# verses

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<pb/>And Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields and spears and helmets and coats of mail and bows and stones for slinging.


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And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and upon the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. And his name spread far abroad. For he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.


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<pb/>But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly and he trespassed against Jehovah his God. For he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense.


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And Azariah the priest went in after him and with him eighty priests of Jehovah, who were valiant men.


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<pb/>And they withstood Uzziah the king and said to him, It does not pertain to you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Jehovah, but to the priests the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary. For you have trespassed, neither will it be for your honor from Jehovah God.


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<pb/>Then Uzziah was angry. And he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Jehovah, beside the altar of incense.


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


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<pb/>And Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death and dwelt in a separate house, being a leper. For he was cut off from the house of Jehovah and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, wrote.


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


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<pb/>Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.


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<pb/>And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. However he did not enter into the temple of Jehovah. And the people still did corruptly.


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


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<pb/>Also he fought with the king of the sons of Ammon and prevailed against them. And the sons of Ammon gave him the same year a hundred talants of silver and ten thousand measures of wheat and ten thousand of barley. So much did the sons of Ammon render to him, in the second year also and in the third.


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


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And Jotham slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city of David. And Ahaz his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of Jehovah like David his father,


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but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made molten images for the Baals   <n>{Baalim}</n>.


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<pb/>Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom and burnt his sons in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the sons of Israel.


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<pb/>Therefore Jehovah his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria. And they killed* him and carried away of his a great multitude of captives and brought them to Damascus. <pb/>And he was also delivered into the hand of the King of Israel, who killed* him with a great slaughter.


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


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


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<pb/>And the sons of Israel carried away captive of their brothers two hundred thousand, women, sons and daughters and also took away much spoil from them and brought the spoil to Samaria.


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


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<pb/>And now you* propose to keep under the sons of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen to you*. Are there not even with you* trespasses of your* own against Jehovah your* God?


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<pb/>Now hear me therefore and send back the captives that you* have taken captive of your* brothers. For the fierce wrath of Jehovah is upon you*.


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<pb/>Then certain of the heads of the sons of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who came from the war,


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and said to them, You* will not bring in the captives here. For you* propose what will bring upon us a trespass against Jehovah, to add to our sins and to our trespass. For our trespass is great and there is fierce wrath against Israel.


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


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The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland and of the South of Judah and had taken Beth-shemesh and Aijalon and Gederoth and Soco   <n>{Socoh}</n>   with the towns of it and Timnah with the towns of it, also Gimzo and the towns of it. And they dwelt there.


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<pb/>For Jehovah brought Judah low because of Ahaz King of Israel, for he had dealt wantonly in Judah and trespassed severely against Jehovah.


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<pb/>And Tiglath-pileser   <n>{Tilgath-pilneser}</n>   king of Assyria came to him and distressed him, but did not strengthen him.


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For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of Jehovah and out of the house of the king and of the rulers and gave it to the king of Assyria, but it did not help him.


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For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, which killed* him. And he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, <i>therefore</i> I will sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.


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<pb/>And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God and shut up the doors of the house of Jehovah. And he made altars for him in every corner of Jerusalem.


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


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


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And Ahaz slept with his fathers and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem. For they did not bring him into the sepulchers of the kings of Israel. And Hezekiah his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.


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<pb/>In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of Jehovah and repaired them.


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


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and said to them, Hear me, you* Levites. Now sanctify yourselves and sanctify the house of Jehovah, the God of your* fathers and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.


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<pb/>For our fathers have trespassed and done what was evil in the sight of Jehovah our God and have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of Jehovah and turned their backs.


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


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<pb/>Therefore the wrath of Jehovah was upon Judah and Jerusalem and he has delivered them to be tossed to and fro, to be an astonishment and a hissing, as you* see with your* eyes.


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


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<pb/>Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Jehovah, the God of Israel, that his fierce anger may turn away from us.


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My sons, do not be negligent now. For Jehovah has chosen you* to stand before him, to minister to him and that you* should be his ministers and burn incense.


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


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<pb/>And they gathered their brothers and made themselves holy and went in, according to the commandment of the king by the words of Jehovah, to cleanse the house of Jehovah.


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


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<pb/>Now they began on the first <i>day</i> of the first month to sanctify and on the eighth day of the month they came to the porch of Jehovah. And they made the house of Jehovah holy in eight days and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.


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<pb/>Then they went in to Hezekiah the king within <i>the palace</i> and said, We have cleansed all the house of Jehovah and the altar of burnt offering with all the vessels of it and the table of showbread with all the vessels of it.


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Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign cast away when he trespassed, we have prepared and made holy. And behold, they are before the altar of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Then Hezekiah the king arose early and gathered the rulers of the city and went up to the house of Jehovah.


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And they brought seven bullocks and seven rams and seven lambs and seven male-goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of Jehovah.


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<pb/>So they killed the bullocks. And the priests received the blood and sprinkled it on the altar. And they killed the rams and sprinkled the blood upon the altar. They also killed the lambs and sprinkled the blood upon the altar.


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And they brought near the male-goats for the sin offering before the king and the assembly. And they laid their hands upon them,


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and the priests killed them. And they made a sin offering with their blood upon the altar, to make atonement for all Israel. For the king commanded <i>that</i> the burnt offering and the sin offering <i>should be made</i> for all Israel.


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<pb/>And he set the Levites in the house of Jehovah with cymbals, with psalteries and with harps, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king's seer and Nathan the prophet. For the commandment was of Jehovah by his prophets.


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<pb/>And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of Jehovah began also and the trumpets, together with the instruments of David King of Israel.


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And all the assembly worshiped and the singers sang and <i>some</i> blew the trumpet. All this until the burnt offering was finished.


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<pb/>And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped.


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Moreover Hezekiah the king and the rulers commanded the Levites to sing praises to Jehovah with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness and they bowed their heads and worshiped.


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<pb/>Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now you* have consecrated yourselves to Jehovah. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Jehovah. And the assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart <i>brought</i> burnt offerings.


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<pb/>And the number of the burnt offerings which the assembly brought was seventy bullocks, a hundred rams and two hundred lambs. All these were for a burnt offering to Jehovah.


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<pb/>But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them till the work was ended and until the priests had made themselves holy. For the Levites were more up-in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.


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<pb/>And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings and with the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of Jehovah was set in order.


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And Hezekiah rejoiced and all the people, because of what God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done suddenly.


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<pb/>And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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


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<pb/>For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not made themselves holy in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to Jehovah, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem. For they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written.


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<pb/>So the posts went with the letters from the king and his rulers throughout all Israel and Judah and according to the commandment of the king, saying, You* sons of Israel, turn again to Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to the remnant of you* who escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.


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And be you* not like your* fathers and like your* brothers, who trespassed against Jehovah, the God of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as you* see.


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<pb/>Now be you* not stiff-necked, as your* fathers were, but yield yourselves to Jehovah and enter into his sanctuary, which he has made holy everlasting and serve Jehovah your* God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you*.


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For if you* turn again to Jehovah, your* brothers and your* sons will find compassion before those who led them captive and will come again into this land. For Jehovah your* God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you*, if you* return to him.


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<pb/>So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even to Zebulun. But they laughed them to scorn and mocked them.


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<pb/>Nevertheless certain men of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.


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Also the hand of God came upon Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the rulers by the word of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And many people assembled at Jerusalem to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly.


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


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<pb/>Then they killed the Passover on the fourteenth <i>day</i> of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were ashamed and made themselves holy and brought burnt offerings into the house of Jehovah.


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And they stood in their place after their order, according to the law of Moses the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood <i>which they received</i> from the hand of the Levites.


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<pb/>For there were many in the assembly who had not made themselves holy. Therefore the Levites had charge of killing the Passover <i>offerings</i> for everyone who was not clean, to sanctify them to Jehovah.


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


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who sets his heart to seek God, Jehovah, the God of his fathers, though <i>he is</i> not according to the purification of the sanctuary.


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<pb/>And the sons of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness. And the Levites and the priests praised Jehovah day by day, with loud instruments to Jehovah.


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And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who had good understanding <i>in the service</i> of Jehovah. So they ate throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings and making confession to Jehovah, the God of their fathers.


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<pb/>And the whole assembly took counsel to keep another seven days. And they kept <i>those</i> seven days with gladness.


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For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly for offerings a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep. And the rulers gave to the assembly a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep. And a great number of priests made themselves holy.


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And all the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites and all the assembly that came out of Israel and the travelers who came out of the land of Israel and who dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.


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<pb/>So there was great joy in Jerusalem. For since the time of Solomon the son of David King of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.


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


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<pb/>Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and hewed down the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>   and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.


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<pb/>And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Also <i>he appointed</i> the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, <i>namely</i>, for the morning and evening burnt offerings and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths and for the new moons and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the sons of Israel gave in abundance the first-fruits of grain, new wine and oil and honey and of all the increase of the field. And they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly.


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And the sons of Israel and Judah, who dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to Jehovah their God and laid them by heaps.


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


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<pb/>And when Hezekiah and the rulers came and saw the heaps, they blessed Jehovah and his people Israel.


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And Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, Since they began to bring the oblations into the house of Jehovah, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left. For Jehovah has blessed his people and what is left is this great store.


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And they brought in the oblations and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully. And Conaniah the Levite was ruler over them and Shimei his brother was second.


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


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<pb/>And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper at the east <i>gate</i>, was over the free-will offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of Jehovah and the most holy things.


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<pb/>And under him were Eden and Miniamin and Jeshua and Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah   <n>{Shechaniah}</n>, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, as well to the great as to the small,


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besides those who were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even everyone that entered into the house of Jehovah, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their divisions,


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


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


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


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<pb/>And thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah. And he worked what was good and right and faithful before Jehovah his God.


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


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


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he took counsel with his rulers and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were outside the city. And they helped him.


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


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<pb/>And he took courage and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised <i>it</i> up to the towers and the other wall outside and strengthened Millo <i>in</i> the city of David and made weapons and shields in abundance.


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<pb/>And he set captains of war over the people and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,


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Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid nor dismayed of the king of Assyria, nor of all the multitude that is with him. For there is a greater with us than with him.


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With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is Jehovah our God to help us and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.


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


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Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, On what do you* trust that you* remain in the siege in Jerusalem?


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Does not Hezekiah persuade you*, to give you* over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, Jehovah our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?


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<pb/>Has not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, You* will worship before one altar and upon it you* will burn incense?


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<pb/>Do you* not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any way able to deliver their land out of my hand?


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


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<pb/>Now therefore do not let Hezekiah deceive you*, nor persuade you* after this manner, neither believe him. For no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand and out of the hand of my fathers. How much less will your* God deliver you* out of my hand?


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He also wrote letters, to rail on Jehovah, the God of Israel and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so will the God of Hezekiah not deliver his people out of my hand.


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


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


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<pb/>And Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried out to heaven.


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And Jehovah sent a messenger who cut off all the mighty men of valor and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, those who came out from his own guts killed him there with the sword.


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<pb/>Thus Jehovah saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from the hand of all <i>others</i> and guided them on every side.


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And many brought gifts to Jehovah to Jerusalem and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah. So that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thereafter.


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<pb/>In those days Hezekiah was sick even to death and he prayed to Jehovah. And he spoke to him and gave him a sign.


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But Hezekiah did not render again according to the benefit done to him. For his heart was lifted up. Therefore there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Jehovah did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.


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<pb/>And Hezekiah had exceedingly much riches and honor. And he provided for him treasuries for silver and for gold and for precious stones and for spices and for shields and for all manner of desirable vessels,


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also store-houses for the increase of grain and new wine and oil and stalls for all manner of beasts and flocks in folds.


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


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


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<pb/>However in <i>the business of</i> the ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.


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


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And Hezekiah slept with his fathers and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchers of the sons of David. And all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honored him at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah after the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the sons of Israel.


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<pb/>For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down. And he reared up altars for the Baals   <n>{Baalim}</n>   and made Asheroth   <n>{Asherahs}</n>   and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.


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And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, of which Jehovah said, In Jerusalem will my name be everlasting.


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<pb/>He also made his sons to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom. And he practiced soothsaying and used enchantments and practiced sorcery and dealt with psychics and with wizards. He worked much evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.


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<pb/>And he set the graven image of the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my name everlasting,


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


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<pb/>And Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem go-astray, so that they did evil more than the nations did whom Jehovah destroyed before the sons of Israel.


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Therefore Jehovah brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains and bound him with fetters and carried him to Babylon.


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<pb/>And when he was in distress, he besought Jehovah his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.


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And he prayed to him. And he was entreated of him and heard his supplication and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah he was God.


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


text:
<pb/>And he took away the foreign gods and the idol out of the house of Jehovah and all the altars that he had built in the mountain of the house of Jehovah and in Jerusalem and cast them out of the city.


text:
<pb/>And he built up the altar of Jehovah and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving and commanded Judah to serve Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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


text:
<pb/>Also his prayer and how <i>God</i> was entreated by him and all his sin and his trespass and the places in which he built high places and set up the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>   and the graven images, before he humbled himself, behold, they are written in the history of Hozai   <n>{The Seers}</n>.


text:
So Manasseh slept with his fathers and they buried him in his own house. And Amon his son reigned instead of him.


text:
And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did Manasseh his father. And Amon sacrificed to all the graven images which Manasseh his father had made and served them.


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<pb/>And he did not humble himself before Jehovah, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself, but this same Amon trespassed more and more.


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<pb/>Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.


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And he did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah and walked in the ways of David his father and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.


text:
<pb/>For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father. And in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places and the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>   and the graven images and the molten images.


text:
<pb/>And they broke down the altars of the Baals   <n>{Baalim}</n>   in his presence and the sun-images that were on high above them he hewed down and the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>   and the graven images and the molten images, he broke in pieces and made dust of them and strewed it upon the graves <i>of those</i> who had sacrificed to them.


text:
<pb/>And <i>so also</i> in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon, even to Naphtali, in their ruins all around.


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And he broke down the altars and beat the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>   and the graven images into powder and hewed down all the sun-images throughout all the land of Israel and returned to Jerusalem.


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


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


text:
<pb/>And they delivered it into the hand of the workmen who had the oversight of the house of Jehovah. And the workmen who labored in the house of Jehovah gave it to mend and repair the house.


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


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And the men did the work faithfully. <pb/>And the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward and <i>others of</i> the Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music.


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Also they were over the bearers of burdens and set forward all who did the work in every manner of service. And of the Levites there were scribes and officers and gatekeepers.


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<pb/>And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of Jehovah <i>given</i> by Moses.


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And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.


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<pb/>And Shaphan carried the book to the king and moreover brought back word to the king, saying, All that was committed to your servants, they are doing.


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And they have emptied out the money that was found in the house of Jehovah and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers and into the hand of the workmen.


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<pb/>And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me. And Shaphan read in it before the king.


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<pb/>And the king commanded Hilkiah and Ahikam the son of Shaphan and Abdon the son of Micah and Shaphan the scribe and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,


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


text:
<pb/>So Hilkiah and those whom the king <i>had commanded</i>, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath   <n>{Tikvath}</n>, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter) and they spoke to her to that effect.


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Jehovah says thus, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon the inhabitants of it, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah.


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<pb/>Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore my wrath is poured out upon this place and it will not be quenched.


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because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and against the inhabitants of it and have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says Jehovah.


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<pb/>Behold, I will gather you to your fathers and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, neither will your eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place and upon the inhabitants of it. And they brought back word to the king.


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


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<pb/>And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.


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<pb/>And he caused all who were found in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand <i>to it</i>. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.


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<pb/>And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the sons of Israel and made all who were found in Israel to serve, even to serve Jehovah their God. All his days they did not depart from following Jehovah, the God of their fathers.


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<pb/>And Josiah kept a Passover to Jehovah in Jerusalem. And they killed the Passover on the fourteenth <i>day</i> of the first month.


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<pb/>And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David King of Israel built. There will no more be a burden upon your* shoulders. Now serve Jehovah your* God and his people Israel.


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<pb/>And prepare yourselves after your* fathers' houses by your* divisions, according to the writing of David King of Israel and according to the writing of Solomon his son.


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And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers' houses of your* brothers the sons of the people and the portion of a fathers' house of the Levites.


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And kill the Passover and sanctify yourselves and prepare for your* brothers, to do according to the word of Jehovah by Moses.


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<pb/>And Josiah gave to the sons of the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all of them for the Passover offerings, to all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand and <i>also</i> three thousand bullocks; these were of the king's substance.


text:
<pb/>And his rulers gave for a free-will offering to the people, to the priests and to the Levites. Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, the rulers of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover offerings two thousand and six hundred <i>small cattle</i> and three hundred oxen.


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


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<pb/>So the service was prepared and the priests stood in their place and the Levites by their divisions, according to the king's commandment.


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And they killed the Passover and the priests sprinkled <i>the blood</i> by their hand and the Levites skinned them.


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<pb/>And they removed the burnt offerings that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers' houses of the sons of the people, to offer to Jehovah as it is written in the book of Moses. And so they did with the oxen.


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And they roasted the Passover with fire according to the ordinance. And the holy offerings they boiled in pots and in caldrons and in pans and carried them quickly to all the sons of the people.


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<pb/>And afterward they prepared for themselves and for the priests, because the priests the sons of Aaron <i>were busy</i> in offering the burnt offerings and the fat until night. Therefore the Levites prepared for themselves and for the priests the sons of Aaron.


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<pb/>And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place according to the commandment of David and Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun the king's seer. And the gatekeepers were at every gate. They did not need to depart from their service, for their brothers the Levites prepared for them.


text:
<pb/>So all the service of Jehovah was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of Jehovah, according to the commandment of king Josiah.


text:
And the sons of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.


text:
<pb/>And there was no Passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet. Neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept and the priests and the Levites and all Judah and Israel that were present and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


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<pb/>After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco King of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates and Josiah went out against him.


text:
But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? <i>I do</i> not <i>come</i> against you this day, but against the house with which I have war and God has commanded me to make haste. Cease you from <i>meddling with</i> God, who is with me, that he not destroy you.


text:
<pb/>Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself that he might fight with him. And he did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.


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And the archers shot at king Josiah. And the king said to his servants, Remove me, for I am severely wounded.


text:
<pb/>So his servants took him out of the chariot and put him in the second chariot that he had and brought him to Jerusalem. And he died and was buried in the sepulchers of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.


text:
<pb/>And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah. And all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day. And they made them an ordinance in Israel, and behold, they are written in the lamentations.


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<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his good deeds, according to what is written in the law of Jehovah,


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


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<pb/>Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And the King of Egypt deposed him at Jerusalem and fined the land a hundred talants of silver and a talant of gold.


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


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<pb/>Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God.


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<pb/>Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon.


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


text:
<pb/>Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and his abominations which he did and what was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiachin his son reigned instead of him.


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<pb/>Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah.


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And at the return of the year king Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought him to Babylon, with the desirable vessels of the house of Jehovah and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.


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And he did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God. He did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet <i>speaking</i> from the mouth of Jehovah.


text:
<pb/>And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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


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<pb/>And Jehovah, the God of their fathers, sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling-place.


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


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<pb/>Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion upon young man or virgin, old man or hoary-headed. He gave them all into his hand.


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And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small and the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king and of his rulers, all these he brought to Babylon.


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<pb/>And they burnt the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burnt all the palaces of it with fire and destroyed all the good vessels of it.


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<pb/>And those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon and they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia,


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


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


text:
Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me. And he has charged me to build a house for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you* of all his people, Jehovah his God be with him and let him go up.


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Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me and he has charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.


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<pb/>Whoever there is among you* of all his people, his God be with him and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And whoever is left, in any place where he travels, let the men of his place help him with silver and with gold and with goods and with beasts, besides the free-will offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Then the heads of fathers of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred, rose up to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem.


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And all those who were all around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods and with beasts and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.


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<pb/>Also Cyrus the king brought out the vessels of the house of Jehovah, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem and had put in the house of his gods,


text:
even those Cyrus king of Persia brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer and numbered them to Sheshbazzar, the ruler of Judah.


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<pb/>And this is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, a thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives,


text:
thirty bowls of gold, four hundred and ten silver bowls of a second sort and a thousand other vessels.


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All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar brought up when those of the captivity were brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Now these are the sons of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, every man to his city,


text:
who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. <pb/>The number of the men of the people of Israel:


text:
The sons of Pahath-moab, of the sons of Jeshua <i>and</i> Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.


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<pb/>The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, in all a hundred thirty-nine.


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<pb/>The Nethinim   <n>{temple servants}</n>  : the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,


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<pb/>The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth   <n>{Sophereth}</n>, the sons of Peruda,


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<pb/>And these were those who went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, <i>and</i> Immer, but they could not show their fathers' houses and their seed, whether they were of Israel:


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<pb/>And of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called after their name.


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These sought their registration <i>among</i> those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found. Therefore they were deemed polluted and put away from the priesthood.


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And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.


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besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. And they had two hundred singing men and singing women.


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their camels, four hundred thirty-five, <i>their</i> donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.


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<pb/>And some of the heads of fathers, when they came to the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place.


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They gave after their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand 128-grain weights of gold and five thousand pounds of silver and one hundred priests' garments.


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<pb/>So the priests and the Levites and some of the people and the singers and the gatekeepers and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities and all Israel in their cities.


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<pb/>And when the seventh month came and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.


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Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers, stood up and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.


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<pb/>And they set the altar upon its base, for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the countries. And they offered burnt offerings on it to Jehovah, even burnt offerings morning and evening.


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And they kept the feast of tabernacles as it is written and <i>offered</i> the daily burnt offerings by number according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required.


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<pb/>And afterward the continual burnt offering and <i>the offerings</i> of the new moons and of all the set feasts of Jehovah that were consecrated and of everyone who willingly offered a free-will offering to Jehovah.


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From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to Jehovah. But the foundation of the temple of Jehovah was not yet laid.


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<pb/>Also they gave money to the masons and to the carpenters and food and drink and oil, to those of Sidon and to those of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.


text:
<pb/>Now in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites and all those who came out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began. And they appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Then Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, stood together to have the oversight of the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brothers the Levites.


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<pb/>And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of Jehovah, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Jehovah, after the order of David King of Israel.


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And they sang one to another in praising and giving thanks to Jehovah, <i>saying</i>, For he is good, for his loving kindness <i>is</i> everlasting toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.


text:
<pb/>But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. And many shouted aloud for joy


text:
so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people. For the people shouted with a loud shout and the noise was heard afar off.


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<pb/>Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the sons of the captivity were building a temple to Jehovah, the God of Israel,


text:
then they drew near to Zerubbabel and to the heads of fathers and said to them, Let us build with you*, for we seek your* God, as you* do and we sacrifice to him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria who brought us up here.


text:
<pb/>But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers of Israel, said to them, You* have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God, but we ourselves together will build to Jehovah, the God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.


text:
<pb/>Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah and troubled them in building,


text:
and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.


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And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.


text:
<pb/>And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his companions, wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. And the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian <i>character</i> and set forth in the Syrian <i>tongue</i>.


text:
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this way.


text:
<pb/>Then <i>wrote</i> Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites and the Apharsathchites   <n>{emissaries}</n>, the Tarpelites   <n>{consuls}</n>, the Apharsites   <n>{officials}</n>, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, (that is the Elamites),


text:
and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and set in the city of Samaria and in the rest beyond the River and so forth.


text:
<pb/>This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes the king: <pb/>Your servants the men beyond the River and so forth.


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Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and the evil city and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.


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Be it known now to the king, that, if this city be built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.


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<pb/>Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we have sent and certified to the king,


text:
that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. So you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city and hurtful to kings and provinces. And that they have made sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this city was laid waste.


text:
<pb/>We certify to the king that, if this city be built and the walls finished, by this means you will have no portion beyond the River.


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<pb/><i>Then</i> the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor and to Shimshai the scribe and to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria and in the rest beyond the River: <pb/>Peace and so forth.


text:
And I decreed and search has been made. And it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it.


text:
There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem who have ruled over all <i>the country</i> beyond the River and tribute, custom and toll, was paid to them.


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<pb/>You* make now a decree to cause these men to cease and that this city not be built until a decree will be made by me.


text:
And take heed that you* are not slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?


text:
<pb/>Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews and made them cease by force and power.


text:
Then the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.


text:
<pb/>Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, to them.


text:
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, rose up and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.


text:
<pb/>At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and their companions, came to them and said thus to them, Who gave you* a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?


text:
<pb/>Then we told them after this manner, <i>namely,</i> what the names of the men were who were making this building.


text:
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews and they did not make them cease till the matter should come to Darius and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.


text:
<pb/>The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his companions the Apharsathchites   <n>{emissaries}</n>, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king;


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Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judah to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. And this work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.


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<pb/>Then we asked those elders and said to them thus: Who gave you* a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?


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Also, we asked them their names, to certify to you, that we might write the names of the men who were at the head of them.


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<pb/>And thus they returned us an answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth. And are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great King of Israel built and finished.


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But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath. He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried the people away into Babylon.


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<pb/>But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.


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And also the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, those Cyrus the king took out of the temple of Babylon and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar whom he had made governor.


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And he said to him, Take these vessels. Go put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem and let the house of God be built in its place.


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<pb/>Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. And since that time even until now it has been in building and yet it is not completed.


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<pb/>Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so, that a decree was made from Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.


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<pb/>Then Darius the king made a decree and search was made in the house of the archives where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.


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And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a roll and in it was thus written for a record:


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<pb/>In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be built — the place where they offer sacrifices — and let the foundations of it is strongly laid, the height of it sixty cubits and the breadth of it sixty cubits,


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with three courses of great stones and a course of new timber. And let the expenses be given out of the king's house.


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<pb/>And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought again to the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place. And you will put them in the house of God.


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<pb/>Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and your* companions the Apharsathchites   <n>{emissaries}</n>, who are beyond the River, be far from there:


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<pb/>Let the work of this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in its place.


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<pb/>Moreover I make a decree what you* will do to these elders of the Jews for the building of this house of God: That of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the River, expenses be given with all diligence to these men, that they not be hindered.


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And what they have need of, both young bullocks and rams and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, <i>also</i> wheat, salt, wine and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail


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that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and of his sons.


