words that you gave me. They received them and truly knew that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. + +\s5 +\v 9 I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. +\v 10 Everything that is mine is yours, and yours is mine, and I am glorified in them. +\v 11 I am no longer in the world, but these people are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me so that they will be one, just as we are one. + +\s5 +\v 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I protected them, and not one of them was destroyed, except for the son of destruction, so that the scriptures would be fulfilled. +\v 13 Now I am coming to you, but I am saying these things in the world so that they will have my joy fulfilled in themselves. +\v 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. + +\s5 +\v 15 I do not ask for you to take them away from the world, but for you to keep them from the evil one. +\v 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. +\v 17 Set them apart by the truth. Your word is truth. + +\s5 +\v 18 Just as you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. +\v 19 For their sakes I have set myself apart, so that they themselves may also be set apart in truth. + +\s5 +\v 20 I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word +\v 21 so that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you. I pray that they will also be in us so that the world will believe that you have sent me. + +\s5 +\v 22 The glory that you gave me, I have given to them, so that they will be one, just as we are one: +\v 23 I in them, and you in me—that they may be brought to complete unity, so that the world will know that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you loved me. + +\s5 +\v 24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world. + +\s5 +\v 25 Righteous Father, the world did not know you, but I know you; and these know that you sent me. +\v 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known so that the love with which you have loved me will be in them, and I will be in them." +\s5 +\c 18 +\p +\v 1 After Jesus spoke these words, he went out with his disciples to the other side of the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered. +\v 2 Now Judas, who was going to betray him, also knew the place, for Jesus often went there with his disciples. +\v 3 Then Judas, leading a group of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then Jesus, who knew all the things that were happening to him, went forward and asked them, "Who are you looking for?" +\v 5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am." Judas, who betrayed him, was also standing with the soldiers. + +\s5 +\v 6 So when he said to them, "I am," they went backward and fell to the ground. +\v 7 Then again he asked them, "Who are you looking for?" Again they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." + +\s5 +\v 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am. So if you are looking for me, let these go." +\v 9 This was in order to fulfill the word that he said: "Of those whom you have given me, I lost no one." + +\s5 +\v 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. Now the name of the servant was Malchus. +\v 11 Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword back into its sheath. Should I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So the group of soldiers and the captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and tied him up. +\v 13 They led him first to Annas, for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. +\v 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had given the advice to the Jews that it would be better that one man die for the people. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest; +\v 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the female doorkeeper and he brought Peter in. + +\s5 +\v 17 Then the female servant, the doorkeeper, said to Peter, "Are you not also one of the disciples of this man?" He said, "I am not." +\v 18 Now the servants and the officers were standing there, and they had made a charcoal fire, for it was cold, and they were warming themselves. Peter was also with them, standing there and warming himself. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 The high priest then asked Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. +\v 20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I was always teaching in synagogues and in the temple where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. +\v 21 Why did you ask me? Ask those who have heard me about what I said. Look, these people know what I said." + +\s5 +\v 22 When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing there struck Jesus and said, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" +\v 23 Jesus answered him, "If I spoke wrongly, testify about the wrong, but if rightly, why do you hit me?" +\v 24 Then Annas sent him tied up to Caiaphas the high priest. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. The people then said to him, "Are you not also one of his disciples?" He denied it and said, "I am not." +\v 26 One of the servants of the high priest, who was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?" +\v 27 Peter then denied again, and immediately the rooster crowed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the government headquarters. It was early in the morning, and they did not enter the government headquarters so that they would not be defiled but would eat the Passover. +\v 29 So Pilate went out to them and said, "What accusation are you bringing against this man?" +\v 30 They answered and said to him, "If this man was not an evildoer, we would not have given him over to you." + +\s5 +\v 31 Pilate therefore said to them, "Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law." The Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put any man to death." +\v 32 They said this so that the word of Jesus would be fulfilled which he had spoken to indicate by what kind of death he would die. + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 Then Pilate entered the government headquarters again and called Jesus and he said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" +\v 34 Jesus answered, "Do you speak from yourself, or did others speak to you about me?" +\v 35 Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and the chief priests gave you over to me. What did you do?" + +\s5 +\v 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, then my servants would fight so that I would not be given over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here." +\v 37 Pilate then said to him, "Are you a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this purpose I have come into the world, so that I would bear witness to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice." + +\s5 +\v 38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no guilt in this man. +\v 39 But you have the custom that I release one person to you at the Passover. So do you want me to release the King of the Jews to you?" +\v 40 Then they cried out again and said, "Not this man, but Barabbas." Now Barabbas was a robber. +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 Then Pilate took Jesus and whipped him. +\v 2 The soldiers weaved a crown of thorns. They put it on the head of Jesus and dressed him with a purple garment. +\v 3 They came to him and said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and they struck him. + +\s5 +\v 4 Then Pilate went outside again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him outside to you so that you will know that I find no guilt in him." +\v 5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, "Look, here is the man!" +\v 6 When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw Jesus, they cried out and said, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him." + +\s5 +\v 7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he has to die because he claimed to be the Son of God." +\v 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid, +\v 9 and he entered the government headquarters again and said to Jesus, "Where do you come from?" But Jesus gave him no answer. + +\s5 +\v 10 Then Pilate said to him, "Are you not speaking to me? Do you not know that I have power to release you, and power to crucify you?" +\v 11 Jesus answered him, "You do not have any power over me except for what has been given to you from above. Therefore, he who gave me over to you has a greater sin." + +\s5 +\v 12 At this answer, Pilate tried to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you release this man, you are not a friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar." +\v 13 When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place called "The Pavement," but in Hebrew, "Gabbatha." + +\s5 +\v 14 Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover, at about the sixth hour. Pilate said to the Jews, "See, here is your king!" +\v 15 They cried out, "Away with him, away with him; crucify him!" Pilate said to them, "Should I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar." +\v 16 Then Pilate gave Jesus over to them to be crucified. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 Then they took Jesus, and he went out, carrying the cross for himself, to the place called "The Place of a Skull," which in Hebrew is called "Golgotha." +\v 18 They crucified Jesus there, and with him two other men, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle. + +\s5 +\v 19 Pilate also wrote a sign and put it on the cross. There it was written: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. +\v 20 Many of the Jews read this sign because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. The sign was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This one said, "I am King of the Jews."'" +\v 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, divided them into four shares, one for each of them; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. +\v 24 Then they said to each other, "Let us not tear it, but instead let us cast lots for it to decide whose it will be." This happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled which said, +\q "They divided my garments among themselves +\q and cast lots for my clothing." +\m +This is what the soldiers did. + +\s5 +\v 25 Now standing beside Jesus' cross were his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. +\v 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, see, your son!" +\v 27 Then he said to the disciple, "See, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her to his own home. + +\s5 +\p +\v 28 After this, knowing that everything was now completed and so that the scriptures would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." +\v 29 A container full of sour wine was placed there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop staff and lifted it up to his mouth. +\v 30 When Jesus had taken the sour wine, he said, "It is finished." He bowed his head and gave up his spirit. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was especially important), asked Pilate to break their legs and to remove them. +\v 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the second man who had been crucified with Jesus. +\v 33 When they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs. + +\s5 +\v 34 However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. +\v 35 The one who saw this has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that what he said is true so that you would also believe. + +\s5 +\v 36 For these things happened in order to fulfill scripture, "Not one of his bones will be broken." +\v 37 Again, another scripture says, "They will look at him whom they pierced." + +\s5 +\p +\v 38 After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, since he was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission. So Joseph came and took away his body. +\v 39 Nicodemus also came, he who at first had come to Jesus by night. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about one hundred litras in weight. + +\s5 +\v 40 So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, as was the custom of the Jews to bury bodies. +\v 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden was a new tomb in which no person had yet been buried. +\v 42 Because it was the day of preparation for the Jews and because the tomb was close by, they laid Jesus in it. +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 Now early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and she saw the stone rolled away from the tomb. +\v 2 So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, "They took away the Lord out from the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." + +\s5 +\v 3 Then Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went to the tomb. +\v 4 They both ran together, and the other disciple quickly ran ahead of Peter and arrived at the tomb first. +\v 5 Then stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go inside. + +\s5 +\v 6 Simon Peter then arrived after him and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there +\v 7 and the cloth that had been on his head. It was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a place by itself. + +\s5 +\v 8 Then the other disciple, the one who first arrived at the tomb, also went in, and he saw and believed. +\v 9 For until that time they still did not know the scripture that he should rise from the dead ones. +\v 10 So the disciples went back home again. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping. As she wept, she stooped down into the tomb. +\v 12 She saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the foot of where the body of Jesus had lain. +\v 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they took away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him." + +\s5 +\v 14 When she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. +\v 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" She thought that he was the gardener, so she said to him, "Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him away." + +\s5 +\v 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned, and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni" (which means "Teacher"). +\v 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not touch me, for I have not yet gone up to the Father, but go to my brothers and say to them that I will go up to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God." +\v 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that he had said these things to her. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 When it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of where the disciples were, were closed for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle of them and said to them, "Peace to you." +\v 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. + +\s5 +\v 21 Jesus then said to them again, "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." +\v 22 When Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. +\v 23 Whoever's sins you forgive, they are forgiven; whoever's sins you keep back, they are kept back." + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. +\v 25 The other disciples later said to him, "We have seen the Lord." He said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 After eight days his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came while the doors were closed, and stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." +\v 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger and see my hands. Reach here with your hand and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believe." + +\s5 +\v 28 Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God." +\v 29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and believed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, signs that have not been written in this book, +\v 31 but these have been written so that you would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that believing, you would have life in his name. +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how he showed himself: +\v 2 Simon Peter was together with Thomas called Didymus, Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus. +\v 3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We, too, will come with you." They went and got into a boat, but they caught nothing during the whole night. + +\s5 +\v 4 Now, when it was already early in the morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. +\v 5 So Jesus said to them, "Young men, do you have anything to eat?" They answered him, "No." +\v 6 He said to them, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they threw their net and were not able to draw it in because of the large number of fish. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied up his outer garment (for he was undressed), and threw himself into the sea. +\v 8 The other disciples came in the boat (for they were not far from the land, about two hundred cubits off), and they were pulling the net full of fish. +\v 9 When they got out upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire there and fish laid on it, with bread. + +\s5 +\v 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." +\v 11 Simon Peter then went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish; 153. There were so many, but the net was not torn. + +\s5 +\v 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. +\v 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them, and the fish also. +\v 14 This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after he had risen from the dead ones. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 After they ate breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" Peter said to him, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." +\v 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter said to him, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep." + +\s5 +\v 17 He said to him a third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus had said to him a third time, "Do you love me?" He said to him, "Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. +\v 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to clothe yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you become old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will clothe you and carry you where you will not want to go." + +\s5 +\v 19 Now Jesus said this in order to indicate with what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After he had said this, he said to Peter, "Follow me." + +\s5 +\v 20 Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who had also leaned back against the side of Jesus at the dinner and who had said, "Lord, who is the one who will betray you?" +\v 21 Peter saw him and then said to Jesus, "Lord, what will this man do?" + +\s5 +\v 22 Jesus said to him, "If I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you? Follow me." +\v 23 So this statement spread among the brothers, that that disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to Peter that the other disciple would not die, but, "If I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you?" + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and who wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. +\v 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did. If each one were written down, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. diff --git a/45-ACT.usfm b/45-ACT.usfm index a6061b6f..63f46438 100644 --- a/45-ACT.usfm +++ b/45-ACT.usfm @@ -4,401 +4,401 @@ \toc1 The Acts of the Apostles \toc2 Acts \toc3 Act -\mt Apostles \s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 The former book I wrote, Theophilus, told all that Jesus began to do and to teach, -\v 2 until the day that he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. -\v 3 After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them with many convincing proofs. For forty days he appeared to them, and he spoke about the kingdom of God. - -\s5 -\v 4 When he was meeting together with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, about which, he said, "You heard from me -\v 5 that John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit in a few days." -\p - -\s5 -\v 6 When they were assembled together they asked him, "Lord, is this the time you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" -\v 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has determined by his own authority. -\v 8 But you will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - -\s5 -\v 9 When the Lord Jesus had said these things, as they were looking up, he was raised up, and a cloud hid him from their eyes. -\v 10 While they were looking intensely to heaven as he went, suddenly, two men stood by them in white clothing. -\v 11 They said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will return in the same manner as you saw him going into heaven." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near to Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. -\v 13 When they arrived, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were staying. They were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. -\v 14 They were all united as one, as they diligently continued in prayer. Included were the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 In those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers, about 120 people, and said, -\v 16 "Brothers, it was necessary that the scripture should be fulfilled, that the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who guided the ones who arrested Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 17 For he was one of us and received his share of the benefits of this ministry." -\v 18 (Now this man bought a field with the earnings he received for his wickedness, and there he fell headfirst, and his body burst open, and all his intestines poured out. -\v 19 All those living in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language "Akeldama," that is, "Field of Blood.") - -\s5 -\v 20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, -\q 'Let his field be made desolate, -\q and do not let even one person live there'; -\q 'Let someone else take his position of leadership.' -\m - -\s5 -\v 21 It is necessary, therefore, that one of the men who accompanied us all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, -\v 22 beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was taken up from us, must be a witness with us of his resurrection." -\v 23 They put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also named Justus, and Matthias. - -\s5 -\v 24 They prayed and said, "You, Lord, know the hearts of all people, so reveal which of these two is the one whom you have chosen -\v 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned away to go to his own place." -\v 26 They cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in the same place. -\v 2 Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. -\v 3 There appeared to them tongues like fire that were distributed, and they sat upon each one of them. -\v 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them to speak. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Now there were Jews who were living in Jerusalem, godly men, from every nation under heaven. -\v 6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and was confused because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. -\v 7 They were amazed and marveled; they said, "Really, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? - -\s5 -\v 8 Why is it that we are hearing them, each in our own language in which we were born? -\v 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, -\v 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, -\v 11 Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our languages about the mighty works of God." - -\s5 -\v 12 They were all amazed and perplexed; they said to one another, "What does this mean?" -\v 13 But others mocked and said, "They are full of new wine." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 But Peter stood with the eleven, raised his voice, and said to them, "Men of Judea and all of you who live at Jerusalem, let this be known to you; pay attention to my words. -\v 15 For these people are not drunk as you assume, for it is only the third hour of the day. - -\s5 -\v 16 But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: -\q -\v 17 'It will be in the last days,' God says, -\q 'I will pour out my Spirit on all people. -\q Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, -\q your young men will see visions, -\q and your old men will dream dreams. - -\s5 -\q -\v 18 Also on my servants and my female servants in those days -\q I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. -\q -\v 19 I will show wonders in the sky above -\q and signs on the earth below, -\q blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. - -\s5 -\q -\v 20 The sun will be turned to darkness -\q and the moon to blood, -\q before the great and remarkable day of the Lord comes. -\q -\v 21 It will be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' -\m - -\s5 -\v 22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man shown to you by God to be genuine by the mighty deeds, the wonders, and the signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. -\v 23 This man was handed over by God's predetermined plan and foreknowledge; and you, by the hand of lawless men, put him to death by nailing him to a cross. -\v 24 But God raised him up, freeing him from the pains of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. - -\s5 -\v 25 For David says about him, -\q 'I saw the Lord always before my face, -\q for he is beside my right hand so that I should not be moved. -\q -\v 26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced. -\q Also, my flesh will live in certain hope. - -\s5 -\q -\v 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, -\q neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay. -\q -\v 28 You revealed to me the ways of life; -\q you will make me full of gladness with your face.' -\m - -\s5 -\v 29 Brothers, I can speak to you confidently about the patriarch David, he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. -\v 30 Therefore, he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn with an oath to him, that he would set one of the fruit of his body upon his throne. -\v 31 He foresaw this and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, -\q 'He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.' -\m - -\s5 -\v 32 This Jesus—God raised him up, of which we all are witnesses. -\v 33 Therefore having been raised up to the right hand of God and having received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out this, which you see and hear. -\m - -\s5 -\v 34 For David did not ascend to the heaven, but he says, -\q 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, -\q -\v 35 until I make your enemies the stool for your feet."' -\m -\v 36 Therefore, let all the house of Israel certainly know that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced in their hearts, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" -\v 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -\v 39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, as many people as the Lord our God will call." - -\s5 -\v 40 With many other words he testified and urged them; he said, "Save yourselves from this wicked generation." -\v 41 Then they received his word and were baptized, and there were added in that day about three thousand souls. -\v 42 They continued in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers. - -\s5 -\p -\v 43 Fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. -\v 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common, -\v 45 and they sold their property and possessions and distributed them to all, according to the needs anyone had. - -\s5 -\v 46 So day after day they continued with one purpose in the temple, and they broke bread in homes, and they shared food with joy and humility of heart; -\v 47 they praised God and had favor with all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. -\v 2 Now a man lame from birth was being carried every day to the Beautiful gate of temple, so he could ask people who were going into the temple for a gift of money. -\v 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked them for a gift of money. - -\s5 -\v 4 Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, "Look at us." -\v 5 The lame man looked at them, expecting to receive something from them. -\v 6 But Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have, I will give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." - -\s5 -\v 7 Taking him by the right hand, Peter raised him up, and immediately the man's feet and ankle were made strong. -\v 8 Leaping up, the lame man stood and began to walk; and he entered with Peter and John into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God. - -\s5 -\v 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God. -\v 10 They noticed that it was the man who had been asking people for a gift of money at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement because of what had happened to him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 As he was holding on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly marveling. -\v 12 When Peter saw this, he answered the people, "You men of Israel, why do you marvel? Why do you fix your eyes on us, as if we had made him to walk by our own power or godliness? - -\s5 -\v 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. He is the one whom you delivered up and rejected before the face of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. -\v 14 You rejected the Holy and Righteous One, and you asked instead for a murderer to be released to you. - -\s5 -\v 15 You killed the Founder of life, whom God raised from the dead—and we are witnesses of this. -\v 16 Now, by faith in his name—this man whom you see and know—this same name made him strong. The faith that is through Jesus gave to him this complete health in the presence of all of you. - -\s5 -\v 17 Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. -\v 18 But the things which God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he has now fulfilled. - -\s5 -\v 19 Repent, therefore, and turn, so that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come periods of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; -\v 20 and that he may send the Christ who has been appointed for you, Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 21 He is the One heaven must receive until the time of the restoration of all things, about which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets. -\v 22 Moses indeed said, 'The Lord God will raise up a prophet like me from among your brothers. You shall listen to everything that he will speak to you. -\v 23 It will happen that every person who does not listen to that prophet will be completely destroyed from among the people.' - -\s5 -\v 24 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who came after him, they spoke out and announced these days. -\v 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, as he said to Abraham, 'In your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' -\v 26 After God raised up his servant, he sent him to you first, in order to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them. -\v 2 They were deeply troubled because Peter and John were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead ones. -\v 3 They arrested them and put them in jail until the next morning, since it was now evening. -\v 4 But many of the people who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men who believed was about five thousand. - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 It came about on the next day that their rulers, elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem. -\v 6 Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and all who were relatives of the high priest. -\v 7 When they had set Peter and John in their midst, they asked them, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" - -\s5 -\v 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "You rulers of the people, and elders, -\v 9 if we this day are being questioned concerning a good deed done to a sick man, by what means was this man made well? -\v 10 May this be known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands here before you healthy. - -\s5 -\v 11 Jesus Christ is the stone which you as builders despised but which has been made the head cornerstone. -\v 12 There is no salvation in any other person, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and realized that they were ordinary, uneducated men, they were surprised, becoming aware that Peter and John had been with Jesus. -\v 14 Because they saw the man who was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against this. - -\s5 -\v 15 But after they had commanded the apostles to leave the council meeting, they talked among themselves. -\v 16 They said, "What shall we do to these men? For the fact that a remarkable miracle has been done through them is known to everyone who lives in Jerusalem; we cannot deny it. -\v 17 But in order that it spreads no further among the people, let us warn them not to speak anymore to anyone in this name." -\v 18 They called Peter and John in and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you rather than him, you judge. -\v 20 We are not able to stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard." - -\s5 -\v 21 After further warning Peter and John, they let them go. They were unable to find any excuse to punish them, because all of the people were praising God for what had been done. -\v 22 The man who had experienced this miracle of healing was more than forty years old. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 After they were set free, Peter and John came to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. -\v 24 When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Lord, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them. -\v 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David, -\q 'Why did the Gentile nations rage, -\q and the peoples imagine useless things?' - -\s5 -\q -\v 26 You said, 'The kings of the earth set themselves together, -\q and the rulers gathered together -\q against the Lord, and against his Christ.' -\m - -\s5 -\v 27 Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, gathered together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. -\v 28 They gathered together to do all that your hand and your plan had decided in advance would happen. - -\s5 -\v 29 Now, Lord, look upon their warnings and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness. -\v 30 Stretch out your hand to heal, and to give signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." -\v 31 When they finished praying, the place where they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 The great number of those who believed were of one heart and soul. No one said that anything he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. -\v 33 With great power the apostles were proclaiming their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. - -\s5 -\v 34 There was no person among them who lacked anything, for all who owned title to lands or houses sold them and brought the money of the things that were sold -\v 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each one according to their need. - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 Joseph, a Levite, a man from Cyprus whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), -\v 37 sold a field and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. - - - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 Now a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property, -\v 2 and he kept back part of the sale money (his wife also knew it), and brought the other part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. - -\s5 -\v 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? -\v 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own, and after it was sold, was it not in your control? How is it that you thought of this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God." -\v 5 Hearing these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard it. -\v 6 The young men came forward and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 After about three hours, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. -\v 8 Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." She said, "Yes, for so much." - -\s5 -\v 9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." -\v 10 She immediately fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in, they found her dead, and carried her out and buried her beside her husband. -\v 11 Great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard these things. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Many signs and wonders were taking place among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon's Porch. -\v 13 But no one else had the courage to join them; however, they were held in high esteem by the people. - -\s5 -\v 14 Still more believers were being added to the Lord, multitudes of men and women, -\v 15 so that they even carried the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, so that as Peter came by, his shadow might fall on some of them. -\v 16 There also came together a great number of people from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees); and they were filled with jealousy -\v 18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the public jail. - -\s5 -\v 19 Yet during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and led them out, and said, -\v 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." -\v 21 When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, all the elders of the people of Israel, and sent to the jail to have the apostles brought. - -\s5 -\v 22 But the officers that went did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported, -\v 23 "We found the jail securely shut and the guards standing at the door, but when we had opened it, we found no one inside." - -\s5 -\v 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them as to what would come of it. -\v 25 Then someone came and told them, "The men whom you put in the jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people." - -\s5 -\v 26 So the captain went with the officers, and brought them back, but without violence, for they feared that the people might stone them. -\v 27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest interrogated them, -\v 28 saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and desire to bring this man's blood upon us." - -\s5 -\v 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. -\v 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. -\v 31 God exalted him to his right hand to be a prince and a savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. -\v 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 33 When the council members heard this, they were furious and wanted to kill the apostles. -\v 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up and commanded the apostles to be taken outside for a little while. - -\s5 -\v 35 Then he said to them, "Men of Israel, pay close attention to what you propose to do with these people. -\v 36 For some time ago, Theudas rose up claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who had been obeying him were scattered and came to nothing. -\v 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all who had been obeying him were scattered. - -\s5 -\v 38 Now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or work is of men, it will be overthrown. -\v 39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; you may even find that you are fighting against God." So they were persuaded. - -\s5 -\v 40 Then they called the apostles in and beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. -\v 41 They left the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. -\v 42 Thereafter every day, in the temple and from house to house, they were continuously teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. +\mt Apostles \s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 The former book I wrote, Theophilus, told all that Jesus began to do and to teach, +\v 2 until the day that he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. +\v 3 After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them with many convincing proofs. For forty days he appeared to them, and he spoke about the kingdom of God. + +\s5 +\v 4 When he was meeting together with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, about which, he said, "You heard from me +\v 5 that John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit in a few days." +\p + +\s5 +\v 6 When they were assembled together they asked him, "Lord, is this the time you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" +\v 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has determined by his own authority. +\v 8 But you will receive power, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." + +\s5 +\v 9 When the Lord Jesus had said these things, as they were looking up, he was raised up, and a cloud hid him from their eyes. +\v 10 While they were looking intensely to heaven as he went, suddenly, two men stood by them in white clothing. +\v 11 They said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, will return in the same manner as you saw him going into heaven." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near to Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. +\v 13 When they arrived, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were staying. They were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. +\v 14 They were all united as one, as they diligently continued in prayer. Included were the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 In those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers, about 120 people, and said, +\v 16 "Brothers, it was necessary that the scripture should be fulfilled, that the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who guided the ones who arrested Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 17 For he was one of us and received his share of the benefits of this ministry." +\v 18 (Now this man bought a field with the earnings he received for his wickedness, and there he fell headfirst, and his body burst open, and all his intestines poured out. +\v 19 All those living in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language "Akeldama," that is, "Field of Blood.") + +\s5 +\v 20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, +\q 'Let his field be made desolate, +\q and do not let even one person live there'; +\q 'Let someone else take his position of leadership.' +\m + +\s5 +\v 21 It is necessary, therefore, that one of the men who accompanied us all the time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, +\v 22 beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was taken up from us, must be a witness with us of his resurrection." +\v 23 They put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also named Justus, and Matthias. + +\s5 +\v 24 They prayed and said, "You, Lord, know the hearts of all people, so reveal which of these two is the one whom you have chosen +\v 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned away to go to his own place." +\v 26 They cast lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in the same place. +\v 2 Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. +\v 3 There appeared to them tongues like fire that were distributed, and they sat upon each one of them. +\v 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them to speak. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Now there were Jews who were living in Jerusalem, godly men, from every nation under heaven. +\v 6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and was confused because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. +\v 7 They were amazed and marveled; they said, "Really, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? + +\s5 +\v 8 Why is it that we are hearing them, each in our own language in which we were born? +\v 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, +\v 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, +\v 11 Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them telling in our languages about the mighty works of God." + +\s5 +\v 12 They were all amazed and perplexed; they said to one another, "What does this mean?" +\v 13 But others mocked and said, "They are full of new wine." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 But Peter stood with the eleven, raised his voice, and said to them, "Men of Judea and all of you who live at Jerusalem, let this be known to you; pay attention to my words. +\v 15 For these people are not drunk as you assume, for it is only the third hour of the day. + +\s5 +\v 16 But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: +\q +\v 17 'It will be in the last days,' God says, +\q 'I will pour out my Spirit on all people. +\q Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, +\q your young men will see visions, +\q and your old men will dream dreams. + +\s5 +\q +\v 18 Also on my servants and my female servants in those days +\q I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. +\q +\v 19 I will show wonders in the sky above +\q and signs on the earth below, +\q blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. + +\s5 +\q +\v 20 The sun will be turned to darkness +\q and the moon to blood, +\q before the great and remarkable day of the Lord comes. +\q +\v 21 It will be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' +\m + +\s5 +\v 22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man shown to you by God to be genuine by the mighty deeds, the wonders, and the signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. +\v 23 This man was handed over by God's predetermined plan and foreknowledge; and you, by the hand of lawless men, put him to death by nailing him to a cross. +\v 24 But God raised him up, freeing him from the pains of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. + +\s5 +\v 25 For David says about him, +\q 'I saw the Lord always before my face, +\q for he is beside my right hand so that I should not be moved. +\q +\v 26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced. +\q Also, my flesh will live in certain hope. + +\s5 +\q +\v 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, +\q neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay. +\q +\v 28 You revealed to me the ways of life; +\q you will make me full of gladness with your face.' +\m + +\s5 +\v 29 Brothers, I can speak to you confidently about the patriarch David, he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. +\v 30 Therefore, he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn with an oath to him, that he would set one of the fruit of his body upon his throne. +\v 31 He foresaw this and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, +\q 'He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.' +\m + +\s5 +\v 32 This Jesus—God raised him up, of which we all are witnesses. +\v 33 Therefore having been raised up to the right hand of God and having received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out this, which you see and hear. +\m + +\s5 +\v 34 For David did not ascend to the heaven, but he says, +\q 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, +\q +\v 35 until I make your enemies the stool for your feet."' +\m +\v 36 Therefore, let all the house of Israel certainly know that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced in their hearts, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" +\v 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. +\v 39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, as many people as the Lord our God will call." + +\s5 +\v 40 With many other words he testified and urged them; he said, "Save yourselves from this wicked generation." +\v 41 Then they received his word and were baptized, and there were added in that day about three thousand souls. +\v 42 They continued in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers. + +\s5 +\p +\v 43 Fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. +\v 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common, +\v 45 and they sold their property and possessions and distributed them to all, according to the needs anyone had. + +\s5 +\v 46 So day after day they continued with one purpose in the temple, and they broke bread in homes, and they shared food with joy and humility of heart; +\v 47 they praised God and had favor with all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. +\v 2 Now a man lame from birth was being carried every day to the Beautiful gate of temple, so he could ask people who were going into the temple for a gift of money. +\v 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked them for a gift of money. + +\s5 +\v 4 Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, "Look at us." +\v 5 The lame man looked at them, expecting to receive something from them. +\v 6 But Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have, I will give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." + +\s5 +\v 7 Taking him by the right hand, Peter raised him up, and immediately the man's feet and ankle were made strong. +\v 8 Leaping up, the lame man stood and began to walk; and he entered with Peter and John into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God. + +\s5 +\v 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God. +\v 10 They noticed that it was the man who had been asking people for a gift of money at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement because of what had happened to him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 As he was holding on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly marveling. +\v 12 When Peter saw this, he answered the people, "You men of Israel, why do you marvel? Why do you fix your eyes on us, as if we had made him to walk by our own power or godliness? + +\s5 +\v 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. He is the one whom you delivered up and rejected before the face of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. +\v 14 You rejected the Holy and Righteous One, and you asked instead for a murderer to be released to you. + +\s5 +\v 15 You killed the Founder of life, whom God raised from the dead—and we are witnesses of this. +\v 16 Now, by faith in his name—this man whom you see and know—this same name made him strong. The faith that is through Jesus gave to him this complete health in the presence of all of you. + +\s5 +\v 17 Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. +\v 18 But the things which God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he has now fulfilled. + +\s5 +\v 19 Repent, therefore, and turn, so that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come periods of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; +\v 20 and that he may send the Christ who has been appointed for you, Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 21 He is the One heaven must receive until the time of the restoration of all things, about which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets. +\v 22 Moses indeed said, 'The Lord God will raise up a prophet like me from among your brothers. You shall listen to everything that he will speak to you. +\v 23 It will happen that every person who does not listen to that prophet will be completely destroyed from among the people.' + +\s5 +\v 24 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who came after him, they spoke out and announced these days. +\v 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, as he said to Abraham, 'In your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' +\v 26 After God raised up his servant, he sent him to you first, in order to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 As Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them. +\v 2 They were deeply troubled because Peter and John were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead ones. +\v 3 They arrested them and put them in jail until the next morning, since it was now evening. +\v 4 But many of the people who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men who believed was about five thousand. + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 It came about on the next day that their rulers, elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem. +\v 6 Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and all who were relatives of the high priest. +\v 7 When they had set Peter and John in their midst, they asked them, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" + +\s5 +\v 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "You rulers of the people, and elders, +\v 9 if we this day are being questioned concerning a good deed done to a sick man, by what means was this man made well? +\v 10 May this be known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands here before you healthy. + +\s5 +\v 11 Jesus Christ is the stone which you as builders despised but which has been made the head cornerstone. +\v 12 There is no salvation in any other person, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and realized that they were ordinary, uneducated men, they were surprised, becoming aware that Peter and John had been with Jesus. +\v 14 Because they saw the man who was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against this. + +\s5 +\v 15 But after they had commanded the apostles to leave the council meeting, they talked among themselves. +\v 16 They said, "What shall we do to these men? For the fact that a remarkable miracle has been done through them is known to everyone who lives in Jerusalem; we cannot deny it. +\v 17 But in order that it spreads no further among the people, let us warn them not to speak anymore to anyone in this name." +\v 18 They called Peter and John in and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you rather than him, you judge. +\v 20 We are not able to stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard." + +\s5 +\v 21 After further warning Peter and John, they let them go. They were unable to find any excuse to punish them, because all of the people were praising God for what had been done. +\v 22 The man who had experienced this miracle of healing was more than forty years old. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 After they were set free, Peter and John came to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. +\v 24 When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Lord, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them. +\v 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David, +\q 'Why did the Gentile nations rage, +\q and the peoples imagine useless things?' + +\s5 +\q +\v 26 You said, 'The kings of the earth set themselves together, +\q and the rulers gathered together +\q against the Lord, and against his Christ.' +\m + +\s5 +\v 27 Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, gathered together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. +\v 28 They gathered together to do all that your hand and your plan had decided in advance would happen. + +\s5 +\v 29 Now, Lord, look upon their warnings and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness. +\v 30 Stretch out your hand to heal, and to give signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." +\v 31 When they finished praying, the place where they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 The great number of those who believed were of one heart and soul. No one said that anything he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. +\v 33 With great power the apostles were proclaiming their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. + +\s5 +\v 34 There was no person among them who lacked anything, for all who owned title to lands or houses sold them and brought the money of the things that were sold +\v 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each one according to their need. + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 Joseph, a Levite, a man from Cyprus whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), +\v 37 sold a field and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. + + + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 Now a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property, +\v 2 and he kept back part of the sale money (his wife also knew it), and brought the other part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. + +\s5 +\v 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? +\v 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own, and after it was sold, was it not in your control? How is it that you thought of this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God." +\v 5 Hearing these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last, and great fear came upon all who heard it. +\v 6 The young men came forward and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 After about three hours, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. +\v 8 Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." She said, "Yes, for so much." + +\s5 +\v 9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." +\v 10 She immediately fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in, they found her dead, and carried her out and buried her beside her husband. +\v 11 Great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard these things. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Many signs and wonders were taking place among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon's Porch. +\v 13 But no one else had the courage to join them; however, they were held in high esteem by the people. + +\s5 +\v 14 Still more believers were being added to the Lord, multitudes of men and women, +\v 15 so that they even carried the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, so that as Peter came by, his shadow might fall on some of them. +\v 16 There also came together a great number of people from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees); and they were filled with jealousy +\v 18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the public jail. + +\s5 +\v 19 Yet during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and led them out, and said, +\v 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life." +\v 21 When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, all the elders of the people of Israel, and sent to the jail to have the apostles brought. + +\s5 +\v 22 But the officers that went did not find them in the prison, and they returned and reported, +\v 23 "We found the jail securely shut and the guards standing at the door, but when we had opened it, we found no one inside." + +\s5 +\v 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them as to what would come of it. +\v 25 Then someone came and told them, "The men whom you put in the jail are standing in the temple and teaching the people." + +\s5 +\v 26 So the captain went with the officers, and brought them back, but without violence, for they feared that the people might stone them. +\v 27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest interrogated them, +\v 28 saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and desire to bring this man's blood upon us." + +\s5 +\v 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. +\v 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. +\v 31 God exalted him to his right hand to be a prince and a savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. +\v 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 33 When the council members heard this, they were furious and wanted to kill the apostles. +\v 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up and commanded the apostles to be taken outside for a little while. + +\s5 +\v 35 Then he said to them, "Men of Israel, pay close attention to what you propose to do with these people. +\v 36 For some time ago, Theudas rose up claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who had been obeying him were scattered and came to nothing. +\v 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all who had been obeying him were scattered. + +\s5 +\v 38 Now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or work is of men, it will be overthrown. +\v 39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; you may even find that you are fighting against God." So they were persuaded. + +\s5 +\v 40 Then they called the apostles in and beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. +\v 41 They left the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. +\v 42 Thereafter every day, in the temple and from house to house, they were continuously teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. \s5 @@ -436,224 +436,224 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 The high priest said, "Are these things true?" -\v 2 Stephen said, -\p "Brothers and fathers, listen to me: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran; -\v 3 he said to him, 'Leave your land and your relatives, and go into the land that I will show you.' - -\s5 -\v 4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran; from there, after his father died, God brought him into this land, where you live now. -\v 5 He gave none of it as an inheritance to him, no, not even enough to set a foot on. But he promised—even though Abraham had no child yet—that he would give the land as a possession to him and to his descendants after him. - -\s5 -\v 6 God was speaking to him like this, that his descendants would live for a while in a foreign land, and that the inhabitants there would bring them into slavery and treat them badly for four hundred years. -\v 7 'But I will judge the nation that they serve,' said God, 'and after that they will come out and worship me in this place.' -\v 8 Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of the twelve patriarchs. - -\s5 -\v 9 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him into Egypt; but God was with him -\v 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who had made him governor over Egypt and over all his household. - -\s5 -\v 11 Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great suffering, and our fathers could find no food. -\v 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first trip. -\v 13 On their second trip Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. - -\s5 -\v 14 Joseph sent his brothers back to tell Jacob his father to come to Egypt, along with all his relatives, seventy-five persons in all. -\v 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers. -\v 16 They were carried over to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. - -\s5 -\v 17 As the time of the promise approached, the promise that God had made to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, -\v 18 until there arose another king over Egypt, a king who did not know about Joseph. -\v 19 This same king deceived our people and treated our fathers so badly, they had forced our fathers to leave their newborn children outside so they would die. - -\s5 -\v 20 At that time Moses was born; he was very beautiful before God and was nourished for three months in his father's house. -\v 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son. - -\s5 -\v 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and works. -\v 23 But when he was about forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. -\v 24 Seeing an Israelite being mistreated, Moses defended him and avenged him who was oppressed by striking the Egyptian: -\v 25 he thought that his brothers would understand that God by his hand was rescuing them, but they did not understand. - -\s5 -\v 26 On the next day he came to some Israelites as they were quarreling; he tried to put them at peace with each other; he said, 'Men, you are brothers; why are you hurting one another?' -\v 27 But the one who had wronged his neighbor pushed him away, and said, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? -\v 28 Would you like to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' - -\s5 -\v 29 Moses ran away after hearing this; he became a foreigner in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. -\v 30 When forty years were past, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. - -\s5 -\v 31 When Moses saw the fire, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look at it, there came a voice of the Lord, saying, -\v 32 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' Moses trembled and did not dare to look. - -\s5 -\v 33 The Lord said to him, 'Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. -\v 34 I have certainly seen the suffering of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them; now come, I will send you to Egypt.' - -\s5 -\v 35 This Moses whom they rejected, when they said, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?'—he was the one whom God sent as both a ruler and deliverer. God sent him by the hand of the angel who appeared to Moses in the bush. -\v 36 Moses led them out of Egypt, after doing miracles and signs in Egypt and at the Sea of Reeds, and in the wilderness during forty years. -\v 37 It is the same Moses who said to the people of Israel, 'God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, a prophet like me.' - -\s5 -\v 38 This is the man who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. This is the man who was with our fathers; this is the man who received living words to give to us. -\v 39 This is the man whom our fathers refused to obey; they pushed him away from themselves, and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt. -\v 40 At that time they said to Aaron, 'Make us gods who will lead us. As for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.' - -\s5 -\v 41 So they made a calf in those days and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced because of the work of their hands. -\v 42 But God turned and gave them up to worship the stars in the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, -\q 'Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices -\q for forty years in the wilderness, house of Israel? - -\s5 -\q -\v 43 You accepted the tabernacle of Molech -\q and the star of the god Rephan, -\q and the images that you made to worship them: -\q and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.' -\m - -\s5 -\v 44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, just as God commanded when he spoke to Moses, that he should make it like the pattern that he had seen. -\v 45 Later, our fathers, under Joshua, received the tabernacle and brought it with them when they took possession of the land. God took the land from the nations and drove them out before the face of our fathers. The tabernacle remained in the land until the time of David, -\v 46 who found favor in the sight of God, and he asked if he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. - - -\s5 -\v 47 But it was Solomon who built the house for God. -\v 48 However, the Most High does not live in houses made with hands, as the prophet says, -\q -\v 49 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool for my feet. -\q What kind of house can you build for me? says the Lord, -\q or what is the place for my rest? -\q -\v 50 Did my hand not make all these things?' - -\s5 -\p -\v 51 You people who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit; you act just as your fathers acted. -\v 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed the prophets who appeared in advance of the coming of the Righteous One; and you have now become the betrayers and murderers of him also, -\v 53 you people who received the law that angels had established, but you did not keep it." - -\s5 -\p -\v 54 Now when the council members heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they ground their teeth at Stephen. -\v 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up intently into heaven and saw the glory of God; and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. -\v 56 Stephen said, "Look, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." - -\s5 -\v 57 At this the council members covered their ears, and shouting out with a loud voice, altogether they rushed at him. -\v 58 They dragged him out of the city where they began to stone him, and the witnesses laid down their outer clothing at the feet of a young man named Saul. - -\s5 -\v 59 As they were stoning Stephen, he was calling out to the Lord and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." -\v 60 He knelt down and called out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 Saul was in agreement with his death. -\p So there began on that day a great persecution against the church that was in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. -\v 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. -\v 3 But Saul greatly harmed the church; he went into house after house and dragged out men and women, and put them into prison. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Yet the believers who had been scattered went about proclaiming the word. -\v 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. - -\s5 -\v 6 When multitudes of people heard and saw the signs that Philip did, they paid attention together to what he said. -\v 7 Unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying out with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. -\v 8 So there was much joy in that city. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 But there was a certain man in the city named Simon, who had earlier been practicing sorcery; he used to astonish the people of Samaria, while claiming that he was an important person. -\v 10 All the Samaritans, from the least to the greatest, paid attention to him; they said, "This man is that power of God which is called Great." -\v 11 They listened to him, because he had astonished them for a long time with his sorceries. - -\s5 -\v 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. -\v 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized he stayed with Philip constantly. When he saw signs and mighty deeds taking place, he was amazed. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John. -\v 15 When they had come down, they prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. -\v 16 For until that time, the Holy Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. -\v 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. - -\s5 -\v 18 Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money. -\v 19 He said, "Give me this power, too, that whoever I place my hands on might receive the Holy Spirit." - -\s5 -\v 20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish along with you, because you thought to obtain the gift of God with money. -\v 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right with God. -\v 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord, so that he might perhaps forgive you for the intention of your heart. -\v 23 For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bonds of sin." - -\s5 -\v 24 Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me." - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 When they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and said, "Arise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This road is in a desert.) -\v 27 He arose and went. Behold, there was a man from Cush, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Cushites. He was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship. -\v 28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. - -\s5 -\v 29 The Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and stay close to this chariot." -\v 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" -\v 31 The Cushite said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" He begged Philip to come up into the chariot and sit with him. - -\s5 -\v 32 Now the passage of the scripture which the Ethiopian was reading was this, -\q "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, -\q and like a lamb before his shearer is silent, -\q so he did not open his mouth. -\q -\v 33 In his humiliation justice was taken away from him. -\q Who can fully describe his descendants? -\q For his life was taken from the earth." -\m - -\s5 -\v 34 So the eunuch asked Philip, and said, "I beg you, who is the prophet speaking about, himself, or someone else?" -\v 35 Philip began to speak, and beginning with this scripture he proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. - -\s5 -\v 36 As they went on the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water here. What prevents me from being baptized?" -\v 37 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit Acts 8:37, \fqa Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized." The Ethiopian answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." \f* -\v 38 So the Ethiopian commanded the chariot to stop. They went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and Philip baptized him. - -\s5 -\v 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. -\v 40 But Philip appeared at Azotus and he went through that region, proclaiming the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 The high priest said, "Are these things true?" +\v 2 Stephen said, +\p "Brothers and fathers, listen to me: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran; +\v 3 he said to him, 'Leave your land and your relatives, and go into the land that I will show you.' + +\s5 +\v 4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran; from there, after his father died, God brought him into this land, where you live now. +\v 5 He gave none of it as an inheritance to him, no, not even enough to set a foot on. But he promised—even though Abraham had no child yet—that he would give the land as a possession to him and to his descendants after him. + +\s5 +\v 6 God was speaking to him like this, that his descendants would live for a while in a foreign land, and that the inhabitants there would bring them into slavery and treat them badly for four hundred years. +\v 7 'But I will judge the nation that they serve,' said God, 'and after that they will come out and worship me in this place.' +\v 8 Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, so Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of the twelve patriarchs. + +\s5 +\v 9 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him into Egypt; but God was with him +\v 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who had made him governor over Egypt and over all his household. + +\s5 +\v 11 Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great suffering, and our fathers could find no food. +\v 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first trip. +\v 13 On their second trip Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh. + +\s5 +\v 14 Joseph sent his brothers back to tell Jacob his father to come to Egypt, along with all his relatives, seventy-five persons in all. +\v 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers. +\v 16 They were carried over to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. + +\s5 +\v 17 As the time of the promise approached, the promise that God had made to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, +\v 18 until there arose another king over Egypt, a king who did not know about Joseph. +\v 19 This same king deceived our people and treated our fathers so badly, they had forced our fathers to leave their newborn children outside so they would die. + +\s5 +\v 20 At that time Moses was born; he was very beautiful before God and was nourished for three months in his father's house. +\v 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and raised him as her own son. + +\s5 +\v 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and works. +\v 23 But when he was about forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. +\v 24 Seeing an Israelite being mistreated, Moses defended him and avenged him who was oppressed by striking the Egyptian: +\v 25 he thought that his brothers would understand that God by his hand was rescuing them, but they did not understand. + +\s5 +\v 26 On the next day he came to some Israelites as they were quarreling; he tried to put them at peace with each other; he said, 'Men, you are brothers; why are you hurting one another?' +\v 27 But the one who had wronged his neighbor pushed him away, and said, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? +\v 28 Would you like to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' + +\s5 +\v 29 Moses ran away after hearing this; he became a foreigner in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. +\v 30 When forty years were past, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. + +\s5 +\v 31 When Moses saw the fire, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look at it, there came a voice of the Lord, saying, +\v 32 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' Moses trembled and did not dare to look. + +\s5 +\v 33 The Lord said to him, 'Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. +\v 34 I have certainly seen the suffering of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them; now come, I will send you to Egypt.' + +\s5 +\v 35 This Moses whom they rejected, when they said, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?'—he was the one whom God sent as both a ruler and deliverer. God sent him by the hand of the angel who appeared to Moses in the bush. +\v 36 Moses led them out of Egypt, after doing miracles and signs in Egypt and at the Sea of Reeds, and in the wilderness during forty years. +\v 37 It is the same Moses who said to the people of Israel, 'God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, a prophet like me.' + +\s5 +\v 38 This is the man who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who had spoken to him on Mount Sinai. This is the man who was with our fathers; this is the man who received living words to give to us. +\v 39 This is the man whom our fathers refused to obey; they pushed him away from themselves, and in their hearts they turned back to Egypt. +\v 40 At that time they said to Aaron, 'Make us gods who will lead us. As for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.' + +\s5 +\v 41 So they made a calf in those days and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced because of the work of their hands. +\v 42 But God turned and gave them up to worship the stars in the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, +\q 'Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices +\q for forty years in the wilderness, house of Israel? + +\s5 +\q +\v 43 You accepted the tabernacle of Molech +\q and the star of the god Rephan, +\q and the images that you made to worship them: +\q and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.' +\m + +\s5 +\v 44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, just as God commanded when he spoke to Moses, that he should make it like the pattern that he had seen. +\v 45 Later, our fathers, under Joshua, received the tabernacle and brought it with them when they took possession of the land. God took the land from the nations and drove them out before the face of our fathers. The tabernacle remained in the land until the time of David, +\v 46 who found favor in the sight of God, and he asked if he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. + + +\s5 +\v 47 But it was Solomon who built the house for God. +\v 48 However, the Most High does not live in houses made with hands, as the prophet says, +\q +\v 49 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool for my feet. +\q What kind of house can you build for me? says the Lord, +\q or what is the place for my rest? +\q +\v 50 Did my hand not make all these things?' + +\s5 +\p +\v 51 You people who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit; you act just as your fathers acted. +\v 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed the prophets who appeared in advance of the coming of the Righteous One; and you have now become the betrayers and murderers of him also, +\v 53 you people who received the law that angels had established, but you did not keep it." + +\s5 +\p +\v 54 Now when the council members heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they ground their teeth at Stephen. +\v 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up intently into heaven and saw the glory of God; and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. +\v 56 Stephen said, "Look, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." + +\s5 +\v 57 At this the council members covered their ears, and shouting out with a loud voice, altogether they rushed at him. +\v 58 They dragged him out of the city where they began to stone him, and the witnesses laid down their outer clothing at the feet of a young man named Saul. + +\s5 +\v 59 As they were stoning Stephen, he was calling out to the Lord and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." +\v 60 He knelt down and called out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 Saul was in agreement with his death. +\p So there began on that day a great persecution against the church that was in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. +\v 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. +\v 3 But Saul greatly harmed the church; he went into house after house and dragged out men and women, and put them into prison. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Yet the believers who had been scattered went about proclaiming the word. +\v 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. + +\s5 +\v 6 When multitudes of people heard and saw the signs that Philip did, they paid attention together to what he said. +\v 7 Unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying out with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. +\v 8 So there was much joy in that city. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 But there was a certain man in the city named Simon, who had earlier been practicing sorcery; he used to astonish the people of Samaria, while claiming that he was an important person. +\v 10 All the Samaritans, from the least to the greatest, paid attention to him; they said, "This man is that power of God which is called Great." +\v 11 They listened to him, because he had astonished them for a long time with his sorceries. + +\s5 +\v 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. +\v 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized he stayed with Philip constantly. When he saw signs and mighty deeds taking place, he was amazed. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John. +\v 15 When they had come down, they prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. +\v 16 For until that time, the Holy Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. +\v 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. + +\s5 +\v 18 Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money. +\v 19 He said, "Give me this power, too, that whoever I place my hands on might receive the Holy Spirit." + +\s5 +\v 20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish along with you, because you thought to obtain the gift of God with money. +\v 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right with God. +\v 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord, so that he might perhaps forgive you for the intention of your heart. +\v 23 For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bonds of sin." + +\s5 +\v 24 Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me." + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 When they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and said, "Arise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This road is in a desert.) +\v 27 He arose and went. Behold, there was a man from Cush, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Cushites. He was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship. +\v 28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. + +\s5 +\v 29 The Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and stay close to this chariot." +\v 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" +\v 31 The Cushite said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" He begged Philip to come up into the chariot and sit with him. + +\s5 +\v 32 Now the passage of the scripture which the Ethiopian was reading was this, +\q "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, +\q and like a lamb before his shearer is silent, +\q so he did not open his mouth. +\q +\v 33 In his humiliation justice was taken away from him. +\q Who can fully describe his descendants? +\q For his life was taken from the earth." +\m + +\s5 +\v 34 So the eunuch asked Philip, and said, "I beg you, who is the prophet speaking about, himself, or someone else?" +\v 35 Philip began to speak, and beginning with this scripture he proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. + +\s5 +\v 36 As they went on the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water here. What prevents me from being baptized?" +\v 37 \f + \ft The best ancient copies omit Acts 8:37, \fqa Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may be baptized." The Ethiopian answered, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." \f* +\v 38 So the Ethiopian commanded the chariot to stop. They went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and Philip baptized him. + +\s5 +\v 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. +\v 40 But Philip appeared at Azotus and he went through that region, proclaiming the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea. + + + \s5 @@ -844,294 +844,294 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. -\v 2 When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, they who belonged to the circumcision group criticized him; -\v 3 they said, "You associated with uncircumcised men and ate with them!" - -\s5 -\v 4 But Peter started to explain the matter to them in detail; he said, -\v 5 I was praying in the city of Joppa, and I had a vision of a container coming down, like a large sheet let down from heaven by its four corners. It descended to me. -\v 6 I gazed at it and I thought about it. I saw the four-legged animals of earth, wild beasts, creeping animals, and birds of the sky. - -\s5 -\v 7 Then I heard a voice say to me, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat!" -\v 8 I said, "Not so, Lord; for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth." -\v 9 But the voice answered again from heaven, "What God has declared clean, do not call unclean." -\v 10 This happened three times, and then everything was taken back up into heaven again. - -\s5 -\v 11 Behold, right away there were three men standing in front of the house where we were; they had been sent from Caesarea to me. -\v 12 The Spirit commanded me to go with them, and that I should make no distinction regarding them. These six brothers went with me, and we went into the man's house. -\v 13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, "Send men to Joppa and bring back Simon who is called Peter. -\v 14 He will speak to you a message by which you will be saved—you and all your household." - -\s5 -\v 15 As I began to speak to them, the Holy Spirit came on them, just as on us in the beginning. -\v 16 I remembered the words of the Lord, how he said, "John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit." - -\s5 -\v 17 Then if God gave to them the same gift as he gave to us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could oppose God?" -\v 18 When they heard these things, they said nothing in response, but they praised God and said, "Then God has given repentance for life to the Gentiles also." - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that started with the death of Stephen were spread as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, but they told the message about Jesus only to Jews. -\v 20 But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, came to Antioch and spoke also to Greeks, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. -\v 21 The hand of the Lord was with them; a great number believed and turned to the Lord. - -\s5 -\v 22 News about them came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas as far as Antioch. -\v 23 When he came and saw the gift of God, he was glad; and he encouraged them all to remain with the Lord with all their heart. -\v 24 For he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord. - -\s5 -\v 25 Barnabas then went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. -\v 26 When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. It came about, that for an entire year they gathered together with the church and taught many people. The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 Now in these days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. -\v 28 One of them, Agabus by name, stood up and indicated by the Spirit that a great famine would occur over all the world. This happened in the days of Claudius. -\s5 -\v 29 So, the disciples, as each one was able, decided to send help to the brothers in Judea. -\v 30 They did this; they sent money to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. - - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church so that he might mistreat them. -\v 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword. - -\s5 -\v 3 After he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. That was during the days of unleavened bread. -\v 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, assigning him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him; he was intending to bring him to the people after the Passover. - -\s5 -\v 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer was made earnestly to God for him by those in the church. -\v 6 On the night before Herod was going to bring him out for trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. - -\s5 -\v 7 Behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared by him, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him and said, "Get up quickly," and his chains fell off his hands. -\v 8 The angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." Peter did so. The angel said to him, "Put on your outer garment and follow me." - -\s5 -\v 9 So Peter followed the angel and went out. He did not know that what was done by the angel was real. He thought he was seeing a vision. -\v 10 After they had passed by the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city; it opened for them by itself. They went out and went down a street, and the angel left him right away. - -\s5 -\v 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has sent his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting." -\v 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. - -\s5 -\v 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. -\v 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, out of joy she failed to open the door; instead, she came running into the room; she reported that Peter was standing at the door. -\v 15 So they said to her, "You are insane." But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel." - -\s5 -\v 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. -\v 17 Peter motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and he told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. He said, "Report these things to James and the brothers." Then he left and went to another place. - -\s5 -\v 18 Now when it became day, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers over what had happened to Peter. -\v 19 After Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he questioned the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. - -\s5 -\p -\v 20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They went to him together. They persuaded Blastus, the king's assistant, to help them. Then they asked for peace, because their country received its food from the king's country. -\v 21 On a set day Herod dressed himself in royal clothing and sat on a throne; he made a speech to them. - -\s5 -\v 22 The people shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man!" -\v 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory; he was eaten by worms and died. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 But the word of God increased and multiplied. -\p -\v 25 So when Barnabas and Saul had completed their mission, they returned from \f + \ft Some ancient copies read, \fqa they returned to \f* Jerusalem, bringing with them John, also called Mark. - - -\s5 -\c 13 -\p -\v 1 Now in the church in Antioch, there were some prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon (who is called Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. -\v 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them." -\v 3 After they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on these men, they sent them off. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 So Barnabas and Saul obeyed the Holy Spirit and went down to Seleucia; from there they sailed to the island of Cyprus. -\v 5 When they were in the city of Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John Mark as their assistant. - -\s5 -\v 6 When they had gone through the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar Jesus. -\v 7 This magician associated with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, because he wanted to hear the word of God. -\v 8 But Elymas "the magician" (that is how his name is translated) opposed them; he tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. - -\s5 -\v 9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him intensely. -\v 10 and said, "You son of the devil, you are full of all kinds of deceit and wickedness. You are an enemy of every kind of righteousness. You will never stop twisting the straight paths of the Lord, will you? - -\s5 -\v 11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will become blind. You will not see the sun for a while." Immediately there fell on Elymas a mist and darkness; he started going around asking people to lead him by the hand. -\v 12 After the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Now Paul and his friends set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. -\v 14 Paul and his friends traveled from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisidia. There they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. -\v 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent them a message saying, "Brothers, if you have any message of encouragement for the people here, say it." - -\s5 -\v 16 So Paul stood up and motioned with his hand; he said, "Men of Israel and you who honor God, listen. -\v 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people numerous when they stayed in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm he led them out of it. -\v 18 For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. -\f + \ft Some ancient copies read, \fqa For about forty years he cared for them in the wilderness. \f* -\s5 -\v 19 After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave our people their land for an inheritance. -\v 20 All these events took place over four hundred and fifty years. After all these things, God gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, to be king for forty years. -\v 22 After God removed him from the kingship, he raised up David to be their king. It was about David that God said, 'I have found David son of Jesse to be a man after my heart, who does all I want him to do.' - -\s5 -\v 23 From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus, as he promised to do. -\v 24 This began to happen when, before Jesus came, John first announced the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. -\v 25 As John was finishing his work, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not the one. But listen, one is coming after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.' - -\s5 -\v 26 Brothers, children of the line of Abraham, and those among you who worship God, it is to us that the message about this salvation has been sent. -\v 27 For they who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, did not recognize him, and they fulfilled sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath by condemning him. - -\s5 -\v 28 Even though they found no good cause for death in him, they asked Pilate to kill him. -\v 29 When they had completed all the things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. - -\s5 -\v 30 But God raised him from the dead ones. -\v 31 He was seen for many days by those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These people are now his witnesses to the people. - -\s5 -\v 32 So we are telling you the good news that what God promised to our fathers -\v 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: -\q 'You are my Son, today I have become your Father.' -\m -\v 34 The fact that he raised him up from the dead ones so that his body would never decay, God has spoken in this way: -\q 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' - -\s5 -\m -\v 35 This is why he also says in another Psalm, -\q 'You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.' -\m -\v 36 For when David had served the desires of God in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was laid with his fathers and his body experienced decay. -\v 37 But he whom God raised up experienced no decay. - -\s5 -\v 38 So let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you forgiveness of sins. -\v 39 By him every one who believes is justified from all the things which the law of Moses could not justify you. - -\s5 -\v 40 So then be careful that the thing the prophets spoke about does not happen to you: -\q -\v 41 'Look, you despisers, and be astonished and then perish; -\q For I am doing a work in your days, -\q A work that you shall never believe, even if someone announces it to you.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 42 As Paul and Barnabas left, the people begged them that they might speak these same words again the next Sabbath. -\v 43 When the synagogue meeting ended, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 44 On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of the Lord. -\v 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and spoke against the things that were said by Paul and insulted him. - -\s5 -\v 46 But Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing you push it away from yourselves and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, see, we will turn to the Gentiles. -\v 47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, -\q 'I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, -\q that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'" -\m - -\s5 -\v 48 As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. -\v 49 The word of the Lord was spread out through the whole region. - -\s5 -\v 50 But the Jews urged on the devout and important women, as well as the leading men of the city. These stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and threw them out beyond the border of their city. -\v 51 But Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust from their feet against them. Then they went to the city of Iconium. -\v 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 It came about in Iconium that Paul and Barnabas entered together into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke in such a way that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. -\v 2 But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and made them bitter against the brothers. - -\s5 -\v 3 So they stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly with the Lord's power, while he gave evidence about the message of his grace. He did this by granting signs and wonders to be done by the hands of Paul and Barnabas. -\v 4 But the majority of the city was divided: some people sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. - -\s5 -\v 5 When both Gentiles and Jews attempted to persuade their leaders to mistreat and stone Paul and Barnabas, -\v 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region, -\v 7 and there they were proclaiming the gospel. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 At Lystra a certain man sat, powerless in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. -\v 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul fixed his eyes on him and saw that he had faith to be made well. -\v 10 So he said to him in a loud voice, "Stand up on your feet." Then the man jumped up and walked around. - -\s5 -\v 11 When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the dialect of Lycaonia, "The gods have come down to us in the form of men." -\v 12 They called Barnabas "Zeus," and Paul, "Hermes," because he was the main speaker. -\v 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and wreaths to the gates; he and the multitudes wanted to offer sacrifice. - -\s5 -\v 14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothing and quickly went out into the crowd, crying out -\v 15 and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are human beings with the same feelings as you. We bring you good news, that you should turn from these useless things to a living God, who made the heavens, the earth, and the sea and everything that is in them. -\v 16 In the past ages, he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. - -\s5 -\v 17 But still, he did not leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you the rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness." -\v 18 Even with these words, Paul and Barnabas barely kept the multitudes from sacrificing to them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking that he was dead. -\v 20 Yet as the disciples were standing around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day, he went to Derbe with Barnabas. -\s5 -\v 21 After they had proclaimed the gospel in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch. -\v 22 They kept strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith, saying, "We must enter into the kingdom of God through many sufferings." - -\s5 -\v 23 When they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed. -\v 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. -\v 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. -\v 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had now completed. - -\s5 -\v 27 When they arrived in Antioch and gathered the church together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. -\v 28 They stayed for a long time with the disciples. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. +\v 2 When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, they who belonged to the circumcision group criticized him; +\v 3 they said, "You associated with uncircumcised men and ate with them!" + +\s5 +\v 4 But Peter started to explain the matter to them in detail; he said, +\v 5 I was praying in the city of Joppa, and I had a vision of a container coming down, like a large sheet let down from heaven by its four corners. It descended to me. +\v 6 I gazed at it and I thought about it. I saw the four-legged animals of earth, wild beasts, creeping animals, and birds of the sky. + +\s5 +\v 7 Then I heard a voice say to me, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat!" +\v 8 I said, "Not so, Lord; for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth." +\v 9 But the voice answered again from heaven, "What God has declared clean, do not call unclean." +\v 10 This happened three times, and then everything was taken back up into heaven again. + +\s5 +\v 11 Behold, right away there were three men standing in front of the house where we were; they had been sent from Caesarea to me. +\v 12 The Spirit commanded me to go with them, and that I should make no distinction regarding them. These six brothers went with me, and we went into the man's house. +\v 13 He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, "Send men to Joppa and bring back Simon who is called Peter. +\v 14 He will speak to you a message by which you will be saved—you and all your household." + +\s5 +\v 15 As I began to speak to them, the Holy Spirit came on them, just as on us in the beginning. +\v 16 I remembered the words of the Lord, how he said, "John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit." + +\s5 +\v 17 Then if God gave to them the same gift as he gave to us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could oppose God?" +\v 18 When they heard these things, they said nothing in response, but they praised God and said, "Then God has given repentance for life to the Gentiles also." + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that started with the death of Stephen were spread as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, but they told the message about Jesus only to Jews. +\v 20 But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, came to Antioch and spoke also to Greeks, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. +\v 21 The hand of the Lord was with them; a great number believed and turned to the Lord. + +\s5 +\v 22 News about them came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas as far as Antioch. +\v 23 When he came and saw the gift of God, he was glad; and he encouraged them all to remain with the Lord with all their heart. +\v 24 For he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord. + +\s5 +\v 25 Barnabas then went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. +\v 26 When he found him, he brought him to Antioch. It came about, that for an entire year they gathered together with the church and taught many people. The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 Now in these days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. +\v 28 One of them, Agabus by name, stood up and indicated by the Spirit that a great famine would occur over all the world. This happened in the days of Claudius. +\s5 +\v 29 So, the disciples, as each one was able, decided to send help to the brothers in Judea. +\v 30 They did this; they sent money to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. + + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church so that he might mistreat them. +\v 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword. + +\s5 +\v 3 After he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. That was during the days of unleavened bread. +\v 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, assigning him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him; he was intending to bring him to the people after the Passover. + +\s5 +\v 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer was made earnestly to God for him by those in the church. +\v 6 On the night before Herod was going to bring him out for trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. + +\s5 +\v 7 Behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared by him, and a light shone in the prison cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him and said, "Get up quickly," and his chains fell off his hands. +\v 8 The angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on your sandals." Peter did so. The angel said to him, "Put on your outer garment and follow me." + +\s5 +\v 9 So Peter followed the angel and went out. He did not know that what was done by the angel was real. He thought he was seeing a vision. +\v 10 After they had passed by the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that led into the city; it opened for them by itself. They went out and went down a street, and the angel left him right away. + +\s5 +\v 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has sent his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting." +\v 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. + +\s5 +\v 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. +\v 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, out of joy she failed to open the door; instead, she came running into the room; she reported that Peter was standing at the door. +\v 15 So they said to her, "You are insane." But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel." + +\s5 +\v 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. +\v 17 Peter motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and he told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. He said, "Report these things to James and the brothers." Then he left and went to another place. + +\s5 +\v 18 Now when it became day, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers over what had happened to Peter. +\v 19 After Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he questioned the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. + +\s5 +\p +\v 20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They went to him together. They persuaded Blastus, the king's assistant, to help them. Then they asked for peace, because their country received its food from the king's country. +\v 21 On a set day Herod dressed himself in royal clothing and sat on a throne; he made a speech to them. + +\s5 +\v 22 The people shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man!" +\v 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory; he was eaten by worms and died. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 But the word of God increased and multiplied. +\p +\v 25 So when Barnabas and Saul had completed their mission, they returned from \f + \ft Some ancient copies read, \fqa they returned to \f* Jerusalem, bringing with them John, also called Mark. + + +\s5 +\c 13 +\p +\v 1 Now in the church in Antioch, there were some prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon (who is called Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. +\v 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them." +\v 3 After they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on these men, they sent them off. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 So Barnabas and Saul obeyed the Holy Spirit and went down to Seleucia; from there they sailed to the island of Cyprus. +\v 5 When they were in the city of Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John Mark as their assistant. + +\s5 +\v 6 When they had gone through the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar Jesus. +\v 7 This magician associated with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, because he wanted to hear the word of God. +\v 8 But Elymas "the magician" (that is how his name is translated) opposed them; he tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith. + +\s5 +\v 9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him intensely. +\v 10 and said, "You son of the devil, you are full of all kinds of deceit and wickedness. You are an enemy of every kind of righteousness. You will never stop twisting the straight paths of the Lord, will you? + +\s5 +\v 11 Now look, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will become blind. You will not see the sun for a while." Immediately there fell on Elymas a mist and darkness; he started going around asking people to lead him by the hand. +\v 12 After the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Now Paul and his friends set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them and returned to Jerusalem. +\v 14 Paul and his friends traveled from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisidia. There they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. +\v 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent them a message saying, "Brothers, if you have any message of encouragement for the people here, say it." + +\s5 +\v 16 So Paul stood up and motioned with his hand; he said, "Men of Israel and you who honor God, listen. +\v 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people numerous when they stayed in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm he led them out of it. +\v 18 For about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. +\f + \ft Some ancient copies read, \fqa For about forty years he cared for them in the wilderness. \f* +\s5 +\v 19 After he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave our people their land for an inheritance. +\v 20 All these events took place over four hundred and fifty years. After all these things, God gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, to be king for forty years. +\v 22 After God removed him from the kingship, he raised up David to be their king. It was about David that God said, 'I have found David son of Jesse to be a man after my heart, who does all I want him to do.' + +\s5 +\v 23 From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus, as he promised to do. +\v 24 This began to happen when, before Jesus came, John first announced the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. +\v 25 As John was finishing his work, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not the one. But listen, one is coming after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.' + +\s5 +\v 26 Brothers, children of the line of Abraham, and those among you who worship God, it is to us that the message about this salvation has been sent. +\v 27 For they who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, did not recognize him, and they fulfilled sayings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath by condemning him. + +\s5 +\v 28 Even though they found no good cause for death in him, they asked Pilate to kill him. +\v 29 When they had completed all the things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. + +\s5 +\v 30 But God raised him from the dead ones. +\v 31 He was seen for many days by those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These people are now his witnesses to the people. + +\s5 +\v 32 So we are telling you the good news that what God promised to our fathers +\v 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: +\q 'You are my Son, today I have become your Father.' +\m +\v 34 The fact that he raised him up from the dead ones so that his body would never decay, God has spoken in this way: +\q 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' + +\s5 +\m +\v 35 This is why he also says in another Psalm, +\q 'You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.' +\m +\v 36 For when David had served the desires of God in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was laid with his fathers and his body experienced decay. +\v 37 But he whom God raised up experienced no decay. + +\s5 +\v 38 So let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you forgiveness of sins. +\v 39 By him every one who believes is justified from all the things which the law of Moses could not justify you. + +\s5 +\v 40 So then be careful that the thing the prophets spoke about does not happen to you: +\q +\v 41 'Look, you despisers, and be astonished and then perish; +\q For I am doing a work in your days, +\q A work that you shall never believe, even if someone announces it to you.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 42 As Paul and Barnabas left, the people begged them that they might speak these same words again the next Sabbath. +\v 43 When the synagogue meeting ended, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 44 On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of the Lord. +\v 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and spoke against the things that were said by Paul and insulted him. + +\s5 +\v 46 But Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing you push it away from yourselves and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, see, we will turn to the Gentiles. +\v 47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, +\q 'I have placed you as a light for the Gentiles, +\q that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'" +\m + +\s5 +\v 48 As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. +\v 49 The word of the Lord was spread out through the whole region. + +\s5 +\v 50 But the Jews urged on the devout and important women, as well as the leading men of the city. These stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and threw them out beyond the border of their city. +\v 51 But Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust from their feet against them. Then they went to the city of Iconium. +\v 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 It came about in Iconium that Paul and Barnabas entered together into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke in such a way that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. +\v 2 But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and made them bitter against the brothers. + +\s5 +\v 3 So they stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly with the Lord's power, while he gave evidence about the message of his grace. He did this by granting signs and wonders to be done by the hands of Paul and Barnabas. +\v 4 But the majority of the city was divided: some people sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. + +\s5 +\v 5 When both Gentiles and Jews attempted to persuade their leaders to mistreat and stone Paul and Barnabas, +\v 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region, +\v 7 and there they were proclaiming the gospel. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 At Lystra a certain man sat, powerless in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. +\v 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul fixed his eyes on him and saw that he had faith to be made well. +\v 10 So he said to him in a loud voice, "Stand up on your feet." Then the man jumped up and walked around. + +\s5 +\v 11 When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the dialect of Lycaonia, "The gods have come down to us in the form of men." +\v 12 They called Barnabas "Zeus," and Paul, "Hermes," because he was the main speaker. +\v 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and wreaths to the gates; he and the multitudes wanted to offer sacrifice. + +\s5 +\v 14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothing and quickly went out into the crowd, crying out +\v 15 and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are human beings with the same feelings as you. We bring you good news, that you should turn from these useless things to a living God, who made the heavens, the earth, and the sea and everything that is in them. +\v 16 In the past ages, he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. + +\s5 +\v 17 But still, he did not leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you the rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness." +\v 18 Even with these words, Paul and Barnabas barely kept the multitudes from sacrificing to them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking that he was dead. +\v 20 Yet as the disciples were standing around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day, he went to Derbe with Barnabas. +\s5 +\v 21 After they had proclaimed the gospel in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch. +\v 22 They kept strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith, saying, "We must enter into the kingdom of God through many sufferings." + +\s5 +\v 23 When they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed. +\v 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. +\v 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. +\v 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had now completed. + +\s5 +\v 27 When they arrived in Antioch and gathered the church together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. +\v 28 They stayed for a long time with the disciples. + + + \s5 @@ -1308,79 +1308,79 @@ - -\s5 -\c 17 -\p -\v 1 Now when they had passed through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to the city of Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. -\v 2 Paul, as his custom was, went to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures. - -\s5 -\v 3 He was opening the scriptures and explaining that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead ones. He said, "This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ." -\v 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women. - -\s5 -\v 5 But the unbelieving Jews, being moved with jealousy, took certain wicked men from the marketplace, gathered a crowd together, and set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they wanted to bring Paul and Silas out to the people. -\v 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and certain other brothers before the officials of the city, crying, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also. -\v 7 These men whom Jason has welcomed act against the decrees of Caesar; they say that there is another king—Jesus." - -\s5 -\v 8 The crowd and the officials of the city were disturbed when they heard these things. -\v 9 But after the officials made Jason and the rest pay money as security, then they let them go. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 That night the brothers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. -\v 11 Now these people were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. -\v 12 Therefore many of them believed, including some influential Greek women and many men. - -\s5 -\v 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God at Berea, they went there and stirred up and troubled the crowds. -\v 14 Then immediately, the brothers sent Paul to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. -\v 15 Those who were leading Paul took him as far as the city of Athens. As they left Paul there, they received from him instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible. -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Now while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. -\v 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and others who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace with those who happened to be there. - -\s5 -\v 18 But also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. Some said, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others said, "He seems to be one who calls people to follow strange gods," because he was proclaiming Jesus and the resurrection. - -\s5 -\v 19 They took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know this new teaching which you were speaking? -\v 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. Therefore, we want to know what these things mean." -\v 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing but either telling or listening about something new.) - -\s5 -\v 22 So Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, -\p "You men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. -\v 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found an altar with this inscription, "To an Unknown God." What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you. - -\s5 -\v 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples built with hands. -\v 25 Neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives people life and breath and everything else. - -\s5 -\v 26 From one man he made every nation of people to live on the surface of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons and the boundaries of their living areas, -\v 27 so that they should search for God and perhaps they may feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us. - -\s5 -\v 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, just as one of your own poets has said, -\p 'For we also are his offspring.' -\v 29 Therefore, since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the qualities of deity are like gold, or silver, or stone—images created by the art and imagination of man. - -\s5 -\v 30 Therefore God overlooked the times of ignorance, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent. -\v 31 This is because he has set a day when he will judge the world in righteousness by the man he has chosen. God has given proof of this man to everyone by raising him from the dead ones." - -\s5 -\p -\v 32 Now when the men of Athens heard of the resurrection of the dead ones, some mocked Paul; but others said, "We will listen to you again about this matter." -\v 33 After that, Paul left them. -\v 34 But certain men joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. - - - + +\s5 +\c 17 +\p +\v 1 Now when they had passed through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to the city of Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. +\v 2 Paul, as his custom was, went to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures. + +\s5 +\v 3 He was opening the scriptures and explaining that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead ones. He said, "This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ." +\v 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a large number of devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women. + +\s5 +\v 5 But the unbelieving Jews, being moved with jealousy, took certain wicked men from the marketplace, gathered a crowd together, and set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they wanted to bring Paul and Silas out to the people. +\v 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and certain other brothers before the officials of the city, crying, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also. +\v 7 These men whom Jason has welcomed act against the decrees of Caesar; they say that there is another king—Jesus." + +\s5 +\v 8 The crowd and the officials of the city were disturbed when they heard these things. +\v 9 But after the officials made Jason and the rest pay money as security, then they let them go. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 That night the brothers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. +\v 11 Now these people were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. +\v 12 Therefore many of them believed, including some influential Greek women and many men. + +\s5 +\v 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God at Berea, they went there and stirred up and troubled the crowds. +\v 14 Then immediately, the brothers sent Paul to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothy stayed there. +\v 15 Those who were leading Paul took him as far as the city of Athens. As they left Paul there, they received from him instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible. +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Now while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. +\v 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and others who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace with those who happened to be there. + +\s5 +\v 18 But also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. Some said, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others said, "He seems to be one who calls people to follow strange gods," because he was proclaiming Jesus and the resurrection. + +\s5 +\v 19 They took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know this new teaching which you were speaking? +\v 20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. Therefore, we want to know what these things mean." +\v 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing but either telling or listening about something new.) + +\s5 +\v 22 So Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, +\p "You men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. +\v 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found an altar with this inscription, "To an Unknown God." What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you. + +\s5 +\v 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples built with hands. +\v 25 Neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives people life and breath and everything else. + +\s5 +\v 26 From one man he made every nation of people to live on the surface of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons and the boundaries of their living areas, +\v 27 so that they should search for God and perhaps they may feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us. + +\s5 +\v 28 For in him we live and move and have our being, just as one of your own poets has said, +\p 'For we also are his offspring.' +\v 29 Therefore, since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the qualities of deity are like gold, or silver, or stone—images created by the art and imagination of man. + +\s5 +\v 30 Therefore God overlooked the times of ignorance, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent. +\v 31 This is because he has set a day when he will judge the world in righteousness by the man he has chosen. God has given proof of this man to everyone by raising him from the dead ones." + +\s5 +\p +\v 32 Now when the men of Athens heard of the resurrection of the dead ones, some mocked Paul; but others said, "We will listen to you again about this matter." +\v 33 After that, Paul left them. +\v 34 But certain men joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. + + + \s5 @@ -1444,234 +1444,234 @@ - -\s5 -\c 19 -\p -\v 1 It came about that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to the city of Ephesus, and found certain disciples there. -\v 2 Paul said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They said to him, "No, we did not even hear about the Holy Spirit." - -\s5 -\v 3 Paul said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." -\v 4 So Paul replied, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance. He told the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus." - -\s5 -\v 5 When the people heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. -\v 6 Then when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in other languages and prophesied. -\v 7 In all they were about twelve men. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. -\v 9 But when some Jews were hardened and disobedient, they began to speak evil of the Way before the crowd. So Paul left them and took the disciples from him, reasoning with them every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. -\v 10 This continued for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. - -\s5 -\v 11 God was doing mighty deeds by the hands of Paul, -\v 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits came out of them. -\s5 -\v 13 But there were Jewish exorcists traveling through the area. They called on the name of the Lord Jesus so they could have power over evil spirits when they said, "By the Jesus whom Paul proclaims, I command you to come out." -\v 14 The Jewish high priest, whose name was Sceva, had seven sons who were doing this. - -\s5 -\v 15 An evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" -\v 16 The evil spirit in the man leaped on the exorcists and overpowered them and beat them up. Then they fled out of that house naked and wounded. -\v 17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. They became very afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was honored. - -\s5 -\v 18 Also, many of the believers came and confessed and admitted the evil things they had done. -\v 19 Many who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of everyone. When they counted the value of them, it was fifty thousand pieces of silver. -\v 20 So the word of the Lord spread very widely in powerful ways. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Now after Paul completed his ministry in Ephesus, he decided in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem; he said, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." -\v 22 Paul sent to Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, who had helped him. But he himself stayed in Asia for a while. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 At about that time there was no small disturbance in Ephesus concerning the Way. -\v 24 A certain silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver statues of Artemis, brought in much business for the craftsmen. -\v 25 So he gathered together the workmen of that occupation and said, "Sirs, you know that in this business we make much money. - -\s5 -\v 26 You see and hear that, not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people. He is saying that there are no gods that are made with hands. -\v 27 Not only is there danger that our trade will no longer be needed, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be considered worthless. Then she would even lose her greatness, she whom all Asia and the world worships." - -\s5 -\v 28 When they heard this, they were filled with anger and cried out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." -\v 29 The whole city was filled with confusion, and the people rushed together into the theater. They had seized Paul's travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, who came from Macedonia. -\s5 -\v 30 Paul wanted to enter in among the crowd of people, but the disciples prevented him. -\v 31 Also, some of the officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message strongly requesting him not to enter the theater. -\v 32 Some people were shouting one thing, and some another, for the crowd was in confusion. Most of them did not even know why they had come together. - -\s5 -\v 33 Some of the crowd informed Alexander, whom the Jews were pushing to the front, and so Alexander motioned with his hand, wanting to give an explanation to those who were assembled. -\v 34 But when they became aware that he was a Jew, they all cried out for about two hours with one voice, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." - -\s5 -\v 35 When the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? -\v 36 Seeing then that these things are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. -\v 37 For you have brought these men to this court who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. - -\s5 -\v 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have an accusation against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another. -\v 39 But if you seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. -\v 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot. There is no cause for this disorder, and we will not be able to explain it." -\v 41 When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. -\s5 -\c 20 -\p -\v 1 After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples and after he encouraged them, he said farewell and left to go into Macedonia. -\v 2 When he had gone through those regions and had spoken many words of encouragement to them, he came to Greece. -\v 3 After he had spent three months there, a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to sail for Syria, so he decided to return through Macedonia. - -\s5 -\v 4 Accompanying him as far as Asia were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, both from the Thessalonian believers; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. -\v 5 But these men had gone before us and were waiting for us at Troas. -\v 6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and in five days we came to them in Troas. There we stayed for seven days. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul spoke to the believers. He was planning to leave the next day, so he kept speaking until midnight. -\v 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we had come together. - -\s5 -\v 9 In the window was sitting a young man named Eutychus, who fell into a deep sleep. As Paul spoke even longer, this young man, still sleeping, fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. -\v 10 But Paul went down, stretched himself out on him, and embraced him. Then he said, "Do not be upset any more, for he is alive." - -\s5 -\v 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking with them much longer until dawn, he left. -\v 12 They brought back the boy alive and were greatly comforted. -\s5 -\p -\v 13 We ourselves went ahead of Paul by ship and sailed away to Assos, where we planned to take Paul on board. This is what he himself desired to do, because he planned to go by land. -\v 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him onto the ship and went to Mitylene. - -\s5 -\v 15 Then we sailed from there and arrived the next day opposite the island of Chios. The following day we touched at the island of Samos, and the day after we came to the city of Miletus. -\v 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not spend any time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, if it were at all possible for him to do so. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 From Miletus he sent men to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the church. -\v 18 When they had come to him, he said to them, -\p "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I always spent my time with you. -\v 19 I kept serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind and with tears, and in sufferings that happened to me because of the plots of the Jews. -\v 20 You know how I did not keep back from declaring to you anything that was useful, and how I taught you in public and from house to house, -\v 21 testifying both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 22 Now look, I am going to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, -\v 23 except that the Holy Spirit warns to me in every city that chains and sufferings await me. -\v 24 But I do not consider my life is valuable to myself, if only I may finish the race and complete the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. - -\s5 -\v 25 Now look, I know that you all, among whom I went about proclaiming the kingdom, will see my face no more. -\v 26 Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of any man. -\v 27 For I did not hold back from declaring to you the whole will of God. - -\s5 -\v 28 Therefore be careful about yourselves, and about all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be careful to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. -\f + \ft Instead of \fqa with his own blood \fqa* , some ancient copies read, \fqa with the blood of his own Son. \f* -\v 29 I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. -\v 30 I know that from even among you some men shall come and distort the truth in order to draw away the disciples after them. - -\s5 -\v 31 So be on guard. Remember that for three years I did not stop instructing every one of you with tears night and day. -\v 32 Now I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are being sanctified. - -\s5 -\v 33 I coveted no man's silver, gold, or clothing. -\v 34 You yourselves know that these hands served my own needs and the needs of those who were with me. -\v 35 In all things I gave you an example of how you should help the weak by working, and of how you should remember the words of the Lord Jesus, words that he himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." - -\s5 -\p -\v 36 After he had spoken in this way, he knelt down and prayed with them all. -\v 37 There was a lot of crying and they embraced Paul and kissed him. -\v 38 They were sad most of all because of what he had said, that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship. - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 When we had gone away from them and set sail, we took a straight course to the city of Cos, and the next day to the city of Rhodes, and from there to the city of Patara. -\v 2 When we found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. - -\s5 -\v 3 After sighting Cyprus, leaving it on the left side of the boat, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo. -\v 4 After we found the disciples, we stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they kept urging Paul not to go to Jerusalem. - -\s5 -\v 5 When our days there were over, we left and went on our way, and they all, with their wives and children, accompanied out of the city. Then we knelt down on the beach, prayed, -\v 6 and said farewell to each other. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. There we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. -\v 8 On the next day we left and went to Caesarea. We entered the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and we stayed with him. -\v 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. - -\s5 -\v 10 As we stayed there for some days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus. -\v 11 He came to us and took Paul's belt. With it he tied his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews in Jerusalem tie up the man who owns this belt, and they will hand him over into the hands of the Gentiles.'" - -\s5 -\v 12 When we heard these things, both we and the people who lived in that place begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. -\v 13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready, not only to be tied up, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." -\v 14 Since Paul did not wish to be persuaded, we stopped trying and said, "May the will of the Lord be done." - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 After these days, we picked up our bags and went up to Jerusalem. -\v 16 There also went with us some of the disciples from Caesarea. They brought with them a man named Mnason, a man from Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 When we had arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. -\v 18 The next day Paul went with us to James, and all the elders were present. -\v 19 When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. - -\s5 -\v 20 When they heard it, they praised God, and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands have believed among the Jews. They are all determined to keep the law. -\v 21 They have been told about you, that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children, and not to follow the old customs. - -\s5 -\v 22 What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come. -\v 23 So do what we say to you. We have four men who made a vow. -\v 24 Take these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, so that they may shave their heads. So everyone will know that the things they have been told about you are false. They will learn that you also follow the law. -\s5 -\v 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote and gave the instructions that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality." -\v 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself with them, went into the temple, announcing the period of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them. - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 When the seven days were almost finished, some Jews from Asia, seeing Paul in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and laid hands on him. -\v 28 They were shouting, "Men of Israel, help us. This is the man who teaches all men everywhere things that are against the people, the law, and this place. Besides, he has also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." -\v 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they thought that Paul had brought him into the temple. - -\s5 -\v 30 All the city was excited, and the people ran together and laid hold of Paul. They dragged him out of the temple, and the doors were immediately shut. -\v 31 As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the chief captain of the guard that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. - -\s5 -\v 32 Right away he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. -\v 33 Then the chief captain approached and laid hold of Paul, and commanded him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. - -\s5 -\v 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing and others another. Since the captain could not tell anything because of all the noise, he ordered that Paul be brought into the fortress. -\v 35 When he came to the steps, he was carried by the soldiers because of the crowd's violence. -\v 36 For the crowd of people followed after and kept shouting out, "Away with him!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 37 As Paul was about to be brought into the fortress, he said to the chief captain, "May I say something to you?" The captain said, "Do you speak Greek? -\v 38 Are you not then the Egyptian, who previously led a rebellion and led the four thousand men of the 'Assassins' out into the wilderness?" - -\s5 -\v 39 Paul said, "I am a Jew, from the city of Tarsus in Cilicia. I am a citizen of an important city. I ask you, allow me to speak to the people." -\v 40 When the captain had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with the hand to the people. When there was a deep silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language. He said, + +\s5 +\c 19 +\p +\v 1 It came about that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to the city of Ephesus, and found certain disciples there. +\v 2 Paul said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They said to him, "No, we did not even hear about the Holy Spirit." + +\s5 +\v 3 Paul said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." +\v 4 So Paul replied, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance. He told the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus." + +\s5 +\v 5 When the people heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. +\v 6 Then when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in other languages and prophesied. +\v 7 In all they were about twelve men. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. +\v 9 But when some Jews were hardened and disobedient, they began to speak evil of the Way before the crowd. So Paul left them and took the disciples from him, reasoning with them every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. +\v 10 This continued for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. + +\s5 +\v 11 God was doing mighty deeds by the hands of Paul, +\v 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits came out of them. +\s5 +\v 13 But there were Jewish exorcists traveling through the area. They called on the name of the Lord Jesus so they could have power over evil spirits when they said, "By the Jesus whom Paul proclaims, I command you to come out." +\v 14 The Jewish high priest, whose name was Sceva, had seven sons who were doing this. + +\s5 +\v 15 An evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" +\v 16 The evil spirit in the man leaped on the exorcists and overpowered them and beat them up. Then they fled out of that house naked and wounded. +\v 17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. They became very afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was honored. + +\s5 +\v 18 Also, many of the believers came and confessed and admitted the evil things they had done. +\v 19 Many who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of everyone. When they counted the value of them, it was fifty thousand pieces of silver. +\v 20 So the word of the Lord spread very widely in powerful ways. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Now after Paul completed his ministry in Ephesus, he decided in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem; he said, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." +\v 22 Paul sent to Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, who had helped him. But he himself stayed in Asia for a while. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 At about that time there was no small disturbance in Ephesus concerning the Way. +\v 24 A certain silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver statues of Artemis, brought in much business for the craftsmen. +\v 25 So he gathered together the workmen of that occupation and said, "Sirs, you know that in this business we make much money. + +\s5 +\v 26 You see and hear that, not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people. He is saying that there are no gods that are made with hands. +\v 27 Not only is there danger that our trade will no longer be needed, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be considered worthless. Then she would even lose her greatness, she whom all Asia and the world worships." + +\s5 +\v 28 When they heard this, they were filled with anger and cried out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." +\v 29 The whole city was filled with confusion, and the people rushed together into the theater. They had seized Paul's travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, who came from Macedonia. +\s5 +\v 30 Paul wanted to enter in among the crowd of people, but the disciples prevented him. +\v 31 Also, some of the officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message strongly requesting him not to enter the theater. +\v 32 Some people were shouting one thing, and some another, for the crowd was in confusion. Most of them did not even know why they had come together. + +\s5 +\v 33 Some of the crowd informed Alexander, whom the Jews were pushing to the front, and so Alexander motioned with his hand, wanting to give an explanation to those who were assembled. +\v 34 But when they became aware that he was a Jew, they all cried out for about two hours with one voice, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." + +\s5 +\v 35 When the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? +\v 36 Seeing then that these things are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. +\v 37 For you have brought these men to this court who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. + +\s5 +\v 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have an accusation against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another. +\v 39 But if you seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. +\v 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot. There is no cause for this disorder, and we will not be able to explain it." +\v 41 When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. +\s5 +\c 20 +\p +\v 1 After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples and after he encouraged them, he said farewell and left to go into Macedonia. +\v 2 When he had gone through those regions and had spoken many words of encouragement to them, he came to Greece. +\v 3 After he had spent three months there, a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to sail for Syria, so he decided to return through Macedonia. + +\s5 +\v 4 Accompanying him as far as Asia were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, both from the Thessalonian believers; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. +\v 5 But these men had gone before us and were waiting for us at Troas. +\v 6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and in five days we came to them in Troas. There we stayed for seven days. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul spoke to the believers. He was planning to leave the next day, so he kept speaking until midnight. +\v 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we had come together. + +\s5 +\v 9 In the window was sitting a young man named Eutychus, who fell into a deep sleep. As Paul spoke even longer, this young man, still sleeping, fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. +\v 10 But Paul went down, stretched himself out on him, and embraced him. Then he said, "Do not be upset any more, for he is alive." + +\s5 +\v 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking with them much longer until dawn, he left. +\v 12 They brought back the boy alive and were greatly comforted. +\s5 +\p +\v 13 We ourselves went ahead of Paul by ship and sailed away to Assos, where we planned to take Paul on board. This is what he himself desired to do, because he planned to go by land. +\v 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him onto the ship and went to Mitylene. + +\s5 +\v 15 Then we sailed from there and arrived the next day opposite the island of Chios. The following day we touched at the island of Samos, and the day after we came to the city of Miletus. +\v 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not spend any time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, if it were at all possible for him to do so. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 From Miletus he sent men to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the church. +\v 18 When they had come to him, he said to them, +\p "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I always spent my time with you. +\v 19 I kept serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind and with tears, and in sufferings that happened to me because of the plots of the Jews. +\v 20 You know how I did not keep back from declaring to you anything that was useful, and how I taught you in public and from house to house, +\v 21 testifying both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 22 Now look, I am going to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, +\v 23 except that the Holy Spirit warns to me in every city that chains and sufferings await me. +\v 24 But I do not consider my life is valuable to myself, if only I may finish the race and complete the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. + +\s5 +\v 25 Now look, I know that you all, among whom I went about proclaiming the kingdom, will see my face no more. +\v 26 Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of any man. +\v 27 For I did not hold back from declaring to you the whole will of God. + +\s5 +\v 28 Therefore be careful about yourselves, and about all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be careful to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. +\f + \ft Instead of \fqa with his own blood \fqa* , some ancient copies read, \fqa with the blood of his own Son. \f* +\v 29 I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. +\v 30 I know that from even among you some men shall come and distort the truth in order to draw away the disciples after them. + +\s5 +\v 31 So be on guard. Remember that for three years I did not stop instructing every one of you with tears night and day. +\v 32 Now I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are being sanctified. + +\s5 +\v 33 I coveted no man's silver, gold, or clothing. +\v 34 You yourselves know that these hands served my own needs and the needs of those who were with me. +\v 35 In all things I gave you an example of how you should help the weak by working, and of how you should remember the words of the Lord Jesus, words that he himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." + +\s5 +\p +\v 36 After he had spoken in this way, he knelt down and prayed with them all. +\v 37 There was a lot of crying and they embraced Paul and kissed him. +\v 38 They were sad most of all because of what he had said, that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship. + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 When we had gone away from them and set sail, we took a straight course to the city of Cos, and the next day to the city of Rhodes, and from there to the city of Patara. +\v 2 When we found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. + +\s5 +\v 3 After sighting Cyprus, leaving it on the left side of the boat, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo. +\v 4 After we found the disciples, we stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they kept urging Paul not to go to Jerusalem. + +\s5 +\v 5 When our days there were over, we left and went on our way, and they all, with their wives and children, accompanied out of the city. Then we knelt down on the beach, prayed, +\v 6 and said farewell to each other. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. There we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. +\v 8 On the next day we left and went to Caesarea. We entered the house of Philip, the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and we stayed with him. +\v 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. + +\s5 +\v 10 As we stayed there for some days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus. +\v 11 He came to us and took Paul's belt. With it he tied his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews in Jerusalem tie up the man who owns this belt, and they will hand him over into the hands of the Gentiles.'" + +\s5 +\v 12 When we heard these things, both we and the people who lived in that place begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. +\v 13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready, not only to be tied up, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." +\v 14 Since Paul did not wish to be persuaded, we stopped trying and said, "May the will of the Lord be done." + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 After these days, we picked up our bags and went up to Jerusalem. +\v 16 There also went with us some of the disciples from Caesarea. They brought with them a man named Mnason, a man from Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 When we had arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. +\v 18 The next day Paul went with us to James, and all the elders were present. +\v 19 When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. + +\s5 +\v 20 When they heard it, they praised God, and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands have believed among the Jews. They are all determined to keep the law. +\v 21 They have been told about you, that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children, and not to follow the old customs. + +\s5 +\v 22 What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come. +\v 23 So do what we say to you. We have four men who made a vow. +\v 24 Take these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, so that they may shave their heads. So everyone will know that the things they have been told about you are false. They will learn that you also follow the law. +\s5 +\v 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote and gave the instructions that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality." +\v 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself with them, went into the temple, announcing the period of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them. + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 When the seven days were almost finished, some Jews from Asia, seeing Paul in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and laid hands on him. +\v 28 They were shouting, "Men of Israel, help us. This is the man who teaches all men everywhere things that are against the people, the law, and this place. Besides, he has also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." +\v 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they thought that Paul had brought him into the temple. + +\s5 +\v 30 All the city was excited, and the people ran together and laid hold of Paul. They dragged him out of the temple, and the doors were immediately shut. +\v 31 As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the chief captain of the guard that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. + +\s5 +\v 32 Right away he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. +\v 33 Then the chief captain approached and laid hold of Paul, and commanded him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. + +\s5 +\v 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing and others another. Since the captain could not tell anything because of all the noise, he ordered that Paul be brought into the fortress. +\v 35 When he came to the steps, he was carried by the soldiers because of the crowd's violence. +\v 36 For the crowd of people followed after and kept shouting out, "Away with him!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 37 As Paul was about to be brought into the fortress, he said to the chief captain, "May I say something to you?" The captain said, "Do you speak Greek? +\v 38 Are you not then the Egyptian, who previously led a rebellion and led the four thousand men of the 'Assassins' out into the wilderness?" + +\s5 +\v 39 Paul said, "I am a Jew, from the city of Tarsus in Cilicia. I am a citizen of an important city. I ask you, allow me to speak to the people." +\v 40 When the captain had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with the hand to the people. When there was a deep silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language. He said, \s5 @@ -1735,197 +1735,197 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 23 -\p -\v 1 Paul looked directly at the council members and said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day." -\v 2 The high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. -\v 3 Then said Paul to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall. Are you sitting to judge me by the law, yet order me to be struck, against the law?" - -\s5 -\v 4 Those who stood by said, "Is this how you insult God's high priest?" -\v 5 Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, -\q You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 When Paul saw that the one part of the council were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he spoke loudly in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is because I have the certain hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged." -\v 7 When he said this, an argument began between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. -\v 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, no angels, and no spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge all of them. - -\s5 -\v 9 So a large uproar occurred, and some of the scribes belonging to the Pharisees stood up and argued, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" -\v 10 When there arose a great argument, the chief captain feared that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, so he commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among the council members, and bring him into the fortress. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 The following night the Lord stood beside him and said, "Do not be afraid, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 When it became day, some Jews formed a conspiracy and called a curse down upon themselves with an oath not to eat nor drink anything until they had killed Paul. -\v 13 There were more than forty men who formed this conspiracy. - -\s5 -\v 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have put ourselves under a great curse, to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. -\v 15 Now, therefore, let the council tell the chief captain to bring him down to you, as if you would decide his case more precisely. As for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes here." - -\s5 -\v 16 But Paul's sister's son heard that they were lying in wait, so he went and entered the fortress and told Paul. -\v 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the chief captain, for he has something to tell him." - -\s5 -\v 18 So the centurion took the young man and brought him to the chief captain and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you." -\v 19 The chief captain took him by the hand to a private place and asked him, "What is it that you have to tell me?" - -\s5 -\v 20 The young man said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring down Paul tomorrow to the council, as if they were going to ask more precisely about his case. -\v 21 But do not give in to them, because there are more than forty men who are lying in wait for him. They have called a curse down on themselves, neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Even now they are ready, waiting for consent from you." - -\s5 -\v 22 So the chief captain let the young man go, after instructing him, "Tell no one that you have said these things to me." -\v 23 Then he called to him two of the centurions and said, "Get two hundred soldiers ready to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen also, and two hundred spearmen. You will leave at the third hour of the night." -\v 24 He also ordered them to provide animals which Paul could ride, and to take him safely to Felix the governor. -\s5 -\v 25 Then he wrote a letter like this: -\p -\v 26 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent Governor Felix, greetings. -\v 27 This man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with soldiers and rescued him, since I learned that he was a Roman citizen. - -\s5 -\v 28 I wanted to know why they accused him, so I took him down to their council. -\v 29 I learned that he was being accused about questions concerning their own law, but that there was no accusation against him that deserved death or imprisonment. -\v 30 Then it was made known to me that there was a plot against the man, so I immediately sent him to you, and instructed his accusers also to bring their charges against him in your presence. Farewell." - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 So the soldiers obeyed their orders. They took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. -\v 32 On the next day, most of the soldiers left the horsemen to go with him and they themselves returned to the fortress. -\v 33 When the horsemen reached Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. - -\s5 -\v 34 When the governor read the letter, he asked what province Paul was from. When he learned that he was from Cilicia, -\v 35 he said, "I will hear you fully when your accusers come here." Then he commanded him to be kept in Herod's government headquarters. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 24 -\p -\v 1 After five days, Ananias the chief priest, certain elders, and an orator named Tertullus went there. These men brought charges against Paul before the governor. -\v 2 When Paul stood before the governor, Tertullus began to accuse him and said to the governor, "Because of you we have great peace, and your foresight brings good reform to our nation; -\p -\v 3 so with all thankfulness we welcome everything that you do, most excellent Felix. - -\s5 -\v 4 So that I detain you no more, I ask you to briefly listen to me with kindness. -\v 5 For we have found this man to be a pest and one who causes all the Jews throughout the world to rebel. He is a leader of the Nazarene sect. -\v 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. \f + \ft Some ancient copies add, \fqa "We wanted to judge him according to our our law. \f* - -\s5 -\v 7 \f + \ft Some ancient copies have vs 7: \fqa But Lysias, the officer, came and took him by force out of our hands. \f* -\v 8 When you question Paul about all these matters, you will be able to learn about these charges we are bringing against him." -\f + \ft Some ancient copies add to the first part of vs 8, \fqa sending us to you.\fqa* \f* -\v 9 The Jews also joined in the accusation, affirming that these charges were true. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 But when the governor motioned for Paul to speak, Paul answered, "I understand that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, and so I gladly explain myself to you. -\p -\v 11 You will be able to find out that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. -\v 12 When they found me in the temple, I did not argue with anyone, and I did not stir up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. -\v 13 They cannot prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. - -\s5 -\v 14 But I admit this to you, that according to the Way that they call a sect, in that same way I serve the God of our fathers. I am faithful to all that is in the law and the writings of the prophets. -\v 15 I have the same confident hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. -\v 16 So I always strive to have a clear conscience before God and human beings. - -\s5 -\v 17 Now after many years I came to bring help to my nation and gifts of money. -\v 18 When I did this, certain Jews from Asia found me in a purification ceremony in the temple, not with a crowd or an uproar. -\v 19 These men ought to be before you now and say what they have against me, if they have anything. - -\s5 -\v 20 Or else, these same men should say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the Jewish council, -\v 21 unless it is about this one thing that I shouted out when I stood among them, 'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, ajourned the hearing. He said, "When Lysias the commander comes down from Jerusalem, I will decide your case." -\v 23 Then he commanded the centurion that Paul should be kept under guard, but to have some freedom so that none of his friends would be prevented from attending to his needs. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 After some days, Felix returned with Drusilla his wife, a Jewess, and he sent for Paul and he heard from him about faith in Christ Jesus. -\v 25 But when Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for now. But when I have the opportunity later on, I will send for you." - -\s5 -\v 26 At the same time he wanted Paul to give money to him, so he often sent for him and spoke with him. -\v 27 But when two years passed, Porcius Festus became the governor after Felix, but Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he left Paul to continue under guard. - - - - - -\s5 -\c 25 -\p -\v 1 Now, Festus entered the province, and after three days, he went from Caesarea up to Jerusalem. -\v 2 The chief priest and the prominent Jews brought accusations against Paul, and they urged him -\v 3 and asked him for a favor that would put Paul in danger—that Festus might summon Paul to Jerusalem so that they could kill him along the way. - -\s5 -\v 4 But Festus answered that Paul was a prisoner in Caesarea, and that he himself was soon to return there. -\v 5 "Therefore, those who can," he said, "should go there with us. If there is something wrong with the man, you should accuse him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Festus stayed not more than eight or ten days and then he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat in the judgment seat and commanded Paul to be brought to him. -\v 7 When he arrived, the Jews from Jerusalem stood nearby, and they brought many serious charges which they could not prove. -\v 8 Paul defended himself and said, "I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar." - -\s5 -\v 9 But Festus wanted to gain the favor of the Jews, and so he answered Paul and said, "Do you want to go up to Jerusalem and to be judged by me about these things there?" -\v 10 Paul said, "I stand before the judgment seat of Caesar where I must be judged. I have wronged no Jews, just as you also very well know. - -\s5 -\v 11 Though if I have done wrong and if I have done what is worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if their accusations are nothing, no one may hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." -\v 12 After Festus talked with the council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Now after some days, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay an official visit to Festus. -\v 14 After he had been there for many days, Festus presented Paul's case to the king; he said, "A certain man was left behind here by Felix as a prisoner. -\v 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against this man to me, and they asked for a sentence of condemnation against him. -\v 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before he faced his accusers and had an opportunity to defend himself against the charges. - -\s5 -\v 17 Therefore, when they came together here, I did not wait, but the next day I sat in the judgment seat and I ordered the man to be brought in. -\v 18 When the accusers stood up and accused him, I thought that none of the charges that they brought against him were serious. -\v 19 Instead, they had certain disputes with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul claims to be alive. -\v 20 I was not certain about how to investigate this matter, and so I asked him if he was willing to go to Jerusalem to stand trial there about these charges. - -\s5 -\v 21 But when Paul appealed to be kept in custody while awaiting the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held in custody until I could send him to Caesar." -\v 22 Agrippa spoke to Festus, "I would also like to listen to this man." "Tomorrow," Festus said, "you will hear him." - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 So on the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with much ceremony; they came into the hall with the military officers and with the prominent men of the city. When Festus spoke the command, Paul was brought to them. -\v 24 Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all you men who are here with us, you see this man; all the multitude of Jews consulted with me in Jerusalem and here also, and they shouted to me that he should no longer live. - -\s5 -\v 25 I learned that he had done nothing worthy of death; but because he appealed to the emperor, I decided to send him. -\v 26 But I do not have something definite to write to the emperor. For this reason, I have brought him to you, especially to you, King Agrippa, so that I might have something more to write about the case. -\v 27 For it seems unreasonable for me to send a prisoner and to not also state the charges against him." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 23 +\p +\v 1 Paul looked directly at the council members and said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day." +\v 2 The high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. +\v 3 Then said Paul to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall. Are you sitting to judge me by the law, yet order me to be struck, against the law?" + +\s5 +\v 4 Those who stood by said, "Is this how you insult God's high priest?" +\v 5 Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, +\q You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 When Paul saw that the one part of the council were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he spoke loudly in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is because I have the certain hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged." +\v 7 When he said this, an argument began between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. +\v 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, no angels, and no spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge all of them. + +\s5 +\v 9 So a large uproar occurred, and some of the scribes belonging to the Pharisees stood up and argued, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" +\v 10 When there arose a great argument, the chief captain feared that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, so he commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among the council members, and bring him into the fortress. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 The following night the Lord stood beside him and said, "Do not be afraid, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness in Rome." + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 When it became day, some Jews formed a conspiracy and called a curse down upon themselves with an oath not to eat nor drink anything until they had killed Paul. +\v 13 There were more than forty men who formed this conspiracy. + +\s5 +\v 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have put ourselves under a great curse, to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. +\v 15 Now, therefore, let the council tell the chief captain to bring him down to you, as if you would decide his case more precisely. As for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes here." + +\s5 +\v 16 But Paul's sister's son heard that they were lying in wait, so he went and entered the fortress and told Paul. +\v 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the chief captain, for he has something to tell him." + +\s5 +\v 18 So the centurion took the young man and brought him to the chief captain and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you." +\v 19 The chief captain took him by the hand to a private place and asked him, "What is it that you have to tell me?" + +\s5 +\v 20 The young man said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring down Paul tomorrow to the council, as if they were going to ask more precisely about his case. +\v 21 But do not give in to them, because there are more than forty men who are lying in wait for him. They have called a curse down on themselves, neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Even now they are ready, waiting for consent from you." + +\s5 +\v 22 So the chief captain let the young man go, after instructing him, "Tell no one that you have said these things to me." +\v 23 Then he called to him two of the centurions and said, "Get two hundred soldiers ready to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen also, and two hundred spearmen. You will leave at the third hour of the night." +\v 24 He also ordered them to provide animals which Paul could ride, and to take him safely to Felix the governor. +\s5 +\v 25 Then he wrote a letter like this: +\p +\v 26 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent Governor Felix, greetings. +\v 27 This man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with soldiers and rescued him, since I learned that he was a Roman citizen. + +\s5 +\v 28 I wanted to know why they accused him, so I took him down to their council. +\v 29 I learned that he was being accused about questions concerning their own law, but that there was no accusation against him that deserved death or imprisonment. +\v 30 Then it was made known to me that there was a plot against the man, so I immediately sent him to you, and instructed his accusers also to bring their charges against him in your presence. Farewell." + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 So the soldiers obeyed their orders. They took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. +\v 32 On the next day, most of the soldiers left the horsemen to go with him and they themselves returned to the fortress. +\v 33 When the horsemen reached Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. + +\s5 +\v 34 When the governor read the letter, he asked what province Paul was from. When he learned that he was from Cilicia, +\v 35 he said, "I will hear you fully when your accusers come here." Then he commanded him to be kept in Herod's government headquarters. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 24 +\p +\v 1 After five days, Ananias the chief priest, certain elders, and an orator named Tertullus went there. These men brought charges against Paul before the governor. +\v 2 When Paul stood before the governor, Tertullus began to accuse him and said to the governor, "Because of you we have great peace, and your foresight brings good reform to our nation; +\p +\v 3 so with all thankfulness we welcome everything that you do, most excellent Felix. + +\s5 +\v 4 So that I detain you no more, I ask you to briefly listen to me with kindness. +\v 5 For we have found this man to be a pest and one who causes all the Jews throughout the world to rebel. He is a leader of the Nazarene sect. +\v 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. \f + \ft Some ancient copies add, \fqa "We wanted to judge him according to our our law. \f* + +\s5 +\v 7 \f + \ft Some ancient copies have vs 7: \fqa But Lysias, the officer, came and took him by force out of our hands. \f* +\v 8 When you question Paul about all these matters, you will be able to learn about these charges we are bringing against him." +\f + \ft Some ancient copies add to the first part of vs 8, \fqa sending us to you.\fqa* \f* +\v 9 The Jews also joined in the accusation, affirming that these charges were true. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 But when the governor motioned for Paul to speak, Paul answered, "I understand that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, and so I gladly explain myself to you. +\p +\v 11 You will be able to find out that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. +\v 12 When they found me in the temple, I did not argue with anyone, and I did not stir up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. +\v 13 They cannot prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. + +\s5 +\v 14 But I admit this to you, that according to the Way that they call a sect, in that same way I serve the God of our fathers. I am faithful to all that is in the law and the writings of the prophets. +\v 15 I have the same confident hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. +\v 16 So I always strive to have a clear conscience before God and human beings. + +\s5 +\v 17 Now after many years I came to bring help to my nation and gifts of money. +\v 18 When I did this, certain Jews from Asia found me in a purification ceremony in the temple, not with a crowd or an uproar. +\v 19 These men ought to be before you now and say what they have against me, if they have anything. + +\s5 +\v 20 Or else, these same men should say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the Jewish council, +\v 21 unless it is about this one thing that I shouted out when I stood among them, 'It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, ajourned the hearing. He said, "When Lysias the commander comes down from Jerusalem, I will decide your case." +\v 23 Then he commanded the centurion that Paul should be kept under guard, but to have some freedom so that none of his friends would be prevented from attending to his needs. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 After some days, Felix returned with Drusilla his wife, a Jewess, and he sent for Paul and he heard from him about faith in Christ Jesus. +\v 25 But when Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for now. But when I have the opportunity later on, I will send for you." + +\s5 +\v 26 At the same time he wanted Paul to give money to him, so he often sent for him and spoke with him. +\v 27 But when two years passed, Porcius Festus became the governor after Felix, but Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he left Paul to continue under guard. + + + + + +\s5 +\c 25 +\p +\v 1 Now, Festus entered the province, and after three days, he went from Caesarea up to Jerusalem. +\v 2 The chief priest and the prominent Jews brought accusations against Paul, and they urged him +\v 3 and asked him for a favor that would put Paul in danger—that Festus might summon Paul to Jerusalem so that they could kill him along the way. + +\s5 +\v 4 But Festus answered that Paul was a prisoner in Caesarea, and that he himself was soon to return there. +\v 5 "Therefore, those who can," he said, "should go there with us. If there is something wrong with the man, you should accuse him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Festus stayed not more than eight or ten days and then he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat in the judgment seat and commanded Paul to be brought to him. +\v 7 When he arrived, the Jews from Jerusalem stood nearby, and they brought many serious charges which they could not prove. +\v 8 Paul defended himself and said, "I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar." + +\s5 +\v 9 But Festus wanted to gain the favor of the Jews, and so he answered Paul and said, "Do you want to go up to Jerusalem and to be judged by me about these things there?" +\v 10 Paul said, "I stand before the judgment seat of Caesar where I must be judged. I have wronged no Jews, just as you also very well know. + +\s5 +\v 11 Though if I have done wrong and if I have done what is worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if their accusations are nothing, no one may hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." +\v 12 After Festus talked with the council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Now after some days, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay an official visit to Festus. +\v 14 After he had been there for many days, Festus presented Paul's case to the king; he said, "A certain man was left behind here by Felix as a prisoner. +\v 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against this man to me, and they asked for a sentence of condemnation against him. +\v 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before he faced his accusers and had an opportunity to defend himself against the charges. + +\s5 +\v 17 Therefore, when they came together here, I did not wait, but the next day I sat in the judgment seat and I ordered the man to be brought in. +\v 18 When the accusers stood up and accused him, I thought that none of the charges that they brought against him were serious. +\v 19 Instead, they had certain disputes with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul claims to be alive. +\v 20 I was not certain about how to investigate this matter, and so I asked him if he was willing to go to Jerusalem to stand trial there about these charges. + +\s5 +\v 21 But when Paul appealed to be kept in custody while awaiting the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held in custody until I could send him to Caesar." +\v 22 Agrippa spoke to Festus, "I would also like to listen to this man." "Tomorrow," Festus said, "you will hear him." + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 So on the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with much ceremony; they came into the hall with the military officers and with the prominent men of the city. When Festus spoke the command, Paul was brought to them. +\v 24 Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all you men who are here with us, you see this man; all the multitude of Jews consulted with me in Jerusalem and here also, and they shouted to me that he should no longer live. + +\s5 +\v 25 I learned that he had done nothing worthy of death; but because he appealed to the emperor, I decided to send him. +\v 26 But I do not have something definite to write to the emperor. For this reason, I have brought him to you, especially to you, King Agrippa, so that I might have something more to write about the case. +\v 27 For it seems unreasonable for me to send a prisoner and to not also state the charges against him." + + + \s5 @@ -1988,90 +1988,90 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 27 -\p -\v 1 When it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they put Paul and some other prisoners under the charge of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment. -\v 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium, which was about to sail along the coast of Asia. So we went to sea. Aristarchus from Thessalonica in Macedonia went with us. - -\s5 -\v 3 The next day we landed at the city of Sidon, where Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care. -\v 4 From there we went to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, close to the island, because the winds were against us. -\v 5 Then we had sailed across the sea and were near the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra, a city of Lycia. -\v 6 There, the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy. He put us in it. - -\s5 -\v 7 When we had sailed slowly for many days and had finally arrived with difficulty near Cnidus, the wind no longer allowed us to go that way, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete, opposite Salmone. -\v 8 We sailed along the coast with difficulty, until we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, which is near the city of Lasea. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 We had now taken much time, the time of the Jewish fast also had passed, and it had now become dangerous to sail. So Paul warned them, -\v 10 and said, "Men, I see that the voyage we are about to take will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." -\v 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things that were spoken by Paul. - -\s5 -\v 12 Because the harbor was not easy to spend the winter in, most of the sailors advised to sail from there, if by any means we could reach the city of Phoenix, to spend the winter there. Phoenix is a harbor in Crete, and it faces northeast and southeast. -\v 13 When the south wind began to blow gently, the sailors thought that they had what they needed. So they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. - -\s5 -\v 14 But after a short time a wind of hurricane force, called the northeaster, began to beat down from the island. -\v 15 When the ship was caught by the storm and could no longer head into the wind, we had to give way to the storm and were driven along by the wind. -\v 16 We sailed along the lee of a small island called Cauda, and with difficulty we were able to secure the lifeboat. - -\s5 -\v 17 When they had hoisted the lifeboat up, they used its ropes to bind the hull of the ship. They were afraid that they should run upon the sandbars of Syrtis, so they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along. -\v 18 We took such a violent battering by the storm that the next day they began throwing the cargo overboard. - -\s5 -\v 19 On the third day the sailors threw overboard the ship's equipment with their own hands. -\v 20 When the sun and stars did not shine on us for many days, and the great storm still beat upon us, any more hope that we should be saved was abandoned. - -\s5 -\v 21 When they had gone long without food, then Paul stood up among the sailors and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, so as to get this injury and loss. -\v 22 Now I encourage you to take courage, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only the loss of the ship. - -\s5 -\v 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong, whom also I worship—his angel stood beside me -\v 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and see, God in his kindness has given to you all those who are sailing with you.' -\v 25 Therefore be cheerful, men! For I trust God that it will happen just as it was told to me. -\v 26 But we must run aground upon some island." - -\s5 -\p -\v 27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven this way and that in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors thought that they were approaching some land. -\v 28 They took soundings and found twenty fathoms; after a little while, they took more soundings and found fifteen fathoms. -\v 29 They were afraid that we might crash on the rocks, so they lowered four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon. - -\s5 -\v 30 The sailors were looking for a way to abandon the ship and had lowered the lifeboat into the sea, and pretended that they would throw down the anchors from the bow. -\v 31 But Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." -\v 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it drift away. - -\s5 -\v 33 When daylight was coming on, Paul urged them all to take some food. He said, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and do not eat; you have eaten nothing. -\v 34 So I urge you to share some food, for this is necessary for you to survive. For not one of you will lose a single hair from his head." -\v 35 When he had said this, he took bread and he thanked God in the sight of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat. - -\s5 -\v 36 Then they were all encouraged and they also took food. -\v 37 We were 276 people in the ship. -\v 38 When they had eaten enough, they made the ship lighter by throwing out the wheat into the sea. - -\s5 -\v 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a beach, and they discussed whether they could drive the ship onto it. -\v 40 So they cut loose the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosed the ropes of the rudders and raised the foresail to the wind; and so they headed to the beach. -\v 41 But they came to a place where two currents met, and the ship ran into the ground. The bow of the ship stuck there and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up because of the waves' violence. - -\s5 -\v 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape. -\v 43 But the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped their plan; and he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. -\v 44 Then the rest of the men should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. In this way it happened that all of us came safely to land. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 27 +\p +\v 1 When it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they put Paul and some other prisoners under the charge of a centurion named Julius of the Imperial Regiment. +\v 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium, which was about to sail along the coast of Asia. So we went to sea. Aristarchus from Thessalonica in Macedonia went with us. + +\s5 +\v 3 The next day we landed at the city of Sidon, where Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care. +\v 4 From there we went to sea and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, close to the island, because the winds were against us. +\v 5 Then we had sailed across the sea and were near the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra, a city of Lycia. +\v 6 There, the centurion found a ship from Alexandria that was going to sail to Italy. He put us in it. + +\s5 +\v 7 When we had sailed slowly for many days and had finally arrived with difficulty near Cnidus, the wind no longer allowed us to go that way, so we sailed along the sheltered side of Crete, opposite Salmone. +\v 8 We sailed along the coast with difficulty, until we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, which is near the city of Lasea. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 We had now taken much time, the time of the Jewish fast also had passed, and it had now become dangerous to sail. So Paul warned them, +\v 10 and said, "Men, I see that the voyage we are about to take will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." +\v 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things that were spoken by Paul. + +\s5 +\v 12 Because the harbor was not easy to spend the winter in, most of the sailors advised to sail from there, if by any means we could reach the city of Phoenix, to spend the winter there. Phoenix is a harbor in Crete, and it faces northeast and southeast. +\v 13 When the south wind began to blow gently, the sailors thought that they had what they needed. So they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. + +\s5 +\v 14 But after a short time a wind of hurricane force, called the northeaster, began to beat down from the island. +\v 15 When the ship was caught by the storm and could no longer head into the wind, we had to give way to the storm and were driven along by the wind. +\v 16 We sailed along the lee of a small island called Cauda, and with difficulty we were able to secure the lifeboat. + +\s5 +\v 17 When they had hoisted the lifeboat up, they used its ropes to bind the hull of the ship. They were afraid that they should run upon the sandbars of Syrtis, so they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along. +\v 18 We took such a violent battering by the storm that the next day they began throwing the cargo overboard. + +\s5 +\v 19 On the third day the sailors threw overboard the ship's equipment with their own hands. +\v 20 When the sun and stars did not shine on us for many days, and the great storm still beat upon us, any more hope that we should be saved was abandoned. + +\s5 +\v 21 When they had gone long without food, then Paul stood up among the sailors and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, so as to get this injury and loss. +\v 22 Now I encourage you to take courage, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only the loss of the ship. + +\s5 +\v 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong, whom also I worship—his angel stood beside me +\v 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and see, God in his kindness has given to you all those who are sailing with you.' +\v 25 Therefore be cheerful, men! For I trust God that it will happen just as it was told to me. +\v 26 But we must run aground upon some island." + +\s5 +\p +\v 27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven this way and that in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors thought that they were approaching some land. +\v 28 They took soundings and found twenty fathoms; after a little while, they took more soundings and found fifteen fathoms. +\v 29 They were afraid that we might crash on the rocks, so they lowered four anchors from the stern and prayed that morning would come soon. + +\s5 +\v 30 The sailors were looking for a way to abandon the ship and had lowered the lifeboat into the sea, and pretended that they would throw down the anchors from the bow. +\v 31 But Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." +\v 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it drift away. + +\s5 +\v 33 When daylight was coming on, Paul urged them all to take some food. He said, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and do not eat; you have eaten nothing. +\v 34 So I urge you to share some food, for this is necessary for you to survive. For not one of you will lose a single hair from his head." +\v 35 When he had said this, he took bread and he thanked God in the sight of everyone. Then he broke the bread and began to eat. + +\s5 +\v 36 Then they were all encouraged and they also took food. +\v 37 We were 276 people in the ship. +\v 38 When they had eaten enough, they made the ship lighter by throwing out the wheat into the sea. + +\s5 +\v 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a beach, and they discussed whether they could drive the ship onto it. +\v 40 So they cut loose the anchors and left them in the sea. At the same time they loosed the ropes of the rudders and raised the foresail to the wind; and so they headed to the beach. +\v 41 But they came to a place where two currents met, and the ship ran into the ground. The bow of the ship stuck there and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up because of the waves' violence. + +\s5 +\v 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners so that none of them could swim away and escape. +\v 43 But the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped their plan; and he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. +\v 44 Then the rest of the men should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. In this way it happened that all of us came safely to land. + + + \s5 diff --git a/46-ROM.usfm b/46-ROM.usfm index 04e86d6d..63a5bc9f 100644 --- a/46-ROM.usfm +++ b/46-ROM.usfm @@ -221,59 +221,59 @@ by the Spirit of holiness—Jesus Christ our Lord. \s5 \p \v 31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! Instead, we uphold the law. - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, found? -\v 2 For if Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had a reason to boast, but not before God. -\v 3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." - -\s5 -\v 4 Now for him who works, what he is paid is not counted as a gift, but as what is owed. -\v 5 But for him who does not work but instead believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. - -\s5 -\v 6 David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness without works. -\v 7 He said, -\q "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, -\q and whose sins are covered. -\q -\v 8 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count sin." -\m - -\s5 -\v 9 Then is this blessing pronounced only on those of the circumcision, or also on those of the uncircumcision? For we say, "Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness." -\v 10 So how was it counted? When Abraham was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? It was not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. - -\s5 -\v 11 Abraham received the sign of circumcision. This was a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had already possessed when he was in uncircumcision. The result of this sign was that he became the father of all those who believe, even if they are in uncircumcision. This means that righteousness will be counted for them. -\v 12 This also meant that Abraham became the father of the circumcision for those who are not only circumcised but also for those who follow in the steps of faith of our father Abraham before he was circumcised. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 For the promise to Abraham and to his descendants that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. -\v 14 For if those who live by the law are to be the heirs, faith is made empty, and the promise is void. -\v 15 For the law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there is no trespass. - -\s5 -\v 16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all of Abraham's descendants—not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all, -\v 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations." Abraham was in the presence of him whom he trusted, that is, God, who gives life to the dead ones and calls the things that do not exist into existence. - -\s5 -\v 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what he had been told, "So will your descendants be." -\v 19 Without becoming weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about a hundred years old)—and he considered the deadness of Sarah's womb. - -\s5 -\v 20 But because of God's promise, Abraham did not hesitate in unbelief. Instead, he was strengthened in faith and gave praise to God. -\v 21 He was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to accomplish. -\v 22 Therefore this was also counted to him as righteousness. - -\s5 -\v 23 Now it was not written only for his benefit, that it was counted for him. -\v 24 It was written also for us, for whom it will be counted, we who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead ones. -\v 25 This is the one who was delivered up for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, found? +\v 2 For if Abraham had been justified by works, he would have had a reason to boast, but not before God. +\v 3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." + +\s5 +\v 4 Now for him who works, what he is paid is not counted as a gift, but as what is owed. +\v 5 But for him who does not work but instead believes in the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. + +\s5 +\v 6 David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness without works. +\v 7 He said, +\q "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, +\q and whose sins are covered. +\q +\v 8 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count sin." +\m + +\s5 +\v 9 Then is this blessing pronounced only on those of the circumcision, or also on those of the uncircumcision? For we say, "Faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness." +\v 10 So how was it counted? When Abraham was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? It was not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. + +\s5 +\v 11 Abraham received the sign of circumcision. This was a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had already possessed when he was in uncircumcision. The result of this sign was that he became the father of all those who believe, even if they are in uncircumcision. This means that righteousness will be counted for them. +\v 12 This also meant that Abraham became the father of the circumcision for those who are not only circumcised but also for those who follow in the steps of faith of our father Abraham before he was circumcised. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 For the promise to Abraham and to his descendants that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. +\v 14 For if those who live by the law are to be the heirs, faith is made empty, and the promise is void. +\v 15 For the law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there is no trespass. + +\s5 +\v 16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all of Abraham's descendants—not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all, +\v 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations." Abraham was in the presence of him whom he trusted, that is, God, who gives life to the dead ones and calls the things that do not exist into existence. + +\s5 +\v 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what he had been told, "So will your descendants be." +\v 19 Without becoming weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about a hundred years old)—and he considered the deadness of Sarah's womb. + +\s5 +\v 20 But because of God's promise, Abraham did not hesitate in unbelief. Instead, he was strengthened in faith and gave praise to God. +\v 21 He was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to accomplish. +\v 22 Therefore this was also counted to him as righteousness. + +\s5 +\v 23 Now it was not written only for his benefit, that it was counted for him. +\v 24 It was written also for us, for whom it will be counted, we who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead ones. +\v 25 This is the one who was delivered up for our trespasses and was raised for our justification. \s5 @@ -433,237 +433,237 @@ by the Spirit of holiness—Jesus Christ our Lord. - - -\s5 -\c 8 -\p -\v 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. -\v 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. - -\s5 -\v 3 For what the law was unable to do because it was weak through the flesh, God did. He sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be an offering for sin, and he condemned sin in the flesh. -\v 4 He did this in order that the requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, we who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. -\v 5 Those who live according to the flesh pay attention to the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit pay attention to the things of the Spirit. - -\s5 -\v 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. -\v 7 The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to God's law, nor is it able to do so. -\v 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. - -\s5 -\v 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is true that God's Spirit lives in you. But if someone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. -\v 10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead with respect to sin, but the spirit is alive with respect to righteousness. - -\s5 -\v 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead ones lives in you, he who raised Christ from the dead ones will give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, but not to the flesh to live according to the flesh. -\v 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you are about to die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the body's actions, you will live. - -\s5 -\v 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. -\v 15 You did not receive a spirit that makes you slaves, so that you live in fear again; but you received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, "Abba, Father!" - -\s5 -\v 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. -\v 17 If we are children, then we are also heirs, heirs of God. And we are joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. -\s5 -\p -\v 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us. -\v 19 For the eager expectation of the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God. - -\s5 -\v 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in the certain hope -\v 21 that the creation itself will be delivered from slavery to decay, and that it will be brought into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. -\v 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors in pain together even now. - -\s5 -\v 23 Not only that, but even we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit—even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, the redemption of our body. -\v 24 For in this certain hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he can see? -\v 25 But if we have certain hope about what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. - -\s5 -\p -\v 26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groans. -\v 27 He who searches the hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes on behalf of the believers according to the will of God. - -\s5 -\v 28 We know that for those who love God, he works all things together for good, \f + \ft Instead of \fqa he works all things together for good \fqa* , some older versions read, \fqa all things work together for good. \f* for those who are called according to his purpose. - -\v 29 Because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. -\v 30 Those whom he predestined, these he also called. Those whom he called, these he also justified. Those whom he justified, these he also glorified. - -\s5 -\p -\v 31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? -\v 32 He who did not spare his own Son but delivered him up on behalf of us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things? - -\s5 -\v 33 Who will bring any accusation against God's chosen ones? God is the one who justifies. -\v 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. - -\s5 -\v 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? -\v 36 Just as it is written, -\q "For your benefit we are killed all day long. -\q We were considered as sheep for the slaughter." -\m - -\s5 -\v 37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us. -\v 38 For I have been convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor governments, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, -\v 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - - - - - - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie, and my conscience bears witness with me in the Holy Spirit, -\v 2 that for me there is great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. - -\s5 -\v 3 For I could wish that I myself would be cursed and set apart from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race according to the flesh. -\v 4 They are Israelites. They have adoption, the glory, the covenants, the gift of the law, the worship of God, and the promises. -\v 5 Theirs are the ancestors from whom Christ has come with respect to the flesh—he who is God over all. May he be praised forever. Amen. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 But it is not as though the promises of God have failed. For it is not everyone in Israel who truly belongs to Israel. -\v 7 Neither are all Abraham's descendants truly his children. But, "It is through Isaac that your descendants will be called." - -\s5 -\v 8 That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God. But the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. -\v 9 For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come, and a son will be given to Sarah." - -\s5 -\v 10 Not only this, but after Rebecca also had conceived by one man, our father Isaac— -\v 11 for the children were not yet born and had not yet done anything good or bad, so that the purpose of God according to choice might stand, not because of actions, but because of him who calls— -\v 12 it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger." -\v 13 It is just as had been written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 What then will we say? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be. -\v 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." -\v 16 So then, it is not because of him who wills, nor because of him who runs, but because of God, who shows mercy. - -\s5 -\v 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, so that I might demonstrate my power in you, and so that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." -\v 18 So then, God has mercy on whom he wishes, and whom he wishes, he makes stubborn. - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who has ever withstood his will?" -\v 20 On the contrary, man, who are you who answers against God? Will what has been molded say to the one who molds it, "Why did you make me this way?" -\v 21 Does the potter not have the right over the clay to make from the same lump a container for special use, and another container for daily use? - -\s5 -\v 22 What if God, who is willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience containers of wrath prepared for destruction? -\v 23 What if he did this in order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon containers of mercy, which he had previously prepared for glory? -\v 24 What if he did this also for us, whom he also called, not only from among the Jews, but also from among the Gentiles? - -\s5 -\v 25 As he says also in Hosea: -\q "I will call my people who were not my people, -\q and her beloved who was not beloved. -\q -\v 26 Then it will be that where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' -\q there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'" -\m - -\s5 -\v 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, -\q "Though the number of the children of Israel were as the sand of the sea, -\q it will be a remnant that will be saved, -\q -\v 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence on the earth, -\q completely and without delay." -\q -\v 29 As Isaiah had said previously, -\q "If the Lord of hosts had not left us descendants, -\q we would be like Sodom, -\q and we would have become like Gomorrah." - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 What will we say then? That the Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, obtained righteousness, the righteousness by faith. -\v 31 But Israel, who did pursue a law of righteousness, did not arrive at it. - -\s5 -\v 32 Why not? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but by works. They stumbled over the stone of stumbling, -\v 33 as it has been written, -\q "Look, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. -\q He who believes in it will not be ashamed." - - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Brothers, my heart's desire and my request to God is for them, for their salvation. -\v 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. -\v 3 For they do not know of God's righteousness, and they seek to establish their own righteousness. They did not submit to the righteousness of God. - -\s5 -\v 4 For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes. -\v 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from the law: "The man who does the righteousness of the law will live by this righteousness." - -\s5 -\v 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says this, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down); -\v 7 and do not say, 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead ones). - -\s5 -\v 8 But what does it say? -\q "The word is near you, -\q in your mouth and in your heart." -\p -That is the word of faith, which we proclaim. -\v 9 For if with your mouth you acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead ones, you will be saved. -\v 10 For with the heart man believes for righteousness, and with the mouth he acknowledges for salvation. - -\s5 -\v 11 For scripture says, "Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame." -\v 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. For the same Lord is Lord of all, and he is rich to all who call upon him. -\v 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. - -\s5 -\v 14 How then can they call on him in whom they have not believed? How can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? How can they hear without a preacher? -\v 15 Then how can they preach, unless they are sent?—As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim glad tidings of good things!" - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 But they did not all listen to the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" -\v 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. - -\s5 -\v 18 But I say, "Did they not hear?" Yes, most certainly. -\q "Their sound has gone out into all the earth, -\q and their words to the ends of the world." -\m - -\s5 -\v 19 Moreover, I say, "Did Israel not know?" First Moses says, -\q "I will provoke you to jealousy by what is not a nation. -\q By means of a nation without understanding, I will stir you up to anger." -\m - -\s5 -\v 20 Then Isaiah was very bold when he says, -\q "I was found by those who did not seek me. -\q I appeared to those who did not ask for me." -\m -\v 21 But to Israel he says, "All the day long I reached out my hands to a disobedient and stubborn people." - - - + + +\s5 +\c 8 +\p +\v 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. +\v 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. + +\s5 +\v 3 For what the law was unable to do because it was weak through the flesh, God did. He sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be an offering for sin, and he condemned sin in the flesh. +\v 4 He did this in order that the requirements of the law might be fulfilled in us, we who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. +\v 5 Those who live according to the flesh pay attention to the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit pay attention to the things of the Spirit. + +\s5 +\v 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. +\v 7 The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to God's law, nor is it able to do so. +\v 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. + +\s5 +\v 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is true that God's Spirit lives in you. But if someone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. +\v 10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead with respect to sin, but the spirit is alive with respect to righteousness. + +\s5 +\v 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead ones lives in you, he who raised Christ from the dead ones will give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, but not to the flesh to live according to the flesh. +\v 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you are about to die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the body's actions, you will live. + +\s5 +\v 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. +\v 15 You did not receive a spirit that makes you slaves, so that you live in fear again; but you received the Spirit of adoption, by which we cry, "Abba, Father!" + +\s5 +\v 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. +\v 17 If we are children, then we are also heirs, heirs of God. And we are joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. +\s5 +\p +\v 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us. +\v 19 For the eager expectation of the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God. + +\s5 +\v 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in the certain hope +\v 21 that the creation itself will be delivered from slavery to decay, and that it will be brought into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. +\v 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors in pain together even now. + +\s5 +\v 23 Not only that, but even we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit—even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, the redemption of our body. +\v 24 For in this certain hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he can see? +\v 25 But if we have certain hope about what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. + +\s5 +\p +\v 26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groans. +\v 27 He who searches the hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes on behalf of the believers according to the will of God. + +\s5 +\v 28 We know that for those who love God, he works all things together for good, \f + \ft Instead of \fqa he works all things together for good \fqa* , some older versions read, \fqa all things work together for good. \f* for those who are called according to his purpose. + +\v 29 Because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. +\v 30 Those whom he predestined, these he also called. Those whom he called, these he also justified. Those whom he justified, these he also glorified. + +\s5 +\p +\v 31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? +\v 32 He who did not spare his own Son but delivered him up on behalf of us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things? + +\s5 +\v 33 Who will bring any accusation against God's chosen ones? God is the one who justifies. +\v 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. + +\s5 +\v 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? +\v 36 Just as it is written, +\q "For your benefit we are killed all day long. +\q We were considered as sheep for the slaughter." +\m + +\s5 +\v 37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us. +\v 38 For I have been convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor governments, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, +\v 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. + + + + + + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 I tell the truth in Christ. I do not lie, and my conscience bears witness with me in the Holy Spirit, +\v 2 that for me there is great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. + +\s5 +\v 3 For I could wish that I myself would be cursed and set apart from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race according to the flesh. +\v 4 They are Israelites. They have adoption, the glory, the covenants, the gift of the law, the worship of God, and the promises. +\v 5 Theirs are the ancestors from whom Christ has come with respect to the flesh—he who is God over all. May he be praised forever. Amen. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 But it is not as though the promises of God have failed. For it is not everyone in Israel who truly belongs to Israel. +\v 7 Neither are all Abraham's descendants truly his children. But, "It is through Isaac that your descendants will be called." + +\s5 +\v 8 That is, the children of the flesh are not the children of God. But the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. +\v 9 For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come, and a son will be given to Sarah." + +\s5 +\v 10 Not only this, but after Rebecca also had conceived by one man, our father Isaac— +\v 11 for the children were not yet born and had not yet done anything good or bad, so that the purpose of God according to choice might stand, not because of actions, but because of him who calls— +\v 12 it was said to her, "The older will serve the younger." +\v 13 It is just as had been written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 What then will we say? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be. +\v 15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." +\v 16 So then, it is not because of him who wills, nor because of him who runs, but because of God, who shows mercy. + +\s5 +\v 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, so that I might demonstrate my power in you, and so that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." +\v 18 So then, God has mercy on whom he wishes, and whom he wishes, he makes stubborn. + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who has ever withstood his will?" +\v 20 On the contrary, man, who are you who answers against God? Will what has been molded say to the one who molds it, "Why did you make me this way?" +\v 21 Does the potter not have the right over the clay to make from the same lump a container for special use, and another container for daily use? + +\s5 +\v 22 What if God, who is willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much patience containers of wrath prepared for destruction? +\v 23 What if he did this in order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon containers of mercy, which he had previously prepared for glory? +\v 24 What if he did this also for us, whom he also called, not only from among the Jews, but also from among the Gentiles? + +\s5 +\v 25 As he says also in Hosea: +\q "I will call my people who were not my people, +\q and her beloved who was not beloved. +\q +\v 26 Then it will be that where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' +\q there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'" +\m + +\s5 +\v 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, +\q "Though the number of the children of Israel were as the sand of the sea, +\q it will be a remnant that will be saved, +\q +\v 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence on the earth, +\q completely and without delay." +\q +\v 29 As Isaiah had said previously, +\q "If the Lord of hosts had not left us descendants, +\q we would be like Sodom, +\q and we would have become like Gomorrah." + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 What will we say then? That the Gentiles, who were not pursuing righteousness, obtained righteousness, the righteousness by faith. +\v 31 But Israel, who did pursue a law of righteousness, did not arrive at it. + +\s5 +\v 32 Why not? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but by works. They stumbled over the stone of stumbling, +\v 33 as it has been written, +\q "Look, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. +\q He who believes in it will not be ashamed." + + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Brothers, my heart's desire and my request to God is for them, for their salvation. +\v 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. +\v 3 For they do not know of God's righteousness, and they seek to establish their own righteousness. They did not submit to the righteousness of God. + +\s5 +\v 4 For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes. +\v 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from the law: "The man who does the righteousness of the law will live by this righteousness." + +\s5 +\v 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says this, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down); +\v 7 and do not say, 'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead ones). + +\s5 +\v 8 But what does it say? +\q "The word is near you, +\q in your mouth and in your heart." +\p +That is the word of faith, which we proclaim. +\v 9 For if with your mouth you acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead ones, you will be saved. +\v 10 For with the heart man believes for righteousness, and with the mouth he acknowledges for salvation. + +\s5 +\v 11 For scripture says, "Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame." +\v 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. For the same Lord is Lord of all, and he is rich to all who call upon him. +\v 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. + +\s5 +\v 14 How then can they call on him in whom they have not believed? How can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? How can they hear without a preacher? +\v 15 Then how can they preach, unless they are sent?—As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim glad tidings of good things!" + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 But they did not all listen to the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" +\v 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. + +\s5 +\v 18 But I say, "Did they not hear?" Yes, most certainly. +\q "Their sound has gone out into all the earth, +\q and their words to the ends of the world." +\m + +\s5 +\v 19 Moreover, I say, "Did Israel not know?" First Moses says, +\q "I will provoke you to jealousy by what is not a nation. +\q By means of a nation without understanding, I will stir you up to anger." +\m + +\s5 +\v 20 Then Isaiah was very bold when he says, +\q "I was found by those who did not seek me. +\q I appeared to those who did not ask for me." +\m +\v 21 But to Israel he says, "All the day long I reached out my hands to a disobedient and stubborn people." + + + \s5 @@ -836,147 +836,147 @@ That is the word of faith, which we proclaim. \s5 \v 13 Let us walk appropriately, as in the day, not in drunken celebrations or drunkenness; and let us not walk in sexual immorality or in uncontrolled lust, and not in strife or jealousy. \v 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its lusts. - - -\s5 -\c 14 -\p -\v 1 Receive anyone who is weak in faith, without giving judgment about arguments. -\v 2 One person has faith to eat anything, another who is weak eats only vegetables. - -\s5 -\v 3 May the one who eats everything not despise the one who does not; and may the one who does not eat everything not judge the other who eats everything. For God has accepted him. -\v 4 Who are you, you who judge a servant belonging to someone else? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. But he will be made to stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. - -\s5 -\v 5 One person values one day above another. Another values every day equally. Let each person be convinced in his own mind. -\v 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord; and he who eats, eats for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God. He who does not eat, refrains from eating for the Lord, he also gives thanks to God. - -\s5 -\v 7 For none of us lives for himself, and none dies for himself. -\v 8 For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Then whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. -\v 9 For to this purpose Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead ones and those who are living. - -\s5 -\v 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? And you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. -\v 11 For it is written, -\q "As I live," says the Lord, "to me every knee will bend, -\q and every tongue will give praise to God." -\m - -\s5 -\v 12 So then, each one of us will give an account of himself to God. -\p -\v 13 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another, but instead decide this, that no one will place a stumbling block or a snare for his brother. - -\s5 -\v 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean by itself. Only for him who considers anything to be unclean, for him it is unclean. -\v 15 If because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food one for whom Christ died. - -\s5 -\v 16 So do not allow what you consider to be good to be spoken of as evil. -\v 17 For the kingdom of God is not about food and drink, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. - -\s5 -\v 18 For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by people. -\v 19 So then, let us pursue the things of peace and the things that build up one another. - -\s5 -\v 20 Do not destroy the work of God because of food. All things are indeed clean, but it is evil for that person who eats and causes him to stumble. -\v 21 It is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother takes offense. - -\s5 -\v 22 The faith you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. -\v 23 He who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it is not from faith. And whatever is not from faith is sin. - - -\s5 -\c 15 -\p -\v 1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and ought not to please ourselves. -\v 2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, in order to build him up. - -\s5 -\v 3 For even Christ did not please himself. Instead, it was just as it is written, "The insults of those who insulted you fell on me." -\v 4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, in order that through patience and through encouragement of the scriptures we would have certain hope. - -\s5 -\v 5 Now may the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with each other according to Christ Jesus. -\v 6 May he do this in order that with one mind you may praise with one mouth the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. -\p -\v 7 Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you, to the praise of God. - -\s5 -\v 8 For I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision on behalf of God's truth, in order to confirm the promises given to the fathers, -\v 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for his mercy. -\q It is as it is written, -\q "Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles -\q and sing praise to your name." -\m - -\s5 -\v 10 Again it says, -\q "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people." -\p -\v 11 And again, -\q "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; -\q let all the peoples praise him." -\m - -\s5 -\v 12 Again, Isaiah says, -\q "The root of Jesse will come, -\q the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles; -\q in him the Gentiles will have hope." -\m - -\s5 -\v 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace for believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will have hope. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 I myself am also convinced about you, my brothers. I am convinced that also you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge. I am convinced that you are also able to exhort one another. - -\s5 -\v 15 But I am writing more boldly to you about some things in order to remind you again, because of the gift that was given me by God. -\v 16 This gift was that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus sent to the Gentiles, to offer as a priest the gospel of God. I should do this so that the offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, consecrated by the Holy Spirit. - -\s5 -\v 17 In Christ Jesus I have reason to boast of my service for God. -\v 18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me for the obedience of the Gentiles. These are things done by word and action, -\v 19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. This was so that from Jerusalem, and round about as far as Illyricum, I might fully carry out the gospel of Christ. - -\s5 -\v 20 In this way, my desire has been to proclaim the gospel, but not where Christ is known by name, in order that I might not build upon another man's foundation. -\v 21 It is as it is written: -\q "Those to whom no tidings of him came will see him, -\q and those who have not heard will understand." - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 Therefore I was also hindered many times from coming to you. -\v 23 But now, I no longer have any place in these regions, and I have been longing for many years to come to you. - -\s5 -\v 24 I am hopeful that I will see you in passing when I go to Spain, and to be helped by you along my journey there, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. -\v 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem, bringing aid to the believers. - -\s5 -\v 26 For it was the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution to the poor among the believers who are in Jerusalem. -\v 27 Yes, it was their good pleasure, and, indeed, they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in material things. - -\s5 -\v 28 Therefore, when I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received what was collected, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. -\v 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. - -\s5 -\p -\v 30 Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me. -\v 31 Pray that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the believers. -\v 32 Pray that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and that I may, together with you, find rest. - -\s5 -\v 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. + + +\s5 +\c 14 +\p +\v 1 Receive anyone who is weak in faith, without giving judgment about arguments. +\v 2 One person has faith to eat anything, another who is weak eats only vegetables. + +\s5 +\v 3 May the one who eats everything not despise the one who does not; and may the one who does not eat everything not judge the other who eats everything. For God has accepted him. +\v 4 Who are you, you who judge a servant belonging to someone else? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. But he will be made to stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. + +\s5 +\v 5 One person values one day above another. Another values every day equally. Let each person be convinced in his own mind. +\v 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord; and he who eats, eats for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God. He who does not eat, refrains from eating for the Lord, he also gives thanks to God. + +\s5 +\v 7 For none of us lives for himself, and none dies for himself. +\v 8 For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. Then whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. +\v 9 For to this purpose Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead ones and those who are living. + +\s5 +\v 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? And you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. +\v 11 For it is written, +\q "As I live," says the Lord, "to me every knee will bend, +\q and every tongue will give praise to God." +\m + +\s5 +\v 12 So then, each one of us will give an account of himself to God. +\p +\v 13 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another, but instead decide this, that no one will place a stumbling block or a snare for his brother. + +\s5 +\v 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean by itself. Only for him who considers anything to be unclean, for him it is unclean. +\v 15 If because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food one for whom Christ died. + +\s5 +\v 16 So do not allow what you consider to be good to be spoken of as evil. +\v 17 For the kingdom of God is not about food and drink, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. + +\s5 +\v 18 For the one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and approved by people. +\v 19 So then, let us pursue the things of peace and the things that build up one another. + +\s5 +\v 20 Do not destroy the work of God because of food. All things are indeed clean, but it is evil for that person who eats and causes him to stumble. +\v 21 It is good not to eat meat, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother takes offense. + +\s5 +\v 22 The faith you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. +\v 23 He who doubts is condemned if he eats, because it is not from faith. And whatever is not from faith is sin. + + +\s5 +\c 15 +\p +\v 1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and ought not to please ourselves. +\v 2 Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, in order to build him up. + +\s5 +\v 3 For even Christ did not please himself. Instead, it was just as it is written, "The insults of those who insulted you fell on me." +\v 4 For whatever was previously written was written for our instruction, in order that through patience and through encouragement of the scriptures we would have certain hope. + +\s5 +\v 5 Now may the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with each other according to Christ Jesus. +\v 6 May he do this in order that with one mind you may praise with one mouth the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. +\p +\v 7 Therefore receive one another, even as Christ also received you, to the praise of God. + +\s5 +\v 8 For I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision on behalf of God's truth, in order to confirm the promises given to the fathers, +\v 9 and for the Gentiles to glorify God for his mercy. +\q It is as it is written, +\q "Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles +\q and sing praise to your name." +\m + +\s5 +\v 10 Again it says, +\q "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people." +\p +\v 11 And again, +\q "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; +\q let all the peoples praise him." +\m + +\s5 +\v 12 Again, Isaiah says, +\q "The root of Jesse will come, +\q the one who rises to rule over the Gentiles; +\q in him the Gentiles will have hope." +\m + +\s5 +\v 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace for believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will have hope. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 I myself am also convinced about you, my brothers. I am convinced that also you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge. I am convinced that you are also able to exhort one another. + +\s5 +\v 15 But I am writing more boldly to you about some things in order to remind you again, because of the gift that was given me by God. +\v 16 This gift was that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus sent to the Gentiles, to offer as a priest the gospel of God. I should do this so that the offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, consecrated by the Holy Spirit. + +\s5 +\v 17 In Christ Jesus I have reason to boast of my service for God. +\v 18 For I will not dare to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me for the obedience of the Gentiles. These are things done by word and action, +\v 19 by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. This was so that from Jerusalem, and round about as far as Illyricum, I might fully carry out the gospel of Christ. + +\s5 +\v 20 In this way, my desire has been to proclaim the gospel, but not where Christ is known by name, in order that I might not build upon another man's foundation. +\v 21 It is as it is written: +\q "Those to whom no tidings of him came will see him, +\q and those who have not heard will understand." + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 Therefore I was also hindered many times from coming to you. +\v 23 But now, I no longer have any place in these regions, and I have been longing for many years to come to you. + +\s5 +\v 24 I am hopeful that I will see you in passing when I go to Spain, and to be helped by you along my journey there, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. +\v 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem, bringing aid to the believers. + +\s5 +\v 26 For it was the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution to the poor among the believers who are in Jerusalem. +\v 27 Yes, it was their good pleasure, and, indeed, they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in material things. + +\s5 +\v 28 Therefore, when I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received what was collected, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. +\v 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. + +\s5 +\p +\v 30 Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me. +\v 31 Pray that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the believers. +\v 32 Pray that I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and that I may, together with you, find rest. + +\s5 +\v 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen. \s5 diff --git a/47-1CO.usfm b/47-1CO.usfm index 620a2686..6663e36c 100644 --- a/47-1CO.usfm +++ b/47-1CO.usfm @@ -71,172 +71,172 @@ \s5 \v 30 Because of what God did, now you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God. He became our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. \v 31 As a result, as scripture says, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence of speech or wisdom as I proclaimed hidden truths about God. -\f + \ft Many other versions read, \fqa as I proclaimed the testimony about God. \f* -\v 2 For I decided to know nothing when I was among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. - -\s5 -\v 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. -\v 4 And my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom. Instead, they were with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, -\v 5 so that your faith might not be in the wisdom of humans, but in the power of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this world, or of the rulers of this age, who are passing away. -\v 7 Instead, we speak God's wisdom in hidden truth, the hidden wisdom that God predestined before the ages for our glory. - -\s5 -\v 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had understood it at that time, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. -\v 9 But as it is written, -\q "Things that no eye has seen, -\q1 no ear has heard, -\q no mind has imagined, -\q1 the things that God has prepared for those who love him." -\m - -\s5 -\v 10 These are the things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. -\v 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of the person in him? So also, no one knows the deep things of God except the Spirit of God. - -\s5 -\v 12 But we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we might know the things freely given to us by God. -\v 13 We speak about these things in words that man's wisdom cannot teach, but which the Spirit teaches us. The Spirit interprets spiritual words with spiritual wisdom. - -\s5 -\v 14 The unspiritual person does not receive the things that belong to the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. He cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned. -\v 15 The one who is spiritual judges all things, but he is not subject to the judgment of others. -\q -\v 16 "For who can know the mind of the Lord, that he can instruct him?" -\m But we have the mind of Christ. - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 And I, brothers, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as to fleshly people, as to little children in Christ. -\v 2 I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it; and even now you are not yet ready. -\s5 -\v 3 For you are still fleshly. For where jealousy and strife exist among you, are you not living according to the flesh, and are you not walking by human standards? -\v 4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another says, "I follow Apollos," are you not living as human beings? -\v 5 Who then is Apollos? Who is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, to each of whom the Lord gave tasks. - -\s5 -\v 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. -\v 7 So then, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything. But it is God who gives the growth. - -\s5 -\v 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own wages according to his own labor. -\v 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's garden, God's building. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 According to the grace of God that was given to me as a skilled master builder, I laid a foundation and another is building on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it. -\v 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, that is, Jesus Christ. - -\s5 -\v 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, -\v 13 his work will be revealed, for the daylight will reveal it. For it will be revealed in fire. The fire will test the quality of what each one had done. - -\s5 -\v 14 If anyone's work remains, he will receive a reward; -\v 15 but if anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, as though escaping through fire. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? -\v 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and so are you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a "fool" that he may become wise. -\v 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, -\q "He catches the wise in their craftiness." -\m -\v 20 And again, -\q "The Lord knows that the reasoning of the wise is futile." -\m - -\s5 -\v 21 For this reason, let no one boast in men. All things are yours, -\v 22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All things are yours, -\v 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 This is how a person should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the hidden truths of God. -\v 2 Now what is required of stewards is that they are found to be trustworthy. - -\s5 -\v 3 But for me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. For I do not even judge myself. -\v 4 I am not aware of any charge being made against me, but that does not mean I am innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. -\s5 -\v 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment about anything before the time, before the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his praise from God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 Now, brothers, I applied these principles to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that from us you might learn the meaning of the saying, -\q "Do not go beyond what is written." -\m This is so that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against the other. -\v 7 For who sees any difference between you and others? What do you have that you did not freely receive? If you have freely received it, why do you boast as if you had not done so? - -\s5 -\v 8 Already you have all you could want! Already you have become rich! You began to reign—and that quite apart from us! Indeed, I wish you did reign, so that we could reign with you. -\v 9 For I think God has put us apostles on display as the last in line in a procession and like men sentenced to death. We have become a spectacle to the world—to angels, and to human beings. - -\s5 -\v 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we are held in dishonor. -\v 11 Up to this present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally beaten, and we are homeless. - -\s5 -\v 12 We work hard, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless. When we are persecuted, we endure. -\v 13 When we are slandered, we speak with kindness. We have become, and are still considered to be, the refuse of the world and the filthiest of all things. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to correct you as my beloved children. -\v 15 For even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. -\v 16 So I urge you to be imitators of me. - -\s5 -\v 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, just as I teach them everywhere and in every church. -\v 18 Now some of you have become arrogant, acting as though I were not coming to you. - -\s5 -\v 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills. Then I will know not merely the talk of these who are so arrogant, but I will see their power. -\v 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. -\v 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod or with love and in a spirit of gentleness? - -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 We heard a report that there is sexual immorality among you, a kind of immorality that is not even permitted among the Gentiles. The report is that one of you is sleeping with his father's wife. -\v 2 You are so arrogant! Should you not mourn instead? The one who did this must be removed from among you. - -\s5 -\v 3 For even though I am absent in body, I am present in spirit. I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as though I were there. -\v 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, -\v 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. - -\s5 -\v 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole loaf? -\v 7 Cleanse yourselves of the old yeast so that you may be new dough, so that you may be unleavened bread. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. -\v 8 So let us then celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of bad behavior and wickedness. Instead, let us celebrate with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. -\v 10 In no way did I mean the immoral people of this world, or the greedy, or swindlers, or idolaters, since to stay away from them you would need to go out of the world. - -\s5 -\v 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother but who is living in sexual immorality, or who is greedy, or is an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or is a drunkard, or a swindler. Do not even eat a meal with such a person. -\v 12 For how am I involved with judging those who are outside the church? Instead, are you not to judge those who are inside the church? -\v 13 But God judges those who are on the outside. -\q "Remove the evil person from among you." -\m + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence of speech or wisdom as I proclaimed hidden truths about God. +\f + \ft Many other versions read, \fqa as I proclaimed the testimony about God. \f* +\v 2 For I decided to know nothing when I was among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. + +\s5 +\v 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. +\v 4 And my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom. Instead, they were with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, +\v 5 so that your faith might not be in the wisdom of humans, but in the power of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this world, or of the rulers of this age, who are passing away. +\v 7 Instead, we speak God's wisdom in hidden truth, the hidden wisdom that God predestined before the ages for our glory. + +\s5 +\v 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had understood it at that time, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. +\v 9 But as it is written, +\q "Things that no eye has seen, +\q1 no ear has heard, +\q no mind has imagined, +\q1 the things that God has prepared for those who love him." +\m + +\s5 +\v 10 These are the things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. +\v 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of the person in him? So also, no one knows the deep things of God except the Spirit of God. + +\s5 +\v 12 But we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we might know the things freely given to us by God. +\v 13 We speak about these things in words that man's wisdom cannot teach, but which the Spirit teaches us. The Spirit interprets spiritual words with spiritual wisdom. + +\s5 +\v 14 The unspiritual person does not receive the things that belong to the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. He cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned. +\v 15 The one who is spiritual judges all things, but he is not subject to the judgment of others. +\q +\v 16 "For who can know the mind of the Lord, that he can instruct him?" +\m But we have the mind of Christ. + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 And I, brothers, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as to fleshly people, as to little children in Christ. +\v 2 I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it; and even now you are not yet ready. +\s5 +\v 3 For you are still fleshly. For where jealousy and strife exist among you, are you not living according to the flesh, and are you not walking by human standards? +\v 4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another says, "I follow Apollos," are you not living as human beings? +\v 5 Who then is Apollos? Who is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, to each of whom the Lord gave tasks. + +\s5 +\v 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. +\v 7 So then, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything. But it is God who gives the growth. + +\s5 +\v 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own wages according to his own labor. +\v 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's garden, God's building. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 According to the grace of God that was given to me as a skilled master builder, I laid a foundation and another is building on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it. +\v 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one that has been laid, that is, Jesus Christ. + +\s5 +\v 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, +\v 13 his work will be revealed, for the daylight will reveal it. For it will be revealed in fire. The fire will test the quality of what each one had done. + +\s5 +\v 14 If anyone's work remains, he will receive a reward; +\v 15 but if anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, as though escaping through fire. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? +\v 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and so are you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a "fool" that he may become wise. +\v 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, +\q "He catches the wise in their craftiness." +\m +\v 20 And again, +\q "The Lord knows that the reasoning of the wise is futile." +\m + +\s5 +\v 21 For this reason, let no one boast in men. All things are yours, +\v 22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All things are yours, +\v 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 This is how a person should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the hidden truths of God. +\v 2 Now what is required of stewards is that they are found to be trustworthy. + +\s5 +\v 3 But for me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. For I do not even judge myself. +\v 4 I am not aware of any charge being made against me, but that does not mean I am innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. +\s5 +\v 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment about anything before the time, before the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his praise from God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 Now, brothers, I applied these principles to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that from us you might learn the meaning of the saying, +\q "Do not go beyond what is written." +\m This is so that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against the other. +\v 7 For who sees any difference between you and others? What do you have that you did not freely receive? If you have freely received it, why do you boast as if you had not done so? + +\s5 +\v 8 Already you have all you could want! Already you have become rich! You began to reign—and that quite apart from us! Indeed, I wish you did reign, so that we could reign with you. +\v 9 For I think God has put us apostles on display as the last in line in a procession and like men sentenced to death. We have become a spectacle to the world—to angels, and to human beings. + +\s5 +\v 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we are held in dishonor. +\v 11 Up to this present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally beaten, and we are homeless. + +\s5 +\v 12 We work hard, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless. When we are persecuted, we endure. +\v 13 When we are slandered, we speak with kindness. We have become, and are still considered to be, the refuse of the world and the filthiest of all things. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to correct you as my beloved children. +\v 15 For even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. +\v 16 So I urge you to be imitators of me. + +\s5 +\v 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, just as I teach them everywhere and in every church. +\v 18 Now some of you have become arrogant, acting as though I were not coming to you. + +\s5 +\v 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills. Then I will know not merely the talk of these who are so arrogant, but I will see their power. +\v 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. +\v 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod or with love and in a spirit of gentleness? + +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 We heard a report that there is sexual immorality among you, a kind of immorality that is not even permitted among the Gentiles. The report is that one of you is sleeping with his father's wife. +\v 2 You are so arrogant! Should you not mourn instead? The one who did this must be removed from among you. + +\s5 +\v 3 For even though I am absent in body, I am present in spirit. I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as though I were there. +\v 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, +\v 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. + +\s5 +\v 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole loaf? +\v 7 Cleanse yourselves of the old yeast so that you may be new dough, so that you may be unleavened bread. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. +\v 8 So let us then celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of bad behavior and wickedness. Instead, let us celebrate with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. +\v 10 In no way did I mean the immoral people of this world, or the greedy, or swindlers, or idolaters, since to stay away from them you would need to go out of the world. + +\s5 +\v 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother but who is living in sexual immorality, or who is greedy, or is an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or is a drunkard, or a swindler. Do not even eat a meal with such a person. +\v 12 For how am I involved with judging those who are outside the church? Instead, are you not to judge those who are inside the church? +\v 13 But God judges those who are on the outside. +\q "Remove the evil person from among you." +\m \s5 \c 6 @@ -278,80 +278,80 @@ \v 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you, whom you have from God? Do you not know that you are not your own? \v 20 For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. \f + \ft Some older copies read, \fqa Therefore glorify God with your body and in your spirit, which belong to God. \fqa* But the best copies do not have this reading. \f* - -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 Now concerning the issues you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." -\v 2 But because of temptations for many immoral acts, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. - -\s5 -\v 3 The husband should give to the wife her sexual rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. -\v 4 It is not the wife who has authority over her own body, it is the husband. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. - -\s5 -\v 5 Do not deprive each other, except by mutual agreement and for a specific period of time. Do this so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then you should come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. -\p -\v 6 But I say these things to you as a concession and not as a command. -\v 7 I wish that everyone were as I am. But each one has his own gift from God. One has this kind of gift, and another that kind. - -\s5 -\v 8 To the unmarried and to widows I say that it is good for them if they remain unmarried, as I am. -\v 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better for them to marry than to burn with passion. - -\s5 -\v 10 Now to the married I give this command—not I, but the Lord—the wife should not separate from her husband -\v 11 (but if she does separate from her husband, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. - -\s5 -\v 12 But to the rest I say—I, not the Lord—that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and if she is content to live with him, he should not divorce her. -\v 13 If a woman has an unbelieving husband, and if he is content to live with her, she should not divorce him. -\v 14 For the unbelieving husband is set apart because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart because of the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but actually they are set apart. - -\s5 -\v 15 But if the unbelieving partner departs, let him go. In such cases, the brother or sister is not bound to their vows. God has called us to live in peace. -\v 16 For how do you know, woman, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, man, whether you will save your wife? - -\s5 -\v 17 Only let each one live the life the Lord has assigned him, each as God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. -\v 18 Was anyone circumcised when he was called to believe? He should not try to appear uncircumcised. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was called to faith? He should not be circumcised. -\v 19 For it is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision that matters. What matters is obeying the commandments of God. - -\s5 -\v 20 Each one should remain in the calling he was in when God called him to believe. -\v 21 Were you a slave when God called you? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can become free, take advantage of it. -\v 22 For someone who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord's freeman. Likewise, the one who was free when he was called to believe is Christ's slave. -\v 23 You have been bought with a price, so do not become slaves of men. -\v 24 Brothers, in whatever life each of us was in when we were called to believe, let us remain like that. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 Now concerning those who never married, I have no commandment from the Lord. But I give my opinion as one who, by the Lord's mercy, is trustworthy. -\v 26 Therefore, I think that because of the disaster that is coming, it is good for a man to remain as he is. - -\s5 -\v 27 Are you bound to a woman? Do not seek to be free of her. Are you free of a wife? Do not seek a wife. -\v 28 But if you do marry, you have not committed a sin. If an unmarried woman marries, she has not committed a sin. Yet those who marry will have many kinds of trouble while living, and I would like to spare you from them. - -\s5 -\v 29 But this I say, brothers: The time is short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none. -\v 30 Those who weep should act as though they were not weeping, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not possess anything, -\v 31 and those who use the world should not act as though they are using it to the full. For the world in its present form is coming to an end. - -\s5 -\v 32 I would like you to be free from worries. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please him. -\v 33 But the married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife— -\v 34 he is divided. The unmarried woman or the virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to be set apart in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband. - -\s5 -\v 35 I say this for your own benefit, and not to put any constraint on you. I say this for what is right, so that you may be devoted to the Lord without any distraction. -\s5 -\v 36 But if anyone thinks that he is not treating his fiancée with respect—if she is beyond the age of marriage and it must be so—he should do what he wants. He is not sinning. They should marry. -\v 37 But if he is standing firm in his heart, if he is not under pressure but can control his own will, and if he has decided in his own heart to do this, to keep his own fiancée a virgin, he will do well. -\v 38 So the one who marries his fiancée does well, and the one who chooses not to marry will do even better. -\s5 -\v 39 A woman is bound to her husband for as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wishes to marry, but only in the Lord. -\v 40 Yet in my judgment she would be happier if she lives as she is. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God. + +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 Now concerning the issues you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." +\v 2 But because of temptations for many immoral acts, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. + +\s5 +\v 3 The husband should give to the wife her sexual rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. +\v 4 It is not the wife who has authority over her own body, it is the husband. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. + +\s5 +\v 5 Do not deprive each other, except by mutual agreement and for a specific period of time. Do this so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then you should come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. +\p +\v 6 But I say these things to you as a concession and not as a command. +\v 7 I wish that everyone were as I am. But each one has his own gift from God. One has this kind of gift, and another that kind. + +\s5 +\v 8 To the unmarried and to widows I say that it is good for them if they remain unmarried, as I am. +\v 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better for them to marry than to burn with passion. + +\s5 +\v 10 Now to the married I give this command—not I, but the Lord—the wife should not separate from her husband +\v 11 (but if she does separate from her husband, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. + +\s5 +\v 12 But to the rest I say—I, not the Lord—that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and if she is content to live with him, he should not divorce her. +\v 13 If a woman has an unbelieving husband, and if he is content to live with her, she should not divorce him. +\v 14 For the unbelieving husband is set apart because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart because of the brother. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but actually they are set apart. + +\s5 +\v 15 But if the unbelieving partner departs, let him go. In such cases, the brother or sister is not bound to their vows. God has called us to live in peace. +\v 16 For how do you know, woman, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, man, whether you will save your wife? + +\s5 +\v 17 Only let each one live the life the Lord has assigned him, each as God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. +\v 18 Was anyone circumcised when he was called to believe? He should not try to appear uncircumcised. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was called to faith? He should not be circumcised. +\v 19 For it is neither circumcision nor uncircumcision that matters. What matters is obeying the commandments of God. + +\s5 +\v 20 Each one should remain in the calling he was in when God called him to believe. +\v 21 Were you a slave when God called you? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can become free, take advantage of it. +\v 22 For someone who is called by the Lord as a slave is the Lord's freeman. Likewise, the one who was free when he was called to believe is Christ's slave. +\v 23 You have been bought with a price, so do not become slaves of men. +\v 24 Brothers, in whatever life each of us was in when we were called to believe, let us remain like that. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 Now concerning those who never married, I have no commandment from the Lord. But I give my opinion as one who, by the Lord's mercy, is trustworthy. +\v 26 Therefore, I think that because of the disaster that is coming, it is good for a man to remain as he is. + +\s5 +\v 27 Are you bound to a woman? Do not seek to be free of her. Are you free of a wife? Do not seek a wife. +\v 28 But if you do marry, you have not committed a sin. If an unmarried woman marries, she has not committed a sin. Yet those who marry will have many kinds of trouble while living, and I would like to spare you from them. + +\s5 +\v 29 But this I say, brothers: The time is short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none. +\v 30 Those who weep should act as though they were not weeping, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not possess anything, +\v 31 and those who use the world should not act as though they are using it to the full. For the world in its present form is coming to an end. + +\s5 +\v 32 I would like you to be free from worries. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please him. +\v 33 But the married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife— +\v 34 he is divided. The unmarried woman or the virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to be set apart in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband. + +\s5 +\v 35 I say this for your own benefit, and not to put any constraint on you. I say this for what is right, so that you may be devoted to the Lord without any distraction. +\s5 +\v 36 But if anyone thinks that he is not treating his fiancée with respect—if she is beyond the age of marriage and it must be so—he should do what he wants. He is not sinning. They should marry. +\v 37 But if he is standing firm in his heart, if he is not under pressure but can control his own will, and if he has decided in his own heart to do this, to keep his own fiancée a virgin, he will do well. +\v 38 So the one who marries his fiancée does well, and the one who chooses not to marry will do even better. +\s5 +\v 39 A woman is bound to her husband for as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wishes to marry, but only in the Lord. +\v 40 Yet in my judgment she would be happier if she lives as she is. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God. \s5 \c 8 @@ -377,181 +377,181 @@ \v 11 So because of your understanding about the true nature of idols, the weaker one, the brother for whom Christ died, is destroyed. \v 12 Thus, when you sin against your brothers and wound their weak consciences, you sin against Christ. \v 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I may not cause my brother to fall. - -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my workmanship in the Lord? -\v 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you. For you are the proof of my apostleship in the Lord. - -\s5 -\v 3 This is my defense to those who examine me: -\v 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? -\v 5 Do we not have the right to take along with us a wife who is a believer, as do the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? -\v 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who must work? - -\s5 -\v 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink milk from it? -\v 8 Do I say these things based on human authority? Does not the law also say this? - -\s5 -\v 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "Do not put a muzzle on an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it really the oxen that God cares about? -\v 10 Is he not speaking about us? It was written for us, because the one who plows should plow in hope, and the one who threshes should thresh in the expectation of sharing in the harvest. -\v 11 If we sowed spiritual things among you, is it too much for us to reap material things from you? - -\s5 -\v 12 If others exercised this right from you, do we not have even more? But we did not claim this right. Instead we endured everything rather than be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ. -\v 13 Do you not know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple? Do you not know that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? -\v 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel. - -\s5 -\v 15 But I have not claimed any of these rights. And I do not write this so something might be done for me. I would rather die than anyone deprive me of this boast. -\v 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I must do this. And woe be to me if I do not preach the gospel! - -\s5 -\v 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward. But if not willingly, I still have a responsibility that was entrusted to me. -\v 18 What then is my reward? That when I preach, I may offer the gospel without charge and so not take full use of my right in the gospel. - -\s5 -\v 19 For though I am free from all, I became a servant to all, in order that I might win more. -\v 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law, I became like one under the law in order to win those under the law. I did this even though I myself was not under the law. -\f + \ft The ULB and UDB read, \fqa I did this even though I was not under the law myself. \fqa* Some older versions leave this passage out. \f* - -\s5 -\v 21 To those outside the law, I became like one outside the law, although I was not outside the law of God myself, but under the law of Christ. I did this so that I may win those outside the law. -\v 22 To the weak I became weak, so that I may win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. -\v 23 I do all things for the gospel's sake, so that I may participate in its blessings. - -\s5 -\v 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run the race, but that only one receives the prize? So run to win the prize. -\v 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a wreath that is perishable, but we do it to receive one that is imperishable. -\v 26 Therefore I do not run without purpose or box by beating the air. -\v 27 But I subdue my body and make it a slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself may not be disqualified. - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 I do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea. -\v 2 All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, -\v 3 and all ate the same spiritual food. -\v 4 All drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. - -\s5 -\v 5 But God was not well pleased with most of them, and their corpses were scattered about in the wilderness. -\v 6 Now these things were examples for us, so we would not long for evil things as they did. - -\s5 -\v 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. This is as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." -\v 8 Let us not commit sexual immorality, as many of them did. In one day, twenty-three thousand people died because of it. -\s5 -\v 9 Neither let us put Christ to the test, as many of them did and were destroyed by snakes. -\v 10 Also do not grumble, as many of them did and were destroyed by an angel of death. - -\s5 -\v 11 Now these things happened to them as examples for us. They were written for our instruction—for us on whom the end of the ages has come. -\v 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall. -\v 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to all humanity. Instead, God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. With the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Therefore, my loved ones, run away from idolatry. -\v 15 I speak to you as people who have understanding, so you may judge what I say. -\v 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? -\v 17 Because there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body. We all take of one loaf of bread together. - -\s5 -\v 18 Look at the people of Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? -\v 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything? Or that food sacrificed to an idol is anything? - -\s5 -\v 20 But I say about the things the Gentile pagans sacrifice, that they offer these things to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons! -\v 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot have fellowship at the table of the Lord and the table of demons. -\v 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he is? - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 "Everything is lawful," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is lawful," but not everything builds people up. -\v 24 No one should seek his own good. Instead, each one should seek the good of his neighbor. - -\s5 -\v 25 You may eat whatever is sold in the market, without questions of conscience. -\v 26 For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it." -\v 27 If an unbeliever invites you to eat a meal, and you wish to go, eat whatever is set before you without asking questions of conscience. - -\s5 -\v 28 But if someone says to you, "This food was from a pagan sacrifice," do not eat it. This is for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience. -\f + \ft Some older copies add, \fqa For the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. \fqa* But the best copies do not have this. \f* -\v 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person's conscience. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? -\v 30 If I partake of the meal with gratitude, why am I being insulted for that for which I gave thanks? - -\s5 -\v 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. -\v 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks, or to the church of God. -\v 33 I try to please all people in all things. I do not seek my benefit, but that of the many. I do this so that they may be saved. - -\s5 -\c 11 -\nb -\v 1 Be imitators of me, just as I am an imitator of Christ. -\p -\v 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything. I praise you because you hold fast to the traditions just as I delivered them to you. -\v 3 Now I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, that a man is the head of a woman, and that God is the head of Christ. -\v 4 Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. - -\s5 -\v 5 But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is the same thing as if her head were shaved. -\v 6 For if a woman will not cover her head, she should cut her hair short. If it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or for her to shave her head, let her cover her head. - -\s5 -\v 7 For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man. -\v 8 For man was not made from woman. Instead, woman was made from man. - -\s5 -\v 9 For neither was man created for woman. Instead, woman was created for man. -\v 10 This is why the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. - -\s5 -\v 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord, the woman is not independent from the man, nor is the man independent from the woman. -\v 12 For as the woman comes from the man, so does the man come from the woman. And all things come from God. - -\s5 -\v 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? -\v 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace for him? -\v 15 Does not nature teach you that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair has been given to her as a covering. -\v 16 But if anyone wants to argue about this, we do not have any other practice, nor do the churches of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 But in the following instructions, I do not praise you. For when you come together, it is not for the better but for the worse. -\v 18 For in the first place, I hear that when you come together in the church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. -\v 19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you. - -\s5 -\v 20 For when you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat. -\v 21 When you eat, each one eats his own food before the others have their meal. One is hungry, and another becomes drunk. -\v 22 Do you not have houses to eat and to drink in? Do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I will not praise you for this! - -\s5 -\v 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread. -\v 24 After he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this to remember me." - -\s5 -\v 25 In the same way he took the cup after supper, and he said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, to remember me." -\v 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. - -\s5 -\v 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. -\v 28 Let a person examine himself first, and in this way let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. -\v 29 For he who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment to himself. -\v 30 That is why many among you are weak and ill, and some of you have fallen asleep. - -\s5 -\v 31 But if we examine ourselves, we will not be judged. -\v 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned along with the world. - -\s5 -\v 33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. -\v 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. And about the other things you wrote, I will give directions when I come. + +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my workmanship in the Lord? +\v 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you. For you are the proof of my apostleship in the Lord. + +\s5 +\v 3 This is my defense to those who examine me: +\v 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? +\v 5 Do we not have the right to take along with us a wife who is a believer, as do the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? +\v 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who must work? + +\s5 +\v 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink milk from it? +\v 8 Do I say these things based on human authority? Does not the law also say this? + +\s5 +\v 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, "Do not put a muzzle on an ox when it is treading out the grain." Is it really the oxen that God cares about? +\v 10 Is he not speaking about us? It was written for us, because the one who plows should plow in hope, and the one who threshes should thresh in the expectation of sharing in the harvest. +\v 11 If we sowed spiritual things among you, is it too much for us to reap material things from you? + +\s5 +\v 12 If others exercised this right from you, do we not have even more? But we did not claim this right. Instead we endured everything rather than be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ. +\v 13 Do you not know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple? Do you not know that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? +\v 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel. + +\s5 +\v 15 But I have not claimed any of these rights. And I do not write this so something might be done for me. I would rather die than anyone deprive me of this boast. +\v 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I must do this. And woe be to me if I do not preach the gospel! + +\s5 +\v 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward. But if not willingly, I still have a responsibility that was entrusted to me. +\v 18 What then is my reward? That when I preach, I may offer the gospel without charge and so not take full use of my right in the gospel. + +\s5 +\v 19 For though I am free from all, I became a servant to all, in order that I might win more. +\v 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law, I became like one under the law in order to win those under the law. I did this even though I myself was not under the law. +\f + \ft The ULB and UDB read, \fqa I did this even though I was not under the law myself. \fqa* Some older versions leave this passage out. \f* + +\s5 +\v 21 To those outside the law, I became like one outside the law, although I was not outside the law of God myself, but under the law of Christ. I did this so that I may win those outside the law. +\v 22 To the weak I became weak, so that I may win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. +\v 23 I do all things for the gospel's sake, so that I may participate in its blessings. + +\s5 +\v 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run the race, but that only one receives the prize? So run to win the prize. +\v 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a wreath that is perishable, but we do it to receive one that is imperishable. +\v 26 Therefore I do not run without purpose or box by beating the air. +\v 27 But I subdue my body and make it a slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself may not be disqualified. + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 I do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea. +\v 2 All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, +\v 3 and all ate the same spiritual food. +\v 4 All drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. + +\s5 +\v 5 But God was not well pleased with most of them, and their corpses were scattered about in the wilderness. +\v 6 Now these things were examples for us, so we would not long for evil things as they did. + +\s5 +\v 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. This is as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." +\v 8 Let us not commit sexual immorality, as many of them did. In one day, twenty-three thousand people died because of it. +\s5 +\v 9 Neither let us put Christ to the test, as many of them did and were destroyed by snakes. +\v 10 Also do not grumble, as many of them did and were destroyed by an angel of death. + +\s5 +\v 11 Now these things happened to them as examples for us. They were written for our instruction—for us on whom the end of the ages has come. +\v 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall. +\v 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to all humanity. Instead, God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. With the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Therefore, my loved ones, run away from idolatry. +\v 15 I speak to you as people who have understanding, so you may judge what I say. +\v 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? +\v 17 Because there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body. We all take of one loaf of bread together. + +\s5 +\v 18 Look at the people of Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? +\v 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything? Or that food sacrificed to an idol is anything? + +\s5 +\v 20 But I say about the things the Gentile pagans sacrifice, that they offer these things to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons! +\v 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot have fellowship at the table of the Lord and the table of demons. +\v 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he is? + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 "Everything is lawful," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is lawful," but not everything builds people up. +\v 24 No one should seek his own good. Instead, each one should seek the good of his neighbor. + +\s5 +\v 25 You may eat whatever is sold in the market, without questions of conscience. +\v 26 For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it." +\v 27 If an unbeliever invites you to eat a meal, and you wish to go, eat whatever is set before you without asking questions of conscience. + +\s5 +\v 28 But if someone says to you, "This food was from a pagan sacrifice," do not eat it. This is for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience. +\f + \ft Some older copies add, \fqa For the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. \fqa* But the best copies do not have this. \f* +\v 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person's conscience. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? +\v 30 If I partake of the meal with gratitude, why am I being insulted for that for which I gave thanks? + +\s5 +\v 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. +\v 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks, or to the church of God. +\v 33 I try to please all people in all things. I do not seek my benefit, but that of the many. I do this so that they may be saved. + +\s5 +\c 11 +\nb +\v 1 Be imitators of me, just as I am an imitator of Christ. +\p +\v 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything. I praise you because you hold fast to the traditions just as I delivered them to you. +\v 3 Now I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, that a man is the head of a woman, and that God is the head of Christ. +\v 4 Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. + +\s5 +\v 5 But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is the same thing as if her head were shaved. +\v 6 For if a woman will not cover her head, she should cut her hair short. If it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or for her to shave her head, let her cover her head. + +\s5 +\v 7 For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man. +\v 8 For man was not made from woman. Instead, woman was made from man. + +\s5 +\v 9 For neither was man created for woman. Instead, woman was created for man. +\v 10 This is why the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. + +\s5 +\v 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord, the woman is not independent from the man, nor is the man independent from the woman. +\v 12 For as the woman comes from the man, so does the man come from the woman. And all things come from God. + +\s5 +\v 13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? +\v 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace for him? +\v 15 Does not nature teach you that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair has been given to her as a covering. +\v 16 But if anyone wants to argue about this, we do not have any other practice, nor do the churches of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 But in the following instructions, I do not praise you. For when you come together, it is not for the better but for the worse. +\v 18 For in the first place, I hear that when you come together in the church, there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. +\v 19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you. + +\s5 +\v 20 For when you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat. +\v 21 When you eat, each one eats his own food before the others have their meal. One is hungry, and another becomes drunk. +\v 22 Do you not have houses to eat and to drink in? Do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I will not praise you for this! + +\s5 +\v 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread. +\v 24 After he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this to remember me." + +\s5 +\v 25 In the same way he took the cup after supper, and he said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, to remember me." +\v 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. + +\s5 +\v 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. +\v 28 Let a person examine himself first, and in this way let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. +\v 29 For he who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment to himself. +\v 30 That is why many among you are weak and ill, and some of you have fallen asleep. + +\s5 +\v 31 But if we examine ourselves, we will not be judged. +\v 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined, so that we may not be condemned along with the world. + +\s5 +\v 33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. +\v 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. And about the other things you wrote, I will give directions when I come. \s5 \c 12 diff --git a/48-2CO.usfm b/48-2CO.usfm index 84961b9a..b9764a51 100644 --- a/48-2CO.usfm +++ b/48-2CO.usfm @@ -130,43 +130,43 @@ \s5 \v 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. \v 18 Now all of us, with unveiled faces, see the glory of the Lord. We are being transformed into the same glorious likeness from one degree of glory into another, just as from the Lord, who is the Spirit. - - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Therefore, because we have this ministry, and just as we have received mercy, we do not become discouraged. -\v 2 Instead, we have rejected secret and shameful ways. We do not live by craftiness, and we do not mishandle the word of God. By presenting the truth, we recommend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. - -\s5 -\v 3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. -\v 4 In their case, the god of this world has blinded their unbelieving minds. As a result, they are not able to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - -\s5 -\v 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. -\v 6 For God is the one who said, "Light will shine out of darkness." He has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the presence of Jesus Christ. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, so that it is clear that the exceedingly great power belongs to God and not to us. -\v 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not overwhelmed. We are perplexed but not filled with despair. -\v 9 We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down but not destroyed. -\v 10 We always carry in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be shown in our bodies. - -\s5 -\v 11 We who are alive are always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be shown in our body. -\v 12 So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. - -\s5 -\v 13 But we have the same spirit of faith according to that which was written: "I believed, and so I spoke." We also believe, and so we also speak. -\v 14 We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus. We know that he will bring us with you into his presence. -\v 15 Everything is for your sake so that, as grace is spread to many people, thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 So we do not become discouraged. Even though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. -\v 17 For this momentary, light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory that exceeds all measurement. -\v 18 For we are not watching for things that are seen, but for things that are unseen. The things that we can see are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. + + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Therefore, because we have this ministry, and just as we have received mercy, we do not become discouraged. +\v 2 Instead, we have rejected secret and shameful ways. We do not live by craftiness, and we do not mishandle the word of God. By presenting the truth, we recommend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. + +\s5 +\v 3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. +\v 4 In their case, the god of this world has blinded their unbelieving minds. As a result, they are not able to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. + +\s5 +\v 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. +\v 6 For God is the one who said, "Light will shine out of darkness." He has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the presence of Jesus Christ. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, so that it is clear that the exceedingly great power belongs to God and not to us. +\v 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not overwhelmed. We are perplexed but not filled with despair. +\v 9 We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down but not destroyed. +\v 10 We always carry in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be shown in our bodies. + +\s5 +\v 11 We who are alive are always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be shown in our body. +\v 12 So death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. + +\s5 +\v 13 But we have the same spirit of faith according to that which was written: "I believed, and so I spoke." We also believe, and so we also speak. +\v 14 We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus. We know that he will bring us with you into his presence. +\v 15 Everything is for your sake so that, as grace is spread to many people, thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 So we do not become discouraged. Even though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. +\v 17 For this momentary, light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory that exceeds all measurement. +\v 18 For we are not watching for things that are seen, but for things that are unseen. The things that we can see are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal. \s5 @@ -376,46 +376,46 @@ In addition to our own comfort, we also rejoiced even more because of Titus' joy \v 13 Because of your being tested and proved by this service, you will also glorify God by obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ. You will also glorify God by the generosity of your gift to them and to everyone. \v 14 They long for you, and they are praying for you. They do this because of the very great grace of God that is on you. \v 15 May thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 I, Paul, myself appeal to you, by the humility and gentleness of Christ. I am meek when I am in your presence, but I am bold toward you when I am away. -\v 2 I beg of you that, when I am present with you, I will not need to be bold with self-confidence. But I think I will need to be bold when I oppose those who assume that we are living according to the flesh. - -\s5 -\v 3 For even though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. -\v 4 For the weapons we fight with are not fleshly. Instead, they have divine power to destroy strongholds. They bring to nothing misleading arguments. - -\s5 -\v 5 We also destroy every high thing that rises up against the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive into obedience to Christ. -\v 6 And we are getting ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete. - -\s5 -\v 7 Look at what is clearly in front of you. If anyone is convinced that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. -\v 8 For even if I boast a little too much about our authority, which the Lord gave for us to build you up and not to destroy you, I will not be ashamed. - -\s5 -\v 9 I do not want it to appear that I am terrifying you by my letters. -\v 10 For some people say, "His letters are serious and powerful, but physically he is weak. His words are not worth listening to." - -\s5 -\v 11 Let such people be aware that what we are in the words of our letters when we are absent is what we will be in our actions when we are there. -\v 12 We do not go so far as to group ourselves or compare ourselves with those who praise themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with each other, they have no insight. - -\s5 -\v 13 We, however, will not boast beyond limits. Instead, we will do so only within the limits of what God has assigned to us, limits that reach as far as you. -\v 14 For we did not overextend ourselves when we reached you. We were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel of Christ. - -\s5 -\v 15 We have not boasted beyond limits about the labors of others. Instead, we expect that as your faith continues to grow, our work among you will greatly expand. -\v 16 We hope for this, so that we may preach the gospel even in regions beyond you. We will not boast about the work being done in another's area. - -\s5 -\q -\v 17 "But let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." -\m -\v 18 For it is not the one who recommends himself who is approved. Instead, it is the one whom the Lord recommends. + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 I, Paul, myself appeal to you, by the humility and gentleness of Christ. I am meek when I am in your presence, but I am bold toward you when I am away. +\v 2 I beg of you that, when I am present with you, I will not need to be bold with self-confidence. But I think I will need to be bold when I oppose those who assume that we are living according to the flesh. + +\s5 +\v 3 For even though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. +\v 4 For the weapons we fight with are not fleshly. Instead, they have divine power to destroy strongholds. They bring to nothing misleading arguments. + +\s5 +\v 5 We also destroy every high thing that rises up against the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive into obedience to Christ. +\v 6 And we are getting ready to punish every act of disobedience, as soon as your obedience is complete. + +\s5 +\v 7 Look at what is clearly in front of you. If anyone is convinced that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. +\v 8 For even if I boast a little too much about our authority, which the Lord gave for us to build you up and not to destroy you, I will not be ashamed. + +\s5 +\v 9 I do not want it to appear that I am terrifying you by my letters. +\v 10 For some people say, "His letters are serious and powerful, but physically he is weak. His words are not worth listening to." + +\s5 +\v 11 Let such people be aware that what we are in the words of our letters when we are absent is what we will be in our actions when we are there. +\v 12 We do not go so far as to group ourselves or compare ourselves with those who praise themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with each other, they have no insight. + +\s5 +\v 13 We, however, will not boast beyond limits. Instead, we will do so only within the limits of what God has assigned to us, limits that reach as far as you. +\v 14 For we did not overextend ourselves when we reached you. We were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel of Christ. + +\s5 +\v 15 We have not boasted beyond limits about the labors of others. Instead, we expect that as your faith continues to grow, our work among you will greatly expand. +\v 16 We hope for this, so that we may preach the gospel even in regions beyond you. We will not boast about the work being done in another's area. + +\s5 +\q +\v 17 "But let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." +\m +\v 18 For it is not the one who recommends himself who is approved. Instead, it is the one whom the Lord recommends. \s5 \c 11 @@ -481,50 +481,50 @@ In addition to our own comfort, we also rejoiced even more because of Titus' joy \p \v 32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus to arrest me. \v 33 But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall, and I escaped from his hands. - -\s5 -\c 12 -\p -\v 1 I must boast, but nothing is gained by it. But I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. -\v 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago who—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—was caught up into the third heaven. - -\s5 -\v 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows— -\v 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred for anyone to say. -\v 5 On behalf of such a person I will boast. But on behalf of myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. - -\s5 -\v 6 If I wanted to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be speaking the truth. But I will keep from boasting, so that no one will think more of me than what is seen in me or heard from me. -\v 7 I will also keep from boasting because of the extraordinary kind of those revelations. Therefore, so I would not be puffed up with pride, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger from Satan to harass me, so I would not become too proud. - -\s5 -\v 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, for him to take it away from me. -\v 9 But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So I would much rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ might reside on me. -\v 10 Therefore I am content for Christ's sake in weaknesses, in insults, in troubles, in persecutions and distressing situations. For whenever I am weak, then I am strong. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 I have become a fool! You forced me to this, for I should have been praised by you. For I was not at all inferior to the so-called super-apostles, even though I am nothing. -\v 12 The true signs of an apostle were performed among you with complete patience, signs and wonders and mighty deeds. -\v 13 For how were you less important than the rest of the churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me for this wrong! - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Look! I am ready to come to you a third time. I will not be a burden to you, for I do not want what is yours. I want you. For children should not save up for the parents. Instead, the parents should save up for the children. -\v 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? - -\s5 -\v 16 But as it is, I did not burden you. But, since I am so crafty, I am the one who caught you by deceit. -\v 17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent to you? -\v 18 I urged Titus to go to you, and I sent the other brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same way? Did we not walk in the same steps? - -\s5 -\p -\v 19 Do you think all of this time we have been defending ourselves to you? In the sight of God, we have in Christ been saying everything for your strengthening. - -\s5 -\v 20 For I fear that when I come I may not find you as I wish. I fear that you might not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be arguments, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, gossip, pride, and disorder. -\v 21 I fear that when I come back, my God might humble me before you. I fear that I might be grieved by many of those who have sinned before now, and who did not repent of the impurity and sexual immorality and lustful indulgence that they practiced. + +\s5 +\c 12 +\p +\v 1 I must boast, but nothing is gained by it. But I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. +\v 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago who—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—was caught up into the third heaven. + +\s5 +\v 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows— +\v 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred for anyone to say. +\v 5 On behalf of such a person I will boast. But on behalf of myself I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. + +\s5 +\v 6 If I wanted to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be speaking the truth. But I will keep from boasting, so that no one will think more of me than what is seen in me or heard from me. +\v 7 I will also keep from boasting because of the extraordinary kind of those revelations. Therefore, so I would not be puffed up with pride, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger from Satan to harass me, so I would not become too proud. + +\s5 +\v 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, for him to take it away from me. +\v 9 But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So I would much rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ might reside on me. +\v 10 Therefore I am content for Christ's sake in weaknesses, in insults, in troubles, in persecutions and distressing situations. For whenever I am weak, then I am strong. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 I have become a fool! You forced me to this, for I should have been praised by you. For I was not at all inferior to the so-called super-apostles, even though I am nothing. +\v 12 The true signs of an apostle were performed among you with complete patience, signs and wonders and mighty deeds. +\v 13 For how were you less important than the rest of the churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me for this wrong! + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Look! I am ready to come to you a third time. I will not be a burden to you, for I do not want what is yours. I want you. For children should not save up for the parents. Instead, the parents should save up for the children. +\v 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? + +\s5 +\v 16 But as it is, I did not burden you. But, since I am so crafty, I am the one who caught you by deceit. +\v 17 Did I take advantage of you by anyone I sent to you? +\v 18 I urged Titus to go to you, and I sent the other brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same way? Did we not walk in the same steps? + +\s5 +\p +\v 19 Do you think all of this time we have been defending ourselves to you? In the sight of God, we have in Christ been saying everything for your strengthening. + +\s5 +\v 20 For I fear that when I come I may not find you as I wish. I fear that you might not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be arguments, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, gossip, pride, and disorder. +\v 21 I fear that when I come back, my God might humble me before you. I fear that I might be grieved by many of those who have sinned before now, and who did not repent of the impurity and sexual immorality and lustful indulgence that they practiced. \s5 \c 13 diff --git a/49-GAL.usfm b/49-GAL.usfm index 05fedfdf..a8500239 100644 --- a/49-GAL.usfm +++ b/49-GAL.usfm @@ -4,148 +4,148 @@ \toc1 The Letter of Paul to the Galatians \toc2 Galatians \toc3 Gal -\mt Galatians\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Paul, an apostle—not an apostle from men nor by human agency, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead ones— -\v 2 and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia: - -\s5 -\v 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, -\v 4 who gave himself for our sins so that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, -\v 5 to him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 I am amazed that you are turning away so quickly from him who called you by the grace of Christ. I am amazed that you are turning to a different gospel. -\v 7 This is not to say that there is another gospel, but there are some men who cause you trouble and want to change the gospel of Christ. - -\s5 -\v 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel other than the one we proclaimed to you, let him be cursed. -\v 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, "If someone proclaims to you a gospel other than the one you received, let him be cursed." -\v 10 For am I now seeking the approval of men or God? Am I seeking to please men? If I am still trying to please men, I am not a servant of Christ. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I proclaimed is not man's gospel. -\v 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it. Instead, it was by revelation of Jesus Christ to me. - -\s5 -\v 13 You have heard about my former life in Judaism, how I was persecuting the church of God beyond measure and that I was trying to destroy it. -\v 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many of those who were my own age, from out of my own people. That is how extremely zealous I was for the traditions of my fathers. - -\s5 -\v 15 But when God, who had set me apart from my mother's womb, and who called me through his grace, -\v 16 was pleased to reveal his Son in me, so that I would proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood. -\v 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me. Instead, I went to Arabia and then returned to Damascus. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas and I stayed with him fifteen days. -\v 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. -\v 20 In what I write to you, I assure you before God, that I am not lying. - -\s5 -\v 21 Then I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. -\v 22 I was still not personally known to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. -\v 23 They only heard it being said, "The man who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." -\v 24 So they glorified God because of me. -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. -\v 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles. I spoke privately to those who seemed to be important, in order to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain. - -\s5 -\v 3 But not even Titus, who was with me and who was a Greek, was forced to be circumcised. -\v 4 The false brothers came in secretly to spy on the liberty we have in Christ Jesus. They desired to make us slaves, -\v 5 but we did not yield in submission to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. - -\s5 -\v 6 But those who seemed to be important (whatever they were does not matter to me, God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed important added nothing to me. -\v 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to those who are uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to those who are circumcised. -\v 8 For God, who worked in Peter for the apostleship to those who are circumcised, also worked in me to the Gentiles. - -\s5 -\v 9 When James, Cephas, and John, who were recognized as those who built up the church, understood the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me. They did this so that we should go to the Gentiles, and so that they should go to those who are circumcised. -\v 10 They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing that I was eager to do. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he was declared to be in the wrong. -\v 12 Before certain men came from James, Cephas was eating with the Gentiles. But when these men came, he stopped and kept away from the Gentiles. He was afraid of those who were demanding circumcision. - -\s5 -\v 13 Also the rest of the Jews joined in this hypocrisy. Even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy. -\v 14 But when I saw that their behavior was not following the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of all of them, "If you are a Jew but are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?" - -\s5 -\v 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; -\v 16 yet we know that no person is justified by the works of the law but through faith in Christ Jesus. We also came to faith in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. For by the works of the law no flesh will be justified. - -\s5 -\v 17 But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we too, were found to be sinners, does Christ then promote sin? Absolutely not! -\v 18 For if I rebuild those things I once destroyed, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker. -\v 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. - -\s5 -\v 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -\v 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, then Christ died for nothing! - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Foolish Galatians! Who has put a spell on you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly displayed as crucified. -\v 2 This is the only thing I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard? -\v 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now going to finish by the flesh? - -\s5 -\v 4 Have you suffered so many things for nothing—if indeed it was for nothing? -\v 5 Does he who gives the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith? - -\s5 -\v 6 Just as Abraham "believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness," -\v 7 in the same way, understand, then, that those of faith are the children of Abraham. -\v 8 The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed." -\v 9 So then, those of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. - -\s5 -\v 10 All who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; and so it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the law, and do them." -\v 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because "the righteous will live by faith." -\v 12 But the law is not of faith, rather, "The person who does the works of the law must live by them." - -\s5 -\v 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"— -\v 14 so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. - -\s5 -\p -\v 15 Brothers, let me speak in human terms. In a man-made contract, no one can set it aside or add to it, once it is established by law. -\v 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It does not say, "to descendants," referring to many, but instead to only one, "and to your descendant," who is Christ. - -\s5 -\v 17 Now what I mean is this: The law, which came 430 years afterward, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God. -\v 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, then it no longer comes by promise. But God gave it to Abraham by a promise. - -\s5 -\v 19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of trespasses, until the descendant of Abraham would come to whom the promise had been made. The law was put into force through angels by a mediator. -\v 20 Now a mediator implies more than one person, but God is one. - -\s5 -\v 21 So is the law against the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. -\v 22 But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin. God did this so that the promise to save us by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until faith should be revealed. -\v 24 So then the law became our guardian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. -\v 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. -\v 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. - -\s5 -\v 27 For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. -\v 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. -\v 29 Then if you are Christ's, you are Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to promise. +\mt Galatians\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Paul, an apostle—not an apostle from men nor by human agency, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead ones— +\v 2 and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia: + +\s5 +\v 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, +\v 4 who gave himself for our sins so that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, +\v 5 to him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 I am amazed that you are turning away so quickly from him who called you by the grace of Christ. I am amazed that you are turning to a different gospel. +\v 7 This is not to say that there is another gospel, but there are some men who cause you trouble and want to change the gospel of Christ. + +\s5 +\v 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel other than the one we proclaimed to you, let him be cursed. +\v 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, "If someone proclaims to you a gospel other than the one you received, let him be cursed." +\v 10 For am I now seeking the approval of men or God? Am I seeking to please men? If I am still trying to please men, I am not a servant of Christ. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I proclaimed is not man's gospel. +\v 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it. Instead, it was by revelation of Jesus Christ to me. + +\s5 +\v 13 You have heard about my former life in Judaism, how I was persecuting the church of God beyond measure and that I was trying to destroy it. +\v 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many of those who were my own age, from out of my own people. That is how extremely zealous I was for the traditions of my fathers. + +\s5 +\v 15 But when God, who had set me apart from my mother's womb, and who called me through his grace, +\v 16 was pleased to reveal his Son in me, so that I would proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood. +\v 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me. Instead, I went to Arabia and then returned to Damascus. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas and I stayed with him fifteen days. +\v 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. +\v 20 In what I write to you, I assure you before God, that I am not lying. + +\s5 +\v 21 Then I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. +\v 22 I was still not personally known to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. +\v 23 They only heard it being said, "The man who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." +\v 24 So they glorified God because of me. +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. +\v 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles. I spoke privately to those who seemed to be important, in order to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain. + +\s5 +\v 3 But not even Titus, who was with me and who was a Greek, was forced to be circumcised. +\v 4 The false brothers came in secretly to spy on the liberty we have in Christ Jesus. They desired to make us slaves, +\v 5 but we did not yield in submission to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. + +\s5 +\v 6 But those who seemed to be important (whatever they were does not matter to me, God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed important added nothing to me. +\v 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to those who are uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to those who are circumcised. +\v 8 For God, who worked in Peter for the apostleship to those who are circumcised, also worked in me to the Gentiles. + +\s5 +\v 9 When James, Cephas, and John, who were recognized as those who built up the church, understood the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me. They did this so that we should go to the Gentiles, and so that they should go to those who are circumcised. +\v 10 They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing that I was eager to do. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he was declared to be in the wrong. +\v 12 Before certain men came from James, Cephas was eating with the Gentiles. But when these men came, he stopped and kept away from the Gentiles. He was afraid of those who were demanding circumcision. + +\s5 +\v 13 Also the rest of the Jews joined in this hypocrisy. Even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy. +\v 14 But when I saw that their behavior was not following the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of all of them, "If you are a Jew but are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?" + +\s5 +\v 15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; +\v 16 yet we know that no person is justified by the works of the law but through faith in Christ Jesus. We also came to faith in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. For by the works of the law no flesh will be justified. + +\s5 +\v 17 But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we too, were found to be sinners, does Christ then promote sin? Absolutely not! +\v 18 For if I rebuild those things I once destroyed, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker. +\v 19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. + +\s5 +\v 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. +\v 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, then Christ died for nothing! + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Foolish Galatians! Who has put a spell on you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly displayed as crucified. +\v 2 This is the only thing I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard? +\v 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now going to finish by the flesh? + +\s5 +\v 4 Have you suffered so many things for nothing—if indeed it was for nothing? +\v 5 Does he who gives the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by the works of the law, or by hearing with faith? + +\s5 +\v 6 Just as Abraham "believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness," +\v 7 in the same way, understand, then, that those of faith are the children of Abraham. +\v 8 The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations will be blessed." +\v 9 So then, those of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. + +\s5 +\v 10 All who rely on the works of the law are under a curse; and so it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all the things written in the book of the law, and do them." +\v 11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because "the righteous will live by faith." +\v 12 But the law is not of faith, rather, "The person who does the works of the law must live by them." + +\s5 +\v 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"— +\v 14 so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. + +\s5 +\p +\v 15 Brothers, let me speak in human terms. In a man-made contract, no one can set it aside or add to it, once it is established by law. +\v 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It does not say, "to descendants," referring to many, but instead to only one, "and to your descendant," who is Christ. + +\s5 +\v 17 Now what I mean is this: The law, which came 430 years afterward, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God. +\v 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, then it no longer comes by promise. But God gave it to Abraham by a promise. + +\s5 +\v 19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of trespasses, until the descendant of Abraham would come to whom the promise had been made. The law was put into force through angels by a mediator. +\v 20 Now a mediator implies more than one person, but God is one. + +\s5 +\v 21 So is the law against the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. +\v 22 But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin. God did this so that the promise to save us by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until faith should be revealed. +\v 24 So then the law became our guardian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. +\v 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. +\v 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. + +\s5 +\v 27 For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. +\v 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. +\v 29 Then if you are Christ's, you are Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to promise. \s5 \c 4 @@ -216,91 +216,91 @@ \s5 \v 30 But what does the scripture say? "Send away the slave girl and her son. For the son of the slave girl will not share in the inheritance with the son of the free woman." \v 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of a slave girl, but of the free woman. -\s5 -\c 5 -\p -\v 1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not again be put under the control of a yoke of slavery. -\p -\v 2 Look, I, Paul, say to you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will not benefit you in any way. - -\s5 -\v 3 I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. -\v 4 You are cut off from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you no longer experience grace. - -\s5 -\v 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. -\v 6 In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith working through love. -\v 7 You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth? -\v 8 This persuasion does not come from him who calls you! - -\s5 -\v 9 A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise. -\v 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will pay the penalty, whoever he is. - -\s5 -\v 11 Brothers, if I still proclaim circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. -\v 12 As for those who are disturbing you, I wish they would castrate themselves! - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. But do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the sinful nature; rather, through love serve one another. -\v 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one command: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." -\v 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. - -\s5 -\p -\v 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the sinful nature. -\v 17 For the desires of the sinful nature are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the sinful nature. For these are in conflict with each other, so that you cannot do the things you want. -\v 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. - -\s5 -\v 19 Now the works of the sinful nature are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, -\v 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, rivalry, dissension, divisions, -\v 21 envy, drunkenness, drunken celebrations, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. - -\s5 -\v 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, -\v 23 gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. -\v 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. - -\s5 -\p -\v 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. -\v 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. -\s5 -\c 6 -\p -\v 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Be concerned about yourself, so you also may not be tempted. -\v 2 Carry one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - -\s5 -\v 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. -\v 4 Each one should examine his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in someone else. -\v 5 For each one will carry his own load. - -\s5 -\p -\v 6 The one who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. -\v 7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man plants, that he will also gather in. -\v 8 For he who plants seed to his own sinful nature, from the sinful nature will gather in destruction. The one who plants seed to the Spirit, from the Spirit will gather in eternal life from the Spirit. - -\s5 -\v 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the right time we will gather in a harvest, if we do not give up. -\v 10 So then, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the household of faith. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 See what large letters I write to you with my own hand. -\v 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They do this only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. -\v 13 For not even those who circumcised themselves keep the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. - -\s5 -\v 14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. -\v 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but what counts is a new creation. -\v 16 To all who live according to this standard, peace and mercy be upon them, even upon the Israel of God. - -\s5 -\p -\v 17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I carry on my body the marks of Jesus. -\p -\v 18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. +\s5 +\c 5 +\p +\v 1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not again be put under the control of a yoke of slavery. +\p +\v 2 Look, I, Paul, say to you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will not benefit you in any way. + +\s5 +\v 3 I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. +\v 4 You are cut off from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you no longer experience grace. + +\s5 +\v 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. +\v 6 In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith working through love. +\v 7 You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth? +\v 8 This persuasion does not come from him who calls you! + +\s5 +\v 9 A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise. +\v 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will pay the penalty, whoever he is. + +\s5 +\v 11 Brothers, if I still proclaim circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the stumbling block of the cross has been removed. +\v 12 As for those who are disturbing you, I wish they would castrate themselves! + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. But do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the sinful nature; rather, through love serve one another. +\v 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one command: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." +\v 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. + +\s5 +\p +\v 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the sinful nature. +\v 17 For the desires of the sinful nature are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the sinful nature. For these are in conflict with each other, so that you cannot do the things you want. +\v 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. + +\s5 +\v 19 Now the works of the sinful nature are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, +\v 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, rivalry, dissension, divisions, +\v 21 envy, drunkenness, drunken celebrations, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. + +\s5 +\v 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, +\v 23 gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. +\v 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. + +\s5 +\p +\v 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. +\v 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. +\s5 +\c 6 +\p +\v 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Be concerned about yourself, so you also may not be tempted. +\v 2 Carry one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. + +\s5 +\v 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. +\v 4 Each one should examine his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in someone else. +\v 5 For each one will carry his own load. + +\s5 +\p +\v 6 The one who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. +\v 7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man plants, that he will also gather in. +\v 8 For he who plants seed to his own sinful nature, from the sinful nature will gather in destruction. The one who plants seed to the Spirit, from the Spirit will gather in eternal life from the Spirit. + +\s5 +\v 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the right time we will gather in a harvest, if we do not give up. +\v 10 So then, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the household of faith. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 See what large letters I write to you with my own hand. +\v 12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They do this only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. +\v 13 For not even those who circumcised themselves keep the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. + +\s5 +\v 14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. +\v 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but what counts is a new creation. +\v 16 To all who live according to this standard, peace and mercy be upon them, even upon the Israel of God. + +\s5 +\p +\v 17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I carry on my body the marks of Jesus. +\p +\v 18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. diff --git a/51-PHP.usfm b/51-PHP.usfm index 94d4fb3b..064e5fca 100644 --- a/51-PHP.usfm +++ b/51-PHP.usfm @@ -170,49 +170,49 @@ \s5 \v 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. \v 21 He will transform our lowly bodies into bodies formed like his glorious body, formed by the might of his power to subject all things to himself. - -\s5 -\c 4 -\p -\v 1 Therefore, my beloved brothers whom I long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved friends. -\p -\v 2 I am pleading with Euodia, and I am pleading with Syntyche, be of the same mind in the Lord. -\v 3 Yes, I ask you, my true companion, to help these women who labored with me in spreading the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in The Book of Life. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice. -\v 5 Let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near. -\v 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God, -\v 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is anything excellent, if there is anything to be praised, think about these things. -\v 9 The things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 I greatly rejoice in the Lord because now at last you have renewed your concern for me. You had indeed been concerned for me before, but there was no opportunity for you to help. -\v 11 I am not saying this because I am in need. For I have learned to be content in all circumstances. -\v 12 I know what it is to be poor, and I also know what it is to have plenty. In every way and in all things I have learned the secret of how to be well-fed or to be hungry, and how to have an abundance or to be in need. -\v 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - -\s5 -\v 14 However, you did well to share with me in my difficulties. -\v 15 You Philippians know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church supported me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. -\v 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent help for my needs more than once. -\v 17 It is not that I seek the gift. Instead, I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. - -\s5 -\v 18 I have received everything in full, and even more. I have been well-supplied now that I have received from Epaphroditus the things you sent. They are a sweet-smelling aroma, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. -\v 19 My God will meet all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. -\v 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. - -\s5 -\p -\v 21 Greet every believer in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. -\v 22 All the believers here greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. -\p -\v 23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. -\f + \ft Some versions add, \fqa Amen. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\c 4 +\p +\v 1 Therefore, my beloved brothers whom I long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved friends. +\p +\v 2 I am pleading with Euodia, and I am pleading with Syntyche, be of the same mind in the Lord. +\v 3 Yes, I ask you, my true companion, to help these women who labored with me in spreading the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in The Book of Life. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice. +\v 5 Let your gentleness be known to all people. The Lord is near. +\v 6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God, +\v 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is anything excellent, if there is anything to be praised, think about these things. +\v 9 The things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 I greatly rejoice in the Lord because now at last you have renewed your concern for me. You had indeed been concerned for me before, but there was no opportunity for you to help. +\v 11 I am not saying this because I am in need. For I have learned to be content in all circumstances. +\v 12 I know what it is to be poor, and I also know what it is to have plenty. In every way and in all things I have learned the secret of how to be well-fed or to be hungry, and how to have an abundance or to be in need. +\v 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. + +\s5 +\v 14 However, you did well to share with me in my difficulties. +\v 15 You Philippians know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church supported me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. +\v 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent help for my needs more than once. +\v 17 It is not that I seek the gift. Instead, I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. + +\s5 +\v 18 I have received everything in full, and even more. I have been well-supplied now that I have received from Epaphroditus the things you sent. They are a sweet-smelling aroma, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. +\v 19 My God will meet all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. +\v 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. + +\s5 +\p +\v 21 Greet every believer in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. +\v 22 All the believers here greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. +\p +\v 23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. +\f + \ft Some versions add, \fqa Amen. \fqa* \f* diff --git a/52-COL.usfm b/52-COL.usfm index 1e4d2a62..0affd364 100644 --- a/52-COL.usfm +++ b/52-COL.usfm @@ -4,69 +4,69 @@ \toc1 The Letter of Paul to the Colossians \toc2 Colossians \toc3 Col -\mt Colossians -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, -\v 2 to the believers and faithful brothers in Christ who are at Colossae. May grace be to you, and peace from God our Father. -\f + \ft Some versions add, \fqa and the Lord Jesus Christ. \fqa* \f* -\p -\v 3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we always pray for you. - -\s5 -\v 4 We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all those set apart for God. -\v 5 You have this love because of the certain hope reserved for you in heaven. You heard about this confident expectation before in the word of truth, the gospel, -\v 6 which has come to you. This gospel is bearing fruit and is growing in all the world. It has been doing this in you also from the day you heard it and learned about the grace of God in truth. - -\s5 -\v 7 This is the gospel as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf. -\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa on your behalf. \fqa* \f* -\v 8 Epaphras has made known to us your love in the Spirit. - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 Because of this love, from the day we heard this we have not stopped praying for you. We have been asking that you will be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. -\v 10 We have been praying that you will walk worthily of the Lord in pleasing ways. We have been praying that you will bear fruit in every good deed and that you will grow in the knowledge of God. - -\s5 -\v 11 We pray you may be strengthened in every ability according to the power of his glory into all perseverance and patience. -\v 12 We pray that you will joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has made you able to have a share in the inheritance of the believers in light. -\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa who has made us able to have a share. \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\v 13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. -\v 14 In his Son we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. -\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa In his Son we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\v 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of all creation. -\v 16 For by him all things were created, those in the heavens and those on the earth, the visible and the invisible things. Whether thrones or dominions or governments or authorities, all things were created by him and for him. -\v 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. - -\s5 -\v 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead ones, so he has first place among all things. -\v 19 For God was pleased that all his fullness should live in him, -\v 20 and to reconcile through the Son all things to himself. God made peace through the blood of his cross. God reconciled all things to himself, whether the things on the earth or the things in heaven. - -\s5 -\v 21 At one time, you also were strangers to God and were his enemies in mind and in evil deeds. -\v 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death. He did this in order to present you holy, blameless, and above reproach before him, -\v 23 if you continue in the faith, established and firm, not moved away from the certain hope of the gospel that you heard. This is the gospel that was proclaimed to every person created under heaven. This is the gospel of which I, Paul, became a servant. - -\s5 -\p -\v 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ for the sake of his body, which is the church. -\v 25 It is of this church that I am a servant, according to the responsibility from God that was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God. -\v 26 This is the secret truth that was hidden for ages and for generations. But now it has been revealed to those who believe in him. -\v 27 It is to them that God wanted to make known the riches of the glory of this secret truth among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. - -\s5 -\v 28 This is he whom we proclaim. We admonish every person, and we teach every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ. -\v 29 For this I labor and strive according to his energy that is at work in me in power. - - - +\mt Colossians +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, +\v 2 to the believers and faithful brothers in Christ who are at Colossae. May grace be to you, and peace from God our Father. +\f + \ft Some versions add, \fqa and the Lord Jesus Christ. \fqa* \f* +\p +\v 3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and we always pray for you. + +\s5 +\v 4 We have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all those set apart for God. +\v 5 You have this love because of the certain hope reserved for you in heaven. You heard about this confident expectation before in the word of truth, the gospel, +\v 6 which has come to you. This gospel is bearing fruit and is growing in all the world. It has been doing this in you also from the day you heard it and learned about the grace of God in truth. + +\s5 +\v 7 This is the gospel as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf. +\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa on your behalf. \fqa* \f* +\v 8 Epaphras has made known to us your love in the Spirit. + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 Because of this love, from the day we heard this we have not stopped praying for you. We have been asking that you will be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. +\v 10 We have been praying that you will walk worthily of the Lord in pleasing ways. We have been praying that you will bear fruit in every good deed and that you will grow in the knowledge of God. + +\s5 +\v 11 We pray you may be strengthened in every ability according to the power of his glory into all perseverance and patience. +\v 12 We pray that you will joyfully give thanks to the Father, who has made you able to have a share in the inheritance of the believers in light. +\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa who has made us able to have a share. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\v 13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. +\v 14 In his Son we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. +\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa In his Son we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\v 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of all creation. +\v 16 For by him all things were created, those in the heavens and those on the earth, the visible and the invisible things. Whether thrones or dominions or governments or authorities, all things were created by him and for him. +\v 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. + +\s5 +\v 18 He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead ones, so he has first place among all things. +\v 19 For God was pleased that all his fullness should live in him, +\v 20 and to reconcile through the Son all things to himself. God made peace through the blood of his cross. God reconciled all things to himself, whether the things on the earth or the things in heaven. + +\s5 +\v 21 At one time, you also were strangers to God and were his enemies in mind and in evil deeds. +\v 22 But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death. He did this in order to present you holy, blameless, and above reproach before him, +\v 23 if you continue in the faith, established and firm, not moved away from the certain hope of the gospel that you heard. This is the gospel that was proclaimed to every person created under heaven. This is the gospel of which I, Paul, became a servant. + +\s5 +\p +\v 24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ for the sake of his body, which is the church. +\v 25 It is of this church that I am a servant, according to the responsibility from God that was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God. +\v 26 This is the secret truth that was hidden for ages and for generations. But now it has been revealed to those who believe in him. +\v 27 It is to them that God wanted to make known the riches of the glory of this secret truth among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. + +\s5 +\v 28 This is he whom we proclaim. We admonish every person, and we teach every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ. +\v 29 For this I labor and strive according to his energy that is at work in me in power. + + + \s5 \c 2 @@ -115,52 +115,52 @@ \v 21 "Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch"? \v 22 All these things are destined for corruption with use, according to the instructions and teachings of men. \v 23 These rules have the wisdom of self-made religion and humility and severity of the body. But they have no value against the indulgence of the flesh. - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 If then God has raised you with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. -\v 2 Think about the things above, not about the things on earth. -\v 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. -\v 4 When Christ appears, who is your life, then you will also appear with him in glory. -\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa When Christ appears, who is our life, then you will also appear with him in glory. \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 5 Put to death, then, the members that are on earth—sexual immorality, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. -\v 6 It is for these things that the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. -\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa It is for these things that the wrath of God is coming. \fqa* \f* -\v 7 It is in these things that you also once walked when you lived in them. -\v 8 But now you must get rid of all these things—wrath, anger, evil intentions, insults, and obscene speech from your mouth. - -\s5 -\v 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old man with its practices, -\v 10 and you have put on the new man that is being made new in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. -\v 11 This is where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman, but Christ is all, and is in all. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. -\v 13 Bear with one another. Be gracious to each other. If someone has a complaint against someone else, forgive in the same way that the Lord has forgiven you. -\v 14 Above all these things, have love, which is the bond of perfection. - -\s5 -\v 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. It was for this peace that you were called in one body. And be thankful. -\v 16 Let the word of Christ live in you richly. With all wisdom teach and admonish one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Sing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. -\v 17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as it is appropriate in the Lord. -\v 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter against them. -\v 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing in the Lord. -\v 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they will not be discouraged. - -\s5 -\v 22 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things, not with eyeservice as people pleasers, but with a sincere heart. Fear the Lord. -\v 23 Whatever you do, work from the soul as to the Lord and not as to people. -\v 24 You know that you will receive from the Lord the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. -\v 25 For anyone who does unrighteousness will receive the penalty for the unrighteousness that he did, and there is no partiality. + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 If then God has raised you with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. +\v 2 Think about the things above, not about the things on earth. +\v 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. +\v 4 When Christ appears, who is your life, then you will also appear with him in glory. +\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa When Christ appears, who is our life, then you will also appear with him in glory. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 5 Put to death, then, the members that are on earth—sexual immorality, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. +\v 6 It is for these things that the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. +\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa It is for these things that the wrath of God is coming. \fqa* \f* +\v 7 It is in these things that you also once walked when you lived in them. +\v 8 But now you must get rid of all these things—wrath, anger, evil intentions, insults, and obscene speech from your mouth. + +\s5 +\v 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old man with its practices, +\v 10 and you have put on the new man that is being made new in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it. +\v 11 This is where there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman, but Christ is all, and is in all. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. +\v 13 Bear with one another. Be gracious to each other. If someone has a complaint against someone else, forgive in the same way that the Lord has forgiven you. +\v 14 Above all these things, have love, which is the bond of perfection. + +\s5 +\v 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. It was for this peace that you were called in one body. And be thankful. +\v 16 Let the word of Christ live in you richly. With all wisdom teach and admonish one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Sing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. +\v 17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as it is appropriate in the Lord. +\v 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be bitter against them. +\v 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing in the Lord. +\v 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so that they will not be discouraged. + +\s5 +\v 22 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things, not with eyeservice as people pleasers, but with a sincere heart. Fear the Lord. +\v 23 Whatever you do, work from the soul as to the Lord and not as to people. +\v 24 You know that you will receive from the Lord the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. +\v 25 For anyone who does unrighteousness will receive the penalty for the unrighteousness that he did, and there is no partiality. \s5 \c 4 diff --git a/53-1TH.usfm b/53-1TH.usfm index 2e4b3c83..93dad73b 100644 --- a/53-1TH.usfm +++ b/53-1TH.usfm @@ -74,35 +74,35 @@ \v 18 For we wished to come to you—I, Paul, wished to come to you once and again—but Satan stopped us. \v 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of pride in front of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you just as much as others? \v 20 For you are our glory and our joy. -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Therefore, when we could no longer bear it, we thought it was good to be left behind at Athens alone. -\v 2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and comfort you regarding your faith. -\f + \ft Some other versions read, \fqa We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the gospel of Christ. \fqa* \f* -\v 3 We did this so that no one would be shaken by these sufferings. For yourselves know that for this we have been appointed. - -\s5 -\v 4 Truly, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were about to suffer affliction, and that happened, as you know. -\v 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I sent that I might know about your faith. Perhaps the tempter had somehow tempted you, and our labor was in vain. - -\s5 -\v 6 But Timothy came to us from you and brought us the good news of your faith and love. He told us that you always have good memories of us, and that you long to see us just as we also long to see you. -\v 7 Because of this, brothers, we were comforted by you because of your faith, in all our distress and affliction. - -\s5 -\v 8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. -\v 9 For what thanks can we give to God for you, for all the joy that we have before our God over you? -\v 10 Night and day we pray very hard that we may see your face and provide what is lacking in your faith. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 May our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. -\v 12 May the Lord make you increase and abound in love one for another and toward all people, as we also do for you. -\v 13 May he strengthen your hearts, so that they will be blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. - - - +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Therefore, when we could no longer bear it, we thought it was good to be left behind at Athens alone. +\v 2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and comfort you regarding your faith. +\f + \ft Some other versions read, \fqa We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the gospel of Christ. \fqa* \f* +\v 3 We did this so that no one would be shaken by these sufferings. For yourselves know that for this we have been appointed. + +\s5 +\v 4 Truly, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were about to suffer affliction, and that happened, as you know. +\v 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I sent that I might know about your faith. Perhaps the tempter had somehow tempted you, and our labor was in vain. + +\s5 +\v 6 But Timothy came to us from you and brought us the good news of your faith and love. He told us that you always have good memories of us, and that you long to see us just as we also long to see you. +\v 7 Because of this, brothers, we were comforted by you because of your faith, in all our distress and affliction. + +\s5 +\v 8 For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. +\v 9 For what thanks can we give to God for you, for all the joy that we have before our God over you? +\v 10 Night and day we pray very hard that we may see your face and provide what is lacking in your faith. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 May our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. +\v 12 May the Lord make you increase and abound in love one for another and toward all people, as we also do for you. +\v 13 May he strengthen your hearts, so that they will be blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. + + + \s5 diff --git a/55-1TI.usfm b/55-1TI.usfm index 9b237585..6f63939f 100644 --- a/55-1TI.usfm +++ b/55-1TI.usfm @@ -70,45 +70,45 @@ \v 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. \v 14 Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. \v 15 However, she will be saved through bearing children, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with soundness of mind. - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 This saying is trustworthy: If someone desires to be an overseer, he desires a good work. -\v 2 Therefore the overseer must be without reproach. He must be a husband of one wife. He must be moderate, sensible, orderly, and hospitable. He must be able to teach. -\v 3 He must not be addicted to wine, not a brawler, but instead, gentle, peaceful. He must not be a lover of money. - -\s5 -\v 4 He should manage his own household well, and his children should obey him with all respect. -\v 5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for a church of God? -\s5 -\v 6 He should not be a new convert, so that he does not swell with pride and might fall into condemnation as the devil. -\v 7 He must also have a good reputation with those outside, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil. - -\s5 -\v 8 Deacons, likewise, should be dignified, not double-talkers. They should not drink too much wine or be greedy. -\v 9 They should keep the revealed truth of the faith with a clean conscience. -\v 10 They should also be approved first, then they should serve because they are blameless. - -\s5 -\v 11 Women in the same way should be dignified. They should not be slanderers. They should be moderate and faithful in all things. -\v 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife. They must manage well their children and household. -\v 13 For those who have served well acquire for themselves a good standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 I am writing these things to you, and I expect to come to you soon. -\v 15 But if I delay, I am writing so that you may know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. - -\s5 -\v 16 It is undeniable that the revealed truth of godliness is great: -\q "He appeared in the flesh, -\q was justified by the Spirit, -\q was seen by angels, -\q was proclaimed among nations, -\q was believed on in the world, -\q and was taken up in glory." + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 This saying is trustworthy: If someone desires to be an overseer, he desires a good work. +\v 2 Therefore the overseer must be without reproach. He must be a husband of one wife. He must be moderate, sensible, orderly, and hospitable. He must be able to teach. +\v 3 He must not be addicted to wine, not a brawler, but instead, gentle, peaceful. He must not be a lover of money. + +\s5 +\v 4 He should manage his own household well, and his children should obey him with all respect. +\v 5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for a church of God? +\s5 +\v 6 He should not be a new convert, so that he does not swell with pride and might fall into condemnation as the devil. +\v 7 He must also have a good reputation with those outside, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the trap of the devil. + +\s5 +\v 8 Deacons, likewise, should be dignified, not double-talkers. They should not drink too much wine or be greedy. +\v 9 They should keep the revealed truth of the faith with a clean conscience. +\v 10 They should also be approved first, then they should serve because they are blameless. + +\s5 +\v 11 Women in the same way should be dignified. They should not be slanderers. They should be moderate and faithful in all things. +\v 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife. They must manage well their children and household. +\v 13 For those who have served well acquire for themselves a good standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 I am writing these things to you, and I expect to come to you soon. +\v 15 But if I delay, I am writing so that you may know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. + +\s5 +\v 16 It is undeniable that the revealed truth of godliness is great: +\q "He appeared in the flesh, +\q was justified by the Spirit, +\q was seen by angels, +\q was proclaimed among nations, +\q was believed on in the world, +\q and was taken up in glory." \s5 diff --git a/56-2TI.usfm b/56-2TI.usfm index 8fb170e7..75f1ab6b 100644 --- a/56-2TI.usfm +++ b/56-2TI.usfm @@ -42,62 +42,62 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. -\v 2 The things you heard from me among many witnesses, entrust them to faithful people who will be able to teach others also. - -\s5 -\v 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. -\v 4 No soldier serves while entangled in the affairs of this life, so that he may please his superior officer. -\v 5 Also, if someone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes by the rules. - -\s5 -\v 6 It is necessary that the hardworking farmer receive his share of the crops first. -\v 7 Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. - -\s5 -\v 8 Remember Jesus Christ, from David's seed, who was raised from the dead ones. This is according to my gospel message, -\v 9 for which I am suffering to the point of being bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. -\v 10 Therefore I endure all things for those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. - -\s5 -\v 11 This is a trustworthy saying: -\q "If we have died with him, we will also live with him. -\q -\v 12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. -\q If we deny him, he also will deny us. -\q -\v 13 if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, -\q -for he cannot deny himself." -\m - -\s5 -\p -\v 14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. \f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa Warn them before the Lord.\f* -\v 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no reason to be ashamed, who accurately teaches the word of truth. -\s5 -\v 16 Avoid profane talk, which leads to more and more godlessness. -\v 17 Their talk will spread like cancer. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, -\v 18 who have gone astray from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already happened, and they destroy the faith of some. -\s5 -\v 19 However, the firm foundation of God stands. It has this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his" and "Everyone who names the name of the Lord must depart from unrighteousness." -\v 20 In a wealthy home, there are not only containers of gold and silver. There are also containers of wood and clay. Some of these are for honorable use, and some for dishonorable. -\v 21 If someone cleans himself from dishonorable use, he is an honorable container. He is set apart, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. -\s5 -\v 22 Flee youthful lusts. Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a clean heart. -\v 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questions. You know that they give birth to arguments. -\s5 -\v 24 The Lord's servant must not quarrel. Instead he must be gentle toward all, able to teach, and patient. -\v 25 He must in meekness educate those who oppose him. God may perhaps give them repentance for the knowledge of the truth. -\v 26 They may become sober again and leave the devil's trap, after they have been captured by him for his will. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. +\v 2 The things you heard from me among many witnesses, entrust them to faithful people who will be able to teach others also. + +\s5 +\v 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. +\v 4 No soldier serves while entangled in the affairs of this life, so that he may please his superior officer. +\v 5 Also, if someone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes by the rules. + +\s5 +\v 6 It is necessary that the hardworking farmer receive his share of the crops first. +\v 7 Think about what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. + +\s5 +\v 8 Remember Jesus Christ, from David's seed, who was raised from the dead ones. This is according to my gospel message, +\v 9 for which I am suffering to the point of being bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. +\v 10 Therefore I endure all things for those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. + +\s5 +\v 11 This is a trustworthy saying: +\q "If we have died with him, we will also live with him. +\q +\v 12 If we endure, we will also reign with him. +\q If we deny him, he also will deny us. +\q +\v 13 if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, +\q +for he cannot deny himself." +\m + +\s5 +\p +\v 14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. \f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa Warn them before the Lord.\f* +\v 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no reason to be ashamed, who accurately teaches the word of truth. +\s5 +\v 16 Avoid profane talk, which leads to more and more godlessness. +\v 17 Their talk will spread like cancer. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, +\v 18 who have gone astray from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already happened, and they destroy the faith of some. +\s5 +\v 19 However, the firm foundation of God stands. It has this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his" and "Everyone who names the name of the Lord must depart from unrighteousness." +\v 20 In a wealthy home, there are not only containers of gold and silver. There are also containers of wood and clay. Some of these are for honorable use, and some for dishonorable. +\v 21 If someone cleans himself from dishonorable use, he is an honorable container. He is set apart, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. +\s5 +\v 22 Flee youthful lusts. Pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a clean heart. +\v 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant questions. You know that they give birth to arguments. +\s5 +\v 24 The Lord's servant must not quarrel. Instead he must be gentle toward all, able to teach, and patient. +\v 25 He must in meekness educate those who oppose him. God may perhaps give them repentance for the knowledge of the truth. +\v 26 They may become sober again and leave the devil's trap, after they have been captured by him for his will. + + + \s5 diff --git a/57-TIT.usfm b/57-TIT.usfm index ff20f192..9c14e7e9 100644 --- a/57-TIT.usfm +++ b/57-TIT.usfm @@ -4,39 +4,39 @@ \toc1 The Letter of Paul to Titus \toc2 Titus \toc3 Tit -\mt Titus\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God's chosen people and the knowledge of the truth that agrees with godliness, -\v 2 with the certain hope of everlasting life that God, who does not lie, promised before all the ages of time. -\v 3 At the right time, he revealed his word by the message that he trusted me to deliver. I was to do this by the command of God our savior. - -\s5 -\v 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior. -\p -\v 5 For this purpose I left you in Crete, that you might set in order things not yet complete and ordain elders in every city as I directed you. - -\s5 -\v 6 An elder must be without blame, the husband of one wife, with faithful children not accused of reckless behavior or undisciplined. -\v 7 It is necessary for the overseer, as God's household manager, to be blameless. He must not be loud or unrestrained. He must not be easily angered, not addicted to wine, not a brawler, and not a greedy man. - -\s5 -\v 8 Instead, he should be hospitable, a friend of what is good. He must be sensible, righteous, godly, and self-controlled. -\v 9 He should hold tightly to the trustworthy message that was taught, so that he may be able to encourage others with good teaching and correct those who oppose him. - -\s5 -\p -\v 10 For there are many rebellious people, especially those of the circumcision. Their words are worthless. They deceive and lead people in the wrong direction. -\v 11 It is necessary to stop them. They teach what they should not teach for shameful profit and break up whole families. -\s5 -\v 12 One of them, a wise man of theirs, said, "Cretans are unceasing liars, bad and dangerous animals, lazy bellies." -\v 13 This statement is true, so correct them severely so that they may be sound in the faith. -\s5 -\v 14 Do not pay any attention to Jewish myths or to the commandments of men who turn back the truth. - -\s5 -\v 15 To those who are pure, all things are pure. But to those who are stained and unbelieving, nothing is pure. For their minds and consciences have been stained. -\v 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds. They are detestable and disobedient. They are unapproved for any good deed. +\mt Titus\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of God's chosen people and the knowledge of the truth that agrees with godliness, +\v 2 with the certain hope of everlasting life that God, who does not lie, promised before all the ages of time. +\v 3 At the right time, he revealed his word by the message that he trusted me to deliver. I was to do this by the command of God our savior. + +\s5 +\v 4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith. Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior. +\p +\v 5 For this purpose I left you in Crete, that you might set in order things not yet complete and ordain elders in every city as I directed you. + +\s5 +\v 6 An elder must be without blame, the husband of one wife, with faithful children not accused of reckless behavior or undisciplined. +\v 7 It is necessary for the overseer, as God's household manager, to be blameless. He must not be loud or unrestrained. He must not be easily angered, not addicted to wine, not a brawler, and not a greedy man. + +\s5 +\v 8 Instead, he should be hospitable, a friend of what is good. He must be sensible, righteous, godly, and self-controlled. +\v 9 He should hold tightly to the trustworthy message that was taught, so that he may be able to encourage others with good teaching and correct those who oppose him. + +\s5 +\p +\v 10 For there are many rebellious people, especially those of the circumcision. Their words are worthless. They deceive and lead people in the wrong direction. +\v 11 It is necessary to stop them. They teach what they should not teach for shameful profit and break up whole families. +\s5 +\v 12 One of them, a wise man of theirs, said, "Cretans are unceasing liars, bad and dangerous animals, lazy bellies." +\v 13 This statement is true, so correct them severely so that they may be sound in the faith. +\s5 +\v 14 Do not pay any attention to Jewish myths or to the commandments of men who turn back the truth. + +\s5 +\v 15 To those who are pure, all things are pure. But to those who are stained and unbelieving, nothing is pure. For their minds and consciences have been stained. +\v 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds. They are detestable and disobedient. They are unapproved for any good deed. \s5 \c 2 \p diff --git a/59-HEB.usfm b/59-HEB.usfm index f3802867..c02008d3 100644 --- a/59-HEB.usfm +++ b/59-HEB.usfm @@ -272,65 +272,65 @@ \s5 \v 19 We have this as a secure and reliable anchor for the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, \v 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered into that place on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. -\s5 -\c 7 -\p -\v 1 It was this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. -\v 2 It was to him that Abraham gave a tenth of everything. His name "Melchizedek" means "king of righteousness." His other title is "king of Salem," that is, "king of peace." -\v 3 He is without father, without mother, without ancestors, with neither beginning of days nor end of life. Instead, he resembles the Son of God, because he remains a priest forever. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 See how great this man was. Our ancestor Abraham gave a tenth of the things that he had taken in battle. -\v 5 On one hand, the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a command from the law to collect tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, even though they, too, have come from Abraham's body. -\v 6 But on the other hand, Melchizedek, whose descent was not traced from them, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him, the one who had the promises. - -\s5 -\v 7 There is no denying that the lesser person is blessed by the greater person. -\v 8 In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives on. -\v 9 And, in a manner of speaking, Levi, who received tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham, -\v 10 because Levi was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Now if perfection were possible through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the manner of Melchizedek, and not be considered to be after the manner of Aaron? -\v 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed. - -\s5 -\v 13 For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. -\v 14 Now clearly, it is from Judah that our Lord was born, a tribe that Moses never mentioned concerning priests. - -\s5 -\v 15 What we say is clearer yet if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek. -\v 16 It was not based on the law of fleshly descent that he became a priest, but instead was based on the power of an everlasting life. -\v 17 For scripture witnesses about him: -\q "You are a priest forever -\q after the manner of Melchizedek." - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 For the former regulation is set aside because it is weak and useless, -\v 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, through which we come near to God. - -\s5 -\v 20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, -\v 21 but he became a priest when God said to him, -\q "The Lord has sworn and he will not change his mind: -\q 'You are a priest forever.'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 22 By this also Jesus has given the guarantee of a better covenant. -\v 23 The former priests were many in number, since death prevented them from continuing in office. -\v 24 But because Jesus continues to live forever, he has a permanent priesthood. - -\s5 -\v 25 Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. -\v 26 For such a high priest is suitable for us. He is sinless, blameless, pure, separated from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. - -\s5 -\v 27 He does not need, unlike the high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He did this once for all, when he offered himself. -\v 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses. But the word of the oath, which came after the law, appointed a Son, who has been made perfect forever. +\s5 +\c 7 +\p +\v 1 It was this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. +\v 2 It was to him that Abraham gave a tenth of everything. His name "Melchizedek" means "king of righteousness." His other title is "king of Salem," that is, "king of peace." +\v 3 He is without father, without mother, without ancestors, with neither beginning of days nor end of life. Instead, he resembles the Son of God, because he remains a priest forever. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 See how great this man was. Our ancestor Abraham gave a tenth of the things that he had taken in battle. +\v 5 On one hand, the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a command from the law to collect tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, even though they, too, have come from Abraham's body. +\v 6 But on the other hand, Melchizedek, whose descent was not traced from them, received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him, the one who had the promises. + +\s5 +\v 7 There is no denying that the lesser person is blessed by the greater person. +\v 8 In this case, mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives on. +\v 9 And, in a manner of speaking, Levi, who received tithes, also paid tithes through Abraham, +\v 10 because Levi was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Now if perfection were possible through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the manner of Melchizedek, and not be considered to be after the manner of Aaron? +\v 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed. + +\s5 +\v 13 For the one about whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. +\v 14 Now clearly, it is from Judah that our Lord was born, a tribe that Moses never mentioned concerning priests. + +\s5 +\v 15 What we say is clearer yet if another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek. +\v 16 It was not based on the law of fleshly descent that he became a priest, but instead was based on the power of an everlasting life. +\v 17 For scripture witnesses about him: +\q "You are a priest forever +\q after the manner of Melchizedek." + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 For the former regulation is set aside because it is weak and useless, +\v 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, through which we come near to God. + +\s5 +\v 20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, +\v 21 but he became a priest when God said to him, +\q "The Lord has sworn and he will not change his mind: +\q 'You are a priest forever.'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 22 By this also Jesus has given the guarantee of a better covenant. +\v 23 The former priests were many in number, since death prevented them from continuing in office. +\v 24 But because Jesus continues to live forever, he has a permanent priesthood. + +\s5 +\v 25 Therefore he is also able to save completely those who approach God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. +\v 26 For such a high priest is suitable for us. He is sinless, blameless, pure, separated from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. + +\s5 +\v 27 He does not need, unlike the high priests, to offer up daily sacrifices, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He did this once for all, when he offered himself. +\v 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses. But the word of the oath, which came after the law, appointed a Son, who has been made perfect forever. \s5 \c 8 \p @@ -378,62 +378,62 @@ \s5 \p \v 13 By calling this covenant "new," he declared the first covenant to be old, and what has become old and obsolete will soon disappear. -\s5 -\c 9 -\p -\v 1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. -\v 2 For a tabernacle was prepared. The first room, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the presence, was called the holy place. - -\s5 -\v 3 Behind the second curtain was another room, called the most holy place. -\v 4 It had a golden altar for incense. It also had the ark of the covenant, which was completely overlaid with gold. Inside it was a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. -\v 5 Above the ark of the covenant, glorious cherubim overshadowed the atonement lid, which we cannot now talk about in detail. - -\s5 -\v 6 After these things were prepared, the priests always entered the outer room of the tabernacle to perform their services. -\v 7 But only the high priest entered the second room once each year, and not without blood that he offered for himself and for the people's unintentional sins. - -\s5 -\v 8 The Holy Spirit showed that the way into the most holy place had not yet appeared as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. -\v 9 This was an illustration for the present time. Both the gifts and sacrifices that are now being offered are not able to perfect the worshiper's conscience. -\v 10 They are only concerned with food and drink and various ceremonial washings, regulations for the body until the time of the new order. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come. He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that was not made by human hands, one not belonging to this created world. -\f + \ft Other versions read, \fqa Christ came as a high priest of the good things that are to come. \fqa* \f* -\v 12 It was not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood that he entered into the most holy place once for all and secured our eternal redemption. - -\s5 -\v 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes on those who have become unclean sets them apart to God for the cleansing of their flesh, -\v 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? -\v 15 For this reason, he is the mediator of a new covenant. This is so that, since a death has taken place to free those under the first covenant from their sins, those who are called will receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. - -\s5 -\v 16 For where there is a will, the death of the person who made it must be proven. -\v 17 For a will is only in force when there has been a death, because it has no force while the one who made it is still alive. - -\s5 -\v 18 So not even the first covenant was established without blood. -\v 19 For when Moses had given every command in the law to all the people, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water, red wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people. -\v 20 Then he said, "This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you." - -\s5 -\v 21 In the same manner, he sprinkled the blood on the tabernacle and all the containers used in the service. -\v 22 According to the law, almost everything is cleansed with blood. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. - -\s5 -\p -\v 23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in heaven should be cleansed with these animal sacrifices. However, the heavenly things themselves had to be cleansed with much better sacrifices. -\v 24 For Christ did not enter into the most holy place made with hands, which is only a copy of the true one. Instead he entered into heaven itself, to appear now in God's presence for us. - -\s5 -\v 25 He did not go there in order to offer himself many times, as does the high priest, who enters the most holy place year by year with the blood of another. -\v 26 If that had been the case, then it would have been necessary for him to suffer many times since the world's foundation. But now it is just one time at the end of the ages that he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. - -\s5 -\v 27 Every person is destined to die once, and after that comes judgment. -\v 28 In the same way, Christ also, who was offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but for the salvation of those who are waiting patiently for him. +\s5 +\c 9 +\p +\v 1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. +\v 2 For a tabernacle was prepared. The first room, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of the presence, was called the holy place. + +\s5 +\v 3 Behind the second curtain was another room, called the most holy place. +\v 4 It had a golden altar for incense. It also had the ark of the covenant, which was completely overlaid with gold. Inside it was a golden jar holding the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. +\v 5 Above the ark of the covenant, glorious cherubim overshadowed the atonement lid, which we cannot now talk about in detail. + +\s5 +\v 6 After these things were prepared, the priests always entered the outer room of the tabernacle to perform their services. +\v 7 But only the high priest entered the second room once each year, and not without blood that he offered for himself and for the people's unintentional sins. + +\s5 +\v 8 The Holy Spirit showed that the way into the most holy place had not yet appeared as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. +\v 9 This was an illustration for the present time. Both the gifts and sacrifices that are now being offered are not able to perfect the worshiper's conscience. +\v 10 They are only concerned with food and drink and various ceremonial washings, regulations for the body until the time of the new order. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come. He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that was not made by human hands, one not belonging to this created world. +\f + \ft Other versions read, \fqa Christ came as a high priest of the good things that are to come. \fqa* \f* +\v 12 It was not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood that he entered into the most holy place once for all and secured our eternal redemption. + +\s5 +\v 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes on those who have become unclean sets them apart to God for the cleansing of their flesh, +\v 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? +\v 15 For this reason, he is the mediator of a new covenant. This is so that, since a death has taken place to free those under the first covenant from their sins, those who are called will receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. + +\s5 +\v 16 For where there is a will, the death of the person who made it must be proven. +\v 17 For a will is only in force when there has been a death, because it has no force while the one who made it is still alive. + +\s5 +\v 18 So not even the first covenant was established without blood. +\v 19 For when Moses had given every command in the law to all the people, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water, red wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the scroll itself and all the people. +\v 20 Then he said, "This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you." + +\s5 +\v 21 In the same manner, he sprinkled the blood on the tabernacle and all the containers used in the service. +\v 22 According to the law, almost everything is cleansed with blood. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. + +\s5 +\p +\v 23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in heaven should be cleansed with these animal sacrifices. However, the heavenly things themselves had to be cleansed with much better sacrifices. +\v 24 For Christ did not enter into the most holy place made with hands, which is only a copy of the true one. Instead he entered into heaven itself, to appear now in God's presence for us. + +\s5 +\v 25 He did not go there in order to offer himself many times, as does the high priest, who enters the most holy place year by year with the blood of another. +\v 26 If that had been the case, then it would have been necessary for him to suffer many times since the world's foundation. But now it is just one time at the end of the ages that he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. + +\s5 +\v 27 Every person is destined to die once, and after that comes judgment. +\v 28 In the same way, Christ also, who was offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but for the salvation of those who are waiting patiently for him. \s5 \c 10 \p @@ -522,81 +522,81 @@ \q If he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." \p \v 39 But we are not any of those who turn back to destruction. Instead, we are some of those who have faith for keeping our soul. -\s5 -\c 11 -\p -\v 1 Now faith is the assurance about the things we hoped for, being convinced of things we do not see. -\v 2 For because of this the ancestors were approved for their faith. -\v 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by God's command, so that what is visible was not made out of things that were visible. - -\s5 -\v 4 It was by faith that Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, and God spoke well of him because of his offerings, and by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. - -\s5 -\v 5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death. "He was not found, because God took him." For before he was taken up, it was testified that he had pleased God. -\v 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him. For it is necessary that anyone coming to God must believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. - -\s5 -\v 7 It was by faith that Noah, having been given a divine message about things not yet seen, with godly reverence built a ship to save his household. By doing this, he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith. - -\s5 -\v 8 It was by faith that Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. -\v 9 It was by faith that he lived in the land of promise as a foreigner. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise. -\v 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. - -\s5 -\v 11 It was by faith, even though Sarah herself was barren, that Abraham received ability to father a child. This happened even though he was too old, since he considered as faithful the one who had given the promise. -\f + \ft There is some question about whether it was Abraham's faith or Sarah's faith that was in view. \fqa By faith Sarah, though she was old, received the power to have a child, even though she was too old to bear a child, since she considered the one who gave the promise to be faithful. \f* -\v 12 Therefore, from this one man—and he was almost dead—were born descendants as many as the stars in the sky and as countless as sand by the seashore. - -\s5 -\v 13 It was in faith that all these died without receiving the promises. Instead, after seeing and greeting them from far off, they admitted that they were foreigners and exiles on earth. -\v 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. - -\s5 -\v 15 If they had been thinking of the country from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. -\v 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, since he has prepared a city for them. -\s5 -\v 17 It was by faith that Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac. It was his only son whom he offered, he who had received the promises. -\v 18 It was Abraham to whom it had been said, "It is through Isaac that your descendants will be named." -\v 19 Abraham reasoned that God was able to raise up Isaac from the dead ones, and figuratively speaking, it was from them that he received him back. - -\s5 -\v 20 It was also by faith about things to come that Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. -\v 21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons. Jacob worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. -\v 22 It was by faith that Joseph, when his end was near, spoke of the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt and instructed them about his bones. - -\s5 -\v 23 It was by faith that Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw he was a beautiful child. They were not afraid of the king's command. -\v 24 It was by faith that Moses, after he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. -\v 25 Instead, he chose to suffer with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a while. -\v 26 He reasoned that the disgrace of following Christ was greater riches than Egypt's treasures. For he was fixing his eyes on his reward. - -\s5 -\v 27 It was by faith that Moses left Egypt. He did not fear the king's anger, for he endured as if he were seeing -the one who is invisible. -\v 28 It was by faith that he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch the Israelites' firstborn sons. - -\s5 -\v 29 It was by faith that they passed through the Sea of Reeds as if over dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do this, they were swallowed up. -\v 30 It was by faith that Jericho's walls fell down, after they had been circled around for seven days. -\v 31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. - -\s5 -\v 32 What more can I say? For the time will fail me if I tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and about the prophets. -\v 33 It was through faith that they conquered kingdoms, worked justice, and received promises. They stopped the mouths of lions, -\v 34 extinguished the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were healed of illnesses, became mighty in battle, and defeated foreign armies. - -\s5 -\v 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might experience a better resurrection. -\v 36 Others had testing in mocking and whippings, and even chains and imprisonment. -\v 37 They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were killed with the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins. They were destitute, oppressed, mistreated. -\f + \ft Some older versions read, \fqa They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were put to the test. They were killed with the sword. \fqa* \f* -\v 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in wildernesses, mountains, caves, and in the holes in the ground. - -\s5 -\v 39 Although all these people were approved by God because of their faith, they did not receive the promise. -\v 40 God planned something better for us, so that without us, they would not be made perfect. +\s5 +\c 11 +\p +\v 1 Now faith is the assurance about the things we hoped for, being convinced of things we do not see. +\v 2 For because of this the ancestors were approved for their faith. +\v 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by God's command, so that what is visible was not made out of things that were visible. + +\s5 +\v 4 It was by faith that Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, and God spoke well of him because of his offerings, and by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. + +\s5 +\v 5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death. "He was not found, because God took him." For before he was taken up, it was testified that he had pleased God. +\v 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him. For it is necessary that anyone coming to God must believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. + +\s5 +\v 7 It was by faith that Noah, having been given a divine message about things not yet seen, with godly reverence built a ship to save his household. By doing this, he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that is according to faith. + +\s5 +\v 8 It was by faith that Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. +\v 9 It was by faith that he lived in the land of promise as a foreigner. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise. +\v 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. + +\s5 +\v 11 It was by faith, even though Sarah herself was barren, that Abraham received ability to father a child. This happened even though he was too old, since he considered as faithful the one who had given the promise. +\f + \ft There is some question about whether it was Abraham's faith or Sarah's faith that was in view. \fqa By faith Sarah, though she was old, received the power to have a child, even though she was too old to bear a child, since she considered the one who gave the promise to be faithful. \f* +\v 12 Therefore, from this one man—and he was almost dead—were born descendants as many as the stars in the sky and as countless as sand by the seashore. + +\s5 +\v 13 It was in faith that all these died without receiving the promises. Instead, after seeing and greeting them from far off, they admitted that they were foreigners and exiles on earth. +\v 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. + +\s5 +\v 15 If they had been thinking of the country from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. +\v 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, since he has prepared a city for them. +\s5 +\v 17 It was by faith that Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac. It was his only son whom he offered, he who had received the promises. +\v 18 It was Abraham to whom it had been said, "It is through Isaac that your descendants will be named." +\v 19 Abraham reasoned that God was able to raise up Isaac from the dead ones, and figuratively speaking, it was from them that he received him back. + +\s5 +\v 20 It was also by faith about things to come that Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. +\v 21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons. Jacob worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. +\v 22 It was by faith that Joseph, when his end was near, spoke of the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt and instructed them about his bones. + +\s5 +\v 23 It was by faith that Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents because they saw he was a beautiful child. They were not afraid of the king's command. +\v 24 It was by faith that Moses, after he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. +\v 25 Instead, he chose to suffer with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a while. +\v 26 He reasoned that the disgrace of following Christ was greater riches than Egypt's treasures. For he was fixing his eyes on his reward. + +\s5 +\v 27 It was by faith that Moses left Egypt. He did not fear the king's anger, for he endured as if he were seeing +the one who is invisible. +\v 28 It was by faith that he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch the Israelites' firstborn sons. + +\s5 +\v 29 It was by faith that they passed through the Sea of Reeds as if over dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do this, they were swallowed up. +\v 30 It was by faith that Jericho's walls fell down, after they had been circled around for seven days. +\v 31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. + +\s5 +\v 32 What more can I say? For the time will fail me if I tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and about the prophets. +\v 33 It was through faith that they conquered kingdoms, worked justice, and received promises. They stopped the mouths of lions, +\v 34 extinguished the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were healed of illnesses, became mighty in battle, and defeated foreign armies. + +\s5 +\v 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might experience a better resurrection. +\v 36 Others had testing in mocking and whippings, and even chains and imprisonment. +\v 37 They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were killed with the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins. They were destitute, oppressed, mistreated. +\f + \ft Some older versions read, \fqa They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were put to the test. They were killed with the sword. \fqa* \f* +\v 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in wildernesses, mountains, caves, and in the holes in the ground. + +\s5 +\v 39 Although all these people were approved by God because of their faith, they did not receive the promise. +\v 40 God planned something better for us, so that without us, they would not be made perfect. \s5 \c 12 \p diff --git a/60-JAS.usfm b/60-JAS.usfm index 216d7558..666de61f 100644 --- a/60-JAS.usfm +++ b/60-JAS.usfm @@ -108,46 +108,46 @@ - - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. -\v 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in words, he is a perfect man, able to control even his whole body. - -\s5 -\v 3 Now if we put bits into horses' mouths for them to obey us, we can also direct their whole bodies. -\v 4 Notice also that ships, although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot desires. - -\s5 -\v 5 Likewise the tongue is a small body part, yet it boasts great things. Notice also how small a fire sets on fire a large forest. -\v 6 The tongue is also a fire, a world of sinfulness set among our body parts. It stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of life. It is itself set on fire by hell. - -\s5 -\v 7 For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind. -\v 8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. - -\s5 -\v 9 With it we praise the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. -\v 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen. - -\s5 -\v 11 Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water? -\v 12 Does a fig tree, my brothers, make olives? Or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salty water produce sweet water. -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let that person show a good life by his works in the humility of wisdom. -\v 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth. - -\s5 -\v 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. -\v 16 For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice. -\v 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. -\v 18 The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. +\v 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in words, he is a perfect man, able to control even his whole body. + +\s5 +\v 3 Now if we put bits into horses' mouths for them to obey us, we can also direct their whole bodies. +\v 4 Notice also that ships, although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, are steered by a very small rudder to wherever the pilot desires. + +\s5 +\v 5 Likewise the tongue is a small body part, yet it boasts great things. Notice also how small a fire sets on fire a large forest. +\v 6 The tongue is also a fire, a world of sinfulness set among our body parts. It stains the whole body and sets on fire the course of life. It is itself set on fire by hell. + +\s5 +\v 7 For every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is being tamed and has been tamed by mankind. +\v 8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. + +\s5 +\v 9 With it we praise the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. +\v 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not happen. + +\s5 +\v 11 Does a spring pour out from its opening both sweet and bitter water? +\v 12 Does a fig tree, my brothers, make olives? Or a grapevine, figs? Neither can salty water produce sweet water. +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let that person show a good life by his works in the humility of wisdom. +\v 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth. + +\s5 +\v 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. Instead, it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. +\v 16 For where there are jealousy and ambition, there is confusion and every evil practice. +\v 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. +\v 18 The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace among those who make peace. + + + \s5 diff --git a/61-1PE.usfm b/61-1PE.usfm index 124da41e..5e849456 100644 --- a/61-1PE.usfm +++ b/61-1PE.usfm @@ -59,78 +59,78 @@ \v 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever." \m This is the good news that was announced to you. - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Therefore put aside all evil, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. -\v 2 As newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk, so that through it you may grow in salvation, -\v 3 if you have tasted that the Lord is kind. -\s5 -\v 4 Come to him who is a living stone that has been rejected by people, but that has been chosen by God as valuable to him. -\v 5 You also are like living stones that are being built up to be a spiritual house, in order to be a holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. - -\s5 -\v 6 Scripture contains this: -\q "See, I am laying in Zion a cornerstone, -\q chosen and valuable. -\q Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed." - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 The honor then is for you who believe. But, -\q "the stone that was rejected by the builders, -\q this has become the head of the corner"— - -\p -\v 8 and, -\q "A stone of stumbling -\q and a rock that makes them fall." -\m -They stumble because they disobey the word—which is what they were destined to do. - -\s5 -\v 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's possession, so that you would announce the wonderful actions of the one who called you out from darkness into his marvelous light. -\q -\v 10 Once you were not a people, -\q but now you are the people of God. -\q You did not receive mercy, -\q but now you have received mercy. - -\s5 -\p -\v 11 Beloved, I call on you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from fleshly desires, which make war against your soul. -\v 12 You should have good behavior among the Gentiles, so that, if they speak about you as having done evil things, they may observe your good works and praise God on the day of his coming. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Obey every human authority for the Lord's sake. Obey both the king as supreme, -\v 14 and also the governors, who are sent to punish evildoers and to praise those who do good. -\v 15 For this is God's will, that in doing good you silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. -\v 16 As free people, do not use your freedom as a covering for wickedness, but be like servants of God. -\v 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect. Be subject not only to the good and gentle masters, but also to the malicious ones. -\v 19 For it is praiseworthy if anyone endures pain while suffering injustice because of his awareness of God. -\v 20 For how much credit is there if you sin and then endure while being punished? But if you have done good and then you suffer while being punished, this is worthy of praise from God. - -\s5 -\v 21 For it is to this that you were called, because Christ also suffered for you. He left an example for you to follow in his steps. -\q1 -\v 22 "He committed no sin, -\q1 neither was any deceit found in his mouth." -\m -\v 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile back. When he suffered, he did not threaten back, but he gave himself to the one who judges justly. - -\s5 -\v 24 He himself carried our sins in his body to the tree, so that we would have no more part in sin, and so that we would live for righteousness. By his bruises you have been healed. -\v 25 All of you had been wandering away like lost sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. - - - + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Therefore put aside all evil, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. +\v 2 As newborn infants, long for pure spiritual milk, so that through it you may grow in salvation, +\v 3 if you have tasted that the Lord is kind. +\s5 +\v 4 Come to him who is a living stone that has been rejected by people, but that has been chosen by God as valuable to him. +\v 5 You also are like living stones that are being built up to be a spiritual house, in order to be a holy priesthood that offers the spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. + +\s5 +\v 6 Scripture contains this: +\q "See, I am laying in Zion a cornerstone, +\q chosen and valuable. +\q Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed." + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 The honor then is for you who believe. But, +\q "the stone that was rejected by the builders, +\q this has become the head of the corner"— + +\p +\v 8 and, +\q "A stone of stumbling +\q and a rock that makes them fall." +\m +They stumble because they disobey the word—which is what they were destined to do. + +\s5 +\v 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's possession, so that you would announce the wonderful actions of the one who called you out from darkness into his marvelous light. +\q +\v 10 Once you were not a people, +\q but now you are the people of God. +\q You did not receive mercy, +\q but now you have received mercy. + +\s5 +\p +\v 11 Beloved, I call on you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from fleshly desires, which make war against your soul. +\v 12 You should have good behavior among the Gentiles, so that, if they speak about you as having done evil things, they may observe your good works and praise God on the day of his coming. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Obey every human authority for the Lord's sake. Obey both the king as supreme, +\v 14 and also the governors, who are sent to punish evildoers and to praise those who do good. +\v 15 For this is God's will, that in doing good you silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. +\v 16 As free people, do not use your freedom as a covering for wickedness, but be like servants of God. +\v 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect. Be subject not only to the good and gentle masters, but also to the malicious ones. +\v 19 For it is praiseworthy if anyone endures pain while suffering injustice because of his awareness of God. +\v 20 For how much credit is there if you sin and then endure while being punished? But if you have done good and then you suffer while being punished, this is worthy of praise from God. + +\s5 +\v 21 For it is to this that you were called, because Christ also suffered for you. He left an example for you to follow in his steps. +\q1 +\v 22 "He committed no sin, +\q1 neither was any deceit found in his mouth." +\m +\v 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile back. When he suffered, he did not threaten back, but he gave himself to the one who judges justly. + +\s5 +\v 24 He himself carried our sins in his body to the tree, so that we would have no more part in sin, and so that we would live for righteousness. By his bruises you have been healed. +\v 25 All of you had been wandering away like lost sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. + + + \s5 diff --git a/63-1JN.usfm b/63-1JN.usfm index 9402a965..1923db78 100644 --- a/63-1JN.usfm +++ b/63-1JN.usfm @@ -26,109 +26,109 @@ \v 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. \v 9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. \v 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his word is not in us. - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 Children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the one who is righteous. -\v 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. -\v 3 We know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. - -\s5 -\v 4 The one who says, "I know God," but does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. -\v 5 But whoever keeps his word, truly, in him truly the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him: -\v 6 whoever says that he remains in God should himself also walk just as he walked. - -\s5 -\p -\v 7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you heard. -\v 8 Yet I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Christ and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. - -\s5 -\v 9 The one who says that he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness until now. -\v 10 The one who loves his brother remains in the light and there is no occasion for stumbling in him. -\v 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins are forgiven because of his name. -\v 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know the one who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, little children, because you know the Father. -\v 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know the one who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one. - -\s5 -\v 15 Do not love the world nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. -\v 16 For everything that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the arrogance of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. -\v 17 The world and its desire are passing away. But whoever does the will of God will remain forever. - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 Little children, it is the last hour. Just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour. -\v 19 They went out from us, but they were not from us. For if they had been from us they would have remained with us. But when they went out, that showed they were not from us. - -\s5 -\v 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know the truth. -\f + \ft Some other modern versions read, \fqa and you have all knowledge. \fqa* Some older versions read, \fqa and you know all things. \fqa* \f* -\v 21 I did not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it and because no lie is from the truth. - -\s5 -\v 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? That person is the antichrist, since he denies the Father and the Son. -\v 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever acknowledges the Son also has the Father. - -\s5 -\v 24 As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. -\v 25 This is the promise he gave to us—eternal life. -\v 26 I have written these things to you about those who would lead you astray. - -\s5 -\v 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you everything and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, remain in him. -\p -\v 28 Now, dear children, remain in him, so that when he appears, we will have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming. -\v 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born from him. - -\s5 -\c 3 -\p -\v 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God, and this is what we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know him. -\f + \ft Some older versions leave out, \fqa and this is what we are. \fqa* \f* -\v 2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we will be. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like him, for we will see him just as he is. -\v 3 Everyone who has this hope fixed on him purifies himself just as he is pure. - -\s5 -\v 4 Everyone who sins is committing acts of lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. -\v 5 You know that Christ was revealed in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. -\v 6 No one who remains in him will keep on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen him or known him. -\s5 -\v 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. -\v 8 The one who commits sin is from the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this reason the Son of God was revealed, so that he would destroy the devil's works. - -\s5 -\v 9 Whoever has been born from God does not continue to sin because God's seed remains in him. He cannot continue to sin because he has been born of God. -\v 10 In this the children of God and children of the devil are revealed: Whoever does not do what is righteous is not from God, neither is the one who does not love his brother. - -\s5 -\v 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. -\v 12 We should not be like Cain, who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. - -\s5 -\p -\v 13 Do not be amazed, my brothers, if the world hates you. -\v 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. -\v 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer. You know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. - -\s5 -\v 16 By this we know love, because Christ laid down his life for us. We also ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. -\v 17 But whoever has the world's goods, sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart of compassion from him, how does the love of God remain in him? -\v 18 My dear children, let us not love in word nor in tongue, but in actions and truth. - -\s5 -\v 19 It is by this we know that we are from the truth, and we assure our hearts before him. -\v 20 For if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things. -\v 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. -\v 22 Whatever we ask we will receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing before him. - -\s5 -\v 23 This is his commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he gave us this commandment. -\v 24 The one who keeps God's commandments remains in him, and God remains in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit whom he gave to us. + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 Children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the one who is righteous. +\v 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. +\v 3 We know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. + +\s5 +\v 4 The one who says, "I know God," but does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. +\v 5 But whoever keeps his word, truly, in him truly the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him: +\v 6 whoever says that he remains in God should himself also walk just as he walked. + +\s5 +\p +\v 7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you heard. +\v 8 Yet I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Christ and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. + +\s5 +\v 9 The one who says that he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness until now. +\v 10 The one who loves his brother remains in the light and there is no occasion for stumbling in him. +\v 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins are forgiven because of his name. +\v 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know the one who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, little children, because you know the Father. +\v 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know the one who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one. + +\s5 +\v 15 Do not love the world nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. +\v 16 For everything that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the arrogance of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. +\v 17 The world and its desire are passing away. But whoever does the will of God will remain forever. + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 Little children, it is the last hour. Just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour. +\v 19 They went out from us, but they were not from us. For if they had been from us they would have remained with us. But when they went out, that showed they were not from us. + +\s5 +\v 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know the truth. +\f + \ft Some other modern versions read, \fqa and you have all knowledge. \fqa* Some older versions read, \fqa and you know all things. \fqa* \f* +\v 21 I did not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it and because no lie is from the truth. + +\s5 +\v 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? That person is the antichrist, since he denies the Father and the Son. +\v 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever acknowledges the Son also has the Father. + +\s5 +\v 24 As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. +\v 25 This is the promise he gave to us—eternal life. +\v 26 I have written these things to you about those who would lead you astray. + +\s5 +\v 27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you everything and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, remain in him. +\p +\v 28 Now, dear children, remain in him, so that when he appears, we will have boldness and not be ashamed before him at his coming. +\v 29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born from him. + +\s5 +\c 3 +\p +\v 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God, and this is what we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know him. +\f + \ft Some older versions leave out, \fqa and this is what we are. \fqa* \f* +\v 2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we will be. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like him, for we will see him just as he is. +\v 3 Everyone who has this hope fixed on him purifies himself just as he is pure. + +\s5 +\v 4 Everyone who sins is committing acts of lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. +\v 5 You know that Christ was revealed in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. +\v 6 No one who remains in him will keep on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen him or known him. +\s5 +\v 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. +\v 8 The one who commits sin is from the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this reason the Son of God was revealed, so that he would destroy the devil's works. + +\s5 +\v 9 Whoever has been born from God does not continue to sin because God's seed remains in him. He cannot continue to sin because he has been born of God. +\v 10 In this the children of God and children of the devil are revealed: Whoever does not do what is righteous is not from God, neither is the one who does not love his brother. + +\s5 +\v 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. +\v 12 We should not be like Cain, who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. Why did he kill him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. + +\s5 +\p +\v 13 Do not be amazed, my brothers, if the world hates you. +\v 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. +\v 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer. You know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. + +\s5 +\v 16 By this we know love, because Christ laid down his life for us. We also ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. +\v 17 But whoever has the world's goods, sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart of compassion from him, how does the love of God remain in him? +\v 18 My dear children, let us not love in word nor in tongue, but in actions and truth. + +\s5 +\v 19 It is by this we know that we are from the truth, and we assure our hearts before him. +\v 20 For if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things. +\v 21 Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. +\v 22 Whatever we ask we will receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing before him. + +\s5 +\v 23 This is his commandment: that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he gave us this commandment. +\v 24 The one who keeps God's commandments remains in him, and God remains in him. By this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit whom he gave to us. \s5 \c 4 \p diff --git a/67-REV.usfm b/67-REV.usfm index 5e3c56ec..116a7038 100644 --- a/67-REV.usfm +++ b/67-REV.usfm @@ -4,130 +4,130 @@ \toc1 The Book of Revelation \toc2 Revelation \toc3 Rev -\mt Revelation -\s5 -\c 1 -\p -\v 1 This is the revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. -\v 2 John testified about the word of God and about the testimony given about Jesus Christ, all the things that he saw. -\v 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud this prophecy, and those who listen to the words of this prophecy and who obey what is written in it, because the time is near. - -\s5 -\p -\v 4 John, to the seven churches in Asia: May grace be to you and peace from the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, -\v 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead ones, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has released us from our sins by his blood— -\v 6 he has made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father—to him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. - -\s5 -\q -\v 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds; -\q2 every eye will see him, -\q including those who pierced him. -\q2 All the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him. -\m -Yes, Amen. -\p -\v 8 "I am the alpha and the omega," says the Lord God, "the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." -\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord God. \fqa* \f* - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 I, John—your brother and the one who shares with you in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are in Jesus—was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus. -\v 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. -\v 11 It said, "Write what you see in a book, and send it to the seven churches—to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." - -\s5 -\v 12 I turned around to see whose voice was speaking to me, and as I turned I saw seven golden lampstands. -\v 13 In the middle of the lampstands there was one like a son of man, wearing a long robe that reached down to his feet and a golden sash around his chest. - -\s5 -\v 14 His head and hair were as white as wool—as white as snow—and his eyes were like a flame of fire. -\v 15 His feet were like polished bronze, like bronze that had been refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many rushing waters. -\v 16 He had seven stars in his right hand, and a sword with two sharp edges was coming out of his mouth. His face was shining like the sun at its strongest. - -\s5 -\v 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, -\v 18 and the one who lives. I was dead, but look, I live forever! And I have the keys of death and of Hades. - -\s5 -\v 19 Therefore write down what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place after this. -\v 20 As for the hidden meaning about the seven stars you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." - - - - - -\s5 -\c 2 -\p -\v 1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: -\p 'The words of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands, -\v 2 "I know what you have done and your hard labor and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate the evil people. I know that you have tested those who say they are apostles, but are not, and that you have found them to be false. - -\s5 -\v 3 I know you have patient endurance, and you have suffered much because of my name, and that you have not grown weary. -\v 4 But I have against you the fact that you have left behind your first love. -\v 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first. Unless you repent, I will come to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place. - -\s5 -\v 6 But you have this: You hate what the Nicolaitans have done, which I also hate. -\v 7 Let the one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: -\p 'The words of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead and who became alive again: -\v 9 "I know your sufferings and your poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews, but they are not. They are a synagogue of Satan. - -\s5 -\v 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look! The devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you will be tested, and you will suffer for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. -\v 11 Let the one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: -\p 'The words of the one who has the sword with two sharp edges: -\v 13 "I know where you live, there where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold on tightly to my name. I know that you did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, there where Satan lives. - -\s5 -\v 14 But I have a few things against you: You have there some who hold tightly to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and be sexually immoral. -\v 15 In the same way, you even have some who hold tightly to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. - -\s5 -\v 16 Repent, therefore! If you do not, I will quickly come to you, and I will wage war against them with the sword in my mouth. -\v 17 Let the one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone with a new name written on the stone, a name which no one knows but the one who receives it."'" - -\s5 -\p -\v 18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: -\p 'These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like polished bronze: -\v 19 "I know what you have done: your love and faith and service and your patient endurance. I know that what you have done recently is more than you did at first. - -\s5 -\v 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. -\v 21 I gave her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her immorality. - -\s5 -\v 22 Look! I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great suffering, unless they repent of her deeds. -\v 23 I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the one who searches thoughts and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. - -\s5 -\v 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, to everyone who does not hold this teaching, and does not know what some call the deep things of Satan—to you I say, 'I do not put any other burden on you.' -\v 25 In any case, you must hold on tightly until I come. -\m - -\s5 -\v 26 The one who conquers and who does what I have done until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. -\m -\q -\v 27 'He will rule them with an iron rod, -\q like clay jars he will break them into pieces.' -\m -\v 28 Just as I have received from my Father, I will also give him the morning star. -\v 29 Let the one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."'" - - - +\mt Revelation +\s5 +\c 1 +\p +\v 1 This is the revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John. +\v 2 John testified about the word of God and about the testimony given about Jesus Christ, all the things that he saw. +\v 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud this prophecy, and those who listen to the words of this prophecy and who obey what is written in it, because the time is near. + +\s5 +\p +\v 4 John, to the seven churches in Asia: May grace be to you and peace from the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, +\v 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead ones, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has released us from our sins by his blood— +\v 6 he has made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father—to him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. + +\s5 +\q +\v 7 Look, he is coming with the clouds; +\q2 every eye will see him, +\q including those who pierced him. +\q2 All the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him. +\m +Yes, Amen. +\p +\v 8 "I am the alpha and the omega," says the Lord God, "the one who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." +\f + \ft Some versions read, \fqa I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, says the Lord God. \fqa* \f* + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 I, John—your brother and the one who shares with you in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are in Jesus—was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus. +\v 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. +\v 11 It said, "Write what you see in a book, and send it to the seven churches—to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." + +\s5 +\v 12 I turned around to see whose voice was speaking to me, and as I turned I saw seven golden lampstands. +\v 13 In the middle of the lampstands there was one like a son of man, wearing a long robe that reached down to his feet and a golden sash around his chest. + +\s5 +\v 14 His head and hair were as white as wool—as white as snow—and his eyes were like a flame of fire. +\v 15 His feet were like polished bronze, like bronze that had been refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of many rushing waters. +\v 16 He had seven stars in his right hand, and a sword with two sharp edges was coming out of his mouth. His face was shining like the sun at its strongest. + +\s5 +\v 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, +\v 18 and the one who lives. I was dead, but look, I live forever! And I have the keys of death and of Hades. + +\s5 +\v 19 Therefore write down what you have seen, what is now, and what will take place after this. +\v 20 As for the hidden meaning about the seven stars you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches." + + + + + +\s5 +\c 2 +\p +\v 1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: +\p 'The words of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands, +\v 2 "I know what you have done and your hard labor and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate the evil people. I know that you have tested those who say they are apostles, but are not, and that you have found them to be false. + +\s5 +\v 3 I know you have patient endurance, and you have suffered much because of my name, and that you have not grown weary. +\v 4 But I have against you the fact that you have left behind your first love. +\v 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first. Unless you repent, I will come to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place. + +\s5 +\v 6 But you have this: You hate what the Nicolaitans have done, which I also hate. +\v 7 Let the one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 8 "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: +\p 'The words of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead and who became alive again: +\v 9 "I know your sufferings and your poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews, but they are not. They are a synagogue of Satan. + +\s5 +\v 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look! The devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you will be tested, and you will suffer for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. +\v 11 Let the one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 12 "To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: +\p 'The words of the one who has the sword with two sharp edges: +\v 13 "I know where you live, there where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold on tightly to my name. I know that you did not deny your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, there where Satan lives. + +\s5 +\v 14 But I have a few things against you: You have there some who hold tightly to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and be sexually immoral. +\v 15 In the same way, you even have some who hold tightly to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. + +\s5 +\v 16 Repent, therefore! If you do not, I will quickly come to you, and I will wage war against them with the sword in my mouth. +\v 17 Let the one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone with a new name written on the stone, a name which no one knows but the one who receives it."'" + +\s5 +\p +\v 18 "To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: +\p 'These are the words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and feet like polished bronze: +\v 19 "I know what you have done: your love and faith and service and your patient endurance. I know that what you have done recently is more than you did at first. + +\s5 +\v 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. +\v 21 I gave her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her immorality. + +\s5 +\v 22 Look! I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great suffering, unless they repent of her deeds. +\v 23 I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the one who searches thoughts and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. + +\s5 +\v 24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, to everyone who does not hold this teaching, and does not know what some call the deep things of Satan—to you I say, 'I do not put any other burden on you.' +\v 25 In any case, you must hold on tightly until I come. +\m + +\s5 +\v 26 The one who conquers and who does what I have done until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. +\m +\q +\v 27 'He will rule them with an iron rod, +\q like clay jars he will break them into pieces.' +\m +\v 28 Just as I have received from my Father, I will also give him the morning star. +\v 29 Let the one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."'" + + + \s5 @@ -454,34 +454,34 @@ Yes, Amen. - - - -\s5 -\c 10 -\p -\v 1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, and there was a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire. -\v 2 He held a little scroll, which was opened in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. - -\s5 -\v 3 Then he shouted in a loud voice like a roaring lion. When he shouted, the seven thunders spoke out with their sounds. -\v 4 When the seven thunders spoke out, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Keep secret what the seven thunders said. Do not write it down." - -\s5 -\v 5 Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and the earth raised his right hand to heaven. -\v 6 He swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and all that is in it, the earth and all that is on it, and the sea and all that is in it, and the angel said, "There will be no more delay. -\v 7 But on the day when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, then the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he proclaimed to his servants the prophets." - -\s5 -\v 8 The voice I heard from heaven spoke to me again: "Go, take the open scroll that is in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land." -\v 9 Then I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take the scroll and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." - -\s5 -\v 10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but after I ate it, my stomach became bitter. -\v 11 Then someone said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings." - - - + + + +\s5 +\c 10 +\p +\v 1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, and there was a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun and his feet were like pillars of fire. +\v 2 He held a little scroll, which was opened in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. + +\s5 +\v 3 Then he shouted in a loud voice like a roaring lion. When he shouted, the seven thunders spoke out with their sounds. +\v 4 When the seven thunders spoke out, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Keep secret what the seven thunders said. Do not write it down." + +\s5 +\v 5 Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and the earth raised his right hand to heaven. +\v 6 He swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and all that is in it, the earth and all that is on it, and the sea and all that is in it, and the angel said, "There will be no more delay. +\v 7 But on the day when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, then the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he proclaimed to his servants the prophets." + +\s5 +\v 8 The voice I heard from heaven spoke to me again: "Go, take the open scroll that is in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land." +\v 9 Then I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take the scroll and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." + +\s5 +\v 10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but after I ate it, my stomach became bitter. +\v 11 Then someone said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings." + + + \s5 \c 11 @@ -1060,62 +1060,62 @@ Every ship's captain, every seafaring man, sailors, and all whose living is made - - -\s5 -\c 21 -\p -\v 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. -\v 2 I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, that came down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. - -\s5 -\v 3 I heard a great voice from the throne saying, "Look! The dwelling place of God is with human beings, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and he will be their God. -\v 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, or grieving, or crying, or pain. The former things have passed away. - -\s5 -\v 5 The one who was seated on the throne said, "Look! I make all things new." He said, "Write this down because these words are trustworthy and true." -\v 6 He said to me, "These things are done! I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who thirsts I will give drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. - -\s5 -\v 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. -\v 8 But as for the cowards, the faithless, the detestable, the murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. That is the second death." - -\s5 -\p -\v 9 One of the seven angels came to me, the one who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and he said, "Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." -\v 10 Then he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. - -\s5 -\v 11 Jerusalem had the glory of God, and its brilliance was like a very precious jewel, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper. -\v 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. -\v 13 On the east were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. - -\s5 -\v 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. -\v 15 The one who spoke with me had a measuring rod made of gold to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. - -\s5 -\v 16 The city was laid out in a square; its length was the same as its width. He measured the city with the measuring rod, twelve thousand stadia in length (its length, width, and height were the same). -\v 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits thick by human measurement (which is also the angel's measure). - -\s5 -\v 18 The wall was built of jasper and the city of pure gold, like clear glass. -\v 19 The foundations of the wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first was jasper, the second was sapphire, the third was agate, the fourth was emerald, -\v 20 the fifth was onyx, the sixth was carnelian, the seventh was chrysolite, the eighth was beryl, the ninth was topaz, the tenth was chrysoprase, the eleventh was jacinth, and the twelfth was amethyst. - -\s5 -\v 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of the gates was made from a single pearl. The streets of the city were pure gold, like transparent glass. -\v 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. - -\s5 -\v 23 The city had no need of the sun or the moon in order to shine on it because the glory of God shone on it, and its lamp is the Lamb. -\v 24 The nations will walk by the light of that city. The kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. -\f + \ft Some older copies read, \fqa The nations that are saved will walk by the light of that city. \f* -\v 25 Its gates will not be shut during the day, and there will be no night there. - -\s5 -\v 26 They will bring the splendor and the honor of the nations into it, -\v 27 but nothing unclean will ever enter into it, nor anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. + + +\s5 +\c 21 +\p +\v 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. +\v 2 I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, that came down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. + +\s5 +\v 3 I heard a great voice from the throne saying, "Look! The dwelling place of God is with human beings, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and he will be their God. +\v 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, or grieving, or crying, or pain. The former things have passed away. + +\s5 +\v 5 The one who was seated on the throne said, "Look! I make all things new." He said, "Write this down because these words are trustworthy and true." +\v 6 He said to me, "These things are done! I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who thirsts I will give drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. + +\s5 +\v 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. +\v 8 But as for the cowards, the faithless, the detestable, the murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. That is the second death." + +\s5 +\p +\v 9 One of the seven angels came to me, the one who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and he said, "Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." +\v 10 Then he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. + +\s5 +\v 11 Jerusalem had the glory of God, and its brilliance was like a very precious jewel, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper. +\v 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. +\v 13 On the east were three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. + +\s5 +\v 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. +\v 15 The one who spoke with me had a measuring rod made of gold to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. + +\s5 +\v 16 The city was laid out in a square; its length was the same as its width. He measured the city with the measuring rod, twelve thousand stadia in length (its length, width, and height were the same). +\v 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits thick by human measurement (which is also the angel's measure). + +\s5 +\v 18 The wall was built of jasper and the city of pure gold, like clear glass. +\v 19 The foundations of the wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first was jasper, the second was sapphire, the third was agate, the fourth was emerald, +\v 20 the fifth was onyx, the sixth was carnelian, the seventh was chrysolite, the eighth was beryl, the ninth was topaz, the tenth was chrysoprase, the eleventh was jacinth, and the twelfth was amethyst. + +\s5 +\v 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of the gates was made from a single pearl. The streets of the city were pure gold, like transparent glass. +\v 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. + +\s5 +\v 23 The city had no need of the sun or the moon in order to shine on it because the glory of God shone on it, and its lamp is the Lamb. +\v 24 The nations will walk by the light of that city. The kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. +\f + \ft Some older copies read, \fqa The nations that are saved will walk by the light of that city. \f* +\v 25 Its gates will not be shut during the day, and there will be no night there. + +\s5 +\v 26 They will bring the splendor and the honor of the nations into it, +\v 27 but nothing unclean will ever enter into it, nor anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. \s5