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<pb/>Also I have made a decree, that whoever will alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house and let him be lifted up and fastened on it and let his house be made a dunghill for this.


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<pb/>And the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who will put forth their hand to alter <i>the same</i>, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree, let it be done with all diligence.


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<pb/>Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and their companions, because of what Darius the king had sent, did accordingly with all diligence.


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And the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it according to the commandment of the God of Israel and according to the decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia.


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<pb/>And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.


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<pb/>And the sons of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the sons of the captivity, <pb/>kept the dedication of this house of God with joy.


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<pb/>And they offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs. And for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.


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And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.


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<pb/>And the sons of the captivity kept the Passover upon the fourteenth <i>day</i> of the first month.


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For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together, all of them were pure. And they killed the Passover for all the sons of the captivity and for their brothers the priests and for themselves.


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And the sons of Israel who came again out of the captivity and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, ate,


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and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy. For Jehovah had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.


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<pb/>Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,


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this Ezra went up from Babylon. And he was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which Jehovah, the God of Israel, had given. And the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of Jehovah his God upon him.


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<pb/>And some of the sons of Israel and of the priests and the Levites and the singers and the gatekeepers and the Nethinim, went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.


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For upon the first <i>day</i> of the first month he began to go up from Babylon and on the first <i>day</i> of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.


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For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Jehovah and to do it and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.


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<pb/>Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, even the scribe of the words of the commandments of Jehovah and of his statutes to Israel:


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<pb/>Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth.


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I make a decree, that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, who are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you.


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Forasmuch as you are sent from the king and his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand,


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and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,


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and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon, with the free-will offering of the people and of the priests, offering willingly, for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Therefore you will with all diligence buy with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings and will offer them upon the altar of the house of your* God which is in Jerusalem.


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And whatever will seem good to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do you* <i>it</i> after the will of your* God.


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And the vessels that are given you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.


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And whatever more will be needful for the house of your God, which you will have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure-house.


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<pb/>And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, will require of you*, it is done with all diligence,


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to a hundred talants of silver and to a hundred measures of wheat and to a hundred baths of wine and to a hundred baths of oil and salt without prescribing how much.


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<pb/>Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?


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Also we certify to you*, that concerning any of the priests and Levites, the singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or servants of this house of God, it will not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll, upon them.


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<pb/>And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And you* teach him who does not know them.


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And whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him with all diligence, whether it is to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem,


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and has extended loving kindness to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king's mighty rulers. And I was strengthened according to the hand of Jehovah my God upon me and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.


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<pb/>Now these are the heads of their fathers and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king:


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of the sons of Shecaniah   <n>{Shechaniah}</n>, of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males a hundred and fifty;


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of the sons of Shecaniah   <n>{Shechaniah}</n>, the son of Jahaziel and with him three hundred males;


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<pb/>And of the sons of Adonikam, <i>who were</i> the last and these are their names: Eliphelet, Jeuel and Shemaiah and with them sixty males;


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<pb/>And I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava and there we encamped three days. And I viewed the people and the priests and found there none of the sons of Levi.


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Then I sent for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah and for Elnathan and for Jarib and for Elnathan and for Nathan and for Zechariah and for Meshullam, chief men, also for Joiarib and for Elnathan, who were teachers.


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<pb/>And I sent them forth to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia and I told them what they should say to Iddo, <i>and</i> his brothers the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.


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<pb/>And according to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen,


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and of the Nethinim, whom David and the rulers had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim. All of them were mentioned by name.


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<pb/>Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance.


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For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all those who seek him, for good, but his power and his wrath are against all those who forsake him.


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<pb/>Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah and ten of their brothers with them,


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and weighed to them the silver and the gold and the vessels, even the offering for the house of our God, which the king and his counselors and his rulers and all Israel there present, had offered.


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I weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talants of silver and a hundred talants of silver vessels, a hundred talants of gold,


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and twenty bowls of gold, of a thousand 128-grain weights and two vessels of fine bright brass, desirable as gold.


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<pb/>And I said to them, You* are holy to Jehovah and the vessels are holy and the silver and the gold are a free-will offering to Jehovah, the God of your* fathers.


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Watch and keep them, until you* weigh them before the chiefs of the priests and the Levites and the rulers of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of Jehovah.


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So the priests and the Levites received the weight of the silver and the gold and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God.


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<pb/>Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth <i>day</i> of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. And the hand of our God was upon us and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the ambush by the way.


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And on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui, the Levite,


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<pb/>The sons of the captivity, who came out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, twelve male-goats for a sin offering. All this was a burnt offering to Jehovah.


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And they delivered the king's commissions to the king's satraps and to the governors beyond the River. And they furthered the people and the house of God.


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<pb/>Now when these things were done, the rulers drew near to me, saying, The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, <i>doing</i> according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites.


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For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the peoples of the lands. Yes, the hand of the heads and rulers has been chief in this trespass.


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<pb/>And when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard and sat down confounded.


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Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel were assembled to me, because of the trespass of those of the captivity and I sat confounded until the evening oblation.


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<pb/>And at the evening oblation I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn and I fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to Jehovah my God,


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and I said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God, for our iniquities are increased over our head and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.


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Since the days of our fathers we have been exceedingly guilty to this day. And for our iniquities have we, our kings and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity and to plunder and to confusion of face, as it is this day.


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<pb/>And now for a little moment favor has been shown from Jehovah our God, to leave us a remnant to escape and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes and give us a little reviving in our bondage.


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For we are bondmen, yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended loving kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God and to repair the ruins of it and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.


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which you have commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, The land, to which you* go to possess it, is an unclean land through the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, through their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their filthiness.


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Now therefore do not give your* daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters to your* sons, nor seek their peace or their prosperity forever, that you* may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your* sons until everlasting.


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<pb/>And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have given us such a remnant,


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will we again break your commandments and make a marriage-agreement with the peoples who do these abominations? Would you not be angry with us till you had consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?


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<pb/>O Jehovah, the God of Israel, you are righteous, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is this day. Behold, we are before you in our guiltiness, for none can stand before you because of this.


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<pb/>Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children, for the people wept very much.


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<pb/>And Shecaniah   <n>{Shechaniah}</n>   the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said to Ezra, We have trespassed against our God and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.


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<pb/>Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God and let it be done according to the law.


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<pb/>Then Ezra arose and made the chiefs of the priests, the Levites and all Israel, to swear that they would do according to this word. So they swore.


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Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib. And <i>when</i> he came there, he ate no bread, nor drank water, for he mourned because of the trespass of those of the captivity.


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<pb/>And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the sons of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together to Jerusalem.


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And that whoever did not come within three days, according to the counsel of the rulers and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited and himself separated from the assembly of the captivity.


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<pb/>Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth <i>day</i> of the month and all the people sat in the broad place before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and for the great rain.


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<pb/>And Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, You* have trespassed and have married foreign women to increase the guilt of Israel.


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Now therefore make confession to Jehovah, the God of your* fathers and do his pleasure and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women.


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<pb/>Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, As you have said concerning us, so must we do.


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But the people are many and it is a time of much rain and we are not able to stand outside. Neither is this a work of one day or two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter.


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<pb/>Let now our rulers be appointed for all the assembly and let all those who are in our cities who have married foreign women come at appointed times and with them the elders of every city and the judges of it, until the fierce wrath of our God be turned from us, until this matter be dispatched.


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<pb/>Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.


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<pb/>And the sons of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, <i>with</i> certain heads of fathers, after their fathers' houses and all of them by their names, were set apart. And they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.


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And they made an end with all the men who had married foreign women by the first day of the first month.


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<pb/>And among the sons of the priests there were found who had married foreign women, <i>namely</i>, of the sons of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak and his brothers, Maaseiah and Eliezer and Jarib and Gedaliah.


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And they gave their hand that they would put away their wives. And being guilty, <i>they offered</i> a ram of the flock for their guilt.


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<pb/>And of the Levites: Jozabad and Shimei and Kelaiah (what is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah and Eliezer.


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<pb/>And of Israel: Of the sons of Parosh, Ramiah and Izziah and Malchijah and Mijamin and Eleazar and Malchijah and Benaiah.


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And of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel and Binnui and Manasseh.


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<pb/>The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan   <n>{Susa}</n>   the palace,


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that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, that were left of the captivity and concerning Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And they said to me, The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. Also the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and the gates of it are burned with fire.


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<pb/>And it happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept and mourned certain days. And I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,


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and said, I beseech you, O Jehovah, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:


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<pb/>Let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the sons of Israel your servants while I confess the sins of the sons of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father's house have sinned.


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We have dealt very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses.


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<pb/>Remember, I beseech you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, If you* trespass, I will scatter you* abroad among the peoples,


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but if you* return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your* outcasts were in the outermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.


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<pb/>Now these are your servants and your people whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.


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O Lord, I beseech you, let now your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name, and I beseech you, prosper your servant this day and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. <pb/>Now I was cupbearer to the king.


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<pb/>And it happened in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not <i>formerly</i> been sad in his presence.


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And the king said to me, Why is your countenance sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very much afraid.


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<pb/>And I said to the king, Let the king live everlasting. Why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchers, lies waste and the gates of it are consumed with fire?


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And I said to the king, If it please the king and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it.


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<pb/>And the king said to me (the queen also sitting by him), For how long will your journey be? And when will you return? So it pleased the king to send me and I set him a time.


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<pb/>Moreover I said to the king, If it please the king, let letters be given to me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through till I come to Judah,


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and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the castle which is for the palace and for the wall of the city and for the house that I will enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.


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<pb/>Then I came to the governors beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me captains of the army and horsemen.


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And when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there came a man to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.


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And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me. I neither told any man what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem, nor was there any beast with me except the beast that I rode upon.


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<pb/>And I went out by night by the valley gate, even toward the jackal's well and to the manure gate and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down and the gates of it were consumed with fire.


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Then I went on to the fountain gate and to the king's pool, but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.


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Then I went up in the night by the brook and viewed the wall. And I turned back and entered by the valley gate and so returned.


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<pb/>And the rulers did not know where I went, or what I did, neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the ranking men, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.


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<pb/>Then I said to them, You* see the evil condition that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste and the gates of it are burned with fire. Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem that we are no more a reproach.


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<pb/>And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, as also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good <i>work</i>.


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<pb/>But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn and despised us and said, What is this thing that you* do? Will you* rebel against the king?


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<pb/>Then I answered them and said to them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us. Therefore we his servants will arise and build, but you* have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests and they built the sheep gate. They made it holy and set up the doors of it, even to the Tower of Hundred they made it holy, to the Tower of Hananel.


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<pb/>And the sons of Hassenaah built the fish gate. They laid the beams of it and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it and the bars of it.


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<pb/>And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz repaired. <pb/>And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel repaired. <pb/>And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired.


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<pb/>And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their ranking men did not put their necks to the work of their lord.


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<pb/>And the old gate Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired. They laid the beams of it and set up the doors of it and the bolts of it and the bars of it.


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<pb/>And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, <i>who pertained</i> to the throne of the governor beyond the River, repaired.


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<pb/>Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. <pb/>And next to him Hananiah one of the perfumers repaired. And they fortified Jerusalem even to the broad wall.


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<pb/>And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired.


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<pb/>And next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, repaired opposite his house. <pb/>And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabneiah repaired.


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<pb/>Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired another portion and the tower of the furnaces.


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<pb/>And next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.


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<pb/>Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah, repaired the valley gate. They built it and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it and the bars of it and a thousand cubits of the wall to the manure gate.


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<pb/>And Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the manure gate. He built it and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it and the bars of it.


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<pb/>And Shallun   <n>{Shallum}</n>   the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the fountain gate. He built it and covered it and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it and the bars of it and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king's garden, even to the stairs that go down from the city of David.


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<pb/>After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to the place opposite the sepulchers of David and to the pool that was made and to the house of the mighty men.


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<pb/>After him the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani, repaired. <pb/>Next to him Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district.


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<pb/>After him their brothers, Bavvai   <n>{Bavai}</n>   the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired.


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<pb/>And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, repaired another portion opposite the ascent to the armory at the turning <i>of the wall</i>.


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<pb/>After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning <i>of the wall</i> to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.


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<pb/>After him Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.


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<pb/>After them Benjamin and Hasshub repaired opposite their house. <pb/>After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah repaired beside his own house.


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<pb/>After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another portion, from the house of Azariah to the turning <i>of the wall</i> and to the corner.


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<pb/>Palal the son of Uzai <i>repaired</i> opposite the turning <i>of the wall</i> and the tower that stands out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard. <pb/>After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh <i>repaired</i>.


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<pb/>(Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, to the place opposite the water gate toward the east and the tower that stands out.)


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After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, opposite the great tower that stands out and to the wall of Ophel.


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<pb/>After them Zadok the son of Immer repaired opposite his own house. <pb/>And after him Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah   <n>{Shechaniah}</n>, the keeper of the east gate, repaired.


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<pb/>After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion. <pb/>After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah repaired opposite his chamber.


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<pb/>After him Malchijah one of the goldsmiths to the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, repaired opposite the Gate of Miphkad   <n>{Hammiphkad}</n>   and to the ascent of the corner.


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<pb/>And between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate the goldsmiths and the merchants repaired.


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<pb/>But it happened that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and took great indignation and mocked the Jews.


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And he spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burnt?


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<pb/>Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him and he said, Even what they are building, if a fox goes up he will break down their stone wall.


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<pb/>Hear, O our God, for we are despised and <i>so</i> turn back their reproach upon their own head and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity,


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and do not cover their iniquity and do not let their sin be blotted out from before you, for they have provoked <i>you</i> to anger before the builders.


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<pb/>So we built the wall and all the wall was joined together to half <i>the height</i> of it, for the people had a mind to work.


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<pb/>But it happened that, when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabians and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, <i>and</i> that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very angry,


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and all of them together conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.


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<pb/>And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens has become feeble and there is much rubbish, so that we are not able to build the wall.


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And our adversaries said, They will not know, neither see, till we come into the midst of them and kill them and cause the work to cease.


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<pb/>And it happened that, when the Jews who dwelt by them came, they said to us ten times, From all places from where you* will return to us they will be upon you*.


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<pb/>Therefore I set in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I set <i>there</i> the people after their families with their swords, their spears and their bows.


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<pb/>And I looked and rose up and said to the ranking men and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome and fight for your* brothers, your* sons and your* daughters, your* wives and your* houses.


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<pb/>And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, every man to his work.


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<pb/>And it happened from that time forth, that half of my servants labored in the work and half of them held the spears, the shields and the bows and the coats of mail. And the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.


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<pb/>They all built the wall and those who bore burdens loaded themselves, every man with one of his hands labored in the work and with the other held his weapon,


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and the builders, every man had his sword girded by his side and so built. And he who blew the trumpet was by me.


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<pb/>And I said to the ranking men and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.


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In whatever place you* hear the sound of the trumpet, gather you* there to us, our God will fight for us.


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<pb/>So we labored in the work and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.


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Likewise at the same time I said to the people, Let each with his servant lodge within Jerusalem that in the night they may be a guard to us and may labor in the day.


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<pb/>So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us put off our clothes, everyone <i>went with</i> his weapon <i>to</i> the water.


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For there were who said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many. Let us get grain that we may eat and live.


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<pb/>There were some also who said, We are mortgaging our fields and our vineyards and our houses. Let us get grain because of the dearth.


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<pb/>There were also who said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute <i>upon</i> our fields and our vineyards.


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Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our sons as their sons. And behold, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants and some of our daughters are brought into bondage <i>already</i>. Neither is it in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.


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Then I consulted with myself and contended with the ranking men and the rulers and said to them, You* exact usury, everyone of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.


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And I said to them, According to our ability we have redeemed our brothers the Jews, who were sold to the nations and would you* even sell your* brothers and should they be sold to us? Then they were silent and found not a word.


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<pb/>Also I said, The thing that you* do is not good. Ought you* not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?


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And I likewise, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. I beseech you*, let us leave off this usury.


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Restore, I beseech you*, to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their olive-groves and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money and of the grain, the new wine and the oil, that you* exact of them.


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<pb/>Then they said, We will restore them and will require nothing of them, so will we do, even as you say. Then I called the priests and took an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.


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Also I shook out my lap and said, So God shake out every man from his house and from his labor, who does not perform this promise, even thus be he shaken out and emptied. And all the assembly said, Truly and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.


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<pb/>Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, <i>that is</i>, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.


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<pb/>But the former governors who were before me charged the people and took bread and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people. But I did not so, because of the fear of God.


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<pb/>Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither did we buy any land. And all my servants were gathered there to the work.


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Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, a hundred and fifty men, besides those who came to us from among the nations that were all around us.


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<pb/>Now what was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep, also fowls were prepared for me and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this I did not demand the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.


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<pb/>Now it happened, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah and to Geshem the Arabian and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it, (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),


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that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in <i>one of</i> the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.


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<pb/>And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you*?


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<pb/>Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand


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in which was written, It is reported among the nations and Gashmu   <n>{Geshem}</n>   says it, that you and the Jews think to rebel, for which cause you are building the wall. And you would be their king according to these words.


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<pb/>And you have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah. And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore and let us take counsel together.


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<pb/>Then I sent to him, saying, There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart.


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For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands will be weakened from the work that it not be done. But now, <i>O God</i>, strengthen you my hands.


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<pb/>And I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple and let us shut the doors of the temple. For they will come to kill you, yes, they will come to kill you in the night.


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And I said, Should such a man as I flee? And who is there, that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.


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<pb/>And I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him, but he pronounced this prophecy against me and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.


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For this cause he was hired, that I should be afraid and do so and sin and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.


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<pb/>Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets, who would have put me in fear.


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And it happened, when all our enemies heard <i>of it</i>, that all the nations that were around us feared and were much cast down in their own eyes, for they perceived that this work was worked of our God.


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<pb/>Moreover in those days the ranking men of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah and <i>the letters</i> of Tobiah came to them.


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For there were many in Judah sworn to him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah   <n>{Shechaniah}</n>   the son of Arah and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as a wife.


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Also they spoke of his good deeds before me and reported my words to him. <i>And</i> Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.


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<pb/>Now it happened, when the wall was built and I had set up the doors and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed,


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that I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle, charge over Jerusalem, for he was a faithful man and feared God above many.


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<pb/>And I said to them, Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot and while they stand <i>on guard</i>, let them shut the doors and bar you* them. And appoint watchmen of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch and everyone <i>to be</i> opposite his house.


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<pb/>And my God put into my heart to gather together the ranking men and the rulers and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first. And I found written in it:


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These are the sons of the province who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away and who returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, everyone to his city,


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who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. <pb/>The number of the men of the people of Israel:


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the sons of Pahath-moab, of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred <i>and</i> eighteen;


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<pb/>The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, a hundred thirty-eight.


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<pb/>And these were those who went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show their fathers' house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel:


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<pb/>And of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah   <n>{Habaiah}</n>, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called after their name.


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These sought their registration <i>among</i> those who were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found. Therefore they were deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.


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<pb/>And the governor said to them that they should not eat of the most holy things till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.


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besides their men-servants and their maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven. And they had two hundred forty-five singing men and singing women.


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<i>their</i> camels, four hundred thirty-five, <i>their</i> donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.


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<pb/>And some from among the heads of fathers gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury a thousand 128-grain weights of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.


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And some of the heads of fathers gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand 128-grain weights of gold and two thousand and two hundred pounds of silver.


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And what the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand 128-grain weights of gold and two thousand pounds of silver and sixty-seven priests' garments.


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<pb/>So the priests and the Levites and the gatekeepers and the singers and some of the people and the Nethinim and all Israel, dwelt in their cities. And when the seventh month came, the sons of Israel were in their cities.


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<pb/>And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate. And they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel.


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<pb/>And Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.


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And he read in it before the broad place that was before the water gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and of those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were <i>attentive</i> to the book of the law.


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<pb/>And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah and Shema and Anaiah and Uriah and Hilkiah and Maaseiah, on his right hand and on his left hand, Pedaiah and Mishael and Malchijah and Hashum and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, <i>and</i> Meshullam.


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And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people (for he was above all the people) and when he opened it, all the people stood up.


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<pb/>And Ezra blessed Jehovah, the great God. And all the people answered, Truly, Truly, with the lifting up of their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped Jehovah with their faces to the ground.


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Also Jeshua and Bani and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah   <n>{Hodijah}</n>, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law. And the people <i>stood</i> in their place.


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And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.


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<pb/>And Nehemiah, who was the governor and Ezra the priest the scribe and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, This day is holy to Jehovah your* God; do not mourn nor weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law.


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<pb/>Then he said to them, Go your* way, eat fat things and drink sweet things and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord; neither be you* grieved, for the joy of Jehovah is your* strength.


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<pb/>So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, Be silent, for the day is holy, neither be you* grieved.


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And all the people went their way to eat and to drink and to send portions and to make great gladness, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.


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<pb/>And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers of all the people, the priests and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the law.


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And they found written in the law how that Jehovah had commanded by Moses that the sons of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month,


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and that they should proclaim and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth to the mountain and fetch olive branches and branches of wild olive and myrtle branches and palm branches and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.


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<pb/>So the people went forth and brought them and made themselves booths, each one upon the roof of his house and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God and in the broad place of the water gate and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.


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And all the assembly of those who came again out of the captivity made booths and dwelt in the booths, for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the sons of Israel had not done so. And there was very great gladness.


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<pb/>Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.


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<pb/>Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel were assembled with fasting and with sackcloth and earth upon them.


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And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.


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And they stood up in their place and read in the book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth part of the day and <i>another</i> fourth part they confessed and worshiped Jehovah their God.


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<pb/>Then Jeshua and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, <i>and</i> Chenani, stood up upon the stairs of the Levites and cried with a loud voice to Jehovah their God.


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Then the Levites, Jeshua and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, <i>and</i> Pethahiah, said, Stand up and praise Jehovah your* God from everlasting to everlasting. And praise your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.


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<pb/>You are Jehovah, even you alone, you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are on it, the seas and all that is in them and you preserve them all. And the host of heaven worships you.


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You are Jehovah, the God who chose Abram and brought him forth out of Ur of the Chaldeans   <n>{Chaldees}</n>   and gave him the name of Abraham,


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and found his heart faithful before you and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Jebusite and the Girgashite, to give it to his seed and have performed your words, for you are righteous.


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and showed signs and wonders upon Pharaoh and on all his servants and on all the people of his land, for you knew that they dealt proudly against them and got you a name, as it is this day.


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And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land. And you cast their pursuers into the depths as a stone into the mighty waters.


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Moreover in a pillar of cloud you led them by day and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go.


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<pb/>You also came down upon Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,


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and made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law, by Moses your servant.


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<pb/>And you gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought out water for them out of the rock for their thirst and commanded them that they should go in to possess the land which you had sworn to give them.


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<pb/>But they and our fathers dealt proudly and stiffened their neck and did not listen to your commandments,


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and refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but stiffened their neck. And in their rebellion they appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and did not forsake them.


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<pb/>Yes, when they had made a molten calf for them and said, This is your God that brought you up out of Egypt and had worked great provocations,


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yet you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud did not depart from over them by day to lead them in the way, neither the pillar of fire by night to show them light and the way in which they should go.


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<pb/>You also gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst.


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Yes, forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, <i>and</i> they lacked nothing; their clothes did not grow old and their feet did not swell.


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<pb/>Moreover you gave them kingdoms and peoples, which you allotted after their portions. So they possessed the land of Sihon, even the land of the king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan.


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Their sons you also multiplied as the stars of heaven and brought them into the land concerning which you said to their fathers that they should go in to possess it.


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<pb/>So the sons went in and possessed the land. And you subdued the inhabitants of the land before them, the Canaanites and gave them into their hands, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would.


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And they took fortified cities and a fat land and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns hewn out, vineyards and olive-groves and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness.


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<pb/>Nevertheless they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets who testified against them to turn them again to you and they worked great provocations.


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<pb/>Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them. And in the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard from heaven and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them out of the hand of their adversaries.


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<pb/>But after they had rest, they again did evil before you. Therefore you left them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them. Yet when they returned and cried to you, you heard from heaven and many times you delivered them according to your mercies,


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and testified against them, that you might bring them again to your law. Yet they dealt proudly and did not listen to your commandments, but sinned against your ordinances (which if a man does, he will live in them) and withdrew the shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not hear.


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<pb/>Yet many years you prolonged with them and testified against them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not listen. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.


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Nevertheless in your great mercies you did not make a full end of them, nor forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.


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<pb/>Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness, do not let all the travail seem little before you, that has come upon us, on our kings, on our rulers and on our priests and on our prophets and on our fathers and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day.


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<pb/>However you are just in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly,


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neither have our kings, our rulers, our priests, nor our fathers, kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you testified against them.


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For they have not served you in their kingdom and in your great goodness that you gave them and in the large and fat land which you gave before them, neither did they turn from their wicked works.


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<pb/>Behold, we are servants this day and as for the land that you gave to our fathers to eat the fruit of it and the good of it, behold, we are servants in it.


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And it yields much increase to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins. Also they have power over our bodies and over our cattle, at their pleasure and we are in great distress.


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And yet for all this we make a sure covenant and write it and our rulers, our Levites, <i>and</i> our priests, seal to it.


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<pb/>And the rest of the people — the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding–


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they clung to their brothers, their ranking men and entered into a curse and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God and to observe and do all the commandments of Jehovah our Lord and his ordinances and his statutes.


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And that we would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons.


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And if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day. And that we would forego the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.


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<pb/>Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God,


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for the showbread and for the continual meal offering and for the continual burnt offering, for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set feasts and for the holy things and for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel and for all the work of the house of our God.


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<pb/>And we cast lots, the priests, the Levites and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers' houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn upon the altar of Jehovah our God, as it is written in the law,


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and to bring the first-fruits of our ground and the first-fruits of all fruit of all manner of trees, year by year, to the house of Jehovah,


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also the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the law and the first-offspring of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God,


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and that we should bring the first-fruits of our dough and our heave offerings and the fruit of all manner of trees, the new wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God and the tithes of our ground to the Levites, for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.


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<pb/>And the priest the son of Aaron will be with the Levites when the Levites take tithes. And the Levites will bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure-house.


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For the sons of Israel and the sons of Levi will bring the heave offering of the grain, of the new wine and of the oil, to the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary and the priests that minister and the gatekeepers and the singers. And we will not forsake the house of our God.


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<pb/>And the rulers of the people dwelt in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city and nine parts in the <i>other</i> cities.


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<pb/>Now these are the chiefs of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem. But in the cities of Judah everyone dwells in his possession in their cities, <i>namely</i>, Israel, the priests and the Levites and the Nethinim and the sons of Solomon's servants.


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<pb/>And in Jerusalem certain of the sons of Judah and of the sons of Benjamin dwelt. <pb/>Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the sons of Perez;


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and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.


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<pb/>And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah.


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And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.


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Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God,


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and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,


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and his brothers, chiefs of fathers, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,


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and their brothers, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty-eight and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim   <n>{a great man}</n>.


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<pb/>And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni,


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and Shabbethai and Jozabad of the chiefs of the Levites who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God,


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and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.


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<pb/>Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy-two.


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<pb/>And the rest of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.


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The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of the house of God.


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For there was a commandment from the king concerning them and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.


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And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the sons of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.


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<pb/>And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the sons of Judah dwelt in Kiriath-arba and the towns of it and in Dibon and the towns of it and in Jekabzeel and the villages of it,


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Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish and the fields of it, Azekah and the towns of it. So they encamped from Beer-sheba to the valley of Hinnom.


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<pb/>The sons of Benjamin also <i>dwelt</i> from Geba <i>onward</i>, at Michmash and Aija and at Bethel and the towns of it,


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<pb/>Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,


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Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chiefs of the priests and of their brothers in the days of Jeshua.


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<pb/>Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, <i>and</i> Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brothers.


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And Jeshua   <n>{Joshua}</n>   fathered Joiakim and Joiakim fathered Eliashib and Eliashib fathered Joiada,


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<pb/>And in the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers: from Seraiah: Meraiah; from Jeremiah: Hananiah;


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<pb/>As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada and Johanan and Jaddua, there were recorded the heads of fathers, also the priests, in the reign of Darius the Persian.


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The sons of Levi, heads of fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.


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<pb/>And the chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers opposite them, to praise and give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, watch next to watch.


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Mattaniah and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were gatekeepers keeping the watch at the store-houses of the gates.


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These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest the scribe.


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And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries and with harps.


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And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain all around Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites,


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also from Beth-gilgal and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth; for the singers had built for them villages all around Jerusalem.


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And the priests and the Levites purified themselves and they purified the people and the gates and the wall.


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Then I brought up the rulers of Judah upon the wall and appointed two great companies that gave thanks and went in procession, <i>one went</i> on the right hand upon the wall toward the manure gate,


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and certain of the priests' sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph,


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and his brothers, Shemaiah and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God and Ezra the scribe was ahead of them.


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<pb/>And they went up by the fountain gate and straight before them, by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, even to the water gate eastward.


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<pb/>And the other company of those who gave thanks went to meet them and I after them, with the half of the people, upon the wall, above the tower of the furnaces, even to the broad wall,


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and above the gate of Ephraim and by the old gate and by the fish gate and the tower of Hananel and the Tower of Hundred, even to the sheep gate. And they stood still in the gate of the guard.


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<pb/>So stood the two companies of those who gave thanks in the house of God and I and the half of the rulers with me,


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and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with trumpets,


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and Maaseiah and Shemaiah and Eleazar and Uzzi and Jehohanan and Malchijah and Elam and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.


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<pb/>And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy. And the women also and the children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.


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<pb/>And on that day men were appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the heave offerings, for the first-fruits and for the tithes, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the law for the priests and Levites. For Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites who served.


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<pb/>And they kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification and <i>also</i> the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the commandment of David and of Solomon his son.


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For in the days of David and Asaph of long-ago there was a chief of the singers and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.


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<pb/>And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the gatekeepers as every day required. And they set apart <i>what was</i> for the Levites and the Levites set apart <i>what was</i> for the sons of Aaron.


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<pb/>On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people and in it was found written that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God everlasting,


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because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them. However our God turned the curse into a blessing.


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And it happened, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.


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<pb/>Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied to Tobiah,


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had prepared for him a great chamber, where formerly they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense and the vessels and the tithes of the grain, the new wine and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites and the singers and the gatekeepers and the heave offerings for the priests.


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<pb/>But in all this <i>time</i> I was not at Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after certain days I asked leave of the king,


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and I came to Jerusalem and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.


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<pb/>And it grieved me greatly. Therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.


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Then I commanded and they cleansed the chambers. And there I brought again the vessels of the house of God, with the meal offerings and the frankincense.


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<pb/>And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them, so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled each one to his field.


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Then I contended with the rulers and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together and set them in their place.


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<pb/>And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe and of the Levites, Pedaiah and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah. For they were counted faithful and their business was to distribute to their brothers.


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<pb/>Remember me, O my God, concerning this and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for the observances of it.


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<pb/>In those days I saw in Judah some men treading wine-presses on the Sabbath and bringing in sheaves and loading donkeys <i>on them</i>, as also wine, grapes and figs and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I testified <i>against them</i> in the day in which they sold foods.


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<pb/>There dwelt men of Tyre also in it who brought in fish and all manner of wares and sold on the Sabbath to the sons of Judah and in Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Then I contended with the ranking men of Judah and said to them, What evil thing is this that you* do and profane the Sabbath day?


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Did not your* fathers thus and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city? Yet you* bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath.


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<pb/>And it happened that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and commanded that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath. And I set some of my servants over the gates that there should be no burden brought in on the Sabbath day.


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Then I testified against them and said to them, Why do you* lodge outside the wall? If you* do so again, I will lay hands on you*. From that time forth they came no more on the Sabbath.


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<pb/>And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember to me, O my God, this also and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.


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<pb/>In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, <i>and</i> of Moab.


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And their sons spoke half in the speech of Ashdod and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.


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And I contended with them and cursed them and killed* certain of them and plucked off their hair and made them swear by God, <i>saying</i>, You* will not give your* daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your* sons, or for yourselves.


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<pb/>Did not Solomon King of Israel sin by these things? Yet there was no king like him among many nations and he was beloved of his God and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin.


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Shall we then listen to you* to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?


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And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I chased him from me.


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<pb/>Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.


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Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners and appointed charges for the priests and for the Levites, each one in his work,


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and for the wood offering, at times appointed and for the first-fruits. <pb/>Remember me, O my God, for good.


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<pb/>Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces),


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that in those days, when king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,


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in the third year of his reign, he made a feast to all his rulers and his servants, the power of Persia and Media, the ranking men and rulers of the provinces, being before him


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when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even a hundred and eighty days.


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<pb/>And when these days were fulfilled, the king made a feast to all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace.


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<i>There were hangings of</i> white <i>cloth, of</i> green and <i>of</i> blue, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble. The couches were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red and white and yellow and black marble.


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<pb/>And they gave them drink in vessels of gold (the vessels being diverse one from another) and royal wine in abundance according to the bounty of the king.


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And the drinking was according to the law, none could compel. For so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.


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Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.


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<pb/>On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas   <n>{Carkas}</n>, the seven eunuchs who ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,


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to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown to show the peoples and the rulers her beauty, for she was fair to look on.


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But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry and his fury burned in him.


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<pb/>Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times (for so was the king's manner toward all who knew law and judgment,


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and next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven rulers of Persia and Media who saw the king's face and sat first in the kingdom),


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What will we do to queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of king Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?


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<pb/>And Memucan answered before the king and the rulers, Vashti the queen has not done wrong only to the king, but also to all the rulers and to all the peoples that are in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus.


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<pb/>For this deed of the queen will come abroad to all women, to make their husbands contemptible in their eyes when it will be reported, King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she did not come.


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<pb/>And this day the ladies of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen will say <i>the like</i> to all the king's rulers. So <i>there will arise</i> much contempt and wrath.


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<pb/>If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it is not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she.


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And when the king's decree which he will make will be proclaimed throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.


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<pb/>And the saying pleased the king and the rulers and the king did according to the word of Memucan.


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For he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing of it and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house and should speak according to the language of his people.


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<pb/>After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what was decreed against her.


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<pb/>Then the king's servants who ministered to him said, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king.


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And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins to Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, to the custody of Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. And let their things for purification be given them,


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and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king and he did so.


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<pb/>There was a certain Jew in Shushan the palace whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite,


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who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah   <n>{Jehoiachin}</n>   king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.


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<pb/>And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter. For she had neither father nor mother and the maiden was fair and beautiful. And when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.


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<pb/>So it happened, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard and when many maidens were gathered together to Shushan the palace to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's house to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.


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<pb/>And the maiden pleased him and she obtained kindness from him. And he quickly gave her things for purification, with her portions and the seven maidens who were suitable to be given her out of the king's house. And he removed her and her maidens to the best place of the house of the women.


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<pb/>Esther had not made known her people nor her kindred, for Mordecai had charged her that she should not make it known.


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And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house to know how Esther did and what would become of her.


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<pb/>Now when the turn of every maiden came to go in to king Ahasuerus, after it had been done to her according to the law for the women twelve months (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, <i>namely</i>, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet odors and with the things for the purifying of the women),


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then the maiden came to the king in this way: Whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women to the king's house.


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<pb/>In the evening she went and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more unless the king delighted in her and she was called by name.


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<pb/>Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked upon her.


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So Esther was taken to king Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.


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<pb/>And the king loved Esther above all the women. And she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.


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Then the king made a great feast to all his rulers and his servants, even Esther's feast and he made a release to the provinces and gave gifts according to the bounty of the king.


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<pb/>And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate.


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Esther had not yet made known her kindred nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her. For Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, as when she was brought up with him.


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<pb/>In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, of those who kept the threshold, were angry and sought to lay hands on king Ahasuerus.


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And the thing became known to Mordecai, who showed it to Esther the queen and Esther told the king <i>of it</i> in Mordecai's name.


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<pb/>And when inquiry was made of the matter and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree. And it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.


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<pb/>After these things king Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite and advanced him and set his seat above all the rulers that were with him.


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And all the king's servants, who were in the king's gate, bowed down and did reverence to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down, nor do him reverence.


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Then the king's servants, who were in the king's gate, said to Mordecai, Why do you transgress the king's commandment?


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<pb/>Now it happened, when they spoke daily to him and he did not listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand, for he had told them that he was a Jew.


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And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down, nor do him reverence, then Haman was full of wrath.


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<pb/>But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.


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<pb/>In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day and from month to month, <i>to</i> the twelfth <i>month</i>, which is the month Adar.


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<pb/>And Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom and their laws are diverse from <i>those of</i> every people, nor do they keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not for the king's profit to endure them.


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If it please the king, let it be written that they are destroyed. And I will pay ten thousand talants of silver into the hands of those who have the charge of the <i>king's</i> business, to bring it into the king's treasuries.


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<pb/>And the king took his ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.


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And the king said to Haman, The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you.


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<pb/>Then the king's scribes were called in the first month, on the thirteenth day of it. And there was written according to all that Haman commanded to the king's satraps and to the governors who were over every province and to the rulers of every people, to every province according to the writing of it and to every people after their language, in the name of king Ahasuerus it was written. And it was sealed with the king's ring.


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<pb/>And letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little sons and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth <i>day</i> of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar and to take the spoil of them for a prey.


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<pb/>A copy of the writing that the decree should be given out in every province was proclaimed to all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day.


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The posts went forth in haste by the king's commandment and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace. <pb/>And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed.


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<pb/>Now when Mordecai knew all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes and went out into the midst of the city and cried with a loud and a bitter cry.


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And he came even before the king's gate, for none might enter inside the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.


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<pb/>And in every province, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews and fasting and weeping and wailing and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.


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<pb/>And Esther's maidens and her eunuchs came and told it to her. And the queen was exceedingly grieved. And she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and to take his sackcloth from him, but he did not receive it.


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<pb/>Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend upon her and charged him to go to Mordecai, to know what this was and why it was.


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<pb/>And Mordecai told him of all that had happened to him and the exact sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews to destroy them.


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Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it to Esther and to declare it to her and to charge her that she should go in to the king to make supplication to him and to make request before him for her people.


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All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces, know, that whoever, whether man or woman, will come to the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law for him, that he is put to death, except those to whom the king will hold out the golden scepter that he may live. But I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days.


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<pb/>Then Mordecai commanded them return answer to Esther, Think not with yourself that you will escape in the king's house more than all the Jews.


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For if you altogether keep quiet at this time, then relief and deliverance will arise to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?


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Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan and fast you* for me and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I also and my maidens will fast in like manner. And so I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, I perish.


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<pb/>Now it happened on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the king's house, opposite the king's house. And the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the entrance of the house.


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<pb/>And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter.


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<pb/>Then the king said to her, What do you will, queen Esther? And what is your request? It will be given you even to the half of the kingdom.


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And Esther said, If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.


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Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste that it may be done as Esther has said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.


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<pb/>And the king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, What is your petition? And it will be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it will be performed.


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if I have found favor in the sight of the king and if it please the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.


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<pb/>Then Haman went forth that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he did not stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.


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Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.


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<pb/>And Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches and the multitude of his sons and all the things in which the king had promoted him and how he had advanced him above the rulers and servants of the king.


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Haman said moreover, Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself and tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king.


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Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high and in the morning speak to the king that Mordecai may be hanged on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman and he caused the gallows to be made.


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<pb/>On that night the king could not sleep. And he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles and they were read before the king.


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And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, of those who kept the threshold, who had sought to lay hands on king Ahasuerus.


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<pb/>And the king said, What honor and dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this? Then the king's servants who ministered to him said, There is nothing done for him.


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<pb/>And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman came into the outward court of the king's house to speak to the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.


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And the king's servants said to him, Behold, Haman stands in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.


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<pb/>So Haman came in. And the king said to him, What will be done to the man whom the king delights to honor? Now Haman said in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself?


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let royal apparel be brought which the king uses to wear and the horse that the king rides upon and on the head of which a royal crown is set.


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And let the apparel and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble rulers, that they may array the man whom the king delights to honor and cause him to ride on horseback through the street of the city and proclaim before him, Thus it will be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.


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<pb/>Then the king said to Haman, Make haste and take the apparel and the horse, as you have said and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Let nothing fail of all that you have spoken.


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Then Haman took the apparel and the horse and arrayed Mordecai and caused him to ride through the street of the city and proclaimed before him, Thus it will be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.


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<pb/>And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hastened to his house, mourning and having his head covered.


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And Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had befallen him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, you will not prevail against him, but will surely fall before him.


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<pb/>While they were yet talking with him, the king's eunuchs came and hastened to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.


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And the king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is your petition, queen Esther? And it will be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it will be performed.


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<pb/>Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in your sight, O king and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition and my people at my request.


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For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's damage.


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<pb/>Then king Ahasuerus spoke and said to Esther the queen, Who is he and where is he, who dares presume in his heart to do so?


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And Esther said, An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.


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<pb/>And the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine <i>and went</i> into the palace garden. And Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen, for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.


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<pb/>Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine and Haman was fallen upon the couch on which Esther was. Then the king said, Will he even force the queen before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.


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<pb/>Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were before the king said, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, stands in the house of Haman. And the king said, Hang him on it.


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<pb/>So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's wrath was pacified.


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<pb/>On that day king Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman the Jews' enemy to Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told what he was to her.


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And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.


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<pb/>And Esther spoke yet again before the king and fell down at his feet and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite and his device that he had devised against the Jews.


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<pb/>And she said, If it please the king and if I have found favor in his sight and the thing seem right before the king and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews that are in all the king's provinces.


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For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?


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<pb/>Then the king Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.


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Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you*, in the king's name and seal it with the king's ring, for the writing which is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.


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<pb/>Then the king's scribes were called at that time, in the third month Sivan, on the twenty-third <i>day</i> of it. And it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and rulers of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, a hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to the writing of it and to every people after their language and to the Jews according to their writing and according to their language.


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<pb/>And he wrote the name of king Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king's ring and sent letters by post on horseback, riding on swift steeds that were used in the king's service bred of the stud,


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in which the king granted the Jews that were in every city to gather themselves together and to stand for their life, to destroy, to kill and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province who would assault them, <i>their</i> little ones and women and to take the spoil of them for a prey,


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upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, <i>namely</i>, upon the thirteenth <i>day</i> of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.


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<pb/>A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in every province, was proclaimed to all the peoples and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.


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So the posts that rode upon swift steeds that were used in the king's service went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment and the decree was given out in Shushan the palace.


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<pb/>And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white and with a great crown of gold and with a robe of fine linen and purple. And the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.


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And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews, for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them.


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<pb/>Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over those who hated them),


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the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt. And no man could withstand them, for the fear of them fell upon all the peoples.


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<pb/>And all the rulers of the provinces and the satraps and the governors and those who did the king's business, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.


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For Mordecai was great in the king's house and his fame went forth throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater.


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<pb/>And the Jews killed* all their enemies with the stroke of the sword and with slaughter and destruction and did what they would to those who hated them.


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the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jew's enemy, but they did not lay their hand on the spoil.


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<pb/>On that day the number of those who were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.


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And the king said to Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace and the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your petition? And it will be granted you, or what is your request further? And it will be done.


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<pb/>Then Esther said, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according to this day's decree and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.


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And the king commanded it so to be done. And a decree was given out in Shushan and they hanged Haman's ten sons.


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<pb/>And the Jews who were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar and killed three hundred men in Shushan, but they did not lay their hand on the spoil.


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And the other Jews who were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together and stood for their lives and had rest from their enemies and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them. But they did not lay their hand on the spoil.


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<pb/><i>This was done</i> on the thirteenth day of the month Adar. And on the fourteenth day of the same they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.


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But the Jews who were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth <i>day</i> of it and on the fourteenth of it and on the fifteenth <i>day</i> of the same they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.


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Therefore the Jews of the villages, who dwell in the un-walled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar <i>a day of</i> gladness and feasting and a good day and of sending portions one to another.


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<pb/>And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far,


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to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,


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as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies. And the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness and from mourning into a good day, that they should make them days of feasting and gladness and of sending portions one to another and gifts to the poor.


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because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast Pur, that is the lot, to consume them and to destroy them.


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But when <i>the matter</i> came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.


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<pb/>Therefore they called these days Purim, after the name of Pur. Therefore because of all the words of this letter and of what they had seen concerning this matter and what had come to them,


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the Jews established and took upon them and upon their seed and upon all such as joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to the writing of it and according to the appointed time of it, every year.


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<pb/>And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province and every city and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the remembrance of them perish from their seed.


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<pb/>Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.


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And he sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, <i>with</i> words of peace and truth,


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to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, just-as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them and as they had established for themselves and for their seed in the matter of the fastings and their cry.


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And all the acts of his power and of his might and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to what the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?


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<pb/>For Mordecai the Jew was next to king Ahasuerus and great among the Jews and accepted of the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his seed.


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<pb/>There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job and that man was perfect and upright and one who feared God and turned away from evil.


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<pb/>His substance also was seven thousand sheep and three thousand camels and five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred female-donkeys and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the sons of the east.


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<pb/>And his sons went and held a feast in the house of each one upon his day and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.


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And it was so, when the days of their feasting were completed, that Job sent and made them holy and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and renounced God in their hearts. Thus Job did continually.


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<pb/>Now it happened on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them.


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And Jehovah said to Satan, From where do you come? Then Satan answered Jehovah and said, From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it.


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And Jehovah said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil.


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Have you not made a hedge on every side on behalf of him and his house and all that he has? You have blessed the work of his hands and his substance is increased in the land.


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And Jehovah said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power, only upon himself do not put forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah.


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<pb/>And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,


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that there came a messenger to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,


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and the Sabeans fell <i>upon them</i> and took them away. Yes, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword and only I alone have escaped to tell you.


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<pb/>While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The fire of God fell from heaven and has burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them and only I alone have escaped to tell you.


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<pb/>While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The Chaldeans made three bands and fell upon the camels and have taken them away, yes and slain the servants with the edge of the sword and only I alone have escaped to tell you.


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<pb/>While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house.


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And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness and killed* the four corners of the house and it fell upon the young men and they are dead and only I alone have escaped to tell you.


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<pb/>Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped.


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And he said, Naked I came out of my mother's womb and naked I will return there. Jehovah gave and Jehovah has taken away, praise the name of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Again it happened on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah.


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And Jehovah said to Satan, From where did you come? And Satan answered Jehovah and said, From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it.


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<pb/>And Jehovah said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you moved me against him, to destroy him without cause.


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<pb/>And Satan answered Jehovah and said, Skin for skin, yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.


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So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah and killed* Job with severe boils from the sole of his foot to his crown.


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But he said to her, You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God and will we not receive evil? In all this Job did not sin with his lips.


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<pb/>Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that came upon him, they came each one from his own place — Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite — and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and to comfort him.


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<pb/>And when they lifted up their eyes afar off and did not recognize him, they lifted up their voice and wept. And each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.


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So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights. And none spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.


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<pb/>Let that day be darkness. Do not let God from above seek for it, nor let the light shine upon it.


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Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell upon it. Let blackness come upon it.


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As for that night, let thick darkness seize upon it. Let it not rejoice among the days of the year. Let it not come into the number of the months.


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Let the stars of the twilight of it be dark. Let it look for light, but have none, nor let it behold the eyelids of the morning.


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<pb/>For now I should have lain down and been quiet. I should have slept. Then I would have been at rest


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I beseech you, remember <i>those</i> who perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?


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The roaring of the lion and the voice of the fierce lion and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.


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It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance of it. A form was before my eyes. <pb/>There was silence and I heard a voice, <i>saying</i>,


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<pb/>How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!


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His sons are far from safety and they are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to deliver them,


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whose harvest the hungry eat up and takes it even out of the thorns and the snare pants for their substance.


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<pb/>Behold, fortunate is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise you the chastening of the Almighty.


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You will be hid from the scourge of the tongue. Neither will you be afraid of destruction when it comes.


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For you will be in league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.


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<pb/>For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison of which my spirit drinks up. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.


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And be it still my consolation, yes, let me rejoice (in pain that does not spare), that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.


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<pb/>To him who is ready to faint, kindness <i>should be</i> from his friend, even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.


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<pb/>The caravans <i>that travel</i> by the way of them turn aside. They go up into the waste and perish.


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<pb/>Do you* think to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of a man who is desperate are as wind?


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<pb/>When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise and the night be gone? And I am full of tossing to and fro to the dawning of the day.


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<pb/>Therefore I will not refrain my mouth. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit. I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.


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If I have sinned, what do I do to you, O you, watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?


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And why do you not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity?For now I will lie down in the dust and you will seek me diligently, but I will not be.


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How long will you speak these things? And <i>how long</i> will the words of your mouth be <i>like</i> a mighty wind?


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If your sons have sinned against him and he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression,


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if you were pure and upright, surely now he would awake for you and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.


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Because I beseech you, inquire of the former age and apply yourself to what their fathers have searched out


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<pb/>He will lean upon his house, but it will not stand. He will hold fast to it, but it will not endure.


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<pb/><i>He is</i> wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against him and prospered?


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<pb/><i>He</i> who removes the mountains and they do not know it when he overturns them in his anger,


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<pb/>Though I am righteous, my own mouth will condemn me. Though I am perfect, it will prove me perverse.


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The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of the judges of it. If not <i>he</i>, who then is it?


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<pb/>If I say, I will forget my complaint. I will put off my <i>sad</i> countenance and be of good cheer,


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<pb/>For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, that we should come together in judgment.


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<pb/>My soul is weary of my life. I will give free reign to my complaint. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.


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Is it good to you that you should oppress, that you should despise the work of your hands and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?


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If I am wicked, woe to me. And if I am righteous, yet I will not lift up my head, being filled with shame and looking upon my affliction.


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<pb/>And if <i>my head</i> exalts itself, you hunt me as a lion. And again you show yourself marvelous upon me.


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You renew your witnesses against me and increase your indignation upon me. Changes and warfare are with me.


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<pb/>Why then have you brought me forth out of the womb? I would have given up the spirit and no eye had seen me.


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the land dark as midnight, of the shadow of death, without any order and where the light is as midnight.


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and that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.


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<pb/>Surely then you will lift up your face without spot. Yes, you will be steadfast and will not fear.


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And <i>your</i> life will be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it will be as the morning.


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And you will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search <i>about you</i> and will take your rest in safety.


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<pb/>But the eyes of the wicked will fail and they will have no way to flee. And their hope will be the giving up of the spirit.


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But I have understanding as well as you*; I am not inferior to you*. Yes, who does not know such things as these?


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<pb/>I am as a man who is a laughing-stock to his neighbor. I who called upon God and he answered. The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock.


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<pb/>In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for calamity. It is ready for those whose foot slips.


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<pb/>The tents of robbers prosper and those who provoke God are secure. Into whose hand God brings <i>abundantly</i>.


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<pb/>But ask now the beasts and they will teach you and the birds of the heavens and they will tell you.


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<pb/>Behold, he breaks down and it cannot be built again. He shuts up a man and there can be no opening.


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Behold, he withholds the waters and they dry up. Again, he sends them out and they overturn the earth.


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<pb/>He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.


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Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with you and you have appointed his bounds that he cannot pass,


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For there is hope of a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again and that the offshoots of it will not cease.


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so man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens be no more, they will not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep.


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O that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would keep me secret, until your wrath be past, that you would appoint for me a set time and remember me!


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<pb/>If a man dies, will he live <i>again</i>? All the days of my warfare I would wait till my release should come.


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<pb/>The waters wear the stones. The overflowing of it wash away the dust of the earth. So you destroy the hope of man.


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His sons come to honor and he does not know it and they are brought low, but he does not perceive it of them.


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<pb/>What is man, that he should be clean? And he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?


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How much less one who is abominable and morally-corrupt, a man who drinks unrighteousness like water!


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The wicked man travails with pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.


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He wanders abroad for bread, <i>saying</i>, Where is it? He knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.


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And he has dwelt in desolate cities, in houses which no man inhabited, which were ready to become heaps.


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He will not be rich, neither will his substance continue, neither will their possessions be extended on the earth.


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He will not depart out of darkness. The flame will dry up his offshoots and by the breath of <i>God's</i> mouth he will go away.


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I also could speak as you* do, if your* soul were in my soul's stead. I could join words together against you* and shake my head at you*.


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<pb/><i>But</i> I would strengthen you* with my mouth and the solace of my lips would keep back <i>your</i>* <i>grief</i>.


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And you have laid fast hold on me, <i>which</i> is a witness <i>against me</i>. And my leanness rises up against me; it testifies to my face.


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<pb/>He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed upon me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes upon me.


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They have opened wide their mouth upon me. They have struck me upon the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.


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<pb/>I was at ease and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his mark.


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His archers encompass me all around. He splits my reins apart and does not spare. He pours out my gall upon the ground.


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<pb/>Give now a pledge, be a surety for me with yourself. Who is there that will thrust hands with me?


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<pb/>Upright men will be astonished at this and the innocent will stir himself up against the profane.


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<pb/>You who tear yourself in your anger, will the earth be forsaken for you? Or will the rock be removed out of its place?


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<pb/>Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous and this is the place of him who does not know God.


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whom I, even I, will see on my side and my eyes will behold and not as a stranger. My heart is consumed within me.


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be you* afraid of the sword. For wrath <i>brings</i> the punishments of the sword, that you* may know there is a judgment.


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He will fly away as a dream and will not be found. Yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night.


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What he labored for will he restore and will not swallow it down. According to the substance that he has gotten, he will not rejoice.


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<pb/>For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house and he will not build it up.


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<pb/>In the fullness of his sufficiency he will be in straits. The hand of everyone who is in misery will come upon him.


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When he is about to fill his belly, <i>God</i> will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him and will rain it upon him while he is eating.


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He draws it forth and it comes out of his body, yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors are upon him.


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All darkness is laid up for his treasures. A fire not blown will devour him. It will consume what is left in his tent.


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<pb/>Behold, <i>is</i> their prosperity not in their hand. (The counsel of the wicked is far from me.)


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How often is it that the lamp of the profane is put out, that their calamity comes upon them, that <i>God</i> distributes sorrows in his anger,


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<pb/><i>You</i>* <i>say</i>, God lays up his wickedness for his sons. Let him recompense it to himself that he may know it.


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The clods of the valley will be sweet to him. And all men will draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.


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Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous? Or is it gain <i>to him</i> that you make your ways perfect?


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<i>saying</i>, Surely those who rose up against us are cut off and the remnant of them, the fire has consumed.


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If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up, you put away unrighteousness far from your tents.


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You will also decree a thing and it will be established to you. And light will shine upon your ways.


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<pb/>When they cast <i>you</i> down, you will say, <i>There is</i> lifting up and he will save the humble man.


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He will deliver <i>even</i> him who is not innocent. Yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.


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on the left hand, when he works, but I cannot behold him. He hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.


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I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips, I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.


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<pb/>But he is in one <i>mind</i> and who can turn him? And what his soul desires, even that he does.


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<pb/>Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, they go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food. The wilderness <i>yields</i> them bread for their sons.


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From out of the populous city men groan and the soul of the wounded cries out. Yet God does not regard the foolishness.


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<pb/>These are of those who rebel against the light. They do not know the ways of it, nor abide in the paths of it.


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The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, No eye will see me. And he disguises his face.


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<pb/>In the dark they dig through houses. They shut themselves up in the daytime. They do not know the light.


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For the morning is to all of them as thick darkness. For they know the terrors of the thick darkness.


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<pb/>Swiftly they <i>pass away</i> upon the face of the waters. Their portion is cursed in the earth. They do not turn into the way of the vineyards.


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The womb will forget him. The worm will feed sweetly on him. He will be no more remembered. And unrighteousness will be broken as a tree.


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They are exalted. <pb/>Yet a little while and they are gone. Yes, they are brought low. They are taken out of the way as all others and are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.


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<pb/>Behold, these are but the end of his ways. And how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?


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<pb/>Far be it from me that I should justify you*. Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.


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I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart will not reproach <i>me</i> so long as I live.


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<pb/>This is the portion of a wicked man with God and the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty.


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<pb/>He lies down rich, but he will not be gathered <i>to his fathers</i>. He opens his eyes and he is not.


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<i>Man</i> sets an end to darkness and searches out to the furthest bound the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.


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He breaks open a shaft away from where men journey, <i>paths</i> forgotten by the foot. They hang afar from men; they swing to and fro.


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<pb/>He binds the streams that they not trickle. And the thing that is hid he brings forth to light.


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<pb/>And to man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding.


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For when the ear heard <i>me</i>, then it blessed me and when the eye saw <i>me</i>, it gave witness to me.


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The blessing of him who was ready to perish came upon me and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.


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And they waited for me as for the rain. And they opened their mouth wide <i>as</i> for the latter rain.


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<pb/>I smiled on them when they had no confidence and they did not cast down the light of my countenance.


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I chose out their way and sat <i>as</i> chief and dwelt as a king in the army, as a man who comforts the mourners.


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<pb/>But now, those who are younger than I mock me, whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.


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<pb/>Yes, the strength of their hands, to what should it profit me? Men in whom ripe age has perished.


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They are barren with want and famine. They gnaw the dry ground in the gloom of waste and desolation.


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<pb/>Upon my right hand rise the rabble. They thrust aside my feet and they cast up against me their ways of destruction.


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Terrors are turned upon me. They chase my honor as the wind and my welfare is passed away as a cloud.


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You lift me up to the wind. You cause me to ride <i>upon it</i> and you disintegrate me in the storm.


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<pb/>However does not a man stretch out the hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?


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if my step has turned out of the way and my heart walked after my eyes and if any spot has clung to my hands,


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<pb/>If I have despised the case of my man-servant or of my maid-servant when they contended with me,


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<pb/>If I have withheld the poor from <i>their</i> desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,


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(no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father and her I have guided from my mother's womb);


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(this also is an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have denied the God that is above);


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because I feared the great multitude and the contempt of families terrified me so that I kept <i>my</i> silence and did not go out of the door.


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<pb/>O that I had someone to hear me (Behold, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me) and <i>that I had</i> the indictment which my adversary has written!


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if I have eaten the fruits of it without money, or have caused the owners of it to lose their lives,


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Then the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled. His anger was kindled against Job because he justified himself rather than God.


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His anger was also kindled against his three friends because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job.


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<pb/>And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young and you* are very old. Therefore I held back and dared not show you* my opinion.


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Behold, I waited for your* words, I listened for your* reasonings, while you* searched out what to say.


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Yes, I attended to you*. And behold, there was none who convinced Job, or who answered his words among you*.


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<pb/>Do not let me, I beseech you*, respect any man's person. Neither will I give flattering titles to any man.


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My words <i>will utter</i> the uprightness of my heart and what my lips know they will speak sincerely.


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<pb/>Surely you have spoken in my hearing and I have heard the voice of <i>your</i> words, <i>saying</i>,


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<pb/>If there is with him a messenger, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,


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then <i>God</i> is gracious to him and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.


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<pb/>He prays to God and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy and he restores to man his righteousness.


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Notwithstanding my right I am <i>accounted</i> a liar. My wound is incurable, <i>though I am</i> without transgression.


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saying, I have not sinned, nor committed unrighteousness, nor had fellowship with workers of wickedness to go with the profane.


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For you should not say, There will be no visitation to a man; <i>visitation</i> is to him from the Lord.


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<pb/>Therefore listen to me, you* men of understanding. Far be it from me to sin before the Lord and pervert righteousness before the Almighty.


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who does not respect the persons of rulers, nor regards the rich more than the poor. For they all are the work of his hands.


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<pb/>In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away and the mighty are taken away without hand.


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Therefore he takes knowledge of their works and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.


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<pb/>When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hides his face, who then can behold him? <i>It is</i> the same whether to a nation, or to a man,


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Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose and not I. Therefore speak what you know.


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so that we may not add to our sins and he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.


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What <i>is</i> this you think in judgment? Who are you that you said, I am righteousness before the Lord?


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That you said, What advantage will it be to you? <i>And</i>, What profit shall I have more than if I had sinned?


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If you have sinned, what do you effect against him? And if your transgressions be multiplied, what do you to him?


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Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help because of the arm of the mighty.


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How much less when you say <i>that</i> you do not behold him. The case is before him and you wait for him!


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He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but he sets them forever with kings upon the throne and they are exalted.


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<pb/>If they listen and serve <i>him</i>, they will spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.


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Yes, he would have allured you out of distress into a broad place, where there is no constraint and what is set on your table would be full of fatness.


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and there will be wrath upon the impious because of the ungodliness of bribes which the unrighteous receive.


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After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty and he does not restrain <i>the lightnings</i> when his voice is heard.


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For he says to the snow, Fall on the earth, likewise to the shower of rain and to the showers of his mighty rain.


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and it is turned all around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them upon the face of the habitable world.


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Do you know how God lays <i>his charge</i> upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?


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<pb/>And now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes and clears them.


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<pb/><i>O</i> the Almighty, we cannot find him out. He is excellent in power. And in justice and abundant righteousness he will not afflict.


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<pb/>Or <i>who</i> shut up the sea with doors when it broke forth, <i>like</i> it had gone forth out of the womb,


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<pb/>Have you commanded the morning since your days <i>began, and</i> caused the dayspring to know its place


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that you should take it to the bound of it and that you should discern the paths to the house of it?


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Who provides for the raven his prey when his young ones cry to God, <i>and</i> wander for lack of food?


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<pb/>Do you know the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? <i>Or</i> can you mark when the female-deers do birth-calves?


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Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go forth and do not return again.


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Will you confide in him that he will bring home your seed and gather <i>the grain</i> of your threshing-floor?


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She deals hardly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor be in vain, <i>she is</i> without fear,


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He swallows the ground with fierceness and rage, nor does he believe that it is the voice of the trumpet.


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As often as the trumpet <i>sounds</i> he says, Aha! And he smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains and the shouting.


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<pb/>Look on everyone who is proud, <i>and</i> bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand.


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<pb/>Behold now behemoth   <n>{extremely large animal; possibly a dinosaur}</n>, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox.


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<pb/>Behold, if a river overflows, he does not tremble. He is confident though a Jordan swell even to his mouth.


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<pb/>Behold, the hope of him is in vain. Will not <i>a man</i> be cast down even at the sight of him?


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<pb/>When he raises himself up the mighty are afraid. Because of consternation they are beside themselves.


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If a man lays at him with the sword it cannot avail, nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.


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<pb/>His underparts are <i>like</i> sharp earthen vessels. He spreads out <i>as</i> a threshing-wagon upon the mud.


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Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.


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<pb/>And it was so, that, after Jehovah had spoken these words to Job, Jehovah said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends. For you* have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.


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<pb/>Now therefore, take to you* seven bullocks and seven rams. And go to my servant Job and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering. And my servant Job will pray for you*, for him I will accept, that I not deal with you* after your* senselessness. For you* have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.


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<pb/>So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did just-as Jehovah commanded them and Jehovah accepted Job.


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<pb/>And Jehovah turned <i>back</i> the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends. And Jehovah gave Job twice as much as he had before.


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<pb/>Then there came to him all his brothers and all his sisters and all those who had been of his acquaintance before and ate bread with him in his house. And they sympathized with him and comforted him concerning all the evil that Jehovah had brought upon him. Each man also gave him a piece of money and each one a ring of gold.


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<pb/>So Jehovah blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep and six thousand camels and a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand female-donkeys.


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<pb/>And he called the name of the first, Jemimah and the name of the second, Keziah and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.


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And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job. And their father gave them inheritance among their brothers.


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<pb/>And after this Job lived a hundred and forty years and saw his sons and his sons' sons, <i>even</i> four generations.


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<pb/>The man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers is fortunate,


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<pb/>And he will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. And whatever he does will prosper.


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Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.


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The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together, against Jehovah and against his anointed, saying,


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Ask of me and I will give you the nations <i>as</i> your inheritance and the outermost parts of the earth as your possession.


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Kiss the Son, lest he is angry and you* perish in the way, because his wrath will soon be kindled. All those who take refuge in him are fortunate.


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Many there are who say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah   <n>{a pause in speech or singing}</n>.


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<pb/>Arise, O Jehovah. Save me, O my God. Because you have struck all my enemies upon the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked.


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<pb/>Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have enlarged me in distress. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer.


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O you* sons of men, how long will my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you* love vanity and seek after falsehood? Selah.


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<pb/>But know that Jehovah has set apart for himself he who is holy. Jehovah will hear when I call to him.


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<pb/>There are many who say, Who will show us good? Jehovah, lift you up the light of your countenance upon us.


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O Jehovah, in the morning you will hear my voice. I will direct to you and will keep watch in the morning.


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<pb/>But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will worship toward your holy temple in your fear.


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<pb/>Lead me, O Jehovah, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.


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Because there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their inward part is destruction. Their throat is an open sepulcher. They deceive with their tongue.


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<pb/>Hold them guilty, O God. Let them fall by their own counsels. Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions. Because they have rebelled against you.


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<pb/>But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them shout for joy everlasting, because you defend them. Let those also who love your name be joyful in you.


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Because you will bless the righteous man, O Jehovah. You will encompass him with favor as with a shield. Selah.


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Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah, because I am withered away. O Jehovah, heal me, because my bones are troubled.


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<pb/>I am weary with my groaning. Every night I make my bed to swim. I water my couch with my tears.


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<pb/>Depart from me, all you* workers of wickedness, because Jehovah has heard the voice of my weeping.


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All my enemies will be put to shame and greatly troubled. They will turn back. They will be put to shame suddenly.


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if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me, (yes, I have delivered him without cause who was my adversary),


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let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it. Yes, let him tread my life down to the earth and lay my glory in the dust. Selah.


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<pb/>Arise, O Jehovah, in your anger. Lift up yourself against the rage of my adversaries and awake for me the justice you have commanded.


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<pb/>Jehovah will judge the peoples. Judge me, O Jehovah, according to my righteousness and to my integrity that is in me.


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<pb/>O let the evil of the wicked man come to an end, but establish the righteous man. For the righteous God tries the minds and hearts.


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<pb/>Behold the wicked man, he travails with wickedness. Yes, he has conceived mischief and brought out falsehood.


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<pb/>I will give thanks to Jehovah according to his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of Jehovah Most High.


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<pb/>O Jehovah, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory upon the heavens!


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<pb/>Out of the mouth of babes and nursing-babes you have perfected praise, because of your adversaries, that you might make the enemy and the avenger cease.


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<pb/>Because I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have established,


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<pb/>You make him to have dominion over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet.


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<pb/>You have rebuked the nations. You have destroyed the wicked. You have blotted out their name everlasting and forever.


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The enemy have come to an end. They are desolate forever and the cities which you have overthrown. The very memory of them has perished,


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and he will judge the world in righteousness. He will minister justice to the peoples in uprightness.


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And those who know your name will put their trust in you, because you, Jehovah, have not forsaken those who seek you.


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<pb/>Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah. Behold my affliction from those who hate me, you who lifts me up from the gates of death


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that I may show forth all your praise. I will rejoice in your salvation in the gates of the daughter of Zion.


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<pb/>The nations are sunk down in the pit that they made. In the net which they hid, their own foot is taken.


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Jehovah has made himself known. He has executed justice. The wicked man is snared in the work of his own hands. A meditation. Selah.


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<pb/>Because a needy man will not always be forgotten, nor the expectation of the poor perish forever.


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<pb/>The poor man is hotly-pursued in the pride of the wicked man. Let them be taken in the devices that they have conceived.


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Because the wicked man boasts of his heart's desire. And the greedy man renounces, yes, despises Jehovah.


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<pb/>The wicked man, in the pride of his countenance, says, He will not require it. All his thoughts are, There is no God.


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<pb/>His ways are profane at all times. Your judgments are far above out of his sight. As for all his adversaries, he snorts at them.


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<pb/>His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness.


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<pb/>He sits in the lurking-places of the villages. He murders the innocent man in the covert places. His eyes are secretly set against the poor man.


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He lurks in secret as a lion in his covering. He lies in wait to catch the poor man. He catches the poor man when he draws him in his net.


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<pb/>You have seen. Because you behold mischief and spite, to repay with your hand. The poor man commits himself to you. You have been the helper of the fatherless.


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Break you the arm of the sinner and the evil man. His wickedness will be sought and will not be found.


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Jehovah, you have heard the desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear,


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<pb/>I take refuge in Jehovah. How will you* say to my soul, Flee <i>like</i> a bird to your* mountain.


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<pb/>Because, behold, the wicked bend the bow. They make ready their arrow upon the string that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.


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<pb/>Jehovah is in his holy temple. Jehovah's throne is in heaven. His eyes, behold, his eyelids try, the sons of men.


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He will rain snares upon sinners. Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.


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<pb/>Help, Jehovah, because the holy man ceases, because the faithful fail from among the sons of men.


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<pb/>They speak falsehood everyone with his neighbor. They speak with a flattering lip and with a double heart.


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<pb/>Because of the oppression of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, now I will arise, says Jehovah. I will set him into the safety he breathes for.


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<pb/>The words of Jehovah are pure words, as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, purified seven times.


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How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?


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<pb/>The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. <pb/>They are corrupt. They have done abominable works. There is none that does good.


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Jehovah looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God.


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They are all gone aside. They are morally-corrupt together. There is none who does good, no, not one.


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<pb/>Have all the workers of wickedness no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon Jehovah?


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<pb/>O that the salvation of Israel came out of Zion! When Jehovah brings back the captivity of his people, then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.


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he who does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor,


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in whose eyes those who reject <i>God</i> are despised, but who honors those who fear Jehovah, he that swears to his own hurt and changes not,


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he who puts not his money out to interest, nor takes a bribe against the innocent. <pb/>He who does these things will not be shaken everlasting.


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<pb/>Their sorrows will be multiplied who give gifts for another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names upon my lips.


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<pb/>Because you will not leave my soul to Sheol, nor will you allow your holy man to see corruption.


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<pb/>Hear the righteous, O Jehovah, attend to my cry. Listen to my prayer, that does not go out from pretending lips.


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<pb/>You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me and find nothing. I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.


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<pb/>I have called upon you, because you will answer me, O God. Incline your ear to me and hear my speech.


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Show your marvelous loving kindness, O you who saves by your right hand those who take refuge from those who rise up.


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from men by your hand, O Jehovah, from men of the world whose portion is in this life and whose belly you fill with your treasure. They are satisfied with sons and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.


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<pb/>As for me, I will behold your face in righteousness. I will be satisfied, when I awake, with your form.


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Jehovah is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.


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<pb/>I called upon Jehovah in my distress and cried to my God. He heard my voice out of his temple and my cry before him came into his ears.


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<pb/>Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken because he was angry.


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<pb/>There went up a smoke out of his nostrils and fire out of his mouth devoured. Coals were kindled by it.


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<pb/>He made darkness his hiding-place, his pavilion all around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.


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Jehovah also thundered in the heavens and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire.


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<pb/>Then the channels of waters appeared and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Jehovah, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.


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He delivered me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, because they were too mighty for me.


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<pb/>Jehovah has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands he has recompensed me.


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<pb/>Therefore Jehovah has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.


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<pb/>You will show yourself merciful with the merciful. You will show yourself perfect with the perfect man.


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<pb/>You have also given me the shield of your salvation and your right hand has held me up and your gentleness has made me great.


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<pb/>For you have girded me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.


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<pb/>You have delivered me from the strifes of the people. You have made me the head of the nations. A people whom I have not known will serve me.


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He rescues me from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.


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<pb/>Therefore I will give thanks to you, O Jehovah, among the Gentiles and will sing praises to your name.


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<pb/>Their line has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. He has set a tabernacle for the sun in them,


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<pb/>His going forth is from the end of the heavens and his circuit to the ends of it and there is nothing hid from the heat of it.


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<pb/>The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making a simple man wise.


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The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.


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The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring forever. The ordinances of Jehovah are true and righteous altogether.


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They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold. Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.


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Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Do not let them have dominion over me. Then I will be upright and I will acquit him from great transgression.


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<pb/>Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Jehovah, my rock and my redeemer.


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<pb/>We will triumph in your salvation and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. Jehovah fulfill all your petitions.


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<pb/>Now I know that Jehovah saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.


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<pb/>Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God.


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<pb/>The king will joy in your strength, O Jehovah. And in your salvation how greatly he will rejoice!


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Because you make him <i>to be</i> blessing forever. You rejoiced <i>over</i> him with joy in your presence.


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<pb/>Because the king trusts in Jehovah. And through the loving kindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.


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You will make them as a fiery furnace in the time of your anger. Jehovah will swallow them up in his wrath and the fire will devour them.


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Because you will make them turn their back. You will make ready with your bowstrings against their face.


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O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; and in the night, and there is no silence for me.


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<pb/>I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is melted within me.


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My strength is dried up like an earthen vessel and my tongue clings to my jaws and you have set me into the dust of death.


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<pb/>Because dogs have encompassed me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They pierced my hands and my feet.


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You* who fear Jehovah, praise him. All you* the seed of Jacob, glorify him and stand in awe of him, all you* the seed of Israel.


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<pb/>Because he has not despised nor made abominable the affliction of the afflicted, neither has he hid his face from him, but when he cried to him, he heard.


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The meek will eat and be satisfied. They will praise Jehovah who seek after him. Let your* heart live forever.


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<pb/>All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to Jehovah and all the kinfolk of the nations will worship before you.


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<pb/>All the fat ones of the earth will eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust will bow before him, even he who cannot keep his soul alive.


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They will come and will declare his righteousness to a people that will be born, that he has done it.


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<pb/>Even, because I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.


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<pb/>You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil. My cup runs over.


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<pb/>Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of Jehovah forever.


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<pb/>He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.


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<pb/>Lift up your* heads, O you* gates and be lifted up, you* doors everlasting and the King of glory will come in.


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<pb/>Lift up your* heads, O you* gates. Yes, lift them up, you* everlasting doors and the King of glory will come in.


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<pb/>O my God, in you I have trusted. Do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies triumph over me.


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Yes, none who wait for you will be put to shame. They will be put to shame who deal treacherously without cause.


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Guide me in your truth and teach me. Because you are the God of my salvation. I wait all the day on you.


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<pb/>Remember, O Jehovah, your tender mercies and your loving kindness. Because they <i>are</i> from everlasting.


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<pb/>Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions. According to your loving kindness you remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Jehovah.


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All the paths of Jehovah are loving kindness and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.


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<pb/>Judge me, O Jehovah, because I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in Jehovah without wavering.


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<pb/>Jehovah is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?


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<pb/>When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.


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Though an army should encamp against me, my heart will not fear. Though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.


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<pb/>One thing I have asked of Jehovah, that I will seek after, that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of Jehovah and to inquire in his temple.


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<pb/>Because in the day of trouble he will hide me in his shelter. He will hide me in the covering of his tabernacle He will lift me up upon a rock.


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<pb/>And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies all around me. And I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to Jehovah.


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<pb/>Do not hide your face from me. Do not put your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Cast me not off, nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.


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Deliver me not over to the will of my adversaries. Because false witnesses have risen up against me and such as breathe out cruelty.


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<pb/>To you, O Jehovah, I will call. My rock, do not be deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I become like those who go down into the pit.


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Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your holy oracle.


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<pb/>Do not draw me away with the wicked and with the workers of wickedness, who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts.


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<pb/>Give them according to their work and according to the wickedness of their practices. Give them after the operation of their hands. Render to them their recompense,


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because they do not regard the works of Jehovah, nor the operation of his hands. He will break them down and not build them up.


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Jehovah is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise him.


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<pb/>The voice of Jehovah is upon the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Jehovah upon many waters.


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<pb/>The voice of Jehovah makes the female-deers to birth-calves and strips the forests bare. And in his temple everything says, Glory.


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<pb/>I will lift you up, O Jehovah, because you have raised me up and have not made my foes to rejoice over me.


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<pb/>O Jehovah, you have brought up my soul from Sheol. You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.


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Because his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may abide for the night, but joy is in the morning.


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You, Jehovah, had made my mountain to stand strong from your favor. You hid your face; I was troubled.


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<pb/>What profit is there in my blood when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise you? Shall it declare your truth?


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You have turned for me my mourning into dancing. You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,


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to the end that my glory may sing praise to you and not be silent. <pb/>O Jehovah my God, I will give thanks to you everlasting.


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<pb/>I take refuge in you, O Jehovah. Do not let me be put to shame everlasting. Deliver me in your righteousness.


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Bow down your ear to me. Deliver me speedily. Be to me a strong rock, a house of defense to save me.


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<pb/>I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, for you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities,


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<pb/>Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah, because I am in distress. My eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body.


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Because my life is spent with sorrow and my years with sighing. My strength fails because of my iniquity and my bones are wasted away.


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<pb/>I have become a reproach because of all my adversaries, yes, to my neighbors exceedingly and a fear to my acquaintances. Those who saw me outside fled from me.


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<pb/>Because I have heard the slander of many. Terror was on every side, while they took counsel together against me. They devised to take away my life.


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Do not let me be put to shame, O Jehovah, because I have called upon you. <pb/>Let the wicked be put to shame. Let them be silent in Sheol.


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Let the lying lips be dumb, which arrogantly speak against the righteous man, with pride and contempt.


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<pb/>O how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you before the sons of men!


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<pb/>In the covert of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man. You will keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.


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As for me, I said in my haste, I am cut off from before your eyes. Nevertheless you heard the voice of my supplications when I cried to you.


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<pb/>O love Jehovah, all you*, his holy ones. Jehovah preserves the faithful and plentifully repays he who deals proudly.


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Because day and night your hand was heavy upon me. My moisture was changed as with the drought of summer. Selah.


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<pb/>I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Jehovah and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.


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<pb/>On this, let everyone who is devout pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow they will not reach to him.


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You are my hiding-place. You will preserve me from trouble. You will encompass me around with songs of deliverance. Selah.


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<pb/>I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you will go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you.


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<pb/>Do not become as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding, whose trappings must be a bit and bridle to hold them in, else they will not come near to you.


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<pb/>Many sorrows will be to the wicked, but he who trusts in Jehovah, loving kindness will encompass him around.


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<pb/>Be glad in Jehovah and rejoice, you*, righteous ones. And shout for joy, all you* who are upright in heart.


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<pb/>The heavens made were by the word of Jehovah and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.


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<pb/>Jehovah brings the counsel of the nations to nothing. He makes the thoughts of the peoples to be of no effect.


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<pb/>The nation whose God is Jehovah is fortunate, the people whom he has chosen for his own inheritance.


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<pb/>There is no king saved by the multitude of an army. A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.


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<pb/>Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon those who fear him, upon those who hope in his loving kindness,


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<pb/>The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek Jehovah will not want any good thing.


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(The face of Jehovah is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.)


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<pb/>Jehovah redeems the soul of his servants and none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.


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Draw out the spear also and stop the way against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, I am your salvation.


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<pb/>Let them be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and confounded who devise my hurt.


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<pb/>Because without cause they have hid their net for me in a pit. Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.


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<pb/>Let destruction come upon him, he will not know and let his net that he has hid catch himself. Let him fall in it with destruction.


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All my bones will say, Jehovah, who is like you, who delivers a poor man from him who is too strong for him, yes, a poor and needy man from him who robs him?


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<pb/>But as for me, when they were sick my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting and my prayer returned into my own bosom.


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I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as he who weeps for his mother.


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<pb/>But in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered themselves together. The slayers gathered themselves together against me and I did not know it. They tore me and ceased not.


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<pb/>Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destructions, my only <i>one</i> from the lions.


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<pb/>Do not let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me. Neither let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.


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<pb/>Because they do not speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.


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<pb/>Do not let them say in their heart, Aha, so would we have it. Do not let them say, We have swallowed him up.


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Let them be put to shame and confounded together who rejoice at my hurt. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who have become great against me.


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<pb/>Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause. Yes, let them say continually, Jehovah become great, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.


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<pb/>The transgression of the wicked man says within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes.


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He devises iniquity upon his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He does not reject evil.


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Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are a great deep. O Jehovah, you preserve man and beast.


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<pb/>How precious is your loving kindness, O God and the sons of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.


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<pb/>They will be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of your house and you will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.


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<pb/>O prolong your loving kindness to those who know you and your righteousness to the upright in heart.


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The workers of unrighteousness have fallen there. They are thrust down and will not be able to rise.


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<pb/>Do not inflame yourself because of evildoers, nor be envious against those who work unrighteousness.


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<pb/>Rest in Jehovah and wait patiently for him. Do not inflame yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked devices.


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<pb/>Cease from anger and forsake wrath. Do not inflame yourself, <i>it leads</i> only to evil-doing.


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<pb/>Yet a little while and the wicked man will not be. Yes, you will diligently consider his place and he will not be.


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<pb/>The wicked have drawn out the sword and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill such as are upright in the way.


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<pb/>They will not be put to shame in the time of evil and in the days of famine they will be satisfied.


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<pb/>Because the wicked will perish and the enemies of Jehovah are as the fat of lambs: they will disintegrate; they will disintegrate away into smoke.


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<pb/>Because such as are blessed by him will inherit the land and those who are cursed by him will be cut off.


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Because <i>if</i> he falls, he will not be utterly cast down, because Jehovah upholds him with his hand.


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<pb/>I have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen a righteous man forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.


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Because Jehovah loves justice and does not forsake his holy ones. They are preserved everlasting, but the seed of the wicked will be cut off.


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<pb/>Wait for Jehovah and keep his way and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When sinners are cut off, you will see it.


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<pb/>I have seen a wicked man in great power and spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.


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<pb/>Keep <i>as</i> the perfect man and behold the upright, because there is a happy end to the man of peace.


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and Jehovah helps them and rescues them. He rescues them from sinners and saves them, because they have taken refuge in him.


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There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, nor is there any health in my bones because of my sin.


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Those also who seek after my life lay snares for me. And those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things and meditate deceits all the day long.


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<pb/>Because I said, Lest they rejoice over me. When my foot slips, they magnify themselves against me.


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<pb/>I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I do not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked man is before me.


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Behold, you have made my days as the width of hands and my life-time is as nothing before you. Surely every man at his best condition is altogether vanity. Selah.


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<pb/>Surely every man walks in a shadow. Surely they are in an uproar in vain. He heaps up and does not know who will gather them.


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<pb/>When you have disciplined a man with rebukes for iniquity, you make his desirable to disintegrate like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.


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<pb/>Hear my prayer, O Jehovah and listen to my cry. Do not keep silent at my tears, because I am a stranger with you, a traveler, as all my fathers were.


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He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the muddy clay and he set my feet upon a rock and established my steps.


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And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many will see it and fear and will trust in Jehovah.


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<pb/>The man is fortunate who makes Jehovah his trust and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.


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<pb/>Many, O Jehovah my God, are the wonderful works which you have done and your thoughts which are toward us. They cannot be set in order to you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.


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<pb/>Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you have prepared for me. Whole burnt offering and sacrifice for sin you did not require.


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<pb/>I have proclaimed <i>good</i> news of righteousness in the great assembly. Behold, I will not refrain my lips. O Jehovah, you know.


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I have not hid your righteousness within my heart. I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great assembly.


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<pb/>Do not withhold your tender mercies from me, O Jehovah. Let your loving kindness and your truth continually preserve me,


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because innumerable evils have encompassed me around. My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up. They are more than the hairs of my head and my heart has failed me.


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<pb/>Let them be put to shame and humiliated together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.


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<pb/>Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, Jehovah is great.


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<pb/>But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer. Make no delay, O my God.


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Jehovah will preserve him and keep him alive and he will be fortunate upon the earth. And you do not deliver him to the will of his enemies.


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<pb/>Jehovah will support him upon the bed of languishing. You will make all his bed in his sickness.


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And if he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers wickness to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.


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<pb/>Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.


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<pb/>These things I remember and pour out my soul within me, because I went with the crowd and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping holy day.


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<pb/>Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you in an uproar within me? Hope in God, because I will yet praise him <i>for</i> the help of his countenance.


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<pb/>O my God, my soul is cast down within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan and the Hermons, from the hill Mizar.


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<pb/>Deep calls to deep at the voice of your waterfalls. All your waves and your billows have gone over me.


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Yet Jehovah will command his loving kindness in the daytime and in the night his song will be with me, even a prayer to the God of my life.


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<pb/>I will say to God my rock, Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?


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As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me; while they continually say to me, Where is your God?


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<pb/>Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you in an uproar within me? Hope in God, because I will yet praise him, the help of my countenance and my God.


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<pb/>Judge me, O God and plead my cause against a profane nation. O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.


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<pb/>Because you are the God of my strength. Why have you cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?


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<pb/>O send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill and to your tabernacles.


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Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy and I will praise you upon the harp, O God, my God.


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<pb/>We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the days of long-ago.


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You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad.


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<pb/>Because they did not get the land in possession by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm and the light of your countenance, because you were favorable to them.


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Through you we will push down our adversaries. Through your name we will tread them under who rise up against us.


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<pb/>We have made our boast all the day long in God and we will give thanks to your name everlasting. Selah.


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<pb/>You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a ridicule to those who are all around us.


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<pb/>All this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten you, nor have we dealt falsely in your covenant.


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<pb/>We are killed all the day long because <i>of belief</i> upon you. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.


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<pb/>My heart overflows with a good matter. I speak the things which I have made concerning the king. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.


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You are fairer than the sons of men. Favor is poured into your lips. Therefore God has blessed you everlasting.


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And in your majesty ride on prosperously because of truth and gentleness and righteousness. And your right hand will teach you awesome things.


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<pb/>Your arrows are sharp. The peoples fall under you. They are in the heart of the king's enemies.


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<pb/>Your throne, O God, is everlasting and forever. A scepter of straightness is the scepter of your kingdom.


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You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions.


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<pb/>All your garments smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia. Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.


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Kings' daughters are among your honorable women. At your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.


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<pb/>Listen, O daughter and consider and incline your ear. Forget also your own people and your father's house.


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And the daughter of Tyre will adore him with a gift. The rich among the people will entreat your favor.


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<pb/>She will be led to the king in embroidered work. The virgins, her companions who follow her, will be brought to you.


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<pb/>I will make your name to be remembered in all generations. Therefore the peoples will give you thanks everlasting and forever.


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<pb/>Therefore we will not fear, though the earth changes and though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas,


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though the waters of it roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with the swelling of it. Selah.


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<pb/>There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.


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He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two. He burns the chariots in the fire.


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<pb/>Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.


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<pb/>The nobles of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. Because the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted.


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Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.


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As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God, God will establish it everlasting. Selah.


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As is your name, O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness.


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Because he will see it. <pb/>Wise men die. The fool and the stupid alike perish and leave their wealth to others.


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Their inward thought is that their houses are everlasting, their dwelling-places to all generations. They call their lands after their own names.


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<pb/>They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd and the upright will have dominion over them in the morning. And their beauty will be for Sheol to consume, that there is no habitation for it.


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<pb/>Because while he lived he blessed his soul (and men praise you, when you do well for yourself),


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<pb/>The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down of it.


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<pb/>Our God comes and does not keep silence. A fire devours before him and it whirlwinds much all around him.


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<pb/>Hear, O my people and I will speak, O Israel and I will testify to you, I am God, even your God.


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<pb/>But to the wicked man God says, What have you to do to declare my statutes and that you have taken my covenant in your mouth,


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<pb/>These things you have done and I kept silence. You thought that I was altogether such a one as yourself. But I will reprove you and set them in order before your eyes.


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<pb/>Now consider this, you* who forget God, lest I tear you* in pieces and there is none to deliver:


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Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me. And to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God.


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<pb/>Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.


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<pb/>Against you, you only, I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight, that you may be justified when you speak and may prevail when you are criticized.


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<pb/>Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts and in the hidden part you will make me to know wisdom.


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<pb/>Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, you God of my salvation. And my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.


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<pb/>The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and crushed heart, O God, you will not despise.


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Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offering and in whole burnt offering. Then they will offer bullocks upon your altar.


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<pb/>God will likewise destroy you forever. He will take you up and pluck you out of your tent and root you out of the land of the living. Selah.


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Behold, this is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself in his wickedness.


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<pb/>But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the loving kindness of God everlasting and forever.


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I will give you thanks everlasting, because you have done it. And I will hope in your name in the presence of your holy ones, because it is good.


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<pb/>The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they and have done abominable unrighteousness. There is none who does good.


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God looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any who understood, who seek after God.


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Every one of them has gone back. They are morally-corrupt <i>all</i> together. There is none who does good, no, not one.


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<pb/>Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon God?


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<pb/>They were in great fear there, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you. You have put them to shame because God has rejected them.


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<pb/>O that the salvation of Israel came out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of his people, then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.


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Because strangers have risen up against me and violent men have sought after my soul. They have not set God before them. Selah.


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<pb/>I will sacrifice to you with a free-will offering. I will give thanks to your name, O Jehovah, because it is good.


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from the voice of the enemy, from the oppression of the wicked. Because they shake <i>down</i> iniquity upon me and they persecute me in anger.


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Day and night they go about it, upon the walls of it. Iniquity and mischief also are in the midst of it.


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<pb/>Because it was not an enemy who reproached me. Then I could have borne it. Neither was it he who hated me that magnified himself against me. Then I would have hid myself from him.


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<pb/>Let death come suddenly upon them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. Because wickedness is in their dwelling, in the midst of them.


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<pb/>He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, because there were many by me.


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<pb/>God will hear and respond to them, (even he who abides of long-ago), Selah, men who have no changes and who do not fear God.


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<pb/>His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.


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(Cast your burden upon Jehovah and he will sustain you. He will not allow the righteous man to be shaken everlasting.)


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<pb/>But you, O God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.


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<pb/>Be merciful to me, O God, because man would swallow me up. Fighting all the day long he oppresses me.


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My enemies would swallow me up all the day long, because they are many who fight proudly against me.


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I will praise his word in God. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?


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They gather themselves together. They hide themselves. They mark my steps, even as they have waited for my soul.


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Because you have delivered my soul from death and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living.


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<pb/>Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, because my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge until calamities have passed by.


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<pb/>He will send from heaven and save me from the reproach of him who would swallow me up. Selah. God will send forth his loving kindness and his truth.


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<pb/>My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue <i>is</i> a sharp sword.


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<pb/>They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They have dug a pit before me. They are fallen into the midst of it themselves. Selah.


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<pb/>I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations.


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<pb/>Do you* indeed speak righteousness in silence? Do you* judge in uprightness, O you* sons of men?


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<pb/>Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth. Break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Jehovah.


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Let them melt away as water that runs with haste. When he aims his arrows, let them be as though they were cut off,


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as a snail which melts and passes away, as the untimely birth of a woman, that has not seen the sun.


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<pb/>Before your* pots can feel the thorns, he will take them away with a whirlwind, the green and the burning alike.


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<pb/>A righteous man will rejoice because he sees the vengeance. He will wash his feet in the blood of the wicked,


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so that men will say, Truly there is a reward for the righteous man. Truly there is a God who judges in the earth.


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Because behold, they lie in wait for my soul. <pb/>The mighty gather themselves together against me, not <i>for</i> my transgression, nor <i>for</i> my sin, O Jehovah.


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<pb/>Even you, O Jehovah God of hosts, the God of Israel, arise to visit all the nations. Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.


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Behold, they pour out <i>words</i> with their mouth. Swords are in their lips, because they say, Who hears?


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<pb/>Kill them not, lest my people forget. Scatter them by your power and bring them down, O Lord our shield,


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<i>for</i> the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips. Let them even be taken in their pride and on <i>the</i> cursing and lying which they speak.


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<pb/>Consume them in wrath, consume them, so that they will be no more. And let them know that God rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth. Selah.


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<pb/>But I will sing of your strength. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning. Because you have been my high tower and a refuge in the day of my distress.


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You have given a banner to those who fear you, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.


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<pb/>God has spoken in his holiness. I will rejoice. I will divide Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth.


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From the end of the earth I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.


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<pb/>Because you, O God, have heard my vows. You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.


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He will abide before God everlasting. <pb/>O prepare loving kindness and truth that they may preserve him.


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<pb/>How long will you* set upon a man, that you* may kill, all of you*, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?


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They only consult to thrust him down from his dignity. They delight in lies. They praise with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.


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<pb/>Trust in him at all times, you* <i>the</i> people. Pour out your* heart before him. God is a refuge for us. Selah.


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<pb/>Surely men of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lie. They will go up in the balances. They are together lighter than vanity.


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<pb/>Do not trust in oppression and do not become vain in robbery. Because <i>if</i> riches increase, do not set your* heart on it.


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Also to you, O Lord, belongs loving kindness, because you render to every man according to his work.


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<pb/>O God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where is no water.


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<pb/>But the king will rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will glory, because the mouth of those who speak lies will be stopped.


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that they may shoot in secret places at a blameless man. Suddenly do they shoot at him and do not fear.


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<pb/>They encourage themselves in an evil purpose. They speak of laying snares secretly. They say, Who will see them?


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<pb/>They search out iniquities, saying, We have accomplished a diligent search. And the inward part of man and the heart are deep.


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So they will be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them. All who see them will wag the head.


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<pb/>And all men will fear. And they will declare the work of God and will wisely consider of his doing.


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A righteous man will be glad in Jehovah and will take refuge in him. And all the upright in heart will glory.


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<pb/>The man is fortunate whom you choose and cause to approach, that he may dwell in your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.


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<pb/>You will answer us in righteousness by awesome things, O God of our salvation, you who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth and of those who are from afar off upon the sea,


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<pb/>They who also dwell in the outermost parts are afraid at your signs. You make the risings of the morning and evening to rejoice.


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<pb/>You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it. The river of God is full of water. You provide them grain because you have so prepared the earth.


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You water its furrows abundantly. You settle the ridges of it. You make it soft with showers. You bless the springing of it.


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The pastures are clothed with flocks. The valleys also are covered over with grain. They shout for joy; they also sing.


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Say to God, How awesome are your works! Through the greatness of your power your enemies will submit themselves to you.


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<pb/>He rules by his might forever. His eyes observe the nations. Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.


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You caused men to ride over our heads. We went through fire and through water. But you brought us out into a wealthy place.


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I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat ones, with the incense of rams. I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.


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O let the nations be glad and sing for joy. Because you will judge the peoples with equity and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.


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As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.


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<pb/>But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness.


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<pb/>Sing to God, sing praises to his name. Lift up <i>praise</i> for him who rides through the deserts. His name is Jehovah and be rejoiced before him.


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God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners into prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.


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the earth trembled, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God, Sinai at the presence of God, the God of Israel.


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Though you* lie between two boundaries, it is as the wings of a dove covered with silver and her pinions with yellow gold.


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Why do you* look-enviously, you* high mountains, at the mountain which God has desired for his abode? Yes, Jehovah will dwell in it forever.


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<pb/>The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands. The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary.


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<pb/>You have ascended on high. You have led captivity captive. You have received gifts among men, yes, among the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell with them.


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<pb/>But God will kill* through the head of his enemies, the hairy scalp of him who still goes in his guiltiness.


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that you may dash your foot in blood, that the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from enemies.


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<pb/>They have seen your traveling, O God, even the traveling of my God, my King, into the sanctuary.


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The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, in the midst of the maidens playing with timbrels.


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<pb/>There is little Benjamin their ruler, the rulers of Judah and their council, the rulers of Zebulun, the rulers of Naphtali.


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<pb/>Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, trampling under foot the pieces of silver. He has scattered the peoples that delight in war.


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to him who rides upon the heaven of heavens, which are of long-ago. Behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice.


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<pb/>O God, awesome out of your holy places, the God of Israel, he gives strength and power to his people. Praise God.


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I sink in deep mud where there is no standing. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.


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<pb/>Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head. Those who would cut me off, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty. I have to restore what I did not take away.


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Do not let those who wait for you, be put to shame through me, O lord Jehovah of hosts. Do not let those who seek you, be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.


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<pb/>Because the zeal of your house has eaten me up and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen upon me.


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<pb/>But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Jehovah. Answer me in the truth of your salvation in an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your loving kindness,.


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<pb/>Deliver me out of the mud and do not let me sink. Let me be delivered from those who hate me and out of the deep waters.


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Do not let the water flood overwhelm me, nor let the deep swallow me up. And do not let the pit shut its mouth upon me.


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<pb/>Answer me, O Jehovah, because your loving kindness is good. According to the multitude of your tender mercies turn to me,


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Reproach has broken my heart and I am full of heaviness. And I looked for some to take pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.


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<pb/>Because they persecute he whom you have struck and they tell of the sorrow of those whom you have wounded.


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Because God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah. And they will abide there and have it in possession.


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Let them be put to shame and confounded who seek after my soul. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.


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<pb/>Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. And let such as love your salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.


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<pb/>But I am poor and needy. Make haste to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer, O Jehovah. Do not delay.


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Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually resort. You have given commandment to save me, because you are my rock and my fortress.


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<pb/>Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of a wicked man, out of the hand of an unrighteous and cruel man.


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I have been held up by you from the womb. You are he who took me out of my mother's guts. My praise will be continually of you.


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Let them be put to shame and be consumed who are adversaries to my soul. Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt.


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My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all the day, because I do not know the numbers.


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<pb/>I will come with the mighty acts of the lord Jehovah. I will make mention of your righteousness, yours only!


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<pb/>Yes, even when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have declared your strength to a generation, your might to everyone who is to come.


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<pb/>Your righteousness also, O God, is very high, you who have done great things. O God, who is like you?


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You, who have shown us many and great troubles, will revive us again and will bring us up again from the depths of the earth.


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<pb/>I will also praise you with the psaltery, even your truth, O my God. I will sing praises to you with the harp, O you Holy One of Israel.


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<pb/>My tongue also will talk of your righteousness all the day long. Because they are put to shame, because they are confounded, who seek my hurt.


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He will judge the poor of the people. <pb/>He will save the sons of the needy and will break in pieces the oppressor.


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<pb/>The kings of Tarshish and of the isles will render tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.


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<pb/>He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. And their blood will be precious in his sight,


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and they will live. And to him will be given of the gold of Sheba. And men will pray for him continually. They will praise him all the day long.


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<pb/>There will be abundance of grain in the earth upon the top of the mountains. The fruit of it will shake like Lebanon. And they from the city will flourish like <i>the</i> grass of the earth.


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<pb/>His name will endure everlasting. His name will be continued as long as the sun. And men will call him fortunate. All nations will call him fortunate.


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And praise his glorious name everlasting. And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Truly and Truly.


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<pb/>If I had said, I will speak thus, behold, I would have dealt treacherously with the generation of your sons.


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<pb/>Because behold, those who are far from you will perish. You have destroyed all those who play the prostitute from you.


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<pb/>But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have made the lord Jehovah my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.


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<pb/>O God, why have you cast off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture?


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<pb/>Remember your congregation, which you bought <i>them</i> of long-ago, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance and Mount Zion, at which you have dwelt.


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<pb/>Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins, all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary.


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Your adversaries have roared in the midst of your assembly. They have set up their ensigns for signs.


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<pb/>They have set your sanctuary on fire. They have profaned the dwelling-place of your name to the ground.


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They said in their heart, Let us make havoc of them altogether. They have burned up all the meeting-places of God in the land.


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<pb/>We do not see our signs. <i>There is</i> no more any prophet, nor <i>any</i> among us who knows how long.


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You break the heads of <i>the</i> leviathan in pieces. You gave him to be food to the people inhabiting the wilderness.


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<pb/>Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O Jehovah and that a foolish people has blasphemed your name.


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<pb/>O do not deliver the soul of your turtle-dove to the wild beast. Do not forget the life of your poor forever.


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<pb/>Have respect to the covenant, because the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of violence.


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<pb/>Do not forget not the voice of your adversaries. The tumult of those who rise up against you ascends continually.


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<pb/>We give thanks to you, O God. We give thanks, for your name is near. Men tell of your wondrous works.


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<pb/>Because in the hand of Jehovah there is a cup and the wine foams. It is full of mixture and he pours out of the same, surely to the dregs of it. All the wicked of the earth will drain them and drink them.


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<pb/>All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, but the horns of a righteous man will be lifted up.


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<pb/>The stouthearted are made a spoil. They have slept their sleep and none of the men of might have found their hands.


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<pb/>Surely the inward thought of man will praise you, even the residue of inward thought will observe a festival to you.


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<pb/>Vow and pay to Jehovah your* God. Let all who are all around him bring presents to him who ought to be feared.


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<pb/>I sought the Lord in the day of my trouble. My hand was stretched out in the night and did not slack. My soul refused to be comforted.


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I call to remembrance my song in the night. I meditate with my own heart and my spirit makes diligent search.


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<pb/>The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lightened the world. The earth trembled and shook.


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<pb/>We will not hide them from their sons, telling to the generation to come the praises of Jehovah and his strength and his wondrous works that he has done.


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<pb/>For he established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their sons,


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that the generation to come might know, even the sons who should be born, who should arise and tell to their sons,


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and might not be as their fathers: a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set their heart aright and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.


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<pb/>He did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.


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<pb/>Behold, he killed* the rock, so that waters gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he give bread also? Will he provide meat for his people?


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<pb/>Therefore Jehovah heard and was angry. And a fire was kindled against Jacob and anger also went up against Israel,


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when the anger of God went up against them and killed of the fattest of them and killed* down the young men of Israel.


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<pb/>But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity and did not destroy. Yes, he turned his anger away much and did not stir up all his wrath.


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<pb/>He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath and indignation and trouble, a discharge of messengers of evil.


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<pb/>He made a path for his anger. He spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence,


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<pb/>And he brought them to the border of his sanctuary, to this mountain, which his right hand had gained.


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He also drove out the nations before them and allotted them for an inheritance by line and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents.


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but turned back and dealt treacherously like their fathers. They were turned aside like a deceitful bow.


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For they provoked him to anger with their high places and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.


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He brought him from following the ewe-lambs that have their young, to be the shepherd of Jacob his people and Israel his inheritance.


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<pb/>So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.


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<pb/>O God, the nations have come into your inheritance. They have defiled your holy temple. They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.


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<pb/>They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food to the birds of the heavens, the flesh of your holy ones to the beasts of the earth.


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<pb/>We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and ridicule to those who are all around us.


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<pb/>Pour out your wrath upon the nations that do not know you and upon the kingdoms that do not call upon your name.


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<pb/>Do not remember against us the iniquities of our forefathers. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, because we are brought very low.


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Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name. And deliver us and forgive our sins, for your name's sake.


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<pb/>Why should the nations say, Where is their God? Let the avenging of the blood of your servants which is shed be known among the nations in our sight.


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<pb/>Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. Preserve those who are appointed to death according to the greatness of your power,


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and render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached you, O Lord,


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so we your people and sheep of your pasture will give you thanks forever. We will show forth your praise to all generations.


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<pb/>Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit above the cherubim, shine forth.


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<pb/>Turn again, we beseech you, O God of hosts. Look down from heaven, and behold and visit this vine,


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<pb/>Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for yourself,


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<pb/>He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard a language that I did not know.


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<pb/>You called in trouble and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.


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<pb/>I am Jehovah your God who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.


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<pb/>He would feed them also with the finest of the wheat. And I would satisfy you with honey out of the rock.


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<pb/>They do not know, nor do they understand. They walk to and fro in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.


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They have said, Come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.


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My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of Jehovah. My heart and my flesh cry out to the living God.


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<pb/>Yes, the sparrow has found her a house and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young, even your altars, O Jehovah of hosts, my King and my God.


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Passing through the valley of weeping they make it a place of springs. Yes, the early rain covers it with blessings.


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Because a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.


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<pb/>Because Jehovah God is a sun and a shield. Jehovah will give favor and glory. He will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly.


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<pb/>I will hear what God, Jehovah, will speak, Because he will speak peace to his people and to his holy ones. But do not let them turn again to folly.


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<pb/>Because you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive and abundant in loving kindness to all those who call upon you.


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All nations whom you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord and they will glorify your name.


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<pb/>Because great is your loving kindness toward me and you have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.


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<pb/>O God, the proud have risen up against me and a company of violent men have sought after my soul and have not set you before them.


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<pb/>But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness and truth.


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O turn to me and have mercy upon me. Give your strength to your servant and save the son of your handmaid.


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<pb/>Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be put to shame, because you, Jehovah, have helped me and comforted me.


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<pb/>I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among those who know me. Behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This man was born there.


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<pb/>Yes, of Zion it will be said, this and that man was born in her and the Most High himself will establish her.


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cast off among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more and they are cut off from your hand.


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<pb/>You have put my acquaintances far from me. You have made me an abomination to them. I am shut up and I cannot come forth.


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<pb/>My eye wastes away because of affliction. I have called daily upon you, O Jehovah, I have spread forth my hands to you.


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<pb/>I will sing of the loving kindness of Jehovah everlasting. I will make known your faithfulness to all generations with my mouth.


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Because I have said, Mercy will be built up everlasting. Your faithfulness you will establish in the very heavens.


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<pb/>And the heavens will praise your wonders, O Jehovah, your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.


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<pb/>Because who in the clouds can be compared to Jehovah? Who among the sons of the mighty is like Jehovah,


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a God very awesome in the council of the holy ones and to be feared above all those who are all around him?


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<pb/>O Jehovah God of hosts, who is a mighty one like you, O Jehovah? And your faithfulness is all around you.


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You have broken Rahab in pieces, as a wounded man. You have scattered your enemies with the arm of your strength.


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<pb/>The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours, the world and the fullness of it; you have founded them.


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<pb/>Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loving kindness and truth go before your face.


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<pb/>The people who know the shout <i>of you</i> are fortunate. O Jehovah, they walk in the light of your countenance.


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<pb/>Then you spoke in a vision to your holy ones and said, I have laid help upon a mighty man. I have exalted a chosen man out of the people.


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but my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him and in my name will his horn be exalted.


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<pb/>What man is he who will live and not see death, who will deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.


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with which your enemies have reproached, O Jehovah, with which they have reproached the footsteps of your anointed.


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Before the mountains were brought forth, or you had ever formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.


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Because a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night.


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<pb/>You carry them away as with a flood. They are as a sleep. They are like grass which grows up in the morning.


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<pb/>The days of our years are threescore years and ten, or even by reason of strength eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, because it is soon gone and we fly away.


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O satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.


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<pb/>Make us glad according to the days in which you have afflicted us and the years in which we have seen evil.


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And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us. And establish the work of our hands upon us, yes, the work of our hands establish it.


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<pb/>He will cover you with his pinions and under his wings will you take refuge. His truth is a shield and a buckler.


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<pb/>A thousand will fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.


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<pb/>You will tread upon the lion and adder. The young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.


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<pb/>Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high because he has known my name.


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<pb/>He will call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.


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with an instrument of ten strings and with the psaltery, with a meditation <i>resounding</i> upon the harp.


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<pb/>Because you, Jehovah, have made me glad through your work. I will triumph in the works of your hands.


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<pb/>When the wicked spring up like the grass and when all the workers of unrighteousness flourish, it is that they will be destroyed forever,


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<pb/>Because behold, your enemies, O Jehovah, for behold, your enemies will perish. All the workers of wickedness will be scattered.


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<pb/>Jehovah reigns! He is clothed with majesty. Jehovah is clothed with strength; he has girded himself with it. <pb/>The world also is established that it cannot be shaken.


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<pb/>The floods have lifted up, O Jehovah, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their waves.


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<pb/>Your testimonies are very sure. Holiness <i>is</i> lovely <i>to</i> your house, O Jehovah, forever.


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They pour out <i>words</i>, they speak arrogantly. All the workers of wickedness boast of themselves.


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<pb/>Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of wickedness?


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<pb/>And he has brought upon them their own wickedness and will cut them off in their own wickedness. Jehovah our God will cut them off.


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Because he is our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. <pb/>Today, O that you* would hear his voice!


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<pb/>Forty years long I was grieved with that generation and said, It is a people that do go-astray in their heart and they have not known my ways.


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<pb/>Say among the nations, Jehovah reigns! The world also is established that it cannot be shaken. He will judge the peoples with uprightness.


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before Jehovah, because he comes. Because he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with his truth.


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The mountains melted like wax at the presence of Jehovah, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.


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<pb/>Let all those be put to shame who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols. Bow yourselves to him, all you* gods.


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<pb/>Zion heard and was glad and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, because of your judgments, O Jehovah.


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<pb/>O you* who love Jehovah, hate evil. <pb/>He preserves the souls of his holy ones. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.


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<pb/>O sing to Jehovah a new song, because he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm, has worked salvation for him.


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Jehovah has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.


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<pb/>He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.


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before Jehovah, because he comes to judge the earth. <pb/>He will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with uprightness.


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<pb/>The king’s strength also loves justice. You establish uprightness. You execute justice and righteousness in Jacob.


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<pb/>Moses and Aaron among his priests and Samuel among those who call upon his name, they called upon Jehovah and he answered them.


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<pb/>He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud. They kept his testimonies and the statute that he gave them.


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<pb/>You answered them, O Jehovah our God. You were a God who forgave them, though you took vengeance on their practices.


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<pb/>Know that Jehovah, he is God. It is he who has made us and we are his. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.


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<pb/>Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.


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Because Jehovah is good. His loving kindness is everlasting and his faithfulness to all generations.


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I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.


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<pb/>I will set no wicked speech before my eyes. I hate the work of those who turn aside. It will not cleave to me.


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<pb/>He who slanders his neighbor secretly, I will destroy him. He who has a high look and a proud heart I will not endure.


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<pb/>My eyes will be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me. He who walks in a perfect way, he will minister to me.


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<pb/>He who works deceit will not dwell within my house. He who speaks falsehood will not be established before my eyes.


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<pb/>Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, to cut off all the workers of wickedness from the city of Jehovah.


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Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me. Answer me speedily in the day when I call.


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You will arise and have mercy upon Zion, because it is time to have pity upon her, yes, the set time has come.


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<pb/>This will be written for the generation to come. And a people which will be created will praise Jehovah.


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<pb/>Because he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven Jehovah beheld the earth,


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I said, O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.


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They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will grow old like a garment. As a raiment you will change them and they will be changed,


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<pb/>Because as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.


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<pb/>But the loving kindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him and his righteousness to son's sons,


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah, you* his messengers, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, listening to the voice of his word.


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah, O my soul. <pb/>O Jehovah my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty,


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who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters, who makes the clouds his chariot, who walks upon the wings of the wind,


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<pb/>He causes the grass to grow for the cattle and herbage for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth,


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and wine that gladdens the heart of man and oil to make his face to shine and bread that strengthens man's heart.


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<pb/>O Jehovah, how great are your works! You have made them all in wisdom. The earth is full of your riches.


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<pb/>Yonder is the sea, great and wide, in which are innumerable creeping things, both small and great beasts.


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<pb/>You hide your face, they are troubled. You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.


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<pb/>Let sinners be consumed out of the earth and let the wicked be no more. <pb/>Praise Jehovah, O my soul. Praise Jehovah.


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<pb/>He has remembered his covenant everlasting, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations,


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<pb/>And he brought them forth with silver and gold and there was not a feeble soul among his tribes.


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<pb/>And he gave them the lands of the nations and they took the labor of the peoples in possession,


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah. O give thanks to Jehovah, because he is good, because his loving kindness is everlasting.


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<pb/>Remember me, O Jehovah, with the favor that you bear to your people. O visit me with your salvation,


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that I may see the prosperity of your chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.


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<pb/>Our fathers did not understand your wonders in Egypt. They did not remember the multitude of your loving kindnesses, but were rebellious at the sea, even at the Red Sea.


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<pb/>Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.


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<pb/>He also rebuked the Red Sea and it was dried up. So he led them through the depths as through a wilderness.


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<pb/>Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy.


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<pb/>They also joined themselves to Baal of Peor   <n>{Baal-peor}</n>   and ate the sacrifices of the dead.


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<pb/>They also angered him at the waters of Meribah, so that it went ill with Moses because of them,


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and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan. And the land was polluted with blood.


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<pb/>Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their counsel and were brought low in their iniquity.


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And he remembered his covenant for them and relented according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.


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<pb/>Save us, O Jehovah our God and gather us from among the nations, to give thanks to your holy name and to triumph in your praise.


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, Truly. Praise Jehovah.


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<pb/>O that men would praise Jehovah <i>for</i> his loving kindness and <i>for</i> his wonderful works to the sons of men!


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They mountain up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.


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<pb/>He also graces them, so that they are multiplied greatly and he does not allow their cattle to decrease.


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<pb/>He who is wise will give heed to these things and they will consider the loving kindnesses of Jehovah.


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<pb/>I will give thanks to you, O Jehovah, among the peoples and I will sing praises to you among the nations.


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because they have opened against me the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue.


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<pb/>Let there be none to prolong kindness to him, nor let there be any to have pity on his fatherless sons.


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<pb/>Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with Jehovah and do not let the sin of his mother be blotted out.


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because he did not remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man and the broken in heart, to kill.


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<pb/>Yes, he loved cursing and it came to him. And he did not delight in blessing and it was far from him.


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<pb/>He also clothed himself with cursing as with his garment and it came into his inward parts like water and like oil into his bones.


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Let it be to him as the garments with which he covers himself and for the belt with which he is girded continually.


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<pb/>But deal with me, O Jehovah the Lord, for your name's sake. Because your loving kindness is good, deliver me,


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<pb/>Let them curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice.


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<pb/>Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor and let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe.


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<pb/>Jehovah will send forth the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of your enemies.


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Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning you have the dew of your youth.


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<pb/>Jehovah has sworn and will not repent. You are a everlasting priest after the order of Melchizedek.


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He will judge among the nations. He will fill with dead bodies. He will strike through the head in many countries.


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah. I will give thanks to Jehovah with my whole heart, in the council of the upright and in the congregation.


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<pb/>He has sent redemption to his people. He has commanded his everlasting covenant. Holy and reverend is his name.


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<pb/>The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom and all who act accordingly have a good understanding. <pb/>His praise endures forever.


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah. The man is fortunate who fears Jehovah, who delights greatly in his commandments.


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<pb/>It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. He will maintain his cause in judgment,


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<pb/>He has scattered, he has given to the poor. His righteousness endures forever. His horn will be exalted with honor.


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<pb/>A wicked man will see it and be grieved. He will gnash with his teeth and melt away. The desire of wicked men will perish.


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<pb/>Not to us, O Jehovah, not to us, but to your name give glory. Upon your loving kindness and upon your truth's sake.


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They have hands, but they do not handle. They have feet, but they do not walk, nor do they speak through their throat.


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<pb/>Jehovah has been mindful of us. He will bless, he will bless the house of Israel. He will bless the house of Aaron.


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<pb/>O Jehovah, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your handmaid. You have loosed my bonds.


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<pb/>Because his loving kindness is great toward us and the truth of Jehovah is everlasting. <pb/>Praise Jehovah.


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They encompassed me around, yes, they encompassed me around. I will cut them off in the name of Jehovah.


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They encompassed me around like bees. They are quenched as the fire of thorns. I will cut them off in the name of Jehovah.


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The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. <pb/>The right hand of Jehovah does valiantly.


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<pb/>He who comes in the name of Jehovah is blessed. We have blessed you* out of the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Jehovah is God and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.


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<pb/>Let your loving kindnesses also come to me, O Jehovah, even your salvation, according to your word.


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<pb/>And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, because I have hoped in your ordinances.


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I will also lift up my hands to your commandments, which I have loved and I will meditate on your statutes.


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<pb/>Your hands have made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.


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I know, O Jehovah, that your judgments are righteous and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.


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<pb/>I beseech you, let your loving kindness be for my comfort according to your word to your servant.


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<pb/>Let the proud be put to shame, because they have overthrown me wrongfully. <pb/>I will meditate on your precepts.


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<pb/>How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?


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<pb/>I have taken your testimonies as a heritage everlasting, because they are the rejoicing of my heart.


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<pb/>You have tossed-aside all those who go astray from your statutes, because their deceit is falsehood.


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<pb/>Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Give me life, O Jehovah, according to your ordinances.


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<pb/>Consider when I love your precepts. Give me life, O Jehovah, according to your loving kindness.


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where the tribes go up, even the tribes of Jehovah, for an ordinance for Israel, to give thanks to the name of Jehovah.


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Behold, as the eyes of servants to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes are to Jehovah our God, until he has mercy upon us.


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<pb/>Have mercy upon us, O Jehovah, have mercy upon us, because we are exceedingly filled with contempt.


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Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease and with the contempt of the proud.


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Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken and we have escaped.


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As the mountains are all around Jerusalem, so Jehovah is all around his people from this time forth and until forever.


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<pb/>Because the scepter of wickedness will not rest upon the lot of the righteous, that the righteous not put forth their hands to wickedness.


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<pb/>But as for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of wickedness. <pb/>Peace be upon Israel.


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<pb/>Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, Jehovah has done great things for them.


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He who goes forth and weeps, bearing seed for sowing, will doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves.


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<pb/>Unless Jehovah builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless Jehovah guards the city, the watchman wake but in vain.


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<pb/>It is vain for you* to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of toil, <i>for</i> so he gives sleep to his beloved.


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<pb/>The man who has his quiver full of them is fortunate. They will not be put to shame because they speak with their enemies in the gate.


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Your wife will be as a fruitful vine in the innermost parts of your house, your sons like olive plants all around your table.


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Neither do those who go by say, The blessing of Jehovah be upon you*. We praise you in the name of Jehovah.


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<pb/>O Israel, hope in Jehovah, because there is loving kindness with Jehovah and plentiful redemption is with him.


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<pb/>Jehovah, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor have I walked in grand things, or in things too wonderful for me.


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<pb/>Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child with his mother. Like a weaned child is my soul within me.


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<pb/>Jehovah has sworn to David in truth. He will not turn from it: From the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne.


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If your sons will keep my covenant and my testimony that I will teach them, their sons also will sit upon your throne forever.


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<pb/>It is like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that came down upon the skirt of his garments,


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like the dew of Hermon, that comes down upon the mountains of Zion. Because there Jehovah commanded the blessing, even life everlasting.


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<pb/>Behold, praise Jehovah, all you* servants of Jehovah, who stand by night in the house of Jehovah.


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<pb/>Whatever Jehovah pleased, that he has done, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all depths,


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who causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain, who brings forth the wind out of his treasuries,


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<pb/>to him who spread forth the earth above the waters, because his loving kindness is everlasting,


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<pb/>Because those who led us captive there required of us songs and those who wasted us, gladness, saying, Sing for us one of the songs of Zion.


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Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.


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<pb/>Remember, O Jehovah, the day of Jerusalem against the sons of Edom, who said, Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation of it.


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<pb/>O daughter of Babylon, who is to be destroyed, he will be fortunate who rewards you as you have served us.


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I will worship toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name because your loving kindness and for your truth. Because you have magnified your word above all your name.


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<pb/>All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, O Jehovah, because they have heard the words of your mouth.


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<pb/>Because I walk in the midst of trouble, you will give me life. You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies and your right hand will save me.


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Jehovah will perfect what is on my behalf. Your loving kindness, O Jehovah, is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of your own hands.


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even the darkness does not hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness and the light are both alike to you.


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<pb/>I will give thanks to you, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works and that my soul knows right well.


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<pb/>My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, curiously worked in the lowest parts of the earth.


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Your eyes saw my unformed substance and in your book they were all written, even the days that were formed, when as yet there was none of them.


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<pb/>Do I not hate them, O Jehovah, who hate you? And am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?


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and men who devise mischievous things in their heart. They gather themselves continually together for war.


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<pb/>Keep me, O Jehovah, from the hands of a wicked man. Preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to thrust aside my steps.


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The proud have hid a snare for me and cords. They have spread a net by the wayside. They have set snares for me. Selah.


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<pb/>O Jehovah the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.


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<pb/>Do not grant, O Jehovah, the desires of the wicked man. Do not further his evil device. They exalt themselves. Selah.


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<pb/>As for the head of those who encompass me around, let the mischief of their own lips cover them.


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Let burning coals shake <i>down</i> upon them. Let them be cast into the fire, into deep pits, from where they will not rise.


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<pb/>An evil speaker will not be established in the earth. Evil will hunt the violent man to overthrow him.


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Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.


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Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work wickedness. And do not let me eat of their dainties.


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<pb/>Let a righteous man kill* me, as a kindness. And let him reprove me, as oil upon the head. Do not let my head refuse it. Because my prayer will continue even in their wickedness.


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<pb/>Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock. And they will hear my words, because they are sweet.


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Because my eyes are to you, O Jehovah the Lord. I take refuge in you. Do not leave my soul destitute.


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<pb/>Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me and from the traps of the workers of wickedness.


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<pb/>When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, you knew my path. In the way in which I walk they have hidden a snare for me.


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<pb/>Look on my right hand and see, for there is no man who knows me. Refuge has failed me. No man cares for my soul.


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<pb/>Attend to my cry, because I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors, because they are stronger than I.


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<pb/>Bring my soul out of prison that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will encompass me around, because you will deal bountifully with me.


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<pb/>Hear my prayer, O Jehovah. Listen to my supplications. Answer me in your faithfulness and in your righteousness.


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<pb/>Because the enemy has persecuted my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me to dwell in dark places as those who have been long dead.


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<pb/>I remember the days of long-ago. I meditate on all your practices. I meditate on the work of your hands.


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<pb/>Make haste to answer me, O Jehovah, my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into the pit.


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<pb/>Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, because I trust in yout. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, because I lift up my soul to you.


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<pb/>Teach me to do your will, because you are my God. Your Spirit is good, lead me in the land of uprightness.


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<pb/>Revive me, O Jehovah, for your name's sake. Bring my soul out of trouble in your righteousness.


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<pb/>And in your loving kindness cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict my soul, because I am your servant.


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my loving kindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues my people under me.


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<pb/>Jehovah, what is man, that you take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that you make account of him?


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<pb/>Stretch forth your hand from above. Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, out of the hand of aliens,


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<pb/>I will sing a new song to you, O God. I will sing praises to you upon a psaltery of ten strings.


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<pb/>Rescue me and deliver me out of the hand of aliens, whose mouth speaks deceit and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.


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That our sons will be as plants grown up in their youth and our daughters as cornerstones hewn according to the fashion of a palace,


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our garners are full, affording all manner of store, our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields,


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the people who are in such a case are fortunate. <pb/>The people whose God is Jehovah are fortunate.


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<pb/>He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him. He also will hear their cry and will save them.


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<pb/>My mouth will speak the praise of Jehovah. And let all flesh bless his holy name everlasting and forever.


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who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. Jehovah releases the prisoners.


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<pb/>Jehovah opens the eyes of the blind. Jehovah raises up those who are bowed down. Jehovah loves the righteous.


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<pb/>Jehovah preserves the travelers. He upholds the fatherless and widow. But the way of the wicked he turns upside down.


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah, because it is good to sing praises to our God. Because it is pleasant and praise is becoming.


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who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains.


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He has not dealt so with any nation. And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. <pb/>Praise Jehovah.


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He has also established them everlasting and forever. He has made a decree which will not pass away.


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<pb/>Let them praise the name of Jehovah, because his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.


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<pb/>And he has lifted up the horn of his people, the praise of all his holy ones, even of the sons of Israel, a people near to him. Praise Jehovah.


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<pb/>Praise Jehovah. <pb/>Sing to Jehovah a new song and his praise in the assembly of the holy ones.


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that the wise man may hear and increase in learning and that the man of understanding may attain to sound-wisdom,


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If they say, Come with us. Let us lay wait for blood. Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause.


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She cries in the chief place of concourse, at the entrance of the gates, in the city. She utters her words:


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<pb/>How long, you* simple ones, will you* love simplicity? And scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?


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Turn back at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you*. I will make my words known to you*.


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<pb/>Because I have called and you* have refused, I have stretched out my hand and no man has regarded,


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when your* fear comes as a storm and your* calamity comes on as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you*.


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<pb/>Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,


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<pb/>Because the backsliding of the simple will kill them and the careless ease of fools will destroy them.


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to deliver you from the strange woman, even from the foreign <i>woman</i> who flatters with her words,


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<pb/>Do not let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart,


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<pb/>Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.


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<pb/>The curse of Jehovah is in the house of a wicked man, but he graces the habitation of the righteous.


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<pb/>She will give to your head a wreath of beauty and of charm; she will deliver a crown of beauty to you.


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<pb/>Because they do not sleep unless they do evil. And their sleep is taken away unless they cause <i>you</i> to fall.


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<pb/>But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.


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<pb/>Now therefore, you* <i>the</i> sons, listen to me and do not depart from the words of my mouth.


text:
a loving female-deer and a pleasant doe. Let her breasts satisfy you at all times and be ravished always with her love.


text:
<pb/>For why should you, my son, be ravished with an strange woman and embrace the bosom of a foreigner?


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<pb/>My son, if you have become a surety for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands for a stranger,


text:
<pb/>Do this now, my son and deliver yourself, because you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself and behave-proudly to neighbor.


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When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. And when you awake, it will talk with you.


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<pb/>Because the commandment is a lamp and the law is light and reproofs of instruction are the way of life,


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<i>A man comes</i> to the <i>last</i> piece of bread because of the price of a prostitute, but the adulteress hunts for the precious life.


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<pb/>He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who would destroy his own soul does it.


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that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreign <i>woman</i> who flatters with her words.


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<pb/>She causes him to yield with her much fair speech. She forces him along with the flattering of her lips.


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<pb/>He goes after her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks,


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till an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hastens to the snare. And he does not know that it is for his life.


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<pb/>Hear, because I will speak excellent things. And the opening of my lips will be in uprightness.


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Because wisdom is better than rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.


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<pb/>The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil. I hate: pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth.


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when he gave to the sea its boundary that the waters should not transgress his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,


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<pb/>The man who hears me is fortunate, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.


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<pb/>He who is simple, let him turn in here. As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,


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<pb/>He who disciplines a scoffer gets himself reviling. And he who reproves a wicked man gets himself a bruise.


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Give opportunity to a wise man and he will be yet wiser. Teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.


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to call to those who pass by, who go right on their ways: <pb/>He who is simple, let him turn in here.


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<pb/>The proverbs of Solomon. <pb/>A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.


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<pb/>Jehovah will not allow the soul of a righteous man to famish, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.


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<pb/>The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.


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<pb/>Wisdom is found in the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.


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<pb/>Transgression is not lacking in the multitude of words, but he who refrains his lips does wisely.


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<pb/>When the whirlwind passes, the wicked man is no more, but the righteous man is an everlasting foundation.


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<pb/>The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of wickedness.


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<pb/>The lips of a righteous man knows what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverseness.


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<pb/>The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous will destroy them.


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<pb/>The righteousness of the perfect will direct his way, but the wicked man will fall by his own wickedness.


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<pb/>The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be taken in their own greed.


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<pb/>The hypocrite destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.


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<pb/>When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. And when the wicked perish, there is shouting.


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<pb/>The city is exalted by the blessing of the upright, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.


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<pb/>He who goes around as a gossiper reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.


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<pb/>Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.


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<pb/>He will suffer for it who is a surety for a stranger, but he who hates being a striker <i>of deals</i> is secure.


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<pb/>He who is steadfast in righteousness comes to life and he who pursues evil comes to his own death.


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<pb/>Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah, but such as are perfect in their way are his delight.


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<pb/>Hand in hand, the evil man will not be unpunished, but the seed of the righteous will be delivered.


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<pb/>There is he who scatters and increases yet more and there is he who withholds more than is proper, but only to want.


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<pb/>The people will curse he who withholds grain, but a blessing will be upon the head of him who sells it.


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<pb/>He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind. And a foolish man will be servant to a wise man of heart.


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<pb/>A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but she who makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.


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<pb/>A man will be commended according to his wisdom, but he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.


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<pb/>Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant, than he who honors himself and lacks bread.


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<pb/>He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who pursues vanities is void of understanding.


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<pb/>A wicked man is snared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come out of trouble.


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<pb/>A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth and the actions of a man's hands will be rendered to him.


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<pb/>The slothful man roasts not what he took in hunting, but the substance of a diligent man is precious.


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<pb/>The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing, but the soul of the diligent will be made fat.


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<pb/>There is he who makes himself rich, yet has nothing and he who makes himself poor, yet has great wealth.


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<pb/>He who despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.


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<pb/>Poverty and shame are to him who refuses correction, but he who regards reproof will be honored.


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<pb/>The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.


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<pb/>A good man leaves an inheritance to his son's sons and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.


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<pb/>He who walks in his uprightness fears Jehovah, but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.


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<pb/>A wise man fears and departs from evil, but the fool bears himself insolently and is confident.


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<pb/>Do they not go-astray, those who devise evil? But mercy and truth are to those who devise good.


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<pb/>The king's glory is in the multitude of people, but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince.


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<pb/>He who oppresses a poor man reproaches his maker, but he who has mercy on a needy man honors him.


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<pb/>Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the inward part of fools is made known.


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<pb/>The king's favor is toward a servant who deals wisely, but his wrath will be to him who causes shame.


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<pb/>Much treasure is in the house of a righteous man, but in the revenues of a wicked man is trouble.


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<pb/>The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.


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<pb/>The way of a wicked man is an abomination to Jehovah, but he loves he who follows after righteousness.


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<pb/>All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a cheerful heart has a continual feast.


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<pb/>The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is made a highway.


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<pb/>Folly is joy to him who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding makes his going straight.


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<pb/>Where there is no counsel, plans are disappointed, but they are established in the multitude of counselors.


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<pb/>The heart of a righteous man meditates to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.


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<pb/>He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding.


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<pb/>Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah. Hand in hand, he will not be unpunished.


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<pb/>It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness, because the throne is established by righteousness.


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<pb/>How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.


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<pb/>Understanding is a well-spring of life to him who has it, but the correction of fools is folly.


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<pb/>He who shuts his eyes devises perverse things. He who moves his lips completes evil <i>things</i>.


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<pb/>He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.


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<pb/>A servant who deals wisely will have rule over a son who causes shame and will have part in the inheritance among the brothers.


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<pb/>He who mocks a poor man reproaches his maker. He who is glad at calamity will not be unpunished.


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<pb/>The beginning of strife is like letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarreling.


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<pb/>He who justifies a wicked man and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.


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<pb/>A man void of understanding strikes hands and becomes a surety in the presence of his neighbor.


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<pb/>Wisdom is before the face of him who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.


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<pb/>He who spares his words has knowledge and he who is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.


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<pb/>Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is considered wise. When he shuts his lips, he is prudent.


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<pb/>To respect the person of a wicked man is not good, nor to turn aside a righteous man in judgment.


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<pb/>A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.


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<pb/>A man's belly will be filled with the fruit of his mouth. He will be satisfied with the increase of his lips.


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<pb/>He who makes many friends <i>does it</i> to his own destruction, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.


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<pb/>Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.


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<pb/>Many will entreat the favor of a generous man and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.


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<pb/>All the brothers of a poor man regard him inferior, how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues with words, but they are gone.


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<pb/>The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.


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<pb/>A foolish son is the calamity of his father and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.


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<pb/>A man of great wrath will bear the penalty, because if you deliver him, you must do it yet again.


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<pb/>The fear of Jehovah is life to a man and he will abide satisfied. He will not be visited with evil.


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<pb/>Strike a scoffer and a simple man will learn prudence. And reprove he who has understanding and he will understand knowledge.


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<pb/>He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame and brings reproach.


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<pb/>The terror of a king is as the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger sins against his own life.


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<pb/>The sluggard will not plow because of the winter. Therefore he will beg in harvest and have nothing.


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<pb/>Even a child makes himself known by his practices, whether his work be pure and whether it is right.


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<pb/>Take his garment because <i>it is</i> a surety for a stranger and hold him in pledge for foreigners.


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<pb/>He who goes about as a gossiper reveals secrets. Therefore do not associate with he who opens his lips wide.


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<pb/>The thoughts of a diligent man lead only to abundance, but everyone who is hasty, only to want.


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<pb/>The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by those who seek death.


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<pb/>The way of him who is laden with guilt is exceedingly crooked, but as for a pure man, his work is right.


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<pb/>It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.


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<pb/>When a scoffer is punished, a simple man is made wise and when a wise man is instructed, he receives knowledge.


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<pb/>It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of wickedness.


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<pb/>There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of a wise man, but a foolish man swallows it up.


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<pb/>There is he who covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.


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<pb/>The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. Much more <i>when</i> he brings it with a wicked mind!


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<pb/>A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.


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<pb/>Thorns and snares are in the way of a perverse man. He who keeps his soul will be far from them.


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<pb/>Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him.


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<pb/>He who oppresses a poor man to his increase and he who gives to a rich man, comes only to want.


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Because it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if they are established together upon your lips.


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to make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may carry back words of truth to those who send you?


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<pb/>See a man diligent in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before insignificant <i>men</i>.


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Will you set your eyes upon what is not? Because it certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward heaven.


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Because as he thinks within himself, so is he. Eat and drink, he says to you, but his heart is not with you.


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<pb/>Do not withhold correction from the child, because if you beat him with the rod, he will not die.


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Because the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.


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<pb/>The father of a righteous man will greatly rejoice and he who begets a wise son will have joy of him.


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<pb/>Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?


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<pb/>Do not look upon the wine because it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, <i>when</i> it goes <i>down</i> smoothly.


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Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he who lies upon the top of a mast.


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<pb/>They have stricken me, you will say and I was not hurt. They have beaten me and I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.


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<pb/>Because by wise guidance you will make your war and in the multitude of counselors there is safety.


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<pb/>Deliver those who are carried away to death and hold back those who are slipping <i>away</i> to be slain.


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If you say, Behold, we did not know this, Does not he who weighs the hearts consider it? And he who keeps your soul, does he not know it? And will not he render to every man according to his work?


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<pb/>My son, eat honey, because it is good and the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste,


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so the knowledge of wisdom is to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward and your hope will not be cut off.


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<pb/>Lay not in wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Do not destroy his resting place.


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Because a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.


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<pb/>Prepare your work outside and make it ready for you in the field and afterwards build your house.


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<pb/>Do not say, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.


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<pb/>And behold, it was all grown over with thorns. The face of it was covered with nettles and the stone wall of it was broken down.


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<pb/>Do not put yourself forward in the presence of the king and stand not in the place of great men.


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Because it is better that it is said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.


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<pb/>Do not go forth hastily to strive. What will you do in the end of it when your neighbor has put you to shame?


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<pb/>An earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, <i>so</i> is reproving a wise <i>one</i> upon an obedient ear.


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<pb/>As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.


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<pb/>Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you are filled with it and vomit it.


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<pb/>As he who takes off a garment in cold weather and vinegar upon soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.


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<pb/>A troubled fountain and a corrupted spring, is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.


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<pb/>As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not come.


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<pb/>Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness will be openly shown before the assembly.


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<pb/>Do not forsake your own friend and your father's friend. And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far off.


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<pb/>Take his garment that <i>it is</i> a surety for a stranger and hold him in pledge who is a surety for a strange woman.


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<pb/>He who graces his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it will be considered a curse to him.


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<pb/>He who keeps the fig tree will eat the fruit of it and he who regards his master will be honored.


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<pb/>Though you should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his foolishness will not depart from him.


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<pb/>The hay is carried and the tender grass shows itself and the herbs of the mountains are gathered in.


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And then will be goats' milk enough for your food; for the food of your household and maintenance for your maidens.


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<pb/>For the transgression of a land many are the rulers of it. But by men of understanding and knowledge the state will be prolonged.


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<pb/>Better is the poor man who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, though he is rich.


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<pb/>He who multiplies his substance by interest and increase, gathers it for him who has pity on the poor.


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<pb/>He who causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall himself into his own pit. But the perfect will inherit good.


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<pb/>The rich man is wise in his own conceit, but a poor man who has understanding searches him out.


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<pb/>When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.


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<pb/>He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.


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<pb/>The ruler who lacks understanding is also a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.


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<pb/>He who walks uprightly will be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways will fall at once.


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<pb/>He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows after vanity will have poverty enough.


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<pb/>A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not be unpunished.


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<pb/>He who robs his father or his mother and says, It is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer.


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<pb/>He who is of a greedy spirit stirs up strife, but he who puts his trust in Jehovah will be made fat.


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<pb/>He who, being often reproved, hardens his neck will suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy.


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<pb/>When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people sigh.


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<pb/>He who loves wisdom delights his father, but he who keeps company with prostitutes wastes his substance.


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<pb/>A righteous man takes knowledge of the cause of the poor. A wicked man has no such understanding to know.


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<pb/>If a wise man has a controversy with a foolish man, whether he is angry or laugh, there will be no rest.


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<pb/>When the wicked are increased, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their fall.


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<pb/>Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint, but he who keeps the law, he is fortunate.


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<pb/>A servant will not be disciplined by words, because though he understands, he will not give heed.


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<pb/>He who is partner with a thief, hates his own soul; he hears the oath <i>at trial</i> and utters nothing.


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<pb/>An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to a wicked man.


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<pb/>Who has ascended up into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name and what is his son’s name, surely you know?


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Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,


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lest I am full and deny you and say, Who is Jehovah? or lest I am poor and steal and use the name of my God profanely.


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There is a generation whose teeth are swords and their jaw teeth, knives, to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among men.


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<pb/>The leach has two daughters, crying, Give, give.There are three things that are never satisfied, yes, four that do not say, Enough:


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Sheol and the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water and the fire that does not say, Enough.


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<pb/>The eye that mocks at his father and despises to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out and the young eagles will eat it.


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The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea and the way of a man with a maiden.


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<pb/>So is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, I have done no wickedness.


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<pb/>If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth.


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<pb/>Because the churning of milk brings forth butter and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood, so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife.


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<pb/>It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?


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<pb/>She also rises while it is yet night and gives food to her household and their task to her maidens.


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<pb/>She is not afraid of the snow for her household, because all her household are clothed with scarlet.


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The wind goes toward the south and turns around to the north. It turns around continually in its course and the wind returns again to its circuits.


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All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from where the rivers come, they go there again.


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<pb/>All things are full of weariness, man cannot utter it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.


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<pb/>What has been is what will be and what has been done is what will be done. And there is no new thing under the sun.


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Is there a thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? It has been <i>a thing</i> of old, <i>in the ages</i> which were before us.


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<pb/>There is no remembrance of the former things, nor will there be any remembrance of the latter that are to come, among those who will come after.


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And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven. It is a great task that God has given to the sons of men to be exercised by it.


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<pb/>I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.


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<pb/>I spoke with my own heart, saying, Behold, I have become great and have increased wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.


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And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.


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<pb/>I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove you with gladness, therefore enjoy pleasure. And behold, this also was vanity.


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<pb/>I searched in my heart how to prolong my flesh with wine (my heart yet guiding me with wisdom) and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.


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<pb/>I bought men-servants and maid-servants and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.


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I got for me male-singers and female-singers and the luxuries of the sons of men and a wife and wives. <pb/>So I was great and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.


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<pb/>And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy. Because my heart rejoiced because of all my labor and this was my portion from all my labor.


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<pb/>Then I looked on all the works that my hands had worked and on the labor that I had labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.


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<pb/>And I turned myself to behold wisdom and madness and folly. Because what can the man do who comes after the king? Even what has been done long ago.


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The wise man's eyes are in his head and the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.


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<pb/>Then I said in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it will happen even to me and why then was I more wise? Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity.


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<pb/>Because of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no everlasting remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how the wise man dies even as the fool!


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<pb/>So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me. Because all is vanity and a striving after wind.


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<pb/>And I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will be after me.


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And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all my labor in which I have labored and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.


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<pb/>Therefore I turned around to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.


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<pb/>Because there is a man whose labor is with wisdom and with knowledge and with skillfulness, yet he will leave it to a man who has not labored in it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.


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<pb/>Because what has a man of all his labor and of the striving of his heart in which he labors under the sun?


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Because all his tasks are but sorrows and his travail is grief, yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.


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<pb/>There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.


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<pb/>Because to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he gives tasks to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.


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<pb/>a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,


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<pb/>He has made everything beautiful in its time. <pb/>Also he has set <i>the</i> everlasting in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.


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<pb/>I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live.


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And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy good in all his labor. It is the gift of God.


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<pb/>I know that, whatever God does, it will be forever. Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it. And God has done it that men should fear before him.


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<pb/>What is, has been long ago and what is to be, has long ago been. And God seeks again what has passed away.


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<pb/>And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.


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<pb/>I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous man and the wicked man, because there is a time for every purpose and for every work there.


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<pb/>I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, that God may prove them and that they may see that they themselves are beasts.


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<pb/>Because what befalls the sons of men befalls beasts, even one thing befalls them; as the one dies, so dies the other. Yes, they all have one breath and man has no preeminence above the beasts; because all is vanity.


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Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?


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<pb/>Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works, because that is his portion. Because who will bring him back to see what will be after him?


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<pb/>Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of such as were oppressed and they had no comforter. And on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.


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Yes, better than them both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.


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<pb/>Then I saw all labor and every skillful work, that a man is envied for this by his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.


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There is one man who is alone and he has not a second, yes, he has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end of all his labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with riches. And <i>he says,</i> whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yes, it is a great task.


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Because if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow, but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up.


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And if a man prevails against he who is alone, two will withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.


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<pb/>Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who does not know how to receive admonition any more.


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<pb/>I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, who stood up instead of him.


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There was no end of all the people, even of all those whom he was over. Yet those who come after will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.


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<pb/>Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, for to draw near to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools. For they do not know that they do evil.


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<pb/>Do not be rash with your mouth and do not let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God. Because God is in heaven and you upon earth. Therefore let your words be few.


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<pb/>When you vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it, because he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.


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Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger, that it <i>was</i> an error. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?


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<pb/>If you see the oppression of a poor man and the violent robbery of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter. Because a man higher than the high is observing and there are higher men than they.


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<pb/>He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.


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When goods increase, they are increased who eat them. And what advantage is there to the owner of it, except the beholding of them with his eyes?


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<pb/>The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the fullness of the rich will not allow him to sleep.


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<pb/>There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun; riches were kept by its owner to his evil.


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And those riches perish by an evil task. And if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.


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As he came out from his mother's womb, naked will he go again as he came and will take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.


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And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so he will go. And what profit has he that he labored for the wind?


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<pb/>Behold, what I have seen to be good and to be fitting is for a man to eat and to drink and to enjoy good in all his labor in which he labors under the sun all the days of his life which God has given him, because this is his portion.


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<pb/>Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth and has given him power to eat of it and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labor — this is the gift of God.


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Because he will not remember much the days of his life, because God answers him in the joy of his heart.


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A man to whom God gives riches, wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity and it is an evil disease.


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<pb/>If a man fathers a hundred sons and lives many years so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good and moreover he has no burial, I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.


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<pb/>Because what advantage has the wise man more than the fool? What has the poor man, who knows how to walk before the living?


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<pb/>Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.


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<pb/>Whatever has been, the name of it was given long ago and it is known that he <i>is</i> man. Neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.


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Because who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?


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<pb/>It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. For that is the end of all men and the living will lay it to his heart.


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<pb/>Sorrow is better than laughter, because by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.


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<pb/>The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of gladness.


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Because as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.


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<pb/>Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.


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<pb/>Do not say, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? Because you do not inquire wisely concerning this.


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Because wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense. But the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.


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<pb/>Be joyful in the day of prosperity and consider in the day of adversity. Yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.


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<pb/>All this I have seen in my days of vanity. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evil-doing.


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<pb/>It is good that you should take hold of this, yes, also do not withdraw your hand from that. Because he who fears God will come out from them all.


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<pb/>I turned about and my heart was set to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the reason of things and to know that wickedness is folly and that foolishness is madness.


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<pb/>And I find more bitter than death, the woman whose heart is snares and nets and whose hands are chains. He who pleases God will escape from her, but the sinner will be taken by her.


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<pb/>Behold, I have found this, says the Preacher, laying one thing to another, to find out the account,


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which my soul still seeks, but I have not found: among a thousand I have found one man, but among all those I have not found a woman.


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<pb/>Who is as the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face to shine and the hardness of his face is changed.


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Do not be hasty to go out of his presence. Persist not in an evil matter, because he does whatever pleases him.


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He who keeps a commandment will know no evil thing. And a wise man's heart discerns the time and decision.


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<pb/>Because to every purpose there is a time and decision, although the distress of man is great upon him.


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<pb/>There is no man who has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, nor has he power over the day of death. And there is no discharge in war. Neither will wickedness deliver he who is given to it.


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<pb/>All this I have seen and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun. <i>There is</i> a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.


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<pb/>So I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy and they were praised in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity.


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<pb/>Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.


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<pb/>Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his days, yet surely I know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before him.


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But it will not be well with a wicked man, neither will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he did not fear before God.


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<pb/>There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked, again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.


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<pb/>Then I commended joy, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat and to drink and to be cheerful. For that will abide with him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.


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<pb/>When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done upon the earth (because also there is he who sees sleep with his eyes neither day nor night),


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then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. Because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he will not find it. Yes moreover, though a wise man thinks to know it, yet he will not be able to find it.


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<pb/>This I laid to my heart for all, even to explore all this, that the righteous and the wise and their works, are in the hand of God. No man understands, either love or hatred. All is before them.


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<pb/>All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous man and to the wicked man, to the good man and to the clean man and to the unclean man, to him who sacrifices and to him who does not sacrifice, as is the good man, so is the sinner and he who swears, as he who fears an oath.


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This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all. <pb/>Yes also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil and madness is in their heart while they live and after that they go to the dead.


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<pb/>Because to him who is joined with all the living there is hope, because a living dog is better than a dead lion.


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Because the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any more a reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.


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As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, has perished long ago, nor have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.


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<pb/>Go your way, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because God has already accepted your works.


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Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity. Because that is your portion in life and in your labor in which you labor under the sun.


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<pb/>Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might, because there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you go.


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<pb/>I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill, but time and chance happens to them all.


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Because man also does not know his time. As the fishes that are taken in an evil net and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time when it falls suddenly upon them.


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There was a little city and few men within it. And there came a great king against it and besieged it and built great ramparts against it.


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Now there was found in it a poor wise man. And he by his wisdom delivered the city, yet no man remembered that same poor man.


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Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.


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<pb/>Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.


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<pb/>Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him and he says to everyone that he is a fool.


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<pb/>If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place, because healing rest great offenses.


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<pb/>There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler:


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<pb/>If the iron is blunt and he does not sharpen the edge, then he must increase strength. But wisdom is advantageous to make right.


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The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.


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<pb/>A fool also multiplies words; yet man knows not what will be and what will be after him, who can tell him?


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You are fortunate, O land, when your king is the son of noble men and your rulers feast in due season, for strength and not for drunkenness!


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<pb/>Do not revile the king, no, not in your thought and do not revile the rich in your bedroom. Because a bird of the heavens will carry the voice and what has wings will tell the matter.


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Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight, because you do not know what evil will be upon the earth.


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<pb/>If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there will it be.


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<pb/>As you do not know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, even so you do not know the work of God who does <i>it</i> all.


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<pb/>Sow your seed in the morning and do not withhold your hand in the evening, because you do not know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be good alike.


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<pb/>Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, because they will be many. All that comes is vanity.


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<pb/>Rejoice, O young man, in your youth and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth and walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes. But know, that upon all these things God will bring you into judgment.


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Therefore remove sorrow from your heart and put away evil from your flesh, because youth and the dawn of life are vanity.


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<pb/>Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near, when you will say, I have no pleasure in them,


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before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain,


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in the day when the keepers of the house will tremble and the strong men will bow themselves <i>down</i> and the grinders cease because they are few and those who look out of the windows will be darkened,


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and the doors will be shut in the street, when the sound of the grinding is low and he will rise up at the voice of a bird and all the daughters of music will be brought low,


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yes, they will be afraid of height and terrors will be in the way and the almond tree will blossom and the grasshopper will be a burden and desire will fail, because man goes to his everlasting home and the mourners go about the streets,


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before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,


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<pb/>And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.


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<pb/>The words of the wise are as cattle-prods and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies. They have been given from one shepherd.


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<pb/>And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end and much study is a weariness of the flesh.


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<pb/>This is the end of the matter, all has been heard: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole of man.


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<pb/>Your oils have a good fragrance. Your name is oil poured forth. Therefore the virgins love you.


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<pb/>Draw to me, we will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will make mention of your love more than of wine. They love you in uprightness.


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<pb/>I am black, but becoming, O you* daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.


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Do not look upon me, because I am swarthy, because the sun has scorched me. My mother's sons were incensed against me. They made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.


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<pb/>Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, where you feed your flock, where you make it to rest at noon. For why should I be as she who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?


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<pb/>If you do not know, O you fairest among women, go your way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed your kids beside the shepherds' tents.


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<pb/>As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste.


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<pb/>I swear to you*, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the female-deers of the field, that you* do not stir up, nor awake love, until it please.


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<pb/>The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.


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My beloved is like a roe or a young male-deer. Behold, he stands behind our wall. He looks in at the windows. He glances through the lattice.


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The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.


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The fig tree ripens her green figs and the vines are in blossom. They give forth their fragrance. <pb/>Arise, my love, my fair one and come away.


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O my dove, who are in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the steep place, let me see your countenance; let me hear your voice. Because sweet is your voice and your countenance is becoming.


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<pb/>Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards. For our vineyards are in blossom.


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Until the day breathes <i>cool</i> and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved and be like a roe or a young male-deer upon the mountains of spice   <n>{Bether}</n>.


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I said, I will rise now and go around the city. I will seek he whom my soul loves in the streets and in the broad ways. I sought him, but I did not find him.


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<pb/>It was but a little that I passed from them when I found he whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house and into the chamber of her who conceived me.


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<pb/>Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?


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They all handle the sword and are expert in war. Every man has his sword upon his thigh, because of fear in the night.


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He made the pillars of it from silver, the bottom of it from gold, the seat of it from purple, the midst of it being paved with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Go forth, O you* daughters of Zion and behold king Solomon with the crown with which his mother has crowned him in the day of his espousals and in the day of the gladness of his heart.


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<pb/>Behold, you are fair, my love, behold, you are fair. Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is as a flock of goats that lie along the side of Mount Gilead.


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Your teeth are like a flock of ewe-lambs that are newly shorn, which have come up from the washing, of which every one has twins and none is bereaved among them.


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Your lips are like a thread of scarlet and your mouth is becoming. Your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate behind your veil.


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Your neck is like the tower of David built for an armory, on which there hang a thousand bucklers, all the shields of the mighty men.


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Until the day is cool and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense.


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<pb/>Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon. Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards.


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You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride. You have ravished my heart with one of your eyes, with one chain of your neck.


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How fair is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine and the fragrance of your oils than all manner of spices!


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Your lips, O my bride, drop the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue and the smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.


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spikenard and saffron, cane and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.


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<pb/>Awake, O north wind and come, you south, breathe upon my garden, that the spices of it may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his precious fruits.


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<pb/>I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice. I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey. I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends. Drink, yes. Drink abundantly, O beloved.


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<pb/>I was asleep, but my heart awoke. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled. For my head is filled with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.


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I rose up to open to my beloved and my hands drops with myrrh and my fingers with liquid myrrh, upon the handles of the bolt.


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<pb/>I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had withdrawn himself and had gone. My soul had failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him. I called him, but he gave me no answer.


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The watchmen who go about the city found me. They killed* me, they wounded me. The keepers of the walls took away my mantle from me.


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<pb/>I swear to you*, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you* find my beloved, that you* tell him that I am sick from love.


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What is your beloved more than another beloved, O you fairest among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you do so swear to us?


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His cheeks are as a bed of spices, banks of sweet herbs. His lips are lilies, dropping liquid myrrh.


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His legs are pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold. His aspect is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.


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His mouth is most sweet. Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Where has your beloved gone, O you fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?


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My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens and to gather lilies.


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Turn away your eyes from me, for they have behaved-proudly against me. Your hair is as a flock of goats that lie along the side of Gilead.


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Your teeth are like a flock of ewe-lambs, which have come up from the washing, of which every one has twins and none is bereaved among them.


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My dove, my undefiled, is but one. She is the only one of her mother. She is the choice one of her who bore her. The daughters saw her and called her fortunate, yes, the queens and the concubines and they praised her.


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Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, sublime as an army with banners?


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<pb/>I went down into the garden of nuts, to see the green plants of the valley, to see whether the vine budded and the pomegranates were in flower.


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<pb/>Return, return, O Shulammite   <n>{Shunammite}</n>, return, return, that we may look upon you. Why will you* look upon the Shulammite   <n>{Shunammite}</n>, as upon the dance of two armies?


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<pb/>How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O prince's daughter! Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a skillful workman.


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Your body is a round goblet, no mingled wine is wanting. Your waist is a heap of wheat set about with lilies.


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Your neck is like the tower of ivory. Your eyes, the pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath-rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon which looks toward Damascus.


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Your head upon you is like Carmel and the hair of your head like purple. The king is held captive in the tresses.


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I said, I will climb up into the palm tree. I will take hold of the branches of it. Let your breasts be as clusters of the vine and the smell of your breath like apples,


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and your mouth like the best wine, that goes down smoothly for my beloved, gliding through the lips and teeth.


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Let us get up early to the vineyards. Let us see whether the vine has budded, its blossom is open, the pomegranates are in flower. There I will give you my love.


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The love-apples give forth fragrance. And at our doors are all manner of precious fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.


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<pb/>Oh that you were as my brother, who sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find you outside, I would kiss you. Yes and none would despise me.


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I would lead you and bring you into my mother's house, who would instruct me. I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.


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<pb/>I swear to you*, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you* do not stir up, nor awake love, until it please.


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<pb/>Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple tree I awoke you. There your mother was in travail with you. There she who brought you forth was in travail


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<pb/>Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm. Because love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as Sheol. The flashes of it are flashes of fire, a most vehement flame.


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<pb/>Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it. If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.


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<pb/>We have a little sister and she has no breasts. What will we do for our sister in the day when she will be spoken for?


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If she is a wall, we will build upon her a turret of silver. And if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.


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<pb/>Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon. He let out the vineyard to keepers. Every one for the fruit of it was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.


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My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. You, O Solomon, will have the thousand and those who keep the fruit of it, two hundred.


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<pb/>The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.


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<pb/>Hear, O heavens and listen, O earth, for Jehovah has spoken. I have nourished and brought up sons and they have rebelled against me.


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<pb/>The ox knows his owner and the donkey his master's crib, <i>but</i> Israel does not know; my people does not consider.


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<pb/>Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, sons who deal corruptly! They have forsaken Jehovah. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They have gone away backward.


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<pb/>Why will you* still be stricken, that you* revolt more and more? The whole head is sick and the whole heart faint.


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From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it, <i>but</i> wounds and bruises and fresh stripes. They have not been closed nor bound up nor soothed with oil.


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<pb/>Your* country is desolate. Your* cities are burned with fire. Your* land — strangers devour it in your* presence and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.


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And the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard, as a shed in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.


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<pb/>Unless Jehovah of hosts had left to us a seed, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been like Gomorrah.


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Hear the word of Jehovah, you* rulers of Sodom, listen to the law of our God, you* people of Gomorrah.


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<pb/>What to me is the multitude of your* sacrifices? says Jehovah. I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts. And I do not delight in the blood of bullocks or of lambs or of male-goats.


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<pb/>Bring no more vain oblations. Incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies — I cannot bear wickedness and the solemn assembly.


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Your* new moons and your* appointed feasts my soul hates. They are a trouble to me. I am weary of bearing them.


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<pb/>And when you* spread forth your* hands, I will hide my eyes from you*. Yes, when you* make many prayers, I will not hear; your* hands are full of blood.


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<pb/>Wash you*, make you* clean, put away the evil of your* practices from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.


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Learn to do good. Seek justice, make the oppressed fortunate, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.


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<pb/>Come now and let us reason together, says Jehovah, though your* sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they will be as wool.


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But if you* refuse and rebel, you* will be devoured with the sword, for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken it.


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<pb/>How the faithful city has become a prostitute! She who was full of justice! Righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.


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Your rulers are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They judge not the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come to them.


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<pb/>Therefore says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of my adversaries and avenge me of my enemies.


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And I will turn my hand upon you and thoroughly purge away your dross and will take away all your tin.


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And I will restore your judges as at the first and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the city of righteousness, a faithful town.


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<pb/>But the destruction of transgressors and sinners will be together and those who forsake Jehovah will be consumed.


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For they will be ashamed of the oaks which you* have desired and you* will be confounded for the gardens that you* have chosen.


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And the strong man will be as flax and his work as a spark. And they will both burn together and none will quench them.


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<pb/>And it will happen in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house will be established on the top of the mountains and will be exalted above the hills and all nations will flow to it.


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And many peoples will go and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion will go forth the law and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.


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<pb/>And he will judge between the nations and will decide concerning many peoples and they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more.


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For you have forsaken your people the house of Jacob, because they are filled <i>with things</i> from the east and <i>are</i> soothsayers like the Philistines. And they strike hands with the children of foreigners.


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<pb/>And their land is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures. Their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.


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<pb/>Their land is also full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands, what their own fingers have made,


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and <i>so</i> the common man bows down and the great man degrades himself. Therefore do not forgive them.


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<pb/>Enter into the rock and hide you in the dust, from before the terror of Jehovah and from the glory of his majesty.


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The lofty looks of man will be brought low and the haughtiness of men will be bowed down and Jehovah alone will be exalted in that day.


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<pb/>For there will be a day of Jehovah of hosts upon all that is proud and haughty and upon all that is lifted up and it will be brought low,


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<pb/>And the loftiness of man will be bowed down and the haughtiness of men will be brought low and Jehovah alone will be exalted in that day.


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And men will go into the caves of the rocks and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of Jehovah and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake the earth mightily.


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<pb/>Men will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold in that day, which have been made for them to worship, to the moles and to the bats,


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to go into the caverns of the rocks and into the clefts of the ragged rocks, from before the terror of Jehovah and from the glory of his majesty, when he arises to shake the earth mightily.


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<pb/>For, behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and staff, the whole support of bread and the whole support of water,


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the captain of fifty and the honorable man and the counselor and the expert craftsman and the skillful enchanter.


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And the people will be oppressed, every one by another and every one by his neighbor. The child himself will behave-proudly against the old man and the base against the honorable.


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<pb/>When a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, <i>saying</i>, You have clothing, be our ruler and let this ruin be under your hand,


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in that day he will lift up <i>his voice</i>, saying, I will not be a healer, for in my house is neither bread nor clothing. You* will not make me ruler of the people.


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<pb/>For Jerusalem is ruined and Judah has fallen, because their tongue and their practices are against Jehovah, to provoke the eyes of his glory.


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The show of their countenance witnesses against them and they declare their sin as Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have done evil to themselves.


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<pb/>Say you* of the righteous, that <i>it is</i> well, for they will eat the fruit of their practices.


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Woe to the wicked! <i>It is</i> ill <i>with him</i>, for what his hands have done will be done to him.


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<pb/>As for my people, children <i>are</i> their oppressors and women rule over them. O my people, those who advance you, are making you go-astray and destroy the way of your paths.


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Jehovah will enter into judgment with the elders of his people and the rulers of it. It is you* who have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of a poor man is in your* houses.


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What do you* mean that you* crush my people and grind the face of the poor? says the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.


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<pb/>Moreover Jehovah said, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go and making a tinkling with their feet,


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therefore the Lord will kill* with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion and Jehovah will lay bare their secret parts.


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<pb/>In that day, the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets and the hair nets and the crescents,


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<pb/>And it will happen, that instead of sweet spices there will be rottenness and instead of a belt, a rope and instead of well set hair, baldness and instead of a robe, a girding of sackcloth, branding instead of beauty.


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<pb/>And seven women will take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel. Only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.


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<pb/>In that day the branch of Jehovah will be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the land will be excellent and glory for those who have escaped from Israel.


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<pb/>And it will happen, that he who is left in Zion and he who remains in Jerusalem, will be called holy, even everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem,


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when the Lord will have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and will have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst of it, by the spirit of justice and by the spirit of burning.


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<pb/>And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night, for over all the glory, a covering.


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And there will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat and for a refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain.


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<pb/>Let me sing for my well-beloved a song of my beloved concerning his vineyard. My well-beloved had a vineyard in a very fruitful hill.


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And he dug it and gathered out the stones of it and planted it with the choicest vine and built a tower in the midst of it and also hewed out a winepress in it. And he looked that it should bring forth grapes and it brought out wild grapes.


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<pb/>And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I beseech you*, between me and my vineyard.


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What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, it brought out wild grapes?


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<pb/>And now I will tell you* what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away the hedge of it and it will be eaten up. I will break down the wall of it and it will be trodden down.


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And I will lay it waste. It will not be pruned nor hoed, but there will come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.


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<pb/>For the vineyard of Jehovah of hosts is the house of Israel and the men of Judah his pleasant plant. And he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression, for righteousness, but, behold, a cry.


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<pb/>Woe to those who join house to house, who lay field to field, till there is no room and you* are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land!


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In my ears <i>says</i> Jehovah of hosts, of a truth many houses will be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.


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For ten acres of vineyard will yield one 9-gallon container and a homer of seed will yield <i>but</i> an ephah.


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<pb/>Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink, who abide late into the night, till wine inflame them!


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And the harp and the lute, the tambourine and the pipe and wine, are <i>in</i> their feasts, but they do not regard the work of Jehovah, nor have they considered the operation of his hands.


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<pb/>Therefore my people have gone into captivity for lack of knowledge and their honorable men are famished and their multitude are parched with thirst.


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<pb/>Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire and opened its mouth without measure. And their glory and their multitude and their pomp and he who rejoices among them, descend <i>into it</i>.


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And the common man is bowed down and the great man is debased and the eyes of the lofty are humbled,


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Then the lambs will feed as in their pasture and wanderers will eat the waste places of the fat ones.


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who say, Let him make speed, let him hasten his work, that we may see it. And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it!


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<pb/>Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!


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<pb/>Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness and their blossom will go up as dust, because they have rejected the law of Jehovah of hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.


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<pb/>Therefore the anger of Jehovah is kindled against his people and he has stretched forth his hand against them and has struck them. And the mountains tremble and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets. <pb/>For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.


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<pb/>And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far and will whistle for them from the end of the earth, and behold, they will come with speed swiftly.


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None will be weary nor stumble among them. None will slumber nor sleep, nor will the belt of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken,


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whose arrows are sharp and all their bows bent. Their horses' hoofs will be accounted as flint and their wheels as a whirlwind.


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<pb/>Their roaring will be like a lioness. They will roar like young lions. Yes, they will roar and lay hold of the prey and carry it away safe and there will be none to deliver.


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And they will roar against them in that day like the roaring of the sea. And if <i>a man</i> looks to the land, behold, darkness <i>and</i> distress and the light is darkened in the clouds of it.


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<pb/>In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up and his train filled the temple.


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Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings, with two he covered his face and with two he covered his feet and with two he flew.


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<pb/>And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory.


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And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who cried and the house was filled with vapor.


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<pb/>Then I said, Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. For my eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.


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Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.


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And he touched my mouth with it and said, Behold, this has touched your lips and your iniquity is taken away and your sin forgiven.


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<pb/>And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then I said, Behold, send me.


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<pb/>And he said, Go and tell this people, Hear indeed, but do not understand and see you* indeed, but do not perceive.


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Make the heart of this people fat and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn and be healed.


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<pb/>Then I said, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until cities be waste without inhabitant and houses without man and the land become utterly waste,


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And if there is yet a tenth in it, it also will in turn be eaten up. As a terebinth and as an oak, whose stock remains when they are felled, so the holy seed is the stock of it.


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<pb/>And it happened in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah, King of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.


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And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is allied with Ephraim. And his heart trembled and the heart of his people, as the trees of the forest tremble with the wind.


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<pb/>Then Jehovah said to Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool, in the highway of the launder's field.


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And say to him, Take heed and be quiet. Do not fear, nor let your heart be faint, because of these two tails of smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and of the son of Remaliah.


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Let us go up against Judah and besiege it and let us make a breach in it for us and set up a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeel,


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<pb/>For the head of Syria is Damascus and the head of Damascus is Rezin. And within sixty-five years Ephraim will be broken in pieces, so that is will not be a people.


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And the head of Ephraim is Samaria and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If you* will not believe, surely you* will not be established.


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<pb/>And he said, Hear now, O house of David. Is it a small thing for you* to weary men, that you* will weary my God also?


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<pb/>Therefore the Lord himself will give you* a sign: Behold, a virgin will conceive and bear a son and will call his name Immanuel.


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For before the child will know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you abhor will be forsaken.


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<pb/>Jehovah will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah — even} the king of Assyria.


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<pb/>And it will happen in that day, that Jehovah will whistle for the fly that is in the outermost part of the rivers of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.


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And they will come and will rest all of them in the desolate valleys and in the clefts of the rocks and upon all thorn-hedges and upon all pastures.


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In that day the Lord will shave with a razor what is hired in the parts beyond the River, <i>even</i> with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet and it will also consume the beard.


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And it will happen, that because of the abundance of milk which they will give he will eat butter. For everyone who is left in the midst of the land will eat butter and honey.


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<pb/>And it will happen in that day, that every place where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silver coins, will be for briers and thorns.


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<i>Men</i> will come there with arrows and with bow, because all the land will be briers and thorns.


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And all the hills that were dug with the mattock, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but it will be for the sending forth of oxen and for the treading of sheep.


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<pb/>And Jehovah said to me, You take a great tablet and write upon it with the pen of a man, To Make Haste to Plunder! Hurry to the Spoil!


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And I will take to me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.


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And I went to the prophetess and she conceived and bore a son. <pb/>Then Jehovah said to me, Call his name Make Haste to Plunder! Hurry to the Spoil!


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For before the child will have knowledge to cry, My father, and, My mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria.


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Inasmuch as this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that go softly and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son,


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now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up upon them the waters of the River, strong and many, <i>even</i> the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will come up over all its channels and go over all its banks,


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and it will sweep onward into Judah. It will overflow and pass through; it will reach even to the neck. And the stretching out of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.


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<pb/>Make an uproar, O you* peoples and be broken in pieces. And listen, all you* of far countries. Gird yourselves and be broken in pieces. Gird yourselves and be broken in pieces.


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Take counsel together and it will be brought to nothing. Speak the word and it will not stand, for God is with us.


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<pb/>For Jehovah spoke thus to me with a strong hand and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,


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Do not say, A conspiracy, concerning all of which this people will say, A conspiracy, nor fear their fear, nor be in dread <i>of it</i>.


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<pb/>And he will be for a sanctuary, but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, for a net and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.


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And I will wait for Jehovah, who hides his face from the house of Jacob and I will be a man who has trusted in him.


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<pb/>Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Jehovah of hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion.


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<pb/>And when they will say to you*, Seek for those who have familiar spirits and for the wizards, who chirp and who mutter, should not a people seek for their God? On behalf of the living <i>seek</i> to the dead?


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<pb/><i>Seek</i> to the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.


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And they will pass through it, greatly distressed and hungry. And it will happen that, when they will be hungry, they will be angry and curse by their king and by their God and turn their faces upward.


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And they will look to the earth, and behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish and into thick darkness <i>to be</i> driven away.


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<pb/>But there will be no gloom to her who was in constraint. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.


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The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light has shone.


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<pb/>You have multiplied the nation. You have increased their joy. They joy before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.


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For the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian.


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For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, for fuel of fire.


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<pb/>For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government will be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.


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<pb/>Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from hereafter until everlasting. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.


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And all the people will know, <i>even</i> Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart,


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The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone, the sycamores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.


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<pb/>Therefore Jehovah will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin and will stir up his enemies,


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the Syrians in front and the Philistines behind and they will devour Israel with open mouth. <pb/>For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.


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<pb/>Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, nor will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows. For everyone is profane and an evildoer and every mouth does senselessness. <pb/>For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.


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<pb/>For wickedness burns as the fire. It devours the briers and thorns. Yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest and they roll upward in a column of smoke.


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Through the wrath of Jehovah of hosts is the land burnt up and the people are as the fuel of fire; no man spares his brother.


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<pb/>And he will snatch on the right hand and be hungry. And he will eat on the left hand and they will not be satisfied. They will eat every man the flesh of his own arm–


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Manasseh, Ephraim and Ephraim, Manasseh and together they will be against Judah. <pb/>For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.


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to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil and that they may make the fatherless their prey!


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<pb/>And what will you* do in the day of visitation and in the desolation which will come from far? To whom will you* flee for help? And where will you* leave your* glory?


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They will only bow down under the prisoners and will fall under the slain. <pb/>For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.


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I will send him against a profane nation and against the people of my wrath. I will give him a charge, to take the spoil and to take the prey and to tread them down like the mud of the streets.


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<pb/>However he does not so reason, nor does his heart so think, but it is in his heart to destroy and to cut off nations not a few.


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As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols, whose graven images excelled those of Jerusalem and of Samaria,


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<pb/>Therefore it will happen, that, when the Lord has performed his whole work upon Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the glory of his high looks.


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<pb/>For he has said, I have done it by the strength of my hand and by my wisdom, for I have understanding. And I have removed the bounds of the peoples and have robbed their treasures. And like a valiant man I have brought down those who sit <i>on thrones</i>.


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And my hand has found as a nest the riches of the peoples. And like a gathering of eggs that are forsaken, I have gathered all the earth. And there was none that moved the wing, or that opened the mouth, or chirped.


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<pb/>Shall the axe boast itself against he who hews with it? Shall the saw magnify itself against he who wields it? As if a rod should wield those who lift it up, <i>or</i> as if a staff should lift up <i>he who is</i> not wood.


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<pb/>Therefore will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, send among his fat ones, leanness and under his glory there will be kindled a burning like the burning of fire.


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And the light of Israel will be for a fire and his Holy One for a flame and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day.


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And he will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, both soul and body. And it will be as when a standard-bearer faints.


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<pb/>And it will happen in that day, that the remnant of Israel and those who are escaped of the house of Jacob, will no more again lean upon him who killed* them, but will lean upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.


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For though your people, Israel, be as the sand of the sea, a remnant of them will return. A destruction <i>is</i> determined, overflowing with righteousness.


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For a full end and that determined, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, will make in the midst of all the earth.


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<pb/>Therefore the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, says thus O my people who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian, though he slays you with the rod and lifts up his staff against you, according to the manner of Egypt.


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For yet a very little while and the indignation will be accomplished and my anger <i>is</i> to his destruction.


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<pb/>And Jehovah of hosts will stir up against him a scourge as in the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb. And his rod will be over the sea and he will lift it up according to the manner of Egypt.


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And it will happen in that day, that his burden will depart from your shoulder and his yoke from your neck and the yoke will be destroyed because of fatness.


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They have gone over the pass. They have taken up their lodging at Geba. Ramah trembles. Gibeah of Saul has fled.


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This very day he will halt at Nob. He shakes his hand at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.


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<pb/>Behold, the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, will lop off the branches with terror. And the high of stature will be hewn down and the lofty will be brought low.


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<pb/>And there will come out a shoot out of the stock of Jesse. And a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.


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And the Spirit of Jehovah will rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.


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And his delight will be in the fear of Jehovah. And he will not judge according to the sight of his eyes, nor decide according to the hearing of his ears,


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but with righteousness he will judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. <pb/>And he will kill* the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked.


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<pb/>And the wolf will dwell with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the kid and the calf and the young lion and the fatten one together and a little child will lead them.


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And the cow and the bear will feed; their young ones will lie down together. And the lion will eat straw like the ox.


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And the sucking child will play on the hole of the adder and the weaned child will put his hand on the adder's den.


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<pb/>They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters cover the sea.


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<pb/>And there will be a root of Jesse in that day and he who arises to rule over the Gentiles. In him will the Gentiles hope and his resting place will be glorious.


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<pb/>And it will happen in that day, that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, who will remain, from Assyria and from Egypt and from Pathros and from Cush and from Elam and from Shinar and from Hamath and from the islands of the sea.


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And he will set up an ensign for the nations and will assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.


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Also the envy of Ephraim will depart and those who besiege Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will not envy Judah and Judah will not besiege Ephraim.


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And they will fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west. Together they will despoil the sons of the east. They will put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab and the sons of Ammon will obey them.


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<pb/>And Jehovah will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea. And with his scorching wind he will wave his hand over the River and will kill* it into seven streams and cause men to march over dry shod.


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And there will be a highway for the remnant of his people, who will remain, from Assyria, like as there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.


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<pb/>And you will say in that day, I will give thanks to you, O Jehovah, for though you were angry with me. Your anger is turned away and you comfort me.


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Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and will not be afraid, for Jehovah, <i>even</i> Jehovah, is my strength and song and he has become my salvation.


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<pb/>And you* will say in that day, Give thanks to Jehovah. Call upon his name. Declare his practices among the peoples. Make mention that his name is exalted.


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Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion, for great in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.


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<pb/>Set up an ensign upon the bare mountain. Lift up the voice to them. Wave the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.


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I have commanded my consecrated ones, yes, I have called my mighty men for my anger, even my proudly rejoicing ones.


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<pb/>The noise of a multitude in the mountains, as of a great people! The noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! Jehovah of hosts is mustering the army for the battle.


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They come from a far country, from the outermost part of heaven, even Jehovah and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.


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And they will be dismayed. Pangs and sorrows will take hold. They will be in pain as a woman in travail. They will look in amazement one at another, their faces, faces of flame.


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<pb/>Behold, the day of Jehovah comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy the sinners of it out of it.


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For the stars of heaven and the constellations of it will not give their light. The sun will be darkened in its going forth and the moon will not cause its light to shine.


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<pb/>And I will punish the world for the evil and the wicked for their iniquity. And I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease and will humble the haughtiness of the terrible.


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Therefore I will make the heavens to tremble and the earth will be shaken out of its place, in the wrath of Jehovah of hosts and in the day of his fierce anger.


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<pb/>And it will happen, that as the chased roe and as sheep that no man gathers, they will turn every man to his own people and will flee every man to his own land.


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Their infants also will be dashed in pieces before their eyes. Their houses will be rifled and their wives ravished.


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<pb/>Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, who will not regard silver and as for gold, they will not delight in it.


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And <i>their</i> bows will dash the young men in pieces. And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye will not spare children.


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<pb/>And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.


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It will never be inhabited, nor will it be dwelt in from generation to generation. Neither will the Arabian pitch tent there, nor will shepherds make their flocks to lie down there.


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But wild beasts of the desert will lie there and their houses will be full of doleful creatures. And ostriches will dwell there and wild goats will dance there.


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And wolves will cry in their castles and jackals in the pleasant palaces. And her time is near to come and her days will not be prolonged.


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<pb/>For Jehovah will have compassion on Jacob and will yet choose Israel and set them in their own land. And the traveler will join himself with them and they will cling to the house of Jacob.


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And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place. And the house of Israel will possess them in the land of Jehovah for servants and for handmaids. And they will take them captive whose captives they were and they will rule over their oppressors.


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<pb/>And it will happen in the day that Jehovah will give you rest from your sorrow and from your trouble and from the hard service in which you were made to serve,


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that you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon and say, How has the oppressor ceased, the golden city ceased


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who killed* the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, who ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that none restrained.


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Yes, the fir trees rejoice at you, <i>and</i> the cedars of Lebanon, <i>saying</i>, Since you are laid low, no hewer has come up against us.


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<pb/>Sheol from beneath is moved for you, to meet you at your coming. It stirs up the dead for you, even all the chief ones of the earth. It has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.


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Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, <i>and</i> the noise of your viols. The worm is spread under you and worms cover you.


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<pb/>How you are fallen from heaven, O daystar, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low!


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And you said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God and I will sit upon the mountain of congregation, in the outermost parts of the north.


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<pb/>Those who see you will gaze at you. They will consider you, <i>saying</i>, Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms,


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who made the world as a wilderness and overthrew the cities of it, who did not let loose his prisoners to their home?


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But you are cast forth away from your sepulcher like an abominable branch, clothed with the slain, who are thrust through with the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, as a dead body trodden under foot.


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You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land. You have slain your people. The seed of evildoers will not be named everlasting.


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<pb/>Prepare you* slaughter for his sons for the iniquity of their fathers, that they not rise up and possess the earth and fill the face of the world with cities.


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And I will rise up against them, says Jehovah of hosts and cut off from Babylon name and remnant and son and son's son, says Jehovah.


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I will also make it a possession for the porcupine and pools of water. And I will sweep it with the broom of destruction, says Jehovah of hosts.


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<pb/>Jehovah of hosts has sworn, saying, Surely, as I have thought, so will it happen and as I have purposed, so will it stand,


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that I will break the Assyrian in my land and tread him under foot upon my mountains. Then will his yoke depart from them and his burden depart from their shoulder.


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<pb/>This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.


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For Jehovah of hosts has purposed and who will annul it? And his hand is stretched out and who will turn it back?


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<pb/>Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you, because the rod that killed* you is broken. For out of the serpent's root will come out an adder and his fruit will be a fiery flying serpent.


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And the firstborn of the poor will feed and the needy will lie down in safety. And I will kill your root with famine and your remnant will be slain.


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<pb/>Howl, O gate, cry, O city. You are melted away, O Philistia, all of you. For there comes a smoke out of the north and there is no straggler in his ranks.


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<pb/>What then will <i>a man</i> answer the messengers of the nation? That Jehovah has founded Zion and in her will the afflicted of his people take refuge.


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<pb/>The burden of Moab. For in a night Ar of Moab is laid waste, <i>and</i> brought to nothing. For in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, <i>and</i> brought to nothing.


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They have gone up to the house and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba. On all their heads is baldness. Every beard is cut off.


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In their streets they gird themselves with sackcloth. On their housetops and in their broad places, everyone wails, weeping abundantly.


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And Heshbon cries out and Elealeh. Their voice is heard even to Jahaz. Therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud. His soul trembles within him.


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<pb/>My heart cries out for Moab. Her nobles <i>flee</i> to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah   <n>{Third Eglath}</n>. For they go up with weeping by the ascent of Luhith. For they raise up a cry of destruction in the way of Horonaim.


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For the waters of Nimrim will be desolate, for the grass is withered away. The tender grass fails. There is no green thing.


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<pb/>Therefore the abundance they have gotten and what they have laid up, they will carry away over the brook of the willows.


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For the cry has gone all around the borders of Moab, the wailing of it to Eglaim and the wailing of it to Beer-elim.


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For the waters of Dimon are full of blood. For I will bring yet more upon Dimon, a lion upon those of Moab who escape and upon the remnant of the land.


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<pb/>Send you* the lambs for the ruler of the land from Selah to the wilderness, to the mountain of the daughter of Zion.


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For it will be that, as wandering birds, as a scattered nest, so will the daughters of Moab be at the fords of the Arnon.


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<pb/>Give counsel, execute justice, make your shade as the night in the midst of the noonday. Hide the outcasts. Do not betray the fugitive.


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Let my outcasts dwell with you. As for Moab, be a covert to him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortioner is brought to nothing. Destruction ceases. The oppressors are consumed out of the land.


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<pb/>And a throne will be established in loving kindness and he will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging and seeking justice and swift to do righteousness.


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<pb/>We have heard of the pride of Moab, <i>that</i> he is very proud, even of his arrogance and his pride and his wrath. His boastings are nothing.


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Therefore Moab will wail for Moab, everyone will wail. You* will mourn for the raisin-cakes of Kir-hareseth, utterly stricken.


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For the fields of Heshbon languish, <i>and</i> the vine of Sibmah. The lords of the nations have broken down the choice branches of it, which reached even to Jazer, which wandered into the wilderness. Its shoots were spread abroad. They passed over the sea.


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<pb/>Therefore I will weep with the weeping of Jazer for the vine of Sibmah. I will water you with my tears, O Heshbon and Elealeh. For upon your summer fruits and upon your harvest the <i>battle</i> shout has fallen.


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And gladness is taken away and joy out of the fruitful field. And there will be no singing nor joyful noise in the vineyards. No treader will tread out wine in the presses. I have made the <i>vintage</i> shout to cease.


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And it will happen, when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself upon the high place and will come to his sanctuary to pray, that he will not prevail.


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But now Jehovah has spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of a hireling, the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt, with all his great multitude. And the remnant will be very small and of no account.


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<pb/>The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city and it will be a ruinous heap.


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The cities of Aroer are forsaken. They will be for flocks, which will lie down and none will make them afraid.


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And the fortress will cease from Ephraim and the kingdom from Damascus. And the remnant of Syria, they will be as the glory of the sons of Israel, says Jehovah of hosts.


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<pb/>And it will happen in that day, that the glory of Jacob will be made thin and the fatness of his flesh will grow lean.


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And it will be as when the harvestman gathers the standing grain and his arm reaps the ears. Yes, it will be as when he gleans ears in the valley of Rephaim.


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Yet there will be gleanings left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree — two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost branches of a fruitful tree, says Jehovah, the God of Israel.


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<pb/>In that day men will look to their maker and their eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.


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And they will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, nor will they have respect for what their fingers have made, either the Asherim   <n>{pole-images}</n>   or the sun-images.


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<pb/>In that day their strong cities will be as the forsaken places in the woodland and on the mountain top, which were forsaken from before the sons of Israel and it will be a desolation.


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For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not been mindful of the rock of your strength. <pb/>Therefore you plant pleasant plants and set it with foreign slips.


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In the day of your planting you hedge it in and in the morning you make your seed to blossom. But the harvest flees away in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.


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<pb/>Ah, the uproar of many peoples, who roar like the roaring of the seas and the rushing of nations, that rush like the rushing of mighty waters!


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The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters, but he will rebuke them. And they will flee far off and will be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind and like the whirling dust before the storm.


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At eventide, behold, terror, <i>and</i> before the morning they are not. This is the portion of those who despoil us and the lot of those who rob us.


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that sends ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of papyrus upon the waters, <i>saying</i>, You* go swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people fearful from their beginning onward, a nation mighty and trampled down, whose land the rivers divide!


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<pb/>All you* inhabitants of the world and you* dwellers on the earth, when an ensign is lifted up on the mountains, see you* and when the trumpet is blown, hear you*.


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<pb/>For thus Jehovah has said to me, I will be still and I will behold in my dwelling-place, like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.


